’I have nothing to do with that, however.

’I can only say, that in any other country you would not have a claim on their mercy.  The sentence of the Court is, that you be taken from this place where you are now, and be conveyed to the jail at Pretoria, or any such other jail in this Republic as may be appointed by law, to be kept there till a time and place of execution shall be appointed by lawful authority, that you be taken to the place of execution to be there hanged by the neck till you are dead.

‘May Almighty God have mercy on your soul!’

Whilst the sentences were being passed upon the four leaders the auditors were wrought up to the highest pitch; sobs were heard on every side, tears were on many cheeks, and even stolid old Boers were seen to weep.  One man was carried from the room in a fit.

The four Reform leaders, who had borne themselves during this trying time in a brave and fearless manner, then stepped out of the dock firmly and unhesitatingly, and were taken to the Pretoria jail.

The other fifty-nine prisoners were then called to the bar and sentenced each to pay a fine of ten thousand dollars, and to suffer two years’ imprisonment.

Thus ended this remarkable trial, a judicial trial unprecedented in the annals of jurisprudence.

A mockery of justice and a travesty upon civilisation.[9]

FOOTNOTES: 

[Footnote 9:  The foregoing regarding the trial and sentence of the Reformers is from information derived from eye-witnesses and the local Press.]

XI

By a strange providence Betty and I missed the early train.  I had not reckoned on the delay in dressing which sorrow and fatigue could occasion.

The paper had announced that the sentence was to be given at noon.  Though I had no intention of being present in the Court-room, I wished to be within reach of my husband in case he should need me.  We took the local train which left Johannesburg at 10.30.

Our journey came to an end.  I saw Mr. Rose Innes and Dr. Scholtz on the platform.

‘Is it the death sentence?’

Mr. Rose Innes, with both hands on my shoulders to keep me from falling, said ‘Yes.’

There were many other friends, I have since learned, who were there to receive me.  I have a hazy recollection of Mr. Barnato, good kind-hearted ‘Barney,’ begging me ‘not to fret’; that he had brought my husband to Africa and he meant to stand by him till he got out of Africa.  Mrs. Clement and Betty remained beside me.  The day was without hours to me, a dry aching stretch of time; I had no tears to shed!

At some time in the afternoon Mrs. Joel brought me a flower and a note from my husband, beseeching me to keep up a brave heart, and assuring me that he was all right and as comfortable as was possible under the circumstances.