I. O. "Yes; the guide whom we took from your farm. He tried to escape, and was unfortunately shot."
Miss P. (laughing outright) "Oh, Stephanus! He is no sweetheart of mine. How could he be? He is only a bywoner!"
I. O. "But you told me that he was when I first suggested taking him with me!"
Miss P. "Did I? It was not the truth, then; it was only an addition to the part I was then playing."
I. O. "How do I know that you are not still playing a part?"
Miss P. "If I am, then it is a very sad one. No; you may trust me now. I have played my part, and if anything that I could do for you would stop this dreadful war, I would gladly help you!"
I. O. "You can help me, if you will; but after what you have said about my want of manners, I am afraid to ask you a question."
Miss P. "I have forgiven you that; and now that you do not claim the right to question me, I do not mind answering you if I can!"
I. O. "How, if your object was to save your father, did it happen that Lotter was informed of our presence at Richmond Road?"
Miss P. "I expected that you would ask that. I did not tell him personally, nor would I in any circumstances have done so. But the fact that I arrived in great haste in the small hours of the morning had a peculiar meaning to the commando, and it was not necessary for me to open my mouth. I daresay to-night there will be one hundred Africander girls in the saddle in different parts of the Colony. When the urgency is great, a girl is more reliable than a Kaffir. It is one of our means of communication. There; is not that an admission worthy of a loyal Africander?"