was. This state of affairs lasted for some seven months.
The old man gradually grew weaker, but he did not die. Of course his
condition quite precluded the idea of our leaving Babyan Kraals till all
was over. This was the more distressing to me because I had a nervous
presentiment that Stella was incurring danger by staying there, and also
because the state of her health rendered it desirable that we should
reach a civilized region as soon as possible. However, it could not be
helped.

At length the end came very suddenly. We were sitting one evening by
Mr. Carson's bedside in his hut, when to our astonishment he sat up and
spoke in a strong, full voice.

"I hear you," he said. "Yes, yes, I forgive you. Poor woman! you too
have suffered," and he fell back dead.

I have little doubt that he was addressing his lost wife, some vision
of whom had flashed across his dying sense. Stella, of course, was
overwhelmed with grief at her loss. Till I came her father had been her
sole companion, and therefore, as may be imagined, the tie between them
was much closer than is usual even in the case of father and daughter.
So deeply did she mourn that I began to fear for the effect upon her
health. Nor were we the only ones to grieve; all the natives on the
settlement called Mr. Carson "father," and as a father they lamented
him. The air resounded with the wailing of women, and the men went about
with bowed heads, saying that "the sun had set in the heavens, now only
the Star (Stella) remained." Indaba-zimbi alone did not mourn. He said
that it was best that the Inkoos should die, for what was life worth
when one lay like a log?--moreover, that it would have been well for all
if he had died sooner.

On the following day we buried him in the little graveyard near the
waterfall. It was a sad business, and Stella cried very much, in spite
of all I could do to comfort her.

That night as I sat outside the hut smoking--for the weather was hot,
and Stella was lying down inside--old Indaba-zimbi came up, saluted, and
squatted at my feet.

"What is it, Indaba-zimbi?" I said.

"This, Macumazahn. When are you going to trek towards the coast?"

"I don't know," I answered. "The Star is not fit to travel now, we must
wait awhile."

"No, Macumazahn, you must not wait, you must go, and the Star must take
her chance. She is strong. It is nothing. All will be well."

"Why do you say so? why must we go?"

"For this reason, Macumazahn," an