We must now return to the arraignment, as it proceeded after the messenger had been despatched.

The negro confined with Tommy presented a wretched picture when brought into the light room among the other prisoners.  His head was so swollen that no trace of feature was left in his face.  Cuts and gashes were marked with plaster all over his neck and face; his head tied up with an old red handkerchief; his eyes, what could be seen of them, more like balls of blood than organs of sight; while the whiskey and water with which his head had been washed, had mixed with the blood upon his clothes, and only served to make its appearance more disgusting.  Altogether, a more pitiful object never was presented to human sight.

Some minutes before the clock struck nine, an intelligent-looking gentleman, very well dressed, and portly in his appearance, entered the room.  He was evidently kindly disposed, but one of those men whose feelings prompt them to get through business with despatch, rather than inquire into the circumstances of aggravated cases.  He held a consultation with the officer for some minutes with reference to the prisoners.  After which he mounted a little tribune, and addressing a few words to the white prisoners, (a person who acted the part of clerk announced court by rapping upon a desk with a little mallet,) inquired whether the officers had notified the owners of the negroes.  Being informed that they had, he proceeded with the negroes first.  One, by some good fortune, was taken away by his master, who paid the usual fee to swell the city treasury; another was sentenced to receive twenty paddles on the frame at the workhouse; and the third, the man we have described, being brought forward, weak with the loss of blood, leaned his hand upon the back of a chair.  “Stand up straight!” said the officer, in a commanding tone.

“Now, my boy, this is twice you have been before this court.  Your master has left you to the mercy of the law, and given strict orders to the police in the event that you were caught a third time.  Your crime is worse now, for you were caught in company with that white boy-probably on some errand of villany, prowling about the streets after drum-beat.  I shall, in consideration of the facts here stated by the police, whose evidence I am bound to recognise, sentence you to nineteen paddles on the frame, and to be committed to jail, in accordance with your master’s orders, there to await his further directions.

“Arraign the white prisoners according to the roll, Mr.—.  Have you sent a message to the Captain about that boy?” inquired the mayor.

“No, yer honor; but I will send at once,” said the officer, stepping into the passage and calling an attendant.

The little fellow was arraigned first.  He stood up before the mayor while the ruffianly policeman who arrested him preferred the charges and swore to them, adding as much to give coloring as possible.  “Now, my man, let me hear what you have got to say for yourself.  I have sent for your captain,” said the mayor, looking as if he really felt pity for the little fellow.