Evening star., 1909-03-03
CHAPTER XIII-Continued.

He asked who Ishmael was and what
he had to do with her. Rachel told him
briefly. and though she suppressed much
he looked very grave at that story.
! While she was finishing 1t a woman
| called without for leave to enter, and. as
before. Rachel bade him stand In re-
spectful attitude and a distance from her
Richard obeyed. and the woman came
in to say that certain of the kings In
dumas craved audience with her. They
We're admitted and saluted her in their
usual humble fashion. but of Richard, be
yond eyeing him curiously and. as she
thought, hostilely, they took not the
| slightest heed.
Are all things ready for my journey,
| as / commanded?" asked Rachel at once
''Inkosazana." answered their spokes-
man. they are ready. for how canst thou
| be disObeyed? Tamboosa and the impi
| wait without Yet 1nkosazana. the
heart of the Black One and the hearts OF
| his councillors and of all the Zulu people
are cut in two because thou wouldst 20
| and leave them mourning. Their hearts
are sore also with this white man Dario,
who has come to lead thee hence 50
/ sore that were he not thy servant" the
| lnduna added grimly. he at least should
| stay in Zululand.'
! "He is my servant" answered Rachel
haughtily whom | sent for. Let that
suffice. Remember my words. all OF YOU
| and let them be told again in the ears
! OF the king. that if any harm comes Ia
this white chief who is my guest and
yours. then there will be blood between
me and the people of the Zuus that shall
be terribly avenged In blood
| The indunas seemed to cover at this
declaration. but made no answer. Only
| the chief of them said:
The king would know If the Inkoos,
| thy servant. brings thee any uding of the
Amaboona. the white folk with whom he
| has been jOurneying.
"He brings tding that they seek peace
with the Zulus. to whom they will do no
| hurt If no hurt is done to them. Shall
| i tell them that the ZuuS also seek
peace?"
'The king gave us no message on that
| matter. 1nkosaZana," replied the 1nduna.
He awaits the coming OF the prophets
| OF the ghost-fOlk to interpret the mean
ing of thy words and of the omen of the
| falling star"
$50 be it, said Rachel. When my
servant Noie returns let her be sent on
| to me at once. that may hear and con-
| slider the words of her people" and she
| began to rise from her seat to Intimate
| that the interview was finished.
'Inkosazana,' said the induna hurried
| ly .'one question from the king-when
dost thou return to Zululand?''
Il return when il is needed. Fear not
/ think that / shall return but / say to
| the king and to all of you: Be careful
| when l come that there is no blood he
tween ME and you, lest great evil fall
upon your heads from heaven. 1 have
spoken. Good fortune go with you till
| we meet again"
| The indunas looked at each other. then
rose and departed humbly as they had
entered
! An hour later. surrounded by the impi
and followed by Richard Rachel was or
the Tugela road. At the crest of a hill
she pulled rein and looked back at the
great kraal. umgugundlovu. Then she
beckoned Richard to her side and said:
Il think that before long l shall sec
| that hateful place again
"Why?' he asked.
Because of the way in which those
! indunas looked at each other just now
There was some evil secret in their eyes
| Richard, / am afraid