Evening star., 1909-03-03

was in her power and that the contume1y,
and more were still his share.
But all this did not in the least deter
| him from his aim. and. as IL chanced.
| fortune had put other cards into his
lhands. He knew that Rachel would not
stay among the Zulus. they knew II.
Therefore they had commissioned him 10
bring her people to her. II her people
| were not brought he sure that she
would come to seek them. and II she
found no one then where could she 80.
or at least. who would he at hand to help
| her? Surely his opportunity had come
at last and marriage by capture did not
| occur TO him. who had spent so many
years among saVages as a crime from
which to shrink only he feared that the
prospective captive the 1nkoosaZana-y-
,Ioola. was not one with whom IL was safe
TO tr:fle. But his love was stronger than
his fear lie thought that he would take
the risk.
Such were the reflections of Ishmaei
upon the banks of the flooded Tugela.
and when at length the waters went down
sufficiently TO enable him and the SOL
! diers under his command TO cross into
| Natal. he was fully determined To put
| them into practice If the chance camo
his way. How this might best be done
he left TO luck. for If 1t could be avoided
he did not wish TO have more blood upon
his hands. Only Rachel must be rem
dered homeless and friendless for then
who could protect her from him? An
answer came into his mind-she might
protect herself. or that power which
seemed to 90 with her might protect her
something warned him that this evil
teprise was very dangerous. Yet the
fire that burnt within him drove him on
to face the danger
1shmael still on the Zuluand bank
| OF the river when one day about noon
| an urgent message reached him from
iDineaan. Ii said that the king Was
| angry wounded buffalo to learn
as he had just done. that he, Ibubes,
still fingered on his road. and had not
| carried out his mission. The InkosaZana
accompanied by white man. was travel
| ing TO Ramah and unless he went for
| ward al once. would overtake him. There
| fore he must march instantly and bring
| pack the old teacher and his wife lie
mad been hidden. Should be meet the
| InkosaZana and her companion as he re-
| turned with the white prisoners she must
| net be touched or insulted i'm any way.
| only his ears and those of the soldiers
with him We're to be deaf to her orders
| or entreaties to release them. for then
| she would surely turn and follow of her
own accord back to the Great Place. II
the white man with her made trouble or
| resisted. he was TO be bound, but on
no account must his blood be made to
| flow. for if this happened it would bring
curse upon the land. and he. Dingaan.
swore by the head of the Black One who
was gone Chat is, Chaka) that he would
! Kill him, IbubeSi. in payment. Yes. lie
| would smear him with honey and bind
| him over an ant heap i'm the sun till lie
died. If he hunted Africa from end TO
end to catch him. Moreover should he
| fail in the business he would send
| regiment and destroy his town at Mafooti
! and put his wives and people to the
spear and seize his cattle. All this also
he Swore by the head of the Black One.
| Now when Ishmael received this mes
sage he was much frightened. for lie
| knew that these were not idle threats.
Indeed. the exhausted messenger told him
that never had any living man seen
Dingaan SO mad with rage as he was
when lie learned that he, Ibubesi. was
| Still lingering on the banks of the Tugea,
adding that ne had foamed at the mouth
| with fury. lshmael sent him back with
! humble answer. pointing out that it
had been impossible to cross the river.
| which was lin wrath, but that now lie
| would do all things as he was command
ed. and especially that not a hair OF the
| white mans head should be harmed.
Then YOU must do them quickly said
| the messenger with grim smile as he
| rose and prepared to GO for know that
1nkosazana is not more than half
days march behind you. accompanied by
the white Inkoos Dario.''
What is this Dario like" asked Ish-
mael.
"Oh. he is young and very handsome.
with hair and beard of gold and eyes
that are such as those of the Inkosazana
| herself. Some say that he is her brother.
another child of the heavens, and some
that he is her husband. Who am l that
l should speak of such high things? But
1t is evident that she ioves him very
much. for by her magic she told the
king of his coming. and even when he is
| behind her she Is always turning her
head to look at him."
/ oh. she loves him very much. does
she?" said 1shmael. setting his white
teeth. Then he turned. and calling the
captain of the impi. gave orders that
| the river must be crossed at once. for
SO the king commanded, and it VS. better
to die with honor by water than with
| shame by the spear.
So they waded and swan the river with
! great difficulty, but, as it chanced. with
out loss of life, Ishmael being borne over
1t upon the shoulders of the strongest
men. Upon it's further bank he sum-
| moned the captains and delivered to them
the orders of the king. Then they set
| out for Ramah. Ishmael carried in q
litter made of boughS.
| To be continued tomorrow)