Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-16

was Young man my lathef Hcu itoih ms
Why" asked Rachel. for the g.ri
paused.
Lady. l do not know: I think II was
because he would have been their priest.
or one of their priests, and he feared. |
think that he had seen a woman. slave
To them. whom therefore he might not
marry. I think that woman was my
mother. So he fed from them-wtth her
and came to live among the Zulus. he
was great doctor there in Chakas Tina.
not one OF the Abangomas not one OF the
'Smelers-out-o of itches.' not 'Bringer-
down-to-death. for Ike all his race he
hated bloodshed No none OF these
ter of magic. an interpreter OF dreams. q
ord Of wisdom: yes, IL was his wisdom
that made Chaka great. and when re
withdrew ii from him because OF his
cruelties. then Chaka died.
Lady. Dingaan rules in Chaka's place.
Dingaan who slew him. but although he
had been Chaka's doctor. my father Was
spared because they feared him. | was
the only child of my mother. but he took
other wives after the Zulu fashion. not
because he loved them, ] think, but that
he might not seem different TO other
men. So he grew great and rich. ana
lived In peace because they feared him.
Lady. my father loved me, and 10 me
alone he taught his language and his
wisdom. I helped him with his medicines;
interpreted the dreams which he could
not interpret. his blanket fell upon me
Often I was sought in marriage. but did
not wish to marry: Wisdom is my hus-
band.
There came an evil day. We knew tina.
il must come. my father and i. and l
wished to fly the land. but he could not
do so because Of his other wives and chill
dren. The maidens of my district were
marsha!ed for the king to see. HIS eyes
fell upon me. and he thought me fair be
cause I an different from Zulu women.
90
the other doctors and the head wives Of
the king said that Il was no; wise that
| should be taken INFO his house. l VINO
knew too many secrets and could bewitch
him if wiIed. or poison him with drugs
that leave no trace. So | escaped while
and was thankful. Now II came about
that because he might not take me Din
gaan began to think mucn Of me. and 10
dream OF me at nights. At last he
asked me Of my father. as gift. not as
a right, for SO he thought that no i'll will
would come with me. But I prayed my
father to keep me from Dingaan. for
hated Dingaan. and told him that II
were sent TO the king I would poison
him My father listened 10 me because
he loved me and could not bear to part
with me. and said Dinsaan nay. Now
Dingaan grew very angry and asked
counsel of his other doctors. blu. trey
would give him none because they feared
my father. Then he asked counsel OF that
white man, Hishme'. who is called the
Lion, and who is much a. the kraal o.
Cmgungundhlovu.'
"Ah!' said Rachel. nov I understand
why he wished you to be killed
The white man. Hishme. the jacka n
a lions skin. you named him. laughed
at Dingaan's fears. He said 10 him. 1t
afraid. He has the magic: not tho girl
Kill the father. and his house. and take
the daughter whom your heart desires.
and be happy
so spoke Hishmel. and Dinsaan
thought his counsel good. and paid him
for il with the teeth OF elephants. ard
certain women for whom he asked Now
my father foreboded ill., and | also. for
both OF US had Or AIMED a dream. Stili We
did not fly until the slayers were almost
at the gates. because OF his other wives
and his children. Nor, save for then
would he have fed then. or either. but
would have died after the fashion Of his
people. as he did at last.
The white death?' queried Rachel.
Yes. lady, the white death. Still in tn.
end we fed. thinking TO gain thu p-ctec-
ton of the white men down yonder.
went first to escape the kings men WHO
had orders 20 take me alive and bring ne
to him, that is why We were not together
at the end. Lady, you know the rest.
Hishmel' doubtless had seen you. ard
thinking that the impi would kill You.
came to warn you. Then We met just as
was about to die. though perhaps not
by that soldiers spear, you thought.
have spoken
What message came to you when YOU
knelt down before your dead father"
asked Rachel for the second time since
on this point she intensely curious.
Again that inscrutab'e look gathered
on the girls face. and she answered.
Did I not tell you ii was for my
alone. O 1nkosazana -y-Zoo,a? I dare not
say II. be satisfied But ,his I may say.
Your fate and mine intert wned:
yours ard mine and another's. for our
gether in past days,'
Indeed said Rache, smiling for shs
who had mixed with them from child
hood knew something OF the mysticism
of the natives. also that 1t was often
nonsense We'll, Mole love you
know not why. Perhaps, for all you have
suffered. Yet I say to you that IL you
wish to remain my sister in the spirit, you
had better separate from me in the mesh.
That jackal man knows your secret. Cir.
and soon or late will loo-e the assagai
on YOU.
Doubtless" she answered. doubtless
many things will come about. But they
are doomed to come about; Whether 7
Say you. therefore. lady. and l will obey.
Shall l go or shall I stay. or shall I die
before your eyes?
1T is on your own head" answered
Rachel Struggling her shoulders.
Nay. nay lady. YOU forget. II Is on
yours also. seeing that il ] stay I may
bring peril on you and your house. Have
you. then. no order for me-"
Mole. I have answered-none. Judge
YOU.
(To be continued tomorrow