‘Man, this is a temporary thing,’ Kobus van der Beer had said, when Jan first expressed doubts about the government’s harsh policies. ‘Smith understands these munts that organise the raiding parties. They’re out to scare us whites away, but he knows their limitations. He’s not going to give every black man a vote and sell the country down the river. We know what we’re doing down here, and we won’t give in like they did in Kenya. Hand over our farms to the kaffirs.’

‘They gave them enough land to keep them happy,’ Jan said. ‘It was a political thing that might work in time.’

‘It’ll never work,’ Kobus had replied angrily. ‘These kaffirs only want to sit on their arses and grow enough for a few days’ food supply, or buy more cattle they can’t feed. And they’re not going to do it on any land of mine. I’m forming a patrol with my neighbours. We’ll catch the bastards when they come in here to strike at our farms. Show them what they’re up against. You’re my overseer, part of my family, Jan. And for as long as you’re here I’m expecting you to put plenty of muscle into this.’

‘You didn’t come down here to fight someone else’s war,’ Lottie objected, when Jan was summoned for the latest patrol. ‘Kobus can say what he likes, but you know very well this is only the beginning of trouble here.’

‘I have to go out with him. To protect his land and to stop people like us being murdered in the night.’

‘We’ve lost our son, Janni, because of a war over land,’ Lottie could not keep her voice under control and she clung to his arm and shook him, forcing him to look at her. ‘Don’t try to escape from what I’m saying. You and I both know what Piet’s death was about. Haven’t you learned anything? Or are you determined to go out there and kill yourself too?’

‘I’ve learned that Piet’s dreams could never have lasted, because these kaffirs don’t care about partnership and peace. They want us all off the land we own, or dead.’

‘We don’t own this land, Janni. If you want to fight, then go back and help Hannah to protect our farm. Because we have nothing to gain here except your destruction. And mine too. In this country there is no hope because there is no compromise. These rebels have money and weapons given to them by other African states and by communist countries. Some of them are being sent to Russia and China to be trained. This is ugly, Janni. We should go home to Kenya, where you were born. We’ve made a terrible mistake.’