.

THE SHOT IN THE KLOOF.
I think it was about three weeks after these events that we began our southward trek.

On the morning subsequent to our arrival at Marais's camp, Pereira came up to me when several people were present, and, taking my hand, thanked me in a loud voice for having saved his life.
Thenceforward, he declared, I should be dearer to him than a brother, for was there not a blood bond between us?
I answered I did not think any such bond existed; indeed, I was not sure what it meant.

I had done my duty by him, neither less nor more, and there was nothing further to be said.
It turned out, however, that there was a great deal further to be said, since Pereira desired to borrow money, or, rather, goods, from me.

He explained that owing to the prejudices of the vulgar Boers who remained alive in that camp, and especially of the scandalous-tongued Vrouw Prinsloo, both he and his uncle had come to the conclusion that it would be wise for him to remove himself as soon as possible.