," went on Schoeman, ignoring
the protest as completely as though the other had not spoken, "and
therefore you have been adjudged to meet a traitor's doom. But our good
brother Mynheer Grobbelaar here and others have pleaded for you, and so
we have decided to remit that judgment upon you, subject to one
condition. You are to have a chance of proving your good faith. You
are to undertake to serve in arms with the Republican forces where and
whenever required, until it shall please the good God to bring this
cruel and unrighteous war to an end and give victory unto those who
serve Him. And to this end you will sign this declaration."

Colvin took the paper, and by the light of the lantern closely scanned
it--not without eagerness. It was written in Dutch and contained an
oath of submission to the South African Republics and an undertaking to
bear arms on their behalf even as Schoeman had set forward.

"And if I sign this your sentence is not to be carried out, Mynheer
Commandant?" he said quickly.

"In a word, this is the price of my life?"

"That is so," said Schoeman.

"Then I refuse the conditions. I will not sign it. I refuse to draw
trigger on my own countrymen!"

"_Toen_, Colvin. Sign it, man. Sign it!" broke in Swaart Jan eagerly.
"We don't want you to be shot, _kerel_."

"Thanks, Oom Jan. I don't believe _you_ do. But I can subscribe to no
such declaration, be the consequences what they may."

Then Jan Grobbelaar, who was really well disposed towards the prisoner,
became voluble. Why would he persist in throwing away his life in that
foolish manner? He was one with them now, why not throw in his lot with
them openly? It did not matter in the long run. The Republics were
bound to win, since God and justice were on their side--and so on, and
so on. All in vain.

"It is of no use, Oom Jan. I'm grateful to you all the same. But under
no circumstances whatever can I consent to fire on my own countrymen."

The little man was really distressed, and was pouring forth his
volubility once more. But Schoeman interrupted.

"Then you refuse the chance we offer you?"

"On those terms--absolutely."

"Be it so. Your blood be upon your own head. And now we will leave you
with Mynheer, for your hours are but few indeed."

And the two went out--Swaart Jan shaking his head lugubriously over the
astonishing obstinacy of the man he would fain befriend.

Colvin was not one of those who sneer at rel