They stripped Cole of his guns, knife, and belt before leading him unceremoniously to the jail. More than a hundred accusing faces turned to him and watched as he, together with his escort, crossed the parade ground. Cole dare not meet any of the stares. Each was so full of suspicion, even hatred. His heart sank, and a dreadful, dark cloud settled over him. Even when the solid clang of the jail door closing behind him caused him to jump, he could not summon up the strength to speak out. Everything was out of control, a mad kaleidoscope of mixed emotion, bewilderment and half, ill-thought-out questions whirling around in his brain. He could make no sense of what was happening, or why. Nobody believed him, not even Burnside. In despair, he fell onto his bunk and, face in hands, fought to cal
