COURT-MARTIALLED.

O, if to fight for ... commonweal
Were piety in thine, it is in these....
Wilt thou draw near the nature of the Gods?
Draw near them then in being merciful.

_Shakespeare._


Arrived at Graaff Reinet, I was instantly removed to gaol, where I was
confined in a small room. Here, isolated from the rest of the world, I
was to spend many anxious days and sleepless nights. During the day I
was allowed to stay a few hours in an inner yard or enclosure of the
prison. The rest of the time I was locked up, and no bright sun-rays
could revive my drooping spirits. I begged permission to go as far as
the prisoner's yard, and promised not to speak to the other
prisoners--no, not even wink an eye, and should I transgress in any
respect the guard could shoot me down. I desired intensely to move and
breathe in the open and pure air--Nature's gift to all. But this favour
was too great. On the contrary, I was forbidden, on penalty of death, to
address any one. To add to my misery other forces seemed to co-operate.
For the very evening after my arrival an unknown gentleman entered my
room. He carried some documents, and politely informed me that I must
get ready for my trial. He hinted, moreover, that I should expect the
worst. If I had not a will, and wanted one, it should be drawn up
without further delay. If I had any documents to be disposed of, I
should arrange about these as well. In short, this kind (?) fellow gave
me to understand that my career was soon to terminate. How? That was the