Q. You knew absolutely nothing about your being kept in Boma to be tried for serious offences you were accused of having committed?—A. I knew absolutely nothing.
Q. Would you have employed an advocate to defend you had you known that you were going to be tried for such serious offences against the laws of the country?—A. Most certainly I would. I brought down with me 3,500 fr., and the Judge has got 3,000 fr. of that sum, which I wish you to mind for me. I think you have the receipt.
[Note.—The receipt was handed to Mr. Nightingale by a Lagos man named Shanu a few days ago.]
Q. You know, I suppose, that you have been sentenced to ten years’ penal servitude?—A. Yes; I was sentenced to ten years by the first Judge, but the second Judge reduced it to two and a-half years; and they say that if I behave properly that I may get my liberty in six months.
[Note.—Jones has misunderstood his sentence. The sentence of ten years passed in the Court of First Instance was upheld in the Appeal Court.]
Q. What work have they given you to do here?—A. I am employed on the carpentering work of this building (pointing to a stone house that is in course of construction).
Q. You declare you are perfectly innocent of the charges brought against you, and for which you have been condemned to ten years’ penal servitude?—A. Yes, Sir; I am innocent.
Q. You wish me to hold the 3,000 fr. for you?—A. Yes; if you please, Sir.
(Signed) A. NIGHTINGALE.