in getting a refusal from the Chief Commandant of the Free State.  It was owing to his efforts that the proclamation did not become a valid one in this Colony, and he cannot be responsible for anything that may have been done against the agreement arrived at by those at the meeting.

“As regards his treatment of natives, he tells you himself that he never had natives shot, except those boys who were duly tried, and whose sentences were duly confirmed, and that will tell in his favour.

“As regards his attitude re the destruction of property, we have the letter to Scheepers, and the Court will bear that in mind in deciding whether he has been guilty of these acts of inhumanity charged against him or not.

“His character has been excellent.  Coming back into danger again in order to secure a remount for one of his men whose horse had been shot, he was himself wounded, and ultimately captured.  His conduct on that occasion was that of a brave man, as it has been all through the war.  If there is a question of doubt I ask the Court to bear in mind the character of the prisoner.  All the evidence is riddled with doubt, and you have to weigh this, sir.  On the one hand the native was shot in Kritzinger’s absence.  There is no proof that it was done by his order, or with his consent.  The evidence of the natives in the 4th Charge is of the weakest description.  Against that you have his excellent character, and the story corroborated by his own witnesses and corroborated in some respects by the witnesses for the prosecution.  I ask you, sir, to weigh that evidence in the balance, and see which side is found wanting.

“Just a word more, and I have done.  I know there are some people who say it is unfair to try a man by a Court composed of men who have been fighting against him.  Sir, I have no such fear.  I know, sir, I feel sure that there is not an officer in South Africa who would not gladly acquit the prisoner of the crimes laid to his charge if he felt he could conscientiously do so.  I therefore leave in your hands the fate of a man whose bravery has been shown on many occasions, in many a hard fight, whose honesty and humanity have been, in many instances, conspicuous.  More than that, sir, should he be acquitted, when this war is over, he will, I feel sure, be able and ready to do much to restore the good feeling which we all hope will prevail between English and Dutch, I leave his fate in your hands with the conviction that you will bring in the only verdict warranted by the evidence, a verdict of ’Not guilty.’”

This address gives you, reader, the gist of my trial.  If you have had the patience to read through it you will be able to have a fair conception of what we had to pass through in the early days of March, 1902.

CHAPTER VIII.

WHY WE SURRENDERED.