SUSANNA

26| SHE IS NOT AN OX

The soldiers had been going at each other for a while, uniforms torn and blood on their lips and fists. Standing between them were Frans de Coninck and Hagens.

'I hate you, I am going to kill you!' Cornelisz, seething with rage ran into his room. He appeared with his side arms and charged Fredericus.

Abraham Gabemma arrived as Hagens and de Coninck hurled Fredericus out of harm's way and wrestled the sword from the gunner. The Commander had also arrived on the scene. He and Abraham stood aside as de Coninck and Hagens brought the disturbance under control.

'What is going on here at this ungodly hour?' Van Riebeeck demanded.

The pushing and shoving halted and the sentries assumed a respectful position. De Coninck, the most senior among the soldiers stepped forward. 'The gunner and trumpeter here,' he said and pointed to Cornelisz, 'Used bad words towards his fellow brother in arms.' He pointed to Wreede.

Fredericus Wreede and Cornelisz stood Side-by-side. Cornelisz's face was contorted with rage while Fredericus seemed to have a smirk plastered onto his exterior.

'Fredericus was aggrieved at the abusive behaviour he suffered from his attacker and was forced to defend himself.'

'You are on duty, are you not?' The Commander asked the gunner still trembling with rage.

Cornelisz, realising that he was naked cupped his private parts with both his hands.'

'I am,' he replied, eyes darting from his fellow soldiers to the Commander.

'Yet you are in a state of undress. Have you been drinking and Fornicating? The gunner dropped his head. 'I demand an answer.'

'Yes, Commander.'

'What is your main duty?'

'To guard the gunpowder room, Commander.'

'Are you on duty now?'

'Yes, Commander.'

'Why are you not guarding the gunpowder room, gunner Cornelisz?'

When it became obvious that the young gunner was not saying anything further, de Coninck stepped in. 'It was a slave who distracted him, Commander... One of yours.'

The Commander's brow creased. 'One of mine?'

De Coninck nodded and pointed to the room. The Commander walked to the gunner's room and looked inside. Maria was cowering in one corner. Naked.

'Fiscal, put him in irons,' he instructed. 'The Council will attend to the matter first at first light.'

Gabemma visited the gunner the next day. Willem Cornelisz was subdued but still spewing a great deal of negative words towards the corporal who had laid a charge against him.

'Willem, what is the cause of these devils in your heart and lips?' He asked, curious to know what could possibly have pushed the usually soft-spoken gunner and trumpeter into such a state of temporary madness. Let alone assault a fellow soldier. 'Such acts carry harsh punishments, even banishment. It will ruin your chances of becoming a freeman...'