, of Schalkburg, is a good man. Can
he be fetched?"

The Commandant looked surprised, then conferred in a low tone with his
subordinate commanders.

"He can be fetched," he answered. "And as you have shown a proper frame
of mind, instead of blaspheming God--as your fellow-countryman did--more
time for preparation shall be allowed you. Instead of at sundown, you
must be ready for death an hour after sunrise to-morrow. That will
allow you some hours to pray with the _predikant_."

"I am grateful for that, Mynheer Commandant. But now, hear me.
Standing here, on the threshold of death, I proclaim Adrian De la Rey a
liar and perjurer--a perjurer who has taken the name of the great God to
witness his falsehood. Out there," waving his hand in the direction of
the far-off British entrenchments, "is possible death for any man--
glorious for the patriot, but for the liar and perjurer what--? I see
you, Adrian. Do not try and skulk out of sight among honester men than
yourself. Well, then, look me in the face, liar! So sure as I stand
here will death find you. Within three days death will find you out.
Now, liar and coward, well may you grow pale."

Adrian, white as a sheet, was trying to meet his denouncer's gaze, but
for the life of him could not at that moment. Muttering something, he
slipped away. And Colvin Kershaw followed his guards to his final
prison, well knowing that his hours were numbered.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

GERT BONDELZWART'S NEWS.

The town of Schalkburg was still in possession of the enemy. The Free
State flag waved above the Court-house, and the "patriot" burghers,
whether of the Free State commando or rebel colonial Boers, had things
all their own way, and a great time generally, for they proceeded to
"commandeer" all the necessaries of life, and a good many of its
luxuries, from the temporarily conquered people, and to make themselves
very much at home among them, mostly at the expense of the latter. For
these the only thing to do, however, was to accept the situation, and
make the best of it.

There was one to whom this course recommended itself, and that was Mr
Jelf. He would laugh ruefully over his enforced suspension--ruefully
because he was sure the Colonial Office would hold him responsible,
since for what is a long suffering Civil Commissioner not responsible--
and play whist with his superseder, a Free State attorney, who had been
set up by the burghers to administer the law