CHAPTER XVI
THE THREE DAYS
He was gone, his presence had ceased to poison the air, and, the longstrain over, Rachel gave a gasp of relief. Then she sat down upon thebench and began to think. Her position, and that of Richard, wasdesperate; it seemed scarcely possible that they could escape with theirlives, for if he died, she would die also--as to that she was quitedetermined. But at least they had three days, and who could say what wouldhappen in three days? For instance, they might escape somehow, theProvidence in which she believed might intervene, or the Zulus might cometo seek her, if they only knew where she was gone. Oh! why had she notbrought a guard of them with her to Ramah? At least they would never haveinsulted her, and Ishmael's shrift would have been short.
She wondered why he had given her three days. A reason suggested itself toher mind. Perhaps he believed what she had told him--that she was as safefrom him as the eagle in the air--and was sure that the only way to snareher was by using Richard as a lure, in other words, by threatening tomurder him. It is true that he could have brought the matter to a head atonce, but then, if she remained obdurate, he must carry out his threat,and this, she believed, he was afraid to do unless it was absolutelyforced upon him. Doubtless he had reflected that in three days she mightweaken and give way.
Whilst Rachel brooded thus the door in the wall opened, and through itcame three women, who saluted her respectfully, and announced that theywere sent to clean the hut, and attend upon her. Rachel took stock of themcarefully. Two of them were young, ordinary, good-looking Kaffirs, but thethird was between thirty and forty, and no longer attractive, havingbecome old early, as natives do. Moreover, her face was sad andsympathetic. Rachel asked her her name. She answered that it was Mami, andthat they were all the wives of Ibubesi.
The women went about their duties in the hut in silence, and a whileafterwards announced that all was made clean, and that they would returnpresently with food. Rachel answered that it was not necessary that threeof them should be put to so much trouble. It would be enough if Mami came.She desired to be waited on by Mami alone, her sisters need not come anymore.
They all three saluted again, and said that she should be obeyed; the twoyounger ones with alacrity. To Rachel it was evident that these women weremuch afraid of her. Her reputation had reached them, and they shrank fromthis task of attending on the mighty Inkosazana of the Zulus in her cage,not knowing what evil it might bring upon them.
An hour later the door was unbolted, and Mami reappeared with the foodthat had been very carefully cooked. Rachel ate of it, for she wasdetermined to grow strong again, she who might need all her strength, andwhile she ate talked to Mami, who squatted on the ground before her. Soonshe drew her story from her. The woman was Ishmael's first Kaffir wife,but he had never cared for her, and against all law and custom she wasdiscarded, and made a slave. Even some of her cattle had been taken fromher and given to other wives. So her heart was bitter against Ishmael, andshe said that although once she was proud to be the wife of a white man,now she wished that she had never seen his face.
Here, then, was material ready to Rachel's hand, but she did not press thematter too far at this time. Only she said that she wished Mami to staywith her after the evening meal, and to sleep in her hut, as she was notaccustomed to be alone at night. Mami replied that she would do so gladlyif Ibubesi allowed it, although she was not worthy of such honour.
As it happened, Ishmael did allow it, for he thought that he could trustthis old drudge, and told her to act as a spy upon Rachel, and report tohim all that she said or did. Very soon Rachel found this out and warnedher against obeying him, since if she did so it would come to herknowledge, and then great evil would fall on one who betrayed the words ofthe Inkosazana.
Mami answered that she knew it, and that Rachel need not be afraid. Anytale would do for Ishmael, whom she hated. Then, saying little herself,Rachel encouraged her to talk, which Mami did freely. So she heard somenews. She learned, for instance, that the whole town of Mafooti, whereofIbubesi was chief, which counted some sixty or seventy heads of families,was much disturbed by the events of the last few days. They did not likethe Inkosazana being brought there, thinking that where she went the Zuluswould follow, and as they were of Zulu blood themselves, they knew whatthat meant. They were alarmed at the deaths of the white sky-doctor, whowas called Shouter, and his wife, with which Ibubesi had something to do,for they feared lest they should be held responsible for their blood. Theyobjected to the imprisonment of the white chief, Dario, among them,because "he had hurt no one, and was under the mantle of the Inkosazana,who was a spirit, not a woman," and who had warned them that if any harmcame to her or to him, death would be their reward. They were angry, also,because Ibubesi had killed one of them in some quarrel about the chiefDario at Ramah. Still, they were so much afraid of Ibubesi, who was agreat tyrant, that they did not dare to interfere with him and his plans,lest they should lose their cattle, or, perhaps, their lives. So they didnot know what to do. As for Ibubesi himself, he was actively engaged instrengthening the fortifications of the place; even the old people and thechildren were being forced to carry stones to the walls, from which it wasevident that he feared some attack.
When Rachel had gathered this and much other information concerningIshmael's past and habits, she asked Mami if she could convey a messagefrom her to Richard. The woman answered that she would try on thefollowing morning. So Rachel told her to say that she was safe and well,but that he must watch his footsteps, as both of them were in greatdanger. More she did not dare to say, fearing lest Mami should betray her,or be beaten till she confessed everything. Then, as there was nothingmore to be done, Rachel lay down and slept as best she could.
The next day passed in much the same fashion as the first had done. Forthe most of it Rachel sat under the tree in the walled yard, companionedonly by her terrible thoughts and fears. Nobody came near her, and nothinghappened. In the morning Mami went out, and returning at the dinner hour,told Rachel that she had seen Ishmael, who had questioned her closely asto what the Inkosazana had done and said, to which she replied that shehad only eaten and slept, and invoked the spirits on her knees. As forwords, none had passed her lips. She had not been able to get near thehuts where Dario was in prison, as Ishmael was watching her. For the rest,the work of fortification went on without cease, even Ishmael's own wivesbeing employed thereon.
In the afternoon Mami went out again and did not return till night, whenshe had much to tell. To begin with, while the sentry was dozing, beingwearied with carrying stones to the wall, she had managed to approach thefence of the hut where Richard was confined. She said that he was walkingup and down inside the fence with his hands tied, and she had spoken tohim through a crack in the reeds, and given him Rachel's message. Helistened eagerly, and bade her tell the Inkosazana that he thanked her forher words; that he, too, was strong and well, though much troubled inmind, but the future was in the hands of the Heavens, and that she mustkeep a high heart. Just then the sentry woke up, so Mami could not wait tohear any more.
That evening, however, a lad who had been sent out of the town to drive insome cattle, had returned with the tidings which she, Mami, heard himdeliver to Ibubesi with her own ears.
He said that whilst he was collecting the oxen, a ringed Zulu came uponhim, who from his manner and bearing he took to be a great chief, althoughhe was alone, and seemed to be tired with walking. The Zulu has asked himif it were true that the Inkosazana and the white chief Dario were inprison at Mafooti, and when he hesitated about replying, threatened himwith his assegai, saying that he would cut out his heart unless he toldthe truth. The Zulu replied that he knew it, as he had just come fromRamah, where he had seen strange things, and spoken with a man ofIbubesi's, whom he found dying in the garden of the house. Then he hadgiven him this message:
"Say to Ibubesi that I know all his wickedness, and that if the Inkosazanais harmed, or if drop of the blood of the white chief, Dario, is shed, Iwill destroy hi
m and everything that lives in his town down to the rats.Say to him also that he cannot escape, as already he is ringed in by thechildren of the Shouter, who have come back, and are watching him."
The lad had asked who it was that sent such a message, whereon heanswered, "I am the Horn of the Black Bull; I am the Trunk of theElephant; I am the Mouth of Dingaan."
Then straightway he turned and departed at a run towards Zululand.Moreover, Mami described the man in the words of the lad, and Rachelthought that he could be none other than Tamboosa, whom she had commandedto follow her with the white ox. Mami added that when he received thismessage Ibubesi seemed much disturbed, though to his people he declaredthat it was all nonsense, as Dingaan's Mouth would not come alone, ordeliver the King's word to a boy. But the people thought otherwise, andmurmured among themselves, fearing the terrible vengeance of Dingaan.
On the next day Mami went out again. At nightfall, when she returned, shetold Rachel that she had not found it possible to approach the huts whereDario was, as the hole she made in the fence to speak with him had beendiscovered, and a stricter watch was kept over him. Ibubesi, she said, wasin an ill humour, and working furiously to finish his fortifications, ashe was now sure that the town was being watched, either by the Kaffirs ofRamah, or others. As for the people of Mafooti, they were grumbling verymuch, both on account of the heavy-labour of working at the walls, andbecause they were in terror of being attacked and killed in payment forthe evil deeds of their chief. Mami declared, indeed, that so great wastheir fear and discontent, that she thought they would desert the town ina body, were it not that they dreaded lest they should fall into the handsof the Kaffirs who were watching it. Rachel asked her whether they wouldnot then take her and Dario and deliver them up to the Zulus, or to thewhite people on the coast. Mami answered she thought they would be afraidto do this, as Ibubesi alone had guns, and would shoot plenty of them;also if the Zulus found them with their Inkosazana they would kill them.She added that she had seen Ibubesi, who bade her tell the Inkosazana thathe was coming for her answer on the morrow.
Rachel slept ill that night. The space of her reprieve had gone by, andnext morning she must face the issue. For herself she did not so greatlycare, for at the worst she had a refuge whither Ishmael could not followher--the grave. After all she had endured it seemed to her that this mustbe a peaceful place; moreover, in her case what Power could blame her? Butthere was Richard to be thought of. If she refused Ishmael he swore thathe would kill Richard. And yet how could she pay that price even to saveher lover's life? Perhaps he would not kill him after all; perhaps hewould be afraid of the vengeance of the Zulus, and was only trying tofrighten her. Ah! if only the Zulus would come--before it was too late! Itwas scarcely to be hoped for. Tamboosa, if it were he who had spoken withthe lad, would not have had time to return to Zululand and collect animpi, and when they did come, the deed might be done. If only theseservants of Ibubesi would rise against him and kill him, or carry offRichard and herself! Alas! they feared the man too much, and she could notget at them to persuade them. There was nothing that she could do exceptpray. Richard and she must take their chance. Things must go as they weredecreed.
If she could have seen Ishmael at this hour and read his thoughts, thatsight and knowledge might have brought some comfort to her tortured heart.The man was seated in his hut alone, staring at the floor and pulling hislong black beard with hands rough from toiling at the walls. He wasdrinking also, stiff tots of rum and water, but the fiery liquor seemed tobring him no comfort. As he drank, he thought. He was determined to getpossession of Rachel; that desire had become a madness with him. He couldnever abandon it while he lived. But _she_ might not live. She had swornthat she would rather die than become his wife, and she was not a womanwho broke her word. Also she hated him bitterly, and with good cause.There was only one way to work on her--through her love for this man,Richard Darrien; for that she did love him, he had little doubt. If itwere choice between yielding and the death of Darrien, then perhaps shemight give way. But there came the rub.
Dingaan had sworn to him that if he made Darrien's blood to flow, then heshould be killed, and, like Rachel, Dingaan kept his oaths. Moreover, thatZulu who met the cattle herd had sworn it again in almost the same words.Therefore it would seem that if he wished to continue to breathe,Darrien's blood must not be made to flow. All the rest might be explainedwhen the impi came, as it would do sooner or later, especially if he couldshow to them that the Inkosazana was his willing wife, but the murder ofDarrien could never be explained. Well, the man might die, or seem to die,and then who could hold him responsible? Or if they did, if any of hispeople remained faithful to him, an attack might be beaten off. Brave asthey were, the Zulus could not storm those walls on which he had spent somuch labour, though now he almost wished that he had left the walls aloneand settled the affair of Rachel and of Darrien first.
Ishmael poured out more rum and drank it, neat this time, as though tonerve himself for some undertaking. Then he went to the door of the hutand called, whereon presently a hideous old woman crept in and squatteddown in the circle of light thrown by the lamp. She was wrinkled anddeformed, and her snake-skin moocha, with the inflated fish-bladder in herhair, showed that she was a witch-doctoress.
"Well, Mother," he said, "have you made the poison?"
"Yes, Ibubesi, yes. I have made it as I alone can do. Oh! it is awonderful drug, worth many cows. How many did you say you would give me?Six?"
"No, three; but if it does what is wanted you shall have the other threeas well. Tell me again, how does it work?"
"Thus, Ibubesi. Whoever drinks this medicine becomes like one dead--nonecan tell the difference, no, not a doctor even--and remains so for a longwhile--perhaps one day, perhaps two, perhaps even three. Then lifereturns, and by degrees strength, but not memory; for whole moons thememory is gone, and he who has drunk remains like a child that haseverything to learn."
"You lie, Mother. I never heard of such a medicine."
"You never heard of it because none can make it save me, and I had itssecret from my grandmother; also few can afford to pay me for it. Still,it has been used, and were I not afraid I could give you cases. Stay, Iwill show you. Call that beast," and she pointed to a dog that was asleepat the side of the hut. "Here is milk; I will show you."
Ishmael hesitated, for he was fond of this dog; then as he wished to testthe stuff he called it. It came and sat down beside him, looking up in hisface with faithful eyes. Then the old witch poured milk into a bowl, andin the milk mixed some white powder which she took out of a folded leaf,and offered it to the animal. The dog sniffed the milk, growled slightly,and refused it.
"The evil beast does not like me; he bit me the other day," said the olddoctoress. "Do you give it to him, Ibubesi; he will trust you."
So Ishmael patted the dog on the head, then, offered it the milk, whichit lapped up to the last drop.
"There, evil beast," said the woman, with a chuckle, "you won't bite meany more; you'll forget all about me for a long time. Look at him,Ibubesi, look at him."
As she spoke, the poor dog's coat began to stare; then it uttered a lowhowl, ran to Ishmael, tried to lick his hand, and rolled over, to allappearance quite dead.
"You have killed my dog, which I love, you hag!" he said angrily.
"Then why did you give medicine to what you love, Ibubesi? But have nofear, the evil beast has only taken a small dose; to-morrow morning itwill awake, but it will not know you or anyone. Who is the medicine for,Ibubesi? The Lady Zoola? If so, it may not work on her, for she is mighty,and cannot be harmed."
"Fool! Do you think that I would play tricks with the Inkosazana?"
"No, you want to marry her, don't you? but it seems to me that she has nomind that way. Then it is for the man for whom she has a mind for? Well,Ibubesi, you have promised the six cows, and you saved me once from beingkilled for witchcraft, so I will say something. Don't give it to the chiefDario."
"Why not, you old fool; will
it kill him after all?"
"No, no; it will do what I said, no less and no more, in this quantity,"and she handed him another powder wrapped in dry leaves; "but I have hadbad dreams about you, Ibubesi, and they were mixed up with the Inkosazanaand this white man Dario. I dreamed they brought your death upon you--adreadful death. Ibubesi, be wise, set Dario free, and change your mind asto marrying the Inkosazana, who is not for you."
"How can I change my mind, Descendant of Wizards?" broke out Ishmael. "Cana river penned between rocks change its course? Can it run backwards fromthe sea to the hill? This woman draws me as the sea draws the river;because of her my blood is afire. I had rather win her and die, than liverich and safe without her to old age. The more she hates and scorns me,the more I love her."
"I understand," said the doctoress, nodding her head till the bladder inher hair bobbed about like a float at which a fish is pulling. "Iunderstand. I have seen people like this before--men and women too--when abad spirit enters into them because of some crime they have committed. TheInkosazana, or those who guard her, have sent you this bad spirit, and,Ibubesi, you must run the road upon which it is appointed that you shouldtravel; for joy or sorrow you must run that road. But when we meet in theworld of ghosts, which I think will be soon, do not blame me, do not saythat I did not warn you. Now it is all right about those cows, is it not?although I dare say the Zulus will milk them and not I, for to-night Iseem to smell Zulus in the air," and she lifted her broad nose and sniffedlike a hound. "I wish you could have left the Inkosazana alone, and thatDario too, for he is a part of her; in my dreams they seemed to be one.But you won't, you will walk your own path; so good night, Ibubesi. Thedog will wake again in the morning, but he will not know you. Good night,Ibubesi--of course I understand that the cows will be young ones that havenot had more than two calves. Mix the powder in milk, or water, oranything; it is without taste or colour. Good night, Ibubesi," and withoutwaiting for an answer the old wretch crept out of the hut.
When she was gone Ishmael cursed her aloud, then drank some more rum,which he seemed to need. The place was very lonely, and the sight of hisdog, lying to all appearance dead at his side, oppressed him. He pattedits head and it did not move; he lifted its paw and it fell down flabbily.The brute was as dead as anything could be. It occurred to him that beforenight came again he might look like that dog. His story might be told; hemight have left the earth in company of all the deeds that he had donethereon. He had imagination enough to know his sins, and they were an evilhost to face. Old Dove and his wife, for instance--holy people whobelieved in God and Vengeance, and had never done any wrong, only strivenfor years and years to benefit others; it would not be pleasant to meetthem. Rachel had said that she saw them standing behind him, and he feltas though they were there at that moment. Look, one of them crossedbetween him and the lamp--there was the mark of the kerry on his head--andthe woman followed; he could see her blue lips as she bent down to look atthe dog. It was unbearable. He would go and talk to Rachel, and ask her ifshe had made up her mind. No, for if he broke in on her thus at night, hewas sure that she would kill either herself or him with that spear she hadtaken from the dead Zulu, reddened with his own blood. He would keep faithwith her and wait till the morrow. He would send for one of his wives. No,the thought of those women made him sick. He would go round thefortifications and beat any sentries whom he found asleep, or receive thereports of the spies. To stop in that hut in the company of a dog whichseemed to be dead, and of imaginations that no rum could drown, wasimpossible.
* * * * *
Once more the morning came, and Rachel sat in the walled yard awaiting thedreadful hour of her trial, for it was the day and time that Ishmael hadappointed for her answer. Until now Rachel had cherished hopes thatsomething might happen: that the people of Mafooti might intervene to saveher and Richard; that the Zulus might appear, even that Ishmael mightrelent and let them go. But Mami had been out that morning and broughtback tidings which dispelled these hopes. She had ventured to sound someof the leading men, and said that, like all the people, they were verysullen and alarmed, but declared, as she had expected, that they dare donothing, for Ibubesi would kill them, and if they escape him the Zuluswould kill them because the Inkosazana was found in their possession. Ofthe Zulus themselves, scouts who had been out for miles, reported thatthey had seen no sign. It was clear also that Ishmael was as determined asever, for he had sent her a message by Mami that he would wait upon her ashe had promised, and bring the white man with him.
Then what should she say and what should she do? Rachel could think of noplan; she could only sit still and pray while the shadow of that awfulhour crept ever nearer.
It had come; she heard voices without the wall, among them Ishmael's. Herheart stopped, then bounded like a live thing in her breast. He wascommanding someone to "catch that dog and tie it up, for it was bewitched,and did not know him or anyone," then the sound of a dog being draggedaway, whining feebly, and then the door opened. First Ishmael came in withan affectation of swaggering boldness, but looking like a man sufferingfrom the effects of a long debauch. About his eyes were great black rings,and in them was a stare of sleeplessness. He carried a double-barrelledgun under his arm, but the hand with which he supported it shook visibly,and at every unusual sound he started. After him came Richard, his wristsbound together behind him, and on his legs hide shackles which only justallowed him to shuffle forward slowly. Moreover he was guarded by four menwho carried spears. Rachel glanced quickly at his face, and saw that itwas pale and resolute; quite untouched by fear.
"Are you well?" she asked quietly, taking no note of Ishmael.
"Yes," he answered, "and you, Rachel?"
"Quite well bodily, Richard, but oh! my soul is sick."
Before he could reply Ishmael turned on him savagely, and bade him besilent, or it would be the worse for him. Then he took off his hat withhis shaking hand, and bowed to Rachel.
"Rachel," he said, "I have kept my promise, and left you alone for threedays, but time is up and now this gentleman and I have come to hear yourdecision, which is so important to both of us."
"What am I to decide?" she asked in a low voice, looking straight beforeher.
"Have you forgotten? Your memory must be very bad. Well, it is best tohave no mistake, and no doubt our friend here would like to know exactlyhow things stand. You have to decide whether you will take me as yourhusband to-day of your own free will, or whether Mr. Richard Darrien shallsuffer the punishment of death, for having tried to kill his sentry andescape, a crime of which he has been guilty, and afterwards I should takeyou as my wife with, or without, your consent."
When Richard heard these words the veins in his forehead swelled with rageand horror till it seemed as though they would burst.
"You unutterable villain," he gasped, "you cowardly hound! Oh! if only myhands were free."
"Well, they ain't, Mr. Darrien, and it's no use your tugging at thatbuffalo hide, so hold your tongue, and let us hear the lady's answer,"sneered Ishmael.
"Richard, Richard," said Rachel in a kind of wail, "you have heard. It isa matter of your life. What am I to do?"
"Do?" he answered, in loud, firm tones, "do? How can you ask me such aquestion? The matter is not one of my life, but of your--of your--oh! Icannot say it. Let this foul beast kill me, of course, and then, if youcare enough, follow the same road. A few years sooner or later make littledifference, and so we shall soon be together again."
She thought a moment, then said quietly:
"Yes, I care enough, and a hundred times more than that. Yes, that is theonly way out. Listen, you Ishmael:--Richard Darrien, the man to whom I amsworn, and I, give you this answer. Murder him if you will, and bringGod's everlasting vengeance on your head. He will not buy his life on suchterms, and if I consented to them I should be false to him. Murder him asyou murdered my father and mother, and when I know that he is dead I willgo to join him and them."
"All right, Ra
chel," said Ishmael, whose face was white with fury, "Ithink I will take you at your word, and you can go to look for him downbelow, if you like, for if I am not to get you here, he shan't. Now then,say your prayers, Mr. Darrien," and stepping forward slowly he cocked thedouble-barrelled gun.
"Men of Mafooti," exclaimed Rachel in Zulu, "Ibubesi is about to do murderon one who like myself is under the mantle of Dingaan. If his blood shouldflow to-day or to-morrow, yours shall flow in payment, yours, and that ofyour wives and children, for the crime of the chief is the crime of thepeople."
At her words the four natives who had been watching this scene uneasily,although they could not understand the English talk, called out to Ishmaelin remonstrance. His only answer was to lift the gun, and for an instantthat seemed infinite Rachel waited to hear its explosion, and to see thegrey-eyed, open-faced man she loved, who stood there like a rock, fall ashattered corpse. Then one of the Kaffirs, bolder than the rest, struck upthe barrels with his arm, and not too soon, for whether or no he had meantto pull the trigger, the rifle went off.
"Try the other barrel," said Richard sarcastically, as the smoke clearedaway, "that shot was too high."
Perhaps Ishmael might have done so, for the man was beside himself, butthe Kaffirs would have no more of it. They rushed between them, liftingtheir spears threateningly, and shouting that they would not allow theblood of the white lord and the curse of the Inkosazana to be brought upontheir heads and those of their families. Rather than that they would bindhim, Ibubesi, and give him over to the Zulus. Then, whether or not he hadreally 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 haveanother chance. I am going with this fellow, but the woman, Mami, shallcome to you. If within three hours you send her to me with a message tosay that you have changed your mind, he shall be spared. If not, beforenightfall you shall see his body, and afterwards we will settle matters."
"Rachel, Rachel," cried Richard, "swear that you will send no suchmessage."
Now the brute, Ishmael, rushed at him to strike him in the face. ButRichard saw him coming, and bound though he was, put down his head andbutted at him so fiercely, that being much the stronger man, he knockedhim to the ground, where he lay breathless.
"Swear, Rachel, swear," he repeated, "or dead or living, I will neverforgive you."
"I swear," she said, faintly.
Then he shuffled towards her. Bending down he kissed her on the face, andshe kissed him back; no more words passed between them; this was theirfarewell. 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 gatehe turned, and their eyes met for a moment. Then it closed behind him, andshe was left alone again.