It was an atrocious piece of exaggeration, from beginning to end; and those who signed it could not have known what they were about.

Certainly Wymontoo did not, though his mark was there.

In vain the consul commanded silence during the reading of this paper; comments were shouted out upon every paragraph.
The affidavits read, Wilson, who, all the while, looked as stiff as a poker, solemnly drew forth the ship's articles from their tin case.
This document was a discoloured, musty, bilious-looking affair, and hard to read.

When finished, the consul held it up; and, pointing to the marks of the ship's company, at the bottom, asked us, one by one, whether we acknowledged the same for our own.
"What's the use of asking that ?" said Black Dan; "Captain Guy there knows as well as we they are." "Silence, sir!" said Wilson, who, intending to produce a suitable impression by this ridiculous parade, was not a little mortified by the old sailor's bluntness.
A pause of a few moments now ensued; during which the bench of judges communed with Captain Guy, in a low tone, and the sailors canvassed the motives of the consul in having the affidavits taken.
The general idea seemed to be that it was done with a view of "bouncing," or frightening us into submission.

Such proved to be the case; for Wilson, rising to his feet again, addressed us as follows:-- "You see, men, that every preparation has been made to send you to Sydney for trial.