For the sake of all of us,
but most of all for your own sake, try to do this, Nanea, whom I have
loved and whom I now would save. See him and plead with him as you
know how, but as yet do not tell him that I dream of flight, for then I
should be watched."
"In truth, I will, _Inkoos_," she answered earnestly, "and oh! I thank
you for your goodness. Fear not that I will betray you--first would I
die. Farewell."
"Farewell, Nanea," and taking her hand he raised it to his lips.
*****
Late that night, just as Hadden was beginning to prepare himself for
sleep, he heard a gentle tapping at the board which closed the entrance
to his hut.
"Enter," he said, unfastening the door, and presently by the light of
the little lantern that he had with him, he saw Nanea creep into the
hut, followed by the great form of Nahoon.
"_Inkoos_," she said in a whisper when the door was closed again, "I
have pleaded with Nahoon, and he has consented to fly; moreover, my
father will come also."
"Is it so, Nahoon?" asked Hadden.
"It is so," answered the Zulu, looking down shamefacedly; "to save this
girl from the king, and because the love of her eats out my heart, I
have bartered away my honour.
Pages:
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76