"
"From whom?" asked Dingaan anxiously. "The white Amaboona?"
"Nay, O King, from the queen of the Ghost-people to whom thou didst
dispatch Noie, daughter of Seyapi, a while ago."
Hearing the name Noie, Rachel lifted her head, and for the first time her
face grew human.
"I remember," said Dingaan. "Admit the embassy."
Then followed a long pause. At length the gate opened and through it
appeared Noie herself, clad in a garb of spotless white, and somewhat
travel-worn, but beautiful as ever. She was escorted by four gigantic men
who were naked except for their moochas, but wore copper ornaments on
their wrists and ankles, and great rings of copper in their ears. After
her came three litters whereof the grass curtains were tightly drawn,
carried by bearers of the same size and race, and after these a bodyguard
of fifty soldiers of a like stature. This strange and barbarous-looking
company advanced slowly, whilst the Council stared at them wondering, for
never before had they seen people so huge, and arriving in front of the
King set down the litters, staring back in answer with their great round
eyes.
As they came Rachel rose from her stool and turned slowly so that she and
Noie, who walked in front of the embassy, stood face to face.
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