The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-02-24
(CUntinued.l

chel, they are out of place in this 1 savage land.''
 "I beg your. pardon, I could not helI
 speaking the truth. Did they kill the girt and let you go?'
 l No, I managed to, hide up with her; ] she is here now.''
 l That is very dangerous, Miss Dove
 I know all about it.; it is she whom 1 Dingaan was after. When he hears
 that you have sheltered her he will l send and kill you all. Take my ad- l vice and turn her out at once I say ] it is most dangerous.
 Perhaps" answered Rachel calmly, but all the same l shall do nothing of the sort unless she wishes to go, nor do I think that my father will either Now please listen a minute. l If this story comes to the ears of the 1 Zulus-and do not see why it should, as the crocodileS have eaten that sol- l dier-who will they think shot him, I 1 or the white man who was with me ? Do you understand?'
 T understand and shall hold my tongue, for your sake"
 No, for your own. We'll, by way of making the bargain fair, for my part
 I shall say as little as possible of how we separated this morning. Not that blame you for riding off and leaving
 an obstinate young woman whom you did not know ito take her chance. Still other people might think differently" "Yes," he answered, 'they might, and I admit that I am ashamed of myself. But you don't know the Zulus as I do, and I thought that l they would be all on us in a moment; also I was mad with you and lost my nerve. Really I am very sorry Please don't apologize. It was quite natural, and what is more, all 1 for the best. If we had gone on we
 should have ridden right into them, and perhaps never ridden out again.
 Now here comes my father; we have agreed that you will not say too much about this girl have we not?'' He nodded and advanced with her, leading the horses, for he had dis
 mounted, to meet Mir. Dove at the opening in the fence.
 Good evening" said the clergyman,
 who seemed depressed after his sad task, as he motioned to one Of the Kaffirs to put down his mattock and take the horses. "I don't quite know
 what happened this morning, but I
 have to thank you for trying to save
 my daughter from those cruel men. I
 have been burying their victims in a
 little cleft that we found, or rather
 some of them. The vultures you
 know--'' and he paused.
 T didn't save her, sir" answered
 the stranger hu1nbly. "It seemed
 hopeless. as she would not leave the
 Kaffir girl.''
 and there was a. suspicion of contempt
 in his voice as he replied:
 ''You would not have had her aban-
 don the poor thing, would you? For the rest, God saved them both, so it does not much matter exactly how, as
 everything has turned out for the best.
 Won't you come in and have some
 onJ- fr-oi6 do not know the rest of your name"
 There is no more to know, MT. Dove" he replied doggedly, then add ed: Look here, sir, as [ daresay you have found out, this is a rough coun- try, and people come to it, some of them, whose luck has been rough else-
 where. Now, perhaps I am as well born as you are, and perhaps my luck was rough in other lands, so that I chose to come and live in a. place where there are no laws or civilization. Per haps, too, I took the name of another man who was driven into the wilder-+ ness-you will remember all about him also that it does not seem to have been his fault. Any way, if we should be thrown up together I'll ask you to take me as I am, that is a hunter and a trader in the Zulu, and not to bother about what I have been. What ever I was cllrfstened, my name is Ishmael now, or among the Kaffirs Ibubesi and if you want another, let us call it Smith,
 Quite so, MT. IshmaeL It is no affair of mine" replied MT. Dove with a smile, for he had met people of this sort before in Africa.
 But within himself already he deter mined that this white and perchance fallen wanderer was one whom per- haps, it would be his duty to lead back f6s Nf fchi nnrn iofU and peace.
 These matters settled, they went in- to the little camp, and a sentry hav- ing been set, for now the night was falling fast, Ishmael was introduced to Mrs. Dove, who looked him up and down and said little, after which they began their supper. When their sim pie meal was finished, Ishmael lit his pipe and sat himself upon the dissel- boom of the wagon, looking exereme- ly handsome and picturesque in the flare of the freight which fell upon his dark face, long black hair and curious garments, for although he had his Eon-skin by an old coat, his zebra-hide trousers and waistcoat made of an otter's pelt still remained. Contemplating him, Rachel felt sure that whatever his present and past might be, he had spoken the truth when he hinted that he was well-born. 1nOoeO, TIllS nlISnC De gathered rom his voice. and method of expressing himself when he grew more at ease, it was true that sometimes be substituted a Zulu for an English word, and employed it's idioms in his sentences, doubtless because for years he had been accustomed to speak and even to think in that language.
 Now he was explaining to MT. Dove the political and social position among that people, whose cruel laws and GUS toms led to constant flights on the part of tribes or families. who knew that they were doomed. and their con- sequent massacre if caught. as had happened that day. Of course, the who had lived for some years at Durban. knew that this was true. although never having actually witne ssed one of these dreadful events till now. he did not realise all their%y horror.
 ''I fear that my task will be even harder than I thought he said with a sigh.
 What task?'' asked IshmseI
 '"That of converting the Zulus. I am to the kings kraal now. and to settle there"
 Ishmael knocked out his pipe and l filled it again before he answered. Ap- he could find no words in | which to express his thoughts, but | when at length these came they were | vigorous enough. there at once?' he asked. CT beg par | 1-7f 1Ao Fo,