The memory of the men killed under his command and the present sufferings of the wounded had preyed upon him through a long, wakeful night.
But here was a veteran in the service, prepared, after hearing all possible testimony, to declare that he, Darrin, was not blamable! "I had hoped," resumed Captain Gales, "that the affair on shore could he conducted without firing a single shot, However, Ensign Darrin, the fact has been established to my satisfaction that you did your work well; that you did not allow your men to fire a shot until you had been attacked in force.

Nor did you fire upon Mexican troups or reputable natives, but upon a body of bandits---outlaws---who are enemies of all mankind.

Not to have returned the fire, under such circumstances, would have been censurable conduct.

That several times through the night you held your party's fire, and at no time fired oftener than appeared to be absolutely necessary, is established by the eye-witnesses with whom I have talked.

Nor were the losses to your command higher than might have been looked for in a fight against superior numbers, such as you encountered.