After this, as the commandant declined to take the evidence of Hans because he was a Hottentot and my servant, I addressed the court, relating exactly what had taken place between me and Dingaan, and how I and Hans came to escape on our second visit to his kraal.  I pointed out also that unhappily for myself I could not prove my words, since Dingaan was not available as a witness, and all the others were dead.  Further, I produced my letter to Marie, which was endorsed by Retief, and the letter to Retief signed by Marais and Pereira which remained in my possession.

By the time that I had finished my speech the sun was setting and everyone was tired out.  I was ordered to withdraw under guard, while the court consulted, which it did for a long while.  Then I was called forward again and the commandant said: 

“Allan Quatermain, after prayer to God we have considered this case to the best of our judgment and ability.  On the one hand we note that you are an Englishman, a member of a race which hates and has always oppressed our people, and that it was to your interest to get rid of two of them with whom you had quarrelled.  The evidence of Henri Marais and Hernan Pereira, which we cannot disbelieve, shows that you were wicked enough, either in order to do this, or because of your malice against the Boer people, to plot their destruction with a savage.  The result is that some seven hundred men, women, and children have lost their lives in a very cruel manner, whereas you, your servant, your wife and your friends have alone escaped unharmed.  For such a crime as this a hundred deaths could not pay; indeed, God alone can give to it its just punishment, and to Him it is our duty to send you to be judged.  We condemn you to be shot as a traitor and a murderer, and may He have mercy on your soul.”

At these dreadful words Marie fell to the ground fainting and a pause ensued while she was carried off to the Prinsloos’ house, whither the vrouw followed to attend her.  Then the commandant went on: 

“Still, although we have thus passed judgment on you; because you are an Englishman against whom it might be said that we had prejudices, and because you have had no opportunity of preparing a defence, and no witnesses to the facts, since all those whom you say you could have called are dead, we think it right that this unanimous sentence of ours should be confirmed by a general court of the emigrant Boers.  Therefore to-morrow morning you will be taken with us to the Bushman’s River camp, where the case will be settled, and, if necessary, execution done in accordance with the verdict of the generals and veld-cornets of that camp.  Meanwhile you will be kept in custody in your own house.  Now have you anything to say against this sentence?”