ignant look of triumph without shrinking, and turning quickly
directly after with a feeling of pity as he heard the overseer summon
Nic to take his place in turn.

"Now's your time, my lad," Pete said to himself. "Speak out like a man,
and if you ask me to, I'll back you up--I will."

He looked on excitedly, wondering whether Nic's wits were still with
him, as but so short a time ago they had only returned to him like a
flash and then passed away, leaving him, as it were, in the dark.

It was very still in the hot, close place, and every word spoken sounded
strangely loud in the calm of the late afternoon.

"Lighter irons," said the overseer to the big black; and there was the
clinking sound of the great links as the man handed the fetters from the
basket.

"And him not shrinking," thought Pete. "Give me quite a turn. He can't
understand."

The big black took the fetters and balanced them in his hand, looking at
his superior as much as to say, "Will these do?"

The overseer took a step or two forward and grasped the chain, to stand
holding it, gazing frowningly the while at Nic, who met his gaze without
blenching.

"Why don't you speak--why don't you speak?" muttered Pete. "Can't you
see that now's your time?"

"You've been bad, haven't you?" said the overseer roughly.

Nic raised his hand slowly to his head and touched the scar of a great
cut on one side, the discoloration of a bruise on the other.

"But quite well again now?"

Nic smiled faintly.

"I am weak as a child," he replied.

"Humph! Yes," said the overseer, and he threw the chain upon the floor.

Pete, who had been retaining his breath for some moments, uttered a
faint exclamation full of relief.

"But why didn't he speak out and tell him?" For a few moments his
better feelings urged him to speak out himself; but he shrank from
exposing both to the denials of the other men again, and stood frowning
and silent.

Then the chance seemed to be gone, for the overseer gave the young
prisoner a thrust towards the others, and Nic walked towards them
straight for where Pete was waiting. Then he raised his eyes, saw who
was standing in his way, and he went off to his right, to stop beside
Humpy Dee, while a feeling of resentment rose hotly in Pete's breast.

"Oh, very well," he muttered to himself; "it's no business of mine."

The next minute the overseer gave a sharp order; the big black raised
the basket and put himself at the head of t