The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-03-12
CATER XIV.

lmp1S ana all the SD1r1tS or the dead, will need little help from us.''
 CATER XIV.
 Rachel Comes Home.
 As Rachel had travelled up from the Tugela to the Great Place, so she travelled back from the Great Place to the Tugela in state and dignity such as became a thing divine. perhaps the first white woman, moreover, who had ever entered Zululand. All day she rode alone. .Tamboosa leading the wh te OK before her and Richard following behind, while in front and to the rear marched the serried ranks of the inn pi. her escort. At night. as before, she slept alone in the empty kraals provided for her. attended by their best-born maidens, Richard being lodged in some hut without the fence.
 So at length about noon one day, they reached the banks of the Tugela. not many hours after Ishmael had crossed it. and camped there. Now after she had eaten Rachel sent for few opportunities to talk during that Journey. He came and stood before her, as all must do. and she addressed him in English while the spies and captains watched him sullenly, for they could not understand. Preserving a cold and distant air. she asked him of his health. and how he had fared.
 Well enough he answered. And HOW, W1dC are your pldIlS! 1He rlVeT is in flood. you will find it difficult to cross. Still it can be done, for I hear that the white man. Ishmael. of whom you told me, forded it this morning with a company of armed men,
 Aware of the eyes that watched her, with an effort Rachel showed no sur prise.
 How is that?'' she asked. ''I thought the man fled from zululand many days ago. Why then does he leave the country with SOldierS?'
 ''I can't tell you. Rachel. There is something queer about the business. When I inquire everyone shrugs his shoulders. They say that the King knows his own business. If I were you I would ask no questions. for you will learn nothing. and if you do not ask they will think that you know an.''
 T understand she said. But Rich ard I must cross the river to-day. You and I must cross it alone and reach Ramah tonight. Richard. something weighs upon my heart. I am terribly afraid"
 ed, ignoring the rest.
 "I can't tell you yet, Richard, but keep my horse and yours saddled there where you are encamped," and she nodded towards hut about fifty yards away. 'T think that I shall come to you presently. Now go.''
 So he saluted her and went
 Presently Rachel sent for Tamboosa anu the cdp-dlIS. anu aSkeu tIle Stdte of the river which was out of sight about half a mile from them. They replied that it was "very angry; none could think of attempting its passage,
 'Is it SOP" she said indifferently Well, I must look," and with slow steps she walked to where she knew the horses were. followed by Tamboosa and the captains.
 Reaching it. she saw them standing saddled on it's further side. and by them Richard. seated on the ground smoking As she came he rose and saluted her. but taking no heed of him. she went to her grey mare. and, plac ing her foot in the stirrup. sprang to the saddle. motioning to him to do likewise.
 "whither goest thou. Inkosazana?" asked TambooSa anxiously.
 gro throw a charm on the waters" she answered, "so that they may run down and I can cross them to-mor- row. Come. Dario. and come Tam boosa. but let the rest stay behind. since common eyes must not look upon my magic. and he who dares to look shall be struck with blindness"
 The captains hesitated. and turning on them fiercely. she commanded them to obey her word lest some evil should befall them.
 Then they fell back and she rode to- wards the Tugela, followed by Richard on horseback and Tamboosa on foot.
  where she had received the salutat:on of the regiment when she entered Zu,u- land, Rachel saw at once that al- though the great river was full it could easily be forded on horseback. Calling Richard to her. she said:
 we must go. and now. while there is no one to stop us but Tamboosa. Do not hurt him unless he tries to spear you. for he has been kind to me"
 Then she addressed Tamboosa, say ing:
 "I have spoken to the waters a1.A they will not harm me. The hour has come when must leave my people for a while. and go forward alone with my white servant, Dario. These are my commands. that none should dare to follow me save only yourself. Tam boosa, who can bring on the white OK with its load so soon as the water has run down and deliver them to me at Ramah. Do you hear me-"
 'I hear. Inkosazana,'' answered the old induna. "and thy words split my heart.''
 "Yet you will obey them, Tam