The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-09-03

as I write. That, with lock Of my
da-l:ng's hair that lies between It's
leaves, is my dearest possession There
arc 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 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-''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
YES, yes, we know her, said little
ring of head men, who formed the primi-
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 ner; 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 1ndaba-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
watchfulness had saved me.
Then was called upon, and in few
brief words substantiated his story; in
deed, my face did thatin the sight of all
men
Then Mr.. Carson turned to Hendrika,
who stood in su1lcn silence, her eyes
fixed upon the ground, and asked her if
she had any thing to say.
She looked up boldly and answered:
s.Iacumazahn has robbed me of the
love OF my mistress. I would have
robbed him OF his life, which Is a
little thing compared to that which l
have lost at his hands. I have failed,
and am sorry for it, for had 1 killed
him and left no trace the Star would
have forgotten him and shone on me
again"
Never" murmured Stella in my car;
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 4 man
who has done her no evil, the man who
is the husband Of her mistress. We
saved her from the babyans, VIC 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"
'Dcath," repeated the head induna,
adding: "If you save her, NY father, we
will slay her with OF own hands. She
Is babyan-womol. {. dcvil-woman; ah,
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 say
agcry Of the woman's nature, her long
service. and the affection that she had
always shown towards herself. She said
that l, whose life had been attempted,
fo-gave her, and she, my wife, who had
nearly been left q widow before she was
made L bride, forGayc her: let thcrl for
give her also, let he: be sent away, not
slain. let not her marriage day be
stained with blood.
Now, her father listened readily
.nouSh, for he had 20 intention of kill |
ng icnGrika-indeed, he had already
promised not to do SO. But the people |
rcre in a different huuor, they looked
lpon Hendri,,a as . devil, and would |
lave torn her to pieces there and then
ould they have had their way. Nor
we're matters mcnded by Indabi-zimbi,
rho had already gained great reputa-
ion for wisdom and magic in the place.
the old man rose and made
ute an impassioned speech, urging