The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-12-19
[coNr1NuED.]

II would willingly do this, my sister.
though have never labored in the
fields, for wherever have dwelt the
men have kept me back from all labor
save such as the weaving of flowers OF
the stringing of beads. But there is
this against it: Unlslopogaas, my hus-
band, charged me that l should not la
Dor with my hands. and / may not dis
obey my husband.
.Our husband charged you so, NADIA?
Nay. then it is strange. See, now, am
his head wife, his Inkosikaas. 1t was
who taught him how to win the AK.
Yet he has laid no command on me that
| should not labor in his fields after the
fashion Of women, who have borne him
children, nor indeed has he laid such
command on any of our sisters, his other
wives. Can it then be that Bulalio loves
you better shan us. Nada?"
Now the Lily was in a trap and she
knew it. So she grew bold
Zone must most be loved, sinita. she
said. las one must be most fair. You
have had your hour, leave me mine. per-
chance it shall be short. Moreover this.
Umslopogaas and | loved each other
much long years before you OF any Of
his wives looked upon him, and we love
each other to the end There is no more
to say"
NAY, NADIA, there is still something
to say, there is this to say: Choose one
of two things-go and leave us to be
happy with our lord or stay and bring
death on all.
1 Now NADIA thought awhile and an
would bring death on him love it might
we'll chance that | would go and leave
him, though to do SO would be to die.
But. Zinita, l believe it not. Death
chiefly loves the weak and if he falls it
will be on the flower, not on the slayer
of men," And she slipped past Zinita
and went ON. singing no more.
.-,ita watched her until she was over
the ridge. and her face grew evil as she
watched. Then she returned to the
women.
'The Lily fouts us all. my sisters, .
she said. Now hearken, this is my
counsel. that we declare feast of wonl-
en- to be held at the new moon in Sc.
/. cret place fan away. All the women and
the children shall come to it save NADIA
only. who will not leave her lover. and
if there be any man whom woman
loves, perchance, my sisters, that man
would do well to go on journey about
the time of the new moon, for evil things
may befall at the town of the People of
the AK while we are away celebrating
our feast"
"What, then, shall befall, my sister,?
asked one.
''Nay. l know not" she answered. 81
know this only. that we are minded to
be rid of NADIA and thus to be avenged
on a man who has scorned our love, ave.
and on those men who follow after the
beauty Of NADIA. Is it not so, my sisters?
sit is SO. they answered.
''Ihen be silent on the matter and let
us give out our feast"
Now NADIA told Umslopogaas of those
words with Zinita. Yet because of the
medicine of Nada's eyes he would not
turn from his way. Thus when Zinita
came to him and asked leave to declare
feast of women that should be held
far away he said yea. and gladly.
Now |, Umbova, saw the glamor that
had fallen upon Umslopogaas, my fos-
terling, and spoke of it with Galazi
saying that means must be found to
wake him. Then | took Galazi fully
into my mind and told him all that be
did not know of Umslopogaas, and that
was little. Also told him of my plans
to bring the Slaughterer to the throne
and of what had done to that end, anG
OF what 4 proposed to do, and that was
to go in person on a journey to certain
of the great chiefs and win them over
the day before Zinita won leave to cele
brate the feast of women afar. So
sought Umslopogaas and told him an(
babe him farewell: to NADIA also bade
farewell