Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1890-02-15


and had she not repembered Hendrika
doubt if she would have recovered it
She knew me again, and flung her little
arms about my neck, clinging to me q
closely that I did not dare to give her K
any one else to carry lest should add K
her terrors. SO went on with her In
my arms. The fears that pierced my
heart may wen be imagined. Should .
find Stella alive or dead: Should ! fine
her at all? Well, we should soon know
now. We stumbled on up the stony wa
ter-course; notwithstanding the weight
of Tota, led the way, for suspense lent
me wings. Now we were through, anc
an extraordinary scene lay before us
We were in a great natural amphithea
tire, only it was three times the size OF
any amphitheatre ever shaped by man
and the walls were formed of precipitou.
cliffs, ranging from one to two hundred
feet In height. For the rest, the space
thus inclosed was level, studded with
park-like trees, brilliant with flowers,
and having stream running through
the center Of it that, as afterwards dis
covered, welled up from the ground al
the head of the open space,
We spread ourselves out in a line
searching everywhere, for Tota was toe
overcome to DO able to tell us where
Stella was hidden away. For nearly
half an hour we searched and searched,
scanning the walls Of rock for any pos
sible opening to a cave. In vain--w,
could find none. Iapplied to old Indaba
zimbi, but his foresight was at fault
here. All he could say was that this was
the place, and that the "Star" was bidder
somewhere in a cave, but where the cave
was he could not tell. At last wo came
10 the top of the amphitheatre. There
before us was wall of rock, of which
the lower parts were here and there
clothed in grasses, hchens and creepers
| walked along it, calling at the top o.
my voice.
Presently my heart stood still, for
thought heard faint answer. / drew
nearer to the place from which the sounc
seemed to come, and again called. Yes
there was an answer in my wife's voice
1t seemed to come from the rock. !,
went up to IL and searched among tn.
creepers, but still could find no opening
''Move the stone," cried Stella's voice
'the cave Is shut with stone"
took spear and prodded at the cliff
whence the sound came. Suddenly tn,
spear sank I'm through a mass of lichen
swept the lichen aside, revealing 0
bowlder that had been rolled into the
mouth of an opening in the rock, which
1t fitted SO accurately that, covered as Il
was by the overhanging lichen, it might
well have escaped the keenest eye. W.,
dragged the bowlder out; it was two
mems work to do it. Beyond was G.
narrow, water worn passage, which J
followed with beating heart. Pres
emily the passage opened into small
cave, shaped like pickle bottle, and
coming to neck at tho top end. We
passed through and found ourselves in
second, much larger cave, that / at once
recognized as the one of which Indaba
zimbi had shown me vision in the
water. Light reached 1t from above
how know not-and by 1t could sec
form half sitting, half lying on some
skins ut the top end of the cave. J
rushed to it. 1t was Stella! Stella bound
with strips Of hide, bruised, torn. but
still Stella, and alive.
She saw me, she gave one cry, then n.
/ caught her in my arms she tainted. II
was happy indeed that she did not faini
before, for had 1t not been for the sound
of her voice do not believe we should
ever have found that cunningly hidden
cave, unless, indeed, ndaba-zimbi'smag
ic ION which be blessings) had come tc
our assistance.
We bore her to the open air, laid heI
beneath the shade of. q tree, and cut the
bonds loose from her ankles. As we
went glanced at. the cave. 1t was ex.
actly as I had seen II, In the vision.
There burnt the FIRE, there were the rude
wooden vessels, one OF them still hall
full Of the water which had seen the
baboon bring. felt awed as looked,
and marveled at the power welded by O
savage who could not even read AND
write.
Now could see Stella clearly. Hen
face was scratched, and haggard with
fear and weeping. Her clothes were al
most torn off her, and her beautiful hair
was loose and tangled. sent for water,
and we sprinkled herface. Then forced
little of the brandy which we distilled
from peaches at the kraals between hel
lips, and she opened her eyes, and throw.
ing her arms about me chung 70 me az
little Tota had done, sobbing, Thank
Godl thank God"
After while she grew quieter, and ]
made her and Tota eat little food from
the store that we had brought with us.
too ate and was thankful, for with the
exception of the mealie cobs had tasted
nothing for nearly Neutrality-suspicious..
Then she washed her face and hands, and
tidied her rags of dress as well as she was
able. AS she did so, by degrees drew
her story from her.
1t seemed that on the previous after