Evening star., 1909-03-06
CHAPTER XVI.
The Three Davs,

lie was gone. his presence had ceased to
poison the air. and the long strain over
Rachel gave a gasp of relief. Then she
sat down upon the bench and began to
think. Her position and that of Richard
was desperate: it seemed scarcely posi-
BILE that they could escape with their lives
for if he died. she would die also-as to
that she was quite determined. But at
least they had three days, and who could
say what would happen in three days?
For instance. they might escape somehow.
the providence in which she believed
might intervene or the Zulus might come
to seek her. if they oniy knew where she
was gone. Oh. why had she not brought
guard of them with her TO Ramah? At
least they would never have insulted her.
and Ishmaels shrift would have been
short.
She wondered why he had given her
three days. A reason suggested itself TO
her mind. Perhaps he believed what she
had told him-that she was as safe from
him as the eagle in the air-and was sure
that the only way to snare her was by
using Richard as lure. in other words,
by threatening to murder him 1t is true
that he could have brought the matter TO
a head at once. but then, if she remained
Obdurate, he must carry out his threat.
and this. she believed. he was afraid 10
do unless it was absolutely forced upon
him. Doubtless he had reflected that in
three days she might weaken and give
way.
Whilst Rachel brooded thus the door
in the wall opened. and through it came
three women, who Saluted her respect
fully, and announced that they were sent
to clean the hut and attend upon her.
Rachel took stock of them carefully. Two
of them were young. ordinary, good-look-
ing Kaffirs. but the third was between
thirty and forty and no longer attractive.
ha1yin
Moreover, her face was sad and sympa-
thetic. Rachel asked her her name. She
answered that it was Mani. and that they
were all the wives of 1bubesi.
The women went about their duties in
the hut in silence. and while afterward
announced that all was made cIean, and
that they would return presently with
food. Rachel answered that ii was not
necessary that three of them should be
put to so much trouble. 1t would be
enough If Mani came. She desired to be
waited on by Mani alone. her SISTERS need
not come any more.
They all three saluted again, and said
that she should be Obeyed: the two
younger ones with aiacrity. To Rachel 1t
was evident that these women were much
afraid of her. Her reputation had reached
them and they shrank from this task of
attending on the mighty Inkosazana of
the Zulus in her cage. not knowing what
evil it might bring upon them.
An hour later the door was unbolted
and Mani reappeared with the food that
had been very carefully cooked Rachel
ate of it. for she was determined 10 grow
strong again. she who might need all her
strength and while she ate talked TO
Mani who squatted on the ground before
her Soon she drew her story from her
The woman was IshmaefS first kaffr
wife. but he had never cared for her. ana
against all law and custom she was DIS
carded and made a slave. Even some or
har II haH taE
given to other wives. So her heart was
bitter against Ishmael, and she sad that
although once she was proud TO De the
wife of white man, now she wished that
she had never seen his face.
Here then. material ready 10
Rachers hand. but she did not press the
matter too far at this time Only sne
said that she wished Mani to stay win
her after the evening meal. and to sleep
in her hut as she was not accustomed 10
be atone at night. Mani replied that she
would do so gladly, if Ibubesi allowed IL,
although she was not worthy of such
honor.
AS it happened. Ishmael did allow it. for
he thought that he could trust this old
drudge, and told her to act as a spy upon
Rachel and report to him all that she
said or did Very soon Rachel found this
out and warned her against obeylng MIN.
since if she did so it would come to her
knowledge and then great evil would fall
InkosaZa
Mann answered that she knew it. and
that Rachel need not be afraid. Any tale
would do for Ishmael, whom she hated.
Then, saying little herself. Rachel en-
couraged her to talk which Mani did
freely. SO she heard some news. She
learned, for instance. that tn, whole
town of Mafooti. whereof Ibubesi was
chief, which counted some sixty or seven
ty heads of families, was much disturbed
by the events Of. the last few days. They
did not like thatIakosazana being brought
there thinking that where she went the
Zulus would follew, and as they were of
Zulu blood themselves. they knew what
that meant They were alarmed al the
deaths of the white sky doctor. who was
called Shouter, and his wife. with which
Ibubesi had something to do. for they
feared lest they should be held respons-
BILE for their blood. They objected TO the
imprisonment of the white chief. Dario.
among them because ''hc had hurt no
one. and was under the mantle OF the
Inkosazana who a spirit. not Il
woman. and who had warned them that
If any harm came to her or 10 him death
would be their reward. They were angry,