The Dickinson press., 1890-05-03

years Or more that you have been mar
ried in the face of all the people, and in
token of it you will both sign the registry
that have kept of such marriages,
among those of my own people that have
adopted the Christian faith. Still, in case
there should be any legal flaw, again
demand the solemn promise of you both
that on the first opportunity you will
cause this marriage to be re-celebrated
in some civilized land. Doyou promise?"
"We do," we answered.
Then the book was brought out and we
signed our names. At first my wife
signed hers "Stella" only, but her father
bade her write it Stella Carson for the
first and last time in her life. Then sew
eral of the indunas, or head men, in
cluding old Indaba-zimbi, put their marks
in witness. Indaba-zimba drew his mark
in the shape of little star, in humorous
allusion to Stella's native name. That
register is before me now as write.
That, with lock of my darling's hair
that lies between its leaves, is my dear
est 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 wilder
ness, but alas! and alas! 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-s'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 a little
ring of head men, who formed the prim-
itive court of justice, and after the fash
ion of natives had squatted themselves in
q circle on the ground in front of us.
eve 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 1ndaba-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
watchfulueSS had saved mo.
Then 1 was called upon, and in q few
brief words substantiated his story; in
decd 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 I have
lost ut his hands. I have failed, and l
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 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
herr"
"Death," said the circle of intlunas,
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, devil woman; all,
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 she, my wife, who had nearly
been left a widow before she was made a
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 listened readily enough,
for he had no intention of killing Hen
drika-indecd, he had already promised
not to do SO. But the people were in a
different humor, they looked upon Hen
drika as devil, and would have torn her
to pieces there and then, could they have
had their way. Nor were matters mended
by Indaba-zimbi, who had already gained
great reputation for wisdom and magic
in the place. Suddenly the old man rose
and made quite an impassioned speech,
urging them to kill Hendrika at once or
mischief would come of it.
At last matters got very bad, for two
Va ViAS SbllC 1OA w uI u w uGl
off to execution, and it was not until
Stella fairly burst into tears that the
sight of her grief, backed by Mr.. Car
sons orders and my own remonstrances,
carried the day.
All this while Hendrika had been
standing quite unmoved. At last the
tumult stopped, and the leading induna
called to her to go, promising that if
ever she showed her face near the kraaIs
again she should be stabbed like jackal.
Then Hendrika spoke to Stella in low
voice in English:
Better let them kill ME, mistress. bet
ter for all. Without you to love I shall
go mad and become babyan again"
Stella did not answer, and they loosed
her. She stepped forward and looked
at the natives with stare of hate Then
she turned and walked past me, and as
she passed whispered native phrase in
my ear. that, being literally translated,
means, "Till another moon," but which
l,oe -,