Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1888-06-15
CHAPTER xxx.
CONDEMNED TO DEATH.

CHAPTER xxx.
CONDEMNED TO DEATH.
Haf al hour passed in silence. which WAS
only broken by the footstef0 of the sentries
as they tramped, or rather loitercd. I'D and
down or by the occasional fall of some cal
cined masonry from the walls of the burned.
out house. What between the smell of smoke
and dust, the heat of the sun on the tin roof
above, and of the red hot embers OF til, house
in front, the little room where Bessie wa, Slut
up was almost unbearab,e, and she felt ms
though she should faint there upon the sacks.
Through one of the cracks in the wagon house
wall there blew little draught. ami by this
crack Bessie placed herself, leaning her head
against the wall so as to get the full benefit
of the cir and command view of tie place
Presently, several of the Beers came into the
wagon house and proceeded to pull some of the
carts and timber out of it, leaving one buck
wagon, however, placed along the wall on tie
side opposite to the crack through which she
was looking. Then they pulled the Scotch
cart over to her side, laughing about some
thing among themselves as they did SO. and
arranged It with its back turned toward the
wagon, supporting the shafts upon a wagon
jack. Next. out Of the further corner of the
place, they extracted an old saw bench and
set it ct the top Of the open space. Then Bes-
ne understood what they were doing: they
Wero arranging q court, and the saw bench
was the judges chair. SO Frank Muller
meant to carry out his threat!
Shortly after this all the Beers, except those
who were keeping guard, filed into the place
ov,A 70 rIu f1,<
seating themselves with much rough Joking
in a double row upon the broad side rails.
Next appeared Hans Coetzee, his head bound
up in q bloody handkerchief. He was pale
and shaky, but Bessie could see that he was
but little the worse for his wound. Then
came Frank Muller himself, looking white
and very terrible, and as he came the men
stopped their joking and laughing. Indeed,
it was curious to observe how strong was lis
asccndency over them. As rule, the veal,
part of Boer organization is that it is practi-
cally impossible to get one Boer to pay defer
ence to or obey another; but this was GER
tainly not the case where Frank Muller was
concerned.
Muller advanced without hesitation to the
saw bench at the top of tho space, and sat
down on it, placing his rifle between his
next minute Bessie saw her old uncle con-
Quoted in by two armed Beers, who halted in
the middle Of the space, about three PAGES
from the saw bench, and stood one on either
side Of their prisoner. At the same time
Hans Coetzee climbed up into tho Scotch cart,
and Muller drew q note book and a pencil
from his pocket.
SSilence!" he said ave are assembled here
70 try the Englishman, Silas Croft, by court
martial. The charges against MIN arc .ua.
by word and deed, notably by continuing to
fly the English flag after the country had
been surrendered to the republic, he has trait
orously rebelled against the government OF
the country. Further, that be has attempted
to murder burgher Of the republic by shoot
ing at him with loaded rifle. II these
charges are proved against him he will be
liable to death. by martial law. Prisoner
Croft, what do you answer to the charges
against your
Tho old man, who seemed very quiet and
composed, looked at his judge and then re-
Piled:
Il aman English subject. only defended
my house after you had murdered ono of my
ssrvanta Ideny your jurisdiction over me,
md refuse to plead"
Frank Muller made some notes in his pocket
book, and then said, II override tho prison
ers objection a. to the Jurisdiction Of the
~ ~ 81. 81. 80 49, ~ "s "iu.io" JAKE
needed, for we all saw the flag flying. As to
the second, Hans Coetsee, the assaulted
Co., 49,, f III - ~ svnee. ,1am
~ rsv,blc n, 49, 49, .,,,.s, ~ ~, s,,S
s,,,tt ia ,,Stss,,.- -. ~. s...s.sn "'e
.Amlghty. YES answered Hans. from the
cart ON which be had enti,roned himself. $50
help me. the dear Lord
SPrococd then.~
Il was entering the house Of tho ruisoncr to
arrest him. in Obedience to your vorshipful
commands, when the prisoner lifted q gun
and fred at me. Tho bullet from the gun
struck mo on the ear. cutting it and putting
me to much pain and los Of blood That Is
The evidence I have 70 give.1
wThath right. that = not = III. /. said .ome
q the meu on the wagon.
sPriponer. have Won anv ouegtion To .sh
the witnesir MID Muller.
II have no questions to ask; deny YOU,
Jurisdiction said tho old man with spirit.
sTha prisoner decliues to question the. wit
~ ana agaln pleads 70 the Jurisdiction, q
pa wacn nave overTuied Gentlemen, dc
yo1 DESIRE 70 hear any further cviaencep
NO no"
10 you then hnd the prisoner guilty Of the
cna1ges 'ead ecainss MINT
xe, yee' irom tne wagon.
Muller made further note In his book and
tim went ON;
linen, tne PRISONER having been found
guaty q nigh treason and attempted murder
eneo0ly matter that remains Is tho question
OF ne ponnnment required 70 be melted out
~ tho law 70 such wicked and horrible Of
fenseA Every man wiz give hts verdict, hav
ing duly considered II there h any way by
which, IN accordance with the holy dictates
Of his conscience. and with tho natural
promptines to pity in his heart. he can ex'
tend mercy to the prisoner. As commandani
and president Of the court The first vote lie
With mo; and must tell you, gentlemen
that feal the responsibility . very hearty
ooe in the dght Of God and my country; and
must also warn you not to be Influenced q
overrulsd by my decision. who am, like you
only man, kahle to err and be led away"
SHear, hear,n aid the voices ON the wagon
q - paused to note the effect Of his address
uGeutleuen ana burrhers Of the state. nv
n.furaI uroanp1ines 81 this cam ara toward
~ M nrisner = an ola mn. Who IN,
1;vs6 n,env ~. amon0 M Like : hrothor
Tn6e..l ~ = . svoortrekRer, and thouoh IN
Hnc,;shman ~ a ia fefl,er, ~ the Lana
Can we condemn such : oue to a bloody