The Iola register., 1890-11-14

riages among those of my people who
have adopted the Christian faith. Still
in case there should be any legal flaw
again demand the solemn promise ot
you both that on the first opportunity
you will cause this marriage to be re
celebrated in some civilized land. Dc
you promise?"
I'VE do" we answered. ......
Then the book was brought out and
we signed our names. AT first my wife
signed hers stella" only, but her father
bade her write it Stella Carson for the
first and last time in her life. Then
several of the indunas, or head men, in
cluding old Indaba-zimbi, put their
marks in witness. lndaba-zimbi drew
his mark in the shape of little star, in
humorous allusion to Stella's native
name. That register is before me now
as write. That, with lock of my
darling's hair that lies between its
leaves, is my dearest possession. There
are all the names and marks as they
were written many years ago beneath
the shadow of the tree on Babyan
kraals in the wilderness, but alasi and
alas! where are those who wrote them?
my people, said Mr.. Carson, when
the singing was done, and we had kissed
each other before them all-''My people,
Macumazahn and the Star, my daugh-
ter, are now man and wife, to live in one
kraal, to eat at one bowl, to share one
fortune till they reach the s. Hear
now, my people, you know this oman" ="
and turning he pointed to Hendrika,
who, unseen by US, had been led out of
the prison hut
''Yes, yes, we know her." said little
ring of head men, who formed the primi-
tive court of justice, and after the fash
ion of natives had squatted themselves
in circle on the ground in front of US.
I'VE know her; she is the white babyan-
woman; she is Hendrika, the body-serv-
ant of the Star"
you know her." said Mr.. Carson,
''but you do not know her altogether.
Stand forward, Indaba-zimbi, and tell
the people what came about last night
in the hut of Macumazahn."
Accordingly lndaba-zimbi came for
ward, and squatting down told his NOV
ing tale with much descriptive force and
many gestures, finishing up by produc-
ing the great knife from which his
watchfulness had saved me.
Then was called upon, and in few
brief words substantiated his story; in
deed, my face did that in the sight of all
men
Then Mr.. Carson turned 70 Hendrika,
who stood in sullen silence, her eyes
fixed upon the ground, and asked her if
she had any thing to say.
She looked up boldly and answered:
"Macumazahn has robbed me of the
love of my mistress. 1 would have
robbed him of his life, which is a
little thing compared to that which j
have lost at his hands. / have failed,
and am sorry for it, for had / killed
him and LETT no trace the Star would
have forgotten him and shone on me
again.
Never" murmured Stella in my ear;
but Mr.. Carson turned white with wrath.
My people," he said, you hea- the
words of this woman. You hear how
she pays me hack, me and my daughter,
whom she swears she loves. She says
that she could have murdered a man
who has done her no evil, the man who
is the husband of her mistress. We
saved her from the babyans, we tanned
her, we fed her, we taught her, and this
is how she pays US back. Say, my peo-
pie. what reward shall be given to her?'
Death" said the circle of indunas,
pointing their thumbs downwards, and
all the multitude beyond echoed the
word Death"
death - repeated the head induna,
adding: 'Tf you save her, my father, we
will slay her with our own hands She
is a babyan-woman, devil-woman: ah,
yes, we have heard of such before; let
her be slain before she works more evil"
Then it was that Stella stepped for
ward and begged for Hendricks life in
moving terms. She pleaded the cav
agery of the woman's nature, her long
service, and the affection that she had
always shown towards herself. She said
that !, whose life had been attempted,
forgave her, and she, my wife, who had
nearly been left widow before she was
made a bride, forgave her; let them for
give her also. let her be sent away, not