"Come!" he said. "You are not eating. You mustn't starve yourself because I talk too much." He passed the plate of biltong to his visitor and helped himself at the same time. "The best guarantee that I accept your word that you acted in ignorance," he said presently, "is that I have spoken as freely as I have. If you would, you could help largely in counteracting the evil influences that are working to undermine the peace of this country." He paused; and Matheson, looking up to inquire in what way he could be useful, discovered the searching eyes scrutinising him anew with disconcerting attentiveness. He laughed quietly. "I don't believe you are very sure of me yet," he said. "Oh! yes, I am... as sure as a man can be of another whom he knows so slightly. What I would say to you is, go back--you can do no good here--go back, and help to instil in the minds of your own countrymen a feeling of greater kindliness towards the Dutch. The racial bitterness is not all on our side. A little forbearance, a more generous spirit-- what you call fair play, will lead to a better understanding. I believe that under tactful and sympathetic conditions of government the spirit of rebellion which exists to-day, which will exist for some time while men turn to look back at that shadow of the past, will eventually die out; and the union of the two white races in South Africa will become cemented. The prosperous future of the country depends on that. It is one camp; there must be no enemies in it." His mouth lifted at the corners humorously. "This farm is an example of dissension in the camp," he said. "I build myself a rondavel, with a rope ladder leading to the roof which I can draw up after me. When we have eaten I will show you. No one knows of that retreat. I have kept my secret; then, when I do not wish to be found, I climb into my secret chamber, and they look for me in vain. My rondavel has a double roof." Matheson looked up with surprise at the innocent-looking grass roof, while Nel observed him smilingly. "A child with a toy!--eh, Mr Matheson?" he said. "I was just a big boy when I planned my house." CHAPTER SIXTEEN. Nel showed something of the disposition of a boy when later he revealed to Matheson the secret of his rondavel. He fixed his rope ladder to a beam in the roof, mounted, and, removing a part of the thatch, disappeared into the obscurity beyond through the opening he had made. For a moment his face showed in the opening, smiling down on Matheson, who stood below watching the proceedings with interest. "Follow me," he said. "It is quite spacious up here, but somewhat hot. And there are cockroaches."