Oh! let us fly,
Nahoon, let us fly to Natal before this spear pierces me."
"Weep not, Nanea," he said; "why do you tear my heart in two between my
duty and my love? You know that I am a soldier, and that I must walk the
path whereon the king has set my feet. Soon I think I shall be dead, for
I seek death, and then it will matter nothing."
"Nothing to you, Nahoon, who are at peace, but to me? Yet, you are
right, and I know it, therefore forgive me, who am no warrior, but a
woman who must also obey--the will of the king." And she cast her arms
about his neck, sobbing her fill upon his breast.
CHAPTER IV
NANEA
Presently, muttering something that the listener could not catch, Nahoon
left Nanea, and crept out of the hut by its bee-hole entrance. Then
Hadden opened his eyes and looked round him. The sun was sinking and
a ray of its red light streaming through the little opening filled the
place with a soft and crimson glow. In the centre of the hut--supporting
it--stood a thorn-wood roof-tree coloured black by the smoke of the
fire; and against this, the rich light falling full upon her, leaned the
girl Nanea--a very picture of gentle despair.
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