Chapter 20

A VERY COMMON CASE: OR A GREAT DEAL OF LAW, AND VERY LITTLE JUSTICE-
-HEADS AND TAILS, WITH THE DANGERS OF EACH.

I was early with Noah on the following morning. The poor fellow,
when it is remembered that he was about to be tried for a capital
offence, in a foreign country, under novel institutions, and before
a jury of a different species, manifested a surprising degree of
fortitude. Still, the love of life was strong within him, as was
apparent by the way in which he opened the discourse.

"Did you observe how the wind was this morning, Sir John, as you
came in?" the straightforward sealer inquired, with a peculiar
interest.

"It is a pleasant gale from the southward."

"Right off shore! If one knew where all them blackguards of rear
admirals and post captains were to be found, I don't think, Sir,
John, that you would care much about paying those fifty thousand
promises?"

"My recognizances?--Not in the least, my dear friend, were it not
for our honor. It would scarcely be creditable for the Walrus to
sail, however, leaving an unsettled account of her captain's behind
us. What would they say at Stunin'tun--what would your own consort
think of an act so unmanly?"

"Why, at Stunin'tun, we think him the smartest who gets the easiest
out of any difficulty; and I don't well see why Miss Poke should
know it--or, if she did, why she should think the worse of her
husband, for saving his life."

"Away with these unworthy thoughts, and brace yourself to meet the
trial. We shall, at least, get some insight into the Leaphigh
jurisprudence. Come, I see you are already dressed for the occasion;
let us be as prompt as duellists."

Noah made up his mind to submit with dignity; although he lingered
in the great square, in order to study the clouds, in a way to show
he might have settled the whole affair with the fore-topsail, had he
known where to find his crew. Fortunately for the reputations of all
concerned, however, he did not; and, discarding everything like
apprehension from his countenance, the sturdy mariner entered the
Old Bailey with the tread of a man and the firmness of innocence. I
ought to have said sooner, that we had received notice early in the
morning, that the proceedings had been taken from before the pages,
on appeal, and that a new venue had been laid in the High Criminal
Court of Leaphigh.

Brigadier Downright met us at the door; where also a dozen grave,
greasy-looking counsellors gathered about us, in a way to show that
they were ready to volunteer in behalf of the stranger, on receiving
no more than the customary fee. But I had determined to defend Noah
myself (the court