But as the Kaffirs say, when a strong wind blows a small spark will make the whole veld burn.

It just depends upon whether the spark is there.

If an Englishman and a Boer began to fight for instance, anything might happen.

Goodbye, I have got a message to deliver.
If things go right we might dine at the European tonight, and if they don't, goodness knows where we shall dine." I nodded sagely and he departed.

Then I went to my wagon to tell the boys not to send the oxen off to graze at present, for I feared lest they should be stolen if there were trouble, but to keep them tied to the trek-tow.