ised this mock trial to have for its object. The net was winding
itself more fatally about him, and by nothing short of a miracle now
could he be extricated from its entangling meshes. In Gideon Roux'
malignant face a gleam of devilish exultation seemed to lurk, as though
he recognised that this was a safer, surer method of disposing of an
obnoxious and inconvenient person than shooting at him in the dusk from
behind a rock. Those around listened in solemn and impressive silence.
The groups of bystanders had been steadily augmenting, and now nearly
the whole camp stood crowded around, in a strangely picturesque armed
assembly.

After Gideon Roux followed that worthy's _vrouw_, looking quite as
slatternly and rather more frightened than on that occasion when Colvin
had partaken of her somewhat grudging hospitality. She emphatically
confirmed all that her husband had said. The course the accused took
with her was to remind her as impressively as he was able of the oath
she had taken, and to suggest that she had better think well over her
testimony lest she should have been mistaken. Sheer waste of words.

Colvin realised that he was doomed, and that every man in that camp
believed every word that had been stated with regard to him. So when
Hermanus Delport, and one or two others, came forward to corroborate
that he had spent the evening at Gideon Roux' house, he simply refused
to waste time or trouble asking any more questions. What he would ask,
however, was that the man who had mounted guard over him should be put
forward the man who had kept him a prisoner all night--that was, from
just after sundown--by the Commandant's orders.

"I gave no such orders, as I have said before," said Commandant
Schoeman. "Were any such orders given, _Heeren_, by any of yourselves?"
turning towards the other occupants of the tent.

"_Nee_--_nee_," came forth the reply, universal and emphatic. "We know
of no guard being placed over the accused during the first part of the
night."

Colvin had thought they had now got more than ample testimony--false
testimony--to afford them all the pretext they wanted. But he reckoned
without Commandant Schoeman. Said the latter:

"Mynheer Morkel. Will you kindly stand where the others have stood, and
tell what you know of this matter?"

Morkel fairly started, a great look of dismayed consternation
overspreading his features.

"But I know nothing about it, Mynheer Commandant," he prot