wish you to begone from it."

"It is true," she answered, "but not of my own will did I bring the
trouble, O Father of Swallow," for so she always called Jan. Indeed, for
Sihamba, Suzanne was the centre of all things, and thus in her mouth the
three of us has no other names than "Father" or "Mother" or "Lover" of
Swallow.

"That may be so," answered Jan, "but, doubtless, Black Piet, who hates
you, will follow you here, and then we shall be called upon to defend
you, and there will be more trouble."

"It is not I whom Black Piet will follow," she replied, "for he has
stolen all I have, and as my life is safe there is nothing more to get
from me," and she looked at Suzanne.

"What do you mean, Sihamba? Speak plain words," said Jan.

"I mean," she answered, "that it is not I who am now in danger, but my
mistress, the Swallow, for he who has kissed her once will wish to kiss
her again."

Now at this Ralph cursed the name of Swart Piet aloud, and Jan answered,

"It is a bullet from my _roer_ that he shall kiss if he tries it, that I
swear."

"I hope it may be so," said Sihamba; "yet, Father of Swallow, I pray you
send me not away from her who bought me at a great price, and to whom my
life belongs. Look; I cost you but little to keep, and that little I