The Ghost Kings

ch the cattle and horses were still enclosed, doubtless for fear of the Zulus. Nothing could be more peaceful than the aspect of that camp. To look at it no one would

and she told Noie to lower the shield which she still held in front of her. The next instant

s," he added in explanation, "very early this morning, then galloped off to find you. Indeed his after-rider, whose horse he took, is still here. Where on earth have you been, Ra

the last question first. "It is a long story, but I shot the man who was goi

. Dove, overcome. "Really, Rachel, you are a most trying daugh

her; predestination, I suppos

hing about a blanket, ran back to the camp. By this time Mrs. D

because nothing can hurt you. Still you do upset your poor father d

more questions now. We have been sitting up to our necks in water fo

oie sat by her in a corner of the tent. Presently, too, food was brought, and Rachel ate hungrily, forcing Noie to do the same. Then she went out, leaving the girl to rest in the tent, and with certain

through great danger, and with them prayers that she might be forgiven for having shot the

uld hold a gun, so what is the good of pretending that it is a sin? Also no one saw it except that white man an

though I fear that the truth will out, since blood calls for blood. But wh

rwise unless that white man tells them, which he will scarcely do, as the Zulus would thin

uly she has cause for gratitude to Providence: all her rela

chel. "But it is no use arguing about such things, so let us be thankful that we are not killed too. Now I am tir

the findi

y as many of the dead as possible before night came, and with it the jackals and hyenas. Rachel made up the fire and set to work with her mother's help to cook their evening meal. Whilst they were thus engaged her quick ears caught the sound of horses' hoofs, and she looked up to perceive t

el, who, for reasons of her own, wish

d saw at once that he seemed to

see here I am, safe enough, and

letting his eyes sink before her clear

aid Rachel, "they are out o

help speaking the truth. Did the

hide up with her

an was after. When he hears that you have sheltered her he will send and kill

my father will either. Now please listen a minute. If this story comes to the ears of the Zulus-and I do not see why it should,

shall hold my tong

by way of making the ba

ossible of how we separa

ff and leaving an obstin

her chance. Still, ot

eren

y might, and I admit tha

ulus as I do, and I thou

I was mad with you and l

sor

gone on we should have ridden right into them, and perhaps never ridden out again. Now here

the horses, for he had dismounted, to m

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 cru

stranger humbly. "It seemed hopeless, a

y, and there was a suspicion of c

th, so it does not much matter exactly how, as everything has turned out for the best. Won't y

was rough in other lands, so that I chose to come and live in a place where there are no laws or civilisation. Perhaps, too, I took the name of another man who was driven into the wilderness-you will remember all about him-also that it does not seem to have been his fault. Any way,

ine," replied Mr. Dove with a smile, for he

chance fallen wanderer was one whom, perhaps, it would be his du

y handsome and picturesque in the flare of the firelight which fell upon his dark face, long black hair and curious garments, for although he had replaced his lion-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 tr

or families, who knew that they were doomed, and their consequent massacre if caught, as had happened that day. Of course, the clergyman, who had lived for som

be even harder than I thou

k?" asked

am trekking to the king's kraal n

red. Apparently he could find no words in which to express his t

rdon, I meant heaven, for you and your likes. Man," he went on excit

that I did, Mr. Ishmael,

cold

their throats cut befor

t Rachel

antly. "Of course I know that there are risks among all

t his pipe and swore

r which deed Dingaan will bury you all if you go into Zululand, or rather throw you to the vultures. Don't think that your being an umfundusi, I mean a teacher, will save you. The Almighty Himself can't

Dove in an irritated but nervous voice. "You do not seem to understand

en crown upon a crystal sea,' and the rest of it-I remember the stuff. The question i

How can you sugg

where you are at least, for, unless he finds out anything, Dingaan i

bition, and impulses that-but I will not speak to y

ve your neck twisted out of joint. Look here, sir, if you want to go

"I believe that their faith will be equal to this t

owever, she

we should absolutely throw away our lives. I have always given way to you, and followed you to many strange places without grumbling, although, as you know, we might

ady, with a shrug of her shoulders. "I can take my cha

rn me out? Can't you understand that I am getting old and weak? Is there nobody to whom you have a duty as well as to the heathen? Are there not enough heathen here?" she went on with gathering passion. "If you must mix with them, do

o to bed, and you too, Rachel. I will talk the matter over further with Mr. Ishmael, who, perhaps, has been sent to guide me. I am not unreasonable, as you think, and if he can convince me that there is any risk to your

mind much on which side of the Tugela they were to live, if they must bide at all in the region of that river. Still, for her mother's sake she determined that if she could bring it about, they should stay wh

is in comparison with most Kaffir women, she was perfectly shaped and developed. Her soft skin in that light looked almost white, although it had about it nothing of the muddy colour of the half-breed; her hair was long, black and curly, and worn naturally, not forced into artificial shapes as is common among the Kaffirs. Her features were finely cut and intellectual, and her eyes,

gile movement the girl rose, sank again on her knees beside her, took the hand that hung

ana, I a

e man still a

way before the light, fearing lest there mig

anything abou

d man. They call him there 'Lion,' not because he i

s not brave," she added with a smile. "But never mind this jackal in a lion's hid

north, a small people but a strong. They live among the trees, they worship trees; they die when their tree dies; they are dealers in dreams; they are the companions of ghosts, little men before whom the tribes tremble; who ha

Rachel, for t

e fled from them-with her, and came to live among the Zulus. He was a great doctor there in Chaka's time, not one of the Abangomas, not one of the 'Smellers-out-of-witches,' not a 'Bringer-down-to-death,' for like all his race he hated blood

fashion, not because he loved them, I think, but that he might not seem different to other men. So he grew great and rich, and lived in peace because they feared him. Lady, my father loved me, and to me alone he taught his

taken into his house, I who knew too many secrets and could bewitch him if I willed, or prison him with drugs that leave no trace. So I escaped a while and was thankful. Now it came about that because he might not take me Dingaan began to think much of me, and to dream of me at nights. At last he asked me of my father, as a gift, not as a right, for so he thought that no ill would come with me. But I prayed my father to keep me from Dinga

I understand why he wi

s. He said to him, 'It is of the father, Seyapi, you should be afraid. He has the magic, not the

her foreboded ill, and I also, for both of us had dreamed a dream. Still we did not fly until the slayers were almost at the gates, because of his other

Death?" que

orders to take me alive and bring me to him, that is why we were not together at the end. Lady, you know the rest. Hishmel doubtless had seen you, and thinking t

re your dead father?" asked Rachel for the second

ook gathered on the girl

, be satisfied. But this I may say. Your fate and mine are intertwined; yours and mi

ften nonsense. "Well, Noie, I love you, I know not why. Perhaps, for all you have suffered. Yet I say to you that if you wish to remain my sister in

ed to come about. Whether I go or whether I stay they will happen. Say you therefore

d," answered Rachel sh

, seeing that if I stay I may bring peril on you

answered-one

ven-above judge. Lady, giv

ning thread of gold, to Noie who drew one from h

e door of the tent, and I will throw these two hairs into the wind. If that which is black floats

s agr

dicularly into the air. At a certain height, about forty feet, the supporting wind seemed to fail, that is so far as the hair from Noie's head was concerned, for there it floated high above them like a black thread in the sunlight,

hat I stay,

ad; also if any evil comes of it we a

what makes the

er shoulders, and asked

t hair of mine b

t any rate when mine fell, it was snatched away, was it not? And yet they both floated up together. I think that one