Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-08-04

1hcy Doth looted, Wnlle the tOrchlght
tiared Cd them, on the walls of the cave
and the broad blade of the Groanmaker,
and from around rose the sounds of the
Staying.
"Iiow are you named who are so fair
to sec:" he asked at length.
IL am ualned the Lily now. Once
had another name. NADIA, daughter of
Umbova. | was once, but name and all
else are dead and go to join them. Stay
me and make an end. l will shut my
eyes that ! may not see the great AK
flash"
Now Umslopogaas gazed upon her
again aYl Groanmaker fell from his
hand.
Look on me, NADIA, daughter Of I'm
bova," he said in a low voice, "look on
me and say who am l."
She looked once again, and yet again.
Now her face was thrust forward as one
who gazos over the edge Of the world
1t grew fixed and strange. by my
heart" she said by my heart thou art
Umslopogaas my brother who is dead,
and whom dead as living l have loved
ever and alone"
Then the torch fared out, but UNI
slopogaas took her in the darkness and
pressed her to him and kissed her, the
sister whom he had found after many
years, and she kissed him.
You kiss Inc now" she said "yet not
long ago that great AK shore my locks,
missing me hv but fingers breadth,
and still tho sound of slaughter rings in
my ears. All. "A boon of you, my broth
CT, boon! Let there be no more death
since we are met once more. The peo-
pie Of the Halakazi are conquered, and
it is their just doom, for thus. in this
same way, they slew those with whom |
lived aforetime Yet they have treated
me well, not forcing me into wedlock
and Withholding mo from Dingaan. So
spare them, my brother, if you may"
Then Umslopogaas lifted mp his voice,
commanding that the killing should
cease, and sent messengers running
swiftly, with these words This is the
command Of Bulalio, that he who lifts
hand against one mere of the people of
tho HalakaM shall himself know the
assegai.'
Now when the soldiers had eaten
abundantly Of the store Of the Halakazi,
and guards had been set to ward the
cattle and watch against surprise, I'm
elopogaas spoke long with NADIA the
Lily, taking her apart, and told her all
his story. Sho told him also all that tale
you know, my father, of how she had
lived with the little people that were
subject to the lfalakazi, she and her
mother, Macropha, and how the fame Of
her beauty had spread about the land.
Then she told him of how the Halakazi
had claimed her, and Of how in the end
rhcy had taken her by force Of arms,
staying all the people of the kraal, and
among them her own mother. There
after she had dwclt among the IIala-
kazi, who named her anew, calling her
tho Lily, and they had done we'll by her,
giving her reverence because Of her
sweetness and beauty, and forcing her
into marriage with no man.
And wherefore would You not wed a
man, NADIA, my sister," asked Umslopo-
gaas, ''you who are far past the age of
MARRIAGE"
NAY, l know not" she answered,
hanging her head, but have no heart
that way seek this only-to be left
alone"
Now Umslopogaas thought awhile and
spoke: 900 You not know, then, NADIA,
why it is that have made this war, and
why the people of the HalaEazi are dead
and scattered, and their cattle the prize
of my arm: | will tell you. am come
hithcr to win you, whom | know only
by report as the Lily maid, the faircst
of women, to be wife to Dingaan.
Therefore did | undertake this enter
prise, to win you and make my peace
with Dingaan
Now, when sLc heard these words,
NADIA the Lilly trcmblcd and went. and
sinking to the earth she claspcd the
knees of UlnslopoSaas in supplication.
"Oh, do not this cruel thing by me, your
sister, She prayed; take rather that
great aX and mako an end Of me and of
the beauty which has wrought SO much
Woe, and most Of all to me, who wear it.
Would that | had not moved my head
behind the shield, but had suffered the
AK to fail upon it. For this end | was
dressed as u man-that | might meet
the fate Of man. All! I curse be ~,
my womuns weakness that snatchcd me
from death to give me up to shame"
Thus she prayed him i'll her low, sweet
voice, and his heart was shaken in him,
though he had it not Ill mind to give
NADIA to bingham as Baloha was given
to Chal;a, perchance III tic end to meet
the fate Of Balcka.
There are many, NADIA" he said.
"wAo would think it no i'll thing that
they should be given as wife to the
first of chiefs"
"Thcn | am not Of their number" she
answered, NAY, will die firstly INV
own hand if need be-
Now Umslopogaas wondered how it
came about that NADIA looked on mar
lia%r thus, but he did not speak Of the
matter. lie said only; "Tcll me. then.
NADIA, how can deliver myself of tbi,
charge. | must 90 TO Dingaan. as |
promised our father, Umhova, and what
shall | say to Dngaan when he nsks for