hat an uncertain tempered Johnny he is."

But I did not hear Beryl's reply, and--I should have liked to.

We had to hurry back to court again, and, the native evidence concluded,
Brian was called to the witness-box. He deposed to George's return home
directly after the tragedy, and how he and I were the first to hear the
boy's account of the same, and from that, his first account, he had
never swerved in any detail. Also how he himself had proceeded to the
scene of the tragedy in the hope of being of some aid. Pyle then
questioned him about the accused's disposition. Was he inclined to be
careless with firearms?

No, Brian didn't think he was. All boys were more or less careless
about most things. Whereat a titter ran through the crowd.

Was the accused of a mischievous disposition?

"Not more than most other boys of his age." And at this the titter
became a laugh, causing the magistrate, whose official soul was
scandalised, to glance up sharply.

Was he of a passionate or vindictive disposition?

"Not in the least," answered Brian decisively. "I am as convinced that
the whole affair was a sheer accident--the thoughtless pointing of a gun
at anybody I don't defend--as I am that I stand here at this moment."

A murmur of applause greeted this remark, and then Brian being done
with, I was invited to take his place, but as all that was wanted from
me was a mere confirmation of George's first narrative of the affair, I
soon got down again.

Septimus Matterson followed. He was very much affected, but gave his
evidence in a sensible straightforward manner that was worthy of all
praise. He told of the irruption of indignant natives on to his place,
but without any rancour or ill-will. As for the accident, no one
regretted and deplored it more than he did, unless it was his
unfortunate son, and he fully intended, according to Kafir custom in the
matter of homicide, to make liberal compensation to the relatives of the
slain boys. As to which he would be glad if the magistrate would allow
this to be made known by the interpreter for the satisfaction of the
natives at the back of the court.

He had always lived on friendly terms with his Kafir neighbours, he went
on when the hum of applause that greeted the last announcement had
subsided, and hoped always to do so, in spite of this deplorable
accident; several of their chiefs, too, were well known to and esteemed
by him and his, and now in this case he had b