ion
of time and expression, into the most solemn and soul-stirring of psalm
tunes; to the convulsive, because concealed, delight of Andrina and
Condaas and others in the know, and to the ecstatic edification of the
antiques aforesaid, who would go away thinking that if only "Mynheer"
would induce the performer to play on the harmonium in church on Sunday,
what a long way they would travel in order to be present.

But the lighter side of life is never far removed from the momentous,
and this was represented in another part of the house, whose owner was
closeted in long and earnest conversation with "the Patriot."

"You are the man we want, Brother De la Rey," the latter was saying in
his quick, emphatic voice, having spent an hour setting forth his
mission in all its fulness, and that with the convincing earnestness of
a man who thoroughly believes in it. "Just consider. The whole of this
district is with us, and not merely the whole of this district but the
whole of the Northern border. Others, too, as far as the seaboard on
one side and the Cape on the other. You cannot stand aloof. You cannot
be the only one to refuse to side with your countrymen, those of your
own blood, in their struggle for freedom and power."

"We had better not talk too much about freedom," was the reply, with a
grave head-shake, "I should like to know, Brother Botma, under what
Government we could enjoy greater freedom than that under which we are
now living."

"`Under which?' Yes, that is just it. `Under which.' But we ought not
to be living `under' any Government but our own. Our independence--that
is the star to which our eyes turn. That you yourself dwell happy and
in comfort here, Stephanus De la Rey, is but an unworthy way of looking
at it. Are the ties of blood-brotherhood nothing? Are the ties of
nationality nothing? Is our independence nothing? Selfish
considerations must be thrown away now. Why, even you have two sons
with us. They will fight in our ranks. Will you, then, fight in those
of the enemy?"

"I do not desire any fighting. I deplore this trouble. If the Kafirs
were to rise, for instance, I do not think you would find me backward.
Ask those who know me if I am not speaking true. But this is a struggle
between white men, and in a land, too, where they ought to be brothers."

"Brothers? We and the English can never be brothers. Listen,
Stephanus," laying an impressive hand upon the other's arm. "It i