"I love you too well to take undue advantage of your kindness. Return to England; there, earlier and happier impressions may be revived; and although I would not have you forget me, think only of the unfortunate Eleanor as one whose hopes are fixed on Heaven. "Farewell." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Trails, weary with the repeated aggressions on their property in Kafirland, came nearer the civilised districts of the Cape; they established a mission and a school within a few miles of the Knysna River. A young assistant of Mr Trail's attracted the notice of all the farmers' daughters around, but he paid no heed, did "that handsome young teacher," to the bright glances aimed at him. He seldom entered the houses of the richer settlers, except in cases of sickness, when Mr Trail was absent from home. The Vanbloems had returned to an old family farm, which they had deserted in the hopes of bettering themselves by seeking "larger pastures;" they were wiser than their rebellious brethren, for, instead of flying beyond the boundary, they retreated to their original settlement, and contented themselves with less land but surer ground. I speak of the elder Vanbloem, with whom Frankfort and Ormsby made acquaintance in their first days of travelling. Gray--for he was the young teacher--had resolved one day on asking Mr Trail to make some inquiries of Amayeka, albeit he dreaded the issue of such inquiry. Poor Amayeka!--Surely the younger Vanbloem's had not deserted her; but she might have been taken from them by violence. That day old Vanbloem came to tell Mr Trail that his son's wagon was outspanned in a valley an hour's ride from the station; he and some neighbours were going to meet him, would Mr Trail go too? The party passed the mission station that evening; there were horsemen and wagons, quite a cavalcade--for some one from every family had gone out to welcome the new-comers, returning to the land of their forefathers. It was dusk when Mr Trail returned home; Gray started on hearing his master's voice. "Master"--so he called the missionary--"master, are there bad tidings?-- has she survived the fury of her people?" "Come hither, Gray," said Mr Trail; "Amayeka is here." Meek and trembling, poor Amayeka had seated herself on the lowest step of the stoep; her head was bent low, and her cloak drawn around her. "Amayeka," said Mr Trail, "rise, and come in." She shook her head, and crouched lower. "Master," whispered she, "I am ashamed--" "Amayeka," said another voice beside her. Mr Trail had prepared her to meet her lover. He left them together. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Next day a group entered the chapel of the mission station; it was said there was to be a wedding--a strange wedding; the young English teacher was to be married to a Kafir girl--it was quite true.