Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-18

said: Gin the name of all the Ghost people
promise 1t, that thou shalt not go hence
alive. In this sanctuary thou art safe,
indeed. seated in the shadow of the
soon or late a way will be found to
draw thee hence. and then thou shalt
learn who is the stronger-thou or Eddo-
as the old woman behind the tree has
learned. Fare thee we'll for a while. I
will tell the people that thou art weary
and resteth and meanwhile I rule in thy
name. Fare thee we'll, Inkosazana, till
we meet without the WALL and he rose
and went. accompanied by Hama and the
other priests.
When he had gone little way he
turned. and pointing up the HILL screamed
back to Nya:
Go and look within The fence. old
bag. There thou wilt see the best OF
those who clung to thee seeking for
peace. Art thou a coward that thou
lingerest behind theE?''
Nay, Eddo,' she answered, chou art
the coward who has driven them to death
because they are good and thou art evil.
When my hour IS ripe l join them, not
before. Nor shalt thou abide here long
behind me. One short day Of triumph for
thee. Edo, and then night, black night
Eddo heard and his yellow face grew
white with rage or fear. He stamped
upon the ground. he shooa his small, fat
nsts and spat out curses as a toad spts
seIoHi- NJd uiu not stay TO listen TO
them. but walked up the cave and sat
herself down upon her mat.
Why does ne hate thee so. mother
asked Rachel
Because those that are bad hate those
that are good. maiden. For many a wear
Eddo has sought to rule through me, and
to work evil in the world, but have not
suffered 1t. He would abandon our secret
ancient faith. and reign a king. as Din.
gaan the Zulu reigns. He would send the
Sl1VA.frlhpG ~ ho
nations. and build him a great house. and
have many wives. But I held him fast,
so that he could do few Of these things
Therefore he plotted against me, but my
magic was greater than his, and while
my tree stood he could not prevail. At
length it fell at thy feet. as he knew that
1t was doomed to fall, for all these things
are foreordafned. and at once he would
didst protect me. and for that blessed be
thou forever"
"And why does he wish to make me
mother in thy place. Nya?'
Because my tree fell at thy feet, and
thinks that once the bond of the priest
hood is tied between you. and his blood
runs in thee. thy pure spirit will protect
his spirit from its sins. and that thy wis
dom which he sees in thee, will make him
greater than any Of the Ghost-people
that ever lived. Yet consent not, for aft
erward If thou dost thwart him. he will
find a way to bring down thy tree. and
with 1t thy life. and set another to rule
In thy place Consent not for know that
here thou art safe from him"
1T may be so. mother, but how can l
dwell on In this dismal place? Already
my heart is broken with its sorrows. and
soon. like those poor folk, I should seek
peace within the fence
Tell me Of those sorrows," said Nya.
gently. Perhaps I do not know them
all. and perhaps I could help thee"
O. al =
Mole, interpreting for her. told all her
tale up to that point when she saw the
body of Richard borne away, for after
this she remembered nothing until she
tree in the land of the ghost kings 1t
was long tale. and before ever she fin
ished it. night fell. but throughout its
telling the old dwarf-woman said never a
word. only watched Rachel's face with
her kind, soft eyes. At last it was done,
and she said:
"A sad story. Truly there is much evil
in the world beyond the country Of the
trees. for here at least we shed little
blood Now. maiden. what is thy de-
sire?'
This is my DESIRE" said Rachel. "to be
joined again to him l love. whom Ish-
mael slew: yes, and to my father and
mother also. whom the Zulus slew at the
command of Ishmael."
IF they are all dead, how can that be.
maiden, unless thou seekest them In
death? Pass within the fence yonder,
and let the poison of the tree of the tribe
fall upon thee. and soon thou wilt find
them
NAY. mother. I may not, for 1t would
be self-murder, and my faith knows few
greater crimes"
Then thou must wait till death finds
thee, and that road may be very long"
Already 1t is long. mother. so long that
know not how to travel 1t. who am
alone in the world without friend save
Mole here" and she began to weep.
mot SO. Thou hast another friend -
and she laid her hand upon Rachels
heart, Though 1t is true that l may bide
with thee but little while
TO be continued tomorrow