Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-27

CHAPTER xII-Continued.

CHAPTER xII-Continued.
Now Ishmael saw that he had no
choice: also dark thought rose dimy in
his mind He desired TO win Rachel
above everything on earth: he was mad
with loVe--or what he understood as love
of her. and this business might be work
ed To his advantage. Moreover, TO stay
was death. So he fell TO bargaining for
reward for his services a large reward
In cattle and ivory: half of il to be paid
down at once. And it was promised TO
him. Then he took his Instructions
These We're that he was to travel 10 the
mission station of Ramah in command Of
a small impi of 800 men. whose only or
ders would be that they were TO obey
him In all things, That lie was to tell
the Umfundusi who was called Shouter
that If they wished to see her any more
he and his wife must come 10 dwell with
the Inkosazana in Zululand; that if;
they refused he was 10 bring them by
force. IT, perchance, the InkosaZana,
choosing to exercise her authority, crossed
the Tugeia and reached Ramah before he
could do this he was still to bring them,
for then she would follow. In the same
way if the Shouter and his wife met her
on the road they were to travel on. for
then she would turn and accompany
them. He was to go at once and execute
these orders.
81 hear" said Ishmael, land will start
as soon as the cattle have been delivered
and sent on with the ivory to my kraai,
Mafooti."
There something in the man $
voice or in the look of low cunning which
spread itself over his face that attracted
Dinsaan's attention.
f.lff 10 md hn TYR
he said sternly. but i'll shall il be for
you Ibubesi. If you seek to trick me in
this matter. You have grown rich on my
bounty. and yonder at your place, Mafooti
children-my spies have given me count OF
all of them. Now. if you play me false.
or if you dare to lift a finger against the
White One. know that I will burn that
kraal and Stay the inhabitants with the
spear and take the cattle. and when
catch you. Ibubesi. I will kill you, slowly
slowly. / have spoken, 60
Il go. Great Elephant. Calf of the Black
Cow. and 1 will obey in all things" an
swered Ishmael IN humble voice, for he
be brought. only 1 trust to you to pro-
tect me from the anger of the InkosaZana
for all that 1 may do
You must make your own peace with
the Inkosazana." answered Dingaan, and
turning. he crept into his hut.
An hour later the great induna, Tam
boosa. appeared at Rachel's kraal, and
craved leave to speak with her
What is it?' asked Rachel when he had
been admitted "Have you come to lead
me out of Zululand. Tamboosa?'
Nay. White One" he answered, the
land needs you yet awhile. | have come
to tell you that Dingaan would speak with
your servant Mole. if it be your good
pleasure to let her visit him. Fear not
No harm shall come to her; if ii does YOU
may order me to be put to death. You
yourself. could not be safer than she
shall be-"
Are you afraid to go?" asked Rache
of Mole.
Not T. answered the girl. with 2
laugh. II trust to the kings word and
to your might
Depart then" said Rachel, land come
| back as swiftly as you may. Tamboost
shall lead you
So Mole went.
Two hours after shutdown, while Rache
| was eating her evening meal in her great
hut, attended by the maidens the door.
board was drawn aside, and Mole entered
saluted. and sat down. Rachel signed &c
The women to clear away the food and
depart. When they had gone she asked
what the kings business was, eagerly
enough. for she hoped that it had to dc
with her leaving Zululand
1T is d long story, Zoola." answered
Noe but here is the heart of it.
told you when first we met that | am not
of this people. although my mother was d
Zulu. ] told you that | am of the dream
people, the ghost people. the little gray
people, who live away to the north be-
meath their trees and worship their trees :
Yes" answered Rachel land that is
why you care nothing for men as other
women do, but dream dreams and talk
with spirits But what of it?''
THAT is why [ dream dreams and talk
with spirits, as one day L hope that
shall teach you to do. you whose soul is
sister to my soul" replied Mole. her large
eyes shining strangely in her delicate
face. And this OF 1.-THE ghost people
are OWNERS; they can read the future and
see the hearts of men; there are no divin-
erS like them Therefore chiefs and PEG
pies who dwell far away send to then
with great gifts. and pray them come reaC
their fate, but they will seldom listen OIL
obey. Now Dingaan and his councillors
are troubled about this matter of the
Beers, and the meaning of the words you
spoke to their waging war on them
and of the omen of the falling star. The
council of the doctors can interpret none
of these things nor dare they ask You tC
do SO. since you bade them speak no NOR.
| to you of that matter. and they know thai
| if they did either you would not answer
or. worse still, say words that would dis
please them
They are right there" said Rachel
| ITO have to play the dark oracle once is
enough for me. If / speak again, il shall
| be plainly"
! Therefore they have bethought then
of the dealers in dreams and desire tC
bring you face to face with their prophets
/ the ghost kings. that these may see your
greatness and tell them the meaning OF
| your words and of the omen that you
caused to travel through the Skies
do you mean that they wish me to visi
| these ghost kings, Noie?'
| Not so, Zoola. for then they must part
| with your presence. They wish that the
| priests of the ghost kings should visit you
bearing with them the word of the Mother
| of the Trees.
"Visit me! How can they? Who will
| bring them here?"
"They wish that ] should bring them
| for as they know, I am of their blood
and i alone can talk their language
which my father taught me from a child. "
But. Mole. that would mean that we
| must be separated said Rachel, in
alarm.
Yes, it would mean that still l think
it best that you should humor them and
let me go. for otherwise do not know how
you will ever escape from Zululand. Now
L told the king that | thought you would
permit ii on one condition only-that after
you had been brought face to face with
the priests of the ghost kings. and they
had interpreted your riddle, you should
be escorted whence you came. and he
answered that it should be So and tina,
meanwhile You could abide here i'm honor
peace and safety. Moreover he promised
that Il messenger should be sent to Ramal
to explain the reason of your delay"
But how long will you be on the jour
ney, Mole, and what if these prophets o.
yours refuse to visit Dingaan?"
| 81 cannot fell who have traN