“Yes,” said Ingleborough, in a whisper to West, as he sat holding his hand to his injured head: “I believe him there.”
West nodded, and the next minute they saw Anson being led away in triumph by a crowd of Boers; but the commandant, with half-a-dozen more who seemed to be officers, and the man who had defended them when they were captured, remained close by the prisoners, talking together.
Soon after, the commandant approached them, glanced at Ingleborough, who lay back, evidently in pain, and then turned to West: “You heard what your old friend said?”
“Yes,” replied West.
“It is all true?”
“His base confession is,” said West boldly. “The man is a detected illicit-diamond-dealer.”
“He only bought what the British wrongly claimed!” said the Boer warmly. “What right had they to make laws forbidding people to buy what was freely given up by the earth for the benefit of all?”
“It is of no use for me to argue about the matter!” said West coolly. “I shall never convince you, and you will never convince me.”
“Oh yes, I should, after you had come to your senses! There, we are not brutes, only men fighting for our liberties, and I like you, for you are brave and manly. Why not join our cause? It is just.”
West looked the Boer full in the eyes, thinking the while that the man spoke in all sincerity and belief that his cause was right.