a capacious pocket, and doubled up that dingy article for
Marie to kneel on, which she did. Then Pieter Retief, flinging down
the book, clasped his hands and uttered this simple, earnest prayer,
whereof, strangely enough, every word remains fast in my mind. Coming
as it did, not from a printed page, but from his honest and believing
heart, it was very impressive and solemn.

"O God above us, Who sees all and is with us when we are born, when we
are married, when we die, and if we do our duty for all time afterwards
in Heaven, hear our prayer. I pray Thee bless this man and this woman
who appear here before Thee to be wed. Make them love each other truly
all their lives, be these long or short, be they sick or well, be they
happy or in sorrow, be they rich or poor. Give them children to be
reared up in Thy Word, give them an honest name and the respect of all
who know them, and at last give them Thy Salvation through the Blood of
Jesus the Saviour. If they are together, let them rejoice in each other.
If they are apart, let them not forget each other. If one of them dies
and the other lives, let that one who lives look forward to the day of
reunion and bow the head to Thy Will, and keep that one who dies in Thy
holy Hand. O Thou Who knowest all things, guide the lives of these
two according to Thy eternal purpose, and teach them to be sure that
whatever Thou doest, is done for the best. For Thou art a faithful
Creator, Who wishes good to His children and not evil, and at the last
Thou wilt give them that good if they do but trust in Thee through
daylight and through darkness. Now let no man dare to put asunder those
whom Thou hast joined together, O Lord God Almighty, Father of us all.
Amen."

So he prayed, and all the company echoed that Amen from their hearts.
That is all except one, for Henri Marais turned his back on us and
walked away.

"So," said Retief, wiping his brow with the sleeve of his coat, "you are
the last couple that ever I mean to marry. The work is too hard for a
layman who has bad sight for print. Now kiss each other; it is the right
thing to do."

So we kissed, and the congregation cheered.

"Allan," went on the commandant, pulling out a silver watch like a
turnip, "you have just half an hour before we ride, and the Vrouw
Prinsloo says that she has made you a wedding meal in that tent there,
so you had best go eat it."

To the tent we went accordingly, to find a simple but bounteous feast
pr