Evening star., 1909-02-18
CHAPTER VII-Continued.

CHAPTER VII-Continued.
This matter of the embassy happened
and in due course was almost forgotten,
that is until a certain event occurred
which brought it into mind. For some
time, however, Rachel thought of it a
good deal, wondering how it came about
that her native name and the strange
significance which they appeared to give
to it had taken such hold of the 1masl-
nation of the Zulus. Ultimately she dis
covered that the white man. ishmael,
vas the chief cause of these things. He
had lived so long among savages that he
lad caught something of their mlnd ana
dark superstitions. To him, as to them,
it seemed a marvellous thing that she
should have acquired the title OF the
legendary spirit of the Zulu people. The
calm courage. too, so unusual IN woman,
which she showed when she shot the
warrior, and at the risk of her own NE
saved that of the girl. Noie. impressed hlm
as something almost ultra human
especially when he remembered his own
conduct on that occasion. All of this
story. Of course. lie did not tell to the
Zulus for he feared lest they should take
vengeance for his share in it. But OF
Rachel he discoursed to the king and hls
iridIlnas, or great men, AS a white wltcn-
name showed that she was mixed up
with the fortunes of the race. Therefore,
in the end Dingaan sent Mopo, ne VINO
knew the Spirit. to make report OF her-
When he was not absent upon his hunt
ing or trading expeditions lshmael visit
ed Ramai a great deal and. as Rachel
soon discovered. not without an OBJECT.
Indeed. almost from the first, her felnl-
nine instincts led her TO suspect that TINS
man who. Notwithstanding his good looks,
repelled her 80 intensely. was falling IN
love with her, which in truth he had done
once and for all at their first meeting
III tie beginning he did not. ii is true. say
much that could be SO interpreted. but his
whole attitude toward her suggested II,
as did other things. For instance. when
he came to visit the Doves. he discarded
his garments of hide. including the pic
turesque zsbra-skin trousers. aud appear
ed dressed in smart European clothes
which he contrived to obtain from Dur
BAN and large hat with a white os-
trich feather, that struck Rachel as even
more lIdicrouS than the famous trousers
Also he was continually sending presents
of game and skins. or of rare karosses,
that is. fur rugs, which he ordered to be
delivered to her personaily-tokens. all OF
them, that she could not misunderstand
Her father, however, misunderstood them
persistentiy. although her mother saw
something of the truth. and did her best
TO shield her from attentions which she
knew to be unwelcome. Mr. Dove oe-
lieved that it was his company which
Ishmael sought Indeed. in this matter the
man was very clever. contriving to give
the clergyman the impression that he re-
uured spiritual instruction and comfort,
which, of course, he found forthcoming
in an abundant supply. When Mrs. Dove
demonstrated. saying that sine misdoubted
her of him and his character, her husband
answered obstinately, that it was his
duty TO turn sinner from his way, ana
declined TO pursue the conversation. So
Ishmael continued TO come.
For her part Rachel did her best to
avoid him. instructing Mole to keep a con-
stant lookout both with her eyes and
through the Kaffirs. and to warn her of
his advent. Then she would Slip away
into the bush or down to the seashOre,
and remain there until he was gone, or
ii he came when she could not do so. III
the evening for instance, would keep Mole
at her side. and on the first opportunity
retire to her own room.
Now. the result of this method OF self
protection vas to cause Ishmael to hate
Mole as bitterly as she hated him. lie
guessed that the girl knew the dreadful
truth about him; that it was he. and no
other who had counseled Dingaan to kill
| her father and all his family. and take her
| by force into his house. and although she
said nothing of 1t. lie suspected that she
| had told everything to Rachel. Moreover.
| 1t was she who always thWarted him, who
prevented him time upon time from hav-
| ing a single word alone with her mistress.
| Therefore. he determined to be revenged
| upon Mole whenever an opportunity Oc-
CURED. But yet he could find none,
since If he were to tell the ZuluS that she
| still lived and cause her to be killed or
| taken away he was sure that 1t would
| mean a final breach with the Dove fam
| iIy, all of whom had learned to love this
| beautiful orphan maid. So he nursed his
Vage in secret.
! Meanwhile his passion increased daily,
burning ever more fiercely for its con-
tinued repression, until at length the
chance for which he had waited 50 long
came to him.
Having become. aware of Rachel's habit
of slipping away whenever he appeared.
| he showed himself on horseback at u
| little distance then waited while and,
instead of going Up to the mission station.
| rode around II, and hid in some bush.
whence he could command view of the
surrounding country. Presently he saw
| Ra chel, who was alone, for she had not
waited to call NOie hurrying toward the
seashore, along the edge of that kloof
down which ran the stream where the
crocOdiles lived. Presently. when she had
gone too far TO return 10 the house IL she
caught sight of him. he followed after
/ her. and. leaving his horse. at last came
up with her seated on a rock by the poot
in which she had bathed on the morning
| OF the massacre.
! Walking softly in his veld-schoens. or
shoes, made of raw hide. on the sand.
: RacNci knew 1fOtuiIiS VI HE toIliiHS oi'ii
! his shadow fell upon her. Then she sprans
up and saw him, smiling and bowling, the
| ostrich plume hat in his hand. Her first
! impulse was to run away. but. recovering
! herself she nodded In a friendly fashion,
and badc him Good day" adding:
What are YOU doing here. Mr.. lsh-
mael, huntinG?'
| Yes" lie answered. that's it. Hunting
you 1t has been long chase, but / have
| caught you at last
! Really | am not "A wild creature. Mr..
Ishmael,' she said, Indignantly.
No" he answered, you more
beautiful and more dangerous than any
/ wild creature.
! Rachel looked at him. Then she made
! as though she would pass him. saying
! that she was going home. Now lshmacl
| stood between two rocks filling the only
/ egresS from this place.
/ He stretched out his arms SO that his