no misses, that is until he took to courting Suzanne, and his only
pleasure was to keep the company of Kaffir chiefs and women and to mix
himself up with the devilments of the witch-doctors. Still, as every man
has his fate, at last he fell in love with Suzanne, and in love with her
he remained during all his wicked life, if that can be love which seeks
to persecute and bring misery upon its object. It was just before the
coming of the Englishmen that this passion of his manifested itself, for
whenever he met the girl--outside the house for the most part, since
Jan did not like to have him in it--he made sweet speeches and passed
foolish pleasantries which, to be just, I am sure Suzanne never
encouraged, since all her heart was elsewhere.

Now Swart Piet had information of everything, for his Kaffir spies
brought it to him; therefore he very soon learned that Jan and Ralph had
gone away with the cattle to the warm veldt, and that we two women
were alone in the house. This was his opportunity, and one of which he
availed himself, for now two or three times a week he would ride
over from his place, take supper and ask leave to sleep, which it was
difficult to refuse, all this time wearying the poor girl with his
attentions. At last I spoke my mind to him about it, though not without
hesitation, for to tell truth Swart Piet was one of the few men of whom
I have ever been afraid. He listened to me politely and answered:

"All this is very true, Aunt, but if you desire a fruit and it will not
fall, then you must shake the tree."

"What if it sticks to the bough?" I asked.

"Then, Aunt, you must climb the tree and pluck it."