Evening star., 1909-03-06

CorcOran gallery'S possessions. nor be-
grudge its riches which it so generously
shares but rather desire a concentration
of energies resulting from a division of
work. There can be no possible rivalry
between a National gallery and the Cor
coran gallery. for the latter has been
largely instrumental in the esta blishment
of the former Here again. however. may
be noted possible loss occasioned by the
present non-eXistence of a National gall
1ery in tangible form.
N response to numerous requests Mr..
Edward S. Curtis arranged to continue
and might even believe that he was do
ing her some violence. If she escaped.
therefore. il would be at the cost of
Richards life. Instantly in her bold fash
ion she made up her mind 1t was borne
i'm upon her that she had declared the
truth: that 1shmael was doomed; that
he had no power to work her any hurt.
however sore her case might seem Since
Richards life hung on it she would go
with him.
Servants of Ibubesi'' she said. lift the
white chief Dario to his feet and listen
to my words
They obeyed her at once. without even
waiting for their master to speak, only
holding Richard by the arms.
Il go with You to the kraal Mafooti.
not because l must. bat that a doom
which is decreed may he accomplished.
and with me go the white chief Dario
and the spirits OF my dead. Me, you
cannot harm. but remember what / have
toll you, that if you harm him. or suffer
him to be harmed and she pointed to
You every one, and send you to bear
company with Ibubesi in the world Of
ghosts Let us ride hence
Now the most of the men went into the
foil 1Hx-T Tct,,, al e,a1 fnlxJ
Richard with them. but few remained
to watch her. From this garden pres
emily arose a sound of great quarrelng.
Rachel was too far off to understand
what was said, but from the sounds she
judged that Ishmael was giving orders
to his people which they refused 10 obey.
for she could hear him cursing them fu-
riOusly. Presently she heard something
else-the loud report of a gun followed
by groans. Then a kanr ran up to
them and whispered something to those
who surrounded her; it was that. head
man whom Ishmael had struck on the
mouth in the bush when he told him
that dog had how'ed upon his hut, and
his face was very frightened.
Rachel leaned against the wall and
looked at him. for she could not speak,
she who thought that Richard had been
murdered.
Have no fear. Inkosazana.' said the
man. answering the question in her eyes.
''Ibubesi has killed one of US because
we do not like this business and would
clean it OF our hands. that is all. The
chief Dario is safe and I swear to thee
that no harm shall come to him from us.
We will care for him and protect him
to the death. and if we lead him away a
prisoner it is because We must, since
otherwise Ibubesi will kill us all. There
fore be merciful to us when the spear of
thy power is lifted"
Before Rachel could answer IshmaeIs
voice was heard asking why they did not
bring the InkosaZana as the horses were
ready.
II pray thee come. Zoola,' said the
man hurriedly. ''or he will shoot more
of US.
So Rachel walked down the steps of
the stoep in front of them. holding her
head high, leaving behind her the house
of Ramah and its dead. At the gate of
the garden stood the horses on one of
which, his own. Richard was already
mounted. his arms bound, his feet made
fast beneath it with a hide rope. Her
path lay past him, and as she went by
he said in voice that was choking with
rage:
Il am helpless: l cannot save you;
but our hour will Gomez
Yes, Richard she answered quietly;
''our hour will come when his has gone,
and with the spear in her hand once
more she pointed at Ishmael. who stood
by watching them sullenly. Then she
mounted her horse-how she could never
remember-and they were separated.
After this she seemed TO hear Ishmael
talking to her. arguing, explaining. but
she made no answer to his words. Her
mind was a blank. for all she knew was
that they were riding on for hours Her
tired horse stumbled up a pass and down
its further side Then she heard dogs
bark and saw lights. The horse stopped
and she slid from H. and as she was
too exhausted to walk. was supported or
carried into a hut, as she thought by
women who seemed very much afraid OF
touching her, after which she seemed 10
sink into blackness.
Rachel woke from her stupor 10 find
herself lying on bed in great Kafiir
hut that was furnished like European
room. for in it were chairs and table.
also rough window places closed with
reed mats that took the place Of glass.
Through the smoke hole at the top of
the hut struck a straight ray Of sunlight,
by which she judged that 1t must be
about midday. She began to think, till
by degrees everything came back to her.
and in that hour she nearly died of hor-
ror and of grief Indeed. she was mind
ed to die There at her side lay means
of death-the assegai which she had
found by the body Of the Zulu in Ra-
nah. and none had taken from her. She
lifted it and felt its edge, then laid it
down again. Into the darkness of her
despair some comfort seemed to creep
She was sure that Richard lived and If
she died. he would die also. While he
lived. why should she die? Moreover, 1t
would be crime which she should only
dare when all hope had gone and she
stood face to face with shame.
Thrusting aside these thoughts she
rose. On the table stood curdled milk
and other food of which she forced her
self To eat. that her strength might re-
turn to her, for she knew that she would
need 1t all. Then she washed and dress
ed herself. for in Il corner Of the hut
was water in wooden bowls. and even
a comb and other things that apparent
ly had been set there for her to use. This
done, she went to the door. which was
made like that of house. and finding
that it was not secured. opened it and
looked out. Beyond was a piece OF
ground foored with the soil taken from
ant heaps and polished black after the
native fashion. This space was sur
rounded by IL high stone wall and had
at the end of it another very strong
door. In it's center grew a large shady
tree under which placed bench.
Taking the assegai with her she went To
the door in the high wall and FOUND
that II was barred on the further side.
Then she returned and sat down on the
bench under the tree.
II seemed that she had been observed.
F..,. 80 Ia ,x-I,i ord hnlf "a