“All right, Rachel,” said Ishmael, whose face was white with fury, “I think I will take you at your word, and you can go to look for him down below, 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 the double-barrelled gun.
“Men of Mafooti,” exclaimed Rachel in Zulu, “Ibubesi is about to do murder on one who like myself is under the mantle of Dingaan. If his blood should flow to-day or to-morrow, yours shall flow in payment, yours, and that of your wives and children, for the crime of the chief is the crime of the people.”
At her words the four natives who had been watching this scene uneasily, although they could not understand the English talk, called out to Ishmael in remonstrance. His only answer was to lift the gun, and for an instant that seemed infinite Rachel waited to hear its explosion, and to see the grey-eyed, open-faced man she loved, who stood there like a rock, fall a shattered corpse. Then one of the Kaffirs, bolder than the rest, struck up the barrels with his arm, and not too soon, for whether or no he had meant to pull the trigger, the rifle went off.
“Try the other barrel,” said Richard sarcastically, as the smoke cleared away, “that shot was too high.”
Perhaps Ishmael might have done so, for the man was beside himself, but the Kaffirs would have no more of it. They rushed between them, lifting their spears threateningly, and shouting that they would not allow the blood of the white lord and the curse of the Inkosazana to be brought upon their heads and those of their families. Rather than that they would bind him, Ibubesi, and give him over to the Zulus. Then, whether or not he had really 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 have another chance. I am going with this fellow, but the woman, Mami, shall come to you. If within three hours you send her to me with a message to say that you have changed your mind, he shall be spared. If not, before nightfall you shall see his body, and afterwards we will settle matters.”
“Rachel, Rachel,” cried Richard, “swear that you will send no such message.”