Oh! listen, lady; sometimes a cloud comes over me, and in that cloud I who was born a doctoress see visions of things that are to happen, true visions.

Among them I see this: that many moons hence and far away I shall live to save you as you have saved me, but between that day and this the cloud of the future is black to my eyes, black but living." "It may be so," answered Suzanne, "for I have heard that you have the Sight.

And now, farewell; you had best seek out some friends among your people and hide yourself." "My people," said Sihamba; "then I must seek long, for they are very, very far away, nor do they desire to see me." "Why not ?" "Because as it chances I am by blood their ruler, for I am the only child of my father's head-wife.

But they would not have me set over them as chieftainess unless I married a man, and towards marriage I have no wish, for I am different from other women, both in body and heart.

So having quarrelled with them on this and another matter of policy I set out to seek my fortune and left them to theirs." "Your fortune was not a good one, Sihamba, for it led you to Swart Piet and the rope." "Nay, lady, it led me to the Swallow and freedom; no, not to freedom but to slavery, for I am your slave, whose life you have bought at a great price.