could go away for a while. I must take counsel with my countrymen about
certain secret matters which have to do with our welfare and future,
and, of course they would not like it if all the while there were two
Englishmen on the place, whom they might think were spies."

"Say no more, Heer Marais," broke in my father hotly; "still less should
we like to be where we are not wanted or are looked upon with suspicion
for the crime of being English. By God's blessing, my son has been able
to do some service to you and yours, but now that is all finished and
forgotten. Let the cart you are so kind as to lend us be inspanned. We
will go at once."

Then Henri Marais, who was a gentleman at bottom, although, even in
those early days, violent and foolish when excited or under the
influence of his race prejudices, began to apologise quite humbly,
assuring my father that he forgot nothing and meant no offence. So they
patched the matter up, and an hour later we started.

All the Boers came to see us off, giving me many kind words and saying
how much they looked forward to meeting me again on the following
Thursday. Pereira, who was among them, was also very genial, begging me
to be sure and get well, since he did not wish to beat one who was still
crippled, even at a game of goose shooting. I answered that I would do
my best; as for my part, I did not like being beaten it any game which I
had set my heart on winning, whether it were little or big. Then I
turned my head, for I was lying on my back all this time, to bid
good-bye to Marie, who had slipped out of the house into the yard where
the cart was.

"Good-bye, Allan," she said, giving me her hand and a look from her eyes