Placed in an armoured truck, I was taken to Graaff Reinet Gaol.  My experiences there shall be related in the next chapter.  Had I suffered much up to this time, greater suffering and more anxious moments were awaiting me.

Before leaving this subject I would sincerely thank the doctors and sisters, who evinced such great interest and attended so well to my case while laid up in the Naauwpoort Hospital.

CHAPTER VII.

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 question.

The next morning the local magistrate came to pay me his respects.  The unpleasant remarks of the previous evening were cruelly reiterated, enlarged upon, and emphasized.  The magistrate volunteered very kindly to submit, if necessary, all my papers to some one I may please to appoint.  He would also deliver messages to my sorrowing friends and relatives.  As my trial was pending, I asked him what he meant by talking such nonsense.  Surely the British were not going to shoot each and every Boer officer whom they captured, and that without fair trial!