the
British think you will never find. But if you are going to believe the
words of this malicious boy, and consider me to be a common thief, I've
done. You can have the few paltry stones I brought away to sell and pay
for my bread and meat till the war is over, and let me go. I don't want
to act as your guide into Kimberley! It's nothing to me! I have told
you what I did; and what is more, I'd do it again!"
"Yes," said Ingleborough, in a whisper to West, as he sat holding his
hand to his injured head: "I believe him there."
West nodded, and the next minute they saw Anson being led away in
triumph by a crowd of Boers; but the commandant, with half-a-dozen more
who seemed to be officers, and the man who had defended them when they
were captured, remained close by the prisoners, talking together.
Soon after, the commandant approached them, glanced at Ingleborough, who
lay back, evidently in pain, and then turned to West: "You heard what
your old friend said?"
"Yes," replied West.
"It is all true?"
"His base confession is," said West boldly. "The man is a detected
illicit-diamond-dealer."
"He only bought what the British wrongly claimed!" said the Boer warmly.
"What right had they to make laws forbidding people to buy what was
freely given up by the earth for the benefit of all?"
"It is of no use for me to argue about the matter!" said West coolly.
"I shall never convince you, and you will never convince me."
"Oh yes, I should, after you had come to your senses! There, we are not
brutes, only men fighting for our liberties, and I like you, for you are
brave and manly. Why not join our cause? It is just."
West looked the Boer full in the eyes, thinking the while that the man
spoke in all sincerity and belief that his cause was right.
"Well, what do you say?" cried the Boer.
West tightened his lips and shook his head.
The Boer frowned and turned to Ingleborough.
"Well," he said, "you join us, and you will not repent. Prove faithful,
and you will gain a place of trust among us!"
West listened for his comrade's reply.
"Oh, I can't join without him," said Ingleborough. "He's master, and
I'm only man!"
"Then he was bearer of the despatch--what that man Anson said was true?"
"Oh yes, that part of his story was true enough."
"That you were despatch-riders on the way to Mafeking--you two?"
"Quite right."
"And you two had been diamond-dealers, and brought away a quantity?"
|