Have I not just sworn to do so ?" Marie said with a sad smile.
"And so will I, Allan," said the vrouw; "not because I have sworn anything, but because I know you have a good head on your shoulders, and so will my man and the others of our party.

Though why you should think you will have any message to send, I can't guess, unless you know something that is hidden from us," she added shrewdly.

"You say you don't; well, it is not likely you would tell us if you did.

Look! They are calling, you must go.

Come on, Marie, let us see them off." So we went to where the commission was gathered on horseback, just in time to hear Retief addressing the people, or, rather, the last of his words.
"Friends," he said, "we go upon an important business, from which I hope we shall return happily within a very little time.