CHAPTER XV
RACHEL COMES HOME
As Rachel had travelled up from the Tugela to the Great Place, so shetravelled back from the Great Place to the Tugela in state and dignitysuch as became a thing divine, perhaps the first white woman, moreover,who had ever entered Zululand. All day she rode alone, Tamboosa leadingthe white ox before her and Richard following behind, while in front andto the rear marched the serried ranks of the impi, her escort. At night,as before, she slept alone in the empty kraals provided for her, attendedby the best-born maidens, Richard being lodged in some hut without thefence.
So at length, about noon one day, they reached the banks of the Tugela,not many hours after Ishmael had crossed it, and camped there. Now, aftershe had eaten, Rachel sent for Richard, with whom she had found but fewopportunities to talk during that journey. He came and stood before her,as all must do, and she addressed him in English while the spies andcaptains watched him sullenly, for they were angry at this use of aforeign tongue which they could not understand. Preserving a cold anddistant air, she asked him of his health, and how he had fared.
"Well enough," he answered. "And now, what are your plans? The river is inflood, you will find it difficult to cross. Still it can be done, for Ihear that the white man, Ishmael, of whom you told me, forded it thismorning with a company of armed men."
Aware of the eyes that watched her, with an effort Rachel showed nosurprise.
"How is that?" she asked. "I thought the man fled from Zululand many daysago. Why then does he leave the country with soldiers?"
"I can't tell you, Rachel. There is something queer about the business.When I inquire, everyone shrugs his shoulders. They say that the Kingknows his own business. If I were you I would ask no questions, for youwill learn nothing, and if you do not ask they will think that you knowall."
"I understand," she said. "But, Richard, I must cross the river to-day.You and I must cross it alone and reach Ramah to-night. Richard, somethingweighs upon my heart; I am terribly afraid."
"How will you manage it?" he asked, ignoring the rest.
"I can't tell you yet, Richard, but keep my horse and yours saddled therewhere you are encamped," and she nodded towards a hut about fifty yardsaway. "I think that I shall come to you presently. Now go."
So he saluted her and went.
Presently Rachel sent for Tamboosa and the captains, and asked the stateof the river which was out of sight about half a mile from them. Theyreplied that it was "very angry"; none could think of attempting itspassage, as much water was coming down.
"Is it so?" she said indifferently. "Well, I must look," and with slowsteps she walked towards the hut where she knew the horses were, followedby Tamboosa and the captains.
Reaching it, she saw them standing saddled on its further side, and bythem Richard, seated on the ground smoking. As she came he rose andsaluted her, but, taking no heed of him, she went to her grey mare, and,placing her foot in the stirrup, sprang to the saddle, motioning to him todo likewise.
"Whither goest thou, Inkosazana?" asked Tamboosa anxiously.
"To throw a charm on the waters," she answered, "so that they may run downand I can cross them to morrow. Come, Dario, and come Tamboosa, but letthe rest stay behind, since common eyes must not look upon my magic, andhe who dares to look shall be struck with blindness."
The captains hesitated, and turning on them fiercely she commanded them toobey her word lest some evil should befall them.
Then they fell back and she rode towards the Tugela, followed by Richardon horseback and Tamboosa on foot. Arrived at that spot on the bank whereshe had received the salutation of the regiment when she entered Zululand,Rachel saw at once that although the great river was full it could easilybe forded on horseback. Calling Richard to her, she said:
"We must go, and now, while there is no one to stop us but Tamboosa. Donot hurt him unless he tries to spear you, for he has been kind to me."
Then she addressed Tamboosa, saying:
"I have spoken to the waters and they will not harm me. The hour has comewhen I must leave my people for a while, and go forward alone with mywhite servant, Dario. These are my commands, that none should dare tofollow me save only yourself, Tamboosa, who can bring on the white ox withits load so soon as the water has run down and deliver them to me atRamah. Do you hear me?"
"I hear, Inkosazana," answered the old induna, "and thy words split myheart."
"Yet you will obey them, Tamboosa."
"Yes, I will obey them who know what would befall me otherwise, and thatit is the King's will that none should dare to thwart thee, even if theycould. Yet I think that very soon thou wilt return to thy children.Therefore, why not abide with us until to-morrow, when the waters will below?"
"Tamboosa," said Rachel, leaning forward and looking him in the eyes, "whydid Ibubesi cross this river with soldiers but a few hours ago--Ibubesi,who fled from the Great Place when the moon was young that now is full?Look, there goes their spoor in the mud."
"I know not," he answered, looking down. "Inkosazana, to-morrow I willbring on the white ox to Ramah, and I will bring it alone."
"So be it, Tamboosa, but if by chance you should not find me, ask whereIbubesi is, and if need be, seek for me with an impi, Tamboosa--for me andfor this white man, Dario," and again she bent forward and looked at him.
"I know not what thou meanest, Inkosazana," he replied. "But of this besure, that if I cannot find thee, then I will seek for thee, if need bewith every spear in Zululand at my back."
"Farewell, then, Tamboosa, and to the regiment farewell also. Say to thecaptains that it is my will that they should return to the Great Place,bearing my greetings to the King and those of the white lord, Dario. Lookfor me to-morrow at Ramah."
Then, followed by Richard, she rode her horse past him into the lip of thewater. As she went Tamboosa drew himself up and gave her the Bayete, theroyal salute.
Although it was red with earth and flecked with foam and the roar of itwas loud as it sped towards the sea, the river did not prove verydifficult to ford. But once, indeed, were the horses swept off their feetand forced to swim, and then but for a few paces, after which theyregained them, and plunged to the farther bank without accident.
"Free at last, Rachel, with our lives before us and nothing more to fear,"called Richard in his cheery voice, as he forced his horse alongside ofhers. Then suddenly he caught sight of her face and saw that it was whiteand drawn as though with pain; also that she leaned forward on her saddle,clasping its pommel as though she were about to faint.
"What is it?" he exclaimed in alarm. "Did the flood frighten you,Rachel--are you ill?"
For a few moments she made no answer, then straightened herself with asigh and said in a low voice:
"Richard, I have been so long among those Zulus playing the part of aspirit that I begin to think I am one, or that their magic has got hold ofme. I tell you that in the roar of the water I heard voices--the voices ofmy father and mother calling me and speaking of you--and, Richard, theyseemed to be in great fear and pain, for a minute or more I heard them,then a dreadful cold wind blew on me not this wind, it seemed to come fromabove--and everything passed away, leaving my mind numb and empty so thatI do not remember how we came out of the river. Don't laugh at me,Richard; it is so. The Kaffirs are right; I have some power of the sort.Remember how I saw you travelling towards me in the pool."
"Why should I laugh at you, dearest?" he asked anxiously, for something ofthis uncanny fear passed from her mind into his, with which it was intune. "Indeed, I don't laugh who know that you are not quite like otherwomen. But, Rachel, the strain of those two months has worn you out, andnow the reaction is too much. Perhaps it is nothing.".
"Perhaps," she answered sadly, "I hope so. Richard, what is the time?"
"About a quarter to six, to judge by the sun," he answered,
"Then we shall not be able to reach Ramah before dark."
"No, Rachel, but there is a good moon."
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nbsp; "Yes, there is a good moon; I wonder what it will show us," and sheshivered.
Then they pressed their horses to a canter and rode on, speaking little,for the fount of words seemed to be frozen in them, although Richardrecollected, with a curious sense of wonder how he had looked forward tothis opportunity of long, unfettered talk with Rachel and how much he hadto tell her. Over hill and valley, through bush and stream they rode, tillat last with the short twilight they reached the plain that ran to Ramah.Then came the dark in which they must ride slowly, till presently theround edge of the moon pushed itself up above the shoulder of a hill andthere was light again--pure, peaceful light that turned the veld to silverand shone whitely on the pale face of Rachel.
Ramah was before them. They had met no living thing save some wild gametrekking to the water, and heard no sound save the distant roar of somebeast of prey. Ramah was before them. The moon shone on the roofs of theMission-house and the little church and the clusters of Kaffir hutsbeyond. But, oh! it was silent: no cattle lowed, no child cried, nor didthe bell of the church ring for evening prayer as at this hour it shouldhave done. Also no lamp showed in the windows of the Mission-house and nosmoke rose from the cooking fires of the kraals.
"Where are all the people, Richard?" whispered Rachel. "There is the placeunharmed, but where are the people?"
But Richard could only shake his head: the terror of something dreadfulhad got hold of him also, and he knew not what to say.
Now they had come to the wall of the Mission-house and sprang from theirhorses which they left loose. As they advanced side by side towards theopen gate, something leapt the stoep and rushed through it. It was astriped hyena; they could see the hair bristle on its back as it passedthem with a whining growl. Hand in hand they ran to the house across thelittle garden patch--Rachel, led by some instinct, guiding her companionstraight to her parents' room whereof the windows, that opened like doors,stood wide as the gate had done.
One more moment and they were there; another, and the moonlight showedthem all.
For a long while--to Richard it seemed hours--Rachel said nothing; onlystood still like the statue of a woman, staring at those cold faces thatlooked back at her through the unearthly moonlight. Indeed, it was Richardwho spoke first, feeling that if he did not this dreadful silence wouldchoke him or cause him to faint.
"The Zulus have murdered them," he said hoarsely, glancing at the deadKaffir on the floor.
"No," she answered in a cold, small voice; "Ishmael, Ishmael!" and shepointed to something that lay at his feet.
Richard stooped and picked it up. It was a fly wisp of rhinoceros hornwhich the man had let fall when the Zulu's spear struck him.
"I know it," she went on; "he always carried it. He is the real murderer.The Zulus would not have dared," and she choked and was silent.
"Let me think," said Richard confusedly. "There is something in my mind.What is it? Oh! I know. If you are right that devil has not done this fornothing. He is somewhere near; he wants to take you"; and he ground histeeth at the thought, then added: "Rachel, we must get out of this andride for Durban, at once--at once; the white people will protect youthere."
"Who will bury my father and mother?" she asked in the same cold voice.
"I do not know, it does not matter, the living are more than the dead. Ican return and see to it afterwards."
"You are right," she answered. Then she knelt down by the bed and liftingher beautiful, agonised face, put up some silent prayer. Next she rose andkissed first her father, then her mother, kissed their dead brows in alast farewell and turned to go. As she went her eyes fell upon the assegaithat lay near to the dead Zulu. Stooping down, she took it and with it inher hand passed on to the stoep. Here her strength seemed to fail her, forshe reeled against the wall, then with an effort flung herself intoRichard's arms, moaning:
"Only you left, Richard, only you. Oh! if you were taken from me also,what would become of me?"
A moment later she became aware that the stoep was swarming with men whoseemed to arise out of the shadows. A voice said in the Kaffir tongue:
"Seize that fellow and bind him."
Instantly, before he could do anything, before he could even turn, Richardwas torn from her, struggling furiously, and thrown to the ground. Rachelsprang to the wall and stood with her back to it, raising the spear sheheld. It flashed into her mind that these were Zulus, and of Zulus she wasnot afraid.
"What dogs are these," she cried, "that dare to lift a hand against theInkosazana and her servant?"
The black men about her swayed and murmured, then made way for a man whowalked up the steps of the stoep. The moonlight fell upon him and she sawthat it was Ishmael.
"Rachel," he said, taking off his hat politely, "these are my people. Wesaw that white scoundrel assault you, and of course seized him at once. Asyou know a dreadful thing has happened here. This afternoon the Zuluskilled your father and mother, or rather they killed your father, and yourmother, who was ill, died with the shock, because they refused to go toZululand whither Dingaan had ordered that they should be taken. So seeingthat you were travelling here I came to rescue you, lest you should fallinto their hands, and," he added lamely, "you know the rest."
Ishmael had spoken in English, but Rachel answered him in Zulu.
"I know all, Night-prowler," she cried aloud. "I know that my father andmother were killed by your order, and in your presence; their spirits toldme so but now, and for that crime I sentence you to death!" and shepointed at him with the spear. "Heaven above and earth beneath," she wenton, "bear witness that I sentence this man to death. People of the Zulus,hear me in your kraals far away. Hear me, Dingaan, sitting in your GreatPlace. Hear me, every captain and induna, hear the voice of yourInkosazana: I sentence this man to death, since because of him there isblood between me and my people, the blood of my father and my mother. Now,Night-prowler, do your worst before you die, but know this, you hisservants, that if I am harmed, or if this white man, the chief Dario, isharmed, then you shall die also, every one of you. What is your will,Night-prowler?"
"I will tell you that at Mafooti," answered Ishmael, trying to look bold."I am not afraid of you like those Zulu savages, and Dingaan is a long wayoff. Will you come quietly? I hope so, for I don't want to hurt you or putyou to shame, but you've got to come, and this Dario, too. If you make anytrouble, I will have him killed at once. Understand, Rachel, that if youdon't come, he shall be killed at once. My people may be afraid of you,but they won't mind cutting his throat," he added significantly.
"Never mind about me," said Richard in a choked voice from the groundwhere he was pinned down by the Kaffirs. "Do what you think best foryourself, Rachel."
Now Rachel, whose wits were made keen by doubt and anguish, looked at thefaces of the natives about her, and even in that dim moonlight read themlike a book, as she could always do. She saw that they were afraid of her,and that if she commanded them, they would let her go free, whatever theirmaster might say or do. But she saw also that Ishmael spoke truth when hedeclared that they had no such dread of Richard, and might even believethat he was doing her some violence. If she escaped therefore it would beat the cost of Richard's life. Instantly in her bold fashion she made upher mind. It was borne in upon her that she had declared the truth; thatIshmael was doomed, that he had no power to work her any hurt, howeversore her case might seem. Since Richard's life hung on it she would gowith 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.
Now the most of the men went into the garden followed by Ishmael, andtaking Richard with them, but a few remained to watch her. From thisgarden presently arose a sound of great quarrelling. Rachel was too faroff to understand what was said, but from the sounds she judged thatIshmael was giving orders to his people which they refused to obey, forshe could hear him cursing them furiou
sly. Presently she heard somethingelse--the loud report of a gun followed by groans. Then a Kaffir ran up tothem and whispered something to those who surrounded her; it was that headman whom Ishmael had struck on the mouth in the bush when he told him thata dog had howled 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 hereyes. "Ibubesi has killed one of us because we do not like this businessand would clean it off 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 carefor him and protect him to the death, and if we lead him away a prisonerit is because we must, since otherwise Ibubesi will kill us all. Thereforebe merciful to us when the spear of thy power is lifted."
Before Rachel could answer Ishmael's voice was heard asking why they didnot bring the Inkosazana as the horses were ready.
"I pray thee come, Zoola," said the man hurriedly "or he will shoot moreof us."
So Rachel walked down the steps of the stoep in front of them, holding herhead high, leaving behind her the house of Ramah and its dead. At the gateof the garden stood the horses, on one of which, his own, Richard wasalready mounted, his arms bound, his feet made fast beneath it with a hiderope. Her path lay past him, and as she went by he said in a voice thatwas choking with rage:
"I am helpless, I cannot save you, but our hour will come."
"Yes, Richard," she answered quietly, "our hour will come when his hasgone," 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 shecould 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, and all sheknew was that they were riding on for hours. Her tired horse stumbled up apass and down its further side. Then she heard dogs bark and saw lights.The horse stopped and she slid from it, and as she was too exhausted towalk, was supported or carried into a hut, as she thought by women whoseemed very much afraid of touching her, after which she seemed to sinkinto blackness.
Rachel woke from her stupor to find herself lying on a bed in a greatKaffir hut that was furnished like a European room, for in it were chairsand a table, also rough window places closed with reed mats that took theplace of glass. Through the smoke-hole at the top of the hut struck astraight ray of sunlight, by which she judged that it must be aboutmidday. She began to think, till by degrees everything came back to her,and in that hour she nearly died of horror and of grief. Indeed she wasminded to die. There at her side lay a means of death--the assegai whichshe had found by the body of the Zulu in Ramah, and none had taken fromher. She lifted it and felt its edge, then laid it down again. Into thedarkness of her despair some comfort seemed to creep. She was sure thatRichard lived, and if she died, he would die also. While he lived, whyshould she die? Moreover, it would be a crime which she should only darewhen all hope had gone and she stood face to face with shame.
Thrusting aside these thoughts she rose. On the table stood curdled milkand other food of which she forced herself to eat, that her strength mightreturn to her, for she knew that she would need it all. Then she washedand dressed herself, for in a corner of the hut was water in wooden bowls,and even a comb and other things, that apparently had been set there forher to use. This done, she went to the door, which was made like that of ahouse, and finding that it was not secured, opened it and looked out.Beyond was a piece of ground floored with the soil taken from ant-heaps,and polished black after the native fashion. This space was surrounded bya high stone wall, and had at the end of it another very strong door. Inits centre grew a large, shady tree under which was placed a bench. Takingthe assegai with her she went to the door in the high wall and found thatit was barred on the further side. Then she returned and sat down on thebench under the tree.
It seemed that she had been observed, for a little while afterwards boltswere shot back, the door in the wall opened, and Ishmael entered, closingit behind him. She looked at the man, and at the sight of his handsome,furtive face, his dark, guilt-laden eyes, her gorge rose. She was alone inthis secret place with the murderer of her father and her mother, whosought her love. Yet, strangely enough, her heart was filled not withtears, but with contempt and icy anger. She did not shrink away from himas he came towards her in his gaudy clothes, with an assumed air ofinsolent confidence, but sat pale and proud, as she had sat atUmgugundhlovu, when the Zulus brought their causes before her forjudgment.
He advanced into the shadow of the tree, took off his hat with a flourishand bowed. Then as she made no answer to these salutations, but onlysearched him with her grey eyes, he began to speak in jerky sentences.
"I hope you have slept well, Rachel; I am, glad to see you looking sofresh. I was afraid that you would be over-tired after your long day. Yourode many miles. Of course what you found at Ramah must have been a greatshock to you. I want to explain to you quietly that I am not in the leastto blame about that terrible business. It was those accursed Zulus whoexceeded their orders."
So he went on, pausing between each remark for an answer, but no answercame. At length he stopped, confused, and Rachel, lifting the assegai,examined its blade, and asked him suddenly:
"Whose blood is on this spear? Yours?"
"A little of it, perhaps," he answered. "That fool of a Kaffir flourishedit about after your father shot him and cut me with it accidentally," andhe pointed to the wound on his face.
Rachel bent down and began to rub the blade against the foot of the benchas though to clean it. He did not know what she meant by this act, yet itfrightened him.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
She paused in her task and said, looking up at him:
"I do not wish that your blood should defile mine even in death," and wenton with her cleansing of the spear.
He watched her for a little while, then broke out:
"Curse it all! I don't understand you. What do you mean?"
"Ask the Zulus," she answered. "They understand me, and they will tellyou. Or if there is no time, ask my father and mother--afterwards."
Ishmael paled visibly, then recovered himself with an effort and said:
"Let us finish with all this witch-doctor nonsense, and come to business.I had nothing to do with the death of your parents, indeed, I was woundedin trying to protect them----"
"Then why do I see both of them behind you with such accusing eyes?" sheasked quietly.
He stalled, turned his head and stared about him.
"You won't frighten me like that," he went on. "I am not a silly Kaffir,so give it up. Look here, Rachel, you know I have loved you for a longwhile, and though you treat me so badly I love you more than ever now.Will you marry me?"
"I told you last night that you would be dead in a few days. Do not wasteyour time in talking of marriage. Sit in the dust and repent your sinsbefore you go down into the dust."
"All right, Rachel, I know you are a good prophet----"
"Noie, too, is a good prophet," she broke in reflectively. "You used theZulus to kill _her_ father and mother also, did you not? Do you remember amessage that she gave you from Seyapi one evening, down by the sea, beforeyou kidnapped her to be a bait to trap me in Zululand?"
"Remember!" he answered, scowling. "Am I likely to forget her devilries?If you are the witch, she is the familiar, the black _ehlose_ (spirit) whowhispers in your ears. Had she not gone I should never have caught you."
"But she will come back--although I fear not in time to bid you farewell."
"You tell me that I shall soon be dead," he exclaimed, ignoring this talkof Noie. "Well, I am not frightened. I don't believe you know anythingabout it, but if you are right the more reason I should live while I can.According to you, Rachel, we have no time to waste in a long engagement.When is it to be?"
"Never!" she answered contemptuously, "in this or any other world. Never!Why, you are hateful to me; when I see you, I shiver as though a snakecrawled across my foot, and when I look at your hands they are red withblood, the blood of my parents and of Noie's parents, and of many others.That is my answer."
He looked at her a while, then said:
"You seem to forget that I am only asking for what I can take. No one cansee you or hear you here, except my women. You are in my power at last,Rachel Dove."
These words which Ishmael intended should frighten her, as they might wellhave done, produced, as it chanced, a quite different effect. Rachel brokeinto a scornful laugh.
"Look," she said, pointing to an eagle that circled so high in the blueheavens above them that it seemed no larger than a hawk, "that bird ismore in your power, and nearer to you than I am. Before you laid a fingeron me I would find a dozen means of death, but that, I tell you again, youwill never live to do."
For a while Ishmael was silent, weighing her words in his mind. Apparentlyhe could find no answer to them, for when he spoke again it was of anothermatter.
"You say that you hate me, Rachel. If so, it is because of that accursedfellow, Darrien--whom you don't hate. Well, he, at any rate, is in mypower. Now look here. You've got to make your choice. Either you stop allthis nonsense and become my wife, or--your friend Darrien dies. Do youhear me?"
Rachel made no answer. Now for the first time she was really frightened,and feared lest her speech should show it.
"You have been through a lot," he went on, slowly; "you are tired out, anddon't know what you say, and you believe that I killed the old people,which I didn't, and, of course, that has set you against me. Now, I don'twant to be rough, or to hurry you, especially as I have plenty of thingsto see about before we are married. So I give you three days. If you don'tchange your mind at the end of them, the young man dies, that's all, andafterwards we will see whether or no you are in my power. Oh! you needn'tstare. I've gone too far to turn back, and I don't mind a few extra risks.Meanwhile make yourself easy, dear Richard shall be well looked after, andI won't bother you with any more love-making. That can wait."
Rachel rose from her seat and pointed with the spear to the door in thewall.
"Go," she said.
"All right, I am going, Rachel. Good-bye till this time three days. I hopemy women will make you as comfortable as possible in this rough place. Askthem for anything you want. Good-bye, Rachel," and he went, bolting thewall door behind him.
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