Evening star., 1909-02-19
CHAPTER VIII.
Mr.. Dove Visits 1Shmael.


When Rachel and Mole reached the
house. which they did not do for some
time. as they waited to make sure that
Ishmael had really gone. it was to see the
man himself riding away from It's gate.
BE prepared" said Noie: Il think that
he has been here before us to pour poison
into your fathers ears
So it proved to be, indeed. for on the
stoop or veranda they found Mr.. Dove
walking up and down. evidently much
disturbed in mind.
What is all this trouble Rachel he
asked. What have you done to Mr..
Smith''-for Mr. Dove. in pursuance of the
suggestion made by the man. had adopted
that name for him which he considered
less peculiar than Ishmael. He has been
here much upset declaring that you have
used him cruelty and that Nonha threat
ened him with terrible things in the
future of which, of course. she can know
nothing.
We'll, father, if you wish to hear. an
swered Rachel, "Mr. Ishmael or Mr.
Smith, as you call him, has been asking
me to marry him. and when refused. as
Of course | did, behaved very unpleasant
1y."
Indeed, Rachel. I gathered from him
that something of the sort had happened.
only his story is that it was you who
behaved unpleasantly, speaking to him
as though he were dirt. Now. Rachel,
OF course. i do not want you to marry
: this person, in fact, 1 should dislike 1t, al
though l have seen a great change for
the better in him lately-I mean spiritual
ly, of courSe-and an earnest repentance
for the errors of his past life. All / mean
is that the proffered affection of an hon
est man should not be met with scorn and
sharp words.
Up to this point Rachel endured the
lecture in silence, but now she could bear
no more.
Honest mani she exclaimed "Fat:er
are you deaf and blind. or only so sood
that you cannot see evil in others? Do
YOU know that 1t was this honest man
who brought about the murder of all
Noie's people in order that he might curry
favor with the Zulus?'
Mr.. Dove started. and turning. asked:
'.Is that SO, Nonha?'
1T is So Teacher. answered Noie al
though i have never spoken of II to
YOU. Afterward l will tell you the story,
If you wish
And do you know went on Rachel
why he will never let YOU visit his kraal
among the hills yonder? Well, l will tell
you. 1t is because this honest man., who
wishes me to marry him. keeps his katiir
wives and children there"
Rachel" replied her father. in much
distress. Il will never believe 1t: you are
only repeating native scandal Why, he
has often spoken to me with horror of
such things"
Il dare say he has, father. Well, now
| ask you 10 judge for yourself Take
a guide and start two hours before day
break tomorrow morning to visit that
kraai. and see if what | say is not true"
Il will, indeed" exclaimed Mr.. Dove.
who was now thoroughly aroused. for it
was conduct OF this sort that had caused
his bitter quarrel with the first settlers
in Natal. Il cannot believe the story,
Rachel | really cannot: but l promise
YOU that If / should find cause TO do so.
the man shall never put foot In my house
again.
Then | think that l am rid of him. .
said Rachel. with sigh of relief. only
be careful dear, that he does not do you
q mischief, for such men do not like to be
found out. Then she left the stoep. and
went to tell her mother all that had hap
pened
When she heard the story. Mrs. Dove.
who detested Ishmael much as her
daughter did, tried 10 persuade her hus-
band not to- visit his kraal. saying that
il would only breed feud and that un-
der the circumstances. ii would be easy
Ia forbid him the house upon other
grounds. But Mr. Dove, obstinate as
usual. refused to listen TO her, saying that
he would not judge the man without evil
dence. and that of the natives could not
be relied on. Also. if the tale were true.
II was his duty, his spiritual adviser.
to demonstrate with him.
SO the poor wife gave up arguing. as
she always did and long before dawn
on the following morning MIR. Dove, ac-
companied by two guides, departed upon
his errand.
After he had ridden some twelve miles
across the plain which lay behind Rama h
just at daybreak he reached pass OF
mex between two swelling hills beyonC
which the guides said lay the kraal that
was called Mafooti. Presently he saw it
place situated in cuplike valley