Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-03-27

as l 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 alasl and
alasi 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 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 print
tive court of Justice, and after the fash
ion of natives had squatted themselves
in 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 Macumazahn."
Accordingly Indaba-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
watchfulncss had saved me.
Then I was called upon, and in a few
brief words subqta1tiatcd his story; in
deed, my face did Jhatin the sight of all
men
Then Mr. Carson turned to Hendrika,
who stood in suiion silence, her eyes
fixed upon the ground, and asked hey if
she had any thing - say
She looked up boldly and answered:
''Macumazahn has robbed ne of tho
love of my mistress. would have
robbed him of his l.:e, which is
little thing cccplrod . that which I
have lost at his Lands. / have failed,
and | am sorry fer Il, for had I killed
hin and left TO trace e Sear would
have forgotten him a.: n me
again"
Mover" murmur2d =. NY ear;
but Mr.. Carson turned viii. IN wrath
My people" L. said, "ycu hear the
wc-!s O. this '-u-aa1 Yen hear how
she rays re lao,s. ms ana my daughter.
whom sbc swear; SIZE loves She says
that she could hasa murdered a man
who has done her ~ evil, the man who
is the husband o; hur iajstross. 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: If you save her, my father, we
will slay her with our own hands. She
is babyan-woman, q devil-woman; ah,
yes, we have heard OF such before; let
her be slain before she works more evil"
Then 1t was that Stella stepped for
ward and begged for Hendricks life in
moving terms. She pleaded the saw
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 a widow before she was
made bride, forgave her; let them for
give her also, let her be sent away, not
slain, let not her marriage day be
stained with blood.
Now, her father listened readily
enough, for he had no intention of kill
ing Hendrika-indeed, he had already
promised not to do so. But the people
were in different humor, they looked
upon Hendrika as a devil, and would
have torn her to pieces there and then
could they have had their way. Nor
were matters mended by Indabi-zimbi.
who had already gained a great reputa-
ton Tor wisdom and magic in the place.