The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1890-05-14
ALLAN QUA7ERMA1NS WIFE
BY H. RIDER HAGGARD,
Author of "Col. Quaritch, v. c., "Mr.
Nelson's WILL ga Tale of Three
Lions" "Allan Quatermain,"
"She," Cess" Etc.
CHAPTER X.-Continued.

the singing was done ana we naQ Kissed
each other before them all-"my people,
Macumazahn and the Star, my daughter,
are now man and wife, to live in one
kraal. to eat of one bowl, to share one
fortune till they reach the grave. Hear
now, my people, you know this woman"
and, turning, he pointed to Hendrika,
who, unseen by us, had been led out Of
the prison hut.
eyes, yes, we know her." said little
ring of head men. who formed the prim-
tive court of justice, and after the fash
ion of natives had squatted themselvesin
circle on the ground in front of us.
1--WE 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 Macumazhan.'
Accordingly old Indaba-zimbi came
forward, and squatting down, told his
moving tale with much descriptive force
and many gestures, finishing up by pro-
ducing the great knife from which his
watchfulness had saved me. {.
Then I was called upon, and in a few
brief words substantiated his story; in
deed my face did that in the sight of all
men.
Then Mr.. Carson turned to Hendrika,
who stood in sullen silence, her eyes
fixed upon the ground, and asked her if
she had anything to say.
She looked up boldly and answered.:
"Macumazahn has robbed me of the
love of my mistress. [ would have
robbed him of his life, which is little
thing compared to that which have
lost at his hands. I have failed, and I
am sorry for it, for had killed him and
left no trace the Star would have forgot
ten him and shone on me again."
"Never," murmured Stella in my ear;
but Mr. Carson turned white with
wrath.
"My people," he said, "you hear the
words Of this woman. You hear how
she pays me back, 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
people. what reward shall be given to
Vher?'
"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: eff 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 savagery
of the woman's nature, her long service,
and the affection that she had always
shown toward herself. She said that I.
whose life had been attempted, forgave
her, and Nshe, my wife, who had nearly
been left widow before she was made
bride, forgave her; let them forgive her
also, let her be sent away, not slain. let
not her marriage day be stained with
blood
Now her father stoned readily enough,
for he had no intention of killing Hen
drika-indeed he had already promised
not to do SO. But the people were in