Zulu (African people) -- Fiction; Zululand (South Africa) -- History -- Fiction
The next two days were terrible to Rachel. She endured them as she had
endured all those that went before, trying the cases that were brought
to her, keeping up her appearance of distant dignity and utter
indifference. She asked no questions, since to do so would be to show
doubt and weakness, although she was aware that the tale of her vision
had spread through the land, and that the issue of the matter was of
intense interest to thousands. From some talk which she overheard while
she pretended to be listening to evidence, she learned even that two
men going to execution had discussed it, saying that they regretted
they would not live to know the truth. On the second day she did hear
one piece of news, for although she sat by her pool and again tried to
sleep by its waters, these remained blind and dumb.
The induna, Tamboosa, on one of his ceremonial visits, after speaking
of the health of her mare, which, it seemed was improving, mentioned
incidentally that the messengers running night and day had met the
white man and “called back” that he was safe and well. He added that
had it not been for her vision this said white man would certainly have
been killed as a spy.
“Yes, I knew that,” answered Rachel, indifferently, although her heart
thumped within her bosom. “I forget if I said that the Inkosi was to be
brought straight here when he arrives. If not, let it be known that
such is my command. The King can receive him afterwards if it pleases
him to do so, as probably we shall not depart until the next day.”
Then she yawned, and as though by an afterthought asked if any news had
been “called back” from Noie.
Tamboosa answered, No; no system of intelligence had been organised in
the direction in which she had gone, for that country was empty of
enemies, and indeed of population. However, this would not distress the
Inkosazana, who had only to consult her Spirit to see all that happened
to her servant.
Rachel replied that of course this was so, but as a matter of fact she
had not troubled about the matter, then waved her hand to show that the
interview was at an end.
It was the morning of the third day, and while Rachel was delivering
judgment in a case, a messenger entered and whispered something to the
induna on duty, who rose and saluted her.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Only this, Inkosazana; the white Inkoos from the Buffalo River has
arrived, and is without.”
“Good,” said Rachel, “let him wait there.” Then she went on with her
judgment. Yes, she went on, although her eyes were blind, and the blood
beating in her ears sounded like the roll of drums. She finished it,
and after a decent interval, bowed her head in acknowledgement of the
customary salutes, and made the sign which intimated that the Court was
to be cleared.
Slowly, slowly, all the crowd melted away, leaving her alone with her
women.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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