teep side of the kloof so that the ground was against him. Thus it
came about that soon they began to roll down hill fixed to each other as
though by ropes, and gathering speed at every turn. Doubtless, the end
of this would have been Ralph's defeat, and perhaps his death, for I
think that, furious as he was, Black Piet would certainly have killed
him had he found himself the master. But it chanced that his hand was
stayed, and thus. Near the bottom of the slope lay a sharp stone, and
as they rolled in their fierce struggle, Piet's head struck against this
stone so that for a few moments he was rendered helpless. Feeling
the grip of his arms loosen, Ralph freed himself, and running to the
sjambock snatched it from the ground. Now Piet sat up and stared at
him stupidly, but he made no effort to renew the fight, whereon Ralph
gasped:

"I promised you a flogging, but since it is chance that has conquered
you more than I, I will take no advantage of it, save this----" and he
struck him once or twice across the face with the whip, but not so as to
draw blood, and added, "Now, at least, I am free from a certain promise
that I made--that I would not kill you--and should you attempt further
harm or insult towards Suzanne Botmar, kill you I will, Piet van
Vooren."

At first Swart Piet did not seem to feel the blows, but presently he
awoke, as it were, and touched his cheeks where the sjambock had struck
him as though to assure himself that he was not dreaming some evil
dream. Then he spoke in a hollow, unnatural voice. "You have won for
this time, Ralph Kenzie," he said, "or, rather, Fate fighting for you
has won. But it would have been better for you and your dear also, if
you had never struck those blows, for I tell you, Ralph Kenzie, that as
your whip touched me something broke in my brain, and now I think that I
am mad."

"Mad or bad, it is all one to me," replied Ralph. "You have had your
warning, and you had best keep sane enough to remember it." Then turning
he went to his horse, which was standing close by, mounted and rode
away, the other answering him nothing.

Still Ralph did not get home without another adventure, for when he had
gone a little way he came to a stream that ran from a hillside which was
thick with trees, and here he stopped to doctor his hurts and bruises,
since he did not wish to appear at the house covered with blood. Now
this was a foolish enough thing to do, seeing the sort of man with
whom he