Part 54 (2/2)
The new-comer, who had four officers in attendance upon him during what was apparently a tour of inspection of the camp, turned sharply on the two friends.
”I cannot have the prisoners ill-treated,” he said. ”Why is this?”
”Because he is not a Boer, sir,” said Ingleborough sharply. ”This man was in the company's office with us at Kimberley. He is little better than a thief, or worse, for he is a receiver of stolen goods, an Englishman, an illicit buyer of diamonds, and a renegade who gave information to and deserted to the Boers.”
”That will do,” said the General. ”Half of your charges would condemn him. Sergeant, see that this prisoner is carefully guarded. He will be tried later on. I am too busy to attend to such matters now.”
Anson gave vent to a gasp, after listening to the general's orders for his safe custody.
But, though he was listening to the orders given, his eyes were otherwise employed. They were half-closed, but fixed intently upon West, and they did not quit his face till the sergeant clapped him on the shoulder, saying: ”Now, Mr Piet Retif, this way!”
Then he started violently, and was marched off to be placed with certain of the prisoners who were the most carefully guarded.
”Did you notice anything in particular just before Anson was led off?”
said Ingleborough.
”No. Poor wretch. I'm sorry for him!”
”Keep your sorrow for a more worthy object, my lad, and mind and give that fellow a wide berth if ever he gets his liberty again.”
”Which he will, of course.”
”Well, perhaps so, for the Company can't give the diamond-buyer all they would like! But when he does get free, you be careful!”
”Why, what harm can he do me?”
”Can't say,” said Ingleborough abruptly; ”but something or another ill you may take it for granted he will do. I've been watching his face, and read what it means! Of course, he doesn't like me, for I've been fighting against him all along; but somehow he seems to hate you, and, mark my words, he'll try his best to do you a mischief! He gives you the credit of being the cause of all this trouble!”
”But I've not been!” said West.
”No; I've done the scoundrel ten times the mischief that you have, for I disliked him from the very first day we met. He was too oily for me, and I always thought that he would turn out a bad one. I'm the culprit, but he means to let me alone and to take all the change out of you!
That's all--only don't give him a chance!”
”Not I; but we shall not see much more of him, I suppose.”
”What? There'll be a trial in a day or two, and I've got a pill for my gentleman.”
”What do you mean--not a lead pill?”
”Tchah! Nonsense. I mean to ask for the scoundrel's wagon to be searched. I was afraid they would let him go back to it.”
”The wagon? Of course,” said West thoughtfully. ”I had forgotten that.”
The young men's eyes met as if they were trying to read each other's thoughts; but no more was said then, and the next morning West and Ingleborough were summoned to the General's wagon.
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