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.