Реклама. ООО «ЛитРес», ИНН: 7719571260.
Dedication
Preface
Editor’s Note
Chapter 1. Allan Learns French
Chapter 2. The Attack on Maraisfontein
Chapter 3. The Rescue
Chapter 4. Hernando Pereira
Chapter 5. The Shooting Match
Chapter 6. The Parting
Chapter 7. Allan’s Call
Chapter 8. The Camp of Death
Chapter 9. The Promise
Chapter 10. Vrouw Prinsloo Speaks Her Mind
Chapter 11. The Shot in the Kloof
Chapter 12. Dingaan’s Bet
Chapter 13. The Rehearsal
Chapter 14. The Play
Chapter 15. Retief Asks a Favour
Chapter 16. The Council
Chapter 17. The Marriage
Chapter 18. The Treaty
Chapter 19. Depart in Peace
Chapter 20. The Court-Martial
Chapter 21. The Innocent Blood
The Author hopes that the reader may find some historical interest in the tale set out in these pages of the massacre of the Boer general, Retief, and his companions at the hands of the Zulu king, Dingaan. Save for some added circumstances, he believes it to be accurate in its details.
The same may be said of the account given of the hideous sufferings of the trek-Boers who wandered into the fever veld, there to perish in the neighbourhood of Delagoa Bay. Of these sufferings, especially those that were endured by Triechard and his companions, a few brief contemporary records still exist, buried in scarce works of reference. It may be mentioned, also, that it was a common belief among the Boers of that generation that the cruel death of Retief and his companions, and other misfortunes which befell them, were due to the treacherous plottings of an Englishman, or of Englishmen, with the despot, Dingaan.
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“I think, mynheer,” I replied, growing white with rage at this new insult, “the same that has happened to yonder buck,” and I pointed to the klipspringer behind Hans’s saddle. “I mean that I shall shoot you.”
“Peste! Au moins il a du courage, cet enfant” (At least the child is plucky), exclaimed Monsieur Leblanc, astonished. From that moment, I may add, he respected me, and never again insulted my country to my face.
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