The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1890-05-07


herself and struggled furiously to break
the rein. Butit was too strong even for
her, and, moreover, Indaba-zimbi uncer-
enormously sat upon her to keep her
quiet. At last she gave it up.
In due course the day broke-my mar
riage day. Leaving Indaba-zimbi to
watch my would-be murderess, I went
and fetched some natives from the
STABLES, and with their aid bore Hen
drika to the prison hut-that same hut
lin which she had been confined when
she had been brought a baboon child
from the rocks. Here we shut her up,
and, leaving Indaba-zimbi to watch out
side, I returned to my sleeping place
and dressed in the best garments that
babyan kraals could furnish. But when
[ looked at the reflection of my face,
was Mortified. It was covered with
scratches inflicted by the nails of Hen
drika. I doctored them up as best
could and went out for a walk to calm
my nerves, which, what between the
events of the past night and Of those
pending that day, were not a little dis
turbed.
When returned it was breakfast time.
went into the dining hut, and there
Stella was waiting to greet me, dressed
in simple white and with orange flowers
on her breast. She came forward to me
shyly enough; then, seeing the condition
of my face, started back.
"Why, Allan! what have you been
doing to yourself?' she asked.
AS was about to answer, her father
came in leaning on his stick, and catch
ing sight of mo instantly asked the same
question.
Then [ told them everything, both of
Hendricks threats and of her fierce a.
tempt to carry them into execution. But
[ did not tell my horrid dream.
Stella's face grew white as the flowers
on her breast, but that of her father be-
came very stern.
''You should have spoken of this be-
fore, Allan" he said. Il now see that I
did wrong to attempt to civilize this
wicked and revengeful creature who, if
she is human, has all the evil passions of
the brutes that reared her. Well, will
make an end of it this very day."
"Oh, father" said Stella, "don't have
her killed. 1t is all dreadful enough, but
that would be more dreadful still. |
have been very fond of her, and, bad as
she is, she has loved me. Don't have her
killed on my marriage day."
"No," her father answered, ''slIe shall
not be killed, for, though she deserves to
die, will not have her blood upon our
hands. She is a brute and has followed
the nature of brutes. She shall so back
whence she came"
No more was said on the matter at the
time, but when breakfast-which was
rather a farce-was done, Mr.. Carson
sent for his head man and gave him GER
tain orders.
We were to be married after the SER
vice which Mr.. Carson held every Sun
day morning in the large marble hut set
apart for that purpose. The service be-
gan at 10 o'clock, but long before that
hour all the natives OH the place came UP
in troops, singing as they came, to be
present at the wedding of the ''Star." 1t
was a pretty sight to see them, the men
dressed in all their finery, and carrying
shields and sticks in Shcir hands, and
The Women and children bearing green
branches of trees, ferns and flowers. At
l@l6th, about half-past nine, Stella rose,
pressed my hand, and left me to my re-
hecUlons. At few minutes to ten
she reappeared again with her father,