Part 34 (1/2)

Reference has been made to the impassable barrier to unions bethite and colour existing, and rightly so, throughout the whole of South Africa; but the repulsion and degradation attaching to such is deepened tenfold when it is the woman who represents the white race In Verna, of course, such tradition was part of her being, and now that this was put broadly before her, her horror and disgust were unlie! for such the stately and fine-looking Zulu chieftain had now become in her eyes; a mere despised black man--Sapazani's colour was copper red--why, shein his senses darereply that rose to her lips--she could not hide the flashi+ng fury in her eyes--for she ht of the end for which she was there, the finding of Alaric

”Listen, Izibu, and I will tell a story,” said the chief, who had been watching her keenly, but outwardly unconcerned ”There were two bulls grazing together near the banks of Makanya River They began to roar at each other, perhaps one wanted the pasture to hiored the other to death and pushed him into the river, then went on his way These bulls were of the A such for one to kill another is death

There were those who looked down upon this conflict froh up on the other side of the river They will be there to speak anted”

Now a new light broke upon Verna Alaric had positively declared that nobody could have witnessed the encounter or the restiveness of the horses would have betrayed the presence of such But they had been on the other side of the water, hence the very pointed reference on the part of Mandevu to the double feat of snake-char To her, of course, the parable needed no interpretation This hateful fiend had got Alaric into his power to coood Heavens!

”But you would not betray hi and unclasping her hands in an agony of appeal

”The istrate at Esifeni, will be surprised, he who is never tired of saying Sapazani is not loyal He will be surprised when Sapazani the disloyal hands over to him one of his own people who has broken the white man's sternest law, and says, 'Here, take hi my people' This is ill happen if the child of U' Ben refuses to become my new _inkosikazi_”

Verna was beside herself Here, then, was thelink in the chain The deed had been actually witnessed Nothing could save him

The mention of her father inspired her with an idea

”You would not dare do this thing,” she said ”My father would kill you, would never rest until he had done so Every white man in Zululand would co escape”

”Why, for that, Izibu, there will be no white men left in Zululand to do it before many days have passed Well? Is it to be his life, or--?”

Verna saay out She, of course, did not intend to accept the dreadful alternative She would kill herself That afterwards; but now she must save this precious life Then another idea struck her What if Alaric were delivered over to the authorities, h? Was it not hile risking this? She knehat Alaric's ansould be But Sapazani seehts, for now he said--

”My mind is different in this ht escape Therefore I shall have him killed here--to-day-- killed by torture, and thou shalt see it done, child of U' Ben”

Verna's face was stony with despair

”And if I agree?” she said slowly ”He will be placed beyond all reach of danger?”

”That will he, Izibu My word stands”

”Where is he now?”

”Here”

She turned to follow the sweep of his hand Fro, and her heart beat quicker as she recognised the central figure Alaric Denham stared in amazeuard surrounding hiais

”What is theof this, Verna?” he said ”There's no war Yet these fellows collaredalive to the stao free now,” she answered, ”right away out of the country

It's no longer safe here”

”Well, I'reeable Are you ready?”

”Yes--no--that is, not yet,” she faltered hurriedly