not be molested, although, not knowing the wickedness of his heart, we
did not believe it possible that he _would_ molest them when once they
were married. Indeed, there was some talk of their going to the dorp
for the wedding, and I wish that they had done so, for then much trouble
might have been spared to us. But their minds were set against this
plan, for they desired to be married where they had met and lived so
long, so we did not gainsay them.

At length came the eve of the wedding day and with it the _predicant_,
who arrived hungry and thirsty but running over with smiles and
blessings. That night we all supped together and were full of joy, nor
were Ralph and Suzanne the least joyous of us, though they said little,
but sat gazing at each other across the table as though the moon had
struck them.

Before I went to bed I had occasion to go out of the house for I
remembered that some linen which Suzanne was to take with her had been
left drying upon bushes after the wash, and I feared that if it remained
there the Kaffir women might steal it. This linen was spread at a little
distance from the house, near the huts where Sihamba lived, but I took
no lantern with me, for the moon was bright.

As I drew near the spot I thought that I heard a sound of chanting which
seemed to come from a little circle of mimosa trees that grew a spear's
throw to my left, of chanting very low and sweet. Wondering who it was
that sung thus, and why she sang--for the voice was that of a woman--I
crept to the nearest of the trees, keeping in its shadow, and peeped
through the branches into the grassy space beyond, to perceive Sihamba
crouched in the centre of the circle. She was seated upon a low stone
in such fashion that her head and face shone strangely in the moonlight,