Ignatious and Daniel had to ride out to an outlying station before starting for their own particular trip. After breakfast, Steve was standing talking on the stoop to Lettie, waiting for his party to get ready. Ignatious and Daniel had just saddled their horses, and were saying good-bye to Steve and his party, as they would very likely be still away when Ignatious and Daniel returned from the out station, when they would immediately leave for the _kerk plaats_. ‘What fine fellows these brothers of yours are,’ remarked Steve to Lettie. ‘You ought to be proud of them.’ ‘So I am. I only hope that if ever I marry, I may get a man as good as they are for a husband.’ ‘Daniel is going to get married soon, is he not?’ ‘Yes, within three months, probably. Do you think he looks sickly, or unhealthy?’ ‘No; on the contrary, I think he looks remarkably healthy and strong. Why do you ask?’ ‘Because, a few days ago, I came into his room; he was looking at the photo of his intended; tears were in his eyes. I asked him, “What is the matter?” He replied that he loved her so much, and that yet she would never be his wife. “What! never your wife!” I said, “and you are going to be married in a few months to her; what do you mean?” He replied that _he felt it in his heart_; he did not know why, unless _he should die before the time came_. And then he told me that I was to take his Bible, if he should die, and his sweetheart his new hymn book, and other things he told me to give to mother and father, as well as something for Ignatious. The foolish boy, as if he were going to die so soon; the idea is ridiculous; and yet, if he should die, I don’t know what we should do without him.’ ‘Oh, you need not fear for him, he is strong and healthy enough to outlive us both.’ No more was said, and Steve did not think much of what was said, but he had reason sooner than he could have thought, to recall this conversation.