“Try the other barrel,” said Richard sarcastically,
as the smoke cleared away, “that shot was too
high.”
Perhaps Ishmael might have done so, for the man was
beside himself, but the Kaffirs would have no more
of it. They rushed between them, lifting their
spears threateningly, and shouting that they would
not allow the blood of the white lord and the curse
of the Inkosazana to be brought upon their heads and
those of their families. Rather than that they
would bind him, Ibubesi, and give him over to the
Zulus. Then, whether or not he had really meant
to kill Richard, Ishmael thought it politic to give
way.
“So be it,” he said to Rachel, “I
am merciful, and both of you shall have another chance.
I am going with this fellow, but the woman, Mami, shall
come to you. If within three hours you send her
to me with a message to say that you have changed
your mind, he shall be spared. If not, before
nightfall you shall see his body, and afterwards we
will settle matters.”
“Rachel, Rachel,” cried Richard, “swear
that you will send no such message.”
Now the brute, Ishmael, rushed at him to strike him
in the face. But Richard saw him coming, and
bound though he was, put down his head and butted
at him so fiercely, that being much the stronger man,
he knocked him to the ground, where he lay breathless.
“Swear, Rachel, swear,” he repeated, “or
dead or living, I will never forgive you.”
“I swear,” she said, faintly.
Then he shuffled towards her. Bending down he
kissed her on the face, and she kissed him back; no
more words passed between them; this was their farewell.
Two of the Kaffirs lifted Ishmael, and helped him from
the yard, whilst the other two led away Richard, who
made no resistance. At the gate he turned, and
their eyes met for a moment. Then it closed behind
him, and she was left alone again.
RACHEL LOSES HER SPIRIT
A little while later Mami entered, and said that she
had been sent by Ibubesi to serve the Inkosazana as
a messenger, should she need one. Rachel, seated
on the bench, motioned to her to go into the hut and
bide there, and she obeyed.
Minute by minute the time ebbed away, and still Rachel
sat motionless on the bench. Towards the end
of the third hour someone unbolted and knocked at
the door. Mami opened it and reported that Ibubesi
stood without, and desired to know whether she had
any word for him.
“None,” answered Rachel, remembering her
oath, and the door was barred again.
After this a great silence seemed to fall upon the
place. The sky was grey with distant rain, and
the air heavy, and whatever may have been the cause,
no sound came from man or beast without. To Rachel’s
strained nerves it seemed as though the Angel of Death
had spread his wings above the town. There she
sat paralysed, wondering what evil thing was being
worked upon her lover; wondering if she had done right
to give him as a sacrifice to this savage in order
to save herself from dreadful wrong—wondering,
wondering till the powers of her mind seemed to die
within her, leaving it grey and empty as the grey and
empty sky above.
