t was taken."

As he spoke he laid a finger upon a couple of notches he had made in the
wood-work.

"Now then," said the General, "before I have the wagon examined--"

Anson's eyes twitched.

"Repeat the charge you made against this man!" continued the General.

Ingleborough now firmly repeated almost word for word what he had before
said, and charged Anson with being an illicit-diamond-dealer.

"And upon what do you base this charge?" said the General sternly.

"The personal knowledge of myself and friend here," replied
Ingleborough.

"All lies, General," cried Anson excitedly. "Those two are charging me
with what they did themselves. They were illicit-diamond-dealers, and
when they were found out they tried to plant the crime on me. All
lies!"

"Crime? Yes," said the General thoughtfully. "Yes; I suppose it is one
of the greatest crimes that a man can commit in Kimberley. All lies,
eh! Well, sir, not all, for it is evident from your speech that you are
an Englishman and not a Boer. I judge too that you were in the
company's office at Kimberley."

"Oh yes, General," said Anson; "that is true, and through the plotting
of these two men I was turned out of my situation."

"And then deserted to the Boers?"

"No, General. I was obliged to do something for a living, so I bought a
wagon to go in for trade; but I was captured by the Boers and they have
kept me a prisoner ever since. Then you fought the Boers and beat them,
and took me prisoner again. That's why I'm here."

"An Englishman--prisoner to your own countrymen? Why did you not
declare what you were? What did he say his name was, sergeant?"

"Said he was a Boer and his name was Piet Retif, sir," said the
sergeant, with a look of disgust at Anson's fat face.

"Yes; that looks black against him!" said the General. "He is taken
with the Boers, while those who charge him are men of trust, being
chosen to bear despatches."

"Because they were not found out, sir!" cried Anson. "There never was a
worse pair of cheats and tricksters."

"Perhaps not!" said the General. "So you were a prisoner with the
Boers, my man?"

"Yes, General, and very glad to see the British troops come up and gain
such a success."

"You said that you was a dealer in mealies and corn," growled the
sergeant.

"Well, a man must do something for his living."

"Of course," said the General. "Well, you look simple and innocent
enough."

"I am, sir, really!" crie