Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1890-01-23
THE STRANGE STORY
or
Allan QQatermain'S Wife
BY II. RIDER HAGGARD,
AUTHOR or "SHE," "KIyG SoLoMoN's
MEEs,7 JESS" CLEO
PATRA," Eric.
A NEW AFRICAN ROMANCE.


wards evening, but still there we're no
signs Of the Impi. A wild hope struck
us that they might have gone on about
their business. Ever since Inda5a-zimbi
had heard that the regiment was sup
posed to belong to the Umtetwa tribe,
he had, l noticed, been plunged in deep
thought Presently he came to me and
volunteered to go tand spy upon their
movements. At first Hans Botha was
against this idea, saying that he was
''verdomde swartzel"-an accursed black
creature and would betray us. point
ed out that there was nothing to betray.
The Xulus must know whore the wagons
were, but it vas important for us TO gain
information Of their whereabouts. So it
was agreed that Indaba-zimbi should go
| told him this He nodded his white
lock, said "All right, Macumazahn, and
started | noticed with some surprise,
however that before he did so he went
to the wagon aud fetched his ''mouti,
or medicine. which, together with his
own magical apparatus, he always car
ried in a skin bag. ! asked him why he
did this. He answered that 1t was to
spears of the Zulus. l did not in the
least believe his explanation, for in my
heart | was sure that he meant to take
the opportunity to make a bolt of it,
leaving me to my fate. ] did not, how
ever, interfere to prevent this, for | had
an affection for the old fellow, and sim
cerely hoped that he might escape the
doom which overshadOwed us.
So Indaba-zimbi sanntered off, and as
looked at his retreating form l thought
1 should never see it again. But l was
mistaken, and little knew that he was
risking his life, not for the Beers whom
he hated one and all, but for me whom
in his queer way he loved.
When be had gone we completed our
preparations for defense, strengthening
the wagons and the thorns beneath with
earth and stones. Then at sunset we
ate and drank as heartily as we could
under the circumstances, and when we
had done, Hans Botha, as the head of
the party, offered up prayer to God for
our preservation. 1t was a touching
sight to see the burly Dutchman, his hat
off, his broad face lit up by the last rays
of the setting sun, praying aloud in
homely, simple language to Him who
alone could save US from the spears of a
cruel foe. | remember that the last
sentence of his prayer was: Almighty,
If we must be killed, save the women
and children and my little girl Tota
from the accursed Zulus, and do not let
us be tortured"
| echoed the request very earnestly in
my own heart, that know, fol in COM
mon with the others | was dreadfully
afraid, and it must be admitted not with
out reason.
Then the darkness came on, and we
took up our appointed places each with
the gloom in silence. Occasionally one
Of the Beers would light his pipe with
brand from the smoldering fire, and
the glow of it would shine for a few mo-
ments on his pale, anxious face.
Behind me one Of the stout fraus
lay upon the ground. Even the terror
of our position could not keep her heavy
eyes from their accustomed sleep, and
she snored loudly. On the further side
VI nG1t iuob ny hitt lALts lay 4AbblG AOkdty
wrapped in a kaross. She was asleep
also, her thumb in her mouth, and from
time to time her father would come to
look at her.
So the hours wore on while we waited
for the Zulus. But from my intimate
knowledge of the habits of natives | had
little fear that they would attack US
at night, though. had they done so, they
could have compassed our destruction
with but small loss to themselves. 1t Is
not the habit Of this people, they like to
fight in the light Of day-at dawn for
preference.
About eleven o'clock, just as l was
nodding little at my post, heard
low whistle outside the lager. Instant
" was wide awake, and all along the
line l heard the clicking of locks as the
Beers cooked their guns.
"Macumazahn, said voice, the voice
Of Indaba-zimbi, ARE you there?"
Yes / answered.
Then hold light so that can see
how to climb into the lager" he said.
YAH yah. hold light, put in one
of the Beers. Il don't trust that black
schepsel Of yours, Heer Quatermain; he
may have some of his countrymen with