"'That is very easy,' answered Klein Andries, quite calmly.
'No doubt we shall find that stone you speak of.'
"'And I will get Piet to do it,' said the old man.
"'No,' replied Klein Andries. 'Piet shall not do it.
Nobody shall do it. I will not have it done.'
"'Andries,' said the old man, 'you and I must not talk thus. I am your father, and I tell you to do me this service. Say rather, I ask it of you. It is no more than an act of kindness to a stricken man; your hand on the gun will be the hand of mercy.'
"'But I cannot do it,' cried out Klein Andries in a sort of pain.
"'You will do it,' said the old man. 'Remember you are the eldest of my sons. You will do it, Andries?'
"'No,' said Andries.
"'You will do it?'
"'No!'
"'Then, Andries,' said the old man, half raising himself as he lay, and pointing a finger at his son—'then, Andries, eldest son and dearest and all, I will curse you.'