CHAPTER XII
RACHEL SEES A VISION
That evening Ishmael was brought before the King. He was in evil case, forthe captains, some of whom had grudges against him, when he tried to breakaway from them outside the gate, had beaten him with their spear shaftsnearly all the way from the kraal to the Great Place, remarking that hefought and remonstrated, that the Inkosazana had forbidden them to killhim, but had said nothing as to giving him the flogging which he deserved.His clothes were torn, his hat and pipe were lost--indeed hours beforeNoie had thrown both of them into the fire--his eyes were black from theblow of a heavy stick and he was bruised all over.
Such was his appearance when he was thrust before Dingaan, seething withrage which he could scarcely suppress, even in that presence.
"Did you visit the Inkosazana to-day, White Man?" asked the King blandly,while the indunas stared at him with grim amusement.
Then Ishmael broke out into a recital of his wrongs, demanding that thecaptains who had beaten him, a white man, and a great person, should bekilled.
"Silence," said Dingaan at length. "The question, Night-prowler, iswhether you should not be killed, you dog who dared to insult theInkosazana by offering yourself to her as a husband. Had she commanded youto be speared, she would have done well, and if you trouble me with yourshoutings, I will send you to sleep with the jackals to-night withoutwaiting for her word."
Now, seeing his danger, Ishmael was silent, and the King went on:
"Did you discover, as I bade you, why it is that the Inkosazana desires toleave us?"
"Yes, King. It is because she would return to her own people, the oldprayer-doctor and his wife."
"They are not her people!" exclaimed Dingaan. "We know that she came tothem out of the storm, and that they are but the foster-parents chosen forher by the Heavens. You were the first to tell us that story, and how shecaused the lightning to burn up my soldier yonder at Ramah. We are herpeople and no others. Can the Inkosazana have a father and a mother?"
"I don't know," answered Ishmael, "but she is a woman and I never knew awoman who was without them. At least I am sure that she looks upon them asher father and mother, obeying them in all things, and that she will neverleave them while they live, unless they command her to do so."
Dingaan stared at him with his pig-like eyes, repeating after him--"whilethey live, unless they command her to do so." Then he asked:
"If the Inkosazana desires to go, who is there that dares to stay her, andif she puts out her magic, who is there that has the power? If a hand islifted against her, will she not lay a curse on us and bring destructionupon us?"
"I don't know," answered Ishmael again, "but if she goes back among thewhite folk and is angry, I think that she will bring the Boers upon you."
Now Dingaan's face grew very troubled, and bidding Ishmael stand backawhile, he consulted with his council. Then he said:
"Listen to me, White Man. It would be a very evil thing if the Inkosazanawere to leave us, for with her would go the Spirit of our people, andtheir good luck, so say the witch-doctors with one voice, and I believethem. Further, it is our desire that she should remain with us a while.This day the Council of the Diviners has spoken, saying that the words ofthe Inkosazana which she uttered here are too hard for them, and thatother doctors of a people who live far away, must be sent for and broughtface to face with her. Therefore here at Umgugundhlovo she should abideuntil they come."
"Indeed," answered Ishmael indifferently.
In the doctors who dwell far away, and the council of the Diviners he hadno belief. But understanding the natives as he did he guessed correctlyenough that the latter found themselves in a cleft stick. Worked on bytheir superstitions, which he had first awakened for his own ends, theyhad accepted Rachel as something more than human, as the incarnation ofthe Spirit of their people. This Mopo, who was said to have killed Chakaby command of that Spirit, had acknowledged her to be, and therefore theydid not dare to declare that her words spoken as an oracle were emptywords. But neither did they dare to interpret the saying that she meantthat no attack must be made upon the Boers and should be obeyed.
To do this would be to fly in the face of the martial aspirations of thenation and the secret wishes of the King, and perhaps if war ultimatelybroke out, would cost them their lives. So it came about that theyannounced that they could not understand her sayings, and had decided tothrust off the responsibility on to the shoulders of some other diviners,though who these men might be Ishmael neither knew nor took the trouble toask.
"But," went on the King, "who can force the dove to build in a tree thatdoes not please it, seeing that it has wings and can fly away? Yet if itsown tree, that in which it was reared from the nest, could be brought toit, it might be pleased to abide there. Do you understand, White Man?"
"No," answered Ishmael, though in fact he understood well enough that theKing was playing upon Rachel's English name of Dove, and that he meantthat her home might be moved into Zululand. "No, the Inkosazana is not abird, and who can carry trees about?"
"Have the spear-shafts knocked the wit out of you, Ibubesi," askedDingaan, impatiently, "or are you drunk with beer? Learn then my meaning.The Inkosazana will not stay because her home is yonder, therefore it mustbe brought here and she will stay. At first I gave orders that if this oldwhite teacher and his wife tried to accompany her, they should be killed.Now I eat up those words. They must come to Zululand."
"How will you persuade them to be such fools?" asked Ishmael.
"How did I persuade the Inkosazana herself to come? Was it not to seek onewhom she loved?"
"They will think that you have killed her, and wish to kill them also."
"No, because you will go in command of an impi and show them otherwise."
"I cannot go; your brutes of captains have hurt my head, and lamed me; Icannot walk or ride."
"Then you can be carried in a litter, or," he added threateningly, "youcan abide here with the vultures. The Inkosazana is merciful, but whyshould I not avenge her wrongs upon you, white dog, who have dared toscratch at the kraal gate of the Inkosazana-y-Zoola?"
Now Ishmael saw that he had no choice; also a dark thought rose dimly inhis mind. He desired to win Rachel above everything on earth, he was madwith love--or what he understood as love--of her, and this business mightbe worked to his advantage. Moreover, to stay was death. So he fell tobargaining for a reward for his services, a large reward in cattle andivory; half of it to be paid down at once, and it was promised to him.Then he took his instructions. These were that he was to travel to themission station of Ramah in command of a small impi of three hundred men,whose only orders would be that they were to obey him in all things! Thathe was to tell the Umfundusi who was called Shouter, that if they wishedto see her any more, he and his wife must come to dwell with theInkosazana, in Zululand: that if they refused he was to bring them byforce. If, perchance, the Inkosazana, choosing to exercise her authority,crossed the Tugela and reached Ramah before he could do this, he was stillto bring them, for then she would follow. In the same way, if the Shouterand his wife met her on the road, they were to travel on, for then shewould turn and, accompany them. He was to go at once and execute theseorders.
"I hear," said Ishmael, "and will start as soon as the cattle have beendelivered and sent on with the ivory to my kraal, Mafooti."
There was something in the man's voice, or in the look of low cunningwhich spread itself over his face, that attracted Dingaan's attention.
"The cattle and the ivory shall be sent," he said, sternly, "but ill shallit be for you, Ibubesi, if you seek to trick me in this matter. You havegrown rich on my bounty, and yonder at your place, Mafooti, you have manycows, many wives, many children--my spies have given me count of all ofthem. Now, if you play me false, or if you dare to lift a finger againstthe White One, know that I will burn that kraal and slay the inhabitantswith the spear and take the cattle, and when I catch you, Ibubesi, I willkill you, slowly, slowly. I have spok
en, go.
"I go, Great Elephant, Calf of the Black Cow, and I will obey in allthings," answered Ishmael in a humble voice, for he was frightened. "Thewhite people shall be brought, only I trust to you to protect me from theanger of the Inkosazana for all that I may do."
"You must make your own peace with the Inkosazana," answered Dingaan, andturning, he crept into his hut.
An hour later the great induna, Tamboosa, appeared at Rachel's kraal, andcraved leave to speak with her.
"What is it?" asked Rachel when he had been admitted. "Have you come tolead me out of Zululand, Tamboosa?"
"Nay, White One," he answered, "the land needs you yet awhile. I have cometo tell you that Dingaan would speak with your servant Noie, if it be yourgood pleasure to let her visit him. Fear not. No harm shall come to her,if it does you may order me to be put to death. You, yourself, could notbe safer than she shall be."
"Are you afraid to go?" asked Rachel of Noie.
"Not I," answered the girl, with a laugh. "I trust to the King's word andto your might."
"Depart then," said Rachel, "and come back as swiftly as you may. Tamboosashall lead you."
So Noie went.
Two hours after sundown, while Rachel was eating her evening meal in herGreat Hut, attended by the maidens, the door-board was drawn aside, andNoie entered, saluted, and sat down. Rachel signed to the women to clearaway the food and depart. When they had gone she asked what the King'sbusiness was, eagerly enough, for she hoped that it had to do with herleaving Zululand.
"It is a long story, Zoola," answered Noie, "but here is the heart of it.I told you when first we met that I am not of this people, although mymother was a Zulu. I told you that I am of the Dream-people, theGhost-people, the little Grey-people, who live away to the north beneaththeir trees, and worship their trees."
"Yes," answered Rachel, "and that is why you care nothing for men as otherwomen do, but dream dreams and talk with spirits. But what of it?"
"That is why I dream dreams and talk with spirits, as one day I hope thatI shall teach you to do, you whose soul is sister to my soul," repliedNoie, her large eyes shining strangely in her delicate face. "And this ofit--the Ghost-people are diviners, they can read the future and see thehearts of men; there are no diviners like them. Therefore chiefs andpeoples who dwell far away send to them with great gifts, and pray themcome read their fate, but they will seldom listen or obey. Now Dingaan andhis councillors are troubled about this matter of the Boers, and themeaning of the words you spoke as to their waging war on them, and of theomen of the falling star. The council of the doctors can interpret none ofthese things, nor dare they ask you to do so, since you bade them speak nomore to you of that matter, and they know, that if they did, either youwould not answer, or, worse still, say words that would displease them."
"They are right there," said Rachel. "To have to play the dark oracle onceis enough for me. If I speak again, it shall be plainly."
"Therefore they have bethought them of the Dealers in Dreams and desire tobring you face to face with their prophets, the Ghost-Kings, that thesemay see your greatness and tell them the meaning of your words, and of theomen that you caused to travel through the skies."
"Do you mean that they wish me to visit these Ghost-Kings, Noie?"
"Not so, Zoola, for then they must part with your presence. They wish thatthe priests of the Ghost-Kings should visit you, bearing with them theword of the Mother of the Trees."
"Visit me! How can they? Who will bring them here?"
"They wish that I should bring them, for as they know, I am of theirblood, and I alone can talk their language, which my father taught me froma child."
"But, Noie, that would moan that we must be separated," said Rachel, inalarm.
"Yes, it would mean that, still I think it best that you should humourthem and let me go, for otherwise I do not know how you will ever escapefrom Zululand. Now I told the King that I thought you would permit it onone condition only--that after you had been brought face to face with thepriests of the Ghost-Kings, and they had interpreted your riddle, youshould be escorted whence you came, and he answered that it should be so,and that meanwhile you could abide here in honour, peace and safety.Moreover, he promised that a messenger should be sent to Ramah to explainthe reason of your delay."
"But how long will you be on the journey, Noie, and what if these prophetsof yours refuse to visit Dingaan?"
"I cannot tell you who have never travelled that road. But I will marchfast, and if I tire, swift runners shall bear me in a litter. To those whohave the secret of its gate that country is not so very far away. Also,the Old Mother of the Trees is my father's aunt, and I think that theprophets will come at my prayer, or at the least send the answer to thequestion. Indeed, I am sure of it--ask me not why."
Still for a long while Rachel reasoned against this separation, which shedreaded, while Noie reasoned for it. She pointed out that here at leastnone could harm her, as they had seen in the treatment meted out toIshmael a white man whom the Zulus looked upon as their friend. Also shesaid with conviction that these mysterious Ghost-Kings were very powerful,and could free her from the clutches of the Zulus, and protect her fromthem afterwards, as they would do when they came to know her case.
The end of it was that Rachel gave way, not because Noie's argumentsconvinced her, but because she was sure that she had other reasons she didnot choose to advance.
From that day when each of them tossed up a hair from her head at Ramah,notwithstanding the difference of their race and circumstances, these twohad been as sisters. Rachel believed in Noie more, perhaps, than in anyother living being, and thus also did Noie believe in Rachel. They knewthat their destinies were intertwined, and were sure that not rivers ormountains or the will and violence of men, could keep them separate.
"I see," said Rachel, at length, "that you believe that my fate hangsupon this embassy of yours."
"I do believe it," answered Noie, confidently.
"Then go, but come back as swiftly as you may, for, my sister, I know nothow without you I shall live on in this lonely greatness," and she tookher in her arms and kissed her lips.
Afterwards, as they were laying themselves down to sleep, Rachel asked herif she had heard anything about Ishmael. She answered that she learned atthe Great Kraal that he had been brought before the King that afternoon,and then taken back to his hut, where he was under guard. One of herescort told her, too, that since he saw the King, Ibubesi had fallen verysick, it was thought from a blow that he had received at the house ofInkosazana, and that now he was out of his mind and being attended by thedoctors. "I wish," added Noie viciously, "that he were out of his bodyalso, for then much sorrow would be spared. But that cannot be before thetime."
On the next day before noon, Noie departed upon her journey. Rachel sentfor the captains of her escort and the Isanusis, or doctors, who were toaccompany her, and in a few stern words gave her into their charge, sayingthat they should answer for her safety with their lives, to which theyreplied that they knew it, and would do so. If any harm came to thedaughter of Seyapi through their fault, they were prepared to die. Thenshe talked for a long while with Noie, telling her all she knew of theBoers and the purpose of their wanderings, that she might be able torepeat it to her people, and show them how dreadful would be a war betweenthis white folk and the Zulus.
Noie answered that she would give her message, but that it was needless,since the Ghost-Kings could see all that passed "in the bowls of waterbeneath their trees, and doubtless knew already of her coming and of thecause of it," a reply of which Rachel had not time to inquire the meaning.After this they embraced and parted, not without some tears.
When the gate shut behind Noie, Rachel walked to the high ground at theback of her hut, whence she could see over the fence of the kraal, andwatched her departure. She had an escort of a hundred picked soldiers,with whom went fifty or sixty strong bearers, who carried food, karosses,and a litter. Also there were three doctors of mag
ic and medicine, and twowomen, widows of high rank who were to attend upon her. At the head ofthis procession, save for two guides, walked Noie herself, with sandals onher feet, a white robe about her shoulders, and in her hand a little boughon which grew shining leaves, whereof Rachel did not know the meaning. Shewatched them until they passed over the brow of the hill, on the crest ofwhich Noie turned and waved the bough towards her. Then Rachel went backto her hut, and sat there alone and wept.
This was the beginning of many dreadful days, most of which she passedwandering about within the circuit of the kraal fence, a space of somethree or four acres, or seated under the shadow of certain beautifultrees, which overhung a deep, clear pool of the stream that ran throughthe kraal, a reed-fringed pool whereon floated blooming lilies. That quietwater, the happy birds that nested in the trees and the flowering liliesseemed to be her only friends. Of the last, indeed, she would count thebuds, watching them open in the morning and close again for their sleep atnight, until a day came when their loveliness turned to decay, and othersappeared in their place.
On the morrow of Noie's departure, Tamboosa and other indunas visited her,and asked her if she would not descend to the kraal of the King, and helphim and his council to try cases, since while she was in the land she wasits first judge. She answered, "No, that place smelt too much of blood."If they had cases for her to try, let them be brought before her in herown house. This she said idly, thinking no more of it, but next day wasastonished to learn that the plaintiff and defendant in a great suit, withtheir respective advocates, and from thirty to forty witnesses, werewaiting without to know when it was her pleasure to attend to theirbusiness.
With characteristic courage Rachel answered, "Now." Her knowledge of lawwas, it is true, limited to what, for lack of anything more exciting, shehad read in some handbooks belonging to her father, who had been a justiceof the peace in the Cape Colony, and to a few cases which she had seentried in a rough-and-ready fashion at Durban, to which must be added anintimate acquaintance with Kaffir customs. Still, being possessed with asincere desire to discover the truth and execute justice, she did verywell. The matter in dispute was a large one, that of the ownership of agreat herd of cattle which was claimed as an inheritance by each of theparties. Rachel soon discovered that both these men were very powerfulchiefs, and that the reason of their cause being remitted to her was thatthe King knew that if he decided in favour of either of them he wouldmortally offend the other.
For a long while Rachel, seated on her stool, listened silently to theimpassioned pleadings of the plaintiff's lawyers. Presently this plaintiffwas called as a witness, and in the course of his evidence said somethingwhich convinced her that he was lying. Then breaking her silence for thefirst time, she asked him how he dared to give false witness before theInkosazana-y-Zoola, to whom the truth was always open, and who wasacquainted with every circumstance connected with the cattle in dispute.The man, seeing her eyes fixed upon him, and being convinced of hersupernatural powers, grew afraid, broke down, and publicly confessed hisattempted fraud, into which he said he had been led by envy of his cousin,the defendant's, riches.
Rachel gave judgment accordingly, commanding that he should pay the costsin cattle and a fine to the King, and warned him to be more upright infuture. The result was that her fame as a judge spread throughout theland, and every day her gates were beset with suitors whose causes shedealt with to the best of her ability, and to their entire satisfaction.Criminal prosecutions that involved the death-sentence or mattersconnected with witchcraft, however, she steadily refused to try, sayingthat the Inkosazana should not cause blood to flow. These things she leftto the King and his Council, confining herself to such actions as inEngland would come before the Court of Chancery. Thus to her reputation asa spiritual queen, Rachel added that of an upright judge who could not beinfluenced by fear or bribes, the first, perhaps, that had ever been knownin Zululand.
But she could not try such cases all day, the strain was too great,although in the end most of them partook of the nature of arbitrations,since the parties involved, having come to the conclusion that it was notpossible to deceive one so wise, grew truthful and submitted theirdifferences to the decision of her wisdom.
After they were dismissed, which was always at noon, for she opened hercourt at seven and would not sit more than five hours, Rachel was left inher solitary state until the next morning, and oh! the hours hung heavilyupon her hands. A messenger was despatched to Ramah, but after ten days hereturned saying that the Tugela was in flood, and he could not cross it.She sent him out again, and a week later was told that he had been killedby a lion on his journey. Then another messenger was chosen, but whatbecame of him she never knew.
It was about this time that Rachel learned that Ishmael, having recoveredfrom his sickness, had escaped from Umgugundhlovo by night, whither noneseemed to know. From that moment fears gathered thick upon the poor girl.She dreaded Ishmael and guessed that his departure without communicatingwith her boded her no good. Indeed, once or twice she almost wished thatshe had taken Noie's counsel and given him over to the justice of theKing. Meanwhile of Noie herself nothing had been heard. She had vanishedinto the wilderness.
Living this strange and most unnatural life, Rachel's nerves began to giveway. While she tried her cases she seemed stern and calm. But when thecrowd of humble suitors had dispersed from the outer court in which shesat as a judge, and the shouts of the praisers rushing up and down beyondthe fence and roaring out her titles had died away, and having dismissedthe obsequious maidens who waited upon her, she retired to the solitude ofher hut to rest--ah! then it was different. Then she lay down upon her bedof rich furs and at times burst into tears because she who seemed to be asupernatural queen, was really but a white girl deserted by God and man.
Now it was the season of thunderstorms, and almost every afternoon thesedreadful tempests broke over her kraal, which shook in the roll and crashof the meeting clouds, while beyond the fence the jagged lightning struckand struck again upon the ironstone of the hillside.
She had never feared such storms before, but now they terrified her. Shedreaded their advent, and the worst of it was that she must not show herdread, she who was supposed to rule and direct the lightning. Indeed, thebounteous rains which fell ensuring a full harvest after several years ofdrought, were universally attributed to the good influence of her presencein the land. In the same way when a thunderbolt struck the hut of a doctorwho but a day or two before had openly declared his disbelief in herpowers, killing him and his principal wife, and destroying his kraal byfire, the accident was attributed to her vengeance, or to that of theHeavens, who were angry at this lack of faith. After this remarkableexhibition of supernatural strength, needless to say, the voice of adversecriticism was stayed; Rachel became supreme.
But the storms passed, and when they had rolled away at length, doing herno hurt, and the sun shone out again, she would go and sit beneath thetrees at the edge of the beautiful pool until the closing lilies and thechill of the air told her that night drew on.
Oh! those long nights--how endless they seemed to Rachel in herloneliness. Now she who used to sleep so well, could not sleep, or whenshe slept she dreamed. She dreamed of her mother, always of her mother,that she was ill, and calling her, until she came to believe that in truththis was so. So much did this conviction work upon her mind, that shedetermined not to wait for the return of Noie, but at all costs to try toleave Zululand, and through Tamboosa declared her will to the King.
Next morning the answer cams back that of course none could control hermovements, but if she would go, she must fly, as all the rivers were inflood, as she might see if she would walk to the top of the mountainbehind her kraal. Tamboosa added that a company of men who had been sentto recapture Ishmael, were kept for a week upon the banks of the first ofthem, and at length, being unable to cross, had returned, as her messengerhad done. Knowing from other sources that this was true, Rachel made noanswer. What she did not know, however
, was that Ishmael had crossed thesmaller rivers before the flood came down, and gone on to meet thesoldiers, who were ordered to await him on the banks of the Tugela.
Escape was evidently impossible at present, and if it had been otherwise,clearly the Zulus did not mean to let her go. She must abide here in thecompany of her terrors and her dreams.
At length, happily for her, these distressing dreams of Rachel's began tobe varied by others of a pleasanter complexion, of which, although theywere vivid enough, she could only remember upon waking that they had to dowith Richard Darrien, the companion of her adventure in the river, of whomshe had heard nothing for so many years. For aught she knew he might havedied long ago, and yet she did not think that he was dead. Well, if helived he might have forgotten her, and yet she did not believe that he hadforgotten her, he who as a boy had wished to follow her all his life, andwhom she had thought of day by day from that hour to this. Yes, she hadthought of him, but not thus. Why, at such a time, did he arise instrength before her, seeming to occupy all her soul? Why was her mindnever free of him? Could it be that they were about to meet again? Sheshivered as the hope took hold of her, shivered with joy, and rememberedthat her mother had always said that they would meet. Could it be that heof all men on the earth, for if he lived he was a man now, was coming torescue her? Oh! then she would fear nothing. Then in every peril she wouldfeel safe as a child in its mother's arms. No, the thing was too happy tocome about; her imagination played tricks with her, no more. And yet, andyet, why did he haunt her sleep?
The dreary days went on; a month had passed since Noie vanished overyonder ridge, and worst of all, for three nights the dreams of Richard haddeparted, while those of her mother remained.
Rachel was worn out; she was in despair. All that morning she had spent intrying a long and heavy case, which occupied but wearied her mind, one ofthose eternal cases about the inheritance of cattle which were claimed bythree brothers, descendants of different wives of a grandfather who hadowned the herd. Finally she had effected a compromise between the parties,and amidst their salutes and acclamations, retired to her hut. But shecould not eat; the sameness of the food disgusted her. Neither could sherest, for the daily tempest was coming up, and the heavy atmosphere, orthe electricity with which it was charged, and the overpowering heat,exasperated her nervous system and made sleep impossible. At length camethe usual rush of icy wind and the bursting of the great storm. Thethunder crashed and bellowed; the lightning flickered and flared; the rainfell in a torrent. It passed as it always did, and the sun shone outagain. Gasping with relief, Rachel went out of the oven-like hut into thecool, sweet air, and sat down upon a tanned bull's hide which she hadordered her servants to spread for her by the pool of water upon the bankbeneath the trees. It was very pleasant here, and the raindrops shakenfrom the wet leaves fell upon her fevered face and hands and refreshedher.
She tried to forget her troubles for a little while, and began to think ofRichard Darrien, her boy-lover of a long-past hour, wondering what helooked like now that he was grown to be a man.
"If only you would come to help me! Oh! Richard, if only you would come tohelp me," the poor, worn-out girl murmured to herself, and so murmuringfell asleep.
Suddenly it seemed to her that she was wide awake, and staring into a partof the pool beneath her where the bottom was of granite and the waterclear. In this water she saw a picture. She saw a great laager of waggons,and outside of one of them a group of bearded, jovial-looking men smokingand talking. Presently another man of sturdy build and resolute carriage,who was followed by a weary Kaffir, walked up to them. His back wastowards her so that she could not see his face, but now she was able tohear all that was said, although the voices seemed thin and far away.
"What is it, Nephew?" asked the oldest of the bearded men, speaking inDutch. "Why are you in such a hurry?"
"This, Uncle," he answered, in the same language, and in a pleasant voicethat sounded familiar to Rachel's ears. "That spy, Quabi, whom we sent outa long time ago and who was reported dead, reached Dingaan's kraal, andhas come back with a strange story."
"Almighty!" grunted the old man, "all these spies have strange stories,but let him tell it. Speak on, swartzel." [Footnote: Black-fellow.]
Then the tired spy began to talk, telling a long tale. He described howhe had got into Zululand, and reached Umgugundhlovo and lodged there witha relative of his, and done his best to collect information as to theattitude of the King and indunas towards the Boers. While he was there thenews came that the white Spirit, who was called Inkosazana-y-Zoola, wasapproaching the kraal from Natal, where she dwelt with her parents, whowere teachers.
"Almighty!" interrupted the old man again, "What rubbish is this? How cana Spirit, white or black, have parents who are teachers?"
The weary-looking spy answered that he did not know, it was not for him toanswer riddles, all he knew was that there was great excitement about thecoming of this Queen of the Heavens, and he, being desirous of obtainingfirst-hand information, slipped out of the town with his relative, andwalked more than a day's journey on the path that ran to the Tugela, tillthey came to a place where they hid themselves to see her pass. This placehe described with minuteness, so minutely, indeed, that in her dream,Rachel recognised it well. It was the spot where the witch-doctoress haddied. He went on with his story; he told of her appearance riding on thewhite horse and surrounded by an impi. He described her beauty, her whitecloak, her hair hanging down her back, the rod of horn she carried in herhand, the colour of her eyes, the shape of her features, everything abouther, as only a native can. Then he told of the incident of the cattlerushing across her path, of the death of the bull that charged her, of theappearance of the furious witch-doctoress who seized the rein of thehorse, of the pointing of the wand, and the instant execution of thewoman.
He told of how he had followed the impi to the Great Place, of the storyof Noie as he had heard it, and the reports that had reached himconcerning the interview between the King and this white Inkosazana, who,it was said, advised him not to fight the Boers.
"And where is she now?" asked the old Dutchman.
"There, at Umgugundhlovo," he answered, "ruling the land as its headIsanuzi, though it is said that she desires to escape, only the Zulus willnot let her go."
"I think that we should find out more about this woman, especially as sheseems to be a friend to our people," said the old Boer. "Now, who dares togo and learn the truth?"
"I will go," said the young man who had brought in the spy, and as hespoke he turned, and lo! _his face was the face of Richard Darrien_,bearded and grown to manhood, but without doubt Richard Darrien and noneother.
"Why do you offer to undertake so dangerous a mission?" asked the Boer,looking at the young man kindly. "Is it because you wish to see thisbeautiful white witch of whom yonder Quabi tells us such lies, Nephew?"
The shadow of Richard nodded, and his face reddened, for the Boers aroundhim were laughing at him.
"That is right, Uncle," he answered boldly. "You think me a fool, but I amnot. Many years ago I knew a little maid who was the daughter of ateacher, and who, if she lives, must have grown into such a woman as Quabidescribes. Well, I joined you Boers last year in order to look for thatmaid, and I am going to begin to look for her across the river yonder."
As the words reached whatever sense of Rachel's it was that heard them, ofa sudden, in an instant, laager, Boers, and Richard vanished. In her sleepshe tried to recreate them, at first without avail, then the curtain ofdarkness appeared to lift, and in the still water of the pool she sawanother picture, that of Richard Darrien mounted on a black horse with onewhite foot, riding along a native path through a bush-clad country, whileby his side trotted the spy whose name was Quabi.
They were talking together, and she heard, or, at any rate, knew theirwords.
"How far is it now to Umgugundhlovo?" asked Richard.
"Three days' journey, Inkosi, if we are not stopped by flooded rivers,"answered Qu
abi.
For one second only Rachel saw and heard these things, then they, too,passed away, and she awoke to see in front of her the pool empty save forits lilies, and above to hear the whispering of the evening wind among thetrees.
The Ghost Kings Page 12
