"It is the business of the Republic," retorted Piet, coolly, and at the same moment he struck down a Boer who was about to fire. "I'll shoot the first man who disobeys my orders," he said. "Clear the room. I am in command here!" It was done. Then they set to work to drag out the bodies of the dead and tend the wounded. Soon Harold and his wife, Piet Bok and Van Zwieten, were left alone. For the third time the Dutchman had been baffled. The man whom of all others he would have had dead still lived. Harold, knowing well that Piet Bok would stand his friend, said nothing for the moment, but wrapped his arms round Brenda and faced the two men. The issues of life and death were in their hands. "Will you sit down, Englishman?" said Piet Bok. "I see you are wounded." "A mere scratch!" replied Harold; "but my wife will sit with your permission!" "Your wife!" echoed the Boer leader, who spoke English well enough. "You never told me she was the _rooinek's_ wife!" he added, turning to Van Zwieten. "I did not think it was necessary," growled the other; "besides, I thought that would have ceased to be by now!" "Yes, I can well believe that!" cried Brenda, with sudden energy. "Mynheer Bok, do not believe what this man says. He tried to carry me off from my husband last night; and when I escaped to this place he brought you and your men up with the sole object of having my husband shot. He would shoot him now if he dared!" "That he shall not do whilst I am here!" cried Piet Bok. "You are both prisoners of the Republic, and as such you shall be treated." "Nothing of the sort!" cried Van Zwieten, mad with rage. "I demand that the man be shot and the woman be given to me!" Piet Bok signed to Harold to remain silent. "On what grounds?" "On the grounds that this woman was engaged to marry me with the consent of her father, and that this man has married her against her father's will." "Is this true?" asked the Boer leader. "No!" cried Brenda, "it is not true. At one time my father, deceived by this wicked Van Zwieten, did wish me to marry him. But when he found out his true character he consented to my marriage with Captain Burton. I never was engaged to him! I always hated him. This is my husband!" She laid her hand on Harold's shoulder. "Give me to that man and I will kill myself." "She raves!" said Van Zwieten. "He has turned her against me." "That is another lie," said Harold, fiercely. "You don't believe him, Piet Bok?" "No, I don't believe him," replied the big man, quietly. "I believe the lady. My friend," he added, turning to Van Zwieten, "can you wish to marry a woman who openly declares hatred for you? Besides, she is already the wife of this English soldier, and she loves him." The Dutchman winced. "I demand his death!" he cried. "On what grounds?" "He is a murderer." "That is untrue," Brenda said quietly, "and you know it, Mr. van Zwieten."