be a
lord among the English. Yes, yes, I know the English lords. I saw one
once when I went to Capetown; he was the Governor there, and driving
through the streets in state, dressed as bravely as a blue-jay in his
spring plumage, while everybody took off their hats to him, except I,
Jan Botmar, who would not humble myself thus. Yet to have such clothes
as that to wear every day, while all the people salute you and make a
path for you, is not a thing to be laughed at. See boy, it just comes to
this: here you are poor and little, there you may be rich and much, and
it is our duty not to stand in your road, though it may break our hearts
to lose you. So you had best make up your mind to go away with the
damned Scotchmen when they come, though I hope that you will think
kindly of us when you get to your own country. Yes, yes, you shall
go, and what is more, you may take my best horse to ride away on, the
thoroughbred _schimmel_, and my new black felt hat that I bought in the
dorp. There, that is done with, praise be to God, and I am going out,
for this place is so thick with smoke that I can't see my own hand," and
he rose to go, adding that if the two Scotchmen did not want a bullet
through them, it would be as well if they kept out of his way when they
came upon the farm.

Now in saying that the room was thick with smoke Jan lied, for both the
men's pipes went out when they began to talk. But as I knew why he lied
I did not think so much of it. To tell the truth, at that moment I could
see little better than he could, since, although I would have poisoned
those two Scotchmen before I suffered them to take Ralph away, the very
thought of his going was enough to fill my eyes with tears, and to cause
Suzanne to weep aloud shamelessly.

"Wait a bit, father--I beg your pardon, Jan Botmar," said Ralph in a
clear and angry voice; "it is my turn now, for you may remember that
when we began to talk I had something to say, but you stopped me. Now,
with your leave, as you have got off the horse I will get on."

Jan slowly sat down again and said:

"Speak. What is it?"

"This: that if you send me away you are likely to lose more than you
bargain for."

Now Jan stared at him perplexedly, but I smiled, for I guessed what was
to come.

"What am I likely to lose," he asked, "beyond my best horse and my felt
hat? Allemachter! Do you want my span of black oxen also? Well, you
shall have them if you like, for I should wish you to