The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-03-17
CHAPTER XVII.
Rachel Loses Her Spirit.

1 Rachel Loses Her Spirit.
 | A little. while later Mani entered and said that she had been sent by Jbubesi
 to serve the Inkosazana as a messeng- | CT. should she need one. Rachel seated l on the bench. motioned to her to go 1 into the hut and bide there, and she | obeyed.
 l Minute by minute the time ebbed away. and still Rachel sat notion ss on the bench. Towards the end of the third hour someone unbolted and knocked at the door. Mani opened it and reported that Ibubesi stood with out. and desired to know whether she had any word for him.
 'eNone." answered Rachel. remember ing her oath. and the door was barred 1 again.
 After this great silence seemed to fall upon the place. The sky was grey with distant rain. and the air heavy. and whatever may have been the cause. no sound came from man or beast without. To Rachafs stra.ned nerves 1t seemed as though the Angel of Death had spread his wings above the town. There she sat paralysed. wondering what evil thing was being worked upon her lover: wondering if she had done right to give him as a sacrifice to this savage in order to save herself from dreadful wrong-worder- ing. wondering till the powers of her mind seemed to die within her. leav+ng it grey and empty as the grey and empty sky above.
 Night drew On and the setting sun. bursting through the envelone of cloud. filled earth and sky with fire. and it came into Rache1s heart. she knew not whence. that fire was near. that soon it would swallow up all this place.
 Look the door was opening: it swung wide, and through it advanced eight Kaff1rs carrying something on litter made of shields. something that was covered with a blanket of bark They drew near to her with bent heads. and set down their burden at her feet. Then one of them lifted tn, blanket revealing the body of Richard Darrien and saving in an awed voice.
 ''Inkosazana. Ihubesi sends you this to look on to show you that he keeps hts word. Later he will visit you him. self"
 Rachel knelt down by the litter of shields and looked at Richards face. The stamp of death was on it.. She felt his 5nd it was wa a. turnirE h cold; she
 ''Skow me this dead lords wounds" she said in an awful whisper. that presently mine may be like to them"
 "Inkosazana." said the spokesman.
 'How. then. did he die? Strange that ne should die. and not feel his spirit pass" s-
 "InaSosazana. he was thirsty, and
 "So. so! he was slain by poison. and I have no Doison- Mani. come forth and look on the white lord whom Ibubesi has murdered by poison"
 The woman Mami who had been sleeping in the hut. awoke and obeyed. She saw, and walled aloud.
 ''Woe to Mafooti!' she cried. like one inspired. 'and woe. woe to those that dwell therein. for now vengeance red vengeance. shall fall on them from Heaven. Ths blood of the innocent is upon them, the curse of the ln'-osa zana is upon them. the spears of the Zu'us
 ha cJI wild beast-Ibubesi. and fly. peoD'e of Mafooti, fly fly with that dead thing. Leave it not here to bear witness against you. Carry it far away ana valley that no can can find: bury it in the black water. lest it should arise and bear witness against you. Leave 1t not here. but let the darkness cover do," and turning she sped to the door and through 1t.
 The light from the sunk sun went out smothere5 in the gathering thnh. ahs terrified bearers muttered to each other.
 ..Thow it down and away,'' said one.
 Nay" answered another, wiedom has come to Mani. her chose has spoken to her. Take it with you. lest 1t should remain to bear witness against us.' :. said a third, that if harm came to this lord they would kill all. down to the rats. Take it away so that it may | not be found. If you meet Ibubesl spear him. If not. leave him the vengeance for his share"
 Now. moved as though by common impulse. the bearers cast beck the blanket over the corpse. and firing the litter. departed at a run. The door was shut and bolted behind them. and darkress fell upon the earth.
 For a while Rachel stood still in the darkness.
 Now I am alone" she said in a ! quiet voice. yet to her ears the words l seemed to be uttered with roar Of I thunder that echoed through the | and pierced upwards to the l feet of God.
 Then suddenly something snapped m | her brain and she was changed. The | horror left her. the terror left her. she | felt very we'll and strong. so well that she laughed aloud, and again that | laugh filled earth and heaven. Oh! sine was hungry, and food stood on table | nearby She sprang to it and ate ate | heartily Then she drank lantter11g l to herself, "Riehard drank .before hE Sic1 Let me drink also and cease to | be alone" t@
 Her meal finished, she walked up and i down the place singing song that seemed to be caught up tr'umrhe ntly { by million voices. the voices of all
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