Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-08
CHAPTER XVI-Continued.

Il understand said the doctress. nod
ding her head till the bladder in her hair
bobbed about like float at which a fish
is pulling II understand. I have seen
people like this before-men and women.
too-when a bad spirit enters into them
because of some crime they have commit
ted. The Inkosazana. or those who guard
her, have sent you this bad spirit, and,
Ibubesi, YOU must run the road upon
which 1t is appointed that you shall travel;
for Joy or sorrow you must run that road.
But when we meet In the world of ghosts.
which I think will be soon, do not blame
me, do not say that / did not warn you.
Now it is all right about those COWS, is
1t not? although 1 daresay the Zulus will
milk them and not /, for tonight l seem
10 smell Zulus in the air." and she lifted
her broad nose and shifted like q hound.
II wish you could have left the Inkosa
zana alone, and that Dario, too, for he
Is part of her; in my dreams they
seemed to be one. But you won't, you
will walk your own path: SO good night,
Ibubesi. The dog will wake again in the
morning. but he will not know you. Good
night, Ibubesi-of course l understand that
the cows will be young ones that have not
had more than two calves. Mix the pow
der in milk, or water, or anything; it is
without taste or color. Good night. Ibu-
best" and without waiting for an answer
the old wretch crept out of the hut.
When she was gone Ishmael cursed her
aloud. then drank some more rum, which
he seemed to need. The place was very
lonely, and the sight of his dog. lying to
all appearances dead at his side, oppressed
him. He patted its head and 1t did not
move: he lifted its paw and IL fell down
fabbily- The brute was as dead as any
thing could be. 1t occurred to him that
before night came again he might look
like that dog. His story might be told;
lie might have left the earth in company
of all the deeds that he had done thereon.
He had imagination enough to know his
sins, and they were an evil host to face.
Old Dove and his wife. Tor instance--hoy
people who believed in God and vengeance,
and had never done any wrong. only striv-
en- for years and years to benefit others,
" would not be pleasant to meet them.
Rachel had said that she saw them stand
ing behind him. and he felt as though
they were there at that moment. Look,
ore Of them crossed between him and the
lamp-there was the mark Of tho kerry
on his head-and the woman followed; he
could see her blue lips as she bent down
10 look at the dog. 1t was unbcarable
He would go and talk to Rachel. and ask
her II she had made UP her mind. No.
for II he broke in on her thus at night. he
was sure that she would kill either herself
or him with that spear she had taken
from the dead Zulu, Redeemed with his
own blood. He would keep faith with her
and wait TIL the morrow. He would send
for one of his wives. No. the thought of
those women made him sick He would
go round the Notifications and beat any
sentries whom he found asleep. or receive
the reports OF the spies. To stop in that
hut in the company of dog which seemed
to be dead, and of maginatons that no
rum could drown. was impossible.
Once more the morning came, and
a1lrn cnf in, Id ..ss.~
the dreadful hour of her trial, for it was
the day and time that IshmaeI had APP
pointed for her answer. Until now Rachel
had cherished hopes that something might
happen: that the people OF Mafooti might
intervene to save her and Richard: that
the Zulus might appear. even that Ish-
mael might relent and let them go. But
Mani had been out that morning and
brought back tidings which dispelled these
hopes. She had ventured to sound some
Of the leading men and said that. like all
the people, they were very sullen and
alarmed. but declared, as she had ex-
pected, that they dare do nothing, for
Ibubcsi would kill them. and II they es-
capped him the Zulus would kill them be-
cause the InkosaZana was found in their
possession OF the Zulus themselves
scouts who had been out for miles, re-
ported that they had seen no sign. 1t was
clear also that Ishmacl was as determined
as ever. for he had sent her a message
by Mani that he would wait upon her as
he had promised, and bring the white man
with him.
Then what should she say and what
should she do? Rachel could think of no
plan; she could only sit still and pray
while the shadow of that awful hour crept
ever nearer.
1t had come: she heard voices without
the WALL among them Ishmaefs. Her
heart stopped. then bounded like a live
thing in her breast He was commanding
some one to catch that dog and tie il
up. for 1t vas bewitched. and did not