Retief shrugged his shoulders and laughed as he answered: 

“I will take my chance of that.  What is the use of troubling one’s head about such a snake of a man?  And now, Allan, I have something to ask you.  Are you married yet?”

“No, uncle, nor can be for another five weeks, when Marie comes of age.  Her father still holds that his oath binds him, and I have promised that I will not take her till then.”

“Does he indeed, Allan?  I think that Henri Marais is ‘kransick’ (that is, cracked), or else his cursed nephew, Hernan, has fascinated him, as a snake does a bird.  Still, I suppose that he has the law on his side, and, as I am commandant, I cannot advise anyone to break the law.  Now listen.  It is no use your staying here looking at the ripe peach you may not pluck, for that only makes the stomach sick.  Therefore the best thing that you can do is to come with me to get those cattle from Sikonyela, for I shall be very glad of your company.  Afterwards, too, I want you to return with me to Zululand when I go for the grant of all this country.”

“But how about my getting married?” I asked in dismay.

“Oh!  I dare say you will be able to marry before we start.  Or if not, it must be when we return.  Listen now; do not disappoint me in this matter, Allan.  None of us can speak Zulu except you, who takes to these savage languages like a duck to water, and I want you to be my interpreter with Dingaan.  Also the king specially asked that you should come with me when I brought the cattle, as he seems to have taken a great fancy to you.  He said that you would render his words honestly, but that he did not trust the lad whom he has there to translate into Dutch and English.  So you see it will help me very much in this big business if you come with me.”

Still I hesitated, for some fear of the future lay heavy on my heart, warning me against this expedition.

“Allemachte!” said Retief angrily, “if you will not grant me a favour, let it be.  Or is it that you want reward?  If so, all I can promise you is twenty thousand acres of the best land in the country when we get it.”

“No, Mynheer Retief,” I replied; “it is no question of reward; and as for the land, I have already pegged out my farm on a river about thirty miles to the east.  It is that I do not like to leave Marie alone, fearing lest her father should play some trick on me as regards her and Hernan Pereira.”

“Oh, if that is all you are afraid of, Allan, I can soon settle matters; for I will give orders to the Predicant Celliers that he is not to marry Marie Marais to anyone except yourself, even if she asks him.  Also I will order that if Hernan Pereira should come to the camp, he is to be shut up until I return to try him.  Lastly, as commandant, I will name Henri Marais as one of those who are to accompany us, so that he will be able to plot nothing against you.  Now are you satisfied?”