He watched her for a little while, then broke out:
“Curse it all! I don’t understand you. What do you mean?”
“Ask the Zulus,” she answered. “They understand me, and they will tell you. Or if there is no time, ask my father and mother—afterwards.”
Ishmael paled visibly, then recovered himself with an effort and said:
“Let us finish with all this witch-doctor nonsense, and come to business. I had nothing to do with the death of your parents, indeed, I was wounded in trying to protect them——”
“Then why do I see both of them behind you with such accusing eyes?” she asked quietly.
He stalled, turned his head and stared about him.
“You won’t frighten me like that,” he went on. “I am not a silly Kaffir, so give it up. Look here, Rachel, you know I have loved you for a long while, and though you treat me so badly I love you more than ever now. Will you marry me?”
“I told you last night that you would be dead in a few days. Do not waste your time in talking of marriage. Sit in the dust and repent your sins before you go down into the dust.”
“All right, Rachel, I know you are a good prophet——”