I can easily find another after-rider." "Is the baas angry with me that he should speak so ?" asked the Hottentot.

"Have I not always been true to him; and if I should be killed, what does it matter?
Have I not said that I do not think about to-morrow, and we must all go to sleep sometime?
No; unless the baas beats me back, I shall come with him.

But, baas"-- this in a wheedling tone--"you might give me some brandy to drink your health in to-night.
It is very good to get drunk when one has to be sober, and perhaps dead, for a long time afterwards.

It would be nice to remember when one is a spook, or an angel with white wings, such as the old baas, your father, used to tell us about in school on the Sabbath." At this point, finding Hans hopeless, I got up and walked away, leaving him to finish our preparations.
That evening there was a prayer-meeting in the camp, for although no pastor was present, one of the Boer elders took his place and offered up supplications which, if simple and even absurd in their wording, at least were hearty enough.

Amongst other requests, I remember that he petitioned for the safety of those who were to go on the mission to Dingaan and of those who were to remain behind.