The record-union., 1895-04-27

curious clicking speech came fast and
thick, and they pointed often in the di-
rection Of the mountains in our front.
After time l called April to my fire.
side and interrogated him. He informed
me that the BuShmen were speaking of
kraal of natives settled behind the
mountain chain; that these natives were
governed by a wonderful white-skinned
woman; that they were quarrelsome and
treacherous, and that we might have
trouble with them. Having learned thus
mucn i tumbled into my wagon, pulled
up the sheepskin kaross and fell asleep.
Early next morning | was up making
ready for longish ride. L was mighty
curious 80 see this native village that the
Bushmen spoke of, and especially the
white-skinned chieftainess; at the same
time l determined to prepare for any
eventuality. | sent the wagons, after
breakfast, back upon our spoor again,
directing my men to camp in a strong
place between some hills, more than a
days journey back. Here there was
good water; the camp could be rendered
pretty impregnable by the help of a
scherm Of thorn bushes, and, with my
horses, and my attendant could easily
retreat thither in case of trouble. l now
selected my two best ponies, and, taking
April with me, and the two Bushmen to
act as guides, we set off for the mountain.
My man and | were each armed with
good double-ritle, and had plenty of am
munltlOn, water bottles and some 'bui-
tong" (sun-dried meat, biscuits, coffee
and kettle, and, as l knew there were
no horses among the natives in these re-
gions, l had little fear of escape, if escape
became necessary.
We rode all that day across that big
plain. 1t was a perfect treat to see the
game on every side of us. There were
rhinocerOses, Glands, hartebeests, Bur-
chelPs Zebras, blue wildebeests aud
tsesseby. They were excessively tame,
and often came close up and stared at US.
We fired no shot, however, but rode
quietly on, occasionally diverging little
to avoid some sour-looking black rhi-
noceros, which stood, threatening and
suspicious, directly in our path. We
camped that night in little grove of
thorn trees just beneath the mountain.
At earliest dawn OF the next day we
were up and away. The Bushmen led US
to kIOot or gorge III the mountain chain,
the only approach to the kraal we sought.
We rode Tor two hours up a slight ascent
over very rough, rocky path and then,
suddenly turning an angle of the noun
tain wall, we came in full view of the ma
tive town. A broad, grassy valley, per-
hap5 seven miles square, lay before US.
This plain was dotted with circular ma
tive hUts, built very much after the Be-
chuana fashion, and neatly thatched.
Herds OF cattle, goats and native sheep
were pasturing here and there, or lying
beneath the shade OF the acaCias scattered
about the plain. The town stood in an
excellent position. The mountain chain
upon the one hand, and a broad and deep
river, flowing southeast upon the other,
served as sure defenses against any sud-
den attack from without.
Beyond the river, eastward "a vast sweep
OF broad plain, riDDOneQ with dark-green
belts of bush and forest, stretched in in
termlnable eGpauSe to the hot horizon.
Descending 10 the valley we were not
long in reaching a collection of huts,
where we were pulled up short by a
score Of gesticulating natives, armed with
huge bows and arrows and spears. We
had some trouble with these people;
but after various messages and halt of
an hour or so, We were told to follow
two headmen to the Queens residence.
Mounting our horses-a proceeding
which reused the most lively interest
among the crowd, which, by this time
had gathered round us-ApriI and l fol-
lowed our guides, thg Bushmeu walking
alongside. Passing numerous groups OF
well-built, well-tended huts, we were at
last brought to the Queens kotla. a large
circular inclosure, fenced by a tall stock
ade, in which was set the hut OF the great
| lady sought. a messenger soon brought
permission, and we rode into the incIos-
uTe.
In a couple of rapid glances took in
/ the whole scene. In front of a large,
rOOmy, carefully matched circular hut
were gathered some thirty headmen of
various ages, all standing, and all armed
with long spears, battIs-axes, or bows
and arrows. In the center of this knot
OF dark Africans sat the chieitainess, a
very tair-skinned woman undou otedly.
Behind her stood two black female at
tendantS, furnished with long fly whisks
with which they occasionally guarded
their mistress from the annoyances of in
sects. l rode up boldly to within ten
yards of this group, and dismounted as
did my man April. Handing my horse
| 10 April, L took off my broad -brimmed
hat, made my politest bow to the Queens
grace, and then, calling Naras the Bush
man, mOtiOned him TO stand forward and
interpret. Naras waited eXpectantIy on
the Queen, and, while she addressed him,
1 bad leisure to examine her closely and
very curiously. Mapana-that was her
name-tor woman of native blood, was
astonishingly fair. | can best liken her
coloring to that of a fair octoroon. Her
beauty amazed me. l have been in the
vest Indies, where, especially among
the French Islands, are to be seen some
of the most beautiful cOlored women in
the world. Mapana's beauty and grace
reminded me in the strongest manner OF
some of these French octorOons. Her
hair was soft and wavy-not harsh, like
a pure African's-and curled naturally
/ upon her Well-shaped head. Her feat
/ ures were good and regular. her mouth
bewitchlng, her dark eyes tender, kindly
and maryelOusly beautiful. There was
| an air OF refinement and grace about her
! which strangely puzzled me. She wore
! a necklet OF bright gold coins about her
| neck, and thick ivory bangles upon
her shapely arms. a little cloak
Z IsNF fnlxN IL
shoulders, but concealed not at all her
perfect shape and bust. A short kilt or
| petticoat OF dressed antelope skin, and
neat sandals of giraffe hide, completed
her costume. 1t Is hard TO Judge the age
OF Africans. guessed Mapana's years
at one or two and twenty. She sat there
In an attitude of easy natural grace, her
/ pretty hands just covering sword, appa-
rentIy OF European make, which lay
across her lap. | think l never set eyes
on more perfectly captivating creature.
am not, as a rule, at all impressionabIe,
/ but as Mapana spoke my downfall was
complete-I fell in love with her at
| once.
PART II.
| Mapana had one of those rare voices
winch, almost more than mere beauty
alone, seem created to enslave mankind.
l once, years ago, on trip home to Eng
Iand, heard Sarah Bernhardt. The tones
OF her sllvery voice came nearer to Ma
/ pana's than any / ever heard.
how so fair woman came to be head
ing barbarous tribe here in this out
! Iandlsh corner OF Africa-whence she
! took her European descent-puzzled me
! intensely. l was determined somehow
to hunt out the mystery. | had noticed.
when we first encountered Mapana's
/ trlbesmen at the foot of the mountains.
that much of their speech resem bled The
Sechuana and Basuto tongues, with
which l am well acquainted, The lam
! puapA of the Rantn Irihna hnr-o -. =.