Ingleborough now firmly repeated almost word for word what he had before said, and charged Anson with being an illicit-diamond-dealer.
“And upon what do you base this charge?” said the General sternly.
“The personal knowledge of myself and friend here,” replied Ingleborough.
“All lies, General,” cried Anson excitedly. “Those two are charging me with what they did themselves. They were illicit-diamond-dealers, and when they were found out they tried to plant the crime on me. All lies!”
“Crime? Yes,” said the General thoughtfully. “Yes; I suppose it is one of the greatest crimes that a man can commit in Kimberley. All lies, eh! Well, sir, not all, for it is evident from your speech that you are an Englishman and not a Boer. I judge too that you were in the company’s office at Kimberley.”
“Oh yes, General,” said Anson; “that is true, and through the plotting of these two men I was turned out of my situation.”
“And then deserted to the Boers?”
“No, General. I was obliged to do something for a living, so I bought a wagon to go in for trade; but I was captured by the Boers and they have kept me a prisoner ever since. Then you fought the Boers and beat them, and took me prisoner again. That’s why I’m here.”
“An Englishman—prisoner to your own countrymen? Why did you not declare what you were? What did he say his name was, sergeant?”
“Said he was a Boer and his name was Piet Retif, sir,” said the sergeant, with a look of disgust at Anson’s fat face.