Lieutenants Chard and Bromhead, | ketry, I awoke to find my Zulu friend, My companion had almost to drag me away from this entrancing spot. However, as it was getting late, and he had to see to his wagons and goods, I was forced to go; but not before I had promised my kind friend at the mission station that I would visit him on my return from my long trek through Zululand. The wagon having arrived, we determined to start for Isandhlwana in the morning. So retiring again to Mr. L's hospitable wagon to dream of Zulu charges and volleys of mus there breaks upon our view the first clear sight of the famous mountain of Isandhlwana. Like a great closed hand, it towers to the sky, a fitting monument for all time for those who sleep beneath its shade. The wagon road here dips down into a deep valley watered by a long and winding stream, on whose banks nestle the numerous Zulu kraals, like magnified beehives in Zulus, dotted here and there, complete the picture, tended by bright young Zulu lads, who rise at our approach, and give us the dignified and picturesque Zulu salute. Standing with one arm raised, they drone out their “Sagu bone inkoos" (I see you, chief), and with a" Ho, umfan" (O, boy), we pass across the stream and mount the slope, down which flew the few survivors from the terrible fight. Noticing dotted here and there small piles of stones, I asked my companion what they were for. He said, "Each of those mounds marks the grave of a British soldier, and this "-pointing to our right" is the way to Fugitives' Drift, down which fled the panic-stricken survivors of the Natal native contingent on January 22nd, 1879." On the top of the pass, to our left, is a great mound, marking the spot where Colonel Durnford is supposed to have had seen the sun rise in all its splen- a ingwayo, and Mavumingwana. "Our 1 H m returning from the fight near Matyanas | in memory of the three brave men who stronghold, evening, January 22nd, gave their lives in its defence. 1879), most of us made our way to our kraals. My regiment had over half killed, and we were surprised such a handful of white men could fight as they did. The wagons having now reached the store, I rode back, glad for a short time to lose the sight of this fatal field, as the sun, like a great ball of blood, sank behind Isandhlwana's rugged crest. From Chambers' Journal. A "MYSTERY PLAY" IN THE BLACK COUNTRY. AMONG the thousands who saw and millions who read of the world-re Ammergau, there were probably but few who thought of the religious drama as a living institution in the very centre of England. It is nevertheless a fact that in the "Black Country" of South Staffordshire the Mystery or Miracle Play is to be seen flourishing in rejuvenated vigor, conducted in a distinctly religious spirit, and enjoying no little popularity. As our wagons slowly trecked along the road to Mr. B.'s store, I rode about with Jim, the Zulu, examining each point of this fatal field, and listening to his tales of the fight, not got without a good deal of pumping. Here, he said, some way in front of Isandhlwana Hill, were the wagons, where one of the white men stood with his back against nowned “Passion Play " of Ober one of them and defended himself with an axe till one of the Zulus crept under the wagon and stabbed him from behind. To the right of the wagon road, about a mile from the hill, is a deep donga or gulley, where Durnford's mounted Basutos died side by side with their white officers, and here also died Captain Shepstone trying to save his chief. Again to the left, looking back up the road, we see the spot where We had long been deeply interested Colonel Pulleine, calling to Lieutenant in some of the byways of popular Melville, said, "You, as senior lieuten- sacred literature, finding food for ant, will take the colors, and make the profitable reflection in the rude relibest of your way from here!" He gious ballads of the peasantry, and revthen shook Melville's hand, and turn-elling in the Coventry and Townley ing to his men, said, "Men of the Mysteries; when we chanced upon an 24th, here we stand to fight it out to advertisement of "The Sacred Drama the end." And here died a gallant of Absalom," to be performed by officer with his men of the Old War-teachers and scholars of a Sundaywickshire. Lieutenants Melville, Cog- school about six miles from Birminghill, and Private Williams, gallantly cut ham. It was Gunpowder Day; and their way through the Zulu host with we journeyed to the scene of action their precious charge, only to give up through a region alarmingly suggestive their brave lives on the Natal side of of Dante's Inferno, amidst a drizzling the Buffalo River. The flag for which rain that might have ensured the they had done so much, was found harmlessness of Guy Fawkes and all among some rocks near where their his magazine. Ascending an outside bodies lay, and with most solemn pa- stairway, we found ourselves in an rade given into the hands of the sur- irregularly shaped room, lighted by viving portion of the 24th Regiment at half-a-dozen gas burners, and crowded Helpmaakar. They had not died in to its utmost capacity with about two vain, for by their courage and devotion | hundred and thirty persons, who had to their duty, they had set an example paid threepence or sixpence each for to the world of how Britons will die in admission. There was a sprinkling of defence of their glorious flag. This boys and girls, a large proportion of flag was afterwards presented to her women, and a good number of men Majesty at Osborne, where she tied a colliers, iron-workers, and the like: a wreath of immortelles to its staff-head | bonâ-fide working-class audience. At - Tamar had endured her wrongs in silence; dream or no dream, she shall messenger, now regularly installed as Absalom's servant. With much unnecessary display of swords, he is instructed when and how to kill Amnon. one end of the room was a permanent | harboring revengeful passions. They platform, about a foot high. This retire; Absalom, awaking, soliloserved for a stage. It was screened quizes; he has had a strange dream, off with coarse ticking, the stripes run- but what of that? For two years ning horizontally, of which the middle portion being drawn up revealed a set of side-wings of red glazed calico. be avenged. Lights up. Enter the There being no footlights, the stage was lighted by two gas burners from above. At the back were two windows, shaded with lace curtains; between them hung a mirror, which was re- Scene 3-The two servants, in their moved when the action was supposed shirt-sleeves, but each with a sword at to be out of doors. With one excep- his side, are spreading a table with eattion, there was no attempt at scenery. ables, knives and forks, plates, glasses, On the rising of the curtain we see and jugs. One remarks that Amnon's the entire company grouped upon the time is drawing near; the other prostage; they are young people, ranging poses to warn him; the first, with an in age from sixteen to twenty-five, fair | ominous grip of his sword, bids his samples of the rude, plain-spoken, but fellow "keep a still tongue in his warm-hearted lads and lasses of the village. The superintendent is a respectable elderly man, well known as an effective though uncultured preacher. He announces a familiar hymn, which is heartily sung to an excruciating tune, well accompanied, however, by a working man on a fairly good harmonium. He next calls on one of the company to offer prayer, after which an extempore prologue invites attention to the moral teaching of what is to follow. The preliminaries conclude with a song of the conventional Sunday-school type, on the duty of obedience to parents; the curtain descends, and a musical interlude fills up the time while the stage is arranged for the first scene. head." Enter Absalom as before, and warns the servant that if he fail in his task it will be at his peril. Sundry guests enter, in ordinary dress, with the addition of belts and swords; Amnon is conspicuous from wearing his hat, a hard felt. Absalom salutes them all, and Amnon in particular. The sit at table, eat and drink, and talk of sheep and crops the talk being extemporized. Several toasts are drunk, and the scene is protracted to a wearisome length. Ultimately, Amnon, being well plied with wine, becomes unmistakably drunk; and at a signal from Absalom, the servants kill him. General scramble and much flashing of swords, and the guests retire in confusion. Absalom, standing sword in hand over the body of Amnon, exclaims, "Now, my sister, thou art avenged." In a few minutes the play begins. Absalom's servant, in his shirt-sleeves and a white apron, admits a messenger in black coat and vest, who brings a private message for the prince. Enter Scene 4-The wise woman of Tekoa, Absalom, in a robe of pink glazed in a black straw hat with a wide brim, calico; to him the messenger hints, in tête-à-tête with Joab, in a dark frockmanner sufficiently intelligible to those familiar with the Bible narrative, but scarcely to others, the wrong that Amnon has done to his sister Tamar. Absalom, sword in hand, swears the death of Amnon. a Scene 2- Absalom asleep on a couch; stage dark. Enter three angels in white, who sing to the "Spanish Chant," a song about the danger of coat buttoned up to the chin, a cap with a red band, and two medals on his breast. He instructs her as to the disguise in which she is to speak a parable to David. Scene 5-David, in a red tunic with white facings, shawl-pattern dressinggown, and gilt-paper crown, is sitting moodily at a table. Unseen voices sing to the tune of "Happy Land;" the burden of their song is, "David, | tirement of the stranger, enter several forgive; " but David soliloquizes, "Ab- conspirators in buttoned coats, belts, salom, beware." Enter the woman of and caps. They salute Absalom, and Tekoa, in widow's weeds. She, by a are instructed to extol him every where parable, pleads for the pardon of Absa- as a radical reformer. No sooner have lom. Joab is summoned, to whom the conspirators departed than a mesDavid gives permission to bring Absa-senger enters, announcing that everylom back to Jerusalem, but will not see where "the hearts of the men of Israel his face. The whole dialogue in this are after Absalom.” Re-enter the scene was taken verbatim from the conspirators; and after two or three Bible, and was so well recited that at sentences from them to the same effect, the close of the widow's speech we were conscious of an unusual moisture about the eyes; but what followed was exceedingly ludicrous. Absalom says: "Let them sound the drums and proclaim me king." There is a prodigious drumming behind the wings; the conspirators salute, and Scene 6-To Absalom enters a ser- cry: "God save King Absalom!" vant, who narrates the burning of Almost before the rattle of the drums Joab's corn; he has come in all haste, has ceased, another messenger appears, after obeying his master in this busi-announcing the flight of David; to ness, and " expects Joab and his ser- which Absalom replies: ""Tis better vants are after him." Presently, thus; now are we king indeed." another servant announces the coming Scene 9 suggests the encampment of of Joab, who complains of wanton David; at least there is a Lilliputian damage. Absalom appeases him, and tent in the middle of the stage, formed gains his promise to endeavor to bring of a white sheet thrown over રી about a complete reconciliation with painter's easel. Joab and a number the king. of David's followers come marching on, and Joab asks if there is any news from Jerusalem. Zadok the priest is announced; there is nothing distinctive in his costume. Then enters David, dressing-gown, gilt-paper crown, etc., as before. He dismisses Zadok, with instructions to employ his son Ahimaaz as messenger. Hushai the Archite is also directed to offer his services to the usurper. Scene 7 exhibits the reconciliation; it is little more than a tableau, the attitudes apparently studied from a picture of "The Prodigal's Return." Scene 8 presents a grotesque specimen, the only one, of the scene-painter's art. Absalom, in his pink calico robe and a black felt hat, is seated, reading, ou a cane-bottomed chair" beside the way of the gate.” The gate, which is closed, is of practicable height, apparently about eighteen inches wide, and located near the inner angle of two bright red brick walls; while in one of these, just over Absalom's chair, is a window of six small panes, resembling that of a larder or dairy. Enter a stranger in ordinary dress, who proves to be a suitor, weary of the law's delay. The conversation between him and Absalom is so slavishly copied from the elliptical narrative in the Bible, that nobody learns who the stranger is, whence he comes, or what is his business. Nevertheless, Absalom, who knows no more about him than the audience, assures him that "his matters are good and right." On the re Scene 10- Absalom, in pink robe and felt hat, is surrounded by his friends, conspicuous among whom is Ahithophel (pronounced Ay-it-tóe-piel). Hushai the Archite (ch as in church) tenders his submission. A council of war is held, and the contradictory opinions of Ahithophel and Hushai are given, the latter having the preference. The entire dialogue is verbatim from the Bible. As the council breaks up, Hushai lags behind; and to Zadok, who enters at the same moment, he briefly reports what has passed, urging that a message should be sent to David, bidding him hasten over Jordan. Scene 11 shows the tent, as before; Joab and soldiers marching around. |