Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-11-20
THE ROYAL ZULU.
A TALE FOUNDED on FACT.

Beneath the snauC OF u glONeOf pam II
Zulu maiden knelt in prayer on the morn
ing of the fatal twenty. second ofJanuary,
1879. Her face was pretty beyond most
of her country women, and her small
hands and feet, her distinguishing orna-
ments and graceful form bespoke her the
daughter of some powerful chief. But
strange, considering her nationality,
were the words of supplication which
howed from her lips rs she raised her
elasped hands TO heaven. Not from
witchCraft or enchantment, or from the
equally powerless deities of her nation,
did she seek for help, but from Him
only, the one true God. Jehovah.
Father she cried, - to whom all the
ends OF the earth look for help in trouble,
hear me for the sake of Jesus. The evil
spirit of war and persecution has come
down and entered my fathers kraal, and
Cetywayo has folded his hands and
bowed his ear to listen. lie has sworn
TO drink the blood of the white men, and
eat up all the Christian Xulus of his
nation. Oh, Great Father! in this hour
of tria,, keep Cassatonga and me faithful
TO thyselfr
At this moment n movement beside
her caused the worshiper to turn
around, and she beheld n stately war
rior standing near her, leaning on his
black shield. His eyes were fixed with
unspeakable love on the youthful form
before him. "Luola," he said. your
prayer for mo is answered; | can fight
no more for Cetywayo Last night the
murder. indescribable in cruelty, of
Sirayo's wives. for their adherence 10
the Christian faith, proves what little
mercy the king would show toward any
one. even yourself. were you to oppose
l. 4 Al. 4. - :.
bear persecution when it comes. it Is no
doubt equally madness to provoke it,
Here we can no longer stay without de-
claring our faith. and therefore we must
fly with all haste to Helpmakaar. You
know the good missionary there. the
same who taught us the will Of the
Great Master, and beneath his care you
will be safe from your fathers wrath.
This alternative Is the only one left to
Us. and | feel it il the right one Will
you comcnow. Luola' Ny horse stands
ready in the thicket."
II will" And though the hand ex-
tended to him trembled. the voice was
steady that decided their fate.
By Rorke's Drit il our shortest
road" he said, rs they reached the tree
where his horse was fastened. and plac-
ing the princess on its back. he mounted
behind her. and turned his stccd in the
direction of the Buffalo. They travelled
for some hours with extreme caution.
skirting every kraal and open ground.
till at length they arrived at IA large
thickly planted wood. in which they
hoped To find an hours repose. But they
had scarcely dismounted ere the roar OF
artillery and tlr cracking of rifles,
mingled with wild yells, were heard I'm
thc distance, and Cassatonga fastened to
conceal his royal. .hargc before endeavor-
ing to discover the cause. Hiding Lucia
and his horse in the dcnsest part of the
grove around him. he selected lofty
tree. whose thick branches would be n
shield i'm themselves. Climbing with
the agility OF his nation to the topmost
boughs, he beheld the fatal field of Tsan-
dula spread out before him. Amaze
ment at the unexpected sight and deep
admiring pity flashed in his eyes as he
looked on the tiny band of white men
who, shoulder to shoulder. received un-
finchingly the masses of his country
men. IA they swept down upon them.
The first emotion of his heart was To
ay to the aid Of the devoted column.
but the thought of his bride restrained
him. and he sank back among the shell
tering leaves. Strainiug his sight over
the awful plain, lie could distinguish his
axn fierce regiment. although foremost
n the work of death. yet not So preOc-
eupied Herewith ~ to be unconscious of
The plunder which lay around, pausing
even in the butcheTy to collect cattle,
stores and wagons TO be driven to their
distant kraals. Horror and disgust
iilled his now enlightened soul. why
do those English soldicrs stand there
he asked himself. IA the breath came
quickly through his laboring chest, con
that plain of Africa, far away from tLeir
Island homes. to be shot down. steady in
their matchcss ranks. by their swarthy
foes7" His own heart gave him the
reply: "To save helpless women from
ahe savage butchery he beheld lest night /;
70 guatd the gray hairs of old age from
going down to n terrible grave beneath
the real or feigued imputations of witch
craft and divination; and, above all. to
leach the pure faith of the Gospel where
feigned the degrading demonology of
his native land" His dark eyes bazed
andhis pulses throbbed ms these thoughts
surged through his mind, and he pressed
his hands over his aching eYeballs as he
bowed himself To the service ofthat flag
which shelters freedom aud truth be-
aeath Its folds.
But meanwhile the work of death
Egut on. In0se WHO were sent fOr HgIp 10
Rmke's Drift were, alasi shot or asse-
xaied few. how few reached the river.
md Cassatonga beheld with dismay that
the Zulus were scattering toward the
Din Could he skirt the wood and
reach the ford before them with his
precious chargeP WINS now his anxious
shought. Descending quickly from his
position, he found the trembling Luola
terrified Mt his long absence. lie de-
scribed the awful scene he had .inst wit
ncsseti. and told her of the immediate
necessity Tor cndeayoring TO cross the
F1ver.