The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-03-09

really coming. in a day or two sh would have learned of his arriva
 naturally: there was no need tha
 these mysterious influences should b | set to work to inform her of his ap proach.
 How selfish she was. The warnin,
 might concern him, not her. It wa
 probable enough that the Zulus woul,
 kill solitary white man, especially i
 they discovered that he proposed t. Vlslt their Inkosazana. Well, she hat | the power to protect him. If sh
 threw her mantle over him, no mal Tn all the land would dare to do hin violence. Surely it was for this reasol that she had been allowed to Iear1
 these things, if she had learned them not for her own sake, but his. If sh, take the risk, would run the chance O
 failure and of mockery, yes, and O
 the loss of her power among these
 people. It should be done at once.
 Rachel clapped her hands, and
 maiden appeared whom she bade sum
 mon the captain of the guard withou
 the gate. Presently he came, surround
 ed by band of her women, since nc
 man might visit the Inkosazana alone
 Bidding him to cease from his saluta
 tlonS, she commanded him to gt
 swiftly to the Great Place and pray
 of Dingaan that he would send her ar
 escort and litter, as she must see him
 that night on matter of which would
 
 In an hour, just after she had finish
 ed her food, which she ate with more appetite than she had known for days it was reported that they were there Throwing on her white cloak, and talk ing her horn wand, she entered the litter and, guarded by a hundred men, was borne swiftly to the House of Din gaan. At it's gate she descended, and once more entered that court by the moonlight.
 As hefOre there sat tbe Rinp and his indunas without the Great Hut, and while she walked towards them every man rose crying, Hail! Inkosa- zana.' Yes, even Dingaan, mountain from his stool and saluted her. Rachel acknowledged the salutation by rais- ing her wand, motioned to them to be seated, and waited.
 "Art thou come, White One" asked Dingaan. "to make clear those dark words thou spokest to us a moon ago?'
 May, King" she answered, what I said then, I said once and for all. Read thou the saying as thou wilt. or let the Ghost-people interpret it t'i Ye have kept me here when I would be gone. my business being ended, that I might be judge among this people. Ye have told me that the rivers were in flood. that the beast I rode was sick. that evil would befall the land if I deserted you. Now I know, and ye know. that if it pleased me I could have departed when and wh' 'ther I would. but it was not fitting that the should creep out of Zulu land like a thief in the night. so I abode on in my house wonder. Yet my heart grew wrath with you. and I. to whom the white people listen also. was half minded to bring hither the thou sands of the Amaboona who are en- beyond the Buffalo River, that they might escort me to my home"
 Now at these bold words the King looked uneasy and one of the coun- cillors whispered to another:
 ''How knows she that the white men are camped beyond the Buffalo?'
 Yet" went on Rachel. 'I did not do SO. for then there must have been much fighting and bloodshed. and blood [ hate. But I have done this. With chief, a young man. one Darrien. whom knew from long years ago, and who does me reverence. Him, then. have to journey hither, and to cad me to my own place across the Tugela- Tonight I am told he sleeps ! short three days Journey from this own, and I am come here to bid you send out swift messengers to guide 1im hither.''
 She ceased. and they stared at her awhile. Then the King asked:
 What messenger is it, InkOsaZana, hat thou hast sent to this white chief, Oar1o? We have seen none pass from .hy house.
 '.Dost thou think. then. King. that hou canst see my messengers? My thoughts flew from me to him, and ,a1led in his ear in the night, and saw his coming in the still pool that ies near my huts."
 cow" exclaimed one of the Council, | she sent her thoughts to him like birds. and she saw his coming in the | water of the pool. Great is the magic l if the Inkosazana." |
 s'The chief Darrien," went on Ra- hel. without needing the interruption. | she noted that it was Mopo | if the withered hand who had spoken | rom beneath the blanket wrapped | bout his head. may be known thus. | He is fair of face. with eyes like my | yes. and beard and hair of the color if gold. If I saw right, he rides upon | ; black horse with one white foot and lis only companion is a Kaff1r named | luabi who. I think,'' and she passed | Ter hand across her forehead. ives vho was surely visiting a relation of is. at this. the Great Palace. when I rosSed the Tugela-"
 Now the King asked if any knew of | his Quabi, and an induna answered in n awed voice tha It it was true that a nan so called had been in the town t the time given by the Inkosazana mentioned, but who was now away on ervice. He had, however. departed efore the Inixosazana arrived. or so e believed. whither he knew not.
 Y thought it was so,' went on Ra- hel "As I saw him in the pool he is
 thin man whose shoulders stoop. and whose beard is white, although his air is black. He wears no ring upon is head"
 '"That is the man." said the induna. being a stranger I noted him well, as was my business to do."
 Summon the messengers swiftly ling," went on Rachel and let them epart at once, for know that this yhite chief and his servant are under ne protection of the Heavens. and if arm comes to them. then I lay my urse upon the land. and it shall break D in blood and ruin. Bid them say 3 Darrien, that the Inkosazana-y- oola. she who stood with him once n the rock in the river while the ghtnings fell and the lions roared bout him, sends him greetings and waits him."
 Now Dingaan turned to an induna nd said.