to give."

"That's right; that is not a lie," said some of the men on the waggon.

"Prisoner, have you any question to ask the witness?" said Muller.

"I have no question to ask; I deny your jurisdiction," said the old man
with spirit.

"The prisoner declines to question the witness, and again pleads to the
jurisdiction, a plea which I have overruled. Gentlemen, do you desire to
hear any further evidence?"

"No, no."

"Do you find the prisoner guilty of the charges laid against him?"

"Yes, yes," from the waggon.

Muller made a further note in his book, and went on:

"Then, the prisoner having been found guilty of high treason and
attempted murder, the only matter that remains is the question of
the punishment required to be meted out by the law to such wicked
and horrible offences. Every man will give his verdict, having duly
considered if there is any way by which, in accordance with the holy
dictates of his conscience, and with the natural promptings to pity
in his heart, he can extend mercy to the prisoner. As commandant and
president of the court, the first vote lies with me; and I must tell
you, gentlemen, that I feel the responsibility a very heavy one in
the sight of God and my country; and I must also warn you not to be
influenced or overruled by my decision, who am, like you, only a man,
liable to err and be led away."

"Hear, hear," said the voices on the waggon as he paused to note the
effect of his address.

"Gentlemen and burghers of the State, my natural promptings in this case
are towards pity. The prisoner is an old man, who has lived many years
amongst us like a brother. Indeed, he is a _voortrekker_, and, though an
Englishman, one of the fathers of the land. Can we condemn such a one to
a bloody grave, more especially as he has a niece dependent on him?"

"No, no!" they cried, in answer to this skilful touch upon the better
strings in their nature.

"Gentlemen, those sentiments do you honour. My own heart cried but now,
'No, no. Whatever his sins have been, let the old man go free.' But
then came reflection. True, the prisoner is old; but should not age have
taught him wisdom? Is that which is not to be forgiven to youth to be
forgiven to the ripe experience of many years? May a man murder and be a
traitor because he is old?"

"No, certainly not!" answered the chorus on the waggon.

"Then there is the second point. He was a _voortrekker_ and a father to
the land. Should he not there