They were accommodated with seats near the
left hand of the President.
Lastly, the prisoner was brought in guarded, and placed standing at
the foot of the table.
Traverse looked pale, from the severe effects of excessive fatigue
and anxiety, but he deported himself with firmness and dignity,
bowed respectfully to the court, and then drew his stately form up
to its fullest height, and stood awaiting the proceedings.
The Judge Advocate at the order of the President, commenced and read
the warrant for holding the court. He then read over the names of
the members, commencing as before, with the President, and
descending through the gradations of rank to the youngest officer,
and demanded of the prisoner whether he had any cause of challenge,
or took any exception to any member present, and if so, to declare
it, as was his privilege.
Traverse lifted his noble head and keen eyes, and looked slowly
around, in turn, upon each officer of the court-martial.
They might all be said to be strangers to him, since he knew them
only by sight--all except his old acquaintance, Herbert Greyson, who
sat first at the left hand of the President, and who returned his
look of scrutiny with a gaze full of encouragement.
"I find no cause of challenge, and take no exception to any among
the officers composing this court," answered Traverse, again bowing
with such sweetness and dignity in tone and gesture that the
officers, in surprise, looked first at the prisoner and then at each
other.
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