The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-03-11
(ContinuedN

ISHIldcl WdS SIlll on the bank of the river when one day about noon an urgent message reached him from Dingaan. It said the King was angry as wounded buffalo to learn, as he had just done, that he, Ibubesi, still fingered on his road and had not carried out his mission. The Inkosa- zana, accompanied by a white man. was travelling to Ramah and unless he went forward at once, would over take him. Therefore he must march instantly, and bring back the old Teacher and his wife as he had been bidden. Should he meet the Inkosaza- ma and her companion as he returned with the white prisoners she must not be touched or insulted in any way, only his ears and those of the soldiers with him were 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. If 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 hap pened it would bring a curse upon the iand, and he, Dingaan, swore by the head of the Black One who was gone Chat is Chaka) that he would kill him. 1bubesi, in payment. Yes. he would smear him with honey and bind him over an ant-heap in the sun till he died, if he hunted Africa from end to end to catch him. Moreover, should he fail in the business, he would send a regiment and destroy his town at Ma footi 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 Ishmae1 received this message he was much frightened, for he knew that these were not idle threats. Indeed, the exhausted mes senger told him that never had any living man seen Dingaan so mad with rage as he was when he learned that h0 Ttl,,hn e%il 1ire rorir t6sa banks of the Tugela, adding that he had foamed at the mouth with fury. Ishmael sent him back with a hum ble answer, pointing out that it had which was 'in wrath,'' but that now he would do all things as he was com manded, and especially that not a hair of the white mans head should be harmed.
 ''Then you must do them quickly" said the messenger with a grim smile as he rose and prepared to go. flor know that the Inkosazana is not more than a half a days march behind you, accompanied by the white Inkoos Dario."
 What is this Dario like?' asked Ishmael
 "Oh he is young and very handsome. with hair and beard of gold. and eyes that are such as those of the Inkosa- Zana herself Some say that he is her brother. another child of the Heavens, and some that he is her husband. Who am I that I should speak of such high things? But it is evident that she loves 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 Ishmael. setting his white teeth. Then he turned. and calling the captain of the impi. gave orders that vr,xr I.a at for so the King commanded. and it was better to die with honor by water than with shame by the spear.
 So they waded and swam the river without loss of life. Ishmael being borne over it upon the shoulders of the strongest men. Upon it's further band he summoned the captains and delivered to them the orders of the King. Then they set out for Ramah. Ishmael carried in a litter made of boughs.
 { Whilst the soldiers were constructing this litter. he called two men of the Swamp-dwellers, who had their homes upon the banks of the Tugela, and promising them a reward. bade them run to his town, Mafooti, and tell his head man there to come at once with thirty of tine best soldiers, and to hide them in the bush of the kloof above Ramah, where he would join them that night. The men. who knew Ibubesi, ana what happened to those who fail ed upon his business, went swiftly, and a little while afterwards. the litter be- ing finished. Ishnael entered it, and the impi started for Ramah.
 Before sundown they appeared upon a ridge overlooking the settlement, cattle into their kraals. Seeing the Zufus while as yet they were some way off, these herds shouted an alarm. whereon the people of the place. think inc ha ho r-aerir, 1nslf to wipe them out, fled to the bush, the herds driving the cattle after them Man, woman. and child. deserting their pastor. who knew nothing of all this, being occupied with a sad business. they fled, incontinently. so that when Ishmael and the impi entered Ramah no one was left in it save few aged and sick people, who could not walk.
 At the outskirts of the town IShmael descended from his litter and com manded the soldiers to surround it, with orders that they were to hurt no one, but if the white Umfundusi, who was called ShOuter, or his wife at tempted to escape, they were to be seized and brought to him. Then talk ing with him some of the captains and a guard of ten men. he advanced to the miSSion-hOuSe.
 The door was open. and, followed by the Zulus. he entered to search the place, for he feared that its inhabi- tants might have seen them, and gone WIIn the OtneTS- hOohlIs lHtO luS room that they reached. of which, as it chanced. the door was also open, Ishmael saw that this was not so. for there upon the bed lay Mrs. Dove. ap- parently very ill. while by the side of the bed knelt her husband. praying. For a few moments IShmael and the savages behind him stood still. staring at the pair. till suddenly Mrs. Dove turned her head and saw them. Lift ing herself in the bed she pointed with her finger, and Ishmael noticed that her lips were quite blue. and that she did not seem to be able to speak Then MT. Dove. observing her outstretched hand looked around. He had not seen Ishmael since that day when he struck him after their stormy interview at Mafooti. but recognizing the man at once. he asked sternly:
 What are you doing. sir, with these savages in my house? Cannot you see that my wife is sick, and must 1ot be disturbed?'
 "I am sorry" 1Shmael answered shamefully. for in his heart he was afraid of MT. Dove, t'but am sent to fy-aJ, Oir,cr flNa