Indeed, he was now engaged as one of the organisers of the Great Trek which was in contemplation.

In fact, it had already begun, into the partially explored land beyond the borders of the Colony, where the Dutch farmers proposed to set up dominions of their own.
That was the story of Hernando Pereira, who was to be--nay, who had already become--my rival for the hand of the sweet and beautiful Marie Marais.
One night when my father and I were alone in the little room where he slept with me, and he had finished reading his evening portion of Scripture aloud, I plucked up my courage to tell him that I loved Marie and wished to marry her, and that we had plighted our troth during the attack of the Kaffirs on the stead.
"Love and war indeed!" he said, looking at me gravely, but showing no sign of surprise, for it appeared that he was already acquainted with our secret.

This was not wonderful, for he informed me afterwards that during my delirium I had done nothing except rave of Marie in the most endearing terms.

Also Marie herself, when I was at my worst, had burst into tears before him and told him straight out that she loved me.
"Love and war indeed!" he repeated, adding kindly, "My poor boy, I fear that you have fallen into great trouble." "Why, father ?" I asked.

"Is it wrong that we should love each other ?" "Not wrong, but, in the circumstances, quite natural--I should have foreseen that it was sure to happen.