LEGAL TACT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 499, 10 November 1871, Page 1 (Supplement)

LEGAL TACT.

A very extraordinary criminal trial w r as entirely decided by the knowledge my father had picked np of nautical affairs in Ids early voyages to and from the West Indies. Two Lascars were on their trial for the murder of the captain of the ship, and the evidence of the mate seemed quite conclusive. In the course of it he said, however, that at the time of the murder there was great confusion, as the ship was in much peril, and requiring all the attention of the sailors to prevent her striking on a rock. My father, who defended the prisoners, asked so many questions as to the exact number of the crew and where each man was, and what he was engaged in during this perilous time, that at last the Judge whispered, “ I suppose, Mr. Adolphus, those questions are to the purpose ? I own Ido not see it,” thinking, doubtless, the time of the Court was being wasted. After a few more questions as to the special duty each man was performing, the witness accounting for every man on board, the captain being below, and the, two prisoners murdering him. My father fixed his eyes steadily on the witness, and said in a searching and loud voice, “ Then who was at the helm 1” The wretched mate dropped down in a fit, and soon after confessed he was himself the murderer. In his false evidence he had given to eacli man his position, and forgotten the most material, or rather left none to fill it. —Life of the late John Adolphus, hj his Laughter.