xecution on account of them. But if a white
person who was present went away to proclaim to the authorities, perhaps
even to the Governor of the Cape, whose ear could always be won through
the missionaries of the London Society, that this pretended execution
was nothing but a murder, then the thing became serious. From the moment
that Suzanne began to speak on behalf of Sihamba, Swart Piet had seen
that it would be impossible to hang her unless he wished to risk his
own neck. But he guessed also that the girl could not know this, and
therefore he determined to make terms by working on her pity, such terms
as should put her to shame before all those gathered there; yes, and
leave something of a stain upon her heart for so long as she should
live.

"I do not argue law with young ladies," he said, with a little laugh,
"but I am always ready to oblige young ladies, especially this young
lady. Now, yonder witch and cattle-thief has richly earned her doom,
yet, because you ask it, Suzanne Botmar, I am ready to withdraw the
prosecution against her, and to destroy the written record of it in my
hand, on two conditions, of which the first is that she pays over to me
by way of compensation for what she has stolen, all her cattle and other
belongings. Do you consent to that, witch?"

"How can I refuse?" said Sihamba, with a bitter laugh, "seeing that if I
do you will take both life and goods. But what is the second condition?"

"I am coming to that, witch, but it has nothing to do with you. Suzanne,
it is this: that here, before all these people, as the price of this
thief's life, you give me the kiss which you refused to me the other
day."

Now, before Suzanne could answer, Sihamba broke in eagerly, "Nay, lady,
let not your lips be stained and your heart be shamed for the sake
of such as I. Better that I should die than that you should suffer
defilement at the hands of Swart Piet, who, born of white blood and
black, is false to both and a disgrace to both."

"I cannot do it," gasped Suzanne, turning pale and not heeding her
outburst, "and, Heer van Vooren, you are a coward to ask it of me."

"Can't you?" he sneered. "Well, you need not, unless you please, and
it is true that young women like best to be kissed alone. Here, you
Kaffirs, pull that little devil up; slowly now, that she may learn what
a tight string feels like about her throat before it chokes her."

In obedience to his command three of the evil fellows with hi