Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-23

CHAPTER X-Continued.

Il hear thee, King. Now, AS first
fruit. give to me Mole. daughter of Sey-
api, my slave whom the soldiers stole
away from Roman beyond the river
where dwell.
She is dead. White One. She is dead
for her crimes" answered Dingaan look
ing at her.
Now RacheI's heart sank in her, for il
might well be that trick had been play
ed on her. and that this was true. Or per
haps this tale of Noie's death was but a
trap to test her powers. moreover ii was
not likely that the king, who had prom
ised that she should live. would dare TO
break his word to one whom he believed
or half believed to be a spirit.
For a moment she thought. then after
her nature determined to be bold and
hazard all upon a throw. Therefore she
did not argue or reproach. but said:
She is not dead. | have questioned
every spear in Zululand, and none OF
them is red with her blood
Thou art right" he answered. the
spears are clean. She died in the river. .
Now Rachel was sure. and answered In
her clear voice:
II have questioned the waters, and
| have questioned the croccdiles. and they
! answer that Mole has passed them safe
| ly:"
| by rope i'm yonder huts.'
| Now Rachel looked at the huts and
cried:
Mole. hear thee, l see thee. l smell
thee out Come forth. Mole
The king and his councillors stared a,
her, whispering TO enc another and be
fore ever they had done their Whispering
out from amCng the gloom of the huts
? crept Mole.
To Rachel she crept. taking no heed
even of the king. and crouching dowr
in the faint shadow CT her that the moon
Itch no har
knees and pressed her foreheat on hel
feet. Now Rachel's heart bounded will
joy at the sight of her. and she longet
to bend down and kiss her, but did not
| lest her great dignity should be lessenec
in the eyes of the king. only she said:
Il greet you. Ncie. be seated in my
| shadow where you are safe. and tell me
have these men dealt well by you?"
Not so i'll. Inkosazana. that is since
| I reached the Great Kraal But one Of
| them. he who sits yonder," and she point
| ed to A certain induna. struck me OF
the journey. and took away my food
| Now Rachel looked at the man an
| grily. playing with the little wand in he
| hand wherein this induna shivered will
terror. fearing lest she should point it a
him. Rising he came to Rachel and flung
| himself down before her.
What have you to say, asked Rachel
| you who have dared to strike my serv
| anti"
1
was obstinate. and tried to run away. ant
our orders were to bring her to the king
Spare my life. l pray thee
| King said Rachel, II have powe
over this man. have | not?'
1T is So answered Dingaan. xii
| him if thou wilt"
| Rachel seemed to consider while thu
| poor wretch with chattering teeth i'm
plored her to forgive. Then she turned
| to Mole. saying:
He struck you. not me. 1 give hin
| sleep tonight with the living or thu
| dead?'
! Mole looked at him, and next at /;
| mark on her arm, and the induna. ceas
| ing from his prayers to Rachel, clutchet
| Mole by the ankle, and begged he
mercy.
Your life has been given to you," h,
said. give mine to me, lest i'll fortune fol
| low you
DO you remember" asked Mole con
| temptuousy. how when you had beater
hoped it would be your luck to put
spear through this heart of mine? Ant
do you remember that 1 answered yot
/ that the spear would be over your owl
| heart first, and that thereon you called
me Daughter of Wizards and struck m.
| again-me. the child Of Seyapi, upor
| whom the mantle of the IngosaZana lies
me who have drunk of her wisdom an(
| Of his, you struck me, you dog" anC
| lifting her foot she spurned him in the
! face.
| Now the king and his company con
Guiding that the thing was finished
| glanced at Rachel to see her point will
the rod and thus give the man to death
| But Rachel waited, sure that Mole haC