The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-03-15

as Sane rom him as the eagle in the air-and was sure that the only way te snare her was by using Richard as g lure, in other words, by threatening tc murder him. It is true that he could have Drought the matter t6 a head al once, but then, if she remained ob- and this. she believed, he was afraid to do unless it was absolutely forced upon him. Doubtless he had reflected that In three days she might weaken and give way.
 Whilst Rachel brooded thus the door m the wall opened, and through it came three women, who saIuted her respect rully, and announced that they were sent to clean the hut, and attend upon her. Rachel took stock of them care fully Two of them were young, or dhnary, good-looking Kaffirs, but the third was between thirty and forty, and no longer attractive, having be- come old early, as natives do More over, her face was sad and sympa- thetic- Rachel asked her her name She answered that it was Mani, and that they were all the wives of Ibal- besi.
 The women went about their duties In the hut in silence, and while aft erwards announced that all was made clean, and that they would return pres ently with food. Rachel answered that 1t was not necessary that three of them should be put to so much trouble. It would be enough if Mami came She desired to be waited on by Mami alone, her sisters need not come any more.
 They all three saluted again, and said that she should be obeyed; the two younger ones with alacrity. TO Rachel it was evident that these wo- men were much afraid of her. Her reputation had reached them, and they shrank from this task of attending on the mighty InkoSazana of the Zulus in her cage. not knowing what evil it might bring upon them.
 An hour later the door was unbolt- ed, and Mani reappeared with the food that had been very carefully cooked. Rachel ate of it, for she was deter mined to grow strong again, she who might need all her strength, and while she ate talked to Mani, who eQuAtted on the ground before her. Soon she drew her story from her. The woman was Ishmaeps first Kaffir wife, but he had never cared for her, and against all law and custom she was discarded and made a slave. Even some Of her cattle had been taken from her and given to other wives. So her heart was bitter against Ishmael, and she said that although once she was proud to be the wife of a white man, now she wished that she had never seen his face.
 Here, then, was material ready to RachePs hand, but she did not press the matter too far at this time. Only she said that she wished Mani to stay with her after the evening meal, and to sleep in her hut, as she was not accustomed to be alone at night. Mani replied that she would do so gladly, if Ibubesi allowed it, although she was not worthy of such honor.
 As it happened, Tshmael did allow it, for he thought that he could trust this old drudge, and told her to act as spy upon Rachel, and: report to him all that she said or did. Very soon Rachel found this out and warned her against Obeying him, since if she did so 1t would come to her knowledge, and then great evil would fall on one who betrayed the words of the Inkosa- zana-s.
 Mani answered that she knew it, and that Rachel need not be afraid. Any tale would do for Ishmael, whom she hated. The n, saying little herself, Rachel encouraged her to talk, which Mani did freely. So she heard some news. She learned, for instance, that Ibubesi was chief. which counted some sixty or seventy heads of families, was much disturbed by the events of the last few days. They did not like the ing that where she went the Zulus would follow, and as they were of Zulu blood themselves, they knew what that meant. They were alarmed at the deaths of the white sky-doctor, who was called Shouter, and his wife, with which Ibubesi had something to do, for they feared lest they should be held responsible for their blood. They op- jected to the Imprisonment of the white chief, Dario, among them, because "he mantle of the Inkosazana, who was a spirit, not a wCman," and who had warned them that if any harm came to her. or to him, death would be their reward. They-were angry, also, be- cause Ibubesi had killed one of them in some quarrel about the chief Dario at Ramah. Still, they were so much afraid of Ibubesi, who was a great ty- fere with him and his plans. lest they should lose their cattle, or, perhaps, their lives. So they did not know what to do. As for Ibubesi himself, he was actively engaged in strengthen7 ing the fortification of the place; even the old people and the children were being forced to carry stones to the walls, from which it was evident that he feared some attack.
 When Rachel had gathered this and much other information concerning Ishmael's past and habits, she asked Miami if she could convey a message from her to Richard. The woman an swered that she would try on the fol- to say that she was safe and we'll, but that he must watch his footsteps, as both of them were 1p great danger. More she did rlptSdare-tq say. fesring
 
 beaten till she confessed everything. Then, as there was nothing more to be done, Rachel lay down and slept as best she could
 The next day passed in much the same fashion as the first had done. For the most of it Rachel sat under the tree in the walled court. compan- toned only by her terrible thoughts and fears. Nobody came near her, and nothing happened. In the morning Mani went out, and returning at the dinner hour, told Rachel that she had seen Ishmael, who had questioned her closely as to what the Inkosazana had done and said, to which she replied that she had only eaten and slept, and invoked the spirits on her knees. As for words none had passed her lips. She had not been able to get near the huts where Dario was in prison, as Ishmael was watching her. For the rest, the work of fortificatfon went on without cease, even IshmaePs own wives being employed thereon.
 In the afternoon Mani went out again and did not return till night, rI,oy, cI1c tn To begin