"Yes! yes! yes!" were the answers.
"It is irregular! It is illegal! It is unprecedented! A new ballot?
Never heard of such a thing in forty years of military life! Lord bless
my soul, what is the service coming to!"
"A new ballot! a new ballot! a new ballot!" was the unanimous cry.
The President groaned in spirit, and recorded a vow never to forgive
Herbert Greyson for this departure from routine.
The new ballot demanded by acclamation had to be held.
The Judge Advocate called the court to order and began anew. The votes
were taken as before, commencing with the young lieutenant, who now
responded sonorously: "Not guilty!"
And so it ran around the entire circle.
"Not guilty!" "Not guilty!" "Not guilty!" were the hearty responses of
the court.
The acquittal was unanimous. The verdict was recorded.
The doors were then thrown open to the public, and the prisoner called
in and publicly discharged from custody.
The court then adjourned.
Traverse Rocke threw himself upon the bosom of his friend, exclaiming
in a broken voice: "I cannot sufficiently thank you! My dear mother and Clara will do
that!"
"Nonsense!" said Herbert laughing; "didn't I tell you that the Lord
reigns, and the devil is a fool? This is only the beginning of
victories!"