Perhaps he had gained some inkling of our last farewell in the peach orchard.

I do not know.

But I do know that if anyone had lifted a sjambock on me I should have answered with a bullet.
Then there would have been blood between us, which is worse to cross than whole rivers of wrath and jealousy.

So I just watched the wagons until they vanished, and galloped home down the rock-strewn slope, wishing that the horse would stumble and break my neck.
When I reached the station, however, I was glad that it had not done so, as I found my father sitting on the stoep reading a letter that had been brought by a mounted Hottentot.
It was from Henri Marais, and ran thus:-- "'REVEREND HEER AND FRIEND QUATERMAIN,--I send this to bid you farewell, for although you are English and we have quarrelled at times, I honour you in my heart.

Friend, now that we are starting, your warning words lie on me like lead, I know not why.