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diff --git a/old/1711-8.txt b/old/1711-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e8b85d5 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/1711-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,10147 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Child of Storm, by H. Rider Haggard + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Child of Storm + +Author: H. Rider Haggard + +Posting Date: September 26, 2008 [EBook #1711] +Release Date: April, 1999 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHILD OF STORM *** + + + + +Produced by Christopher Hapka + + + + + +CHILD OF STORM + +by H. RIDER HAGGARD + + + + +Transcriber's Note: + +Where italics are used to indicate non-English words, I have silently +omitted them or replaced them with quotation marks. + +Haggard's spelling, especially of Zulu terms, is wildly inconsistent; +likewise his capitalization, especially of Zulu terms. For example, +Masapo is the chief of the Amansomi until chapter IX; thereafter his +tribe is consistently referred to as the "Amasomi". In general, I have +retained Haggard's spellings. + + + + +DEDICATION + + +Dear Mr. Stuart, + +For twenty years, I believe I am right in saying, you, as Assistant +Secretary for Native Affairs in Natal, and in other offices, have been +intimately acquainted with the Zulu people. Moreover, you are one of +the few living men who have made a deep and scientific study of their +language, their customs and their history. So I confess that I was the +more pleased after you were so good as to read this tale--the +second book of the epic of the vengeance of Zikali, "the +Thing-that-should-never-have-been-born," and of the fall of the House of +Senzangakona[*]--when you wrote to me that it was animated by the true +Zulu spirit. + + [*--"Marie" was the first. The third and final act in the + drama is yet to come.]. + +I must admit that my acquaintance with this people dates from a period +which closed almost before your day. What I know of them I gathered +at the time when Cetewayo, of whom my volume tells, was in his glory, +previous to the evil hour in which he found himself driven by the +clamour of his regiments, cut off, as they were, through the annexation +of the Transvaal, from their hereditary trade of war, to match himself +against the British strength. I learned it all by personal observation +in the 'seventies, or from the lips of the great Shepstone, my chief and +friend, and from my colleagues Osborn, Fynney, Clarke and others, every +one of them long since "gone down." + +Perhaps it may be as well that this is so, at any rate in the case of +one who desires to write of the Zulus as a reigning nation, which now +they have ceased to be, and to try to show them as they were, in all +their superstitious madness and bloodstained grandeur. + +Yet then they had virtues as well as vices. To serve their Country in +arms, to die for it and for the King; such was their primitive ideal. If +they were fierce they were loyal, and feared neither wounds nor doom; if +they listened to the dark redes of the witch-doctor, the trumpet-call +of duty sounded still louder in their ears; if, chanting their terrible +"Ingoma," at the King's bidding they went forth to slay unsparingly, at +least they were not mean or vulgar. From those who continually must face +the last great issues of life or death meanness and vulgarity are +far removed. These qualities belong to the safe and crowded haunts of +civilised men, not to the kraals of Bantu savages, where, at any rate of +old, they might be sought in vain. + +Now everything is changed, or so I hear, and doubtless in the balance +this is best. Still we may wonder what are the thoughts that pass +through the mind of some ancient warrior of Chaka's or Dingaan's time, +as he suns himself crouched on the ground, for example, where once stood +the royal kraal, Duguza, and watches men and women of the Zulu blood +passing homeward from the cities or the mines, bemused, some of them, +with the white man's smuggled liquor, grotesque with the white man's +cast-off garments, hiding, perhaps, in their blankets examples of the +white man's doubtful photographs--and then shuts his sunken eyes and +remembers the plumed and kilted regiments making that same ground shake +as, with a thunder of salute, line upon line, company upon company, they +rushed out to battle. + +Well, because the latter does not attract me, it is of this former time +that I have tried to write--the time of the Impis and the witch-finders +and the rival princes of the royal House--as I am glad to learn from +you, not quite in vain. Therefore, since you, so great an expert, +approve of my labours in the seldom-travelled field of Zulu story, I ask +you to allow me to set your name upon this page and subscribe myself, + +Gratefully and sincerely yours, + + +H. RIDER HAGGARD. + + +Ditchingham, 12th October, 1912. + + +To James Stuart, Esq., Late Assistant Secretary for Native Affairs, +Natal. + + + + +AUTHOR'S NOTE + +Mr. Allan Quatermain's story of the wicked and fascinating Mameena, +a kind of Zulu Helen, has, it should be stated, a broad foundation in +historical fact. Leaving Mameena and her wiles on one side, the tale of +the struggle between the Princes Cetewayo and Umbelazi for succession to +the throne of Zululand is true. + +When the differences between these sons of his became intolerable, +because of the tumult which they were causing in his country, King +Panda, their father, the son of Senzangakona, and the brother of the +great Chaka and of Dingaan, who had ruled before him, did say that "when +two young bulls quarrel they had better fight it out." So, at least, I +was told by the late Mr. F. B. Fynney, my colleague at the time of the +annexation of the Transvaal in 1877, who, as Zulu Border Agent, with the +exceptions of the late Sir Theophilus Shepstone and the late Sir Melmoth +Osborn, perhaps knew more of that land and people than anyone else of +his period. + +As a result of this hint given by a maddened king, the great battle of +the Tugela was fought at Endondakusuka in December, 1856, between the +Usutu party, commanded by Cetewayo, and the adherents of Umbelazi +the Handsome, his brother, who was known among the Zulus as +"Indhlovu-ene-Sihlonti," or the "Elephant with the tuft of hair," from a +little lock of hair which grew low down upon his back. + +My friend, Sir Melmoth Osborn, who died in or about the year 1897, was +present at this battle, although not as a combatant. Well do I remember +his thrilling story, told to me over thirty years ago, of the events of +that awful day. + +Early in the morning, or during the previous night, I forget which, he +swam his horse across the Tugela and hid with it in a bush-clad kopje, +blindfolding the animal with his coat lest it should betray him. As it +chanced, the great fight of the day, that of the regiment of veterans, +which Sir Melmoth informed me Panda had sent down at the last moment to +the assistance of Umbelazi, his favourite son, took place almost at +the foot of this kopje. Mr. Quatermain, in his narrative, calls this +regiment the Amawombe, but my recollection is that the name Sir Melmoth +Osborn gave them was "The Greys" or "Upunga." + +Whatever their exact title may have been, however, they made a great +stand. At least, he told me that when Umbelazi's impi, or army, began to +give before the Usutu onslaught, these "Greys" moved forward above 3,000 +strong, drawn up in a triple line, and were charged by one of Cetewayo's +regiments. + +The opposing forces met, and the noise of their clashing shields, said +Sir Melmoth, was like the roll of heavy thunder. Then, while he watched, +the veteran "Greys" passed over the opposing regiment "as a wave passes +over a rock"--these were his exact words--and, leaving about a third of +their number dead or wounded among the bodies of the annihilated foe, +charged on to meet a second regiment sent against them by Cetewayo. With +these the struggle was repeated, but again the "Greys" conquered. Only +now there were not more than five or six hundred of them left upon their +feet. + +These survivors ran to a mound, round which they formed a ring, and +here for a long while withstood the attack of a third regiment, until +at length they perished almost to a man, buried beneath heaps of their +slain assailants, the Usutu. + +Truly they made a noble end fighting thus against tremendous odds! + +As for the number who fell at this battle of Endondakusuka, Mr. Fynney, +in a pamphlet which he wrote, says that six of Umbelazi's brothers died, +"whilst it is estimated that upwards of 100,000 of the people--men, +women and children--were slain"--a high and indeed an impossible +estimate. + +That curious personage named John Dunn, an Englishman who became a +Zulu chief, and who actually fought in this battle, as narrated by Mr. +Quatermain, however, puts the number much lower. What the true total was +will never be known; but Sir Melmoth Osborn told me that when he swam +his horse back across the Tugela that night it was black with bodies; +and Sir Theophilus Shepstone also told me that when he visited the scene +a day or two later the banks of the river were strewn with multitudes of +them, male and female. + +It was from Mr. Fynney that I heard the story of the execution by +Cetewayo of the man who appeared before him with the ornaments of +Umbelazi, announcing that he had killed the prince with his own hand. +Of course, this tale, as Mr. Quatermain points out, bears a striking +resemblance to that recorded in the Old Testament in connection with the +death of King Saul. + +It by no means follows, however, that it is therefore apocryphal; +indeed, Mr. Fynney assured me that it was quite true, although, if he +gave me his authorities, I cannot remember them after a lapse of more +than thirty years. + +The exact circumstances of Umbelazi's death are unknown, but the general +report was that he died, not by the assegais of the Usutu, but of a +broken heart. Another story declares that he was drowned. His body was +never found, and it is therefore probable that it sank in the Tugela, as +is suggested in the following pages. + +I have only to add that it is quite in accordance with Zulu beliefs +that a man should be haunted by the ghost of one whom he has murdered +or betrayed, or, to be more accurate, that the spirit ("umoya") should +enter into the slayer and drive him mad. Or, in such a case, that spirit +might bring misfortune upon him, his family, or his tribe. + +H. RIDER HAGGARD. + + + + +CONTENTS + + I. ALLAN QUATERMAIN HEARS OF MAMEENA + II. THE MOONSHINE OF ZIKALI + III. THE BUFFALO WITH THE CLEFT HORN + IV. MAMEENA + V. TWO BUCKS AND THE DOE + VI. THE AMBUSH + VII. SADUKO BRINGS THE MARRIAGE GIFT + VIII. THE KING'S DAUGHTER + IX. ALLAN RETURNS TO ZULULAND + X. THE SMELLING-OUT + XI. THE SIN OF UMBELAZI + XII. PANDA'S PRAYER + XIII. UMBELAZI THE FALLEN + XIV. UMBEZI AND THE BLOOD-ROYAL + XV. MAMEENA CLAIMS THE KISS + XVI. MAMEENA--MAMEENA--MAMEENA! + + + + +CHAPTER I. ALLAN QUATERMAIN HEARS OF MAMEENA + + +We white people think that we know everything. For instance, we think +that we understand human nature. And so we do, as human nature appears +to us, with all its trappings and accessories seen dimly through the +glass of our conventions, leaving out those aspects of it which we have +forgotten or do not think it polite to mention. But I, Allan Quatermain, +reflecting upon these matters in my ignorant and uneducated fashion, +have always held that no one really understands human nature who has +not studied it in the rough. Well, that is the aspect of it with which I +have been best acquainted. + +For most of the years of my life I have handled the raw material, the +virgin ore, not the finished ornament that is smelted out of it--if, +indeed, it is finished yet, which I greatly doubt. I dare say that a +time may come when the perfected generations--if Civilisation, as we +understand it, really has a future and any such should be allowed +to enjoy their hour on the World--will look back to us as crude, +half-developed creatures whose only merit was that we handed on the +flame of life. + +Maybe, maybe, for everything goes by comparison; and at one end of the +ladder is the ape-man, and at the other, as we hope, the angel. No, not +the angel; he belongs to a different sphere, but that last expression +of humanity upon which I will not speculate. While man is man--that is, +before he suffers the magical death-change into spirit, if such should +be his destiny--well, he will remain man. I mean that the same passions +will sway him; he will aim at the same ambitions; he will know the same +joys and be oppressed by the same fears, whether he lives in a Kafir +hut or in a golden palace; whether he walks upon his two feet or, as for +aught I know he may do one day, flies through the air. This is certain: +that in the flesh he can never escape from our atmosphere, and while +he breathes it, in the main with some variations prescribed by climate, +local law and religion, he will do much as his forefathers did for +countless ages. + +That is why I have always found the savage so interesting, for in him, +nakedly and forcibly expressed, we see those eternal principles which +direct our human destiny. + +To descend from these generalities, that is why also I, who hate +writing, have thought it worth while, at the cost of some labour to +myself, to occupy my leisure in what to me is a strange land--for +although I was born in England, it is not my country--in setting down +various experiences of my life that do, in my opinion, interpret this +our universal nature. I dare say that no one will ever read them; still, +perhaps they are worthy of record, and who knows? In days to come they +may fall into the hands of others and prove of value. At any rate, they +are true stories of interesting peoples, who, if they should survive in +the savage competition of the nations, probably are doomed to undergo +great changes. Therefore I tell of them before they began to change. + +Now, although I take it out of its strict chronological order, the first +of these histories that I wish to preserve is in the main that of an +extremely beautiful woman--with the exception of a certain Nada, called +"the Lily," of whom I hope to speak some day, I think the most beautiful +that ever lived among the Zulus. Also she was, I think, the most able, +the most wicked, and the most ambitious. Her attractive name--for it was +very attractive as the Zulus said it, especially those of them who were +in love with her--was Mameena, daughter of Umbezi. Her other name +was Child of Storm (Ingane-ye-Sipepo, or, more freely and shortly, +O-we-Zulu), but the word "Ma-mee-na" had its origin in the sound of the +wind that wailed about the hut when she was born.[*] + + [*--The Zulu word "Meena"--or more correctly "Mina"--means + "Come here," and would therefore be a name not unsuitable to + one of the heroine's proclivities; but Mr. Quatermain does + not seem to accept this interpretation.--EDITOR.] + +Since I have been settled in England I have read--of course in a +translation--the story of Helen of Troy, as told by the Greek poet, +Homer. Well, Mameena reminds me very much of Helen, or, rather, Helen +reminds me of Mameena. At any rate, there was this in common between +them, although one of them was black, or, rather, copper-coloured, +and the other white--they both were lovely; moreover, they both were +faithless, and brought men by hundreds to their deaths. There, perhaps, +the resemblance ends, since Mameena had much more fire and grit than +Helen could boast, who, unless Homer misrepresents her, must have been +but a poor thing after all. Beauty Itself, which those old rascals of +Greek gods made use of to bait their snares set for the lives and honour +of men, such was Helen, no more; that is, as I understand her, who have +not had the advantage of a classical education. Now, Mameena, although +she was superstitious--a common weakness of great minds--acknowledging +no gods in particular, as we understand them, set her own snares, with +varying success but a very definite object, namely, that of becoming the +first woman in the world as she knew it--the stormy, bloodstained world +of the Zulus. + +But the reader shall judge for himself, if ever such a person should +chance to cast his eye upon this history. + + +It was in the year 1854 that I first met Mameena, and my acquaintance +with her continued off and on until 1856, when it came to an end in a +fashion that shall be told after the fearful battle of the Tugela in +which Umbelazi, Panda's son and Cetewayo's brother--who, to his sorrow, +had also met Mameena--lost his life. I was still a youngish man in +those days, although I had already buried my second wife, as I have told +elsewhere, after our brief but happy time of marriage. + +Leaving my boy in charge of some kind people in Durban, I started into +"the Zulu"--a land with which I had already become well acquainted as a +youth, there to carry on my wild life of trading and hunting. + +For the trading I never cared much, as may be guessed from the little +that ever I made out of it, the art of traffic being in truth repugnant +to me. But hunting was always the breath of my nostrils--not that I am +fond of killing creatures, for any humane man soon wearies of slaughter. +No, it is the excitement of sport, which, before breechloaders came in, +was acute enough, I can assure you; the lonely existence in wild places, +often with only the sun and the stars for companions; the continual +adventures; the strange tribes with whom I came in contact; in short, +the change, the danger, the hope always of finding something great and +new, that attracted and still attracts me, even now when I _have_ found +the great and the new. There, I must not go on writing like this, or I +shall throw down my pen and book a passage for Africa, and incidentally +to the next world, no doubt--that world of the great and new! + + +It was, I think, in the month of May in the year 1854 that I went +hunting in rough country between the White and Black Umvolosi Rivers, by +permission of Panda--whom the Boers had made king of Zululand after the +defeat and death of Dingaan his brother. The district was very feverish, +and for this reason I had entered it in the winter months. There was so +much bush that, in the total absence of roads, I thought it wise not +to attempt to bring my wagons down, and as no horses would live in +that veld I went on foot. My principal companions were a Kafir of mixed +origin, called Sikauli, commonly abbreviated into Scowl, the Zulu chief +Saduko, and a headman of the Undwandwe blood named Umbezi, at whose +kraal on the high land about thirty miles away I left my wagon and +certain of my men in charge of the goods and some ivory that I had +traded. + +This Umbezi was a stout and genial-mannered man of about sixty years of +age, and, what is rare among these people, one who loved sport for its +own sake. Being aware of his tastes, also that he knew the country +and was skilled in finding game, I had promised him a gun if he would +accompany me and bring a few hunters. It was a particularly bad gun that +had seen much service, and one which had an unpleasing habit of going +off at half-cock; but even after he had seen it, and I in my honesty had +explained its weaknesses, he jumped at the offer. + +"O Macumazana" (that is my native name, often abbreviated into +Macumazahn, which means "One who stands out," or as many interpret it, I +don't know how, "Watcher-by-Night")--"a gun that goes off sometimes when +you do not expect it is much better than no gun at all, and you are a +chief with a great heart to promise it to me, for when I own the White +Man's weapon I shall be looked up to and feared by everyone between the +two rivers." + +Now, while he was speaking he handled the gun, that was loaded, +observing which I moved behind him. Off it went in due course, its +recoil knocking him backwards--for that gun was a devil to kick--and its +bullet cutting the top off the ear of one of his wives. The lady fled +screaming, leaving a little bit of her ear upon the ground. + +"What does it matter?" said Umbezi, as he picked himself up, rubbing his +shoulder with a rueful look. "Would that the evil spirit in the gun had +cut off her tongue and not her ear! It is the Worn-out-Old-Cow's own +fault; she is always peeping into everything like a monkey. Now she will +have something to chatter about and leave my things alone for awhile. I +thank my ancestral Spirit it was not Mameena, for then her looks would +have been spoiled." + +"Who is Mameena?" I asked. "Your last wife?" + +"No, no, Macumazahn; I wish she were, for then I should have the most +beautiful wife in the land. She is my daughter, though not that of the +Worn-out-Old-Cow; her mother died when she was born, on the night of the +Great Storm. You should ask Saduko there who Mameena is," he added with +a broad grin, lifting his head from the gun, which he was examining +gingerly, as though he thought it might go off again while unloaded, and +nodding towards someone who stood behind him. + +I turned, and for the first time saw Saduko, whom I recognised at once +as a person quite out of the ordinary run of natives. + +He was a tall and magnificently formed young man, who, although his +breast was scarred with assegai wounds, showing that he was a warrior, +had not yet attained to the honour of the "ring" of polished wax laid +over strips of rush bound round with sinew and sewn to the hair, the +"isicoco" which at a certain age or dignity, determined by the king, +Zulus are allowed to assume. But his face struck me more even than his +grace, strength and stature. Undoubtedly it was a very fine face, with +little or nothing of the negroid type about it; indeed, he might have +been a rather dark-coloured Arab, to which stock he probably threw back. +The eyes, too, were large and rather melancholy, and in his reserved, +dignified air there was something that showed him to be no common +fellow, but one of breeding and intellect. + +"Siyakubona" (that is, "we see you," anglice "good morrow") "Saduko," I +said, eyeing him curiously. "Tell me, who is Mameena?" + +"Inkoosi," he answered in his deep voice, lifting his delicately shaped +hand in salutation, a courtesy that pleased me who, after all, was +nothing but a white hunter, "Inkoosi, has not her father said that she +is his daughter?" + +"Aye," answered the jolly old Umbezi, "but what her father has not said +is that Saduko is her lover, or, rather, would like to be. Wow! Saduko," +he went on, shaking his fat finger at him, "are you mad, man, that you +think a girl like that is for you? Give me a hundred cattle, not one +less, and I will begin to think of it. Why, you have not ten, and +Mameena is my eldest daughter, and must marry a rich man." + +"She loves me, O Umbezi," answered Saduko, looking down, "and that is +more than cattle." + +"For you, perhaps, Saduko, but not for me who am poor and want cows. +Also," he added, glancing at him shrewdly, "are you so sure that Mameena +loves you though you be such a fine man? Now, I should have thought that +whatever her eyes may say, her heart loves no one but herself, and +that in the end she will follow her heart and not her eyes. Mameena the +beautiful does not seek to be a poor man's wife and do all the hoeing. +But bring me the hundred cattle and we will see, for, speaking truth +from my heart, if you were a big chief there is no one I should like +better as a son-in-law, unless it were Macumazahn here," he said, +digging me in the ribs with his elbow, "who would lift up my House on +his white back." + +Now, at this speech Saduko shifted his feet uneasily; it seemed to me +as though he felt there was truth in Umbezi's estimate of his daughter's +character. But he only said: + +"Cattle can be acquired." + +"Or stolen," suggested Umbezi. + +"Or taken in war," corrected Saduko. "When I have a hundred head I will +hold you to your word, O father of Mameena." + +"And then what would you live on, fool, if you gave all your beasts to +me? There, there, cease talking wind. Before you have a hundred head of +cattle Mameena will have six children who will not call _you_ father. +Ah, don't you like that? Are you going away?" + +"Yes, I am going," he answered, with a flash of his quiet eyes; "only +then let the man whom they do call father beware of Saduko." + +"Beware of how you talk, young man," said Umbezi in a grave voice. +"Would you travel your father's road? I hope not, for I like you well; +but such words are apt to be remembered." + +Saduko walked away as though he did not hear. + +"Who is he?" I asked. + +"One of high blood," answered Umbezi shortly. "He might be a chief +to-day had not his father been a plotter and a wizard. Dingaan smelt him +out"--and he made a sideways motion with his hand that among the Zulus +means much. "Yes, they were killed, almost every one; the chief, his +wives, his children and his headmen--every one except Chosa +his brother and his son Saduko, whom Zikali the dwarf, the +Smeller-out-of-evil-doers, the Ancient, who was old before Senzangakona +became a father of kings, hid him. There, that is an evil tale to talk +of," and he shivered. "Come, White Man, and doctor that old Cow of mine, +or she will give me no peace for months." + +So I went to see the Worn-out-Old-Cow--not because I had any particular +interest in her, for, to tell the truth, she was a very disagreeable and +antique person, the cast-off wife of some chief whom at an unknown date +in the past the astute Umbezi had married from motives of policy--but +because I hoped to hear more of Miss Mameena, in whom I had become +interested. + +Entering a large hut, I found the lady so impolitely named "the Old Cow" +in a parlous state. There she lay upon the floor, an unpleasant object +because of the blood that had escaped from her wound, surrounded by a +crowd of other women and of children. At regular intervals she announced +that she was dying, and emitted a fearful yell, whereupon all the +audience yelled also; in short, the place was a perfect pandemonium. + +Telling Umbezi to get the hut cleared, I said that I would go to fetch +my medicines. Meanwhile I ordered my servant, Scowl, a humorous-looking +fellow, light yellow in hue, for he had a strong dash of Hottentot in +his composition, to cleanse the wound. When I returned from the wagon +ten minutes later the screams were more terrible than before, although +the chorus now stood without the hut. Nor was this altogether wonderful, +for on entering the place I found Scowl trimming up "the Old Cow's" ear +with a pair of blunt nail-scissors. + +"O Macumazana," said Umbezi in a hoarse whisper, "might it not perhaps +be as well to leave her alone? If she bled to death, at any rate she +would be quieter." + +"Are you a man or a hyena?" I answered sternly, and set about the job, +Scowl holding the poor woman's head between his knees. + +It was over at length; a simple operation in which I exhibited--I +believe that is the medical term--a strong solution of caustic applied +with a feather. + +"There, Mother," I said, for now we were alone in the hut, whence Scowl +had fled, badly bitten in the calf, "you won't die now." + +"No, you vile White Man," she sobbed. "I shan't die, but how about my +beauty?" + +"It will be greater than ever," I answered; "no one else will have an +ear with such a curve in it. But, talking of beauty, where is Mameena?" + +"I don't know where she is," she replied with fury, "but I very well +know where she would be if I had my way. That peeled willow-wand of +a girl"--here she added certain descriptive epithets I will not +repeat--"has brought this misfortune upon me. We had a slight quarrel +yesterday, White Man, and, being a witch as she is, she prophesied evil. +Yes, when by accident I scratched her ear, she said that before long +mine should burn, and surely burn it does." (This, no doubt, was true, +for the caustic had begun to bite.) + +"O devil of a White Man," she went on, "you have bewitched me; you have +filled my head with fire." + +Then she seized an earthenware pot and hurled it at me, saying, "Take +that for your doctor-fee. Go, crawl after Mameena like the others and +get her to doctor you." + +By this time I was half through the bee-hole of the hut, my movements +being hastened by a vessel of hot water which landed on me behind. + +"What is the matter, Macumazahn?" asked old Umbezi, who was waiting +outside. + +"Nothing at all, friend," I answered with a sweet smile, "except that +your wife wants to see you at once. She is in pain, and wishes you to +soothe her. Go in; do not hesitate." + +After a moment's pause he went in--that is, half of him went in. Then +came a fearful crash, and he emerged again with the rim of a pot about +his neck and his countenance veiled in a coating of what I took to be +honey. + +"Where is Mameena?" I asked him as he sat up spluttering. + +"Where I wish I was," he answered in a thick voice; "at a kraal five +hours' journey away." + +Well, that was the first I heard of Mameena. + +That night as I sat smoking my pipe under the flap lean-to attached +to the wagon, laughing to myself over the adventure of "the Old Cow," +falsely described as "worn out," and wondering whether Umbezi had got +the honey out of his hair, the canvas was lifted, and a Kafir wrapped in +a kaross crept in and squatted before me. + +"Who are you?" I asked, for it was too dark to see the man's face. + +"Inkoosi," answered a deep voice, "I am Saduko." + +"You are welcome," I answered, handing him a little gourd of snuff in +token of hospitality. Then I waited while he poured some of the snuff +into the palm of his hand and took it in the usual fashion. + +"Inkoosi," he said, when he had scraped away the tears produced by the +snuff, "I have come to ask you a favour. You heard Umbezi say to-day +that he will not give me his daughter, Mameena, unless I give him a +hundred head of cows. Now, I have not got the cattle, and I cannot earn +them by work in many years. Therefore I must take them from a certain +tribe I know which is at war with the Zulus. But this I cannot do unless +I have a gun. If I had a good gun, Inkoosi--one that only goes off +when it is asked, and not of its own fancy, I who have some name could +persuade a number of men whom I know, who once were servants of my +father, or their sons, to be my companions in this venture." + +"Do I understand that you wish me to give you one of my good guns with +two mouths to it (i.e. double-barrelled), a gun worth at least twelve +oxen, for nothing, O Saduko?" I asked in a cold and scandalised voice. + +"Not so, O Watcher-by-Night," he answered; "not so, O +He-who-sleeps-with-one-eye-open" (another free and difficult rendering +of my native name, Macumazahn, or more correctly, Macumazana)--"I should +never dream of offering such an insult to your high-born intelligence." +He paused and took another pinch of snuff, then went on in a meditative +voice: "Where I propose to get those hundred cattle there are many more; +I am told not less than a thousand head in all. Now, Inkoosi," he added, +looking at me sideways, "suppose you gave me the gun I ask for, and +suppose you accompanied me with your own gun and your armed hunters, it +would be fair that you should have half the cattle, would it not?" + +"That's cool," I said. "So, young man, you want to turn me into a +cow-thief and get my throat cut by Panda for breaking the peace of his +country?" + +"Neither, Macumazahn, for these are my own cattle. Listen, now, and +I will tell you a story. You have heard of Matiwane, the chief of the +Amangwane?" + +"Yes," I answered. "His tribe lived near the head of the Umzinyati, +did they not? Then they were beaten by the Boers or the English, and +Matiwane came under the Zulus. But afterwards Dingaan wiped him out, +with his House, and now his people are killed or scattered." + +"Yes, his people are killed and scattered, but his House still lives. +Macumazahn, I am his House, I, the only son of his chief wife, for +Zikali the Wise Little One, the Ancient, who is of the Amangwane blood, +and who hated Chaka and Dingaan--yes, and Senzangakona their father +before them, but whom none of them could kill because he is so great and +has such mighty spirits for his servants, saved and sheltered me." + +"If he is so great, why, then, did he not save your father also, +Saduko?" I asked, as though I knew nothing of this Zikali. + +"I cannot say, Macumazahn. Perhaps the spirits plant a tree for +themselves, and to do so cut down many other trees. At least, so it +happened. It happened thus: Bangu, chief of the Amakoba, whispered into +Dingaan's ear that Matiwane, my father, was a wizard; also that he was +very rich. Dingaan listened because he thought a sickness that he had +came from Matiwane's witchcraft. He said: 'Go, Bangu, and take a company +with you and pay Matiwane a visit of honour, and in the night, O in the +night! Afterwards, Bangu, we will divide the cattle, for Matiwane is +strong and clever, and you shall not risk your life for nothing.'" + +Saduko paused and looked down at the ground, brooding heavily. + +"Macumazahn, it was done," he said presently. "They ate my father's +meat, they drank his beer; they gave him a present from the king, they +praised him with high names; yes, Bangu took snuff with him and called +him brother. Then in the night, O in the night--! + +"My father was in the hut with my mother, and I, so big only"--and he +held his hand at the height of a boy of ten--"was with them. The cry +arose, the flames began to eat; my father looked out and saw. 'Break +through the fence and away, woman,' he said; 'away with Saduko, that he +may live to avenge me. Begone while I hold the gate! Begone to Zikali, +for whose witchcrafts I pay with my blood.' + +"Then he kissed me on the brow, saying but one word, 'Remember,' and +thrust us from the hut. + +"My mother broke a way through the fence; yes, she tore at it with her +nails and teeth like a hyena. I looked back out of the shadow of the hut +and saw Matiwane my father fighting like a buffalo. Men went down before +him, one, two, three, although he had no shield: only his spear. Then +Bangu crept behind him and stabbed him in the back and he threw up his +arms and fell. I saw no more, for by now we were through the fence. We +ran, but they perceived us. They hunted us as wild dogs hunt a buck. +They killed my mother with a throwing assegai; it entered at her back +and came out at her heart. I went mad, I drew it from her body, I ran at +them. I dived beneath the shield of the first, a very tall man, and held +the spear, so, in both my little hands. His weight came upon its point +and it went through him as though he were but a bowl of buttermilk. Yes, +he rolled over, quite dead, and the handle of the spear broke upon the +ground. Now the others stopped astonished, for never had they seen such +a thing. That a child should kill a tall warrior, oh! that tale had not +been told. Some of them would have let me go, but just then Bangu came +up and saw the dead man, who was his brother. + +"'Wow!' he said when he knew how the man had died. 'This lion's cub is +a wizard also, for how else could he have killed a soldier who has known +war? Hold out his arms that I may finish him slowly.' + +"So two of them held out my arms, and Bangu came up with his spear." + +Saduko ceased speaking, not that his tale was done, but because his +voice choked in his throat. Indeed, seldom have I seen a man so moved. +He breathed in great gasps, the sweat poured from him, and his muscles +worked convulsively. I gave him a pannikin of water and he drank, then +he went on: + +"Already the spear had begun to prick--look, here is the mark of +it"--and opening his kaross he pointed to a little white line just +below the breast-bone--"when a strange shadow thrown by the fire of +the burning huts came between Bangu and me, a shadow as that of a toad +standing on its hind legs. I looked round and saw that it was the shadow +of Zikali, whom I had seen once or twice. There he stood, though whence +he came I know not, wagging his great white head that sits on the top +of his body like a pumpkin on an ant-heap, rolling his big eyes and +laughing loudly. + +"'A merry sight,' he cried in his deep voice that sounded like water +in a hollow cave. 'A merry sight, O Bangu, Chief of the Amakoba! Blood, +blood, plenty of blood! Fire, fire, plenty of fire! Wizards dead here, +there, and everywhere! Oh, a merry sight! I have seen many such; one at +the kraal of your grandmother, for instance--your grandmother the great +Inkosikazi, when myself I escaped with my life because I was so old; but +never do I remember a merrier than that which this moon shines on,' and +he pointed to the White Lady who just then broke through the clouds. +'But, great Chief Bangu, lord loved by the son of Senzangakona, brother +of the Black One (Chaka) who has ridden hence on the assegai, what +is the meaning of _this_ play?' and he pointed to me and to the two +soldiers who held out my little arms. + +"'I kill the wizard's cub, Zikali, that is all,' answered Bangu. + +"'I see, I see,' laughed Zikali. 'A gallant deed! You have butchered the +father and the mother, and now you would butcher the child who has slain +one of your grown warriors in fair fight. A very gallant deed, well +worthy of the chief of the Amakoba! Well, loose his spirit--only--' He +stopped and took a pinch of snuff from a box which he drew from a slit +in the lobe of his great ear. + +"'Only what?' asked Bangu, hesitating. + +"'Only I wonder, Bangu, what you will think of the world in which you +will find yourself before to-morrow's moon arises. Come back thence and +tell me, Bangu, for there are so many worlds beyond the sun, and I would +learn for certain which of them such a one as you inhabits: a man who +for hatred and for gain murders the father and the mother and then +butchers the child--the child that could slay a warrior who has seen +war--with the spear hot from his mother's heart.' + +"'Do you mean that I shall die if I kill this lad?' shouted Bangu in a +great voice. + +"'What else?' answered Zikali, taking another pinch of snuff. + +"'This, Wizard; that we will go together.' + +"'Good, good!' laughed the dwarf. 'Let us go together. Long have I +wished to die, and what better companion could I find than Bangu, Chief +of the Amakoba, Slayer of Children, to guard me on a dark and terrible +road. Come, brave Bangu, come; kill me if you can,' and again he laughed +at him. + +"Now, Macumazahn, the people of Bangu fell back muttering, for they +found this business horrible. Yes, even those who held my arms let go of +them. + +"'What will happen to me, Wizard, if I spare the boy?' asked Bangu. + +"Zikali stretched out his hand and touched the scratch that the assegai +had made in me here. Then he held up his finger red with my blood, +and looked at it in the light of the moon; yes, and tasted it with his +tongue. + +"'I think this will happen to you, Bangu,' he said. 'If you spare this +boy he will grow into a man who will kill you and many others one day. +But if you do not spare him I think that his spirit, working as spirits +can do, will kill you to-morrow. Therefore the question is, will +you live a while or will you die at once, taking me with you as your +companion? For you must not leave me behind, brother Bangu.' + +"Now Bangu turned and walked away, stepping over the body of my mother, +and all his people walked away after him, so that presently Zikali the +Wise and Little and I were left alone. + +"'What! have they gone?' said Zikali, lifting up his eyes from the +ground. 'Then we had better be going also, Son of Matiwane, lest he +should change his mind and come back. Live on, Son of Matiwane, that you +may avenge Matiwane.'" + +"A nice tale," I said. "But what happened afterwards?" + +"Zikali took me away and nurtured me at his kraal in the Black Kloof, +where he lived alone save for his servants, for in that kraal he would +suffer no woman to set foot, Macumazahn. He taught me much wisdom and +many secret things, and would have made a great doctor of me had I so +willed. But I willed it not who find spirits ill company, and there are +many of them about the Black Kloof, Macumazahn. So in the end he said: +'Go where your heart calls, and be a warrior, Saduko. But know this: +You have opened a door that can never be shut again, and across the +threshold of that door spirits will pass in and out for all your life, +whether you seek them or seek them not.' + +"'It was you who opened the door, Zikali,' I answered angrily. + +"'Mayhap,' said Zikali, laughing after his fashion, 'for I open when I +must and shut when I must. Indeed, in my youth, before the Zulus were a +people, they named me Opener of Doors; and now, looking through one of +those doors, I see something about you, O Son of Matiwane.' + +"'What do you see, my father?' I asked. + +"'I see two roads, Saduko: the Road of Medicine, that is the spirit +road, and the Road of Spears, that is the blood road. I see you +travelling on the Road of Medicine, that is my own road, Saduko, and +growing wise and great, till at last, far, far away, you vanish over the +precipice to which it leads, full of years and honour and wealth, feared +yet beloved by all men, white and black. Only that road you must travel +alone, since such wisdom may have no friends, and, above all, no woman +to share its secrets. Then I look at the Road of Spears and see you, +Saduko, travelling on that road, and your feet are red with blood, and +women wind their arms about your neck, and one by one your enemies go +down before you. You love much, and sin much for the sake of the love, +and she for whom you sin comes and goes and comes again. And the road is +short, Saduko, and near the end of it are many spirits; and though you +shut your eyes you see them, and though you fill your ears with clay you +hear them, for they are the ghosts of your slain. But the end of your +journeying I see not. Now choose which road you will, Son of Matiwane, +and choose swiftly, for I speak no more of this matter.' + +"Then, Macumazahn, I thought a while of the safe and lonely path of +wisdom, also of the blood-red path of spears where I should find love +and war, and my youth rose up in me and--I chose the path of spears and +the love and the sin and the unknown death." + +"A foolish choice, Saduko, supposing that there is any truth in this +tale of roads, which there is not." + +"Nay, a wise one, Macumazahn, for since then I have seen Mameena and +know why I chose that path." + +"Ah!" I said. "Mameena--I forgot her. Well, after all, perhaps there is +some truth in your tale of roads. When _I_ have seen Mameena I will tell +you what I think." + +"When you have seen Mameena, Macumazahn, you will say that the choice +was very wise. Well, Zikali, Opener of Doors, laughed loudly when he +heard it. 'The ox seeks the fat pasture, but the young bull the rough +mountainside where the heifers graze,' he said; 'and after all, a +bull is better than an ox. Now begin to travel your own road, Son of +Matiwane, and from time to time return to the Black Kloof and tell me +how it fares with you. I will promise you not to die before I know the +end of it.' + +"Now, Macumazahn, I have told you things that hitherto have lived in my +own heart only. And, Macumazahn, Bangu is in ill favour with Panda, whom +he defies in his mountain, and I have a promise--never mind how--that he +who kills him will be called to no account and may keep his cattle. Will +you come with me and share those cattle, O Watcher-by-Night?" + +"Get thee behind me, Satan," I said in English, then added in Zulu: "I +don't know. If your story is true I should have no objection to helping +to kill Bangu; but I must learn lots more about this business first. +Meanwhile I am going on a shooting trip to-morrow with Umbezi the Fat, +and I like you, O Chooser of the Road of Spears and Blood. Will you be +my companion and earn the gun with two mouths in payment?" + +"Inkoosi," he said, lifting his hand in salute with a flash of his dark +eyes, "you are generous, you honour me. What is there that I should love +better? Yet," he added, and his face fell, "first I must ask Zikali the +Little, Zikali my foster-father." + +"Oh!" I said, "so you are still tied to the Wizard's girdle, are you?" + +"Not so, Macumazahn; but I promised him not long ago that I would +undertake no enterprise, save that you know of, until I had spoken with +him." + +"How far off does Zikali live?" I asked Saduko. + +"One day's journeying. Starting at sunrise I can be there by sunset." + +"Good! Then I will put off the shooting for three days and come with you +if you think that this wonderful old dwarf will receive me." + +"I believe that he will, Macumazahn, for this reason--he told me that +I should meet you and love you, and that you would be mixed up in my +fortunes." + +"Then he poured moonshine into your gourd instead of beer," I answered. +"Would you keep me here till midnight listening to such foolishness when +we must start at dawn? Begone now and let me sleep." + +"I go," he answered with a little smile. "But if this is so, O +Macumazana, why do you also wish to drink of the moonshine of Zikali?" +and he went. + +Yet I did not sleep very well that night, for Saduko and his strange and +terrible story had taken a hold of my imagination. Also, for reasons of +my own, I greatly wished to see this Zikali, of whom I had heard a great +deal in past years. I wished further to find out if he was a common +humbug, like so many witch-doctors, this dwarf who announced that my +fortunes were mixed up with those of his foster-son, and who at least +could tell me something true or false about the history and position +of Bangu, a person for whom I had conceived a strong dislike, possibly +quite unjustified by the facts. But more than all did I wish to see +Mameena, whose beauty or talents produced so much impression upon the +native mind. Perhaps if I went to see Zikali she would be back at her +father's kraal before we started on our shooting trip. + +Thus it was then that fate wove me and my doings into the web of some +very strange events; terrible, tragic and complete indeed as those of a +Greek play, as it has often done both before and since those days. + + + + +CHAPTER II. THE MOONSHINE OF ZIKALI + + +On the following morning I awoke, as a good hunter always should do, +just at that time when, on looking out of the wagon, nothing can be seen +but a little grey glint of light which he knows is reflected from the +horns of the cattle tied to the trek-tow. Presently, however, I saw +another glint of light which I guessed came from the spear of Saduko, +who was seated by the ashes of the cooking fire wrapped in his kaross +of wildcat skins. Slipping from the voorkisse, or driving-box, I came +behind him softly and touched him on the shoulder. He leapt up with a +start which revealed his nervous nature, then recognising me through the +soft grey gloom, said: + +"You are early, Macumazahn." + +"Of course," I answered; "am I not named Watcher-by-Night? Now let us +go to Umbezi and tell him that I shall be ready to start on our hunting +trip on the third morning from to-day." + +So we went, to find that Umbezi was in a hut with his last wife and +asleep. Fortunately enough, however, as under the circumstances I did +not wish to disturb him, outside the hut we found the Old Cow, whose +sore ear had kept her very wide awake, who, for purposes of her own, +although etiquette did not allow her to enter the hut, was waiting for +her husband to emerge. + +Having examined her wound and rubbed some ointment on it, with her I +left my message. Next I woke up my servant Scowl, and told him that I +was going on a short journey, and that he must guard all things until my +return; and while I did so, took a nip of raw rum and made ready a bag +of biltong, that is sun-dried flesh, and biscuits. + +Then, taking with me a single-barrelled gun, that same little Purdey +rifle with which I shot the vultures on the Hill of Slaughter at +Dingaan's Kraal,[*] we started on foot, for I would not risk my only +horse on such a journey. + + [*--For the story of this shooting of the vultures by Allan + Quatermain, see the book called "Marie."--EDITOR.] + +A rough journey it proved to be indeed, over a series of bush-clad hills +that at their crests were covered with rugged stones among which no +horse could have travelled. Up and down these hills we went, and across +the valleys that divided them, following some path which I could not +see, for all that live-long day. I have always been held a good walker, +being by nature very light and active; but I am bound to say that my +companion taxed my powers to the utmost, for on he marched for hour +after hour, striding ahead of me at such a rate that at times I was +forced to break into a run to keep up with him. Although my pride would +not suffer me to complain, since as a matter of principle I would never +admit to a Kafir that he was my master at anything, glad enough was I +when, towards evening, Saduko sat himself down on a stone at the top of +a hill and said: + +"Behold the Black Kloof, Macumazahn," which were almost the first words +he had uttered since we started. + +Truly the spot was well named, for there, cut out by water from the +heart of a mountain in some primeval age, lay one of the most gloomy +places that ever I had beheld. It was a vast cleft in which granite +boulders were piled up fantastically, perched one upon another in great +columns, and upon its sides grew dark trees set sparsely among the +rocks. It faced towards the west, but the light of the sinking sun that +flowed up it served only to accentuate its vast loneliness, for it was a +big cleft, the best part of a mile wide at its mouth. + +Up this dreary gorge we marched, mocked at by chattering baboons and +following a little path not a foot wide that led us at length to a large +hut and several smaller ones set within a reed fence and overhung by a +gigantic mass of rock that looked as though it might fall at any moment. +At the gate of the fence two natives of I know not what tribe, men of +fierce and forbidding appearance, suddenly sprang out and thrust their +spears towards my breast. + +"Whom bring you here, Saduko?" asked one of them sternly. + +"A white man that I vouch for," he answered. "Tell Zikali that we wait +on him." + +"What need to tell Zikali that which he knows already?" said the sentry. +"Your food and that of your companion is already cooked in yonder hut. +Enter, Saduko, with him for whom you vouch." + +So we went into the hut and ate, also I washed myself, for it was a +beautifully clean hut, and the stools, wooden bowls, etc., were finely +carved out of red ivory wood, this work, Saduko informed me, being done +by Zikali's own hand. Just as we were finishing our meal a messenger +came to tell us that Zikali waited our presence. We followed him across +an open space to a kind of door in the tall reed fence, passing which I +set eyes for the first time upon the famous old witch-doctor of whom so +many tales were told. + +Certainly he was a curious sight in those strange surroundings, for they +were very strange, and I think their complete simplicity added to the +effect. In front of us was a kind of courtyard with a black floor made +of polished ant-heap earth and cow-dung, two-thirds of which at least +was practically roofed in by the huge over-hanging mass of rock whereof +I have spoken, its arch bending above at a height of not less than +sixty or seventy feet from the ground. Into this great, precipice-backed +cavity poured the fierce light of the setting sun, turning it and all +within it, even the large straw hut in the background, to the deep hue +of blood. Seeing the wonderful effect of the sunset in that dark and +forbidding place, it occurred to me at once that the old wizard must +have chosen this moment to receive us because of its impressiveness. + +Then I forgot these scenic accessories in the sight of the man himself. +There he sat on a stool in front of his hut, quite unattended, and +wearing only a cloak of leopard skins open in front, for he was +unadorned with the usual hideous trappings of a witch-doctor, such as +snake-skins, human bones, bladders full of unholy compounds, and so +forth. + +What a man he was, if indeed he could be called quite human. His +stature, though stout, was only that of a child; his head was enormous, +and from it plaited white hair fell down on to his shoulders. His eyes +were deep and sunken, his face was broad and very stern. Except for this +snow-white hair, however, he did not look ancient, for his flesh was +firm and plump, and the skin on his cheeks and neck unwrinkled, which +suggested to me that the story of his great antiquity was false. A man +who was over a hundred years old, for instance, surely could not boast +such a beautiful set of teeth, for even at that distance I could see +them gleaming. On the other hand, evidently middle age was far behind +him; indeed, from his appearance it was quite impossible to guess even +approximately the number of his years. There he sat, red in the red +light, perfectly still, and staring without a blink of his eyes at the +furious ball of the setting sun, as an eagle is said to be able to do. + +Saduko advanced, and I walked after him. My stature is not great, and +I have never considered myself an imposing person, but somehow I do not +think that I ever felt more insignificant than on this occasion. The +tall and splendid native beside, or rather behind whom I walked, the +gloomy magnificence of the place, the blood-red light in which it was +bathed, and the solemn, solitary, little figure with wisdom stamped upon +its face before me, all tended to induce humility in a man not naturally +vain. I felt myself growing smaller and smaller, both in a moral and a +physical sense; I wished that my curiosity had not prompted me to seek +an interview with yonder uncanny being. + +Well, it was too late to retreat; indeed, Saduko was already standing +before the dwarf and lifting his right arm above his head as he gave him +the salute of "Makosi!"[*] whereon, feeling that something was expected +of me, I took off my shabby cloth hat and bowed, then, remembering my +white man's pride, replaced it on my head. + + [*--"Makosi", the plural of "Inkoosi", is the salute given + to Zulu wizards, because they are not one but many, since in + them (as in the possessed demoniac in the Bible) dwell an + unnumbered horde of spirits.--EDITOR.] + +The wizard suddenly seemed to become aware of our presence, for, ceasing +his contemplation of the sinking sun, he scanned us both with his slow, +thoughtful eyes, which somehow reminded me of those of a chameleon, +although they were not prominent, but, as I have said, sunken. + +"Greeting, son Saduko!" he said in a deep, rumbling voice. "Why are you +back here so soon, and why do you bring this flea of a white man with +you?" + +Now this was more than I could bear, so without waiting for my +companion's answer I broke in: + +"You give me a poor name, O Zikali. What would you think of me if I +called you a beetle of a wizard?" + +"I should think you clever," he answered after reflection, "for after +all I must look something like a beetle with a white head. But why +should you mind being compared to a flea? A flea works by night and so +do you, Macumazahn; a flea is active and so are you; a flea is very hard +to catch and kill and so are you; and lastly a flea drinks its fill of +that which it desires, the blood of man and beast, and so you have done, +do, and will, Macumazahn," and he broke into a great laugh that rolled +and echoed about the rocky roof above. + +Once, long years before, I had heard that laugh, when I was a prisoner +in Dingaan's kraal, after the massacre of Retief and his company, and I +recognised it again. + +While I was searching for some answer in the same vein, and not finding +it, though I thought of plenty afterwards, ceasing of a sudden from his +unseemly mirth, he went on: + +"Do not let us waste time in jests, for it is a precious thing, and +there is but little of it left for any one of us. Your business, son +Saduko?" + +"Baba!" (that is the Zulu for father), said Saduko, "this white Inkoosi, +for, as you know well enough, he is a chief by nature, a man of a great +heart and doubtless of high blood [this, I believe, is true, for I have +been told that my ancestors were more or less distinguished, +although, if this is so, their talents did not lie in the direction of +money-making], has offered to take me upon a shooting expedition and to +give me a good gun with two mouths in payment of my services. But I told +him I could not engage in any fresh venture without your leave, and--he +is come to see whether you will grant it, my father." + +"Indeed," answered the dwarf, nodding his great head. "This clever white +man has taken the trouble of a long walk in the sun to come here to +ask me whether he may be allowed the privilege of presenting you with a +weapon of great value in return for a service that any man of your years +in Zululand would love to give for nothing in such company? + +"Son Saduko, because my eye-holes are hollow, do you think it your part +to try to fill them up with dust? Nay, the white man has come because +he desires to see him who is named Opener-of-Roads, of whom he heard a +great deal when he was but a lad, and to judge whether in truth he has +wisdom, or is but a common cheat. And you have come to learn whether or +no your friendship with him will be fortunate; whether or no he will aid +you in a certain enterprise that you have in your mind." + +"True, O Zikali," I said. "That is so far as I am concerned." + +But Saduko answered nothing. + +"Well," went on the dwarf, "since I am in the mood I will try to answer +both your questions, for I should be a poor Nyanga" [that is doctor] +"if I did not when you have travelled so far to ask them. Moreover, O +Macumazana, be happy, for I seek no fee who, having made such fortune +as I need long ago, before your father was born across the Black Water, +Macumazahn, no longer work for a reward--unless it be from the hand of +one of the House of Senzangakona--and therefore, as you may guess, work +but seldom." + +Then he clapped his hands, and a servant appeared from somewhere behind +the hut, one of those fierce-looking men who had stopped us at the gate. +He saluted the dwarf and stood before him in silence and with bowed +head. + +"Make two fires," said Zikali, "and give me my medicine." + +The man fetched wood, which he built into two little piles in front of +Zikali. These piles he fired with a brand brought from behind the hut. +Then he handed his master a catskin bag. + +"Withdraw," said Zikali, "and return no more till I summon you, for I am +about to prophesy. If, however, I should seem to die, bury me to-morrow +in the place you know of and give this white man a safe-conduct from my +kraal." + +The man saluted again and went without a word. + +When he had gone the dwarf drew from the bag a bundle of twisted roots, +also some pebbles, from which he selected two, one white and the other +black. + +"Into this stone," he said, holding up the white pebble so that the +light from the fire shone on it--since, save for the lingering red +glow, it was now growing dark--"into this stone I am about to draw +your spirit, O Macumazana; and into this one"--and he held up the black +pebble--"yours, O Son of Matiwane. Why do you look frightened, O brave +White Man, who keep saying in your heart, 'He is nothing but an ugly +old Kafir cheat'? If I am a cheat, why do you look frightened? Is your +spirit already in your throat, and does it choke you, as this little +stone might do if you tried to swallow it?" and he burst into one of his +great, uncanny laughs. + +I tried to protest that I was not in the least frightened, but failed, +for, in fact, I suppose my nerves were acted on by his suggestion, and +I did feel exactly as though that stone were in my throat, only coming +upwards, not going downwards. "Hysteria," thought I to myself, "the +result of being overtired," and as I could not speak, sat still as +though I treated his gibes with silent contempt. + +"Now," went on the dwarf, "perhaps I shall seem to die; and if so do not +touch me lest you should really die. Wait till I wake up again and tell +you what your spirits have told me. Or if I do not wake up--for a time +must come when I shall go on sleeping--well--for as long as I have +lived--after the fires are quite out, not before, lay your hands upon +my breast; and if you find me turning cold, get you gone to some other +Nyanga as fast as the spirits of this place will let you, O ye who would +peep into the future." + +As he spoke he threw a big handful of the roots that I have mentioned +on to each of the fires, whereon tall flames leapt up from them, very +unholy-looking flames which were followed by columns of dense, white +smoke that emitted a most powerful and choking odour quite unlike +anything that I had ever smelt before. It seemed to penetrate all +through me, and that accursed stone in my throat grew as large as an +apple and felt as though someone were poking it upwards with a stick. + +Next he threw the white pebble into the right-hand fire, that which was +opposite to me, saying: + +"Enter, Macumazahn, and look," and the black pebble he threw into the +left-hand fire saying: "Enter, Son of Matiwane, and look. Then come back +both of you and make report to me, your master." + +Now it is a fact that as he said these words I experienced a sensation +as though a stone had come out of my throat; so readily do our nerves +deceive us that I even thought it grated against my teeth as I opened my +mouth to give it passage. At any rate the choking was gone, only now I +felt as though I were quite empty and floating on air, as though I were +not I, in short, but a mere shell of a thing, all of which doubtless was +caused by the stench of those burning roots. Still I could look and take +note, for I distinctly saw Zikali thrust his huge head, first into the +smoke of what I will call my fire, next into that of Saduko's fire, and +then lean back, blowing the stuff in clouds from his mouth and nostrils. +Afterwards I saw him roll over on to his side and lie quite still with +his arms outstretched; indeed, I noticed that one of his fingers seemed +to be in the left-hand fire and reflected that it would be burnt off. In +this, however, I must have been mistaken, since I observed subsequently +that it was not even scorched. + +Thus Zikali lay for a long while till I began to wonder whether he were +not really dead. Dead enough he seemed to be, for no corpse could have +stayed more stirless. But that night I could not keep my thoughts +fixed on Zikali or anything. I merely noted these circumstances in a +mechanical way, as might one with whom they had nothing whatsoever to +do. They did not interest me at all, for there appeared to be nothing +in me to be interested, as I gathered according to Zikali, because I was +not there, but in a warmer place than I hope ever to occupy, namely, in +the stone in that unpleasant-looking, little right-hand fire. + +So matters went as they might in a dream. The sun had sunk completely, +not even an after-glow was left. The only light remaining was that +from the smouldering fires, which just sufficed to illumine the bulk of +Zikali, lying on his side, his squat shape looking like that of a dead +hippopotamus calf. What was left of my consciousness grew heartily sick +of the whole affair; I was tired of being so empty. + +At length the dwarf stirred. He sat up, yawned, sneezed, shook himself, +and began to rake among the burning embers of my fire with his naked +hand. Presently he found the white stone, which was now red-hot--at any +rate it glowed as though it were--and after examining it for a moment +finally popped it into his mouth! Then he hunted in the other fire for +the black stone, which he treated in a similar fashion. The next thing I +remember was that the fires, which had died away almost to nothing, were +burning very brightly again, I suppose because someone had put fuel on +them, and Zikali was speaking. + +"Come here, O Macumazana and O Son of Matiwane," he said, "and I will +repeat to you what your spirits have been telling me." + +We drew near into the light of the fires, which for some reason or other +was extremely vivid. Then he spat the white stone from his mouth into +his big hand, and I saw that now it was covered with lines and patches +like a bird's egg. + +"You cannot read the signs?" he said, holding it towards me; and when I +shook my head went on: "Well, I can, as you white men read a book. All +your history is written here, Macumazahn; but there is no need to tell +you that, since you know it, as I do well enough, having learned it in +other days, the days of Dingaan, Macumazahn. All your future, also, a +very strange future," and he scanned the stone with interest. "Yes, yes; +a wonderful life, and a noble death far away. But of these matters you +have not asked me, and therefore I may not tell them even if I wished, +nor would you believe if I did. It is of your hunting trip that you have +asked me, and my answer is that if you seek your own comfort you will do +well not to go. A pool in a dry river-bed; a buffalo bull with the +tip of one horn shattered. Yourself and the bull in the pool. Saduko, +yonder, also in the pool, and a little half-bred man with a gun jumping +about upon the bank. Then a litter made of boughs and you in it, and the +father of Mameena walking lamely at your side. Then a hut and you in it, +and the maiden called Mameena sitting at your side. + +"Macumazahn, your spirit has written on this stone that you should +beware of Mameena, since she is more dangerous than any buffalo. If you +are wise you will not go out hunting with Umbezi, although it is true +that hunt will not cost you your life. There, away, Stone, and take +your writings with you!" and as he spoke he jerked his arm and I heard +something whiz past my face. + +Next he spat out the black stone and examined it in similar fashion. + +"Your expedition will be successful, Son of Matiwane," he said. +"Together with Macumazahn you will win many cattle at the cost of sundry +lives. But for the rest--well, you did not ask me of it, did you? Also, +I have told you something of that story before to-day. Away, Stone!" and +the black pebble followed the white out into the surrounding gloom. + +We sat quite still until the dwarf broke the deep silence with one of +his great laughs. + +"My witchcraft is done," he said. "A poor tale, was it not? Well, hunt +for those stones to-morrow and read the rest of it if you can. Why did +you not ask me to tell you everything while I was about it, White Man? +It would have interested you more, but now it has all gone from me back +into your spirit with the stones. Saduko, get you to sleep. Macumazahn, +you who are a Watcher-by-Night, come and sit with me awhile in my hut, +and we will talk of other things. All this business of the stones is +nothing more than a Kafir trick, is it, Macumazahn? When you meet the +buffalo with the split horn in the pool of a dried river, remember it is +but a cheating trick, and now come into my hut and drink a kamba [bowl] +of beer and let us talk of other things more interesting." + +So he took me into the hut, which was a fine one, very well lighted by +a fire in its centre, and gave me Kafir beer to drink, that I swallowed +gratefully, for my throat was dry and still felt as though it had been +scraped. + +"Who are you, Father?" I asked point-blank when I had taken my seat upon +a low stool, with my back resting against the wall of the hut, and lit +my pipe. + +He lifted his big head from the pile of karosses on which he was lying +and peered at me across the fire. + +"My name is Zikali, which means 'Weapons,' White Man. You know as much +as that, don't you?" he answered. "My father 'went down' so long ago +that his does not matter. I am a dwarf, very ugly, with some learning, +as we of the Black House understand it, and very old. Is there anything +else you would like to learn?" + +"Yes, Zikali; how old?" + +"There, there, Macumazahn, as you know, we poor Kafirs cannot count very +well. How old? Well, when I was young I came down towards the coast from +the Great River, you call it the Zambesi, I think, with Undwandwe, who +lived in the north in those days. They have forgotten it now because it +is some time ago, and if I could write I would set down the history of +that march, for we fought some great battles with the people who used to +live in this country. Afterwards I was the friend of the Father of the +Zulus, he whom they still call Inkoosi Umkulu--the mighty chief--you may +have heard tell of him. I carved that stool on which you sit for him and +he left it back to me when he died." + +"Inkoosi Umkulu!" I exclaimed. "Why, they say he lived hundreds of years +ago." + +"Do they, Macumazahn? If so, have I not told you that we black people +cannot count as well as you do? Really it was only the other day. +Anyhow, after his death the Zulus began to maltreat us Undwandwe and the +Quabies and the Tetwas with us--you may remember that they called us +the Amatefula, making a mock of us. So I quarrelled with the Zulus and +especially with Chaka, he whom they named 'Uhlanya' [the Mad One]. +You see, Macumazahn, it pleased him to laugh at me because +I am not as other men are. He gave me a name which means +'The-thing-which-should-never-have-been-born.' I will not speak that +name, it is secret to me, it may not pass my lips. Yet at times he +sought my wisdom, and I paid him back for his names, for I gave him very +ill counsel, and he took it, and I brought him to his death, although +none ever saw my finger in that business. But when he was dead at the +hands of his brothers Dingaan and Umhlangana and of Umbopa, Umbopa who +also had a score to settle with him, and his body was cast out of the +kraal like that of an evil-doer, why I, who because I was a dwarf was +not sent with the _men_ against Sotshangana, went and sat on it at +night and laughed thus," and he broke into one of his hideous peals of +merriment. + +"I laughed thrice: once for my wives whom he had taken; once for my +children whom he had slain; and once for the mocking name that he had +given me. Then I became the counsellor of Dingaan, whom I hated worse +than I had hated Chaka, for he was Chaka again without his greatness, +and you know the end of Dingaan, for you had a share in that war, and of +Umhlangana, his brother and fellow-murderer, whom I counselled Dingaan +to slay. This I did through the lips of the old Princess Menkabayi, +Jama's daughter, Senzangakona's sister, the Oracle before whom all men +bowed, causing her to say that 'This land of the Zulus cannot be ruled +by a crimson assegai.' For, Macumazahn, it was Umhlangana who first +struck Chaka with the spear. Now Panda reigns, the last of the sons of +Senzangakona, my enemy, Panda the Fool, and I hold my hand from Panda +because he tried to save the life of a child of mine whom Chaka slew. +But Panda has sons who are as Chaka was, and against them I work as I +worked against those who went before them." + +"Why?" I asked. + +"Why? Oh! if I were to tell you _all_ my story you would understand why, +Macumazahn. Well, perhaps I will one day." (Here I may state that as a +matter of fact he did, and a very wonderful tale it is, but as it has +nothing to do with this history I will not write it here.) + +"I dare say," I answered. "Chaka and Dingaan and Umhlangana and the +others were not nice people. But another question. Why do you tell +me all this, O Zikali, seeing that were I but to repeat it to a +talking-bird you would be smelt out and a single moon would not die +before you do?" + +"Oh! I should be smelt out and killed before one moon dies, should I? +Then I wonder that this has not happened during all the moons that are +gone. Well, I tell the story to you, Macumazahn, who have had so much to +do with the tale of the Zulus since the days of Dingaan, because I wish +that someone should know it and perhaps write it down when everything +is finished. Because, too, I have just been reading your spirit and see +that it is still a white spirit, and that you will not whisper it to a +'talking-bird.'" + +Now I leant forward and looked at him. + +"What is the end at which you aim, O Zikali?" I asked. "You are not one +who beats the air with a stick; on whom do you wish the stick to fall at +last?" + +"On whom?" he answered in a new voice, a low, hissing voice. "Why, on +these proud Zulus, this little family of men who call themselves the +'People of Heaven,' and swallow other tribes as the great tree-snake +swallows kids and small bucks, and when it is fat with them cries to the +world, 'See how big I am! Everything is inside of me.' I am a Ndwande, +one of those peoples whom it pleases the Zulus to call 'Amatefula'--poor +hangers-on who talk with an accent, nothing but bush swine. Therefore I +would see the swine tusk the hunter. Or, if that may not be, I would +see the black hunter laid low by the rhinoceros, the white rhinoceros +of your race, Macumazahn, yes, even if it sets its foot upon the Ndwande +boar as well. There, I have told you, and this is the reason that I live +so long, for I will not die until these things have come to pass, as +come to pass they will. What did Chaka, Senzangakona's son, say when the +little red assegai, the assegai with which he slew his mother, aye and +others, some of whom were near to me, was in his liver? What did he say +to Mbopa and the princes? Did he not say that he heard the feet of a +great white people running, of a people who should stamp the Zulus flat? +Well, I, 'The-thing-who-should-not-have-been-born,' live on until that +day comes, and when it comes I think that you and I, Macumazahn, shall +not be far apart, and that is why I have opened out my heart to you, I +who have knowledge of the future. There, I speak no more of these things +that are to be, who perchance have already said too much of them. Yet do +not forget my words. Or forget them if you will, for I shall remind +you of them, Macumazahn, when the feet of your people have avenged the +Ndwandes and others whom it pleases the Zulus to treat as dirt." + +Now, this strange man, who had sat up in his excitement, shook his long +white hair which, after the fashion of wizards, he wore plaited into +thin ropes, till it hung like a veil about him, hiding his broad face +and deep eyes. Presently he spoke again through this veil of hair, +saying: + +"You are wondering, Macumazahn, what Saduko has to do with all these +great events that are to be. I answer that he must play his part in +them; not a very great part, but still a part, and it is for this +purpose that I saved him as a child from Bangu, Dingaan's man, and +reared him up to be a warrior, although, since I cannot lie, I warned +him that he would do well to leave spears alone and follow after wisdom. +Well, he will slay Bangu, who now has quarrelled with Panda, and a woman +will come into the story, one Mameena, and that woman will bring about +war between the sons of Panda, and from this war shall spring the ruin +of the Zulus, for he who wins will be an evil king to them and +bring down on them the wrath of a mightier race. And so +'The-thing-that-should-not-have-been-born' and the Ndwandes and the +Quabies and Twetwas, whom it has pleased the conquering Zulus to name +'Amatefula,' shall be avenged. Yes, yes, my Spirit tells me all these +things, and they are true." + +"And what of Saduko, my friend and your fosterling?" + +"Saduko, your friend and my fosterling, will take his appointed road, +Macumazahn, as I shall and you will. What more could he desire, seeing +it is that which he has chosen? He will take his road and he will play +the part which the Great-Great has prepared for him. Seek not to know +more. Why should you, since Time will tell you the story? And now go to +rest, Macumazahn, as I must who am old and feeble. And when it pleases +you to visit me again, we will talk further. Meanwhile, remember always +that I am nothing but an old Kafir cheat who pretends to a knowledge +that belongs to no man. Remember it especially, Macumazahn, when you +meet a buffalo with a split horn in the pool of a dried-up river, and +afterwards, when a woman named Mameena makes a certain offer to you, +which you may be tempted to accept. Good night to you, Watcher-by-Night +with the white heart and the strange destiny, good night to you, and try +not to think too hardly of the old Kafir cheat who just now is called +'Opener-of-Roads.' My servant waits without to lead you to your hut, +and if you wish to be back at Umbezi's kraal by nightfall to-morrow, +you will do well to start ere sunrise, since, as you found in coming, +Saduko, although he may be a fool, is a very good walker, and you do not +like to be left behind, Macumazahn, do you?" + +So I rose to go, but as I went some impulse seemed to take him and he +called me back and made me sit down again. + +"Macumazahn," he said, "I would add a word. When you were quite a lad +you came into this country with Retief, did you not?" + +"Yes," I answered slowly, for this matter of the massacre of Retief is +one of which I have seldom cared to speak, for sundry reasons, although +I have made a record of it in writing.[*] Even my friends Sir Henry +Curtis and Captain Good have heard little of the part I played in that +tragedy. "But what do you know of that business, Zikali?" + + [*--Published under the title of "Marie."--EDITOR.] + +"All that there is to know, I think, Macumazahn, seeing that I was at +the bottom of it, and that Dingaan killed those Boers on my advice--just +as he killed Chaka and Umhlangana." + +"You cold-blooded old murderer--" I began, but he interrupted me at +once. + +"Why do you throw evil names at me, Macumazahn, as I threw the stone of +your fate at you just now? Why am I a murderer because I brought about +the death of some white men that chanced to be your friends, who had +come here to cheat us black folk of our country?" + +"Was it for _this_ reason that you brought about their deaths, Zikali?" +I asked, staring him in the face, for I felt that he was lying to me. + +"Not altogether, Macumazahn," he answered, letting his eyes, those +strange eyes that could look at the sun without blinking, fall before +my gaze. "Have I not told you that I hate the House of Senzangakona? +And when Retief and his companions were killed, did not the spilling of +their blood mean war to the end between the Zulus and the White Men? Did +it not mean the death of Dingaan and of thousands of his people, which +is but a beginning of deaths? Now do you understand?" + +"I understand that you are a very wicked man," I answered with +indignation. + +"At least _you_ should not say so, Macumazahn," he replied in a new +voice, one with the ring of truth in it. + +"Why not?" + +"Because I saved your life on that day. You escaped alone of the White +Men, did you not? And you never could understand why, could you?" + +"No, I could not, Zikali. I put it down to what you would call 'the +spirits.'" + +"Well, I will tell you. Those spirits of yours wore my kaross," and +he laughed. "I saw you with the Boers, and saw, too, that you were of +another people--the people of the English. You may have heard at the +time that I was doctoring at the Great Place, although I kept out of the +way and we did not meet, or at least you never knew that we met, for you +were--asleep. Also I pitied your youth, for, although you do not believe +it, I had a little bit of heart left in those days. Also I knew that we +should come together again in the after years, as you see we have done +to-day and shall often do until the end. So I told Dingaan that whoever +died you must be spared, or he would bring up the 'people of George' +[i.e. the English] to avenge you, and your ghost would enter into him +and pour out a curse upon him. He believed me who did not understand +that already so many curses were gathered about his head that one more +or less made no matter. So you see you were spared, Macumazahn, and +afterwards you helped to pour out a curse upon Dingaan without becoming +a ghost, which is the reason why Panda likes you so well to-day, Panda, +the enemy of Dingaan, his brother. You remember the woman who helped +you? Well, I made her do so. How did it go with you afterwards, +Macumazahn, with you and the Boer maiden across the Buffalo River, to +whom you were making love in those days?" + +"Never mind how it went," I replied, springing up, for the old wizard's +talk had stirred sad and bitter memories in my heart. "That time is +dead, Zikali." + +"Is it, Macumazahn? Now, from the look upon your face I should have said +that it was still very much alive, as things that happened in our youth +have a way of keeping alive. But doubtless I am mistaken, and it is all +as dead as Dingaan, and as Retief, and as the others, your companions. +At least, although you do not believe it, I saved your life on that +red day, for my own purposes, of course, not because one white life was +anything among so many in my count. And now go to rest, Macumazahn, +go to rest, for although your heart has been awakened by memories this +evening, I promise that you shall sleep well to-night," and throwing the +long hair back off his eyes he looked at me keenly, wagging his big head +to and fro, and burst into another of his great laughs. + +So I went. But, ah! as I went I wept. + +Anyone who knew all that story would understand why. But this is not the +place to tell it, that tale of my first love and of the terrible events +which befell us in the time of Dingaan. Still, as I say, I have written +it down, and perhaps one day it will be read. + + + + +CHAPTER III. THE BUFFALO WITH THE CLEFT HORN + + +I slept very well that night, I suppose because I was so dog-tired +I could not help it; but next day, on our long walk back to Umbezi's +kraal, I thought a great deal. + +Without doubt I had seen and heard very strange things, both of the +past and the present--things that I could not in the least understand. +Moreover, they were mixed up with all sorts of questions of high Zulu +policy, and threw a new light upon events that happened to me and others +in my youth. + +Now, in the clear sunlight, was the time to analyse these things, and +this I did in the most logical fashion I could command, although without +the slightest assistance from Saduko, who, when I asked him questions, +merely shrugged his shoulders. + +These questions, he said, did not interest him; I had wished to see the +magic of Zikali, and Zikali had been pleased to show me some very good +magic, quite of his best indeed. Also he had conversed alone with me +afterwards, doubtless on high matters--so high that he, Saduko, was not +admitted to share the conversation--which was an honour he accorded +to very few. I could form my own conclusions in the light of the White +Man's wisdom, which everyone knew was great. + +I replied shortly that I could, for Saduko's tone irritated me. Of +course, the truth was that he felt aggrieved at being sent off to +bed like a little boy while his foster-father, the old dwarf, made +confidences to me. One of Saduko's faults was that he had always a very +good opinion of himself. Also he was by nature terribly jealous, even in +little things, as the readers of his history, if any, will learn. + +We trudged on for several hours in silence, broken at length by my +companion. + +"Do you still mean to go on a shooting expedition with Umbezi, Inkoosi?" +he asked, "or are you afraid?" + +"Of what should I be afraid?" I answered tartly. + +"Of the buffalo with the split horn, of which Zikali told you. What +else?" + +Now, I fear I used strong language about the buffalo with the split +horn, a beast in which I declared I had no belief whatsoever, either +with or without its accessories of dried river-beds and water-holes. + +"If all this old woman's talk has made _you_ afraid, however," I added, +"you can stop at the kraal with Mameena." + +"Why should the talk make me afraid, Macumazahn? Zikali did not say that +this evil spirit of a buffalo would hurt _me_. If I fear, it is for you, +seeing that if you are hurt you may not be able to go with me to look +for Bangu's cattle." + +"Oh!" I replied sarcastically; "it seems that you are somewhat selfish, +friend Saduko, since it is of your welfare and not of my safety that you +are thinking." + +"If I were as selfish as you seem to believe, Inkoosi, should I advise +you to stop with your wagons, and thereby lose the good gun with two +mouths that you have promised me? Still, it is true that I should like +well enough to stay at Umbezi's kraal with Mameena, especially if Umbezi +were away." + +Now, as there is nothing more uninteresting than to listen to +other people's love affairs, and as I saw that with the slightest +encouragement Saduko was ready to tell me all the history of his +courtship over again, I did not continue the argument. So we finished +our journey in silence, and arrived at Umbezi's kraal a little after +sundown, to find, to the disappointment of both of us, that Mameena was +still away. + +Upon the following morning we started on our shooting expedition, the +party consisting of myself, my servant Scowl, who, as I think I said, +hailed from the Cape and was half a Hottentot; Saduko; the merry old +Zulu, Umbezi, and a number of his men to serve as bearers and beaters. +It proved a very successful trip--that is, until the end of it--for in +those days the game in this part of the country was extremely plentiful. +Before the end of the second week I killed four elephants, two of them +with large tusks, while Saduko, who soon developed into a very fair +shot, bagged another with the double-barrelled gun that I had promised +him. Also, Umbezi--how, I have never discovered, for the thing partook +of the nature of a miracle--managed to slay an elephant cow with fair +ivories, using the old rifle that went off at half-cock. + +Never have I seen a man, black or white, so delighted as was that +vainglorious Kafir. For whole hours he danced and sang and took snuff +and saluted with his hand, telling me the story of his deed over and +over again, no single version of which tale agreed with the other. He +took a new title also, that meant "Eater-up-of-Elephants"; he allowed +one of his men to "bonga"--that is, praise--him all through the night, +preventing us from getting a wink of sleep, until at last the poor +fellow dropped in a kind of fit from exhaustion, and so forth. It really +was very amusing until it became a bore. + +Besides the elephants we killed lots of other things, including two +lions, which I got almost with a right and left, and three white +rhinoceroses, that now, alas! are nearly extinct. At last, towards the +end of the third week, we had as much as our men could carry in the +shape of ivory, rhinoceros horns, skins and sun-dried buckflesh, or +biltong, and determined to start back for Umbezi's kraal next day. +Indeed, this could not be long delayed, as our powder and lead were +running low; for in those days, it will be remembered, breechloaders had +not come in, and ammunition, therefore, had to be carried in bulk. + +To tell the truth, I was very glad that our trip had come to such a +satisfactory conclusion, for, although I would not admit it even to +myself, I could not get rid of a kind of sneaking dread lest after +all there might be something in the old dwarf's prophecy about a +disagreeable adventure with a buffalo which was in store for me. Well, +as it chanced, we had not so much as seen a buffalo, and as the road +which we were going to take back to the kraal ran over high, bare +country that these animals did not frequent, there was now little +prospect of our doing so--all of which, of course, showed what I already +knew, that only weak-headed superstitious idiots would put the slightest +faith in the drivelling nonsense of deceiving or self-deceived Kafir +medicine-men. These things, indeed, I pointed out with much vigour to +Saduko before we turned in on the last night of the hunt. + +Saduko listened in silence and said nothing at all, except that he would +not keep me up any longer, as I must be tired. + +Now, whatever may be the reason for it, my experience in life is that it +is never wise to brag about anything. At any rate, on a hunting trip, to +come to a particular instance, wait until you are safe at home till you +begin to do so. Of the truth of this ancient adage I was now destined to +experience a particularly fine and concrete example. + +The place where we had camped was in scattered bush overlooking a great +extent of dry reeds, that in the wet season was doubtless a swamp fed by +a small river which ran into it on the side opposite to our camp. During +the night I woke up, thinking that I heard some big beasts moving in +these reeds; but as no further sounds reached my ears I went to sleep +again. + +Shortly after dawn I was awakened by a voice calling me, which in a hazy +fashion I recognised as that of Umbezi. + +"Macumazahn," said the voice in a hoarse whisper, "the reeds below us +are full of buffalo. Get up. Get up at once." + +"What for?" I answered. "If the buffalo came into the reeds they will go +out of them. We do not want meat." + +"No, Macumazahn; but I want their hides. Panda, the King, has demanded +fifty shields of me, and without killing oxen that I can ill spare I +have not the skins whereof to make them. Now, these buffalo are in a +trap. This swamp is like a dish with one mouth. They cannot get out +at the sides of the dish, and the mouth by which they came in is very +narrow. If we station ourselves at either side of it we can kill many of +them." + +By this time I was thoroughly awake and had arisen from my blankets. +Throwing a kaross over my shoulders, I left the hut, made of boughs, +in which I was sleeping and walked a few paces to the crest of a rocky +ridge, whence I could see the dry vlei below. Here the mists of dawn +still clung, but from it rose sounds of grunts, bellows and tramplings +which I, an old hunter, could not mistake. Evidently a herd of buffalo, +one or two hundred of them, had established themselves in those reeds. + +Just then my bastard servant, Scowl, and Saduko joined us, both of them +full of excitement. + +It appeared that Scowl, who never seemed to sleep at any natural time, +had seen the buffalo entering the reeds, and estimated their number at +two or three hundred. Saduko had examined the cleft through which they +passed, and reported it to be so narrow that we could kill any number of +them as they rushed out to escape. + +"Quite so. I understand," I said. "Well, my opinion is that we had +better let them escape. Only four of us, counting Umbezi, are armed with +guns, and assegais are not of much use against buffalo. Let them go, I +say." + +Umbezi, thinking of a cheap raw material for the shields which had been +requisitioned by the King, who would surely be pleased if they were made +of such a rare and tough hide as that of buffalo, protested +violently, and Saduko, either to please one whom he hoped might be his +father-in-law or from sheer love of sport, for which he always had a +positive passion, backed him up. Only Scowl--whose dash of Hottentot +blood made him cunning and cautious--took my side, pointing out that we +were very short of powder and that buffalo "ate up much lead." At last +Saduko said: + +"The lord Macumazana is our captain; we must obey him, although it is a +pity. But doubtless the prophesying of Zikali weighs upon his mind, so +there is nothing to be done." + +"Zikali!" exclaimed Umbezi. "What has the old dwarf to do with this +matter?" + +"Never mind what he has or has not to do with it," I broke in, for +although I do not think that he meant them as a taunt, but merely as a +statement of fact, Saduko's words stung me to the quick, especially as +my conscience told me that they were not altogether without foundation. + +"We will try to kill some of these buffalo," I went on, "although, +unless the herd should get bogged, which is not likely, as the swamp is +very dry, I do not think that we can hope for more than eight or ten at +the most, which won't be of much use for shields. Come, let us make a +plan. We have no time to lose, for I think they will begin to move again +before the sun is well up." + +Half an hour later the four of us who were armed with guns were posted +behind rocks on either side of the steep, natural roadway cut by water, +which led down to the vlei, and with us some of Umbezi's men. That chief +himself was at my side--a post of honour which he had insisted upon +taking. To tell the truth, I did not dissuade him, for I thought that +I should be safer so than if he were opposite to me, since, even if the +old rifle did not go off of its own accord, Umbezi, when excited, was a +most uncertain shot. The herd of buffalo appeared to have lain down in +the reeds, so, being careful to post ourselves first, we sent three of +the native bearers to the farther side of the vlei, with instructions to +rouse the beasts by shouting. The remainder of the Zulus--there were ten +or a dozen of them armed with stabbing spears--we kept with us. + +But what did these scoundrels do? Instead of disturbing the herd +by making a noise, as we told them, for some reason best known to +themselves--I expect it was because they were afraid to go into the +vlei, where they might meet the horn of a buffalo at any moment--they +fired the dry reeds in three or four places at once, and this, if you +please, with a strong wind blowing from them to us. In a minute or two +the farther side of the swamp was a sheet of crackling flame that gave +off clouds of dense white smoke. Then pandemonium began. + +The sleeping buffalo leapt to their feet, and, after a few moments of +indecision, crashed towards us, the whole huge herd of them, snorting +and bellowing like mad things. Seeing what was about to happen, I nipped +behind a big boulder, while Scowl shinned up a mimosa with the swiftness +of a cat and, heedless of its thorns, sat himself in an eagle's nest +at the top. The Zulus with the spears bolted to take cover where they +could. What became of Saduko I did not see, but old Umbezi, bewildered +with excitement, jumped into the exact middle of the roadway, shouting: + +"They come! They come! Charge, buffalo folk, if you will. The +Eater-up-of-Elephants awaits you!" + +"You etceterad old fool!" I shouted, but got no farther, for just at +this moment the first of the buffalo, which I could see was an enormous +bull, probably the leader of the herd, accepted Umbezi's invitation and +came, with its nose stuck straight out in front of it. Umbezi's gun went +off, and next instant he went up. Through the smoke I saw his black bulk +in the air, and then heard it alight with a thud on the top of the rock +behind which I was crouching. + +"Exit Umbezi," I said to myself, and by way of a requiem let the bull +which had hoisted him, as I thought to heaven, have an ounce of lead +in the ribs as it passed me. After that I did not fire any more, for it +occurred to me that it was as well not to further advertise my presence. + +In all my hunting experience I cannot remember ever seeing such a sight +as that which followed. Out of the vlei rushed the buffalo by dozens, +every one of them making remarks in its own language as it came. They +jammed in the narrow roadway, they leapt on to each other's backs. They +squealed, they kicked, they bellowed. They charged my friendly rock till +I felt it shake. They knocked over Scowl's mimosa thorn, and would have +shot him out of his eagle's nest had not its flat top fortunately caught +in that of another and less accessible tree. And with them came clouds +of pungent smoke, mixed with bits of burning reed and puffs of hot air. + +It was over at last. With the exception of some calves, which had been +trampled to death in the rush, the herd had gone. Now, like the Roman +emperor--I think he was an emperor--I began to wonder what had become of +my legions. + +"Umbezi," I shouted, or, rather, sneezed through the smoke, "are you +dead, Umbezi?" + +"Yes, yes, Macumazahn," replied a choking and melancholy voice from the +top of the rock, "I am dead, quite dead. That evil spirit of a silwana +[i.e. wild beast] has killed me. Oh! why did I think I was a hunter; why +did I not stop at my kraal and count my cattle?" + +"I am sure I don't know, you old lunatic," I answered, as I scrambled up +the rock to bid him good-bye. + +It was a rock with a razor top like the ridge of a house, and +there, hanging across this ridge like a pair of nether garments on a +clothes-line, I found the "Eater-up-of-Elephants." + +"Where did he get you, Umbezi?" I asked, for I could not see his wounds +because of the smoke. + +"Behind, Macumazahn, behind!" he groaned, "for I had turned to fly, but, +alas! too late." + +"On the contrary," I replied, "for one so heavy you flew very well; like +a bird, Umbezi, like a bird." + +"Look and see what the evil beast has done to me, Macumazahn. It will be +easy, for my moocha has gone." + +So I looked, examining Umbezi's ample proportions with care, but could +discover nothing except a large smudge of black mud, as though he had +sat down in a half-dried puddle. Then I guessed the truth. The buffalo's +horns had missed him. He had been struck only with its muddy nose, +which, being almost as broad as that portion of Umbezi with which it +came in contact, had inflicted nothing worse than a bruise. When I was +sure he had received no serious injury, my temper, already sorely tried, +gave out, and I administered to him the soundest smacking--his position +being very convenient--that he had ever received since he was a little +boy. + +"Get up, you idiot!" I shouted, "and let us look for the others. This +is the end of your folly in making me attack a herd of buffalo in reeds. +Get up. Am I to stop here till I choke?" + +"Do you mean to tell me that I have no mortal wound, Macumazahn?" he +asked, with a return of cheerfulness, accepting the castigation in good +part, for he was not one who bore malice. "Oh, I am glad to hear it, for +now I shall live to make those cowards who fired the reeds sorry that +they are not dead; also to finish off that wild beast, for I hit him, +Macumazahn, I hit him." + +"I don't know whether you hit him; I know he hit you," I replied, as I +shoved him off the rock and ran towards the tilted tree where I had last +seen Scowl. + +Here I beheld another strange sight. Scowl was still seated in the +eagle's nest that he shared with two nearly fledged young birds, one of +which, having been injured, was uttering piteous cries. Nor did it cry +in vain, for its parents, which were of that great variety of kite that +the Boers call "lammefange", or lamb-lifters, had just arrived to its +assistance, and were giving their new nestling, Scowl, the best doing +that man ever received at the beak and claws of feathered kind. Seen +through those rushing smoke wreaths, the combat looked perfectly +titanic; also it was one of the noisiest to which I ever listened, for +I don't know which shrieked the more loudly, the infuriated eagles or +their victim. + +Seeing how things stood, I burst into a roar of laughter, and just then +Scowl grabbed the leg of the male bird, that was planted in his breast +while it removed tufts of his wool with its hooked beak, and leapt +boldly from the nest, which had become too hot to hold him. The eagle's +outspread wings broke his fall, for they acted as a parachute; and so +did Umbezi, upon whom he chanced to land. Springing from the prostrate +shape of the chief, who now had a bruise in front to match that behind, +Scowl, covered with pecks and scratches, ran like a lamp-lighter, +leaving me to collect my second gun, which he had dropped at the bottom +of the tree, but fortunately without injuring it. The Kafirs +gave him another name after that encounter, which meant +"He-who-fights-birds-and-gets-the-worst-of-it." + +Well, we escaped from the line of the smoke, a dishevelled trio--indeed, +Umbezi had nothing left on him except his head ring--and shouted for the +others, if perchance they had not been trodden to death in the rush. The +first to arrive was Saduko, who looked quite calm and untroubled, but +stared at us in astonishment, and asked coolly what we had been doing +to get in such a state. I replied in appropriate language, and asked in +turn how he had managed to remain so nicely dressed. + +He did not answer, but I believe the truth was that he had crept into +a large ant-bear's hole--small blame to him, to be frank. Then the +remainder of our party turned up one by one, some of them looking very +blown, as though they had run a long way. None were missing, except +those who had fired the reeds, and they thought it well to keep clear +for a good many hours. I believe that afterwards they regretted not +having taken a longer leave of absence; but when they finally did +arrive I was in no condition to note what passed between them and their +outraged chief. + +Being collected, the question arose what we should do. Of course, I +wished to return to camp and get out of this ill-omened place as soon +as possible. But I had reckoned without the vanity of Umbezi. Umbezi +stretched over the edge of a sharp rock, whither he had been hoisted by +the nose of a buffalo, and imagining himself to be mortally wounded, +was one thing; but Umbezi in a borrowed moocha, although, because of +his bruises, he supported his person with one hand in front and with the +other behind, knowing his injuries to be purely superficial, was quite +another. + +"I am a hunter," he said; "I am named 'Eater-up-of-Elephants';" and +he rolled his eyes, looking about for someone to contradict him, which +nobody did. Indeed, his "praiser," a thin, tired-looking person, whose +voice was worn out with his previous exertions, repeated in a feeble +way: + +"Yes, Black One, 'Eater-up-of-Elephants' is your name; +'Lifted-up-by-Buffalo' is your name." + +"Be silent, idiot," roared Umbezi. "As I said, I am a hunter; I have +wounded the wild beast that subsequently dared to assault me. [As a +matter of fact, it was I, Allan Quatermain, who had wounded it.] I would +make it bite the dust, for it cannot be far away. Let us follow it." + +He glared round him, whereon his obsequious people, or one of them, +echoed: + +"Yes, by all means let us follow it, 'Eater-up-of-Elephants.' +Macumazahn, the clever white man, will show us how, for where is the +buffalo that he fears!" + +Of course, after this there was nothing else to be done, so, having +summoned the scratched Scowl, who seemed to have no heart in the +business, we started on the spoor of the herd, which was as easy to +track as a wagon road. + +"Never mind, Baas," said Scowl, "they are two hours' march off by now." + +"I hope so," I answered; but, as it happened, luck was against me, for +before we had covered half a mile some over-zealous fellow struck a +blood spoor. + +I marched on that spoor for twenty minutes or so, till we came to a +patch of bush that sloped downwards to a river-bed. Right to this river +I followed it, till I reached the edge of a big pool that was still full +of water, although the river itself had gone dry. Here I stood looking +at the spoor and consulting with Saduko as to whether the beast could +have swum the pool, for the tracks that went to its very verge had +become confused and uncertain. Suddenly our doubts were ended, since +out of a patch of dense bush which we had passed--for it had played the +common trick of doubling back on its own spoor--appeared the buffalo, a +huge bull, that halted on three legs, my bullet having broken one of its +thighs. As to its identity there was no doubt, since on, or rather from, +its right horn, which was cleft apart at the top, hung the remains of +Umbezi's moocha. + +"Oh, beware, Inkoosi," cried Saduko in a frightened voice. _"It is the +buffalo with the cleft horn!"_ + +I heard him; I saw. All the scene in the hut of Zikali rose before +me--the old dwarf, his words, everything. I lifted my rifle and fired at +the charging beast, but knew that the bullet glanced from its skull. I +threw down the gun--for the buffalo was right on me--and tried to jump +aside. + +Almost I did so, but that cleft horn, to which hung the remains +of Umbezi's moocha, scooped me up and hurled me off the river bank +backwards and sideways into the deep pool below. As I departed thither I +saw Saduko spring forward and heard a shot fired that caused the bull to +collapse for a moment. Then with a slow, sliding motion it followed me +into the pool. + +Now we were together, and there was no room for both, so after a certain +amount of dodging I went under, as the lighter dog always does in a +fight. That buffalo seemed to do everything to me which a buffalo +could do under the circumstances. It tried to horn me, and partially +succeeded, although I ducked at each swoop. Then it struck me with its +nose and drove me to the bottom of the pool, although I got hold of its +lip and twisted it. Then it calmly knelt on me and sank me deeper and +deeper into the mud. I remember kicking it in the stomach. After this I +remember no more, except a kind of wild dream in which I rehearsed +all the scene in the dwarf's hut, and his request that when I met the +buffalo with the cleft horn in the pool of a dried river, I should +remember that he was nothing but a "poor old Kafir cheat." + +After this I saw my mother bending over a little child in my bed in the +old house in Oxfordshire where I was born, and then--blackness! + + +I came to myself again and saw, instead of my mother, the stately figure +of Saduko bending over me upon one side, and on the other that of Scowl, +the half-bred Hottentot, who was weeping, for his hot tears fell upon my +face. + +"He is gone," said poor Scowl; "that bewitched beast with the split +horn has killed him. He is gone who was the best white man in all South +Africa, whom I loved better than my father and all my relatives." + +"That you might easily do, Bastard," answered Saduko, "seeing that you +do not know who they are. But he is not gone, for the 'Opener-of-Roads' +said that he would live; also I got my spear into the heart of that +buffalo before he had kneaded the life out of him, as fortunately the +mud was soft. Yet I fear that his ribs are broken"; and he poked me with +his finger on the breast. + +"Take your clumsy hand off me," I gasped. + +"There!" said Saduko, "I have made him feel. Did I not tell you that he +would live?" + + +After this I remember little more, except some confused dreams, till I +found myself lying in a great hut, which I discovered subsequently was +Umbezi's own, the same, indeed, wherein I had doctored the ear of that +wife of his who was called "Worn-out-old-Cow." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. MAMEENA + + +For a while I contemplated the roof and sides of the hut by the light +which entered it through the smoke-vent and the door-hole, wondering +whose it might be and how I came there. + +Then I tried to sit up, and instantly was seized with agony in the +region of the ribs, which I found were bound about with broad strips of +soft tanned hide. Clearly they, or some of them, were broken. + +What had broken them? I asked myself, and in a flash everything +came back to me. So I had escaped with my life, as the old dwarf, +"Opener-of-Roads," had told me that I should. Certainly he was an +excellent prophet; and if he spoke truth in this matter, why not in +others? What was I to make of it all? How could a black savage, however +ancient, foresee the future? + +By induction from the past, I supposed; and yet what amount of induction +would suffice to show him the details of a forthcoming accident that +was to happen to me through the agency of a wild beast with a peculiarly +shaped horn? I gave it up, as before and since that day I have found it +necessary to do in the case of many other events in life. Indeed, +the question is one that I often have had cause to ask where Kafir +"witch-doctors" or prophets are concerned, notably in the instance of a +certain Mavovo, of whom I hope to tell one day, whose predictions saved +my life and those of my companions. + +Just then I heard the sound of someone creeping through the bee-hole +of the hut, and half-closed my eyes, as I did not feel inclined for +conversation. The person came and stood over me, and somehow--by +instinct, I suppose--I became aware that my visitor was a woman. Very +slowly I lifted my eyelids, just enough to enable me to see her. + +There, standing in a beam of golden light that, passing through the +smoke-hole, pierced the soft gloom of the hut, stood the most beautiful +creature that I had ever seen--that is, if it be admitted that a person +who is black, or rather copper-coloured, can be beautiful. + +She was a little above the medium height, not more, with a figure that, +so far as I am a judge of such matters, was absolutely perfect--that of +a Greek statue indeed. On this point I had an opportunity of forming an +opinion, since, except for her little bead apron and a single string +of large blue beads about her throat, her costume was--well, that of +a Greek statue. Her features showed no trace of the negro type; on the +contrary, they were singularly well cut, the nose being straight and +fine and the pouting mouth that just showed the ivory teeth between, +very small. Then the eyes, large, dark and liquid, like those of a +buck, set beneath a smooth, broad forehead on which the curling, but not +woolly, hair grew low. This hair, by the way, was not dressed up in any +of the eccentric native fashions, but simply parted in the middle and +tied in a big knot over the nape of the neck, the little ears peeping +out through its tresses. The hands, like the feet, were very small and +delicate, and the curves of the bust soft and full without being coarse, +or even showing the promise of coarseness. + +A lovely woman, truly; and yet there was something not quite pleasing +about that beautiful face; something, notwithstanding its childlike +outline, which reminded me of a flower breaking into bloom, that one +does not associate with youth and innocence. I tried to analyse what +this might be, and came to the conclusion that without being hard, it +was too clever and, in a sense, too reflective. I felt even then that +the brain within the shapely head was keen and bright as polished steel; +that this woman was one made to rule, not to be man's toy, or even his +loving companion, but to use him for her ends. + +She dropped her chin till it hid the little, dimple-like depression +below her throat, which was one of her charms, and began not to look at, +but to study me, seeing which I shut my eyes tight and waited. Evidently +she thought that I was still in my swoon, for now she spoke to herself +in a low voice that was soft and sweet as honey. + +"A small man," she said; "Saduko would make two of him, and the +other"--who was he, I wondered--"three. His hair, too, is ugly; he cuts +it short and it sticks up like that on a cat's back. Iya!" (i.e. +Piff!), and she moved her hand contemptuously, "a feather of a man. But +white--white, one of those who rule. Why, they all of them know that he +is their master. They call him 'He-who-never-Sleeps.' They say that he +has the courage of a lioness with young--he who got away when Dingaan +killed Piti [Retief] and the Boers; they say that he is quick and +cunning as a snake, and that Panda and his great indunas think more of +him than of any white man they know. He is unmarried also, though they +say, too, that twice he had a wife, who died, and now he does not turn +to look at women, which is strange in any man, and shows that he will +escape trouble and succeed. Still, it must be remembered that they are +all ugly down here in Zululand, cows, or heifers who will be cows. Piff! +no more." + +She paused for a little while, then went on in her dreamy, reflective +voice: + +"Now, if he met a woman who is not merely a cow or a heifer, a woman +cleverer than himself, even if she were not white, I wonder--" + +At this point I thought it well to wake up. Turning my head I yawned, +opened my eyes and looked at her vaguely, seeing which her expression +changed in a flash from that of brooding power to one of moved and +anxious girlhood; in short, it became most sweetly feminine. + +"You are Mameena?" I said; "is it not so?" + +"Oh, yes, Inkoosi," she answered, "that is my poor name. But how did you +hear it, and how do you know me?" + +"I heard it from one Saduko"--here she frowned a little--"and others, +and I knew you because you are so beautiful"--an incautious speech at +which she broke into a dazzling smile and tossed her deer-like head. + +"Am I?" she asked. "I never knew it, who am only a common Zulu girl to +whom it pleases the great white chief to say kind things, for which I +thank him"; and she made a graceful little reverence, just bending +one knee. "But," she went on quickly, "whatever else I be, I am of no +knowledge, not fit to tend you who are hurt. Shall I go and send my +oldest mother?" + +"Do you mean her whom your father calls the 'Worn-out-old-Cow,' and +whose ear he shot off?" + +"Yes, it must be she from the description," she answered with a little +shake of laughter, "though I never heard him give her that name." + +"Or if you did, you have forgotten it," I said dryly. "Well, I think +not, thank you. Why trouble her, when you will do quite as well? If +there is milk in that gourd, perhaps you will give me a drink of it." + +She flew to the bowl like a swallow, and next moment was kneeling at my +side and holding it to my lips with one hand, while with the other she +supported my head. + +"I am honoured," she said. "I only came to the hut the moment before +you woke, and seeing you still lost in swoon, I wept--look, my eyes are +still wet [they were, though how she made them so I do not know]--for I +feared lest that sleep should be but the beginning of the last." + +"Quite so," I said; "it is very good of you. And now, since your fears +are groundless--thanks be to the heavens--sit down, if you will, and +tell me the story of how I came here." + +She sat down, not, I noted, as a Kafir woman ordinarily does, in a kind +of kneeling position, but on a stool. + +"You were carried into the kraal, Inkoosi," she said, "on a litter of +boughs. My heart stood still when I saw that litter coming; it was no +more heart; it was cold iron, because I thought the dead or injured man +was--" And she paused. + +"Saduko?" I suggested. + +"Not at all, Inkoosi--my father." + +"Well, it wasn't either of them," I said, "so you must have felt happy." + +"Happy! Inkoosi, when the guest of our house had been wounded, perhaps +to death--the guest of whom I have heard so much, although by misfortune +I was absent when he arrived." + +"A difference of opinion with your eldest mother?" I suggested. + +"Yes, Inkoosi; my own is dead, and I am not too well treated here. She +called me a witch." + +"Did she?" I answered. "Well, I do not altogether wonder at it; but +please continue your story." + +"There is none, Inkoosi. They brought you here, they told me how the +evil brute of a buffalo had nearly killed you in the pool; that is all." + +"Yes, yes, Mameena; but how did I get out of the pool?" + +"Oh, it seems that your servant, Sikauli, the bastard, leapt into the +water and engaged the attention of the buffalo which was kneading you +into the mud, while Saduko got on to its back and drove his assegai down +between its shoulders to the heart, so that it died. Then they pulled +you out of the mud, crushed and almost drowned with water, and brought +you to life again. But afterwards you became senseless, and so lay +wandering in your speech until this hour." + +"Ah, he is a brave man, is Saduko." + +"Like others, neither more nor less," she replied with a shrug of her +rounded shoulders. "Would you have had him let you die? I think the +brave man was he who got in front of the bull and twisted its nose, not +he who sat on its back and poked at it with a spear." + +At this period in our conversation I became suddenly faint and lost +count of things, even of the interesting Mameena. When I awoke again she +was gone, and in her place was old Umbezi, who, I noticed, took down +a mat from the side of the hut and folded it up to serve as a cushion +before he sat himself upon the stool. + +"Greeting, Macumazahn," he said when he saw that I was awake; "how are +you?" + +"As well as can be hoped," I answered; "and how are you, Umbezi?" + +"Oh, bad, Macumazahn; even now I can scarcely sit down, for that bull +had a very hard nose; also I am swollen up in front where Sikauli struck +me when he tumbled out of the tree. Also my heart is cut in two because +of our losses." + +"What losses, Umbezi?" + +"Wow! Macumazahn, the fire that those low fellows of mine lit got to our +camp and burned up nearly everything--the meat, the skins, and even the +ivory, which it cracked so that it is useless. That was an unlucky hunt, +for although it began so well, we have come out of it quite naked; yes, +with nothing at all except the head of the bull with the cleft horn, +that I thought you might like to keep." + +"Well, Umbezi, let us be thankful that we have come out with our +lives--that is, if I am going to live," I added. + +"Oh, Macumazahn, you will live without doubt, and be none the worse. Two +of our doctors--very clever men--have looked at you and said so. One of +them tied you up in all those skins, and I promised him a heifer for the +business, if he cured you, and gave him a goat on account. But you must +lie here for a month or more, so he says. Meanwhile Panda has sent for +the hides which he demanded of me to be made into shields, and I have +been obliged to kill twenty-five of my beasts to provide them--that is, +of my own and of those of my headmen." + +"Then I wish you and your headmen had killed them before we met those +buffalo, Umbezi," I groaned, for my ribs were paining me very much. +"Send Saduko and Sikauli here; I would thank them for saving my life." + +So they came, next morning, I think, and I thanked them warmly enough. + +"There, there, Baas," said Scowl, who was literally weeping tears of joy +at my return from delirium and coma to the light of life and reason; not +tears of Mameena's sort, but real ones, for I saw them running down his +snub nose, that still bore marks of the eagle's claws. "There, there, +say no more, I beseech you. If you were going to die, I wished to die, +too, who, if you had left it, should only have wandered through the +world without a heart. That is why I jumped into the pool, not because I +am brave." + +When I heard this my own eyes grew moist. Oh, it is the fashion to abuse +natives, but from whom do we meet with more fidelity and love than from +these poor wild Kafirs that so many of us talk of as black dirt which +chances to be fashioned to the shape of man? + +"As for myself, Inkoosi," added Saduko, "I only did my duty. How could +I have held up my head again if the bull had killed you while I walked +away alive? Why, the very girls would have mocked at me. But, oh, his +skin was tough. I thought that assegai would never get through it." + +Observe the difference between these two men's characters. The one, +although no hero in daily life, imperils himself from sheer, dog-like +fidelity to a master who had given him many hard words and sometimes +a flogging in punishment for drunkenness, and the other to gratify his +pride, also perhaps because my death would have interfered with his +plans and ambitions in which I had a part to play. No, that is a hard +saying; still, there is no doubt that Saduko always first took his own +interests into consideration, and how what he did would reflect upon +his prospects and repute, or influence the attainment of his desires. I +think this was so even when Mameena was concerned--at any rate, in the +beginning--although certainly he always loved her with a single-hearted +passion that is very rare among Zulus. + +Presently Scowl left the hut to prepare me some broth, whereon Saduko at +once turned the talk to this subject of Mameena. + +He understood that I had seen her. Did I not think her very beautiful? + +"Yes, very beautiful," I answered; "indeed, the most beautiful Zulu +woman I have ever seen." + +And very clever--almost as clever as a white? + +"Yes, and very clever--much cleverer than most whites." + +And--anything else? + +"Yes; very dangerous, and one who could turn like the wind and blow hot +and blow cold." + +"Ah!" he said, thought a while, then added: "Well, what do I care how +she blows to others, so long as she blows hot to me." + +"Well, Saduko, and does she blow hot for you?" + +"Not altogether, Macumazahn." Another pause. "I think she blows rather +like the wind before a great storm." + +"That is a biting wind, Saduko, and when we feel it we know that the +storm will follow." + +"I dare say that the storm will follow, Inkoosi, for she was born in a +storm and storm goes with her; but what of that, if she and I stand it +out together? I love her, and I had rather die with her than live with +any other woman." + +"The question is, Saduko, whether she would rather die with you than +live with any other man. Does she say so?" + +"Inkoosi, Mameena's thought works in the dark; it is like a white ant in +its tunnel of mud. You see the tunnel which shows that she is thinking, +but you do not see the thought within. Still, sometimes, when she +believes that no one beholds or hears her"--here I bethought me of the +young lady's soliloquy over my apparently senseless self--"or when she +is surprised, the true thought peeps out of its tunnel. It did so the +other day, when I pleaded with her after she had heard that I killed the +buffalo with the cleft horn. + +"'Do I love you?' she said. 'I know not for sure. How can I tell? It is +not our custom that a maiden should love before she is married, for +if she did so most marriages would be things of the heart and not of +cattle, and then half the fathers of Zululand would grow poor and refuse +to rear girl-children who would bring them nothing. You are brave, you +are handsome, you are well-born; I would sooner live with you than +with any other man I know--that is, if you were rich and, better still, +powerful. Become rich and powerful, Saduko, and I think that I shall +love you.' + +"'I will, Mameena,' I answered; 'but you must wait. The Zulu nation was +not fashioned from nothing in a day. First Chaka had to come.' + +"'Ah!' she said, and, my father, her eyes flashed. 'Ah! Chaka! There was +a man! Be another Chaka, Saduko, and I will love you more--more than you +can dream of--thus and thus,' and she flung her arms about me and kissed +me as I was never kissed before, which, as you know, among us is a +strange thing for a girl to do. Then she thrust me from her with a +laugh, and added: 'As for the waiting, you must ask my father of that. +Am I not his heifer, to be sold, and can I disobey my father?' And she +was gone, leaving me empty, for it seemed as though she took my vitals +with her. Nor will she talk thus any more, the white ant who has gone +back into its tunnel." + +"And did you speak to her father?" + +"Yes, I spoke to him, but in an evil moment, for he had but just killed +the cattle to furnish Panda's shields. He answered me very roughly. He +said: 'You see these dead beasts which I and my people must slay for +the king, or fall under his displeasure? Well, bring me five times their +number, and we will talk of your marriage with my daughter, who is a +maid in some request.' + +"I answered that I understood and would try my best, whereon he became +more gentle, for Umbezi has a kindly heart. + +"'My son,' he said, 'I like you well, and since I saw you save +Macumazahn, my friend, from that mad wild beast of a buffalo I like +you better than before. Yet you know my case. I have an old name and +am called the chief of a tribe, and many live on me. But I am poor, and +this daughter of mine is worth much. Such a woman few men have bred. +Well, I must make the best of her. My son-in-law must be one who will +prop up my old age, one to whom, in my need or trouble, I could always +go as to a dry log,[*] to break off some of its bark to make a fire to +comfort me, not one who treads me into the mire as the buffalo did to +Macumazahn. Now I have spoken, and I do not love such talk. Come back +with the cattle, and I will listen to you, but meanwhile understand that +I am not bound to you or to anyone; I shall take what my spirit sends +me, which, if I may judge the future by the past, will not be much. One +word more: Do not linger about this kraal too long, lest it should be +said that you are the accepted suitor of Mameena. Go hence and do a +man's work, and return with a man's reward, or not at all.'" + + [*--In Zululand a son-in-law is known as "isigodo so + mkwenyana", the "son-in-law log," for the reason stated in + the text.--EDITOR.] + +"Well, Saduko, that spear has an edge on it, has it not?" I answered. +"And now, what is your plan?" + +"My plan is, Macumazahn," he said, rising from his seat, "to go hence +and gather those who are friendly to me because I am my father's son +and still the chief of the Amangwane, or those who are left of them, +although I have no kraal and no hoof of kine. Then, within a moon, I +hope, I shall return here to find you strong again and once more a man, +and we will start out against Bangu, as I have whispered to you, with +the leave of a High One, who has said that, if I can take any cattle, I +may keep them for my pains." + +"I don't know about that, Saduko. I never promised you that I would make +war upon Bangu--with or without the king's leave." + +"No, you never promised, but Zikali the Dwarf, the Wise Little One, said +that you would--and does Zikali lie? Ask yourself, who will remember a +certain saying of his about a buffalo with a cleft horn, a pool and a +dry river-bed. Farewell, O my father Macumazahn; I walk with the dawn, +and I leave Mameena in your keeping." + +"You mean that you leave me in Mameena's keeping," I began, but already +he was crawling through the hole in the hut. + +Well, Mameena kept me very comfortably. She was always in evidence, yet +not too much so. + +Heedless of her malice and abuse, she headed off the "Worn-out-old-Cow," +whom she knew I detested, from my presence. She saw personally to my +bandages, as well as to the cooking of my food, over which matter she +had several quarrels with the bastard, Scowl, who did not like her, +for on him she never wasted any of her sweet looks. Also, as I grew +stronger, she sat with me a good deal, talking, since, by common +consent, Mameena the fair was exempted from all the field, and even +the ordinary household labours that fall to the lot of Kafir women. Her +place was to be the ornament and, I may add, the advertisement of her +father's kraal. Others might do the work, and she saw that they did it. + +We discussed all sorts of things, from the Christian and other religions +and European policy down, for her thirst for knowledge seemed to be +insatiable. But what really interested her was the state of affairs in +Zululand, with which she knew I was well acquainted, as a person who +had played a part in its history and who was received and trusted at the +Great House, and as a white man who understood the designs and plans of +the Boers and of the Governor of Natal. + +Now, if the old king, Panda, should chance to die, she would ask me, +which of his sons did I think would succeed him--Umbelazi or Cetewayo, +or another? Or, if he did not chance to die, which of them would he name +his heir? + +I replied that I was not a prophet, and that she had better ask Zikali +the Wise. + +"That is a very good idea," she said, "only I have no one to take me to +him, since my father would not allow me to go with Saduko, his ward." +Then she clapped her hands and added: "Oh, Macumazahn, will you take me? +My father would trust me with you." + +"Yes, I dare say," I answered; "but the question is, could I trust +myself with you?" + +"What do you mean?" she asked. "Oh, I understand. Then, after all, I am +more to you than a black stone to play with?" + +I think it was that unlucky joke of mine which first set Mameena +thinking, "like a white ant in its tunnel," as Saduko said. At least, +after it her manner towards me changed; she became very deferential; +she listened to my words as though they were all wisdom; I caught her +looking at me with her soft eyes as though I were quite an admirable +object. She began to talk to me of her difficulties, her troubles and +her ambitions. She asked me for my advice as to Saduko. On this point +I replied to her that, if she loved him, and her father would allow it, +presumably she had better marry him. + +"I like him well enough, Macumazahn, although he wearies me at times; +but love-- Oh, tell me, _what_ is love?" Then she clasped her slim hands +and gazed at me like a fawn. + +"Upon my word, young woman," I replied, "that is a matter upon which I +should have thought you more competent to instruct me." + +"Oh, Macumazahn," she said almost in a whisper, and letting her head +droop like a fading lily, "you have never given me the chance, have +you?" And she laughed a little, looking extremely attractive. + +"Good gracious!"--or, rather, its Zulu equivalent--I answered, for I +began to feel nervous. "What do you mean, Mameena? How could I--" There +I stopped. + +"I do not know what I mean, Macumazahn," she exclaimed wildly, "but +I know well enough what you mean--that you are white as snow and I am +black as soot, and that snow and soot don't mix well together." + +"No," I answered gravely, "snow is good to look at, and so is soot, but +mingled they make an ugly colour. Not that you are like soot," I added +hastily, fearing to hurt her feelings. "That is your hue"--and I touched +a copper bangle she was wearing--"a very lovely hue, Mameena, like +everything else about you." + +"Lovely," she said, beginning to weep a little, which upset me very +much, for if there is one thing I hate, it is to see a woman cry. "How +can a poor Zulu girl be lovely? Oh, Macumazahn, the spirits have dealt +hardly with me, who have given me the colour of my people and the +heart of yours. If I were white, now, what you are pleased to call this +loveliness of mine would be of some use to me, for then-- then-- Oh, +cannot you guess, Macumazahn?" + +I shook my head and said that I could not, and next moment was sorry, +for she proceeded to explain. + +Sinking to her knees--for we were quite alone in the big hut and there +was no one else about, all the other women being engaged on rural or +domestic tasks, for which Mameena declared she had no time, as her +business was to look after me--she rested her shapely head upon my knees +and began to talk in a low, sweet voice that sometimes broke into a sob. + +"Then I will tell you--I will tell you; yes, even if you hate me +afterwards. I could teach you what love is very well, Macumazahn; you +are quite right--because I love you." (Sob.) "No, you shall not stir +till you have heard me out." Here she flung her arms about my legs and +held them tight, so that without using great violence it was absolutely +impossible for me to move. "When I saw you first, all shattered and +senseless, snow seemed to fall upon my heart, and it stopped for a +little while and has never been the same since. I think that something +is growing in it, Macumazahn, that makes it big." (Sob.) "I used to like +Saduko before that, but afterwards I did not like him at all--no, +nor Masapo either--you know, he is the big chief who lives over the +mountain, a very rich and powerful man, who, I believe, would like +to marry me. Well, as I went on nursing you my heart grew bigger and +bigger, and now you see it has burst." (Sob.) "Nay, stay still and do +not try to speak. You _shall_ hear me out. It is the least you can do, +seeing that you have caused me all this pain. If you did not want me to +love you, why did you not curse at me and strike me, as I am told white +men do to Kafir girls?" She rose and went on: + +"Now, hearken. Although I am the colour of copper, I am comely. I am +well-bred also; there is no higher blood than ours in Zululand, both on +my father's and my mother's side, and, Macumazahn, I have a fire in me +that shows me things. I can be great, and I long for greatness. Take me +to wife, Macumazahn, and I swear to you that in ten years I will make +you king of the Zulus. Forget your pale white women and wed yourself to +that fire which burns in me, and it shall eat up all that stands between +you and the Crown, as flame eats up dry grass. More, I will make you +happy. If you choose to take other wives, I will not be jealous, because +I know that I should hold your spirit, and that, compared to me, they +would be nothing in your thought--" + +"But, Mameena," I broke in, "I don't want to be king of the Zulus." + +"Oh, yes, yes, you do, for every man wants power, and it is better to +rule over a brave, black people--thousands and thousands of them--than +to be no one among the whites. Think, think! There is wealth in the +land. By your skill and knowledge the amabuto [regiments] could be +improved; with the wealth you would arm them with guns--yes, and +'by-and-byes' also with the throat of thunder" (that is, or was, the +Kafir name for cannon).[*] "They would be invincible. Chaka's kingdom +would be nothing to ours, for a hundred thousand warriors would sleep +on their spears, waiting for your word. If you wished it even you could +sweep out Natal and make the whites there your subjects, too. Or perhaps +it would be safer to let them be, lest others should come across the +green water to help them, and to strike northwards, where I am told +there are great lands as rich and fair, in which none would dispute our +sovereignty--" + + [*--Cannon were called "by-and-byes" by the natives, because + when field-pieces first arrived in Natal inquisitive Kafirs + pestered the soldiers to show them how they were fired. + The answer given was always "By-and-bye!" Hence the name.-- + EDITOR] + +"But, Mameena," I gasped, for this girl's titanic ambition literally +overwhelmed me, "surely you are mad! How would you do all these things?" + +"I am not mad," she answered; "I am only what is called great, and you +know well enough that I can do them, not by myself, who am but a woman +and tied with the ropes that bind women, but with you to cut those ropes +and help me. I have a plan which will not fail. But, Macumazahn," she +added in a changed voice, "until I know that you will be my partner in +it I will not tell it even to you, for perhaps you might talk--in your +sleep, and then the fire in my breast would soon go out--for ever." + +"I might talk now, for the matter of that, Mameena." + +"No; for men like you do not tell tales of foolish girls who chance to +love them. But if that plan began to work, and you heard say that kings +or princes died, it might be otherwise. You might say, 'I think I +know where the witch lives who causes these evils'--in your sleep, +Macumazahn." + +"Mameena," I said, "tell me no more. Setting your dreams on one side, +can I be false to my friend, Saduko, who talks to me day and night of +you?" + +"Saduko! Piff!" she exclaimed, with that expressive gesture of her hand. + +"And can I be false," I continued, seeing that Saduko was no good card +to play, "to my friend, Umbezi, your father?" + +"My father!" she laughed. "Why, would it not please him to grow great +in your shadow? Only yesterday he told me to marry you, if I could, for +then he would find a stick indeed to lean on, and be rid of Saduko's +troubling." + +Evidently Umbezi was a worse card even than Saduko, so I played another. + +"And can I help you, Mameena, to tread a road that at the best must be +red with blood?" + +"Why not," she asked, "since with or without you I am destined to tread +that road, the only difference being that with you it will lead to glory +and without you perhaps to the jackals and the vultures? Blood! Piff! +What is blood in Zululand?" + +This card also having failed, I tabled my last. + +"Glory or no glory, I do not wish to share it, Mameena. I will not +make war among a people who have entertained me hospitably, or plot the +downfall of their Great Ones. As you told me just now, I am nobody--just +one grain of sand upon a white shore--but I had rather be that than a +haunted rock which draws the heavens' lightnings and is drenched with +sacrifice. I seek no throne over white or black, Mameena, who walk my +own path to a quiet grave that shall perhaps not be without honour of +its own, though other than you seek. I will keep your counsel, Mameena, +but, because you are so beautiful and so wise, and because you say you +are fond of me--for which I thank you--I pray you put away these fearful +dreams of yours that in the end, whether they succeed or fail, will +send you shivering from the world to give account of them to the +Watcher-on-high." + +"Not so, O Macumazana," she said, with a proud little laugh. "When your +Watcher sowed my seed--if thus he did--he sowed the dreams that are +a part of me also, and I shall only bring him back his own, with the +flower and the fruit by way of interest. But that is finished. You +refuse the greatness. Now, tell me, if I sink those dreams in a great +water, tying about them the stone of forgetfulness and saying: 'Sleep +there, O dreams; it is not your hour'--if I do this, and stand before +you just a woman who loves and who swears by the spirits of her fathers +never to think or do that which has not your blessing--will you love me +a little, Macumazahn?" + +Now I was silent, for she had driven me to the last ditch, and I knew +not what to say. Moreover, I will confess my weakness--I was strangely +moved. This beautiful girl with the "fire in her heart," this woman who +was different from all other women that I had ever known, seemed to have +twisted her slender fingers into my heart-strings and to be drawing +me towards her. It was a great temptation, and I bethought me of old +Zikali's saying in the Black Kloof, and seemed to hear his giant laugh. + +She glided up to me, she threw her arms about me and kissed me on the +lips, and I think I kissed her back, but really I am not sure what I +did or said, for my head swam. When it cleared again she was standing in +front of me, looking at me reflectively. + +"Now, Macumazahn," she said, with a little smile that both mocked and +dazzled, "the poor black girl has you, the wise, experienced white man, +in her net, and I will show you that she can be generous. Do you think +that I do not read your heart, that I do not know that you believe I +am dragging you down to shame and ruin? Well, I spare you, Macumazahn, +since you have kissed me and spoken words which already you may have +forgotten, but which I do not forget. Go your road, Macumazahn, and I +go mine, since the proud white man shall not be stained with my black +touch. Go your road; but one thing I forbid you--to believe that you +have been listening to lies, and that I have merely played off a woman's +arts upon you for my own ends. I love you, Macumazahn, as you will never +be loved till you die, and I shall never love any other man, however +many I may marry. Moreover, you shall promise me one thing--that once in +my life, and once only, if I wish it, you shall kiss me again before all +men. And now, lest you should be moved to folly and forget your white +man's pride, I bid you farewell, O Macumazana. When we meet again it +will be as friends only." + +Then she went, leaving me feeling smaller than ever I felt in my life, +before or since--even smaller than when I walked into the presence of +old Zikali the Wise. Why, I wondered, had she first made a fool of me, +and then thrown away the fruits of my folly? To this hour I cannot quite +answer the question, though I believe the explanation to be that she did +really care for me, and was anxious not to involve me in trouble and her +plottings; also she may have been wise enough to see that our natures +were as oil and water and would never blend. + + + + +CHAPTER V. TWO BUCKS AND THE DOE + + +It may be thought that, as a sequel to this somewhat remarkable scene in +which I was absolutely bowled over--perhaps bowled out would be a better +term--by a Kafir girl who, after bending me to her will, had the genius +to drop me before I repented, as she knew I would do so soon as her back +was turned, thereby making me look the worst of fools, that my relations +with that young lady would have been strained. But not a bit of it. When +next we met, which was on the following morning, she was just her easy, +natural self, attending to my hurts, which by now were almost well, +joking about this and that, inquiring as to the contents of certain +letters which I had received from Natal, and of some newspapers that +came with them--for on all such matters she was very curious--and so +forth. + +Impossible, the clever critic will say--impossible that a savage could +act with such finish. Well, friend critic, that is just where you are +wrong. When you come to add it up there's very little difference in all +main and essential matters between the savage and yourself. + +To begin with, by what exact right do we call people like the Zulus +savages? Setting aside the habit of polygamy, which, after all, is +common among very highly civilised peoples in the East, they have a +social system not unlike our own. They have, or had, their king, their +nobles, and their commons. They have an ancient and elaborate law, and +a system of morality in some ways as high as our own, and certainly more +generally obeyed. They have their priests and their doctors; they are +strictly upright, and observe the rites of hospitality. + +Where they differ from us mainly is that they do not get drunk until the +white man teaches them so to do, they wear less clothing, the climate +being more genial, their towns at night are not disgraced by the +sights that distinguish ours, they cherish and are never cruel to their +children, although they may occasionally put a deformed infant or a twin +out of the way, and when they go to war, which is often, they carry out +the business with a terrible thoroughness, almost as terrible as that +which prevailed in every nation in Europe a few generations ago. + +Of course, there remain their witchcraft and the cruelties which result +from their almost universal belief in the power and efficiency of magic. +Well, since I lived in England I have been reading up this subject, and +I find that quite recently similar cruelties were practised throughout +Europe--that is in a part of the world which for over a thousand years +has enjoyed the advantages of the knowledge and profession of the +Christian faith. + +Now, let him who is highly cultured take up a stone to throw at the +poor, untaught Zulu, which I notice the most dissolute and drunken +wretch of a white man is often ready to do, generally because he covets +his land, his labour, or whatever else may be his. + +But I wander from my point, which is that a clever man or woman among +the people whom we call savages is in all essentials very much the same +as a clever man or woman anywhere else. + +Here in England every child is educated at the expense of the Country, +but I have not observed that the system results in the production of +more really able individuals. Ability is the gift of Nature, and that +universal mother sheds her favours impartially over all who breathe. +No, not quite impartially, perhaps, for the old Greeks and others were +examples to the contrary. Still, the general rule obtains. + +To return. Mameena was a very able person, as she chanced to be a very +lovely one, a person who, had she been favoured by opportunity, would +doubtless have played the part of a Cleopatra with equal or greater +success, since she shared the beauty and the unscrupulousness of that +famous lady and was, I believe, capable of her passion. + +I scarcely like to mention the matter since it affects myself, and +the natural vanity of man makes him prone to conclude that he is the +particular object of sole and undying devotion. Could he know all the +facts of the case, or cases, probably he would be much undeceived, and +feel about as small as I did when Mameena walked, or rather crawled, out +of the hut (she could even crawl gracefully). Still, to be honest--and +why should I not, since all this business "went beyond" so long +ago?--I do believe that there was a certain amount of truth in what she +said--that, for Heaven knows what reason, she did take a fancy to me, +which fancy continued during her short and stormy life. But the reader +of her story may judge for himself. + +Within a fortnight of the day of my discomfiture in the hut I was quite +well and strong again, my ribs, or whatever part of me it was that the +buffalo had injured with his iron knees, having mended up. Also, I was +anxious to be going, having business to attend to in Natal, and, as no +more had been seen or heard of Saduko, I determined to trek homewards, +leaving a message that he knew where to find me if he wanted me. The +truth is that I was by no means keen on being involved in his private +war with Bangu. Indeed, I wished to wash my hands of the whole matter, +including the fair Mameena and her mocking eyes. + +So one morning, having already got up my oxen, I told Scowl to inspan +them--an order which he received with joy, for he and the other boys +wished to be off to civilisation and its delights. Just as the operation +was beginning, however, a message came to me from old Umbezi, who begged +me to delay my departure till after noon, as a friend of his, a big +chief, had come to visit him who wished much to have the honour of +making my acquaintance. Now, I wished the big chief farther off, but, as +it seemed rude to refuse the request of one who had been so kind to me, +I ordered the oxen to be unyoked but kept at hand, and in an irritable +frame of mind walked up to the kraal. This was about half a mile from +my place of outspan, for as soon as I was sufficiently recovered I +had begun to sleep in my wagon, leaving the big hut to the +"Worn-out-Old-Cow." + +There was no particular reason why I should be irritated, since time +in those days was of no great account in Zululand, and it did not much +matter to me whether I trekked in the morning or the afternoon. But the +fact was that I could not get over the prophecy of Zikali, "the Little +and Wise," that I was destined to share Saduko's expedition against +Bangu, and, although he had been right about the buffalo and Mameena, I +was determined to prove him wrong in this particular. + +If I had left the country, obviously I could not go against Bangu, at +any rate at present. But while I remained in it Saduko might return at +any moment, and then, doubtless, I should find it hard to escape from +the kind of half-promise that I had given to him. + +Well, as soon as I reached the kraal I saw that some kind of festivity +was in progress, for an ox had been killed and was being cooked, some of +it in pots and some by roasting; also there were several strange Zulus +present. Within the fence of the kraal, seated in its shadow, I found +Umbezi and some of his headmen, and with them a great, brawny "ringed" +native, who wore a tiger-skin moocha as a mark of rank, and some of +_his_ headmen. Also Mameena was standing near the gate, dressed in her +best beads and holding a gourd of Kafir beer which, evidently, she had +just been handing to the guests. + +"Would you have run away without saying good-bye to me, Macumazahn?" she +whispered to me as I came abreast of her. "That is unkind of you, and I +should have wept much. However, it was not so fated." + +"I was going to ride up and bid farewell when the oxen were inspanned," +I answered. "But who is that man?" + +"You will find out presently, Macumazahn. Look, my father is beckoning +to us." + +So I went on to the circle, and as I advanced Umbezi rose and, taking me +by the hand, led me to the big man, saying: + +"This is Masapo, chief of the Amansomi, of the Quabe race, who desires +to know you, Macumazahn." + +"Very kind of him, I am sure," I replied coolly, as I threw my eye over +Masapo. He was, as I have said, a big man, and of about fifty years +of age, for his hair was tinged with grey. To be frank, I took a great +dislike to him at once, for there was something in his strong, coarse +face, and his air of insolent pride, which repelled me. Then I was +silent, since among the Zulus, when two strangers of more or less equal +rank meet, he who speaks first acknowledges inferiority to the other. +Therefore I stood and contemplated this new suitor of Mameena, waiting +on events. + +Masapo also contemplated me, then made some remark to one of his +attendants, that I did not catch, which caused the fellow to laugh. + +"He has heard that you are an ipisi" (a great hunter), broke in Umbezi, +who evidently felt that the situation was growing strained, and that it +was necessary to say something. + +"Has he?" I answered. "Then he is more fortunate than I am, for I have +never heard of him or what he is." This, I am sorry to say, was a fib, +for it will be remembered that Mameena had mentioned him in the hut as +one of her suitors, but among natives one must keep up one's dignity +somehow. "Friend Umbezi," I went on, "I have come to bid you farewell, +as I am about to trek for Durban." + +At this juncture Masapo stretched out his great hand to me, but without +rising, and said: + +"Siyakubona [that is, good-day], White Man." + +"Siyakubona, Black Man," I answered, just touching his fingers, while +Mameena, who had come up again with her beer, and was facing me, made a +little grimace and tittered. + +Now I turned on my heel to go, whereon Masapo said in a coarse, growling +voice: + +"O Macumazana, before you leave us I wish to speak with you on a certain +matter. Will it please you to sit aside with me for a while?" + +"Certainly, O Masapo." And I walked away a few yards out of hearing, +whither he followed me. + +"Macumazahn," he said (I give the gist of his remarks, for he did not +come to the point at once), "I need guns, and I am told that you can +provide them, being a trader." + +"Yes, Masapo, I dare say that I can, at a price, though it is a risky +business smuggling guns into Zululand. But might I ask what you need +them for? is it to shoot elephants?" + +"Yes, to shoot elephants," he replied, rolling his big eyes round him. +"Macumazahn, I am told that you are discreet, that you do not shout +from the top of a hut what you hear within it. Now, hearken to me. Our +country is disturbed; we do not all of us love the seed of Senzangakona, +of whom the present king, Panda, is one. For instance, you may know that +we Quabies--for my tribe, the Amansomi, are of that race--suffered at +the spear of Chaka. Well, we think that a time may come when we who live +on shrubs like goats may again browse on tree-tops like giraffes, for +Panda is no strong king, and he has sons who hate each other, one of +whom may need our spears. Do you understand?" + +"I understand that you want guns, O Masapo," I answered dryly. "Now, as +to the price and place of delivery." + +Then we bargained for a while, but the details of that business +transaction of long ago will interest no one. Indeed, I only mention the +matter to show that Masapo was plotting to bring trouble on the ruling +house, whereof Panda was the representative at that time. + +When we had concluded our rather nefarious negotiations, which were to +the effect that I was to receive so many cattle in return for so many +guns, if I could deliver them at a certain spot, namely, Umbezi's kraal, +I returned to the circle where Umbezi, his followers and guests were +sitting, purposing to bid him farewell. By now, however, meat had been +served, and as I was hungry, having had little breakfast that morning, +I stayed to eat. When I had finished my meal, and washed it down with a +draught of tshwala (that is, Kafir beer), I rose to go, but just at that +moment who should walk through the gate but Saduko? + +"Piff!" said Mameena, who was standing near me, speaking in a voice that +none but I could hear. "When two bucks meet, what happens, Macumazahn?" + +"Sometimes they fight and sometimes one runs away. It depends very much +on the doe," I answered in the same low voice, looking at her. + +She shrugged her shoulders, folded her arms beneath her breast, nodded +to Saduko as he passed, then leaned gracefully against the fence and +awaited events. + +"Greeting, Umbezi," said Saduko in his proud manner. "I see that you +feast. Am I welcome here?" + +"Of course you are always welcome, Saduko," replied Umbezi uneasily, +"although, as it happens, I am entertaining a great man." And he looked +towards Masapo. + +"I see," said Saduko, eyeing the strangers. "But which of these may be +the great man? I ask that I may salute him." + +"You know well enough, umfokazana" (that is, low fellow), exclaimed +Masapo angrily. + +"I know that if you were outside this fence, Masapo, I would cram that +word down your throat at the point of my assegai," replied Saduko in a +fierce voice. "Oh, I can guess your business here, Masapo, and you can +guess mine," and he glanced towards Mameena. "Tell me, Umbezi, is this +little chief of the Amansomi your daughter's accepted suitor?" + +"Nay, nay, Saduko," said Umbezi; "no one is her accepted suitor. Will +you not sit down and take food with us? Tell us where you have been, and +why you return here thus suddenly, and--uninvited?" + +"I return here, O Umbezi, to speak with the white chief, Macumazahn. As +to where I have been, that is my affair, and not yours or Masapo's." + +"Now, if I were chief of this kraal," said Masapo, "I would hunt out of +it this hyena with a mangy coat and without a hole who comes to devour +your meat and, perhaps," he added with meaning, "to steal away your +child." + +"Did I not tell you, Macumazahn, that when two bucks met they would +fight?" whispered Mameena suavely into my ear. + +"Yes, Mameena, you did--or rather I told you. But you did not tell me +what the doe would do." + +"The doe, Macumazahn, will crouch in her form and see what happens--as +is the fashion of does," and again she laughed softly. + +"Why not do your own hunting, Masapo?" asked Saduko. "Come, now, I +will promise you good sport. Outside this kraal there are other hyenas +waiting who call me chief--a hundred or two of them--assembled for a +certain purpose by the royal leave of King Panda, whose House, as we all +know, you hate. Come, leave that beef and beer and begin your hunting of +hyenas, O Masapo." + +Now Masapo sat silent, for he saw that he who thought to snare a baboon +had caught a tiger. + +"You do not speak, O Chief of the little Amansomi," went on Saduko, who +was beside himself with rage and jealousy. "You will not leave your beef +and beer to hunt the hyenas who are captained by an umfokazana! Well, +then, the umfokazana will speak," and, stepping up to Masapo, with the +spear he carried poised in his right hand, Saduko grasped his rival's +short beard with his left. + +"Listen, Chief," he said. "You and I are enemies. You seek the woman I +seek, and, mayhap, being rich, you will buy her. But if so, I tell you +that I will kill you and all your House, you sneaking, half-bred dog!" + +With these fierce words he spat in his face and tumbled him backwards. +Then, before anyone could stop him, for Umbezi, and even Masapo's +headmen, seemed paralysed with surprise, he stalked through the kraal +gate, saying as he passed me: + +"Inkoosi, I have words for you when you are at liberty." + +"You shall pay for this," roared Umbezi after him, turning almost green +with rage, for Masapo still lay upon his broad back, speechless, "you +who dare to insult my guest in my own house." + +"Somebody must pay," cried back Saduko from the gate, "but who it is +only the unborn moons will see." + +"Mameena," I said as I followed him, "you have set fire to the grass, +and men will be burned in it." + +"I meant to, Macumazahn," she answered calmly. "Did I not tell you +that there was a flame in me, and it will break out sometimes? But, +Macumazahn, it is you who have set fire to the grass, not I. Remember +that when half Zululand is in ashes. Farewell, O Macumazana, till we +meet again, and," she added softly, "whoever else must burn, may the +spirits have _you_ in their keeping." + +At the gate, remembering my manners, I turned to bid that company a +polite farewell. By now Masapo had gained his feet, and was roaring out +like a bull: + +"Kill him! Kill the hyena! Umbezi, will you sit still and see me, your +guest--me, Masapo--struck and insulted under the shadow of your own hut? +Go forth and kill him, I say!" + +"Why not kill him yourself, Masapo," asked the agitated Umbezi, "or +bid your headmen kill him? Who am I that I should take precedence of +so great a chief in a matter of the spear?" Then he turned towards me, +saying: "Oh, Macumazahn the crafty, if I have dealt well by you, come +here and give me your counsel." + +"I come, Eater-up-of-Elephants," I answered, and I did. + +"What shall I do--what shall I do?" went on Umbezi, brushing the +perspiration off his brow with one hand, while he wrung the other in his +agitation. "There stands a friend of mine"--he pointed to the infuriated +Masapo--"who wishes me to kill another friend of mine," and he jerked +his thumb towards the kraal gate. "If I refuse I offend one friend, +and if I consent I bring blood upon my hands which will call for blood, +since, although Saduko is poor, without doubt he has those who love +him." + +"Yes," I answered, "and perhaps you will bring blood upon other parts of +yourself besides your hands, since Saduko is not one to sit still like a +sheep while his throat is cut. Also did he not say that he is not quite +alone? Umbezi, if you will take my advice, you will leave Masapo to do +his own killing." + +"It is good; it is wise!" exclaimed Umbezi. "Masapo," he called to that +warrior, "if you wish to fight, pray do not think of me. I see nothing, +I hear nothing, and I promise proper burial to any who fall. Only you +had best be swift, for Saduko is walking away all this time. Come, you +and your people have spears, and the gate stands open." + +"Am I to go without my meat in order to knock that hyena on the head?" +asked Masapo in a brave voice. "No, he can wait my leisure. Sit still, +my people. I tell you, sit still. Tell him, you Macumazahn, that I am +coming for him presently, and be warned to keep yourself away from him, +lest you should tumble into his hole." + +"I will tell him," I answered, "though I know not who made me your +messenger. But listen to me, you Speaker of big words and Doer of +small deeds, if you dare to lift a finger against me I will teach you +something about holes, for there shall be one or more through that great +carcass of yours." + +Then, walking up to him, I looked him in the face, and at the same time +tapped the handle of the big double-barrelled pistol I carried. + +He shrank back muttering something. + +"Oh, don't apologise," I said, "only be more careful in future. And +now I wish you a good dinner, Chief Masapo, and peace upon your kraal, +friend Umbezi." + +After this speech I marched off, followed by the clamour of Masapo's +furious attendants and the sound of Mameena's light and mocking +laughter. + +"I wonder which of them she will marry?" I thought to myself, as I set +out for the wagons. + +As I approached my camp I saw that the oxen were being inspanned, as I +supposed by the order of Scowl, who must have heard that there was a row +up at the kraal, and thought it well to be ready to bolt. In this I was +mistaken, however, for just then Saduko strolled out of a patch of bush +and said: + +"I ordered your boys to yoke up the oxen, Inkoosi." + +"Have you? That's cool!" I answered. "Perhaps you will tell me why." + +"Because we must make a good trek to the northward before night, +Inkoosi." + +"Indeed! I thought that I was heading south-east." + +"Bangu does not live in the south or the east," he replied slowly. + +"Oh, I had almost forgotten about Bangu," I said, with a rather feeble +attempt at evasion. + +"Is it so?" he answered in his haughty voice. "I never knew before that +Macumazahn was a man who broke a promise to his friend." + +"Would you be so kind as to explain your meaning, Saduko?" + +"Is it needful?" he answered, shrugging his shoulders. "Unless my ears +played me tricks, you agreed to go up with me against Bangu. Well, I +have gathered the necessary men--with the king's leave--they await us +yonder," and he pointed with his spear towards a dense patch of bush +that lay some miles beneath us. "But," he added, "if you desire to +change your mind I will go alone. Only then, I think, we had better bid +each other good-bye, since I love not friends who change their minds +when the assegais begin to shake." + +Now, whether Saduko spoke thus by design I do not know. Certainly, +however, he could have found no better way to ensure my companionship +for what it was worth, since, although I had made no actual promise in +this case, I have always prided myself on keeping even a half-bargain +with a native. + +"I will go with you," I said quietly, "and I hope that, when it comes to +the pinch, your spear will be as sharp as your tongue, Saduko. Only do +not speak to me again like that, lest we should quarrel." + +As I said this I saw a look of relief appear on his face, of very great +relief. + +"I pray your pardon, my lord Macumazahn," he said, seizing my hand, +"but, oh! there is a hole in my heart. I think that Mameena means to +play me false, and now that has happened with yonder dog, Masapo, which +will make her father hate me." + +"If you will take my advice, Saduko," I replied earnestly, "you will +let this Mameena fall out of the hole in your heart; you will forget her +name; you will have done with her. Ask me not why." + +"Perhaps there is no need, O Macumazana. Perhaps she has been making +love to you, and you have turned her away, as, being what you are, and +my friend, of course you would do." (It is rather inconvenient to be +set upon such a pedestal at times, but I did not attempt to assent or to +deny anything, much less to enter into explanations.) + +"Perhaps all this has happened," he continued, "or perhaps it is she who +has sent for Masapo the Hog. I do not ask, because if you know you will +not tell me. Moreover, it matters nothing. While I have a heart, Mameena +will never drop out of it; while I can remember names, hers will never +be forgotten by me. Moreover, I mean that she shall be my wife. Now, I +am minded to take a few men and spear this hog, Masapo, before we go up +against Bangu, for then he, at any rate, will be out of my road." + +"If you do anything of the sort, Saduko, you will go up against Bangu +alone, for I trek east at once, who will not be mixed up with murder." + +"Then let it be, Inkoosi; unless he attacks me, as my Snake send that +he may, the Hog can wait. After all, he will only be growing a little +fatter. Now, if it pleases you order the wagons to trek. I will show the +road, for we must camp in that bush to-night where my people wait +me, and there I will tell you my plans; also you will find one with a +message for you." + + + + +CHAPTER VI. THE AMBUSH + + +We had reached the bush after six hours' downhill trek over a pretty bad +track made by cattle--of course, there were no roads in Zululand at this +date. I remember the place well. It was a kind of spreading woodland +on a flat bottom, where trees of no great size grew sparsely. Some were +mimosa thorns, others had deep green leaves and bore a kind of plum with +an acid taste and a huge stone, and others silver-coloured leaves in +their season. A river, too, low at this time of the year, wound through +it, and in the scrub upon its banks were many guinea-fowl and other +birds. It was a pleasing, lonely place, with lots of game in it, that +came here in the winter to eat the grass, which was lacking on the +higher veld. Also it gave the idea of vastness, since wherever one +looked there was nothing to be seen except a sea of trees. + +Well, we outspanned by the river, of which I forget the name, at a spot +that Saduko showed us, and set to work to cook our food, that consisted +of venison from a blue wildebeest, one of a herd of these wild-looking +animals which I had been fortunate enough to shoot as they whisked past +us, gambolling in and out between the trees. + +While we were eating I observed that armed Zulus arrived continually in +parties of from six to a score of men, and as they arrived lifted their +spears, though whether in salutation to Saduko or to myself I did +not know, and sat themselves down on an open space between us and the +river-bank. Although it was difficult to say whence they came, for +they appeared like ghosts out of the bush, I thought it well to take no +notice of them, since I guessed that their coming was prearranged. + +"Who are they?" I whispered to Scowl, as he brought me my tot of +"squareface." + +"Saduko's wild men," he answered in the same low voice, "outlaws of his +tribe who live among the rocks." + +Now I scanned them sideways, while pretending to light my pipe and so +forth, and certainly they seemed a remarkably savage set of people. +Great, gaunt fellows with tangled hair, who wore tattered skins upon +their shoulders and seemed to have no possessions save some snuff, a few +sleeping-mats, and an ample supply of large fighting shields, hardwood +kerries or knob-sticks, and broad ixwas, or stabbing assegais. Such +was the look of them as they sat round us in silent semicircles, like +aas-võgels--as the Dutch call vultures--sit round a dying ox. + +Still I smoked on and took no notice. + +At length, as I expected, Saduko grew weary of my silence and spoke. +"These are men of the Amangwane tribe, Macumazahn; three hundred of +them, all that Bangu left alive, for when their fathers were killed, +the women escaped with some of the children, especially those of the +outlying kraals. I have gathered them to be revenged upon Bangu, I who +am their chief by right of blood." + +"Quite so," I answered. "I see that you have gathered them; but do they +wish to be revenged on Bangu at the risk of their own lives?" + +"We do, white Inkoosi," came the deep-throated answer from the three +hundred. + +"And do they acknowledge you, Saduko, to be their chief?" + +"We do," again came the answer. Then a spokesman stepped forward, one of +the few grey-haired men among them, for most of these Amangwane were of +the age of Saduko, or even younger. + +"O Watcher-by-Night," he said, "I am Tshoza, the brother of Matiwane, +Saduko's father, the only one of his brothers that escaped the slaughter +on the night of the Great Killing. Is it not so?" + +"It is so," exclaimed the serried ranks behind him. + +"I acknowledge Saduko as my chief, and so do we all," went on Tshoza. + +"So do we all," echoed the ranks. + +"Since Matiwane died we have lived as we could, O Macumazana; like +baboons among the rocks, without cattle, often without a hut to shelter +us; here one, there one. Still, we have lived, awaiting the hour of +vengeance upon Bangu, that hour which Zikali the Wise, who is of our +blood, has promised to us. Now we believe that it has come, and one and +all, from here, from there, from everywhere, we have gathered at the +summons of Saduko to be led against Bangu and to conquer him or to die. +Is it not so, Amangwane?" + +"It is, it is so!" came the deep, unanimous answer, that caused the +stirless leaves to shake in the still air. + +"I understand, O Tshoza, brother of Matiwane and uncle of Saduko the +chief," I replied. "But Bangu is a strong man, living, I am told, in a +strong place. Still, let that go; for have you not said that you come +out to conquer or to die, you who have nothing to lose; and if you +conquer, you conquer; and if you die, you die and the tale is told. But +supposing that you conquer. What will Panda, King of the Zulus, say to +you, and to me also, who stir up war in his country?" + +Now the Amangwane looked behind them, and Saduko cried out: + +"Appear, messenger from Panda the King!" + +Before his words had ceased to echo I saw a little, withered man +threading his way between the tall, gaunt forms of the Amangwane. He +came and stood before me, saying: + +"Hail, Macumazahn. Do you remember me?" + +"Aye," I answered, "I remember you as Maputa, one of Panda's indunas." + +"Quite so, Macumazahn; I am Maputa, one of his indunas, a member of +his Council, a captain of his impis [that is, armies], as I was to his +brothers who are gone, whose names it is not lawful that I should name. +Well, Panda the King has sent me to you, at the request of Saduko there, +with a message." + +"How do I know that you are a true messenger?" I asked. "Have you +brought me any token?" + +"Aye," he answered, and, fumbling under his cloak, he produced something +wrapped in dried leaves, which he undid and handed to me, saying: + +"This is the token that Panda sends to you, Macumazahn, bidding me +to tell you that you will certainly know it again; also that you are +welcome to it, since the two little bullets which he swallowed as you +directed made him very ill, and he needs no more of them." + +I took the token, and, examining it in the moonlight, recognised it at +once. + +It was a cardboard box of strong calomel pills, on the top of which was +written: "Allan Quatermain, Esq.: One _only_ to be taken as directed." +Without entering into explanations, I may state that I had taken "one as +directed," and subsequently presented the rest of the box to King Panda, +who was very anxious to "taste the white man's medicine." + +"Do you recognise the token, Macumazahn?" asked the induna. + +"Yes," I replied gravely; "and let the King return thanks to the spirits +of his ancestors that he did not swallow three of the balls, for if +he had done so, by now there would have been another Head in Zululand. +Well, speak on, Messenger." + +But to myself I reflected, not for the first time, how strangely these +natives could mix up the sublime with the ridiculous. Here was a matter +that must involve the death of many men, and the token sent to me by the +autocrat who stood at the back of it all, to prove the good faith of his +messenger, was a box of calomel pills! However, it served the purpose as +well as anything else. + +Maputa and I drew aside, for I saw that he wished to speak with me +alone. + +"O Macumazana," he said, when we were out of hearing of the others, +"these are the words of Panda to you: 'I understand that you, +Macumazahn, have promised to accompany Saduko, son of Matiwane, on an +expedition of his against Bangu, chief of the Amakoba. Now, were anyone +else concerned, I should forbid this expedition, and especially should I +forbid you, a white man in my country, to share therein. But this dog of +a Bangu is an evil-doer. Many years ago he worked on the Black One who +went before me to send him to destroy Matiwane, my friend, filling +the Black One's ears with false accusations; and thereafter he did +treacherously destroy him and all his tribe save Saduko, his son, and +some of the people and children who escaped. Moreover, of late he has +been working against me, the King, striving to stir up rebellion against +me, because he knows that I hate him for his crimes. Now I, Panda, +unlike those who went before me, am a man of peace who do not wish to +light the fire of civil war in the land, for who knows where such fires +will stop, or whose kraals they will consume? Yet I do wish to see Bangu +punished for his wickedness, and his pride abated. Therefore I give +Saduko leave, and those people of the Amangwane who remain to him, +to avenge their private wrongs upon Bangu if they can; and I give you +leave, Macumazahn, to be of his party. Moreover, if any cattle are +taken, I shall ask no account of them; you and Saduko may divide them as +you wish. But understand, O Macumazana, that if you or your people +are killed or wounded, or robbed of your goods, I know nothing of the +matter, and am not responsible to you or to the white House of Natal; it +is your own matter. These are my words. I have spoken.'" + +"I see," I answered. "I am to pull Panda's hot iron out of the fire and +to extinguish the fire. If I succeed I may keep a piece of the iron when +it gets cool, and if I burn my fingers it is my own fault, and I or my +House must not come crying to Panda." + +"O Watcher-by-Night, you have speared the bull in the heart," replied +Maputa, the messenger, nodding his shrewd old head. "Well, will you go +up with Saduko?" + +"Say to the King, O Messenger, that I will go up with Saduko because I +promised him that I would, being moved by the tale of his wrongs, and +not for the sake of the cattle, although it is true that if I hear any +of them lowing in my camp I may keep them. Say to Panda also that if +aught of ill befalls me he shall hear nothing of it, nor will I bring +his high name into this business; but that he, on his part, must not +blame me for anything that may happen afterwards. Have you the message?" + +"I have it word for word; and may your Spirit be with you, Macumazahn, +when you attack the strong mountain of Bangu, which, were I you," Maputa +added reflectively, "I think I should do just at the dawn, since the +Amakoba drink much beer and are heavy sleepers." + +Then we took a pinch of snuff together, and he departed at once for +Nodwengu, Panda's Great Place. + + +Fourteen days had gone by, and Saduko and I, with our ragged band of +Amangwane, sat one morning, after a long night march, in the hilly +country looking across a broad vale, which was sprinkled with trees like +an English park, at that mountain on the side of which Bangu, chief of +the Amakoba, had his kraal. + +It was a very formidable mountain, and, as we had already observed, the +paths leading up to the kraal were amply protected with stone walls in +which the openings were quite narrow, only just big enough to allow one +ox to pass through them at a time. Moreover, all these walls had been +strengthened recently, perhaps because Bangu was aware that Panda looked +upon him, a northern chief dwelling on the confines of his dominions, +with suspicion and even active enmity, as he was also no doubt aware +Panda had good cause to do. + +Here in a dense patch of bush that grew in a kloof of the hills we held +a council of war. + +So far as we knew our advance had been unobserved, for I had left my +wagons in the low veld thirty miles away, giving it out among the local +natives that I was hunting game there, and bringing on with me only +Scowl and four of my best hunters, all well-armed natives who could +shoot. The three hundred Amangwane also had advanced in small parties, +separated from each other, pretending to be Kafirs marching towards +Delagoa Bay. Now, however, we had all met in this bush. Among our number +were three Amangwane who, on the slaughter of their tribe, had fled with +their mothers to this district and been brought up among the people of +Bangu, but who at his summons had come back to Saduko. It was on these +men that we relied at this juncture, for they alone knew the country. +Long and anxiously did we consult with them. First they explained, and, +so far as the moonlight would allow, for as yet the dawn had not broken, +pointed out to us the various paths that led to Bangu's kraal. + +"How many men are there in the town?" I asked. + +"About seven hundred who carry spears," they answered, "together with +others in outlying kraals. Moreover, watchmen are always set at the +gateways in the walls." + +"And where are the cattle?" I asked again. + +"Here, in the valley beneath, Macumazahn," answered the spokesman. "If +you listen you will hear them lowing. Fifty men, not less, watch them at +night--two thousand head of them, or more." + +"Then it would not be difficult to get round these cattle and drive them +off, leaving Bangu to breed up a new herd?" + +"It might not be difficult," interrupted Saduko, "but I came here to +kill Bangu, as well as to seize his cattle, since with him I have a +blood feud." + +"Very good," I answered; "but that mountain cannot be stormed with three +hundred men, fortified as it is with walls and schanzes. Our band would +be destroyed before ever we came to the kraal, since, owing to the +sentries who are set everywhere, it would be impossible to surprise the +place. Also you have forgotten the dogs, Saduko. Moreover, even if it +were possible, I will have nothing to do with the massacre of women and +children, which must happen in an assault. Now, listen to me, O Saduko. +I say let us leave the kraal of Bangu alone, and this coming night send +fifty of our men, under the leadership of the guides, down to yonder +bush, where they will lie hid. Then, after moonrise, when all are +asleep, these fifty must rush the cattle kraal, killing any who may +oppose them, should they be seen, and driving the herd out through +yonder great pass by which we have entered the land. Bangu and his +people, thinking that those who have taken the cattle are but common +thieves of some wild tribe, will gather and follow the beasts to +recapture them. But we, with the rest of the Amangwane, can set an +ambush in the narrowest part of the pass among the rocks, where the +grass is high and the euphorbia trees grow thick, and there, when they +have passed the Nek, which I and my hunters will hold with our guns, we +will give them battle. What say you?" + +Now, Saduko answered that he would rather attack the kraal, which he +wished to burn. But the old Amangwane, Tshoza, brother of the dead +Matiwane, said: + +"No, Macumazahn, Watcher-by-Night, is wise. Why should we waste our +strength on stone walls, of which none know the number or can find the +gates in the darkness, and thereby leave our skulls to be set up as +ornaments on the fences of the accursed Amakoba? Let us draw the Amakoba +out into the pass of the mountains, where they have no walls to protect +them, and there fall on them when they are bewildered and settle +the matter with them man to man. As for the women and children, with +Macumazahn I say let them go; afterwards, perhaps, they will become +_our_ women and children." + +"Aye," answered the Amangwane, "the plan of the white Inkoosi is good; +he is clever as a weasel; we will have his plan and no other." + +So Saduko was overruled and my counsel adopted. + +All that day we rested, lighting no fires and remaining still as the +dead in the dense bush. It was a very anxious day, for although the +place was so wild and lonely, there was always the fear lest we should +be discovered. It was true that we had travelled mostly by night in +small parties, to avoid leaving a spoor, and avoided all kraals; still, +some rumour of our approach might have reached the Amakoba, or a party +of hunters might stumble on us, or those who sought for lost cattle. + +Indeed, something of this sort did happen, for about midday we heard a +footfall, and perceived the figure of a man, whom by his head-dress we +knew for an Amakoba, threading his way through the bush. Before he saw +us he was in our midst. For a moment he hesitated ere he turned to fly, +and that moment was his last, for three of the Amangwane leapt on him +silently as leopards leap upon a buck, and where he stood there he died. +Poor fellow! Evidently he had been on a visit to some witch-doctor, for +in his blanket we found medicine and love charms. This doctor cannot +have been one of the stamp of Zikali the Dwarf, I thought to myself; +at least, he had not warned him that he would never live to dose his +beloved with that foolish medicine. + +Meanwhile a few of us who had the quickest eyes climbed trees, and +thence watched the town of Bangu and the valley that lay between us and +it. Soon we saw that so far, at any rate, Fortune was playing into our +hands, since herd after herd of kine were driven into the valley during +the afternoon and enclosed in the stock-kraals. Doubtless Bangu intended +on the morrow to make his half-yearly inspection of all the cattle of +the tribe, many of which were herded at a distance from his town. + +At length the long day drew to its close and the shadows of the evening +thickened. Then we made ready for our dreadful game, of which the stake +was the lives of all of us, since, should we fail, we could expect no +mercy. The fifty picked men were gathered and ate food in silence. +These men were placed under the command of Tshoza, for he was the most +experienced of the Amangwane, and led by the three guides who had dwelt +among the Amakoba, and who "knew every ant-heap in the land," or so +they swore. Their duty, it will be remembered, was to cross the valley, +separate themselves into small parties, unbar the various cattle kraals, +kill or hunt off the herdsmen, and drive the beasts back across the +valley into the pass. A second fifty men, under the command of Saduko, +were to be left just at the end of this pass where it opened out into +the valley, in order to help and reinforce the cattle-lifters, or, if +need be, to check the following Amakoba while the great herds of beasts +were got away, and then fall back on the rest of us in our ambush nearly +two miles distant. The management of this ambush was to be my charge--a +heavy one indeed. + +Now, the moon would not be up till midnight. But two hours before that +time we began our moves, since the cattle must be driven out of the +kraals as soon as she appeared and gave the needful light. Otherwise +the fight in the pass would in all probability be delayed till after +sunrise, when the Amakoba would see how small was the number of their +foes. Terror, doubt, darkness--these must be our allies if our desperate +venture was to succeed. + +All was arranged at last and the time had come. We, the three captains +of our divided force, bade each other farewell, and passed the word +down the ranks that, should we be separated by the accidents of war, my +wagons were the meeting-place of any who survived. + +Tshoza and his fifty glided away into the shadow silently as ghosts +and were gone. Presently the fierce-faced Saduko departed also with +his fifty. He carried the double-barrelled gun I had given him, and +was accompanied by one of my best hunters, a Natal native, who was also +armed with a heavy smooth-bore loaded with slugs. Our hope was that the +sound of these guns might terrify the foe, should there be occasion to +use them before our forces joined up again, and make them think they +had to do with a body of raiding Dutch white men, of whose roers--as +the heavy elephant guns of that day were called--all natives were much +afraid. + +So Saduko went with his fifty, leaving me wondering whether I should +ever see his face again. Then I, my bearer Scowl, the two remaining +hunters, and the ten score Amangwane who were left turned and soon were +following the road by which we had come down the rugged pass. I call +it a road, but, in fact, it was nothing but a water-washed gully strewn +with boulders, through which we must pick our way as best we could in +the darkness, having first removed the percussion cap from the nipple of +every gun, for fear lest the accidental discharge of one of them should +warn the Amakoba, confuse our other parties, and bring all our deep-laid +plans to nothing. + +Well, we accomplished that march somehow, walking in three long lines, +so that each man might keep touch with him in front, and just as the +moon began to rise reached the spot that I had chosen for the ambush. + +Certainly it was well suited to that purpose. Here the track or gully +bed narrowed to a width of not more than a hundred feet, while the steep +slopes of the kloof on either side were clothed with scattered bushes +and finger-like euphorbias which grew among stones. Behind these stones +and bushes we hid ourselves, a hundred men on one side and a hundred on +the other, whilst I and my three hunters, who were armed with guns, took +up a position under shelter of a great boulder nearly five feet thick +that lay but a little to the right of the gully itself, up which we +expected the cattle would come. This place I chose for two reasons: +first, that I might keep touch with both wings of my force, and, +secondly, that we might be able to fire straight down the path on the +pursuing Amakoba. + +These were the orders that I gave to the Amangwane, warning them that he +who disobeyed would be punished with death. They were not to stir until +I, or, if I should be killed, one of my hunters, fired a shot; for my +fear was lest, growing excited, they might leap out before the time and +kill some of our own people, who very likely would be mixed up with the +first of the pursuing Amakoba. Secondly, when the cattle had passed and +the signal had been given, they were to rush on the Amakoba, throwing +themselves across the gully, so that the enemy would have to fight +upwards on a steep slope. + +That was all I told them, since it is not wise to confuse natives by +giving too many orders. One thing I added, however--that they must +conquer or they must die. There was no mercy for them; it was a case +of death or victory. Their spokesman--for these people always find +a spokesman--answered that they thanked me for my advice; that they +understood, and that they would do their best. Then they lifted their +spears to me in salute. A wild lot of men they looked in the moonlight +as they departed to take shelter behind the rocks and trees and wait. + +That waiting was long, and I confess that before the end it got upon +my nerves. I began to think of all sorts of things, such as whether +I should live to see the sun rise again; also I reflected upon the +legitimacy of this remarkable enterprise. What right had I to involve +myself in a quarrel between these savages? + +Why had I come here? To gain cattle as a trader? No, for I was not at +all sure that I would take them if gained. Because Saduko had twitted me +with faithlessness to my words? Yes, to a certain extent; but that was +by no means the whole reason. I had been moved by the recital of the +cruel wrongs inflicted upon Saduko and his tribe by this Bangu, and +therefore had not been loath to associate myself with his attempted +vengeance upon a wicked murderer. Well, that was sound enough so far +as it went; but now a new consideration suggested itself to me. Those +wrongs had been worked many years ago; probably most of the men who had +aided and abetted them by now were dead or very aged, and it was their +sons upon whom the vengeance would be wreaked. + +What right had I to assist in visiting the sins of the fathers upon the +sons? Frankly I could not say. The thing seemed to me to be a part of +the problem of life, neither less nor more. So I shrugged my shoulders +sadly and consoled myself by reflecting that very likely the issue would +go against me, and that my own existence would pay the price of the +venture and expound its moral. This consideration soothed my conscience +somewhat, for when a man backs his actions with the risk of his life, +right or wrong, at any rate he plays no coward's part. + +The time went by very slowly and nothing happened. The waning moon shone +brightly in a clear sky, and as there was no wind the silence seemed +peculiarly intense. Save for the laugh of an occasional hyena and now +and again for a sound which I took for the coughing of a distant lion, +there was no stir between sleeping earth and moonlit heaven in which +little clouds floated beneath the pale stars. + +At length I thought that I heard a noise, a kind of murmur far away. It +grew, it developed. + +It sounded like a thousand sticks tapping upon something hard, very +faintly. It continued to grow, and I knew the sound for that of the +beating hoofs of animals galloping. Then there were isolated noises, +very faint and thin; they might be shouts; then something that I could +not mistake--shots fired at a distance. So the business was afoot; the +cattle were moving, Saduko and my hunter were firing. There was nothing +for it but to wait. + +The excitement was very fierce; it seemed to consume me, to eat into +my brain. The sound of the tapping upon the rocks grew louder until +it merged into a kind of rumble, mixed with an echo as of that of very +distant thunder, which presently I knew to be not thunder, but the +bellowing of a thousand frightened beasts. + +Nearer and nearer came the galloping hoofs and the rumble of bellowings; +nearer and nearer the shouts of men, affronting the stillness of the +solemn night. At length a single animal appeared, a koodoo buck that +somehow had got mixed up with the cattle. It went past us like a flash, +and was followed a minute or so later by a bull that, being young and +light, had outrun its companions. That, too, went by, foam on its lips +and its tongue hanging from its jaws. + +Then the herd appeared--a countless herd it seemed to me--plunging up +the incline--cows, heifers, calves, bulls, and oxen, all mixed together +in one inextricable mass, and every one of them snorting, bellowing, +or making some other kind of sound. The din was fearful, the sight +bewildering, for the beasts were of all colours, and their long horns +flashed like ivory in the moonlight. Indeed, the only thing in the least +like it which I have ever seen was the rush of the buffaloes from the +reed camp on that day when I got my injury. + +They were streaming past us now, a mighty and moving mass so closely +packed that a man might have walked upon their backs. In fact, some of +the calves which had been thrust up by the pressure were being carried +along in this fashion. Glad was I that none of us were in their path, +for their advance seemed irresistible. No fence or wall could have saved +us, and even stout trees that grew in the gully were snapped or thrust +over. + +At length the long line began to thin, for now it was composed of +stragglers and weak or injured beasts, of which there were many. Other +sounds, too, began to dominate the bellowings of the animals, those +of the excited cries of men. The first of our companions, the +cattle-lifters, appeared, weary and gasping, but waving their spears in +triumph. Among them was old Tshoza. I stepped upon my rock, calling to +him by name. He heard me, and presently was lying at my side panting. + +"We have got them all!" he gasped. "Not a hoof is left save those +that are trodden down. Saduko is not far behind with the rest of our +brothers, except some that have been killed. All the Amakoba tribe are +after us. He holds them back to give the cattle time to get away." + +"Well done!" I answered. "It is very good. Now make your men hide among +the others that they may find their breath before the fight." + +So he stopped them as they came. Scarcely had the last of them vanished +into the bushes when the gathering volume of shouts, amongst which I +heard a gun go off, told us that Saduko and his band and the pursuing +Amakoba were not far away. Presently they, too, appeared--that is the +handful of Amangwane did--not fighting now, but running as hard as they +could, for they knew they were approaching the ambush and wished to pass +it so as not to be mixed up with the Amakoba. We let them go through us. +Among the last of them came Saduko, who was wounded, for the blood ran +down his side, supporting my hunter, who was also wounded, more severely +as I feared. + +I called to him. + +"Saduko," I said, "halt at the crest of the path and rest there so that +you may be able to help us presently." + +He waved the gun in answer, for he was too breathless to speak, and +went on with those who were left of his following--perhaps thirty men in +all--in the track of the cattle. Before he was out of sight the +Amakoba arrived, a mob of five or six hundred men mixed up together +and advancing without order or discipline, for they seemed to have lost +their heads as well as their cattle. Some of them had shields and some +had none, some broad and some throwing assegais, while many were quite +naked, not having stayed to put on their moochas and much less their war +finery. Evidently they were mad with rage, for the sounds that issued +from them seemed to concentrate into one mighty curse. + +The moment had come, though to tell the truth I heartily wished that +it had not. I wasn't exactly afraid, although I never set up for great +courage, but I did not quite like the business. After all we were +stealing these people's cattle, and now were going to kill as many +of them as we could. I had to recall Saduko's dreadful story of the +massacre of his tribe before I could make up my mind to give the +signal. That hardened me, and so did the reflection that after all they +outnumbered us enormously and very likely would prove victors in the +end. Anyhow it was too late to repent. What a tricky and uncomfortable +thing is conscience, that nearly always begins to trouble us at the +moment of, or after, the event, not before, when it might be of some +use. + +I raised myself upon the rock and fired both barrels of my gun into the +advancing horde, though whether I killed anyone or no I cannot say. I +have always hoped that I did not; but as the mark was large and I am a +fair shot, I fear that is scarcely possible. Next moment, with a howl +that sounded like that of wild beasts, from either side of the gorge the +fierce Amangwane free-spears--for that is what they were--leapt out of +their hiding-places and hurled themselves upon their hereditary foes. +They were fighting for more than cattle; they were fighting for hate and +for revenge since these Amakoba had slaughtered their fathers and their +mothers, their sisters and their brothers, and they alone remained to +pay them back blood for blood. + +Great heaven! how they did fight, more like devils than human beings. +After that first howl which shaped itself to the word "Saduko," they +were silent as bulldogs. Though they were so few, at first their +terrible rush drove back the Amakoba. Then, as these recovered from +their surprise, the weight of numbers began to tell, for they, too, were +brave men who did not give way to panic. Scores of them went down at +once, but the remainder pushed the Amangwane before them up the hill. I +took little share in the fight, but was thrust backward with the others, +only firing when I was obliged to save my own life. Foot by foot we were +pushed back till at length we drew near to the crest of the pass. + +Then, while the issue hung in the balance, there was another shout of +"Saduko!" and that chief himself, followed by his thirty, rushed upon +the Amakoba. + +This charge decided the battle, for not knowing how many more were +coming, those who were left of the Amakoba turned and fled, nor did we +pursue them far. + +We mustered on the hill-top, not more than two hundred of us now, the +rest were fallen or desperately wounded, my poor hunter, whom I had lent +to Saduko, being among the dead. Although wounded, he died fighting to +the last, then fell down, shouting to me: + +"Chief, have I done well?" and expired. + +I was breathless and spent, but as in a dream I saw some Amangwane drag +up a gaunt old savage, crying: + +"Here is Bangu, Bangu the Butcher, whom we have caught alive." + +Saduko stepped up to him. + +"Ah! Bangu," he said, "now say, why should I not kill you as you would +have killed the little lad Saduko long ago, had not Zikali saved him? +See, here is the mark of your spear." + +"Kill," said Bangu. "Your Spirit is stronger than mine. Did not Zikali +foretell it? Kill, Saduko." + +"Nay," answered Saduko. "If you are weary I am weary, too, and wounded +as well. Take a spear, Bangu, and we will fight." + +So they fought there in the moonlight, man to man; fought fiercely while +all watched, till presently I saw Bangu throw his arms wide and fall +backwards. + + +Saduko was avenged. I have always been glad that he slew his enemy thus, +and not as it might have been expected that he would do. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. SADUKO BRINGS THE MARRIAGE GIFT + + +We reached my wagons in the early morning of the following day, bringing +with us the cattle and our wounded. Thus encumbered it was a most +toilsome march, and an anxious one also, for it was always possible that +the remnant of the Amakoba might attempt pursuit. This, however, they +did not do, for very many of them were dead or wounded, and those who +remained had no heart left in them. They went back to their mountain +home and lived there in shame and wretchedness, for I do not believe +there were fifty head of cattle left among the tribe, and Kafirs without +cattle are nothing. Still, they did not starve, since there were plenty +of women to work the fields, and we had not touched their corn. The +end of them was that Panda gave them to their conqueror, Saduko, and he +incorporated them with the Amangwane. But that did not happen until some +time afterwards. + +When we had rested a while at the wagons the captured beasts were +mustered, and on being counted were found to number a little over twelve +hundred head, not reckoning animals that had been badly hurt in the +flight, which we killed for beef. It was a noble prize, truly, and, +notwithstanding the wound in his thigh, which hurt him a good deal now +that it had stiffened, Saduko stood up and surveyed them with glistening +eyes. No wonder, for he who had been so poor was now rich, and would +remain so even after he had paid over whatever number of cows Umbezi +chose to demand as the price of Mameena's hand. Moreover, he was sure, +and I shared his confidence, that in these changed circumstances both +that young woman and her father would look upon his suit with very +favourable eyes. He had, so to speak, succeeded to the title and the +family estates by means of a lawsuit brought in the "Court of the +Assegai," and therefore there was hardly a father in Zululand who would +shut his kraal gate upon him. We forgot, both of us, the proverb that +points out how numerous are the slips between the cup and the lip, +which, by the way, is one that has its Zulu equivalents. One of them, if +I remember right at the moment, is: "However loud the hen cackles, the +housewife does not always get the egg." + +As it chanced, although Saduko's hen was cackling very loudly just at +this time, he was not destined to find the coveted egg. But of that +matter I will speak in its place. + +I, too, looked at those cattle, wondering whether Saduko would remember +our bargain, under which some six hundred head of them belonged to me. +Six hundred head! Why, putting them at £5 apiece all round--and as oxen +were very scarce just at that time, they were worth quite as much, if +not more--that meant £3,000, a larger sum of money than I had ever owned +at one time in all my life. Truly the paths of violence were profitable! +But would he remember? On the whole I thought probably not, since Kafirs +are not fond of parting with cattle. + +Well, I did him an injustice, for presently he turned and said, with +something of an effort: + +"Macumazahn, half of all these belong to you, and truly you have earned +them, for it was your cunning and good counsel that gained us the +victory. Now we will choose them beast by beast." + +So I chose a fine ox, then Saduko chose one; and so it went on till I +had eight of my number driven out. As the eighth was taken I turned to +Saduko and said: + +"There, that will do. These oxen I must have to replace those in my +teams which died on the trek, but I want no more." + +"Wow!" said Saduko, and all those who stood with him, while one of them +added--I think it was old Tshoza: + +"He refuses six hundred cattle which are fairly his! He must be mad!" + +"No friends," I answered, "I am not mad, but neither am I bad. I +accompanied Saduko on this raid because he is dear to me and stood by +me once in the hour of danger. But I do not love killing men with whom I +have no quarrel, and I will not take the price of blood." + +"Wow!" said old Tshoza again, for Saduko seemed too astonished to speak, +"he is a spirit, not a man. He is _holy!_" + +"Not a bit of it," I answered. "If you think that, ask Mameena"--a dark +saying which they did not understand. "Now, listen. I will not take +those cattle because I do not think as you Kafirs think. But as they are +mine, according to your law, I am going to dispose of them. I give ten +head to each of my hunters, and fifteen head to the relations of him +who was killed. The rest I give to Tshoza and to the other men of +the Amangwane who fought with us, to be divided among them in such +proportions as they may agree, I being the judge in the event of any +quarrel arising." + +Now these men raised a great cry of "Inkoosi!" and, running up, old +Tshoza seized my hand and kissed it. + +"Your heart is big," he cried; "you drop fatness! Although you are +so small, the spirit of a king lives in you, and the wisdom of the +heavens." + +Thus he praised me, while all the others joined in, till the din was +awful. Saduko thanked me also in his magnificent manner. Yet I do not +think that he was altogether pleased, although my great gift relieved +him from the necessity of sharing up the spoil with his companions. +The truth was, or so I believe, that he understood that henceforth the +Amangwane would love me better than they loved him. This, indeed, proved +to be the case, for I am sure that there was no man among all those wild +fellows who would not have served me to the death, and to this day my +name is a power among them and their descendants. Also it has grown into +something of a proverb among all those Kafirs who know the story. +They talk of any great act of liberality in an idiom as "a gift of +Macumazana," and in the same way of one who makes any remarkable +renunciation, as "a wearer of Macumazana's blanket," or as "he who has +stolen Macumazana's shadow." + +Thus did I earn a great reputation very cheaply, for really I could not +have taken those cattle; also I am sure that had I done so they would +have brought me bad luck. Indeed, one of the regrets of my life is that +I had anything whatsoever to do with the business. + + +Our journey back to Umbezi's kraal--for thither we were heading--was +very slow, hampered as we were with wounded and by a vast herd of +cattle. Of the latter, indeed, we got rid after a while, for, except +those which I had given to my men, and a hundred or so of the best +beasts that Saduko took with him for a certain purpose, they were sent +away to a place which he had chosen, in charge of about half of his +people, under the command of his uncle, Tshoza, there to await his +coming. + +Over a month had gone by since the night of the ambush when at last we +outspanned quite close to Umbezi's, in that bush where first I had met +the Amangwane free-spears. A very different set of men they looked on +this triumphant day to those fierce fellows who had slipped out of the +trees at the call of their chief. As we went through the country Saduko +had bought fine moochas and blankets for them; also head-dresses had +been made with the long black feathers of the sakabuli finch, and +shields and leglets of the hides and tails of oxen. Moreover, having fed +plentifully and travelled easily, they were fat and well-favoured, as, +given good food, natives soon become after a period of abstinence. + +The plan of Saduko was to lie quiet in the bush that night, and on the +following morning to advance in all his grandeur, accompanied by his +spears, present the hundred head of cattle that had been demanded, and +formally ask his daughter's hand from Umbezi. As the reader may have +gathered already, there was a certain histrionic vein in Saduko; also +when he was in feather he liked to show off his plumage. + +Well, this plan was carried out to the letter. On the following morning, +after the sun was well up, Saduko, as a great chief does, sent forward +two bedizened heralds to announce his approach to Umbezi, after whom +followed two other men to sing his deeds and praises. (By the way, I +observed that they had clearly been instructed to avoid any mention of a +person called Macumazahn.) Then we advanced in force. First went Saduko, +splendidly apparelled as a chief, carrying a small assegai and adorned +with plumes, leglets and a leopard-skin kilt. He was attended by +about half a dozen of the best-looking of his followers, who posed as +"indunas" or councillors. Behind these I walked, a dusty, insignificant +little fellow, attended by the ugly, snub-nosed Scowl in a very greasy +pair of trousers, worn-out European boots through which his toes peeped, +and nothing else, and by my three surviving hunters, whose appearance +was even more disreputable. After us marched about four score of the +transformed Amangwane, and after them came the hundred picked cattle +driven by a few herdsmen. + +In due course we arrived at the gate of the kraal, where we found the +heralds and the praisers prancing and shouting. + +"Have you seen Umbezi?" asked Saduko of them. + +"No," they answered; "he was asleep when we got here, but his people say +that he is coming out presently." + +"Then tell his people that he had better be quick about it, or I shall +turn him out," replied the proud Saduko. + +Just at this moment the kraal gate opened and through it appeared +Umbezi, looking extremely fat and foolish; also, it struck me, +frightened, although this he tried to conceal. + +"Who visits me here," he said, "with so much--um--ceremony?" and with +the carved dancing-stick he carried he pointed doubtfully at the lines +of armed men. "Oh, it is you, is it, Saduko?" and he looked him up +and down, adding: "How grand you are to be sure. Have you been robbing +anybody? And you, too, Macumazahn. Well, _you_ do not look grand. You +look like an old cow that has been suckling two calves on the winter +veld. But tell me, what are all these warriors for? I ask because I have +not food for so many, especially as we have just had a feast here." + +"Fear nothing, Umbezi," answered Saduko in his grandest manner. "I have +brought food for my own men. As for my business, it is simple. You asked +a hundred head of cattle as the lobola [that is, the marriage gift] of +your daughter, Mameena. They are there. Go send your servants to the +kraal and count them." + +"Oh, with pleasure," Umbezi replied nervously, and he gave some orders +to certain men behind him. "I am glad to see that you have become rich +in this sudden fashion, Saduko, though how you have done so I cannot +understand." + +"Never mind how I have become rich," answered Saduko. "I _am_ rich; that +is enough for the present. Be pleased to send for Mameena, for I would +talk with her." + +"Yes, yes, Saduko, I understand that you would talk with Mameena; +but"--and he looked round him desperately--"I fear that she is still +asleep. As you know, Mameena was always a late riser, and, what is more, +she hates to be disturbed. Don't you think that you could come back, +say, to-morrow morning? She will be sure to be up by then; or, better +still, the day after?" + +"In which hut is Mameena?" asked Saduko sternly, while I, smelling a +rat, began to chuckle to myself. + +"I really do not know, Saduko," replied Umbezi. "Sometimes she sleeps in +one, sometimes in another, and sometimes she goes several hours' journey +away to her aunt's kraal for a change. I should not be in the least +surprised if she had done so last night. I have no control over +Mameena." + +Before Saduko could answer, a shrill, rasping voice broke upon our ears, +which after some search I saw proceeded from an ugly and ancient female +seated in the shadow, in whom I recognised the lady who was known by the +pleasing name of "Worn-out-Old-Cow." + +"He lies!" screeched the voice. "He lies. Thanks be to the spirit of my +ancestors that wild cat Mameena has left this kraal for good. She slept +last night, not with her aunt, but with her husband, Masapo, to whom +Umbezi gave her in marriage two days ago, receiving in payment a +hundred and twenty head of cattle, which was twenty more than _you_ bid, +Saduko." + +Now when Saduko heard these words I thought that he would really go +mad with rage. He turned quite grey under his dark skin and for a while +trembled like a leaf, looking as though he were about to fall to the +ground. Then he leapt as a lion leaps, and seizing Umbezi by the throat, +hurled him backwards, standing over him with raised spear. + +"You dog!" he cried in a terrible voice. "Tell me the truth or I will +rip you up. What have you done with Mameena?" + +"Oh! Saduko," answered Umbezi in choking tones, "Mameena has chosen to +get married. It was no fault of mine; she would have her way." + +He got no farther, and had I not intervened by throwing my arms about +Saduko and dragging him back, that moment would have been Umbezi's +last, for Saduko was about to pin him to the earth with his spear. As it +proved, I was just in time, and Saduko, being weak with emotion, for I +felt his heart going like a sledge-hammer, could not break from my grasp +before his reason returned to him. + +At length he recovered himself a little and threw down his spear as +though to put himself out of temptation. Then he spoke, always in the +same terrible voice, asking: + +"Have you more to say about this business, Umbezi? I would hear all +before I answer you." + +"Only this, Saduko," replied Umbezi, who had risen to his feet and was +shaking like a reed. "I did no more than any other father would have +done. Masapo is a very powerful chief, one who will be a good stick for +me to lean on in my old age. Mameena declared that she wished to marry +him--" + +"He lies!" screeched the "Old Cow." "What Mameena said was that she had +no will towards marriage with any Zulu in the land, so I suppose she is +looking after a white man," and she leered in my direction. "She said, +however, that if her father wished to marry her to Masapo, she must be +a dutiful daughter and obey him, but that if blood and trouble came of +that marriage, let it be on his head and not on hers." + +"Would you also stick your claws into me, cat?" shouted Umbezi, catching +the old woman a savage cut across the back with the light dancing-stick +which he still held in his hand, whereon she fled away screeching and +cursing him. + +"Oh, Saduko," he went on, "let not your ears be poisoned by these +falsehoods. Mameena never said anything of the sort, or if she did it +was not to me. Well, the moment that my daughter had consented to take +Masapo as her husband his people drove a hundred and twenty of the most +beautiful cattle over the hill, and would you have had me refuse them, +Saduko? I am sure that when you have seen them you will say that I +was quite right to accept such a splendid lobola in return for one +sharp-tongued girl. Remember, Saduko, that although you had promised a +hundred head, that is less by twenty, at the time you did not own one, +and where you were to get them from I could not guess. Moreover," he +added with a last, desperate, imaginative effort, for I think he saw +that his arguments were making no impression, "some strangers who called +here told me that both you and Macumazahn had been killed by certain +evil-doers in the mountains. There, I have spoken, and, Saduko, if you +now have cattle, why, on my part, I have another daughter, not quite so +good-looking perhaps, but a much better worker in the field. Come and +drink a sup of beer, and I will send for her." + +"Stop talking about your other daughter and your beer and listen to me," +replied Saduko, looking at the assegai which he had thrown to the ground +so ominously that I set my foot on it. "I am now a greater chief +than the boar Masapo. Has Masapo such a bodyguard as these +Eaters-up-of-Enemies?" and he jerked his thumb backwards towards the +serried lines of fierce-faced Amangwane who stood listening behind us. +"Has Masapo as many cattle as I have, whereof those which you see are +but a tithe brought as a lobola gift to the father of her who had been +promised to me as wife? Is Masapo Panda's friend? I think that I have +heard otherwise. Has Masapo just conquered a countless tribe by his +courage and his wit? Is Masapo young and of high blood, or is he but an +old, low-born boar of the mountains? + +"You do not answer, Umbezi, and perhaps you do well to be silent. Now +listen again. Were it not for Macumazahn here, whom I do not desire to +mix up with my quarrels, I would bid my men take you and beat you to +death with the handles of their spears, and then go on and serve the +Boar in the same fashion in his mountain sty. As it is, these things +must wait a little while, especially as I have other matters to attend +to first. Yet the day is not far off when I will attend to them also. +Therefore my counsel to you, Cheat, is to make haste to die or to find +courage to fall upon a spear, unless you would learn how it feels to be +brayed with sticks like a green hide until none can know that you +were once a man. Send now and tell my words to Masapo the Boar. And to +Mameena say that soon I will come to take her with spears and not with +cattle. Do you understand? Oh! I see that you do, since already you weep +with fear like a woman. Then farewell to you till that day when I +return with the sticks, O Umbezi the cheat and the liar, Umbezi, +'Eater-up-of-Elephants,'" and turning, Saduko stalked away. + +I was about to follow in a great hurry, having had enough of this very +unpleasant scene, when poor old Umbezi sprang at me and clasped me by +the arm. + +"O Macumazana," he exclaimed, weeping in his terror, "O Macumazana, +if ever I have been a friend to you, help me out of this deep pit into +which I have fallen through the tricks of that monkey of a daughter of +mine, who I think is a witch born to bring trouble upon men. Macumazahn, +if she had been your daughter and a powerful chief had appeared with a +hundred and twenty head of such beautiful cattle, you would have given +her to him, would you not, although he is of mixed blood and not very +young, especially as she did not mind who only cares for place and +wealth?" + +"I think not," I answered; "but then it is not our custom to sell women +in that fashion." + +"No, no, I forgot; in this as in other matters you white men are mad +and, Macumazahn, to tell you the truth, I believe it is you she really +cares for; she said as much to me once or twice. Well, why did you not +take her away when I was not looking? We could have settled matters +afterwards, and I should have been free of her witcheries and not up to +my neck in this hole as I am now." + +"Because some people don't do that kind of thing, Umbezi." + +"No, no, I forgot. Oh! why can I not remember that you are _quite_ mad +and therefore that it must not be expected of you to act as though you +were sane. Well, at least you are that tiger Saduko's friend, which +again shows that you must be very mad, for most people would sooner try +to milk a cow buffalo than walk hand in hand with him. Don't you see, +Macumazahn, that he means to kill me, Macumazahn, to bray me like a +green hide? Ugh! to beat me to death with sticks. Ugh! And what is more, +that unless you prevent him, he will certainly do it, perhaps to-morrow +or the next day. Ugh! Ugh! Ugh!" + +"Yes, I see, Umbezi, and I think that he _will_ do it. But what I do not +see is how I am to prevent him. Remember that you let Mameena grow into +his heart and behaved badly to him, Umbezi." + +"I never promised her to him, Macumazahn. I only said that if he brought +a hundred cattle, then I might promise." + +"Well, he has wiped out the Amakoba, the enemies of his House, and there +are the hundred cattle whereof he has many more, and now it is too late +for you to keep your share of the bargain. So I think you must make +yourself as comfortable as you can in the hole that your hands dug, +Umbezi, which I would not share for all the cattle in Zululand." + +"Truly you are not one from whom to seek comfort in the hour of +distress," groaned poor Umbezi, then added, brightening up: "But perhaps +Panda will kill him because he has wiped out Bangu in a time of peace. +Oh Macumazahn, can you not persuade Panda to kill him? If so, I now have +more cattle than I really want--" + +"Impossible," I answered. "Panda is his friend, and between ourselves I +may tell you that he ate up the Amakoba by his especial wish. When the +King hears of it he will call to Saduko to sit in his shadow and make +him great, one of his councillors, probably with power of life and death +over little people like you and Masapo." + +"Then it is finished," said Umbezi faintly, "and I will try to die +like a man. But to be brayed like a hide! And with thin sticks! Oh!" he +added, grinding his teeth, "if only I can get hold of Mameena I will +not leave much of that pretty hair of hers upon her head. I will tie her +hands and shut her up with the 'Old Cow,' who loves her as a meer-cat +loves a mouse. No; I will kill her. There--do you hear, Macumazahn, +unless you do something to help me, I will kill Mameena, and you won't +like that, for I am sure she is dear to you, although you were not man +enough to run away with her as she wished." + +"If you touch Mameena," I said, "be certain, my friend, that Saduko's +sticks and your skin will not be far apart, for I will report you to +Panda myself as an unnatural evil-doer. Now hearken to me, you old fool. +Saduko is so fond of your daughter, on this point being mad, as you say +I am, that if only he could get her I think he might overlook the fact +of her having been married before. What you have to do is to try to +buy her back from Masapo. Mind you, I say buy her back--not get her +by bloodshed--which you might do by persuading Masapo to put her away. +Then, if he knew that you were trying to do this, I think that Saduko +might leave his sticks uncut for a while." + +"I will try. I will indeed, Macumazahn. I will try very hard. It is true +Masapo is an obstinate pig; still, if he knows that his own life is +at stake, he might give way. Moreover, when she learns that Saduko +has grown rich and great, Mameena might help me. Oh, I thank you, +Macumazahn; you are indeed the prop of my hut, and it and all in it are +yours. Farewell, farewell, Macumazahn, if you must go. But why--why did +you not run away with Mameena, and save me all this fear and trouble?" + + +So I and that old humbug, Umbezi, "Eater-up-of-Elephants," parted for +a while, and never did I know him in a more chastened frame of mind, +except once, as I shall tell. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. THE KING'S DAUGHTER + + +When I got back to my wagons after this semi-tragical interview with +that bombastic and self-seeking old windbag, Umbezi, it was to find +that Saduko and his warriors had already marched for the King's kraal, +Nodwengu. A message awaited me, however, to the effect that it was +hoped that I would follow, in order to make report of the affair of the +destruction of the Amakoba. This, after reflection, I determined to +do, really, I think, because of the intense human interest of the whole +business. I wanted to see how it would work out. + +Also, in a way, I read Saduko's mind and understood that at the moment +he did not wish to discuss the matter of his hideous disappointment. +Whatever else may have been false in this man's nature, one thing +rang true, namely, his love or his infatuation for the girl Mameena. +Throughout his life she was his guiding star--about as evil a star as +could have arisen upon any man's horizon; the fatal star that was to +light him down to doom. Let me thank Providence, as I do, that I was +so fortunate as to escape its baneful influences, although I admit that +they attracted me not a little. + +So, seduced thither by my curiosity, which has so often led me into +trouble, I trekked to Nodwengu, full of many doubts not unmingled with +amusement, for I could not rid my mind of recollections of the utter +terror of the "Eater-up-of-Elephants" when he was brought face to face +with the dreadful and concentrated rage of the robbed Saduko and the +promise of his vengeance. Ultimately I arrived at the Great Place +without experiencing any adventure that is worthy of record, and camped +in a spot that was appointed to me by some _induna_ whose name I forget, +but who evidently knew of my approach, for I found him awaiting me at +some distance from the town. Here I sat for quite a long while, two or +three days, if I remember right, amusing myself with killing or missing +turtle-doves with a shotgun, and similar pastimes, until something +should happen, or I grew tired and started for Natal. + +In the end, just as I was about to trek seawards, an old friend, Maputa, +turned up at my wagons--that same man who had brought me the message +from Panda before we started to attack Bangu. + +"Greeting, Macumazahn," he said. "What of the Amakoba? I see they did +not kill you." + +"No," I answered, handing him some snuff, "they did not quite kill me, +for here I am. What is your pleasure with me?" + +"O Macumazana, only that the King wishes to know whether you have any of +those little balls left in the box which I brought back to you, since, +if so, he thinks he would like to swallow one of them in this hot +weather." + +I proffered him the whole box, but he would not take it, saying that the +King would like me to give it to him myself. Now I understood that this +was a summons to an audience, and asked when it would please Panda +to receive me and "the-little-black-stones-that-work-wonders." He +answered--at once. + +So we started, and within an hour I stood, or rather sat, before Panda. + +Like all his family, the King was an enormous man, but, unlike Chaka and +those of his brothers whom I had known, one of a kindly countenance. +I saluted him by lifting my cap, and took my place upon a wooden stool +that had been provided for me outside the great hut, in the shadow of +which he sat within his isi-gohlo, or private enclosure. + +"Greeting, O Macumazana," he said. "I am glad to see you safe and well, +for I understand that you have been engaged upon a perilous adventure +since last we met." + +"Yes, King," I answered; "but to which adventure do you refer--that +of the buffalo, when Saduko helped me, or that of the Amakoba, when I +helped Saduko?" + +"The latter, Macumazahn, of which I desire to hear all the story." + +So I told it to him, he and I being alone, for he commanded his +councillors and servants to retire out of hearing. + +"Wow!" he said, when I had finished, "you are clever as a baboon, +Macumazahn. That was a fine trick to set a trap for Bangu and his +Amakoba dogs and bait it with his own cattle. But they tell me that you +refused your share of those cattle. Now, why was that, Macumazahn?" + +By way of answer I repeated to Panda my reasons, which I have set out +already. + +"Ah!" he exclaimed, when I had finished. "Every one seeks greatness in +his own way, and perhaps yours is better than ours. Well, the White man +walks one road--or some of them do--and the Black man another. They both +end at the same place, and none will know which is the right road till +the journey is done. Meanwhile, what you lose Saduko and his people +gain. He is a wise man, Saduko, who knows how to choose his friends, and +his wisdom has brought him victory and gifts. But to you, Macumazahn, it +has brought nothing but honour, on which, if a man feeds only, he will +grow thin." + +"I like to be thin, O Panda," I answered slowly. + +"Yes, yes, I understand," replied the King, who, in common with most +natives, was quick enough to seize a point, "and I, too, like people who +keep thin on such food as yours, people, also, whose hands are always +clean. We Zulus trust you, Macumazahn, as we trust few white men, for we +have known for years that your lips say what your heart thinks, and +that your heart always thinks the thing which is good. You may be named +Watcher-by-Night, but you love light, not darkness." + +Now, at these somewhat unusual compliments I bowed, and felt myself +colouring a little as I did so, even through my sunburn, but I made no +answer to them, since to do so would have involved a discussion of the +past and its tragical events, into which I had no wish to enter. Panda, +too, remained silent for a while. Then he called to a messenger to +summon the princes, Cetewayo and Umbelazi, and to bid Saduko, the son of +Matiwane, to wait without, in case he should wish to speak with him. + +A few minutes later the two princes arrived. I watched their coming with +interest, for they were the most important men in Zululand, and already +the nation debated fiercely which of them would succeed to the throne. I +will try to describe them a little. + +They were both of much the same age--it is always difficult to arrive +at a Zulu's exact years--and both fine young men. Cetewayo, however, had +the stronger countenance. It was said that he resembled that fierce and +able monster, Chaka the Wild Beast, his uncle, and certainly I perceived +in him a likeness to his other uncle, Dingaan, Umpanda's predecessor, +whom I had known but too well when I was a lad. He had the same surly +eyes and haughty bearing; also, when he was angry his mouth shut itself +in the same iron fashion. + +Of Umbelazi it is difficult for me to speak without enthusiasm. As +Mameena was the most beautiful woman I ever saw in Zululand--although +it is true that old war-dog, Umslopogaas, a friend of mine who does not +come into this story, used to tell me that Nada the Lily, whom I have +mentioned, was even lovelier--so Umbelazi was by far the most splendid +man. Indeed, the Zulus named him "Umbelazi the Handsome," and no wonder. +To begin with, he stood at least three inches above the tallest of them; +from a quarter of a mile away I have recognised him by his great +height, even through the dust of a desperate battle, and his breadth +was proportionate to his stature. Then he was perfectly made, his great, +shapely limbs ending, like Saduko's, in small hands and feet. His face, +too, was well-cut and open, his colour lighter than Cetewayo's, and his +eyes, which always seemed to smile, were large and dark. + +Even before they passed the small gate of the inner fence it was easy +for me to see that this royal pair were not upon the best of terms, +for each of them tried to get through it first, to show his right of +precedence. The result was somewhat ludicrous, for they jammed in the +gateway. Here, however, Umbelazi's greater weight told, for, putting out +his strength, he squeezed his brother into the reeds of the fence, and +won through a foot or so in front of him. + +"You grow too fat, my brother," I heard Cetewayo say, and saw him scowl +as he spoke. "If I had held an assegai in my hand you would have been +cut." + +"I know it, my brother," answered Umbelazi, with a good-humoured laugh, +"but I knew also that none may appear before the King armed. Had it been +otherwise, I would rather have followed after you." + +Now, at this hint of Umbelazi's, that he would not trust his brother +behind his back with a spear, although it seemed to be conveyed in jest, +I saw Panda shift uneasily on his seat, while Cetewayo scowled even more +ominously than before. However, no further words passed between them, +and, walking up to the King side by side, they saluted him with raised +hands, calling out "Baba!"--that is, Father. + +"Greeting, my children," said Panda, adding hastily, for he foresaw a +quarrel as to which of them should take the seat of honour on his right: +"Sit there in front of me, both of you, and, Macumazahn, do you come +hither," and he pointed to the coveted place. "I am a little deaf in my +left ear this morning." + +So these brothers sat themselves down in front of the King; nor were +they, I think, grieved to find this way out of their rivalry; but first +they shook hands with me, for I knew them both, though not well, and +even in this small matter the old trouble arose, since there was +some difficulty as to which of them should first offer me his hand. +Ultimately, I remember, Cetewayo won this trick. + +When these preliminaries were finished, Panda addressed the princes, +saying: + +"My sons, I have sent for you to ask your counsel upon a certain +matter--not a large matter, but one that may grow." And he paused to +take snuff, whereon both of them ejaculated: + +"We hear you, Father." + +"Well, my sons, the matter is that of Saduko, the son of Matiwane, chief +of the Amangwane, whom Bangu, chief of the Amakoba, ate up years ago by +leave of Him who went before me. Now, this Bangu, as you know, has for +some time been a thorn in my foot--a thorn that caused it to fester--and +yet I did not wish to make war on him. So I spoke a word in the ear of +Saduko, saying, 'He is yours, if you can kill him; and his cattle are +yours.' Well, Saduko is not dull. With the help of this white man, +Macumazahn, our friend from of old, he has killed Bangu and taken his +cattle, and already my foot is beginning to heal." + +"We have heard it," said Cetewayo. + +"It was a great deed," added Umbelazi, a more generous critic. + +"Yes," continued Panda, "I, too, think it was a great deed, seeing that +Saduko had but a small regiment of wanderers to back him--" + +"Nay," interrupted Cetewayo, "it was not those eaters of rats who won +him the day, it was the wisdom of this Macumazahn." + +"Macumazahn's wisdom would have been of little use without the courage +of Saduko and his rats," commented Umbelazi, and from this moment I saw +that the two brothers were taking sides for and against Saduko, as they +did upon every other matter, not because they cared for the right of +whatever was in question, but because they wished to oppose each other. + +"Quite so," went on the King; "I agree with both of you, my sons. But +the point is this: I think Saduko a man of promise, and one who should +be advanced that he may learn to love us all, especially as his House +has suffered wrong from our House, since He-who-is-gone listened to +the evil counsel of Bangu, and allowed him to kill out Matiwane's tribe +without just cause. Therefore, in order to wipe away this stain and +bind Saduko to us, I think it well to re-establish Saduko in the +chieftainship of the Amangwane, with the lands that his father held, and +to give him also the chieftainship of the Amakoba, of whom it seems +that the women and children, with some of the men, remain, although he +already holds their cattle which he has captured in war." + +"As the King pleases," said Umbelazi, with a yawn, for he was growing +weary of listening to the case of Saduko. + +But Cetewayo said nothing, for he appeared to be thinking of something +else. + +"I think also," went on Panda in a rather uncertain voice, "in order to +bind him so close that the bonds may never be broken, it would be wise +to give him a woman of our family in marriage." + +"Why should this little Amangwane be allowed to marry into the royal +House?" asked Cetewayo, looking up. "If he is dangerous, why not kill +him, and have done?" + +"For this reason, my son. There is trouble ahead in Zululand, and I do +not wish to kill those who may help us in that hour, nor do I wish +them to become our enemies. I wish that they may be our friends; and +therefore it seems to me wise, when we find a seed of greatness, to +water it, and not to dig it up or plant it in a neighbour's garden. From +his deeds I believe that this Saduko is such a seed." + +"Our father has spoken," said Umbelazi; "and I like Saduko, who is a man +of mettle and good blood. Which of our sisters does our father propose +to give to him?" + +"She who is named after the mother of our race, O Umbelazi; she whom +your own mother bore--your sister Nandie" (in English, "The Sweet"). + +"A great gift, O my Father, since Nandie is both fair and wise. Also, +what does she think of this matter?" + +"She thinks well of it, Umbelazi, for she has seen Saduko and taken a +liking to him. She told me herself that she wishes no other husband." + +"Is it so?" replied Umbelazi indifferently. "Then if the King commands, +and the King's daughter desires, what more is there to be said?" + +"Much, I think," broke in Cetewayo. "I hold that it is out of place that +this little man, who has but conquered a little tribe by borrowing +the wit of Macumazahn here, should be rewarded not only with a +chieftainship, but with the hand of the wisest and most beautiful of the +King's daughters, even though Umbelazi," he added, with a sneer, "should +be willing to throw him his own sister like a bone to a passing dog." + +"Who threw the bone, Cetewayo?" asked Umbelazi, awaking out of his +indifference. "Was it the King, or was it I, who never heard of the +matter till this moment? And who are we that we should question the +King's decrees? Is it our business to judge or to obey?" + +"Has Saduko perchance made you a present of some of those cattle which +he stole from the Amakoba, Umbelazi?" asked Cetewayo. "As our father +asks no lobola, perhaps you have taken the gift instead." + +"The only gift that I have taken from Saduko," said Umbelazi, who, I +could see, was hard pressed to keep his temper, "is that of his service. +He is my friend, which is why you hate him, as you hate all my friends." + +"Must I then love every stray cur that licks your hand, Umbelazi? Oh, no +need to tell me he is your friend, for I know it was you who put it +into our father's heart to allow him to kill Bangu and steal his cattle, +which I hold to be an ill deed, for now the Great House is thatched +with his reeds and Bangu's blood is on its doorposts. Moreover, he who +wrought the wrong is to come and dwell therein, and for aught I know +to be called a prince, like you and me. Why should he not, since the +Princess Nandie is to be given to him in marriage? Certainly, Umbelazi, +you would do well to take the cattle which this white trader has +refused, for all men know that you have earned them." + +Now Umbelazi sprang up, straightening himself to the full of his great +height, and spoke in a voice that was thick with passion. + +"I pray your leave to withdraw, O King," he said, "since if I stay here +longer I shall grow sorry that I have no spear in my hand. Yet before I +go I will tell the truth. Cetewayo hates Saduko, because, knowing him +to be a chief of wit and courage, who will grow great, he sought him for +his man, saying, 'Sit you in my shadow,' after he had promised to sit in +mine. Therefore it is that he heaps these taunts upon me. Let him deny +it if he can." + +"That I shall not trouble to do, Umbelazi," answered Cetewayo, with a +scowl. "Who are you that spy upon my doings, and with a mouth full of +lies call me to account before the King? I will hear no more of it. Do +you bide here and pay Saduko his price with the person of our sister. +For, as the King has promised her, his word cannot be changed. Only let +your dog know that I keep a stick for him, if he should snarl at me. +Farewell, my Father. I go upon a journey to my own lordship, the land +of Gikazi, and there you will find me when you want me, which I pray +may not be till after this marriage is finished, for on that I will not +trust my eyes to look." + +Then, with a salute, he turned and departed, bidding no good-bye to his +brother. + +My hand, however, he shook in farewell, for Cetewayo was always friendly +to me, perhaps because he thought I might be useful to him. Also, as I +learned afterwards, he was very pleased with me for the reason that I +had refused my share of the Amakoba cattle, and that he knew I had no +part in this proposed marriage between Saduko and Nandie, of which, +indeed, I now heard for the first time. + +"My Father," said Umbelazi, when Cetewayo had gone, "is this to be +borne? Am I to blame in the matter? You have heard and seen--answer me, +my Father." + +"No, you are not to blame this time, Umbelazi," replied the King, with a +heavy sigh. "But oh! my sons, my sons, where will your quarrelling end? +I think that only a river of blood can quench so fierce a fire, and then +which of you will live to reach its bank?" + +For a while he looked at Umbelazi, and I saw love and fear in his eye, +for towards him Panda always had more affection than for any of his +other children. + +"Cetewayo has behaved ill," he said at length; "and before a white man, +who will report the matter, which makes it worse. He has no right +to dictate to me to whom I shall or shall not give my daughters in +marriage. Moreover, I have spoken; nor do I change my word because he +threatens me. It is known throughout the land that I never change my +word; and the white men know it also, do they not, O Macumazana?" + +I answered yes, they did. Also, this was true, for, like most weak men, +Panda was very obstinate, and honest, too, in his own fashion. + +He waved his hand, to show that the subject was ended, then bade +Umbelazi go to the gate and send a messenger to bring in "the son of +Matiwane." + +Presently Saduko arrived, looking very stately and composed as he lifted +his right hand and gave Panda the "Bayéte"--the royal salute. + +"Be seated," said the King. "I have words for your ear." + +Thereon, with the most perfect grace, without hurrying and without undue +delay, Saduko crouched himself down upon his knees, with one of his +elbows resting on the ground, as only a native knows how to do without +looking absurd, and waited. + +"Son of Matiwane," said the King, "I have heard all the story of how, +with a small company, you destroyed Bangu and most of the men of the +Amakoba, and ate up their cattle every one." + +"Your pardon, Black One," interrupted Saduko. "I am but a boy, I did +nothing. It was Macumazahn, Watcher-by-Night, who sits yonder. His +wisdom taught me how to snare the Amakoba, after they were decoyed from +their mountain, and it was Tshoza, my uncle, who loosed the cattle from +the kraals. I say that I did nothing, except to strike a blow or two +with a spear when I must, just as a baboon throws stones at those who +would steal its young." + +"I am glad to see that you are no boaster, Saduko," said Panda. "Would +that more of the Zulus were like you in that matter, for then I must not +listen to so many loud songs about little things. At least, Bangu was +killed and his proud tribe humbled, and, for reasons of state, I am glad +that this happened without my moving a regiment or being mixed up with +the business, for I tell you that there are some of my family who loved +Bangu. But I--I loved your father, Matiwane, whom Bangu butchered, for +we were brought up together as boys--yes, and served together in the +same regiment, the Amawombe, when the Wild One, my brother, ruled" +(he meant Chaka, for among the Zulus the names of dead kings are +hlonipa--that is, they must not be spoken if it can be avoided). +"Therefore," went on Panda, "for this reason, and for others, I am glad +that Bangu has been punished, and that, although vengeance has crawled +after him like a footsore bull, at length he has been tossed with its +horns and crushed with its knees." + +"Yebo, Ngonyama!" (Yes, O Lion!) said Saduko. + +"Now, Saduko," went on Panda, "because you are your father's son, and +because you have shown yourself a man, although you are still little +in the land, I am minded to advance you. Therefore I give to you the +chieftainship over those who remain of the Amakoba and over all of the +Amangwane blood whom you can gather." + +"Bayéte! As the King pleases," said Saduko. + +"And I give you leave to become a kehla--a wearer of the +head-ring--although, as you have said, you are still but a boy, and with +it a place upon my Council." + +"Bayéte! As the King pleases," said Saduko, still apparently unmoved by +the honours that were being heaped upon him. + +"And, Son of Matiwane," went on Panda, "you are still unmarried, are you +not?" + +Now, for the first time, Saduko's face changed. "Yes, Black One," he +said hurriedly, "but--" + +Here he caught my eye, and, reading some warning in it, was silent. + +"But," repeated Panda after him, "doubtless you would like to be? Well, +it is natural in a young man who wishes to found a House, and therefore +I give you leave to marry." + +"Yebo, Silo!" (Yes, O Wild Beast!) "I thank the King, but--" + +Here I sneezed loudly, and he ceased. + +"But," repeated Panda, "of course, you do not know where to find a wife +between the time the hawk stoops and the rat squeaks in its claws. How +should you who have never thought of the matter? Also," he continued, +with a smile, "it is well that you have not thought of it, since she +whom I shall give to you could not live in the second hut in your kraal +and call another 'Inkosikazi' [that is, head lady or chieftainess]. +Umbelazi, my son, go fetch her of whom we have thought as a bride for +this boy." + +Now Umbelazi rose, and went with a broad smile upon his face, while +Panda, somewhat fatigued with all his speech-making--for he was very +fat and the day was very hot--leaned his head back against the hut and +closed his eyes. + +"O Black One! O thou who consumeth with rage! [Dhlangamandhla]" broke +out Saduko, who, I could see, was much disturbed. "I have something to +say to you." + +"No doubt, no doubt," answered Panda drowsily, "but save up your thanks +till you have seen, or you will have none left afterwards," and he +snored slightly. + +Now I, perceiving that Saduko was about to ruin himself, thought it well +to interfere, though what business of mine it was to do so I cannot say. +At any rate, if only I had held my tongue at this moment, and allowed +Saduko to make a fool of himself, as he wished to do--for where Mameena +was concerned he never could be wise--I verily believe that all the +history of Zululand would have run a different course, and that many +thousands of men, white and black, who are now dead would be alive +to-day. But Fate ordered it otherwise. Yes, it was not I who spoke, but +Fate. The Angel of Doom used my throat as his trumpet. + +Seeing that Panda dozed, I slipped behind Saduko and gripped him by the +arm. + +"Are you mad?" I whispered into his ear. "Will you throw away your +fortune, and your life also?" + +"But Mameena," he whispered back. "I would marry none save Mameena." + +"Fool!" I answered. "Mameena has betrayed and spat upon you. Take what +the Heavens send you and give thanks. Would you wear Masapo's soiled +blanket?" + +"Macumazahn," he said in a hollow voice, "I will follow your head, and +not my own heart. Yet you sow a strange seed, Macumazahn, or so you may +think when you see its fruit." And he gave me a wild look--a look that +frightened me. + +There was something in this look which caused me to reflect that I might +do well to go away and leave Saduko, Mameena, Nandie, and the rest of +them to "dree their weirds," as the Scotch say, for, after all, what was +my finger doing in that very hot stew? Getting burnt, I thought, and not +collecting any stew. + +Yet, looking back on these events, how could I foresee what would be the +end of the madness of Saduko, of the fearful machinations of Mameena, +and of the weakness of Umbelazi when she snared him in the net of her +beauty, thus bringing about his ruin, through the hate of Saduko and the +ambition of Cetewayo? How could I know that, at the back of all these +events, stood the old dwarf, Zikali the Wise, working night and day +to slake the enmity and fulfil the vengeance which long ago he had +conceived and planned against the royal House of Senzangakona and the +Zulu people over whom it ruled? + +Yes, he stood there like a man behind a great stone upon the brow of +a mountain, slowly, remorselessly, with infinite skill, labour, and +patience, pushing that stone to the edge of the cliff, whence at length, +in the appointed hour, it would thunder down upon those who dwelt +beneath, to leave them crushed and no more a people. How could I guess +that we, the actors in this play, were all the while helping him to push +that stone, and that he cared nothing how many of us were carried with +it into the abyss, if only we brought about the triumph of his secret, +unutterable rage and hate? + +Now I see and understand all these things, as it is easy to do, but then +I was blind; nor did the Voices reach my dull ears to warn me, as, how +or why I cannot tell, they did, I believe, reach those of Zikali. + +Oh, what was the sum of it? Just this, I think, and nothing more--that, +as Saduko and the others were Mameena's tools, and as all of them and +their passions were Zikali's tools, so he himself was the tool of some +unseen Power that used him and us to accomplish its design. Which, I +suppose, is fatalism, or, in other words, all these things happened +because they must happen. A poor conclusion to reach after so much +thought and striving, and not complimentary to man and his boasted +powers of free will; still, one to which many of us are often driven, +especially if we have lived among savages, where such dramas work +themselves out openly and swiftly, unhidden from our eyes by the veils +and subterfuges of civilisation. At least, there is this comfort +about it--that, if we are but feathers blown by the wind, how can the +individual feather be blamed because it did not travel against, turn or +keep back the wind? + +Well, let me return from these speculations to the history of the facts +that caused them. + +Just as--a little too late--I had made up my mind that I would go after +my own business, and leave Saduko to manage his, through the fence +gateway appeared the great, tall Umbelazi leading by the hand a woman. +As I saw in a moment, it did not need certain bangles of copper, +ornaments of ivory and of very rare pink beads, called infibinga, which +only those of the royal House were permitted to wear, to proclaim her +a person of rank, for dignity and high blood were apparent in her face, +her carriage, her gestures, and all that had to do with her. + +Nandie the Sweet was not a great beauty, as was Mameena, although +her figure was fine, and her stature like that of all the race of +Senzangakona--considerably above the average. To begin with, she was +darker in hue, and her lips were rather thick, as was her nose; nor were +her eyes large and liquid like those of an antelope. Further, she lacked +the informing mystery of Mameena's face, that at times was broken and +lit up by flashes of alluring light and quick, sympathetic perception, +as a heavy evening sky, that seems to join the dim earth to the dimmer +heavens, is illuminated by pulsings of fire, soft and many-hued, +suggesting, but not revealing, the strength and splendour that it veils. +Nandie had none of these attractions, which, after all, anywhere upon +the earth belong only to a few women in each generation. She was a +simple, honest-natured, kindly, affectionate young woman of high birth, +no more; that is, as these qualities are understood and expressed among +her people. + +Umbelazi led her forward into the presence of the King, to whom she +bowed gracefully enough. Then, after casting a swift, sidelong glance at +Saduko, which I found it difficult to interpret, and another of inquiry +at me, she folded her hands upon her breast and stood silent, with bent +head, waiting to be addressed. + +The address was brief enough, for Panda was still sleepy. + +"My daughter," he said, with a yawn, "there stands your husband," and +he jerked his thumb towards Saduko. "He is a young man and a brave, and +unmarried; also one who should grow great in the shadow of our House, +especially as he is a friend of your brother, Umbelazi. I understand +also that you have seen him and like him. Unless you have anything to +say against it, for as, not being a common father, the King receives no +cattle--at least in this case--I am not prejudiced, but will listen to +your words," and he chuckled in a drowsy fashion. "I propose that +the marriage should take place to-morrow. Now, my daughter, have you +anything to say? For if so, please say it at once, as I am tired. The +eternal wranglings between your brethren, Cetewayo and Umbelazi, have +worn me out." + +Now Nandie looked about her in her open, honest fashion, her gaze +resting first on Saduko, then on Umbelazi, and lastly upon me. + +"My Father," she said at length, in her soft, steady voice, "tell me, I +beseech you, who proposes this marriage? Is it the Chief Saduko, is it +the Prince Umbelazi, or is it the white lord whose true name I do not +know, but who is called Macumazahn, Watcher-by-Night?" + +"I can't remember which of them proposed it," yawned Panda. "Who can +keep on talking about things from night till morning? At any rate, I +propose it, and I will make your husband a big man among our people. +Have you anything to say against it?" + +"I have nothing to say, my Father. I have met Saduko, and like him +well--for the rest, you are the judge. But," she added slowly, "does +Saduko like me? When he speaks my name, does he feel it here?" and she +pointed to her throat. + +"I am sure I do not know what he feels in his throat," Panda replied +testily, "but I feel that mine is dry. Well, as no one says anything, +the matter is settled. To-morrow Saduko shall give the umqoliso [the +Ox of the Girl], that makes marriage--if he has not got one here I will +lend it to him, and you can take the new, big hut that I have built in +the outer kraal to dwell in for the present. There will be a dance, if +you wish it; if not, I do not care, for I have no wish for ceremony just +now, who am too troubled with great matters. Now I am going to sleep." + +Then sinking from his stool on to his knees, Panda crawled through the +doorway of his great hut, which was close to him, and vanished. + +Umbelazi and I departed also through the gateway of the fence, leaving +Saduko and the Princess Nandie alone together, for there were no +attendants present. What happened between them I am sure I do not +know, but I gather that, in one way or another, Saduko made himself +sufficiently agreeable to the princess to persuade her to take him to +husband. Perhaps, being already enamoured of him, she was not difficult +to persuade. At any rate, on the morrow, without any great feasting or +fuss, except the customary dance, the umqoliso, the "Ox of the Girl," +was slaughtered, and Saduko became the husband of a royal maiden of the +House of Senzangakona. + +Certainly, as I remember reflecting, it was a remarkable rise in life +for one who, but a few months before, had been without possessions or a +home. + +I may add that, after our brief talk in the King's kraal, while Panda +was dozing, I had no further words with Saduko on this matter of his +marriage, for between its proposal and the event he avoided me, nor did +I seek him out. On the day of the marriage also, I trekked for Natal, +and for a whole year heard no more of Saduko, Nandie, and Mameena; +although, to be frank, I must admit I thought of the last of these +persons more often, perhaps, than I should have done. + +The truth is that Mameena was one of those women who sticks in a man's +mind even more closely than a "Wait-a-bit" thorn does in his coat. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. ALLAN RETURNS TO ZULULAND + + +A whole year had gone by, in which I did, or tried to do, various things +that have no connection with this story, when once more I found +myself in Zululand--at Umbezi's kraal indeed. Hither I had trekked in +fulfilment of a certain bargain, already alluded to, that was concerned +with ivory and guns, which I had made with the old fellow, or, rather, +with Masapo, his son-in-law, whom he represented in this matter. Into +the exact circumstances of that bargain I do not enter, since at the +moment I cannot recall whether I ever obtained the necessary permit +to import those guns into Zululand, although now that I am older I +earnestly hope that I did so, since it is wrong to sell weapons to +natives that may be put to all sorts of unforeseen uses. + +At any rate, there I was, sitting alone with the Headman in his hut +discussing a dram of "squareface" that I had given to him, for the +"trade" was finished to our mutual satisfaction, and Scowl, my body +servant, with the hunters, had just carried off the ivory--a fine lot of +tusks--to my wagons. + +"Well, Umbezi," I said, "and how has it fared with you since we parted a +year ago? Have you seen anything of Saduko, who, you may remember, left +you in some wrath?" + +"Thanks be to my Spirit, I have seen nothing of that wild man, +Macumazahn," answered Umbezi, shaking his fat old head in a fashion +which showed great anxiety. "Yet I have heard of him, for he sent me a +message the other day to tell me that he had not forgotten what he owed +me." + +"Did he mean the sticks with which he promised to bray you like a green +hide?" I inquired innocently. + +"I think so, Macumazahn--I think so, for certainly he owes me nothing +else. And the worst of it is that, there at Panda's kraal, he has grown +like a pumpkin on a dung heap--great, great!" + +"And therefore is now one who can pay any debt that he owes, Umbezi," I +said, taking a pull at the "squareface" and looking at him over the top +of the pannikin. + +"Doubtless he can, Macumazahn, and, between you and me, that is the real +reason why I--or rather Masapo--was so anxious to get those guns. They +were not for hunting, as he told you by the messenger, or for war, but +to protect us against Saduko, in case he should attack. Well, now I hope +we shall be able to hold our own." + +"You and Masapo must teach your people to use them first, Umbezi. But +I expect Saduko has forgotten all about both of you now that he is the +husband of a princess of the royal blood. Tell me, how goes it with +Mameena?" + +"Oh, well, well, Macumazahn. For is she not the head lady of the +Amasomi? There is nothing wrong with her--nothing at all, except that as +yet she has no child; also that--," and he paused. + +"That what?" I asked. + +"That she hates the very sight of her husband, Masapo, and says that +she would rather be married to a baboon--yes, to a baboon--than to him, +which gives him offence, after he has paid so many cattle for her. +But what of this, Macumazahn? There is always a grain missing upon +the finest head of corn. Nothing is _quite_ perfect in the world, +Macumazahn, and if Mameena does not chance to love her husband--" and he +shrugged his shoulders and drank some "squareface." + +"Of course it does not matter in the least, Umbezi, except to Mameena +and her husband, who no doubt will settle down in time, now that Saduko +is married to a princess of the Zulu House." + +"I hope so, Macumazahn, but, to tell the truth, I wish you had brought +more guns, for I live amongst a terrible lot of people. Masapo, who is +furious with Mameena because she will have none of him, and therefore +with me, as though I could control Mameena; Mameena, who is mad with +Masapo, and therefore with me, because I gave her in marriage to him; +Saduko, who foams at the mouth at the name of Masapo, because he has +married Mameena, whom, it is said, he still loves, and therefore at me, +because I am her father and did my best to settle her in the world. Oh, +give me some more of that fire-water, Macumazahn, for it makes me forget +all these things, and especially that my guardian spirit made me the +father of Mameena, with whom you would not run away when you might have +done so. Oh, Macumazahn, why did you not run away with Mameena, and turn +her into a quiet white woman who ties herself up in sacks, sings songs +to the 'Great-Great' in the sky--[that is, hymns to the Power above +us]--and never thinks of any man who is not her husband?" + +"Because if I had done so, Umbezi, I should have ceased to be a quiet +white man. Yes, yes, my friend, I should have been in some such place as +yours to-day, and that is the last thing that I wish. And now, Umbezi, +you have had quite enough 'squareface,' so I will take the bottle away +with me. Good-night." + + +On the following morning I trekked very early from Umbezi's +kraal--before he was up indeed, for the "squareface" made him sleep +sound. My destination was Nodwengu, Panda's Great Place, where I hoped +to do some trading, but, as I was in no particular hurry, my plan was +to go round by Masapo's, and see for myself how it fared between him and +Mameena. Indeed, I reached the borders of the Amasomi territory, whereof +Masapo was chief, by evening, and camped there. But with the night came +reflection, and reflection told me that I should do well to keep clear +of Mameena and her domestic complications, if she had any. So I changed +my mind, and next morning trekked on to Nodwengu by the only route +that my guides reported to be practicable, one which took me a long way +round. + +That day, owing to the roughness of the road--if road it could be +called--and an accident to one of the wagons, we only covered about +fifteen miles, and as night fell were obliged to outspan at the first +spot where we could find water. When the oxen had been unyoked I +looked about me, and saw that we were in a place that, although I had +approached it from a somewhat different direction, I recognised at once +as the mouth of the Black Kloof, in which, over a year before, I had +interviewed Zikali the Little and Wise. There was no mistaking the +spot; that blasted valley, with the piled-up columns of boulders and the +overhanging cliff at the end of it, have, so far as I am aware, no exact +counterparts in Africa. + +I sat upon the box of the first wagon, eating my food, which consisted +of some biltong and biscuit, for I had not bothered to shoot any game +that day, which was very hot, and wondering whether Zikali were still +alive, also whether I should take the trouble to walk up the kloof and +find out. On the whole I thought that I would not, as the place repelled +me, and I did not particularly wish to hear any more of his prophecies +and fierce, ill-omened talk. So I just sat there studying the wonderful +effect of the red evening light pouring up between those walls of +fantastic rocks. + +Presently I perceived, far away, a single human figure--whether it were +man or woman I could not tell--walking towards me along the path which +ran at the bottom of the cleft. In those gigantic surroundings it +looked extraordinarily small and lonely, although perhaps because of the +intense red light in which it was bathed, or perhaps just because it +was human, a living thing in the midst of all that still, inanimate +grandeur, it caught and focused my attention. I grew greatly interested +in it; I wondered if it were that of man or woman, and what it was doing +here in this haunted valley. + +The figure drew nearer, and now I saw it was slender and tall, like that +of a lad or of a well-grown woman, but to which sex it belonged I could +not see, because it was draped in a cloak of beautiful grey fur. Just +then Scowl came to the other side of the wagon to speak to me about +something, which took off my attention for the next two minutes. When I +looked round again it was to see the figure standing within three yards +of me, its face hidden by a kind of hood which was attached to the fur +cloak. + +"Who are you, and what is your business?" I asked, whereon a gentle +voice answered: + +"Do you not know me, O Macumazana?" + +"How can I know one who is tied up like a gourd in a mat? Yet is it +not--is it not--" + +"Yes, it is Mameena, and I am very pleased that you should remember my +voice, Macumazahn, after we have been separated for such a long, long +time," and, with a sudden movement, she threw back the kaross, hood and +all, revealing herself in all her strange beauty. + +I jumped down off the wagon-box and took her hand. + +"O Macumazana," she said, while I still held it--or, to be accurate, +while she still held mine--"indeed my heart is glad to see a friend +again," and she looked at me with her appealing eyes, which, in the red +light, I could see appeared to float in tears. + +"A friend, Mameena!" I exclaimed. "Why, now you are so rich, and the +wife of a big chief, you must have plenty of friends." + +"Alas! Macumazahn, I am rich in nothing except trouble, for my husband +saves, like the ants for winter. Why, he even grudged me this poor +kaross; and as for friends, he is so jealous that he will not allow me +any." + +"He cannot be jealous of women, Mameena!" + +"Oh, women! Piff! I do not care for women; they are very unkind to me, +because--because--well, perhaps you can guess why, Macumazahn," +she answered, glancing at her own reflection in a little travelling +looking-glass that hung from the woodwork of the wagon, for I had been +using it to brush my hair, and smiled very sweetly. + +"At least you have your husband, Mameena, and I thought that perhaps by +this time--" + +She held up her hand. + +"My husband! Oh, I would that I had him not, for I hate him, Macumazahn; +and as for the rest--never! The truth is that I never cared for any man +except one whose name _you_ may chance to remember, Macumazahn." + +"I suppose you mean Saduko--" I began. + +"Tell me, Macumazahn," she inquired innocently, "are white people very +stupid? I ask because you do not seem as clever as you used to be. Or +have you perhaps a bad memory?" + +Now I felt myself turning red as the sky behind me, and broke in +hurriedly: + +"If you did not like your husband, Mameena, you should not have married +him. You know you need not unless you wished." + +"When one has only two thorn bushes to sit on, Macumazahn, one chooses +that which seems to have the fewest prickles, to discover sometimes that +they are still there in hundreds, although one did not see them. You +know that at length everyone gets tired of standing." + +"Is that why you have taken to walking, Mameena? I mean, what are you +doing here alone?" + +"I? Oh, I heard that you were passing this way, and came to have a talk +with you. No, from you I cannot hide even the least bit of the truth. I +came to talk with you, but also I came to see Zikali and ask him what a +wife should do who hates her husband." + +"Indeed! And what did he answer you?" + +"He answered that he thought she had better run away with another man, +if there were one whom she did not hate--out of Zululand, of course," +she replied, looking first at me and then at my wagon and the two horses +that were tied to it. + +"Is that all he said, Mameena?" + +"No. Have I not told you that I cannot hide one grain of the truth from +you? He added that the only other thing to be done was to sit still and +drink my sour milk, pretending that it is sweet, until my Spirit gives +me a new cow. He seemed to think that my Spirit would be bountiful in +the matter of new cows--one day." + +"Anything more?" I inquired. + +"One little thing. Have I not told you that you shall have all--all the +truth? Zikali seemed to think also that at last every one of my herd of +cows, old and new, would come to a bad end. He did not tell me to what +end." + +She turned her head aside, and when she looked up again I saw that she +was weeping, really weeping this time, not just making her eyes swim, as +she did before. + +"Of course they will come to a bad end, Macumazahn," she went on in a +soft, thick voice, "for I and all with whom I have to do were 'torn out +of the reeds' [i.e. created] that way. And that's why I won't tempt you +to run away with me any more, as I meant to do when I saw you, because +it is true, Macumazahn you are the only man I ever liked or ever +shall like; and you know I could make you run away with me if I chose, +although I am black and you are white--oh, yes, before to-morrow +morning. But I won't do it; for why should I catch you in my unlucky web +and bring you into all sorts of trouble among my people and your own? Go +you your road, Macumazahn, and I will go mine as the wind blows me. And +now give me a cup of water and let me be away--a cup of water, no more. +Oh, do not be afraid for me, or melt too much, lest I should melt also. +I have an escort waiting over yonder hill. There, thank you for your +water, Macumazahn, and good night. Doubtless we shall meet again ere +long, and-- I forgot; the Little Wise One said he would like to have a +talk with you. Good night, Macumazahn, good night. I trust that you did +a profitable trade with Umbezi my father and Masapo my husband. I wonder +why such men as these should have been chosen to be my father and my +husband. Think it over, Macumazahn, and tell me when next we meet. Give +me that pretty mirror, Macumazahn; when I look in it I shall see you +as well as myself, and that will please me--you don't know how much. I +thank you. Good night." + +In another minute I was watching her solitary little figure, now wrapped +again in the hooded kaross, as it vanished over the brow of the rise +behind us, and really, as she went, I felt a lump rising in my throat. +Notwithstanding all her wickedness--and I suppose she was wicked--there +was something horribly attractive about Mameena. + +When she had gone, taking my only looking-glass with her, and the lump +in my throat had gone also, I began to wonder how much fact there was in +her story. She had protested so earnestly that she told me all the truth +that I felt sure there must be something left behind. Also I remembered +she had said Zikali wanted to see me. Well, the end of it was I took a +moonlight walk up that dreadful gorge, into which not even Scowl would +accompany me, because he declared that the place was well known to be +haunted by imikovu, or spectres who have been raised from the dead by +wizards. + +It was a long and disagreeable walk, and somehow I felt very depressed +and insignificant as I trudged on between those gigantic cliffs, passing +now through patches of bright moonlight and now through deep pools of +shadow, threading my way among clumps of bush or round the bases of tall +pillars of piled-up stones, till at length I came to the overhanging +cliffs at the end, which frowned down on me like the brows of some +titanic demon. + +Well, I got to the end at last, and at the gate of the kraal fence was +met by one of those fierce and huge men who served the dwarf as guards. +Suddenly he emerged from behind a stone, and having scanned me for +a moment in silence, beckoned to me to follow him, as though I were +expected. A minute later I found myself face to face with Zikali, who +was seated in the clear moonlight just outside the shadow of his hut, +and engaged, apparently, in his favourite occupation of carving wood +with a rough native knife of curious shape. + +For a while he took no notice of me; then suddenly looked up, shaking +back his braided grey locks, and broke into one of his great laughs. + +"So it is you, Macumazahn," he said. "Well, I knew you were passing my +way and that Mameena would send you here. But why do you come to see the +'Thing-that-should-not-have-been-born'? To tell me how you fared with +the buffalo with the split horn, eh?" + +"No, Zikali, for why should I tell you what you know already? Mameena +said you wished to talk with me, that was all." + +"Then Mameena lied," he answered, "as is her nature, in whose throat +live four false words for every one of truth. Still, sit down, +Macumazahn. There is beer made ready for you by that stool; and give me +the knife and a pinch of the white man's snuff that you have brought for +me as a present." + +I produced these articles, though how he knew that I had them with me +I cannot tell, nor did I think it worth while to inquire. The snuff, I +remember, pleased him very much, but of the knife he said that it was +a pretty toy, but he would not know how to use it. Then we fell to +talking. + +"What was Mameena doing here?" I asked boldly. + +"What was she doing at your wagons?" he asked. "Oh, do not stop to tell +me; I know, I know. That is a very good Snake of yours, Macumazahn, +which always just lets you slip through her fingers, when, if she +chose to close her hand-- Well, well, I do not betray the secrets of +my clients; but I say this to you--go on to the kraal of the son of +Senzangakona, and you will see things happen that will make you laugh, +for Mameena will be there, and the mongrel Masapo, her husband. Truly +she hates him well, and, after all, I would rather be loved than hated +by Mameena, though both are dangerous. Poor Mongrel! Soon the jackals +will be chewing his bones." + +"Why do you say that?" I asked. + +"Only because Mameena tells me that he is a great wizard, and the +jackals eat many wizards in Zululand. Also he is an enemy of Panda's +House, is he not?" + +"You have been giving her some bad counsel, Zikali," I said, blurting +out the thought in my mind. + +"Perhaps, perhaps, Macumazahn; only I may call it good counsel. I have +my own road to walk, and if I can find some to clear away the thorns +that would prick my feet, what of it? Also she will get her pay, who +finds life dull up there among the Amasomi, with one she hates for a +hut-fellow. Go you and watch, and afterwards, when you have an hour to +spare, come and tell me what happens--that is, if I do not chance to be +there to see for myself." + +"Is Saduko well?" I asked to change the subject, for I did not wish to +become privy to the plots that filled the air. + +"I am told that his tree grows great, that it overshadows all the royal +kraal. I think that Mameena wishes to sleep in the shade of it. And now +you are weary, and so am I. Go back to your wagons, Macumazahn, for I +have nothing more to say to you to-night. But be sure to return and tell +me what chances at Panda's kraal. Or, as I have said, perhaps I shall +meet you there. Who knows, who knows?" + +Now, it will be observed that there was nothing very remarkable in this +conversation between Zikali and myself. He did not tell me any deep +secrets or make any great prophecy. It may be wondered, indeed, when +there is so much to record, why I set it down at all. + +My answer is, because of the extraordinary impression that it produced +upon me. Although so little was said, I felt all the while that those +few words were a veil hiding terrible events to be. I was sure that +some dreadful scheme had been hatched between the old dwarf and Mameena +whereof the issue would soon become apparent, and that he had sent me +away in a hurry after he learned that she had told me nothing, because +he feared lest I should stumble on its cue and perhaps cause it to fail. + +At any rate, as I walked back to my wagons by moonlight down that +dreadful gorge, the hot, thick air seemed to me to have a physical taste +and smell of blood, and the dank foliage of the tropical trees that grew +there, when now and again a puff of wind stirred them, moaned like the +fabled imikovu, or as men might do in their last faint agony. The effect +upon my nerves was quite strange, for when at last I reached my wagons I +was shaking like a reed, and a cold perspiration, unnatural enough upon +that hot night, poured from my face and body. + +Well, I took a couple of stiff tots of "squareface" to pull myself +together, and at length went to sleep, to awake before dawn with a +headache. Looking out of the wagon, to my surprise I saw Scowl and the +hunters, who should have been snoring, standing in a group and talking +to each other in frightened whispers. I called Scowl to me and asked +what was the matter. + +"Nothing, Baas," he said with a shamefaced air; "only there are so many +spooks about this place. They have been passing in and out of it all +night." + +"Spooks, you idiot!" I answered. "Probably they were people going to +visit the Nyanga, Zikali." + +"Perhaps, Baas; only then we do not know why they should all look like +dead people--princes, some of them, by their dress--and walk upon the +air a man's height from the ground." + +"Pooh!" I replied. "Do you not know the difference between owls in the +mist and dead kings? Make ready, for we trek at once; the air here is +full of fever." + +"Certainly, Baas," he said, springing off to obey; and I do not think I +ever remember two wagons being got under way quicker than they were that +morning. + +I merely mention this nonsense to show that the Black Kloof could affect +other people's nerves as well as my own. + + +In due course I reached Nodwengu without accident, having sent forward +one of my hunters to report my approach to Panda. When my wagons arrived +outside the Great Place they were met by none other than my old friend, +Maputa, he who had brought me back the pills before our attack upon +Bangu. + +"Greeting, Macumazahn," he said. "I am sent by the King to say that you +are welcome and to point you out a good place to outspan; also to give +you permission to trade as much as you will in this town, since he knows +that your dealings are always fair." + +I returned my thanks in the usual fashion, adding that I had brought a +little present for the King which I would deliver when it pleased him +to receive me. Then I invited Maputa, to whom I also offered some trifle +which delighted him very much, to ride with me on the wagon-box till we +came to the selected outspan. + +This, by the way, proved, to be a very good place indeed, a little +valley full of grass for the cattle--for by the King's order it had not +been grazed--with a stream of beautiful water running down it. Moreover +it overlooked a great open space immediately in front of the main gate +of the town, so that I could see everything that went on and all who +arrived or departed. + +"You will be comfortable here, Macumazahn," said Maputa, "during your +stay, which we hope will be long, since, although there will soon be +a mighty crowd at Nodwengu, the King has given orders that none except +your own servants are to enter this valley." + +"I thank the King; but why will there be a crowd, Maputa?" + +"Oh!" he answered with a shrug of the shoulders, "because of a new +thing. All the tribes of the Zulus are to come up to be reviewed. +Some say that Cetewayo has brought this about, and some say that it is +Umbelazi. But I am sure that it is the work of neither of these, but of +Saduko, your old friend, though what his object is I cannot tell you. +I only trust," he added uneasily, "that it will not end in bloodshed +between the Great Brothers." + +"So Saduko has grown tall, Maputa?" + +"Tall as a tree, Macumazahn. His whisper in the King's ear is louder +than the shouts of others. Moreover, he has become a 'self-eater' [that +is a Zulu term which means one who is very haughty]. You will have to +wait on him, Macumazahn; he will not wait on you." + +"Is it so?" I answered. "Well, tall trees are blown down sometimes." + +He nodded his wise old head. "Yes, Macumazahn; I have seen plenty grow +and fall in my time, for at last the swimmer goes with the stream. +Anyhow, you will be able to do a good trade among so many, and, whatever +happens, none will harm you whom all love. And now farewell; I bear your +messages to the King, who sends an ox for you to kill lest you should +grow hungry in his house." + +That same evening I saw Saduko and the others, as I shall tell. I had +been up to visit the King and give him my present, a case of English +table-knives with bone handles, which pleased him greatly, although +he did not in the least know how to use them. Indeed, without their +accompanying forks these are somewhat futile articles. I found the old +fellow very tired and anxious, but as he was surrounded by indunas, I +had no private talk with him. Seeing that he was busy, I took my leave +as soon as I could, and when I walked away whom should I meet but +Saduko. + +I saw him while he was a good way off, advancing towards the inner gate +with a train of attendants like a royal personage, and knew very well +that he saw me. Making up my mind what to do at once, I walked straight +on to him, forcing him to give me the path, which he did not wish to +do before so many people, and brushed past him as though he were a +stranger. As I expected, this treatment had the desired effect, for +after we had passed each other he turned and said: + +"Do you not know me, Macumazahn?" + +"Who calls?" I asked. "Why, friend, your face is familiar to me. How are +you named?" + +"Have you forgotten Saduko?" he said in a pained voice. + +"No, no, of course not," I answered. "I know you now, although you seem +somewhat changed since we went out hunting and fighting together--I +suppose because you are fatter. I trust that you are well, Saduko? +Good-bye. I must be going back to my wagons. If you wish to see me you +will find me there." + +These remarks, I may add, seemed to take Saduko very much aback. At any +rate, he found no reply to them, even when old Maputa, with whom I was +walking, and some others sniggered aloud. There is nothing that Zulus +enjoy so much as seeing one whom they consider an upstart set in his +place. + +Well, a couple of hours afterwards, just as the sun was sinking, who +should walk up to my wagons but Saduko himself, accompanied by a woman +whom I recognised at once as his wife, the Princess Nandie, who carried +a fine baby boy in her arms. Rising, I saluted Nandie and offered her my +camp-stool, which she looked at suspiciously and declined, preferring to +seat herself on the ground after the native fashion. So I took it back +again, and after I had sat down on it, not before, stretched out my hand +to Saduko, who by this time was quite humble and polite. + +Well, we talked away, and by degrees, without seeming too much +interested in them, I was furnished with a list of all the advancements +which it had pleased Panda to heap upon Saduko during the past year. In +their way they were remarkable enough, for it was much as though some +penniless country gentleman in England had been promoted in that short +space of time to be one of the premier peers of the kingdom and endowed +with great offices and estates. When he had finished the count of them +he paused, evidently waiting for me to congratulate him. But all I said +was: + +"By the Heavens above I am sorry for you, Saduko! How many enemies +you must have made! What a long way there will be for you to fall one +night!"--a remark at which the quiet Nandie broke into a low laugh that +I think pleased her husband even less than my sarcasm. "Well," I went +on, "I see that you have got a baby, which is much better than all these +titles. May I look at it, Inkosazana?" + +Of course she was delighted, and we proceeded to inspect the baby, +which evidently she loved more than anything on earth. Whilst we were +examining the child and chatting about it, Saduko sitting by meanwhile +in the sulks, who on earth should appear but Mameena and her fat and +sullen-looking husband, the chief Masapo. + +"Oh, Macumazahn," she said, appearing to notice no one else, "how +pleased I am to see you after a whole long year!" + +I stared at her and my jaw dropped. Then I recovered myself, thinking +she must have made a mistake and meant to say "week." + +"Twelve moons," she went on, "and, Macumazahn, not one of them has gone +by but I have thought of you several times and wondered if we should +ever meet again. Where have you been all this while?" + +"In many places," I answered; "amongst others at the Black Kloof, where +I called upon the dwarf, Zikali, and lost my looking-glass." + +"The Nyanga, Zikali! Oh, how often have I wished to see him. But, of +course, I cannot, for I am told he will not receive any women." + +"I don't know, I am sure," I replied, "but you might try; perhaps he +would make an exception in your favour." + +"I think I will, Macumazahn," she murmured, whereon I collapsed into +silence, feeling that things were getting beyond me. + +When I recovered myself a little it was to hear Mameena greeting Saduko +with much effusion, and complimenting him on his rise in life, which +she said she had always foreseen. This remark seemed to bowl out Saduko +also, for he made no answer to it, although I noticed that he could +not take his eyes off Mameena's beautiful face. Presently, however, +he seemed to become aware of Masapo, and instantly his whole demeanour +changed, for it grew proud and even terrible. Masapo tendered him some +greeting; whereon Saduko turned upon him and said: + +"What, chief of the Amasomi, do you give the good-day to an umfokazana +and a mangy hyena? Why do you do this? Is it because the low umfokazana +has become a noble and the mangy hyena has put on a tiger's coat?" And +he glared at him like a veritable tiger. + +Masapo made no answer that I could catch. Muttering some inaudible +words, he turned to depart, and in doing so--quite innocently, I +think--struck Nandie, knocking her over on to her back and causing +the child to fall out of her arms in such fashion that its tender head +struck against a pebble with sufficient force to cause it to bleed. + +Saduko leapt at him, smiting him across the shoulders with the little +stick that he carried. For a moment Masapo paused, and I thought that +he was going to show fight. If he had any such intention, however, he +changed his mind, for without a word, or showing any resentment at the +insult which he had received, he broke into a heavy run and vanished +among the evening shadows. Mameena, who had observed all, broke into +something else, namely, a laugh. + +"Piff! My husband is big yet not brave," she said, "but I do not think +he meant to hurt you, woman." + +"Do you speak to me, wife of Masapo?" asked Nandie with gentle dignity, +as she gained her feet and picked up the stunned child. "If so, my name +and titles are the Inkosazana Nandie, daughter of the Black One and wife +of the lord Saduko." + +"Your pardon," replied Mameena humbly, for she was cowed at once. "I did +not know who you were, Inkosazana." + +"It is granted, wife of Masapo. Macumazahn, give me water, I pray you, +that I may bathe the head of my child." + +The water was brought, and presently, when the little one seemed all +right again, for it had only received a scratch, Nandie thanked me and +departed to her own huts, saying with a smile to her husband as she +passed that there was no need for him to accompany her, as she had +servants waiting at the kraal gate. So Saduko stayed behind, and Mameena +stayed also. He talked with me for quite a long while, for he had much +to tell me, although all the time I felt that his heart was not in his +talk. His heart was with Mameena, who sat there and smiled continually +in her mysterious way, only putting in a word now and again, as though +to excuse her presence. + +At length she rose and said with a sigh that she must be going back to +where the Amasomi were in camp, as Masapo would need her to see to his +food. By now it was quite dark, although I remember that from time to +time the sky was lit up by sheet lightning, for a storm was brewing. As +I expected, Saduko rose also, saying that he would see me on the morrow, +and went away with Mameena, walking like one who dreams. + +A few minutes later I had occasion to leave the wagons in order to +inspect one of the oxen which was tied up by itself at a distance, +because it had shown signs of some sickness that might or might not be +catching. Moving quietly, as I always do from a hunter's habit, I walked +alone to the place where the beast was tethered behind some mimosa +thorns. Just as I reached these thorns the broad lightning shone out +vividly, and showed me Saduko holding the unresisting shape of Mameena +in his arms and kissing her passionately. + +Then I turned and went back to the wagons even more quietly than I had +come. + +I should add that on the morrow I found out that, after all, there was +nothing serious the matter with my ox. + + + + +CHAPTER X. THE SMELLING-OUT + + +After these events matters went on quietly for some time. I visited +Saduko's huts--very fine huts--about the doors of which sat quite a +number of his tribesmen, who seemed glad to see me again. Here I learned +from the Lady Nandie that her babe, whom she loved dearly, was none the +worse for its little accident. Also I learned from Saduko himself, who +came in before I left, attended like a prince by several notable men, +that he had made up his quarrel with Masapo, and, indeed, apologised to +him, as he found that he had not really meant to insult the princess, +his wife, having only thrust her over by accident. Saduko added indeed +that now they were good friends, which was well for Masapo, a man whom +the King had no cause to like. I said that I was glad to hear it, and +went on to call upon Masapo, who received me with enthusiasm, as also +did Mameena. + +Here I noted with pleasure that this pair seemed to be on much better +terms than I understood had been the case in the past, for Mameena even +addressed her husband on two separate occasions in very affectionate +language, and fetched something that he wanted without waiting to be +asked. Masapo, too, was in excellent spirits, because, as he told me, +the old quarrel between him and Saduko was thoroughly made up, their +reconciliation having been sealed by an interchange of gifts. He added +that he was very glad that this was the case, since Saduko was now one +of the most powerful men in the country, who could harm him much if he +chose, especially as some secret enemy had put it about of late that he, +Masapo, was an enemy of the King's House, and an evil-doer who practised +witchcraft. In proof of his new friendship, however, Saduko had promised +that these slanders should be looked into and their originator punished, +if he or she could be found. + +Well, I congratulated him and took my departure, "thinking furiously," +as the Frenchman says. That there was a tragedy pending I was sure; +this weather was too calm to last; the water ran so still because it was +preparing to leap down some hidden precipice. + +Yet what could I do? Tell Masapo I had seen his wife being embraced by +another man? Surely that was not my business; it was Masapo's business +to attend to her conduct. Also they would both deny it, and I had no +witness. Tell him that Saduko's reconciliation with him was not sincere, +and that he had better look to himself? How did I know it was not +sincere? It might suit Saduko's book to make friends with Masapo, and +if I interfered I should only make enemies and be called a liar who was +working for some secret end. + +Go to Panda and confide my suspicions to him? He was far too anxious +and busy about great matters to listen to me, and if he did, would only +laugh at this tale of a petty flirtation. No, there was nothing to be +done except sit still and wait. Very possibly I was mistaken, after all, +and things would smooth themselves out, as they generally do. + +Meanwhile the "reviewing," or whatever it may have been, was in +progress, and I was busy with my own affairs, making hay while the sun +shone. So great were the crowds of people who came up to Nodwengu that +in a week I had sold everything I had to sell in the two wagons, that +were mostly laden with cloth, beads, knives and so forth. Moreover, the +prices I got were splendid, since the buyers bid against each other, and +before I was cleared out I had collected quite a herd of cattle, also +a quantity of ivory. These I sent on to Natal with one of the wagons, +remaining behind myself with the other, partly because Panda asked me +to do so--for now and again he would seek my advice on sundry +questions--and partly from curiosity. + +There was plenty to be curious about up at Nodwengu just then, since +no one was sure that civil war would not break out between the princes +Cetewayo and Umbelazi, whose factions were present in force. + +It was averted for the time, however, by Umbelazi keeping away from the +great gathering under pretext of being sick, and leaving Saduko and some +others to watch his interests. Also the rival regiments were not allowed +to approach the town at the same time. So that public cloud passed over, +to the enormous relief of everyone, especially of Panda the King. As to +the private cloud whereof this history tells, it was otherwise. + +As the tribes came up to the Great Place they were reviewed and sent +away, since it was impossible to feed so vast a multitude as would have +collected had they all remained. Thus the Amasomi, a small people who +were amongst the first to arrive, soon left. Only, for some reason which +I never quite understood, Masapo, Mameena and a few of Masapo's children +and headmen were detained there; though perhaps, if she had chosen, +Mameena could have given an explanation. + +Well, things began to happen. Sundry personages were taken ill, and +some of them died suddenly; and soon it was noted that all these people +either lived near to where Masapo's family was lodged or had at some +time or other been on bad terms with him. Thus Saduko himself was taken +ill, or said he was; at any rate, he vanished from public gaze for three +days, and reappeared looking very sorry for himself, though I could not +observe that he had lost strength or weight. These catastrophes I pass +over, however, in order to come to the greatest of them, which is one of +the turning points of this chronicle. + +After recovering from his alleged sickness Saduko gave a kind of +thanksgiving feast, at which several oxen were killed. I was present at +this feast, or rather at the last part of it, for I only put in what may +be called a complimentary appearance, having no taste for such native +gorgings. As it drew near its close Saduko sent for Nandie, who at +first refused to come as there were no women present--I think because he +wished to show his friends that he had a princess of the royal blood +for his wife, who had borne him a son that one day would be great in the +land. For Saduko, as I have said, had become a "self-eater," and this +day his pride was inflamed by the adulation of the company and by the +beer that he had drunk. + +At length Nandie did come, carrying her babe, from which she never would +be parted. In her dignified, ladylike fashion (although it seems an odd +term to apply to a savage, I know none that describes her better) she +greeted first me and then sundry of the other guests, saying a few words +to each of them. At length she came opposite to Masapo, who had dined +not wisely but too well, and to him, out of her natural courtesy, spoke +rather longer than to the others, inquiring after his wife, Mameena, and +others. At the moment it occurred to me that she did this in order to +assure him that she bore no malice because of the accident of a while +before, and was a party to her husband's reconciliation with him. + +Masapo, in a hazy way, tried to reciprocate these kind intentions. +Rising to his feet, his fat, coarse body swaying to and fro because of +the beer that he had drunk, he expressed satisfaction at the feast that +had been prepared in her house. Then, his eyes falling on the child, he +began to declaim about its size and beauty, until he was stopped by the +murmured protests of others, since among natives it is held to be not +fortunate to praise a young child. Indeed, the person who does so is apt +to be called an "umtakati", or bewitcher, who will bring evil upon its +head, a word that I heard murmured by several near to me. Not satisfied +with this serious breach of etiquette, the intoxicated Masapo snatched +the infant from its mother's arms under pretext of looking for the hurt +that had been caused to its brow when it fell to the ground at my camp, +and finding none, proceeded to kiss it with his thick lips. + +Nandie dragged it from him, saying: + +"Would you bring death upon my son, O Chief of the Amasomi?" + +Then, turning, she walked away from the feasters, upon whom there fell a +certain hush. + +Fearing lest something unpleasant should ensue, for I saw Saduko biting +his lips with rage not unmixed with fear, and remembering Masapo's +reputation as a wizard, I took advantage of this pause to bid a general +good night to the company and retire to my camp. + +What happened immediately after I left I do not know, but just before +dawn on the following morning I was awakened from sleep in my wagon by +my servant Scowl, who said that a messenger had come from the huts of +Saduko, begging that I would proceed there at once and bring the white +man's medicines, as his child was very ill. Of course I got up and went, +taking with me some ipecacuanha and a few other remedies that I thought +might be suitable for infantile ailments. + +Outside the huts, which I reached just as the sun began to rise, I was +met by Saduko himself, who was coming to seek me, as I saw at once, in a +state of terrible grief. + +"What is the matter?" I asked. + +"O Macumazana," he answered, "that dog Masapo has bewitched my boy, and +unless you can save him he dies." + +"Nonsense," I said, "why do you utter wind? If the babe is sick, it is +from some natural cause." + +"Wait till you see it," he replied. + +Well, I went into the big hut, and there found Nandie and some other +women, also a native doctor or two. Nandie was seated on the floor +looking like a stone image of grief, for she made no sound, only pointed +with her finger to the infant that lay upon a mat in front of her. + +A single glance showed me that it was dying of some disease of which +I had no knowledge, for its dusky little body was covered with red +blotches and its tiny face twisted all awry. I told the women to heat +water, thinking that possibly this might be a case of convulsions, which +a hot bath would mitigate; but before it was ready the poor babe uttered +a thin wail and died. + +Then, when she saw that her child was gone, Nandie spoke for the first +time. + +"The wizard has done his work well," she said, and flung herself face +downwards on the floor of the hut. + +As I did not know what to answer, I went out, followed by Saduko. + +"What has killed my son, Macumazahn?" he asked in a hollow voice, the +tears running down his handsome face, for he had loved his firstborn. + +"I cannot tell," I replied; "but had he been older I should have thought +he had eaten something poisonous, which seems impossible." + +"Yes, Macumazahn, and the poison that he has eaten came from the breath +of a wizard whom you may chance to have seen kiss him last night. Well, +his life shall be avenged." + +"Saduko," I exclaimed, "do not be unjust. There are many sicknesses +that may have killed your son of which I have no knowledge, who am not a +trained doctor." + +"I will not be unjust, Macumazahn. The babe has died by witchcraft, +like others in this town of late, but the evil-doer may not be he whom I +suspect. That is for the smellers-out to decide," and without more words +he turned and left me. + +Next day Masapo was put upon his trial before a Court of Councillors, +over which the King himself presided, a very unusual thing for him to +do, and one which showed the great interest he took in the case. + +At this court I was summoned to give evidence, and, of course, confined +myself to answering such questions as were put to me. Practically these +were but two. What had passed at my wagons when Masapo had knocked over +Nandie and her child, and Saduko had struck him, and what had I seen at +Saduko's feast when Masapo had kissed the infant? I told them in as few +words as I could, and after some slight cross-examination by Masapo, +made with a view to prove that the upsetting of Nandie was an accident +and that he was drunk at Saduko's feast, to both of which suggestions I +assented, I rose to go. Panda, however, stopped me and bade me describe +the aspect of the child when I was called in to give it medicine. + +I did so as accurately as possible, and could see that my account made +a deep impression on the mind of the court. Then Panda asked me if I had +ever seen any similar case, to which I was obliged to reply: + +"No, I have not." + +After this the Councillors consulted privately, and when we were called +back the King gave his judgment, which was very brief. It was evident, +he said, that there had been events which might have caused enmity to +arise in the mind of Masapo against Saduko, by whom Masapo had been +struck with a stick. Therefore, although a reconciliation had taken +place, there seemed to be a possible motive for revenge. But if Masapo +killed the child, there was no evidence to show how he had done so. +Moreover, that infant, his own grandson, had not died of any known +disease. He had, however, died of a similar disease to that which had +carried off certain others with whom Masapo had been mixed up, whereas +more, including Saduko himself, had been sick and recovered, all of +which seemed to make a strong case against Masapo. + +Still, he and his Councillors wished not to condemn without full proof. +That being so, they had determined to call in the services of some +great witch-doctor, one who lived at a distance and knew nothing of the +circumstances. Who that doctor should be was not yet settled. When +it was and he had arrived, the case would be re-opened, and meanwhile +Masapo would be kept a close prisoner. Finally, he prayed that the white +man, Macumazahn, would remain at his town until the matter was settled. + +So Masapo was led off, looking very dejected, and, having saluted the +King, we all went away. + +I should add that, except for the remission of the case to the court +of the witch-doctor, which, of course, was an instance of pure Kafir +superstition, this judgment of the King's seemed to me well reasoned and +just, very different indeed from what would have been given by Dingaan +or Chaka, who were wont, on less evidence, to make a clean sweep not +only of the accused, but of all his family and dependents. + +About eight days later, during which time I had heard nothing of the +matter and seen no one connected with it, for the whole thing seemed to +have become Zila--that is, not to be talked about--I received a summons +to attend the "smelling-out," and went, wondering what witch-doctor had +been chosen for that bloody and barbarous ceremony. Indeed, I had not +far to go, since the place selected for the occasion was outside the +fence of the town of Nodwengu, on that great open stretch of ground +which lay at the mouth of the valley where I was camped. Here, as I +approached, I saw a vast multitude of people crowded together, fifty +deep or more, round a little oval space not much larger than the pit +of a theatre. On the inmost edge of this ring were seated many notable +people, male and female, and as I was conducted to the side of it which +was nearest to the gate of the town, I observed among them Saduko, +Masapo, Mameena and others, and mixed up with them a number of soldiers, +who were evidently on duty. + +Scarcely had I seated myself on a camp-stool, carried by my servant +Scowl, when through the gate of the kraal issued Panda and certain +of his Council, whose appearance the multitude greeted with the royal +salute of "Bayéte", that came from them in a deep and simultaneous roar +of sound. When its echoes died away, in the midst of a deep silence +Panda spoke, saying: + +"Bring forth the Nyanga [doctor]. Let the umhlahlo [that is, the +witch-trial] begin!" + +There was a long pause, and then in the open gateway appeared a solitary +figure that at first sight seemed to be scarcely human, the figure of +a dwarf with a gigantic head, from which hung long, white hair, plaited +into locks. It was Zikali, no other! + +Quite unattended, and naked save for his moocha, for he had on him none +of the ordinary paraphernalia of the witch-doctor, he waddled forward +with a curious toad-like gait till he had passed through the Councillors +and stood in the open space of the ring. Halting there, he looked about +him slowly with his deep-set eyes, turning as he looked, till at length +his glance fell upon the King. + +"What would you have of me, Son of Senzangakona?" he asked. "Many years +have passed since last we met. Why do you drag me from my hut, I who +have visited the kraal of the King of the Zulus but twice since the +'Black One' [Chaka] sat upon the throne--once when the Boers were killed +by him who went before you, and once when I was brought forth to see +all who were left of my race, shoots of the royal Dwandwe stock, slain +before my eyes. Do you bear me hither that I may follow them into the +darkness, O Child of Senzangakona? If so I am ready; only then I have +words to say that it may not please you to hear." + +His deep, rumbling voice echoed into silence, while the great audience +waited for the King's answer. I could see that they were all afraid of +this man, yes, even Panda was afraid, for he shifted uneasily upon his +stool. At length he spoke, saying: + +"Not so, O Zikali. Who would wish to do hurt to the wisest and most +ancient man in all the land, to him who touches the far past with one +hand and the present with the other, to him who was old before our +grandfathers began to be? Nay, you are safe, you on whom not even the +'Black One' dared to lay a finger, although you were his enemy and he +hated you. As for the reason why you have been brought here, tell it +to us, O Zikali. Who are we that we should instruct you in the ways of +wisdom?" + +When the dwarf heard this he broke into one of his great laughs. + +"So at last the House of Senzangakona acknowledges that I have wisdom. +Then before all is done they will think me wise indeed." + +He laughed again in his ill-omened fashion and went on hurriedly, as +though he feared that he should be called upon to explain his words: + +"Where is the fee? Where is the fee? Is the King so poor that he expects +an old Dwandwe doctor to divine for nothing, just as though he were +working for a private friend?" + +Panda made a motion with his hand, and ten fine heifers were driven into +the circle from some place where they had been kept in waiting. + +"Sorry beasts!" said Zikali contemptuously, "compared to those we used +to breed before the time of Senzangakona"--a remark which caused a loud +"Wow!" of astonishment to be uttered by the multitude that heard it. +"Still, such as they are, let them be taken to my kraal, with a bull, +for I have none." + +The cattle were driven away, and the ancient dwarf squatted himself down +and stared at the ground, looking like a great black toad. For a long +while--quite ten minutes, I should think--he stared thus, till I, for +one, watching him intently, began to feel as though I were mesmerised. + +At length he looked up, tossing back his grey locks, and said: + +"I see many things in the dust. Oh, yes, it is alive, it is alive, and +tells me many things. Show that you are alive, O Dust. Look!" + +As he spoke, throwing his hands upwards, there arose at his very feet +one of those tiny and incomprehensible whirlwinds with which all who +know South Africa will be familiar. It drove the dust together; it +lifted it in a tall, spiral column that rose and rose to a height of +fifty feet or more. Then it died away as suddenly as it had come, so +that the dust fell down again over Zikali, over the King, and over three +of his sons who sat behind him. Those three sons, I remember, were named +Tshonkweni, Dabulesinye, and Mantantashiya. As it chanced, by a strange +coincidence all of these were killed at the great battle of the Tugela +of which I have to tell. + +Now again an exclamation of fear and wonder rose from the audience, who +set down this lifting of the dust at Zikali's very feet not to natural +causes, but to the power of his magic. Moreover, those on whom it had +fallen, including the King, rose hurriedly and shook and brushed it +from their persons with a zeal that was not, I think, inspired by a mere +desire for cleanliness. But Zikali only laughed again in his terrible +fashion and let it lie on his fresh-oiled body, which it turned to the +dull, dead hue of a grey adder. + +He rose and, stepping here and there, examined the new-fallen dust. Then +he put his hand into a pouch he wore and produced from it a dried human +finger, whereof the nail was so pink that I think it must have been +coloured--a sight at which the circle shuddered. + +"Be clever," he said, "O Finger of her I loved best; be clever and write +in the dust as yonder Macumazana can write, and as some of the Dwandwe +used to write before we became slaves and bowed ourselves down before +the Great Heavens." (By this he meant the Zulus, whose name means +the Heavens.) "Be clever, dear Finger which caressed me once, me, the +'Thing-that-should-not-have-been-born,' as more will think before I die, +and write those matters that it pleases the House of Senzangakona to +know this day." + +Then he bent down, and with the dead finger at three separate spots made +certain markings in the fallen dust, which to me seemed to consist of +circles and dots; and a strange and horrid sight it was to see him do +it. + +"I thank you, dear Finger. Now sleep, sleep, your work is done," and +slowly he wrapped the relic up in some soft material and restored it to +his pouch. + +Then he studied the first of the markings and asked: "What am I here +for? What am I here for? Does he who sits upon the Throne desire to know +how long he has to reign?" + +Now, those of the inner circle of the spectators, who at these +"smellings-out" act as a kind of chorus, looked at the King, and, seeing +that he shook his head vigorously, stretched out their right hands, +holding the thumb downwards, and said simultaneously in a cold, low +voice: + +"Izwa!" (That is, "We hear you.") + +Zikali stamped upon this set of markings. + +"It is well," he said. "He who sits upon the Throne does not desire to +know how long he has to reign, and therefore the dust has forgotten and +shows it not to me." + +Then he walked to the next markings and studied them. + +"Does the Child of Senzangakona desire to know which of his sons shall +live and which shall die; aye, and which of them shall sleep in his hut +when he is gone?" + +Now a great roar of "Izwa!" accompanied by the clapping of hands, rose +from all the outer multitude who heard, for there was no information +that the Zulu people desired so earnestly as this at the time of which I +write. + +But again Panda, who, I saw, was thoroughly alarmed at the turn things +were taking, shook his head vigorously, whereon the obedient chorus +negatived the question in the same fashion as before. + +Zikali stamped upon the second set of markings, saying: + +"The people desire to know, but the Great Ones are afraid to learn, and +therefore the dust has forgotten who in the days to come shall sleep in +the hut of the King and who shall sleep in the bellies of the jackals +and the crops of the vultures after they have 'gone beyond' by the +bridge of spears." + +Now, at this awful speech (which, both because of all that it implied of +bloodshed and civil war and of the wild, wailing voice in which it was +spoken, that seemed quite different from Zikali's, caused everyone who +heard it, including myself, I am afraid, to gasp and shiver) the King +sprang from his stool as though to put a stop to such doctoring. Then, +after his fashion, he changed his mind and sat down again. But Zikali, +taking no heed, went to the third set of marks and studied them. + +"It would seem," he said, "that I am awakened from sleep in my Black +House yonder to tell of a very little matter, that might well have been +dealt with by any common Nyanga born but yesterday. Well, I have taken +my fee, and I will earn it, although I thought that I was brought here +to speak of great matters, such as the death of princes and the fortunes +of peoples. Is it desired that my Spirit should speak of wizardries in +this town of Nodwengu?" + +"Izwa!" said the chorus in a loud voice. + +Zikali nodded his great head and seemed to talk with the dust, waiting +now and again for an answer. + +"Good," he said; "they are many, and the dust has told them all to me. +Oh, they are very many"--and he glared around him--"so many that if I +spoke them all the hyenas of the hills would be full to-night--" + +Here the audience began to show signs of great apprehension. + +"But," looking down at the dust and turning his head sideways, "what +do you say, what do you say? Speak more plainly, Little Voices, for you +know I grow deaf. Oh! now I understand. The matter is even smaller than +I thought. Just of one wizard--" + +"Izwa!" (loudly). + +"--just of a few deaths and some sicknesses." + +"Izwa!" + +"Just of one death, one principal death." + +"Izwa!" (very loudly). + +"Ah! So we have it--one death. Now, was it a man?" + +"Izwa!" (very coldly). + +"A woman?" + +"Izwa!" (still more coldly). + +"Then a child? It must be a child, unless indeed it is the death of a +spirit. But what do you people know of spirits? A child! A child! Ah! +you hear me--a child. A male child, I think. Do you not say so, O Dust?" + +"Izwa!" (emphatically). + +"A common child? A bastard? The son of nobody?" + +"Izwa!" (very low). + +"A well-born child? One who would have been great? O Dust, I hear, I +hear; a royal child, a child in whom ran the blood of the Father of the +Zulus, he who was my friend? The blood of Senzangakona, the blood of the +'Black One,' the blood of Panda." + +He stopped, while both from the chorus and from the thousands of the +circle gathered around went up one roar of "Izwa!" emphasised by a +mighty movement of outstretched arms and down-pointing thumbs. + +Then silence, during which Zikali stamped upon all the remaining +markings, saying: + +"I thank you, O Dust, though I am sorry to have troubled you for so +small a matter. So, so," he went on presently, "a royal boy-child +is dead, and you think by witchcraft. Let us find out if he died by +witchcraft or as others die, by command of the Heavens that need them. +What! Here is one mark which I have left. Look! It grows red, it is full +of spots! The child died with a twisted face." + +"Izwa! Izwa! Izwa!" (crescendo). + +"This death was not natural. Now, was it witchcraft or was it poison? +Both, I think, both. And whose was the child? Not that of a son of the +King, I think. Oh, yes, you hear me, People, you hear me; but be silent; +I do not need your help. No, not of a son; of a daughter, then." He +turned and, looked about him till his eye fell upon a group of women, +amongst whom sat Nandie, dressed like a common person. "Of a daughter, +a daughter--" He walked to the group of women. "Why, none of these are +royal; they are the children of low people. And yet--and yet I seem to +smell the blood of Senzangakona." + +He sniffed at the air as a dog does, and as he sniffed drew ever nearer +to Nandie, till at last he laughed and pointed to her. + +"_Your_ child, Princess, whose name I do not know. Your firstborn child, +whom you loved more than your own heart." + +She rose. + +"Yes, yes, Nyanga," she cried. "I am the Princess Nandie, and he was my +child, whom I loved more than my own heart." + +"Haha!" said Zikali. "Dust, you did not lie to me. My Spirit, you did +not lie to me. But now, tell me, Dust--and tell me, my Spirit--who +killed this child?" + +He began to waddle round the circle, an extraordinary sight, covered +as he was with grey grime, varied with streaks of black skin where the +perspiration had washed the dust away. + +Presently he came opposite to me, and, to my dismay, paused, sniffing at +me as he had at Nandie. + +"Ah! ah! O Macumazana," he said, "you have something to do with this +matter," a saying at which all that audience pricked their ears. + +Then I rose up in wrath and fear, knowing my position to be one of some +danger. + +"Wizard, or Smeller-out of Wizards, whichever you name yourself," I +called in a loud voice, "if you mean that _I_ killed Nandie's child, you +lie!" + +"No, no, Macumazahn," he answered, "but you tried to save it, and +therefore you had something to do with the matter, had you not? +Moreover, I think that you, who are wise like me, know who did kill it. +Won't you tell me, Macumazahn? No? Then I must find out for myself. Be +at peace. Does not all the land know that your hands are white as your +heart?" + +Then, to my great relief, he passed on, amidst a murmur of approbation, +for, as I have said, the Zulus liked me. Round and round he wandered, +to my surprise passing both Mameena and Masapo without taking any +particular note of them, although he scanned them both, and I thought +that I saw a swift glance of recognition pass between him and Mameena. +It was curious to watch his progress, for as he went those in front of +him swayed in their terror like corn before a puff of wind, and when he +had passed they straightened themselves as the corn does when the wind +has gone by. + +At length he had finished his journey and returned to his +starting-point, to all appearance completely puzzled. + +"You keep so many wizards at your kraal, King," he said, addressing +Panda, "that it is hard to say which of them wrought this deed. It would +have been easier to tell you of greater matters. Yet I have taken your +fee, and I must earn it--I must earn it. Dust, you are dumb. Now, my +Idhlozi, my Spirit, do you speak?" and, holding his head sideways, +he turned his left ear up towards the sky, then said presently, in a +curious, matter-of-fact voice: + +"Ah! I thank you, Spirit. Well, King, your grandchild was killed by the +House of Masapo, your enemy, chief of the Amasomi." + +Now a roar of approbation went up from the audience, among whom Masapo's +guilt was a foregone conclusion. + +When this had died down Panda spoke, saying: + +"The House of Masapo is a large house; I believe that he has several +wives and many children. It is not enough to smell out the House, since +I am not as those who went before me were, nor will I slay the innocent +with the guilty. Tell us, O Opener-of-Roads, who among the House of +Masapo has wrought this deed?" + +"That's just the question," grumbled Zikali in a deep voice. "All that +I know is that it was done by poisoning, and I smell the poison. It is +here." + +Then he walked to where Mameena sat and cried out: + +"Seize that woman and search her hair." + +Executioners who were in waiting sprang forward, but Mameena waved them +away. + +"Friends," she said, with a little laugh, "there is no need to touch +me," and, rising, she stepped forward to the centre of the ring. Here, +with a few swift motions of her hands, she flung off first the cloak she +wore, then the moocha about her middle, and lastly the fillet that bound +her long hair, and stood before that audience in all her naked beauty--a +wondrous and a lovely sight. + +"Now," she said, "let women come and search me and my garments, and see +if there is any poison hid there." + +Two old crones stepped forward--though I do not know who sent them--and +carried out a very thorough examination, finally reporting that they had +found nothing. Thereon Mameena, with a shrug of her shoulders, resumed +such clothes as she wore, and returned to her place. + +Zikali appeared to grow angry. He stamped upon the ground with his big +feet; he shook his braided grey locks and cried out: + +"Is my wisdom to be defeated in such a little matter? One of you tie a +bandage over my eyes." + +Now a man--it was Maputa, the messenger--came out and did so, and I +noted that he tied it well and tight. Zikali whirled round upon his +heels, first one way and then another, and, crying aloud: "Guide me, my +Spirit!" marched forward in a zigzag fashion, as a blindfolded man does, +with his arms stretched out in front of him. First he went to the right, +then to the left, and then straight forward, till at length, to my +astonishment, he came exactly opposite the spot where Masapo sat and, +stretching out his great, groping hands, seized the kaross with which he +was covered and, with a jerk, tore it from him. + +"Search this!" he cried, throwing it on the ground, and a woman +searched. + +Presently she uttered an exclamation, and from among the fur of one of +the tails of the kaross produced a tiny bag that appeared to be made out +of the bladder of a fish. This she handed to Zikali, whose eyes had now +been unbandaged. + +He looked at it, then gave it to Maputa, saying: + +"There is the poison--there is the poison, but who gave it I do not say. +I am weary. Let me go." + +Then, none hindering him, he walked away through the gate of the kraal. + +Soldiers seized upon Masapo, while the multitude roared: "Kill the +wizard!" + +Masapo sprang up, and, running to where the King sat, flung himself upon +his knees, protesting his innocence and praying for mercy. I also, who +had doubts as to all this business, ventured to rise and speak. + +"O King," I said, "as one who has known this man in the past, I plead +with you. How that powder came into his kaross I know not, but perchance +it is not poison, only harmless dust." + +"Yes, it is but wood dust which I use for the cleaning of my nails," +cried Masapo, for he was so terrified I think he knew not what he said. + +"So you own to knowledge of the medicine?" exclaimed Panda. "Therefore +none hid it in your kaross through malice." + +Masapo began to explain, but what he said was lost in a mighty roar of +"Kill the wizard!" + +Panda held up his hand and there was silence. + +"Bring milk in a dish," commanded the King, and it, was brought, and, at +a further word from him, dusted with the powder. + +"Now, O Macumazana," said Panda to me, "if you still think that yonder +man is innocent, will you drink this milk?" + +"I do not like milk, O King," I answered, shaking my head, whereon all +who heard me laughed. + +"Will Mameena, his wife, drink it, then?" asked Panda. + +She also shook her head, saying: + +"O King, I drink no milk that is mixed with dust." + +Just then a lean, white dog, one of those homeless, mangy beasts that +stray about kraals and live upon carrion, wandered into the ring. Panda +made a sign, and a servant, going to where the poor beast stood staring +about it hungrily, set down the wooden dish of milk in front of it. +Instantly the dog lapped it up, for it was starving, and as it finished +the last drop the man slipped a leathern thong about its neck and held +it fast. + +Now all eyes were fixed upon the dog, mine among them. Presently the +beast uttered a long and melancholy howl which thrilled me through, for +I knew it to be Masapo's death warrant, then began to scratch the ground +and foam at the mouth. Guessing what would follow, I rose, bowed to the +King, and walked away to my camp, which, it will be remembered, was set +up in a little kloof commanding this place, at a distance only of a few +hundred yards. So intent was all the multitude upon watching the dog +that I doubt whether anyone saw me go. As for that poor beast, Scowl, +who stayed behind, told me that it did not die for about ten minutes, +since before its end a red rash appeared upon it similar to that which I +had seen upon Saduko's child, and it was seized with convulsions. + +Well, I reached my tent unmolested, and, having lit my pipe, engaged +myself in making business entries in my note-book, in order to divert my +mind as much as I could, when suddenly I heard a most devilish clamour. +Looking up, I saw Masapo running towards me with a speed that I should +have thought impossible in so fat a man, while after him raced the +fierce-faced executioners, and behind came the mob. + +"Kill the evil-doer!" they shouted. + +Masapo reached me. He flung himself on his knees before me, gasping: + +"Save me, Macumazahn! I am innocent. Mameena, the witch! Mameena--" + +He got no farther, for the slayers had leapt on him like hounds upon a +buck and dragged him from me. + +Then I turned and covered up my eyes. + + +Next morning I left Nodwengu without saying good-bye to anyone, for what +had happened there made me desire a change. My servant, Scowl, and one +of my hunters remained, however, to collect some cattle that were still +due to me. + +A month or more later, when they joined me in Natal, bringing the +cattle, they told me that Mameena, the widow of Masapo, had entered the +house of Saduko as his second wife. In answer to a question which I put +to them, they added that it was said that the Princess Nandie did +not approve of this choice of Saduko, which she thought would not be +fortunate for him or bring him happiness. As her husband seemed to be +much enamoured of Mameena, however, she had waived her objections, and +when Panda asked if she gave her consent had told him that, although she +would prefer that Saduko should choose some other woman who had not been +mixed up with the wizard who killed her child, she was prepared to take +Mameena as her sister, and would know how to keep her in her place. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. THE SIN OF UMBELAZI + + +About eighteen months had gone by, and once again, in the autumn of the +year 1856, I found myself at old Umbezi's kraal, where there seemed to +be an extraordinary market for any kind of gas-pipe that could be called +a gun. Well, as a trader who could not afford to neglect profitable +markets, which are hard things to find, there I was. + +Now, in eighteen months many things become a little obscured in one's +memory, especially if they have to do with savages, in whom, after all, +one takes only a philosophical and a business interest. Therefore I may +perhaps be excused if I had more or less forgotten a good many of the +details of what I may call the Mameena affair. These, however, came back +to me very vividly when the first person that I met--at some distance +from the kraal, where I suppose she had been taking a country walk--was +the beautiful Mameena herself. There she was, looking quite unchanged +and as lovely as ever, sitting under the shade of a wild fig-tree and +fanning herself with a handful of its leaves. + +Of course I jumped off my wagon-box and greeted her. + +"Siyakubona [that is, good morrow], Macumazahn," she said. "My heart is +glad to see you." + +"Siyakubona, Mameena," I answered, leaving out all reference to _my_ +heart. Then I added, looking at her: "Is it true that you have a new +husband?" + +"Yes, Macumazahn, an old lover of mine has become a new husband. You +know whom I mean--Saduko. After the death of that evil-doer, Masapo, he +grew very urgent, and the King, also the Inkosazana Nandie, pressed it +on me, and so I yielded. Also, to be honest, Saduko was a good match, or +seemed to be so." + +By now we were walking side by side, for the train of wagons had gone +ahead to the old outspan. So I stopped and looked her in the face. + +"'Seemed to be,'" I repeated. "What do you mean by 'seemed to be'? Are +you not happy this time?" + +"Not altogether, Macumazahn," she answered, with a shrug of her +shoulders. "Saduko is very fond of me--fonder than I like indeed, since +it causes him to neglect Nandie, who, by the way, has another son, and, +although she says little, that makes Nandie cross. In short," she added, +with a burst of truth, "I am the plaything, Nandie is the great lady, +and that place suits me ill." + +"If you love Saduko, you should not mind, Mameena." + +"Love," she said bitterly. "Piff! What is love? But I have asked you +that question once before." + +"Why are you here, Mameena?" I inquired, leaving it unanswered. + +"Because Saduko is here, and, of course, Nandie, for she never leaves +him, and he will not leave me; because the Prince Umbelazi is coming; +because there are plots afoot and the great war draws near--that war in +which so many must die." + +"Between Cetewayo and Umbelazi, Mameena?" + +"Aye, between Cetewayo and Umbelazi. Why do you suppose those wagons of +yours are loaded with guns for which so many cattle must be paid? Not to +shoot game with, I think. Well, this little kraal of my father's is +just now the headquarters of the Umbelazi faction, the Isigqosa, as the +princedom of Gikazi is that of Cetewayo. My poor father!" she added, +with her characteristic shrug, "he thinks himself very great to-day, +as he did after he had shot the elephant--before I nursed you, +Macumazahn--but often I wonder what will be the end of it--for him and +for all of us, Macumazahn, including yourself." + +"I!" I answered. "What have I to do with your Zulu quarrels?" + +"That you will know when you have done with them, Macumazahn. But here +is the kraal, and before we enter it I wish to thank you for trying to +protect that unlucky husband of mine, Masapo." + +"I only did so, Mameena, because I thought him innocent." + +"I know, Macumazahn; and so did I, although, as I always told you, I +hated him, the man with whom my father forced me to marry. But I am +afraid, from what I have learned since, that he was not altogether +innocent. You see, Saduko had struck him, which he could not forget. +Also, he was jealous of Saduko, who had been my suitor, and wished to +injure him. But what I do not understand," she added, with a burst of +confidence, "is why he did not kill Saduko instead of his child." + +"Well, Mameena, you may remember it was said he tried to do so." + +"Yes, Macumazahn; I had forgotten that. I suppose that he did try, and +failed. Oh, now I see things with both eyes. Look, yonder is my father. +I will go away. But come and talk to me sometimes, Macumazahn, for +otherwise Nandie will be careful that I should hear nothing--I who am +the plaything, the beautiful woman of the House, who must sit and smile, +but must not think." + +So she departed, and I went on to meet old Umbezi, who came gambolling +towards me like an obese goat, reflecting that, whatever might be the +truth or otherwise of her story, her advancement in the world did not +seem to have brought Mameena greater happiness and contentment. + +Umbezi, who greeted me warmly, was in high spirits and full of +importance. He informed me that the marriage of Mameena to Saduko, after +the death of the wizard, her husband, whose tribe and cattle had been +given to Saduko in compensation for the loss of his son, was a most +fortunate thing for him. + +I asked why. + +"Because as Saduko grows great so I, his father-in-law, grow great with +him, Macumazahn, especially as he has been liberal to me in the matter +of cattle, passing on to me a share of the herds of Masapo, so that I, +who have been poor so long, am getting rich at last. Moreover, my kraal +is to be honoured with a visit from Umbelazi and some of his brothers +to-morrow, and Saduko has promised to lift me up high when the Prince is +declared heir to the throne." + +"Which prince?" I asked. + +"Umbelazi, Macumazahn. Who else? Umbelazi, who without doubt will +conquer Cetewayo." + +"Why without doubt, Umbezi? Cetewayo has a great following, and if _he_ +should conquer I think that you will only be lifted up in the crops of +the vultures." + +At this rough suggestion Umbezi's fat face fell. + +"O Macumazana," he said, "if I thought that, I would go over to +Cetewayo, although Saduko is my son-in-law. But it is not possible, +since the King loves Umbelazi's mother most of all his wives, and, as I +chance to know, has sworn to her that he favours Umbelazi's cause, since +he is the dearest to him of all his sons, and will do everything that +he can to help him, even to the sending of his own regiment to his +assistance, if there should be need. Also, it is said that Zikali, +Opener-of-Roads, who has all wisdom, has prophesied that Umbelazi will +win more than he ever hoped for." + +"The King!" I said, "a straw blown hither and thither between two great +winds, waiting to be wafted to rest by that which is strongest! The +prophecy of Zikali! It seems to me that it can be read two ways, if, +indeed, he ever made one. Well, Umbezi, I hope that you are right, for, +although it is no affair of mine, who am but a white trader in your +country, I like Umbelazi better than Cetewayo, and think that he has a +kinder heart. Also, as you have chosen his side, I advise you to stick +to it, since traitors to a cause seldom come to any good, whether it +wins or loses. And now, will you take count of the guns and powder which +I have brought with me?" + +Ah! better would it have been for Umbezi if he had listened to my advice +and remained faithful to the leader he had chosen, for then, even if he +had lost his life, at least he would have kept his good name. But of him +presently, as they say in pedigrees. + +Next day I went to pay my respects to Nandie, whom I found engaged in +nursing her new baby and as quiet and stately in her demeanour as ever. +Still, I think that she was very glad to see me, because I had tried to +save the life of her first child, whom she could not forget, if for no +other reason. Whilst I was talking to her of that sad matter, also of +the political state of the country, as to which I think she wished to +say something to me, Mameena entered the hut, without waiting to be +asked, and sat down, whereon Nandie became suddenly silent. + +This, however, did not trouble Mameena, who talked away about anything +and everything, completely ignoring the head-wife. For a while Nandie +bore it with patience, but at length she took advantage of a pause in +the conversation to say in her firm, low voice: + +"This is my hut, daughter of Umbezi, a thing which you remember well +enough when it is a question whether Saduko, our husband, shall visit +you or me. Can you not remember it now when I would speak with the white +chief, Watcher-by-Night, who has been so good as to take the trouble to +come to see me?" + +On hearing these words Mameena leapt up in a rage, and I must say I +never saw her look more lovely. + +"You insult me, daughter of Panda, as you always try to do, because you +are jealous of me." + +"Your pardon, sister," replied Nandie. "Why should I, who am Saduko's +Inkosikazi, and, as you say, daughter of Panda, the King, be jealous +of the widow of the wizard, Masapo, and the daughter of the headman, +Umbezi, whom it has pleased our husband to take into his house to be the +companion of his leisure?" + +"Why? Because you know that Saduko loves my little finger more than +he does your whole body, although you are of the King's blood and have +borne him brats," she answered, looking at the infant with no kindly +eye. + +"It may be so, daughter of Umbezi, for men have their fancies, and +without doubt you are fair. Yet I would ask you one thing--if Saduko +loves you so much, how comes it he trusts you so little that you must +learn any matter of weight by listening at my door, as I found you doing +the other day?" + +"Because you teach him not to do so, O Nandie. Because you are ever +telling him not to consult with me, since she who has betrayed one +husband may betray another. Because you make him believe my place is +that of his toy, not that of his companion, and this although I am +cleverer than you and all your House tied into one bundle, as you may +find out some day." + +"Yes," answered Nandie, quite undisturbed, "I do teach him these things, +and I am glad that in this matter Saduko has a thinking head and listens +to me. Also I agree that it is likely I shall learn many more ill things +through and of you one day, daughter of Umbezi. And now, as it is not +good that we should wrangle before this white lord, again I say to you +that this is my hut, in which I wish to speak alone with my guest." + +"I go, I go!" gasped Mameena; "but I tell you that Saduko shall hear of +this." + +"Certainly he will hear of it, for I shall tell him when he comes +to-night." + +Another instant and Mameena was gone, having shot out of the hut like a +rabbit from its burrow. + +"I ask your pardon, Macumazahn, for what has happened," said Nandie, +"but it had become necessary that I should teach my sister, Mameena, +upon which stool she ought to sit. I do not trust her, Macumazahn. I +think that she knows more of the death of my child than she chooses to +say, she who wished to be rid of Masapo for a reason you can guess. I +think also she will bring shame and trouble upon Saduko, whom she +has bewitched with her beauty, as she bewitches all men--perhaps even +yourself a little, Macumazahn. And now let us talk of other matters." + +To this proposition I agreed cordially, since, to tell the truth, if I +could have managed to do so with any decent grace, I should have been +out of that hut long before Mameena. So we fell to conversing on the +condition of Zululand and the dangers that lay ahead for all who were +connected with the royal House--a state of affairs which troubled Nandie +much, for she was a clear-headed woman, and one who feared the future. + +"Ah! Macumazahn," she said to me as we parted, "I would that I were the +wife of some man who did not desire to grow great, and that no royal +blood ran in my veins." + +On the next day the Prince Umbelazi arrived, and with him Saduko and +a few other notable men. They came quite quietly and without any +ostensible escort, although Scowl, my servant, told me he heard that +the bush at a little distance was swarming with soldiers of the Isigqosa +party. If I remember rightly, the excuse for the visit was that Umbezi +had some of a certain rare breed of white cattle whereof the prince +wished to secure young bulls and heifers to improve his herd. + +Once inside the kraal, however, Umbelazi, who was a very open-natured +man, threw off all pretence, and, after greeting me heartily enough, +told me with plainness that he was there because this was a convenient +spot on which to arrange the consolidation of his party. + +Almost every hour during the next two weeks messengers--many of whom +were chiefs disguised--came and went. I should have liked to follow +their example--that is, so far as their departure was concerned--for +I felt that I was being drawn into a very dangerous vortex. But, as +a matter of fact, I could not escape, since I was obliged to wait to +receive payment for my stuff, which, as usual, was made in cattle. + +Umbelazi talked with me a good deal at that time, impressing upon me how +friendly he was towards the English white men of Natal, as distinguished +from the Boers, and what good treatment he was prepared to promise to +them, should he ever attain to authority in Zululand. It was during one +of the earliest of these conversations, which, of course, I saw had an +ultimate object, that he met Mameena, I think, for the first time. + +We were walking together in a little natural glade of the bush that +bordered one side of the kraal, when, at the end of it, looking like +some wood nymph of classic fable in the light of the setting sun, +appeared the lovely Mameena, clothed only in her girdle of fur, her +necklace of blue beads and some copper ornaments, and carrying upon her +head a gourd. + +Umbelazi noted her at once, and, ceasing his political talk, of which he +was obviously tired, asked me who that beautiful intombi (that is, girl) +might be. + +"She is not an intombi, Prince," I answered. "She is a widow who is +again a wife, the second wife of your friend and councillor, Saduko, and +the daughter of your host, Umbezi." + +"Is it so, Macumazahn? Oh, then I have heard of her, though, as it +chances, I have never met her before. No wonder that my sister Nandie is +jealous, for she is beautiful indeed." + +"Yes," I answered, "she looks pretty against the red sky, does she not?" + +By now we were drawing near to Mameena, and I greeted her, asking if she +wanted anything. + +"Nothing, Macumazahn," she answered in her delicate, modest way, for +never did I know anyone who could seem quite so modest as Mameena, and +with a swift glance of her shy eyes at the tall and splendid Umbelazi, +"nothing. Only," she added, "I was passing with the milk of one of the +few cows my father gave me, and saw you, and I thought that perhaps, as +the day has been so hot, you might like a drink of it." + +Then, lifting the gourd from her head, she held it out to me. + +I thanked her, drank some--who could do less?--and returned it to her, +whereon she made as though she would hasten to depart. + +"May I not drink also, daughter of Umbezi?" asked Umbelazi, who could +scarcely take his eyes off her. + +"Certainly, sir, if you are a friend of Macumazahn," she replied, +handing him the gourd. + +"I am that, Lady, and more than that, since I am a friend of your +husband, Saduko, also, as you will know when I tell you that my name is +Umbelazi." + +"I thought it must be so," she replied, "because of your--of your +stature. Let the Prince accept the offering of his servant, who one day +hopes to be his subject," and, dropping upon her knee, she held out the +gourd to him. Over it I saw their eyes meet. He drank, and as he handed +back the vessel she said: + +"O Prince, may I be granted a word with you? I have that to tell which +you would perhaps do well to hear, since news sometimes reaches the ears +of humble women that escapes those of the men, our masters." + +He bowed his head in assent, whereon, taking a hint which Mameena gave +me with her eyes, I muttered something about business and made myself +scarce. I may add that Mameena must have had a great deal to tell +Umbelazi. Fully an hour and a half had gone by before, by the light of +the moon, from a point of vantage on my wagon-box, whence, according to +my custom, I was keeping a lookout on things in general, I saw her slip +back to the kraal silently as a snake, followed at a little distance by +the towering form of Umbelazi. + +Apparently Mameena continued to be the recipient of information which +she found it necessary to communicate in private to the prince. At any +rate, on sundry subsequent evenings the dullness of my vigil on the +wagon-box was relieved by the sight of her graceful figure gliding home +from the kloof that Umbelazi seemed to find a very suitable spot +for reflection after sunset. On one of the last of these occasions I +remember that Nandie chanced to be with me, having come to my wagon for +some medicine for her baby. + +"What does it mean, Macumazahn?" she asked, when the pair had gone by, +as they thought unobserved, since we were standing where they could not +see us. + +"I don't know, and I don't want to know," I answered sharply. + +"Neither do I, Macumazahn; but without doubt we shall learn in time. If +the crocodile is patient and silent the buck always drops into its jaws +at last." + +On the day after Nandie made this wise remark Saduko started on a +mission, as I understood, to win over several doubtful chiefs to the +cause of Indhlovu-ene-sihlonti (the Elephant-with-the-tuft-of-hair), as +the Prince Umbelazi was called among the Zulus, though not to his face. +This mission lasted ten days, and before it was concluded an important +event happened at Umbezi's kraal. + +One evening Mameena came to me in a great rage, and said that she could +bear her present life no longer. Presuming on her rank and position as +head-wife, Nandie treated her like a servant--nay, like a little dog, to +be beaten with a stick. She wished that Nandie would die. + +"It will be very unlucky for you if she does," I answered, "for then, +perhaps, Zikali will be summoned to look into the matter, as he was +before." + +What was she to do, she went on, ignoring my remark. + +"Eat the porridge that you have made in your own pot, or break the pot" +(i.e. go away), I suggested. "There was no need for you to marry Saduko, +any more than there was for you to marry Masapo." + +"How can you talk to me like that, Macumazahn," she answered, stamping +her foot, "when you know well it is your fault if I married anyone? +Piff! I hate them all, and, since my father would only beat me if I took +my troubles to him, I will run off, and live in the wilderness alone and +become a witch-doctoress." + +"I am afraid you will find it very dull, Mameena," I began in a +bantering tone, for, to tell the truth, I did not think it wise to show +her too much sympathy while she was so excited. + +Mameena never waited for the end of the sentence, but, sobbing out that +I was false and cruel, she turned and departed swiftly. Oh! little did I +foresee how and where we should meet again. + +Next morning I was awakened shortly after sunrise by Scowl, whom I had +sent out with another man the night before to look for a lost ox. + +"Well, have you found the ox?" I asked. + +"Yes, Baas; but I did not waken you to tell you that. I have a message +for you, Baas, from Mameena, wife of Saduko, whom I met about four hours +ago upon the plain yonder." + +I bade him set it out. + +"These were the words of Mameena, Baas: 'Say to Macumazahn, your master, +that Indhlovu-ene-sihlonti, taking pity on my wrongs and loving me +with his heart, has offered to take me into his House and that I have +accepted his offer, since I think it better to become the Inkosazana of +the Zulus, as I shall one day, than to remain a servant in the house +of Nandie. Say to Macumazahn that when Saduko returns he is to tell him +that this is all his fault, since if he had kept Nandie in her place I +would have died rather than leave him. Let him say to Saduko also that, +although from henceforth we can be no more than friends, my heart is +still tender towards him, and that by day and by night I will strive to +water his greatness, so that it may grow into a tree that shall shade +the land. Let Macumazahn bid him not to be angry with me, since what I +do I do for his good, as he would have found no happiness while Nandie +and I dwelt in one house. Above all, also let him not be angry with the +Prince, who loves him more than any man, and does but travel whither the +wind that I breathe blows him. Bid Macumazahn think of me kindly, as I +shall of him while my eyes are open.'" + +I listened to this amazing message in silence, then asked if Mameena was +alone. + +"No, Baas; Umbelazi and some soldiers were with her, but they did +not hear her words, for she stepped aside to speak with me. Then she +returned to them, and they walked away swiftly, and were swallowed up in +the night." + +"Very good, Sikauli," I said. "Make me some coffee, and make it strong." + +I dressed and drank several cups of the coffee, all the while "thinking +with my head," as the Zulus say. Then I walked up to the kraal to see +Umbezi, whom I found just coming out of his hut, yawning. + +"Why do you look so black upon this beautiful morning, Macumazahn?" +asked the genial old scamp. "Have you lost your best cow, or what?" + +"No, my friend," I answered; "but you and another have lost your best +cow." And word for word I repeated to him Mameena's message. When I had +finished really I thought that Umbezi was about to faint. + +"Curses be on the head of this Mameena!" he exclaimed. "Surely some evil +spirit must have been her father, not I, and well was she called Child +of Storm.[*] What shall I do now, Macumazahn? Thanks be to my Spirit," +he added, with an air of relief, "she is too far gone for me to try to +catch her; also, if I did, Umbelazi and his soldiers would kill me." + + [*--That, if I have not said so already, was the meaning + which the Zulus gave to the word "Mameena", although as I + know the language I cannot get any such interpretation out + of the name, I believe that it was given to her, however, + because she was born just before a terrible tempest, when + the wind wailing round the hut made a sound like the word + "Ma-mee-na". --A. Q.] + +"And what will Saduko do if you don't?" I asked. + +"Oh, of course he will be angry, for no doubt he is fond of her. But, +after all, I am used to that. You remember how he went mad when she +married Masapo. At least, he cannot say that I made her run away with +Umbelazi. After all, it is a matter which they must settle between +them." + +"I think it may mean great trouble," I said, "at a time when trouble is +not needed." + +"Oh, why so, Macumazahn? My daughter did not get on with the Princess +Nandie--we could all see that--for they would scarcely speak to each +other. And if Saduko is fond of her--well, after all, there are other +beautiful women in Zululand. I know one or two of them myself whom I +will mention to Saduko--or rather to Nandie. Really, as things were, I +am not sure but that he is well rid of her." + +"But what do you think of the matter as her father?" I asked, for I +wanted to see to what length his accommodating morality would stretch. + +"As her father--well, of course, Macumazahn, as her father I am sorry, +because it will mean talk, will it not, as the Masapo business +did? Still, there is this to be said for Mameena," he added, with a +brightening face, "she always runs away up the tree, not down. When she +got rid of Masapo--I mean when Masapo was killed for his witchcraft--she +married Saduko, who was a bigger man--Saduko, whom she would not marry +when Masapo was the bigger man. And now, when she has got rid of Saduko, +she enters the hut of Umbelazi, who will one day be King of the Zulus, +the biggest man in all the world, which means that she will be the +biggest woman, for remember, Macumazahn, she will walk round and round +that great Umbelazi till whatever way he looks he will see her and no +one else. Oh, she will grow great, and carry up her poor old father +in the blanket on her back. Oh, the sun still shines behind the cloud, +Macumazahn, so let us make the best of the cloud, since we know that it +will break out presently." + +"Yes, Umbezi; but other things besides the sun break out from clouds +sometimes--lightning, for instance; lightning which kills." + +"You speak ill-omened words, Macumazahn; words that take away my +appetite, which is generally excellent at this hour. Well, if Mameena is +bad it is not my fault, for I brought her up to be good. After all," +he added with an outburst of petulance, "why do you scold me when it is +your fault? If you had run away with the girl when you might have done +so, there would have been none of this trouble." + +"Perhaps not," I answered; "only then I am sure I should have been dead +to-day, as I think that all who have to do with her will be ere long. +And now, Umbezi, I wish you a good breakfast." + +On the following morning, Saduko returned and was told the news by +Nandie, whom I had carefully avoided. On this occasion, however, I was +forced to be present, as the person to whom the sinful Mameena had sent +her farewell message. It was a very painful experience, of which I do +not remember all the details. For a while after he learned the truth +Saduko sat still as a stone, staring in front of him, with a face that +seemed to have become suddenly old. Then he turned upon Umbezi, and in a +few terrible words accused him of having arranged the matter in order to +advance his own fortunes at the price of his daughter's dishonour. Next, +without listening to his ex-father-in-law's voluble explanations, he +rose and said that he was going away to kill Umbelazi, the evil-doer who +had robbed him of the wife he loved, with the connivance of all three of +us, and by a sweep of his hand he indicated Umbezi, the Princess Nandie +and myself. + +This was more than I could stand, so I, too, rose and asked him what he +meant, adding in the irritation of the moment that if I had wished to +rob him of his beautiful Mameena, I thought I could have done so long +ago--a remark that staggered him a little. + +Then Nandie rose also, and spoke in her quiet voice. + +"Saduko, my husband," she said, "I, a Princess of the Zulu House, +married you who are not of royal blood because I loved you, and although +Panda the King and Umbelazi the Prince wished it, for no other reason +whatsoever. Well, I have been faithful to you through some trials, even +when you set the widow of a wizard--if, indeed, as I have reason to +suspect, she was not herself the wizard--before me, and although that +wizard had killed our son, lived in her hut rather than in mine. Now +this woman of whom you thought so much has deserted you for your +friend and my brother, the Prince Umbelazi--Umbelazi who is called the +Handsome, and who, if the fortune of war goes with him, as it may or +may not, will succeed to Panda, my father. This she has done because she +alleges that I, your Inkosikazi and the King's daughter, treated her as +a servant, which is a lie. I kept her in her place, no more, who, if +she could have had her will, would have ousted me from mine, perhaps by +death, for the wives of wizards learn their arts. On this pretext she +has left you; but that is not her real reason. She has left you because +the Prince, my brother, whom she has befooled with her tricks and +beauty, as she has befooled others, or tried to"--and she glanced at +me--"is a bigger man than you are. You, Saduko, may become great, as my +heart prays that you will, but my brother may become a king. She does +not love him any more than she loved you, but she does love the place +that may be his, and therefore hers--she who would be the first doe of +the herd. My husband, I think that you are well rid of Mameena, for I +think also that if she had stayed with us there would have been more +deaths in our House; perhaps mine, which would not matter, and perhaps +yours, which would matter much. All this I say to you, not from jealousy +of one who is fairer than I, but because it is the truth. Therefore my +counsel to you is to let this business pass over and keep silent. Above +all, seek not to avenge yourself upon Umbelazi, since I am sure that he +has taken vengeance to dwell with him in his own hut. I have spoken." + +That this moderate and reasoned speech of Nandie's produced a great +effect upon Saduko I could see, but at the time the only answer he made +to it was: + +"Let the name of Mameena be spoken no more within hearing of my ears. +Mameena is dead." + +So her name was heard no more in the Houses of Saduko and of Umbezi, and +when it was necessary for any reason to refer to her, she was given a +new name, a composite Zulu word, "O-we-Zulu", I think it was, which is +"Storm-child" shortly translated, for "Zulu" means a storm as well as +the sky. + +I do not think that Saduko spoke of her to me again until towards the +climax of this history, and certainly I did not mention her to him. But +from that day forward I noted that he was a changed man. His pride and +open pleasure in his great success, which had caused the Zulus to name +him the "Self-eater," were no longer marked. He became cold and silent, +like a man who is thinking deeply, but who shutters his thoughts lest +some should read them through the windows of his eyes. Moreover, he paid +a visit to Zikali the Little and Wise, as I found out by accident; but +what advice that cunning old dwarf gave to him I did not find out--then. + +The only other event which happened in connection with this elopement +was that a message came from Umbelazi to Saduko, brought by one of the +princes, a brother of Umbelazi, who was of his party. As I know, for +I heard it delivered, it was a very humble message when the relative +positions of the two men are considered--that of one who knew that he +had done wrong, and, if not repentant, was heartily ashamed of himself. + +"Saduko," it said, "I have stolen a cow of yours, and I hope you will +forgive me, since that cow did not love the pasture in your kraal, but +in mine she grows fat and is content. Moreover, in return I will give +you many other cows. Everything that I have to give, I will give to you +who are my friend and trusted councillor. Send me word, O Saduko, that +this wall which I have built between us is broken down, since ere long +you and I must stand together in war." + +To this message Saduko's answer was: + +"O Prince, you are troubled about a very little thing. That cow which +you have taken was of no worth to me, for who wishes to keep a beast +that is ever tearing and lowing at the gates of the kraal, disturbing +those who would sleep inside with her noise? Had you asked her of me, +I would have given her to you freely. I thank you for your offer, but I +need no more cows, especially if, like this one, they have no calves. +As for a wall between us, there is none, for how can two men who, if the +battle is to be won, must stand shoulder to shoulder, fight if divided +by a wall? O Son of the King, I am dreaming by day and night of the +battle and the victory, and I have forgotten all about the barren cow +that ran away after you, the great bull of the herd. Only do not be +surprised if one day you find that this cow has a sharp horn." + + + + +CHAPTER XII. PANDA'S PRAYER + + +About six weeks later, in the month of November, 1856, I chanced to +be at Nodwengu when the quarrel between the princes came to a head. +Although none of the regiments was actually allowed to enter the +town--that is, as a regiment--the place was full of people, all of them +in a state of great excitement, who came in during the daytime and went +to sleep in the neighbouring military kraals at night. One evening, +as some of these soldiers--about a thousand of them, if I remember +right--were returning to the Ukubaza kraal, a fight occurred between +them, which led to the final outbreak. + +As it happened, at that time there were two separate regiments stationed +at this kraal. I think that they were the Imkulutshana and the Hlaba, +one of which favoured Cetewayo and the other Umbelazi. As certain +companies of each of these regiments marched along together in parallel +lines, two of their captains got into dispute on the eternal subject of +the succession to the throne. From words they came to blows, and the end +of it was that he who favoured Umbelazi killed him who favoured Cetewayo +with his kerry. Thereon the comrades of the slain man, raising a shout +of "Usutu," which became the war-cry of Cetewayo's party, fell upon the +others, and a dreadful combat ensued. Fortunately the soldiers were only +armed with sticks, or the slaughter would have been very great; but as +it was, after an indecisive engagement, about fifty men were killed and +many more injured. + +Now, with my usual bad luck, I, who had gone out to shoot a few birds +for the pot--pauw, or bustard, I think they were--was returning across +this very plain to my old encampment in the kloof where Masapo had been +executed, and so ran into the fight just as it was beginning. I saw the +captain killed and the subsequent engagement. Indeed, as it happened, I +did more. Not knowing where to go or what to do, for I was quite alone, +I pulled up my horse behind a tree and waited till I could escape the +horrors about me; for I can assure anyone who may ever read these words +that it is a very horrible sight to see a thousand men engaged in fierce +and deadly combat. In truth, the fact that they had no spears, and could +only batter each other to death with their heavy kerries, made it worse, +since the duels were more desperate and prolonged. + +Everywhere men were rolling on the ground, hitting at each other's +heads, until at last some blow went home and one of them threw out his +arms and lay still, either dead or senseless. Well, there I sat watching +all this shocking business from the saddle of my trained shooting pony, +which stood like a stone, till presently I became aware of two great +fellows rushing at me with their eyes starting out of their heads and +shouting as they came: + +"Kill Umbelazi's white man! Kill! Kill!" + +Then, seeing that the matter was urgent and that it was a question of my +life or theirs, I came into action. + +In my hand I held a double-barrelled shotgun loaded with what we used +to call "loopers," or B.B. shot, of which but a few went to each charge, +for I had hoped to meet with a small buck on my way to camp. So, as +these soldiers came, I lifted the gun and fired, the right barrel at +one of them and the left barrel at the other, aiming in each case at the +centre of the small dancing shields, which from force of habit they held +stretched out to protect their throats and breasts. At that distance, of +course, the loopers sank through the soft hide of the shields and deep +into the bodies of those who carried them, so that both of them dropped +dead, the left-hand man being so close that he fell against my pony, his +uplifted kerry striking me upon the thigh and bruising me. + +When I saw what I had done, and that my danger was over for the moment, +without waiting to reload I dug the spurs into my horse's sides and +galloped off to Nodwengu, passing between the groups of struggling men. +On arriving unharmed at the town, I went instantly to the royal huts and +demanded to see the King, who sent word that I was to be admitted. +On coming before him I told him exactly what had happened--that I had +killed two of Cetewayo's men in order to save my own life, and on that +account submitted myself to his justice. + +"O Macumazana," said Panda in great distress, "I know well that you +are not to blame, and already I have sent out a regiment to stop this +fighting, with command that those who caused it should be brought before +me to-morrow for judgment. I am glad indeed, Macumazahn, that you have +escaped without harm, but I must tell you that I fear henceforth your +life will be in danger, since all the Usutu party will hold it forfeit +if they can catch you. While you are in my town I can protect you, for I +will set a strong guard about your camp; but here you will have to +stay until these troubles are done with, since if you leave you may be +murdered on the road." + +"I thank you for your kindness, King," I answered; "but all this is very +awkward for me, who hoped to trek for Natal to-morrow." + +"Well, there it is, Macumazahn, you will have to stay here unless +you wish to be killed. He who walks into a storm must put up with the +hailstones." + +So it came about that once again Fate dragged me into the Zulu +maelstrom. + +On the morrow I was summoned to the trial, half as a witness and half +as one of the offenders. Going to the head of the Nodwengu kraal, where +Panda was sitting in state with his Council, I found the whole great +space in front of him crowded with a dense concourse of fierce-faced +partisans, those who favoured Cetewayo--the Usutu--sitting on the right, +and those who favoured Umbelazi--the Isigqosa--sitting on the left. At +the head of the right-hand section sat Cetewayo, his brethren and chief +men. At the head of the left-hand section sat Umbelazi, his brethren and +his chief men, amongst whom I saw Saduko take a place immediately behind +the Prince, so that he could whisper into his ear. + +To myself and my little band of eight hunters, who by Panda's express +permission, came armed with their guns, as I did also, for I was +determined that if the necessity arose we would sell our lives as dearly +as we could, was appointed a place almost in front of the King and +between the two factions. When everyone was seated the trial began, +Panda demanding to know who had caused the tumult of the previous night. + +I cannot set out what followed in all its details, for it would be too +long; also I have forgotten many of them. I remember, however, that +Cetewayo's people said that Umbelazi's men were the aggressors, and that +Umbelazi's people said that Cetewayo's men were the aggressors, and that +each of their parties backed up these statements, which were given at +great length, with loud shouts. + +"How am I to know the truth?" exclaimed Panda at last. "Macumazahn, you +were there; step forward and tell it to me." + +So I stood out and told the King what I had seen, namely that the +captain who favoured Cetewayo had begun the quarrel by striking the +captain who favoured Umbelazi, but that in the end Umbelazi's man had +killed Cetewayo's man, after which the fighting commenced. + +"Then it would seem that the Usutu are to blame," said Panda. + +"Upon what grounds do you say so, my father?" asked Cetewayo, springing +up. "Upon the testimony of this white man, who is well known to be the +friend of Umbelazi and of his henchman Saduko, and who himself killed +two of those who called me chief in the course of the fight?" + +"Yes, Cetewayo," I broke in, "because I thought it better that I should +kill them than that they should kill me, whom they attacked quite +unprovoked." + +"At any rate, you killed them, little White Man," shouted Cetewayo, "for +which cause your blood is forfeit. Say, did Umbelazi give you leave to +appear before the King accompanied by men armed with guns, when we who +are his sons must come with sticks only? If so, let him protect you!" + +"That I will do if there is need!" exclaimed Umbelazi. + +"Thank you, Prince," I said; "but if there is need I will protect myself +as I did yesterday," and, cocking my double-barrelled rifle, I looked +full at Cetewayo. + +"When you leave here, then at least I will come even with you, +Macumazahn!" threatened Cetewayo, spitting through his teeth, as was his +way when mad with passion. + +For he was beside himself, and wished to vent his temper on someone, +although in truth he and I were always good friends. + +"If so I shall stop where I am," I answered coolly, "in the shadow of +the King, your father. Moreover, are you so lost in folly, Cetewayo, +that you should wish to bring the English about your ears? Know that if +I am killed you will be asked to give account of my blood." + +"Aye," interrupted Panda, "and know that if anyone lays a finger on +Macumazana, who is my guest, he shall die, whether he be a common man or +a prince and my son. Also, Cetewayo, I fine you twenty head of cattle, +to be paid to Macumazana because of the unprovoked attack which your men +made upon him when he rightly slew them." + +"The fine shall be paid, my father," said Cetewayo more quietly, for he +saw that in threatening me he had pushed matters too far. + +Then, after some more talk, Panda gave judgment in the cause, which +judgment really amounted to nothing. As it was impossible to decide +which party was most to blame, he fined both an equal number of cattle, +accompanying the fine with a lecture on their ill-behaviour, which was +listened to indifferently. + +After this matter was disposed of the real business of the meeting +began. + +Rising to his feet, Cetewayo addressed Panda. + +"My father," he said, "the land wanders and wanders in darkness, and you +alone can give light for its feet. I and my brother, Umbelazi, are at +variance, and the quarrel is a great one, namely, as to which of us is +to sit in your place when you are 'gone down,' when we call and you +do not answer. Some of the nation favour one of us and some favour +the other, but you, O King, and you alone, have the voice of judgment. +Still, before you speak, I and those who stand with me would bring this +to your mind. My mother, Umqumbazi, is your Inkosikazi, your head-wife, +and therefore, according to our law, I, her eldest son, should be your +heir. Moreover, when you fled to the Boers before the fall of him who +sat in your place before you [Dingaan], did not they, the white Amabunu, +ask you which amongst your sons was your heir, and did you not point +me out to the white men? And thereon did not the Amabunu clothe me in a +dress of honour because I was the King to be? But now of late the mother +of Umbelazi has been whispering in your ear, as have others"--and he +looked at Saduko and some of Umbelazi's brethren--"and your face has +grown cold towards me, so cold that many say that you will point out +Umbelazi to be King after you and stamp on my name. If this is so, my +father, tell me at once, that I may know what to do." + +Having finished this speech, which certainly did not lack force and +dignity, Cetewayo sat down again, awaiting the answer in sullen silence. +But, making none, Panda looked at Umbelazi, who, on rising, was greeted +with a great cheer, for although Cetewayo had the larger following in +the land, especially among the distant chiefs, the Zulus individually +loved Umbelazi more, perhaps because of his stature, beauty and kindly +disposition--physical and moral qualities that naturally appeal to a +savage nation. + +"My father," he said, "like my brother, Cetewayo, I await your word. +Whatever you may have said to the Amabunu in haste or fear, I do not +admit that Cetewayo was ever proclaimed your heir in the hearing of the +Zulu people. I say that my right to the succession is as good as his, +and that it lies with you, and you alone, to declare which of us shall +put on the royal kaross in days that my heart prays may be distant. +Still, to save bloodshed, I am willing to divide the land with Cetewayo" +(here both Panda and Cetewayo shook their heads and the audience roared +"Nay"), "or, if that does not please him, I am willing to meet Cetewayo +man to man and spear to spear and fight till one of us be slain." + +"A safe offer!" sneered Cetewayo, "for is not my brother named +'Elephant,' and the strongest warrior among the Zulus? No, I will not +set the fortunes of those who cling to me on the chance of a single +stab, or on the might of a man's muscles. Decide, O father; say which +of the two of us is to sit at the head of your kraal after you have gone +over to the Spirits and are but an ancestor to be worshipped." + +Now, Panda looked much disturbed, as was not wonderful, since, rushing +out from the fence behind which they had been listening, Umqumbazi, +Cetewayo's mother, whispered into one of his ears, while Umbelazi's +mother whispered into the other. What advice each of them gave I do not +know, although obviously it was not the same advice, since the poor man +rolled his eyes first at one and then at the other, and finally put his +hands over his ears that he might hear no more. + +"Choose, choose, O King!" shouted the audience. "Who is to succeed you, +Cetewayo or Umbelazi?" + +Watching Panda, I saw that he fell into a kind of agony; his fat sides +heaved, and, although the day was cold, sweat ran from his brow. + +"What would the white men do in such a case?" he said to me in a hoarse, +low voice, whereon I answered, looking at the ground and speaking so +that few could hear me: + +"I think, O King, that a white man would do nothing. He would say that +others might settle the matter after he was dead." + +"Would that I could say so, too," muttered Panda; "but it is not +possible." + +Then followed a long pause, during which all were silent, for every man +there felt that the hour was big with doom. At length Panda rose with +difficulty, because of his unwieldy weight, and uttered these fateful +words, that were none the less ominous because of the homely idiom in +which they were couched: + +_"When two young bulls quarrel they must fight it out."_ + +Instantly in one tremendous roar volleyed forth the royal salute of +"Bayéte", a signal of the acceptance of the King's word--the word that +meant civil war and the death of many thousands. + +Then Panda turned and, so feebly that I thought he would fall, walked +through the gateway behind him, followed by the rival queens. Each of +these ladies struggled to be first after him in the gate, thinking that +it would be an omen of success for her son. Finally, however, to the +disappointment of the multitude, they only succeeded in passing it side +by side. + +When they had gone the great audience began to break up, the men of +each party marching away together as though by common consent, without +offering any insult or molestation to their adversaries. I think that +this peaceable attitude arose, however, from the knowledge that matters +had now passed from the stage of private quarrel into that of public +war. It was felt that their dispute awaited decision, not with sticks +outside the Nodwengu kraal, but with spears upon some great battlefield, +for which they went to prepare. + +Within two days, except for those regiments which Panda kept to guard +his person, scarcely a soldier was to be seen in the neighbourhood of +Nodwengu. The princes also departed to muster their adherents, Cetewayo +establishing himself among the Mandhlakazi that he commanded, and +Umbelazi returning to the kraal of Umbezi, which happened to stand +almost in the centre of that part of the nation which adhered to him. + +Whether he took Mameena with him there I am not certain. I believe, +however, that, fearing lest her welcome at her birthplace should be +warmer than she wished, she settled herself at some retired and outlying +kraal in the neighbourhood, and there awaited the crisis of her fortune. +At any rate, I saw nothing of her, for she was careful to keep out of my +way. + +With Umbelazi and Saduko, however, I did have an interview. Before they +left Nodwengu they called on me together, apparently on the best of +terms, and said in effect that they hoped for my support in the coming +war. + +I answered that, however well I might like them personally, a Zulu civil +war was no affair of mine, and that, indeed, for every reason, including +the supreme one of my own safety, I had better get out of the way at +once. + +They argued with me for a long while, making great offers and promises +of reward, till at length, when he saw that my determination could not +be shaken, Umbelazi said: + +"Come, Saduko, let us humble ourselves no more before this white man. +After all, he is right; the business is none of his, and why should we +ask him to risk his life in our quarrel, knowing as we do that white +men are not like us; they think a great deal of their lives. Farewell, +Macumazahn. If I conquer and grow great you will always be welcome in +Zululand, whereas if I fail perhaps you will be best over the Tugela +river." + +Now, I felt the hidden taunt in this speech very keenly. Still, being +determined that for once I would be wise and not allow my natural +curiosity and love of adventure to drag me into more risks and trouble, +I replied: + +"The Prince says that I am not brave and love my life, and what he says +is true. I fear fighting, who by nature am a trader with the heart of +a trader, not a warrior with the heart of a warrior, like the great +Indhlovu-ene-Sihlonti"--words at which I saw the grave Saduko smile +faintly. "So farewell to you, Prince, and may good fortune attend you." + +Of course, to call the Prince to his face by this nickname, which +referred to a defect in his person, was something of an insult; but +I had been insulted, and meant to give him "a Roland for his Oliver." +However, he took it in good part. + +"What is good fortune, Macumazahn?" Umbelazi replied as he grasped my +hand. "Sometimes I think that to live and prosper is good fortune, and +sometimes I think that to die and sleep is good fortune, for in sleep +there is neither hunger nor thirst of body or of spirit. In sleep there +come no cares; in sleep ambitions are at rest; nor do those who look no +more upon the sun smart beneath the treacheries of false women or false +friends. Should the battle turn against me, Macumazahn, at least that +good fortune will be mine, for never will I live to be crushed beneath +Cetewayo's heel." + +Then he went. Saduko accompanied him for a little way, but, making some +excuse to the Prince, came back and said to me: + +"Macumazahn, my friend, I dare say that we part for the last time, and +therefore I make a request to you. It is as to one who is dead to me. +Macumazahn, I believe that Umbelazi the thief"--these words broke from +his lips with a hiss--"has given her many cattle and hidden her away +either in the kloof of Zikali the Wise, or near to it, under his care. +Now, if the war should go against Umbelazi and I should be killed in +it, I think evil will fall upon that woman's head, I who have grown sure +that it was she who was the wizard and not Masapo the Boar. Also, as one +connected with Umbelazi, who has helped him in his plots, she will be +killed if she is caught. Macumazahn, hearken to me. I will tell you the +truth. My heart is still on fire for that woman. She has bewitched me; +her eyes haunt my sleep and I hear her voice in the wind. She is more to +me than all the earth and all the sky, and although she has wronged me +I do not wish that harm should come to her. Macumazahn, I pray you if I +die, do your best to befriend her, even though it be only as a servant +in your house, for I think that she cares more for you than for anyone, +who only ran away with him"--and he pointed in the direction that +Umbelazi had taken--"because he is a prince, who, in her folly, she +believes will be a king. At least take her to Natal, Macumazahn, where, +if you wish to be free of her, she can marry whom she will and will live +safe until night comes. Panda loves you much, and, whoever conquers in +the war, will give you her life if you ask it of him." + +Then this strange man drew the back of his hand across his eyes, from +which I saw the tears were running, and, muttering, "If you would have +good fortune remember my prayer," turned and left me before I could +answer a single word. + +As for me, I sat down upon an ant-heap and whistled a whole hymn tune +that my mother had taught me before I could think at all. To be left +the guardian of Mameena! Talk of a "damnosa hereditas," a terrible and +mischievous inheritance--why, this was the worst that ever I heard of. +A servant in my house indeed, knowing what _I_ did about her! Why, I had +sooner share the "good fortune" which Umbelazi anticipated beneath +the sod. However, that was not in the question, and without it the +alternative of acting as her guardian was bad enough, though I comforted +myself with the reflection that the circumstances in which this would +become necessary might never arise. For, alas! I was sure that if they +did arise I should have to live up to them. True, I had made no promise +to Saduko with my lips, but I felt, as I knew he felt, that this promise +had passed from my heart to his. + +"That thief Umbelazi!" Strange words to be uttered by a great vassal of +his lord, and both of them about to enter upon a desperate enterprise. +"A prince whom in her folly she believes will be a king." Stranger words +still. Then Saduko did not believe that he _would_ be a king! And yet he +was about to share the fortunes of his fight for the throne, he who said +that his heart was still on fire for the woman whom "Umbelazi the thief" +had stolen. Well, if I were Umbelazi, thought I to myself, I would +rather that Saduko were not my chief councillor and general. But, thank +Heaven! I was not Umbelazi, or Saduko, or any of them! And, thank Heaven +still more, I was going to begin my trek from Zululand on the morrow! + +Man proposes but God disposes. I did not trek from Zululand for many a +long day. When I got back to my wagons it was to find that my oxen had +mysteriously disappeared from the veld on which they were accustomed +to graze. They were lost; or perhaps they had felt the urgent need of +trekking from Zululand back to a more peaceful country. I sent all the +hunters I had with me to look for them, only Scowl and I remaining +at the wagons, which in those disturbed times I did not like to leave +unguarded. + +Four days went by, a week went by, and no sign of either hunters or +oxen. Then at last a message, which reached me in some roundabout +fashion, to the effect that the hunters had found the oxen a long way +off, but on trying to return to Nodwengu had been driven by some of +the Usutu--that is, by Cetewayo's party--across the Tugela into Natal, +whence they dared not attempt to return. + +For once in my life I went into a rage and cursed that nondescript kind +of messenger, sent by I know not whom, in language that I think he will +not forget. Then, realising the futility of swearing at a mere tool, I +went up to the Great House and demanded an audience with Panda himself. +Presently the inceku, or household servant, to whom I gave my message, +returned, saying that I was to be admitted at once, and on entering the +enclosure I found the King sitting at the head of the kraal quite alone, +except for a man who was holding a large shield over him in order to +keep off the sun. + +He greeted me warmly, and I told him my trouble about the oxen, whereon +he sent away the shield-holder, leaving us two together. + +"Watcher-by-Night," he said, "why do you blame me for these events, when +you know that I am nobody in my own House? I say that I am a dead man, +whose sons fight for his inheritance. I cannot tell you for certain who +it was that drove away your oxen. Still, I am glad that they are gone, +since I believe that if you had attempted to trek to Natal just now you +would have been killed on the road by the Usutu, who believe you to be a +councillor of Umbelazi." + +"I understand, O King," I answered, "and I dare say that the accident of +the loss of my oxen is fortunate for me. But tell me now, what am I to +do? I wish to follow the example of John Dunn [another white man in the +country who was much mixed up with Zulu politics] and leave the land. +Will you give me more oxen to draw my wagons?" + +"I have none that are broken in, Macumazahn, for, as you know, we Zulus +possess few wagons; and if I had I would not lend them to you, who do +not desire that your blood should be upon my head." + +"You are hiding something from me, O King," I said bluntly. "What is it +that you want me to do? Stay here at Nodwengu?" + +"No, Macumazahn. When the trouble begins I want you to go with a +regiment of my own that I shall send to the assistance of my son, +Umbelazi, so that he may have the benefit of your wisdom. O Macumazana, +I will tell you the truth. My heart loves Umbelazi, and I fear me that +he is overmatched by Cetewayo. If I could I would save his life, but I +know not how to do so, since I must not seem to take sides too openly. +But I can send down a regiment as your escort, if you choose to go to +view the battle as my agent and make report to me. Say, will you not +go?" + +"Why should I go?" I answered, "seeing that whoever wins I may be +killed, and that if Cetewayo wins I shall certainly be killed, and all +for no reward." + +"Nay, Macumazahn; I will give orders that whoever conquers, the man that +dares to lift a spear against you shall die. In this matter, at least, I +shall not be disobeyed. Oh! I pray you, do not desert me in my trouble. +Go down with the regiment that I shall send and breathe your wisdom into +the ear of my son, Umbelazi. As for your reward, I swear to you by the +head of the Black One [Chaka] that it shall be great. I will see to it +that you do not leave Zululand empty-handed, Macumazahn." + +Still I hesitated, for I mistrusted me of this business. + +"O Watcher-by-Night," exclaimed Panda, "you will not desert me, will +you? I am afraid for the son of my heart, Umbelazi, whom I love above +all my children; I am much afraid for Umbelazi," and he burst into tears +before me. + +It was foolish, no doubt, but the sight of the old King weeping for his +best-beloved child, whom he believed to be doomed, moved me so much that +I forgot my caution. + +"If you wish it, O Panda," I said, "I will go down to the battle with +your regiment and stand there by the side of the Prince Umbelazi." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. UMBELAZI THE FALLEN + + +So I stayed on at Nodwengu, who, indeed, had no choice in the matter, +and was very wretched and ill at ease. The place was almost deserted, +except for a couple of regiments which were quartered there, the +Sangqu and the Amawombe. This latter was the royal regiment, a kind +of Household Guards, to which the Kings Chaka, Dingaan and Panda all +belonged in turn. Most of the headmen had taken one side or the other, +and were away raising forces to fight for Cetewayo or Umbelazi, and even +the greater part of the women and children had gone to hide themselves +in the bush or among the mountains, since none knew what would happen, +or if the conquering army would not fall upon and destroy them. + +A few councillors, however, remained with Panda, among whom was old +Maputa, the general, who had once brought me the "message of the pills." +Several times he visited me at night and told me the rumours that were +flying about. From these I gathered that some skirmishes had taken place +and the battle could not be long delayed; also that Umbelazi had chosen +his fighting ground, a plain near the banks of the Tugela. + +"Why has he done this," I asked, "seeing that then he will have a +broad river behind him, and if he is defeated water can kill as well as +spears?" + +"I know not for certain," answered Maputa; "but it is said because of a +dream that Saduko, his general, has dreamed thrice, which dream declares +that there and there alone Umbelazi will find honour. At any rate, he +has chosen this place; and I am told that all the women and children of +his army, by thousands, are hidden in the bush along the banks of the +river, so that they may fly into Natal if there is need." + +"Have they wings," I asked, "wherewith to fly over the Tugela 'in +wrath,' as it well may be after the rains? Oh, surely his Spirit has +turned from Umbelazi!" + +"Aye, Macumazahn," he answered, "I, too, think that ufulatewe idhlozi +[that is, his own Spirit] has turned its back on him. Also I think that +Saduko is no good councillor. Indeed, were I the prince," added the old +fellow shrewdly, "I would not keep him whose wife I had stolen as the +whisperer in my ear." + +"Nor I, Maputa," I answered as I bade him good-bye. + +Two days later, early in the morning, Maputa came to me again and said +that Panda wished to see me. I went to the head of the kraal, where I +found the King seated and before him the captains of the royal Amawombe +regiment. + +"Watcher-by-Night," he said, "I have news that the great battle between +my sons will take place within a few days. Therefore I am sending down +this, my own royal regiment, under the command of Maputa the skilled in +war to spy out the battle, and I pray that you will go with it, that +you may give to the General Maputa and to the captains the help of +your wisdom. Now these are my orders to you, Maputa, and to you, O +captains--that you take no part in the fight unless you should see that +the Elephant, my son Umbelazi, is fallen into a pit, and that then you +shall drag him out if you can and save him alive. Now repeat my words to +me." + +So they repeated the words, speaking with one voice. + +"Your answer, O Macumazana," he said when they had spoken. + +"O King, I have told you that I will go--though I do not like war--and I +will keep my promise," I replied. + +"Then make ready, Macumazahn, and be back here within an hour, for the +regiment marches ere noon." + +So I went up to my wagons and handed them over to the care of some men +whom Panda had sent to take charge of them. Also Scowl and I saddled our +horses, for this faithful fellow insisted upon accompanying me, although +I advised him to stay behind, and got out our rifles and as much +ammunition as we could possibly need, and with them a few other +necessaries. These things done, we rode back to the gathering-place, +taking farewell of the wagons with a sad heart, since I, for one, never +expected to see them again. + +As we went I saw that the regiment of the Amawombe, picked men every one +of them, all fifty years of age or over, nearly four thousand strong, +was marshalled on the dancing-ground, where they stood company +by company. A magnificent sight they were, with their white +fighting-shields, their gleaming spears, their otter-skin caps, their +kilts and armlets of white bulls' tails, and the snowy egret plumes +which they wore upon their brows. We rode to the head of them, where I +saw Maputa, and as I came they greeted me with a cheer of welcome, for +in those days a white man was a power in the land. Moreover, as I have +said, the Zulus knew and liked me well. Also the fact that I was to +watch, or perchance to fight with them, put a good heart into the +Amawombe. + +There we stood until the lads, several hundreds of them, who bore +the mats and cooking vessels and drove the cattle that were to be +our commissariat, had wended away in a long line. Then suddenly Panda +appeared out of his hut, accompanied by a few servants, and seemed +to utter some kind of prayer, as he did so throwing dust or powdered +medicine towards us, though what this ceremony meant I did not +understand. + +When he had finished Maputa raised a spear, whereon the whole regiment, +in perfect time, shouted out the royal salute, "Bayéte", with a +sound like that of thunder. Thrice they repeated this tremendous and +impressive salute, and then were silent. Again Maputa raised his spear, +and all the four thousand voices broke out into the Ingoma, or national +chant, to which deep, awe-inspiring music we began our march. As I do +not think it has ever been written down, I will quote the words. They +ran thus: + + "Ba ya m'zonda, + Ba ya m'loyisa, + Izizwe zonke, + Ba zond', Inkoosi."[*] + + [*--Literally translated, this famous chant, now, I think, + published for the first time, which, I suppose, will never + again pass the lips of a Zulu impi, means: + + "They [i.e. the enemy] bear him [i.e. the King] hatred, + They call down curses on his head, + All of them throughout this land + Abhor our King." + + The Ingoma when sung by twenty or thirty thousand men + rushing down to battle must, indeed, have been a song to + hear.--EDITOR.] + +The spirit of this fierce Ingoma, conveyed by sound, gesture and +inflection of voice, not the exact words, remember, which are very rude +and simple, leaving much to the imagination, may perhaps be rendered +somewhat as follows. An exact translation into English verse is almost +impossible--at any rate, to me: + + "Loud on their lips is lying, + Rebels their King defying. + There shall be dead and dying, + + Red are their eyes with hate; + Lo! where our impis wait + Vengeance insatiate!" + +It was early on the morning of the 2nd of December, a cold, miserable +morning that came with wind and driving mist, that I found myself with +the Amawombe at the place known as Endondakusuka, a plain with some +kopjes in it that lies within six miles of the Natal border, from which +it is separated by the Tugela river. + +As the orders of the Amawombe were to keep out of the fray if that were +possible, we had taken up a position about a mile to the right of what +proved to be the actual battlefield, choosing as our camping ground +a rising knoll that looked like a huge tumulus, and was fronted at a +distance of about five hundred yards by another smaller knoll. Behind us +stretched bushland, or rather broken land, where mimosa thorns grew in +scattered groups, sloping down to the banks of the Tugela about four +miles away. + +Shortly after dawn I was roused from the place where I slept, wrapped +up in some blankets, under a mimosa tree--for, of course, we had no +tents--by a messenger, who said that the Prince Umbelazi and the white +man, John Dunn, wished to see me. I rose and tidied myself as best I +could, since, if I can avoid it, I never like to appear before natives +in a dishevelled condition. I remember that I had just finished brushing +my hair when Umbelazi arrived. + +I can see him now, looking a veritable giant in that morning mist. +Indeed, there was something quite unearthly about his appearance as +he arose out of those rolling vapours, such light as there was being +concentrated upon the blade of his big spear, which was well known as +the broadest carried by any warrior in Zululand, and a copper torque he +wore about his throat. + +There he stood, rolling his eyes and hugging his kaross around him +because of the cold, and something in his anxious, indeterminate +expression told me at once that he knew himself to be a man in terrible +danger. Just behind him, dark and brooding, his arms folded on +his breast, his eyes fixed upon the ground, looking, to my moved +imagination, like an evil genius, stood the stately and graceful Saduko. +On his left was a young and sturdy white man carrying a rifle and +smoking a pipe, whom I guessed to be John Dunn, a gentleman whom, as it +chanced, I had never met, while behind were a force of Natal Government +Zulus, clad in some kind of uniform and armed with guns, and with them a +number of natives, also from Natal--"kraal Kafirs," who carried stabbing +assegais. One of these led John Dunn's horse. + +Of those Government men there may have been thirty or forty, and of the +"kraal Kafirs" anything between two and three hundred. + +I shook Umbelazi's hand and gave him good-day. + +"That is an ill day upon which no sun shines, O Macumazana," he +answered--words that struck me as ominous. Then he introduced me to John +Dunn, who seemed glad to meet another white man. Next, not knowing what +to say, I asked the exact object of their visit, whereon Dunn began to +talk. He said that he had been sent over on the previous afternoon by +Captain Walmsley, who was an officer of the Natal Government stationed +across the border, to try to make peace between the Zulu factions, but +that when he spoke of peace one of Umbelazi's brothers--I think it was +Mantantashiya--had mocked at him, saying that they were quite strong +enough to cope with the Usutu--that was Cetewayo's party. Also, he +added, that when he suggested that the thousands of women and children +and the cattle should be got across the Tugela drift during the previous +night into safety in Natal, Mantantashiya would not listen, and Umbelazi +being absent, seeking the aid of the Natal Government, he could do +nothing. + +"Quem Deus vult perdere prius dementat" [whom God wishes to destroy, He +first makes mad], quoted I to myself beneath my breath. This was one of +the Latin tags that my old father, who was a scholar, had taught me, +and at that moment it came back to my mind. But as I suspected that John +Dunn knew no Latin, I only said aloud: + +"What an infernal fool!" (We were talking in English.) "Can't you get +Umbelazi to do it now?" (I meant, to send the women and children across +the river.) + +"I fear it is too late, Mr. Quatermain," he answered. "The Usutu are +in sight. Look for yourself." And he handed me a telescope which he had +with him. + +I climbed on to some rocks and scanned the plain in front of us, from +which just then a puff of wind rolled away the mist. It was black with +advancing men! As yet they were a considerable distance away--quite two +miles, I should think--and coming on very slowly in a great half-moon +with thin horns and a deep breast; but a ray from the sun glittered upon +their countless spears. It seemed to me that there must be quite twenty +or thirty thousand of them in this breast, which was in three divisions, +commanded, as I learned afterwards, by Cetewayo, Uzimela, and by a young +Boer named Groening. + +"There they are, right enough," I said, climbing down from my rocks. +"What are you going to do, Mr. Dunn?" + +"Obey orders and try to make peace, if I can find anyone to make peace +with; and if I can't--well, fight, I suppose. And you, Mr. Quatermain?" + +"Oh, obey orders and stop here, I suppose. Unless," I added doubtfully, +"these Amawombe take the bit between their teeth and run away with me." + +"They'll do that before nightfall, Mr. Quatermain, if I know anything of +the Zulus. Look here, why don't you get on your horse and come off with +me? This is a queer place for you." + +"Because I promised not to," I answered with a groan, for really, as +I looked at those savages round me, who were already fingering their +spears in a disagreeable fashion, and those other thousands of savages +advancing towards us, I felt such little courage as I possessed sinking +into my boots. + +"Very well, Mr. Quatermain, you know your own business best; but I hope +you will come out of it safely, that is all." + +"Same to you," I replied. + +Then John Dunn turned, and in my hearing asked Umbelazi what he knew of +the movements of the Usutu and of their plan of battle. + +The Prince replied, with a shrug of his shoulders: + +"Nothing at present, Son of Mr. Dunn, but doubtless before the sun is +high I shall know much." + +As he spoke a sudden gust of wind struck us, and tore the nodding +ostrich plume from its fastening on Umbelazi's head-ring. Whilst a +murmur of dismay rose from all who saw what they considered this very +ill-omened accident, away it floated into the air, to fall gently to the +ground at the feet of Saduko. He stooped, picked it up, and reset it +in its place, saying as he did so, with that ready wit for which some +Kafirs are remarkable: + +"So may I live, O Prince, to set the crown upon the head of Panda's +favoured son!" + +This apt speech served to dispel the general gloom caused by the +incident, for those who heard it cheered, while Umbelazi thanked his +captain with a nod and a smile. Only I noted that Saduko did not mention +the name of "Panda's favoured son" upon whose head he hoped to live to +set the crown. Now, Panda had many sons, and that day would show which +of them was favoured. + +A minute or two later John Dunn and his following departed, as he said, +to try to make peace with the advancing Usutu. Umbelazi, Saduko and +their escort departed also towards the main body of the host of the +Isigqosa, which was massed to our left, "sitting on their spears," as +the natives say, and awaiting the attack. As for me, I remained alone +with the Amawombe, drinking some coffee that Scowl had brewed for me, +and forcing myself to swallow food. + +I can say honestly that I do not ever remember partaking of a more +unhappy meal. Not only did I believe that I was looking on the last sun +I should ever see--though by the way, there was uncommonly little of +that orb visible--but what made the matter worse was that, if so, I +should be called upon to die alone among savages, with not a single +white face near to comfort me. Oh, how I wished I had never allowed +myself to be dragged into this dreadful business. Yes, and I was even +mean enough to wish that I had broken my word to Panda and gone off with +John Dunn when he invited me, although now I thank goodness that I did +not yield to that temptation and thereby sacrifice my self-respect. + +Soon, however, things grew so exciting that I forgot these and other +melancholy reflections in watching the development of events from the +summit of our tumulus-like knoll, whence I had a magnificent view of the +whole battle. Here, after seeing that his regiment made a full meal, +as a good general should, old Maputa joined me, whom I asked whether he +thought there would be any fighting for him that day. + +"I think so, I think so," he answered cheerfully. "It seems to me that +the Usutu greatly outnumber Umbelazi and the Isigqosa, and, of course, +as you know, Panda's orders are that if he is in danger we must help +him. Oh, keep a good heart, Macumazahn, for I believe I can promise you +that you will see our spears grow red to-day. You will not go hungry +from this battle to tell the white people that the Amawombe are cowards +whom you could not flog into the fight. No, no, Macumazahn, my Spirit +looks towards me this morning, and I who am old and who thought that +I should die at length like a cow, shall see one more great fight--my +twentieth, Macumazahn; for I fought with this same Amawombe in all the +Black One's big battles, and for Panda against Dingaan also." + +"Perhaps it will be your last," I suggested. + +"I dare say, Macumazahn; but what does that matter if only I and the +royal regiment can make an end that shall be spoken of? Oh, cheer up, +cheer up, Macumazahn; your Spirit, too, looks towards you, as I promise +that we all will do when the shields meet; for know, Macumazahn, that we +poor black soldiers expect that you will show us how to fight this day, +and, if need be, how to fall hidden in a heap of the foe." + +"Oh!" I replied, "so this is what you Zulus mean by the 'giving of +counsel,' is it?--you infernal, bloodthirsty old scoundrel," I added in +English. + +But I think Maputa never heard me. At any rate, he only seized my arm +and pointed in front, a little to the left, where the horn of the great +Usutu army was coming up fast, a long, thin line alive with twinkling +spears; their moving arms and legs causing them to look like spiders, of +which the bodies were formed by the great war shields. + +"See their plan?" he said. "They would close on Umbelazi and gore him +with their horns and then charge with their head. The horn will pass +between us and the right flank of the Isigqosa. Oh! awake, awake, +Elephant! Are you asleep with Mameena in a hut? Unloose your spears, +Child of the King, and at them as they mount the slope. Behold!" he went +on, "it is the Son of Dunn that begins the battle! Did I not tell you +that we must look to the white men to show us the way? Peep through your +tube, Macumazahn, and tell me what passes." + +So I "peeped," and, the telescope which John Dunn had kindly left with +me being good though small, saw everything clearly enough. He rode +up almost to the point of the left horn of the Usutu, waving a white +handkerchief and followed by his small force of police and Natal Kafirs. +Then from somewhere among the Usutu rose a puff of smoke. Dunn had been +fired at. + +He dropped the handkerchief and leapt to the ground. Now he and his +police were firing rapidly in reply, and men fell fast among the Usutu. +They raised their war shout and came on, though slowly, for they feared +the bullets. Step by step John Dunn and his people were thrust back, +fighting gallantly against overwhelming odds. They were level with us, +not a quarter of a mile to our left. They were pushed past us. They +vanished among the bush behind us, and a long while passed before ever I +heard what became of them, for we met no more that day. + +Now, the horns having done their work and wrapped themselves round +Umbelazi's army as the nippers of a wasp close about a fly (why did +not Umbelazi cut off those horns, I wondered), the Usutu bull began +his charge. Twenty or thirty thousand strong, regiment after regiment, +Cetewayo's men rushed up the slope, and there, near the crest of +it, were met by Umbelazi's regiments springing forward to repel the +onslaught and shouting their battle-cry of "Laba! Laba! Laba! Laba!" + +The noise of their meeting shields came to our ears like that of the +roll of thunder, and the sheen of their stabbing-spears shone as shines +the broad summer lightning. They hung and wavered on the slope; then +from the Amawombe ranks rose a roar of + +_"Umbelazi wins!"_ + +Watching intently, we saw the Usutu giving back. Down the slope they +went, leaving the ground in front of them covered with black spots which +we knew to be dead or wounded men. + +"Why does not the Elephant charge home?" said Maputa in a perplexed +voice. "The Usutu bull is on his back! Why does he not trample him?" + +"Because he is afraid, I suppose," I answered, and went on watching. + +There was plenty to see, as it happened. Finding that they were not +pursued, Cetewayo's impi reformed swiftly at the bottom of the slope, +in preparation for another charge. Among that of Umbelazi, above them, +rapid movements took place of which I could not guess the meaning, +which movements were accompanied by much noise of angry shouting. Then +suddenly, from the midst of the Isigqosa army, emerged a great body of +men, thousands strong, which ran swiftly, but in open order, down the +slope towards the Usutu, holding their spears reversed. At first I +thought that they were charging independently, till I saw the Usutu +ranks open to receive them with a shout of welcome. + +"Treachery!" I said. "Who is it?" + +"Saduko, with the Amakoba and Amangwane soldiers and others. I know them +by their head-dresses," answered Maputa in a cold voice. + +"Do you mean that Saduko has gone over to Cetewayo with all his +following?" I asked excitedly. + +"What else, Macumazahn? Saduko is a traitor: Umbelazi is finished," and +he passed his hand swiftly across his mouth--a gesture that has only one +meaning among the Zulus. + +As for me, I sat down upon a stone and groaned, for now I understood +everything. + +Presently the Usutu raised fierce, triumphant shouts, and once again +their impi, swelled with Saduko's power, began to advance up the slope. +Umbelazi, and those of the Isigqosa party who clung to him--now, I +should judge, not more than eight thousand men--never stayed to wait the +onslaught. They broke! They fled in a hideous rout, crashing through +the thin, left horn of the Usutu by mere weight of numbers, and +passing behind us obliquely on their road to the banks of the Tugela. A +messenger rushed up to us, panting. + +"These are the words of Umbelazi," he gasped. "O Watcher-by-Night and O +Maputa, Indhlovu-ene-sihlonti prays that you will hold back the Usutu, +as the King bade you do in case of need, and so give to him and those +who cling to him time to escape with the women and children into +Natal. His general, Saduko, has betrayed him, and gone over with three +regiments to Cetewayo, and therefore we can no longer stand against the +thousands of the Usutu." + +"Go tell the prince that Macumazahn, Maputa, and the Amawombe regiment +will do their best," answered Maputa calmly. "Still, this is our advice +to him, that he should cross the Tugela swiftly with the women and the +children, seeing that we are few and Cetewayo is many." + +The messenger leapt away, but, as I heard afterwards, he never found +Umbelazi, since the poor man was killed within five hundred yards of +where we stood. + +Then Maputa gave an order, and the Amawombe formed themselves into a +triple line, thirteen hundred men in the first line, thirteen hundred +men in the second line, and about a thousand in the third, behind whom +were the carrier boys, three or four hundred of them. The place assigned +to me was in the exact centre of the second line, where, being mounted +on a horse, it was thought, as I gathered, that I should serve as a +convenient rallying-point. + +In this formation we advanced a few hundred yards to our left, evidently +with the object of interposing ourselves between the routed impi and the +pursuing Usutu, or, if the latter should elect to go round us, with that +of threatening their flank. Cetewayo's generals did not leave us long in +doubt as to what they would do. The main body of their army bore away +to the right in pursuit of the flying foe, but three regiments, each +of about two thousand five hundred spears, halted. Five minutes passed +perhaps while they marshalled, with a distance of some six hundred yards +between them. Each regiment was in a triple line like our own. + +To me that seemed a very long five minutes, but, reflecting that it was +probably my last on earth, I tried to make the best of it in a fashion +that can be guessed. Strange to say, however, I found it impossible to +keep my mind fixed upon those matters with which it ought to have been +filled. My eyes and thoughts would roam. I looked at the ranks of the +veteran Amawombe, and noted that they were still and solemn as men about +to die should be, although they showed no sign of fear. Indeed, I +saw some of those near me passing their snuffboxes to each other. Two +grey-haired men also, who evidently were old friends, shook hands as +people do who are parting before a journey, while two others discussed +in a low voice the possibility of our wiping out most of the Usutu +before we were wiped out ourselves. + +"It depends," said one of them, "whether they attack us regiment by +regiment or all together, as they will do if they are wise." + +Then an officer bade them be silent, and conversation ceased. Maputa +passed through the ranks giving orders to the captains. From a distance +his withered old body, with a fighting shield held in front of it, +looked like that of a huge black ant carrying something in its mouth. He +came to where Scowl and I sat upon our horses. + +"Ah! I see that you are ready, Macumazahn," he said in a cheerful voice. +"I told you that you should not go away hungry, did I not?" + +"Maputa," I said in remonstrance, "what is the use of this? Umbelazi is +defeated, you are not of his impi, why send all these"--and I waved my +hand--"down into the darkness? Why not go to the river and try to save +the women and children?" + +"Because we shall take many of those down into the darkness with us, +Macumazahn," and he pointed to the dense masses of the Usutu. "Yet," he +added, with a touch of compunction, "this is not your quarrel. You and +your servant have horses. Slip out, if you will, and gallop hard to the +lower drift. You may get away with your lives." + +Then my white man's pride came to my aid. + +"Nay," I answered, "I will not run while others stay to fight." + +"I never thought you would, Macumazahn, who, I am sure, do not wish to +earn a new and ugly name. Well, neither will the Amawombe run to become +a mock among their people. The King's orders were that we should try to +help Umbelazi, if the battle went against him. We obey the King's orders +by dying where we stand. Macumazahn, do you think that you could hit +that big fellow who is shouting insults at us there? If so, I should be +obliged to you, as I dislike him very much," and he showed me a captain +who was swaggering about in front of the lines of the first of the Usutu +regiments, about six hundred yards away. + +"I will try," I answered, "but it's a long shot." Dismounting, I climbed +a pile of stones and, resting my rifle on the topmost of them, took +a very full sight, aimed, held my breath, and pressed the trigger. A +second afterwards the shouter of insults threw his arms wide, letting +fall his spear, and pitched forward on to his face. + +A roar of delight rose from the watching Amawombe, while old Maputa +clapped his thin brown hands and grinned from ear to ear. + +"Thank you, Macumazahn. A very good omen! Now I am sure that, whatever +those Isigqosa dogs of Umbelazi's may do, we King's men shall make an +excellent end, which is all that we can hope. Oh, what a beautiful shot! +It will be something to think of when I am an idhlozi, a spirit-snake, +crawling about my own kraal. Farewell, Macumazahn," and he took my +hand and pressed it. "The time has come. I go to lead the charge. The +Amawombe have orders to defend you to the last, for I wish you to see +the finish of this fight. Farewell." + +Then off he hurried, followed by his orderlies and staff-officers. + +I never saw him again alive, though I think that once in after years I +did meet his idhlozi in his kraal under strange circumstances. But that +has nothing to do with this history. + +As for me, having reloaded, I mounted my horse again, being afraid lest, +if I went on shooting, I should miss and spoil my reputation. Besides, +what was the use of killing more men unless I was obliged? There were +plenty ready to do that. + +Another minute, and the regiment in front of us began to move, while the +other two behind it ostentatiously sat themselves down in their ranks, +to show that they did not mean to spoil sport. The fight was to begin +with a duel between about six thousand men. + +"Good!" muttered the warrior who was nearest me. "They are in our bag." + +"Aye," answered another, "those little boys" (used as a term of +contempt) "are going to learn their last lesson." + +For a few seconds there was silence, while the long ranks leant forward +between the hedges of lean and cruel spears. A whisper went down the +line; it sounded like the noise of wind among trees, and was the signal +to prepare. Next a far-off voice shouted some word, which was repeated +again and again by other voices before and behind me. I became aware +that we were moving, quite slowly at first, then more quickly. Being +lifted above the ranks upon my horse I could see the whole advance, +and the general aspect of it was that of a triple black wave, each wave +crowned with foam--the white plumes and shields of the Amawombe were +the foam--and alive with sparkles of light--their broad spears were the +light. + +We were charging now--and oh! the awful and glorious excitement of that +charge! Oh, the rush of the bending plumes and the dull thudding of +eight thousand feet! The Usutu came up the slope to meet us. In silence +we went, and in silence they came. We drew near to each other. Now we +could see their faces peering over the tops of their mottled shields, +and now we could see their fierce and rolling eyes. + +Then a roar--a rolling roar such as at that time I had never heard: +the thunder of the roar of the meeting shields--and a flash--a swift, +simultaneous flash, the flash of the lightning of the stabbing spears. +Up went the cry of: + +_"Kill, Amawombe, kill!"_ answered by another cry of: + +_"Toss, Usutu, toss!"_ + +After that, what happened? Heaven knows alone--or at least I do not. +But in later years Mr. Osborn, afterwards the resident magistrate at +Newcastle, in Natal, who, being young and foolish in those days, had +swum his horse over the Tugela and hidden in a little kopje quite near +to us in order to see the battle, told me that it looked as though +some huge breaker--that breaker being the splendid Amawombe--rolling in +towards the shore with the weight of the ocean behind it, had suddenly +struck a ridge of rock and, rearing itself up, submerged and hidden it. + +At least, within three minutes that Usutu regiment was no more. We +had killed them every one, and from all along our lines rose a fierce +hissing sound of "S'gee, S'gee" ("Zhi" in the Zulu) uttered as the +spears went home in the bodies of the conquered. + +That regiment had gone, taking nearly a third of our number with it, for +in such a battle as this the wounded were as good as dead. Practically +our first line had vanished in a fray that did not last more than a few +minutes. Before it was well over the second Usutu regiment sprang up and +charged. With a yell of victory we rushed down the slope towards them. +Again there was the roar of the meeting shields, but this time the fight +was more prolonged, and, being in the front rank now, I had my share of +it. I remember shooting two Usutu who stabbed at me, after which my gun +was wrenched from my hand. I remember the mêlée swinging backwards and +forwards, the groans of the wounded, the shouts of victory and despair, +and then Scowl's voice saying: + +"We have beat them, Baas, but here come the others." + + +The third regiment was on our shattered lines. We closed up, we fought +like devils, even the bearer boys rushed into the fray. From all sides +they poured down upon us, for we had made a ring; every minute men died +by hundreds, and, though their numbers grew few, not one of the Amawombe +yielded. I was fighting with a spear now, though how it came into my +hand I cannot remember for certain. I think, however, I wrenched it from +a man who rushed at me and was stabbed before he could strike. I killed +a captain with this spear, for as he fell I recognised his face. It was +that of one of Cetewayo's companions to whom I had sold some cloth at +Nodwengu. The fallen were piled up quite thick around me--we were using +them as a breastwork, friend and foe together. I saw Scowl's horse rear +into the air and fall. He slipped over its tail, and next instant was +fighting at my side, also with a spear, muttering Dutch and English +oaths as he struck. + +"Beetje varm! [a little hot] Beetje varm, Baas!" I heard him say. Then +my horse screamed aloud and something hit me hard upon the head--I +suppose it was a thrown kerry--after which I remember nothing for a +while, except a sensation of passing through the air. + +I came to myself again, and found that I was still on the horse, which +was ambling forward across the veld at a rate of about eight miles an +hour, and that Scowl was clinging to my stirrup leather and running at +my side. He was covered with blood, so was the horse, and so was I. It +may have been our own blood, for all three were more or less wounded, or +it may have been that of others; I am sure I do not know, but we were +a terrible sight. I pulled upon the reins, and the horse stopped among +some thorns. Scowl felt in the saddlebags and found a large flask of +Hollands gin and water--half gin and half water--which he had placed +there before the battle. He uncorked and gave it to me. I took a long +pull at the stuff, that tasted like veritable nectar, then handed it to +him, who did likewise. New life seemed to flow into my veins. Whatever +teetotallers may say, alcohol is good at such a moment. + +"Where are the Amawombe?" I asked. + +"All dead by now, I think, Baas, as we should be had not your horse +bolted. Wow! but they made a great fight--one that will be told of! They +have carried those three regiments away upon their spears." + +"That's good," I said. "But where are we going?" + +"To Natal, I hope, Baas. I have had enough of the Zulus for the present. +The Tugela is not far away, and we will swim it. Come on, before our +hurts grow stiff." + +So we went on, till presently we reached the crest of a rise of ground +overlooking the river, and there saw and heard dreadful things, for +beneath us those devilish Usutu were massacring the fugitives and the +camp-followers. These were being driven by the hundred to the edge of +the water, there to perish on the banks or in the stream, which was +black with drowned or drowning forms. + +And oh! the sounds! Well, these I will not attempt to describe. + +"Keep up stream," I said shortly, and we struggled across a kind of +donga, where only a few wounded men were hidden, into a somewhat denser +patch of bush that had scarcely been entered by the flying Isigqosa, +perhaps because here the banks of the river were very steep and +difficult; also, between them its waters ran swiftly, for this was above +the drift. + +For a while we went on in safety, then suddenly I heard a noise. A great +man plunged past me, breaking through the bush like a buffalo, and came +to a halt upon a rock which overhung the Tugela, for the floods had +eaten away the soil beneath. + +"Umbelazi!" said Scowl, and as he spoke we saw another man following as +a wild dog follows a buck. + +"Saduko!" said Scowl. + +I rode on. I could not help riding on, although I knew it would be safer +to keep away. I reached the edge of that big rock. Saduko and Umbelazi +were fighting there. + +In ordinary circumstances, strong and active as he was, Saduko would +have had no chance against the most powerful Zulu living. But the prince +was utterly exhausted; his sides were going like a blacksmith's bellows, +or those of a fat eland bull that has been galloped to a standstill. +Moreover, he seemed to me to be distraught with grief, and, lastly, he +had no shield left, nothing but an assegai. + +A stab from Saduko's spear, which he partially parried, wounded him +slightly on the head, and cut loose the fillet of his ostrich plume, +that same plume which I had seen blown off in the morning, so that +it fell to the ground. Another stab pierced his right arm, making +it helpless. He snatched the assegai with his left hand, striving to +continue the fight, and just at that moment we came up. + +"What are you doing, Saduko?" I cried. "Does a dog bite his own master?" + +He turned and stared at me; both of them stared at me. + +"Aye, Macumazahn," he answered in an icy voice, "sometimes when it is +starving and that full-fed master has snatched away its bone. Nay, stand +aside, Macumazahn" (for, although I was quite unarmed, I had stepped +between them), "lest you should share the fate of this woman-thief." + +"Not I, Saduko," I cried, for this sight made me mad, "unless you murder +me." + +Then Umbelazi spoke in a hollow voice, sobbing out his words: + +"I thank you, White Man, yet do as this snake bids you--this snake that +has lived in my kraal and fed out of my cup. Let him have his fill of +vengeance because of the woman who bewitched me--yes, because of the +sorceress who has brought me and thousands to the dust. Have you heard, +Macumazahn, of the great deed of this son of Matiwane? Have you heard +that all the while he was a traitor in the pay of Cetewayo, and that he +went over, with the regiments of his command, to the Usutu just when the +battle hung upon the turn? Come, Traitor, here is my heart--the heart +that loved and trusted you. Strike--strike hard!" + +"Out of the way, Macumazahn!" hissed Saduko. But I would not stir. + +He sprang at me, and, though I put up the best fight that I could in +my injured state, got his hands about my throat and began to choke +me. Scowl ran to help me, but his wound--for he was hurt--or his utter +exhaustion took effect on him. Or perhaps it was excitement. At any +rate, he fell down in a fit. I thought that all was over, when again I +heard Umbelazi's voice, and felt Saduko's grip loosen at my throat, and +sat up. + +"Dog," said the Prince, "where is your assegai?" And as he spoke he +threw it from him into the river beneath, for he had picked it up while +we struggled, but, as I noted, retained his own. "Now, dog, why do I not +kill you, as would have been easy but now? I will tell you. Because I +will not mix the blood of a traitor with my own. See!" He set the haft +of his broad spear upon the rock and bent forward over the blade. "You +and your witch-wife have brought me to nothing, O Saduko. My blood, and +the blood of all who clung to me, is on your head. Your name shall +stink for ever in the nostrils of all true men, and I whom you have +betrayed--I, the Prince Umbelazi--will haunt you while you live; yes, +my spirit shall enter into you, and when you die--ah! then we'll meet +again. Tell this tale to the white men, Macumazahn, my friend, on whom +be honour and blessings." + +He paused, and I saw the tears gush from his eyes--tears mingled +with blood from the wound in his head. Then suddenly he uttered the +battle-cry of "Laba! Laba!" and let his weight fall upon the point of +the spear. + +It pierced him through and through. He fell on to his hands and knees. +He looked up at us--oh, the piteousness of that look!--and then rolled +sideways from the edge of the rock. + +A heavy splash, and that was the end of Umbelazi the Fallen--Umbelazi, +about whom Mameena had cast her net. + + +A sad story in truth. Although it happened so many years ago I weep as I +write it--I weep as Umbelazi wept. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. UMBEZI AND THE BLOOD ROYAL + + +After this I think that some of the Usutu came up, for it seemed to me +that I heard Saduko say: + +"Touch not Macumazahn or his servant. They are my prisoners. He who +harms them dies, with all his House." + +So they put me, fainting, on my horse, and Scowl they carried away upon +a shield. + +When I came to I found myself in a little cave, or rather beneath some +overhanging rocks, at the side of a kopje, and with me Scowl, who had +recovered from his fit, but seemed in a very bewildered condition. +Indeed, neither then nor afterwards did he remember anything of the +death of Umbelazi, nor did I ever tell him that tale. Like many others, +he thought that the Prince had been drowned in trying to swim the +Tugela. + +"Are they going to kill us?" I asked of him, since, from the triumphant +shouting without, I knew that we must be in the midst of the victorious +Usutu. + +"I don't know, Baas," he answered. "I hope not; after we have gone +through so much it would be a pity. Better to have died at the beginning +of the battle." + +I nodded my head in assent, and just at that moment a Zulu, who had very +evidently been fighting, entered the place carrying a dish of toasted +lumps of beef and a gourd of water. + +"Cetewayo sends you these, Macumazahn," he said, "and is sorry that +there is no milk or beer. When you have eaten a guard waits without to +escort you to him." And he went. + +"Well," I said to Scowl, "if they were going to kill us, they would +scarcely take the trouble to feed us first. So let us keep up our hearts +and eat." + +"Who knows?" answered poor Scowl, as he crammed a lump of beef into +his big mouth. "Still, it is better to die on a full than on an empty +stomach." + +So we ate and drank, and, as we were suffering more from exhaustion than +from our hurts, which were not really serious, our strength came back +to us. As we finished the last lump of meat, which, although it had been +only half cooked upon the point of an assegai, tasted very good, the +Zulu put his head into the mouth of the shelter and asked if we were +ready. I nodded, and, supporting each other, Scowl and I limped from the +place. Outside were about fifty soldiers, who greeted us with a shout +that, although it was mixed with laughter at our pitiable appearance, +struck me as not altogether unfriendly. Amongst these men was my horse, +which stood with its head hanging down, looking very depressed. I was +helped on to its back, and, Scowl clinging to the stirrup leather, we +were led a distance of about a quarter of a mile to Cetewayo. + +We found him seated, in the full blaze of the evening sun, on the +eastern slope of one of the land-waves of the veld, with the open +plain in front of him. It was a strange and savage scene. There sat the +victorious prince, surrounded by his captains and indunas, while before +him rushed the triumphant regiments, shouting his titles in the +most extravagant language. Izimbongi also--that is, professional +praisers--were running up and down before him dressed in all sorts of +finery, telling his deeds, calling him "Eater-up-of-the-Earth," and +yelling out the names of those great ones who had been killed in the +battle. + +Meanwhile parties of bearers were coming up continually, carrying dead +men of distinction upon shields and laying them out in rows, as game +is laid out at the end of a day's shooting in England. It seems that +Cetewayo had taken a fancy to see them, and, being too tired to walk +over the field of battle, ordered that this should be done. Among these, +by the way, I saw the body of my old friend, Maputa, the general of the +Amawombe, and noted that it was literally riddled with spear thrusts, +every one of them in front; also that his quaint face still wore a +smile. + +At the head of these lines of corpses were laid six dead, all men of +large size, in whom I recognised the brothers of Umbelazi, who had +fought on his side, and the half-brothers of Cetewayo. Among them were +those three princes upon whom the dust had fallen when Zikali, the +prophet, smelt out Masapo, the husband of Mameena. + +Dismounting from my horse, with the help of Scowl, I limped through and +over the corpses of these fallen royalties, cut in the Zulu fashion to +free their spirits, which otherwise, as they believed, would haunt the +slayers, and stood in front of Cetewayo. + +"Siyakubona, Macumazahn," he said, stretching out his hand to me, which +I took, though I could not find it in my heart to wish _him_ "good day." + +"I hear that you were leading the Amawombe, whom my father, the King, +sent down to help Umbelazi, and I am very glad that you have escaped +alive. Also my heart is proud of the fight that they made, for you know, +Macumazahn, once, next to the King, I was general of that regiment, +though afterwards we quarrelled. Still, I am pleased that they did so +well, and I have given orders that every one of them who remains alive +is to be spared, that they may be officers of a new Amawombe which I +shall raise. Do you know, Macumazahn, that you have nearly wiped out +three whole regiments of the Usutu, killing many more people than did +all my brother's army, the Isigqosa? Oh, you are a great man. Had it +not been for the loyalty"--this word was spoken with just a tinge of +sarcasm--"of Saduko yonder, you would have won the day for Umbelazi. +Well, now that this quarrel is finished, if you will stay with me I +will make you general of a whole division of the King's army, since +henceforth I shall have a voice in affairs." + +"You are mistaken, O Son of Panda," I answered; "the splendour of the +Amawombe's great stand against a multitude is on the name of Maputa, the +King's councillor and the induna of the Black One [Chaka], who is gone. +He lies yonder in his glory," and I pointed to Maputa's pierced body. "I +did but fight as a soldier in his ranks." + +"Oh, yes, we know that, we know all that, Macumazahn; and Maputa was a +clever monkey in his way, but we know also that you taught him how to +jump. Well, he is dead, and nearly all the Amawombe are dead, and of +my three regiments but a handful is left; the vultures have the rest +of them. That is all finished and forgotten, Macumazahn, though by good +fortune the spears went wide of you, who doubtless are a magician, since +otherwise you and your servant and your horse would not have escaped +with a few scratches when everyone else was killed. But you did escape, +as you have done before in Zululand; and now you see here lie certain +men who were born of my father. Yet one is missing--he against whom I +fought, aye, and he whom, although we fought, I loved the best of all +of them. Now, it has been whispered in my ear that you alone know what +became of him, and, Macumazahn, I would learn whether he lives or is +dead; also, if he is dead, by whose hand he died, who would reward that +hand." + +Now, I looked round me, wondering whether I should tell the truth or +hold my tongue, and as I looked my eyes met those of Saduko, who, cold +and unconcerned, was seated among the captains, but at a little distance +from any of them--a man apart; and I remembered that he and I alone knew +the truth of the end of Umbelazi. + +Why, I do not know, but it came into my mind that I would keep the +secret. Why should I tell the triumphant Cetewayo that Umbelazi had been +driven to die by his own hand; why should I lay bare Saduko's victory +and shame? All these matters had passed into the court of a different +tribunal. Who was I that I should reveal them or judge the actors of +this terrible drama? + +"O Cetewayo," I said, "as it chanced I saw the end of Umbelazi. No enemy +killed him. He died of a broken heart upon a rock above the river; and +for the rest of the story go ask the Tugela into which he fell." + +For a moment Cetewayo hid his eyes with his hand. + +"Is it so?" he said presently. "Wow! I say again that had it not been +for Saduko, the son of Matiwane, yonder, who had some quarrel with +Indhlovu-ene-Sihlonti about a woman and took his chance of vengeance, +it might have been I who died of a broken heart upon a rock above the +river. Oh, Saduko, I owe you a great debt and will pay you well; but you +shall be no friend of mine, lest we also should chance to quarrel about +a woman, and _I_ should find myself dying of a broken heart on a rock +above a river. O my brother Umbelazi, I mourn for you, my brother, for, +after all, we played together when we were little and loved each other +once, who in the end fought for a toy that is called a throne, since, +as our father said, two bulls cannot live in the same yard, my brother. +Well, you are gone and I remain, yet who knows but that at the last your +lot may be happier than mine. You died of a broken heart, Umbelazi, but +of what shall _I_ die, I wonder?"[*] + + [*--That history of Cetewayo's fall and tragic death and of + Zikali's vengeance I hope to write one day, for in these + events also I was destined to play a part.--A. Q.] + +I have given this interview in detail, since it was because of it that +the saying went abroad that Umbelazi died of a broken heart. + +So in truth he did, for before his spear pierced it his heart was +broken. + +Now, seeing that Cetewayo was in one of his soft moods, and that he +seemed to look upon me kindly, though I had fought against him, I +reflected that this would be a good opportunity to ask his leave to +depart. To tell the truth, my nerves were quite shattered with all I had +gone through, and I longed to be away from the sights and sounds of that +terrible battlefield, on and about which so many thousand people had +perished this fateful day, as I had seldom longed for anything before. +But while I was making up my mind as to the best way to approach him, +something happened which caused me to lose my chance. + +Hearing a noise behind me, I looked round, to see a stout man arrayed +in a very fine war dress, and waving in one hand a gory spear and in the +other a head-plume of ostrich feathers, who was shouting out: + +"Give me audience of the son of the King! I have a song to sing to the +Prince. I have a tale to tell to the conqueror, Cetewayo." + +I stared. I rubbed my eyes. It could not be--yes, it was--Umbezi, +"Eater-up-of-Elephants," the father of Mameena. In a few seconds, +without waiting for leave to approach, he had bounded through the line +of dead princes, stopping to kick one of them on the head and address +his poor clay in some words of shameful insult, and was prancing about +before Cetewayo, shouting his praises. + +"Who is this umfokazana?" [that is, low fellow] growled the Prince. "Bid +him cease his noise and speak, lest he should be silent for ever." + +"O Calf of the Black Cow, I am Umbezi, 'Eater-up-of-Elephants,' chief +captain of Saduko the Cunning, he who won you the battle, father of +Mameena the Beautiful, whom Saduko wed and whom the dead dog, Umbelazi, +stole away from him." + +"Ah!" said Cetewayo, screwing up his eyes in a fashion he had when +he meant mischief, which among the Zulus caused him to be named the +"Bull-who-shuts-his-eyes-to-toss," "and what have you to tell me, +'Eater-up-of-Elephants' and father of Mameena, whom the dead dog, +Umbelazi, took away from your master, Saduko the Cunning?" + +"This, O Mighty One; this, O Shaker of the Earth, that well am I named +'Eater-up-of-Elephants,' who have eaten up Indhlovu-ene-Sihlonti--the +Elephant himself." + +Now Saduko seemed to awake from his brooding and started from his place; +but Cetewayo sharply bade him be silent, whereon Umbezi, the fool, +noting nothing, continued his tale. + +"O Prince, I met Umbelazi in the battle, and when he saw me he fled from +me; yes, his heart grew soft as water at the sight of me, the warrior +whom he had wronged, whose daughter he had stolen." + +"I hear you," said Cetewayo. "Umbelazi's heart turned to water at the +sight of you because he had wronged you--you who until this morning, +when you deserted him with Saduko, were one of his jackals. Well, and +what happened then?" + +"He fled, O Lion with the Black Mane; he fled like the wind, and I, I +flew after him like--a stronger wind. Far into the bush he fled, till at +length he came to a rock above the river and was obliged to stand. Then +there we fought. He thrust at me, but I leapt over his spear _thus_," +and he gambolled into the air. "He thrust at me again, but I bent myself +_thus_," and he ducked his great head. "Then he grew tired and my time +came. He turned and ran round the rock, and I, I ran after him, stabbing +him through the back, _thus_, and _thus_, and _thus_, till he fell, +crying for mercy, and rolled off the rock into the river; and as he +rolled I snatched away his plume. See, is it not the plume of the dead +dog Umbelazi?" + +Cetewayo took the ornament and examined it, showing it to one or two of +the captains near him, who nodded their heads gravely. + +"Yes," he said, "this is the war plume of Umbelazi, beloved of the King, +strong and shining pillar of the Great House; we know it well, that war +plume at the sight of which many a knee has loosened. And so you killed +him, 'Eater-up-of-Elephants,' father of Mameena, you who this morning +were one of the meanest of his jackals. Now, what reward shall I give +you for this mighty deed, O Umbezi?" + +"A great reward, O Terrible One," began Umbezi, but in an awful voice +Cetewayo bade him be silent. + +"Yes," he said, "a great reward. Hearken, Jackal and Traitor. Your own +words bear witness against you. You, _you_ have dared to lift your hand +against the blood-royal, and with your foul tongue to heap lies and +insults upon the name of the mighty dead." + +Now, understanding at last, Umbezi began to babble excuses, yes, and to +declare that all his tale was false. His fat cheeks fell in, he sank to +his knees. + +But Cetewayo only spat towards the man, after his fashion when enraged, +and looked round him till his eye fell upon Saduko. + +"Saduko," he said, "take away this slayer of the Prince, who boasts that +he is red with my own blood, and when he is dead cast him into the river +from that rock on which he says he stabbed Panda's son." + +Saduko looked round him wildly and hesitated. + +"Take him away," thundered Cetewayo, "and return ere dark to make report +to me." + +Then, at a sign from the Prince, soldiers flung themselves upon the +miserable Umbezi and dragged him thence, Saduko going with them; nor was +the poor liar ever seen again. As he passed by me he called to me, for +Mameena's sake, to save him; but I could only shake my head and bethink +me of the warning I had once given to him as to the fate of traitors. + +It may be said that this story comes straight from the history of Saul +and David, but I can only answer that it happened. Circumstances that +were not unlike ended in a similar tragedy, that is all. What David's +exact motives were, naturally I cannot tell; but it is easy to guess +those of Cetewayo, who, although he could make war upon his brother to +secure the throne, did not think it wise to let it go abroad that the +royal blood might be lightly spilt. Also, knowing that I was a witness +of the Prince's death, he was well aware that Umbezi was but a +boastful liar who hoped thus to ingratiate himself with an all-powerful +conqueror. + +Well, this tragic incident had its sequel. It seems--to his honour, be +it said--that Saduko refused to be the executioner of his father-in-law, +Umbezi; so those with him performed this office and brought him back a +prisoner to Cetewayo. + +When the Prince learned that his direct order, spoken in the accustomed +and fearful formula of _"Take him away,"_ had been disobeyed, his rage +was, or seemed to be, great. My own conviction is that he was only +seeking a cause of quarrel against Saduko, who, he thought, was a very +powerful man, who would probably treat him, should opportunity arise, as +he had treated Umbelazi, and perhaps now that the most of Panda's sons +were dead, except himself and the lads M'tonga, Sikota and M'kungo, who +had fled into Natal, might even in future days aspire to the throne +as the husband of the King's daughter. Still, he was afraid or did not +think it politic at once to put out of his path this master of many +legions, who had played so important a part in the battle. Therefore he +ordered him to be kept under guard and taken back to Nodwengu, that the +whole matter might be investigated by Panda the King, who still ruled +the land, though henceforth only in name. Also he refused to allow me to +depart into Natal, saying that I, too, must come to Nodwengu, as there +my testimony might be needed. + +So, having no choice, I went, it being fated that I should see the end +of the drama. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. MAMEENA CLAIMS THE KISS + + +When I reached Nodwengu I was taken ill and laid up in my wagon for +about a fortnight. What my exact sickness was I do not know, for I had +no doctor at hand to tell me, as even the missionaries had fled the +country. Fever resulting from fatigue, exposure and excitement, and +complicated with fearful headache--caused, I presume, by the blow which +I received in the battle--were its principal symptoms. + +When I began to get better, Scowl and some Zulu friends who came to see +me informed me that the whole land was in a fearful state of disorder, +and that Umbelazi's adherents, the Isigqosa, were still being hunted +out and killed. It seems that it was even suggested by some of the +Usutu that I should share their fate, but on this point Panda was firm. +Indeed, he appears to have said publicly that whoever lifted a spear +against me, his friend and guest, lifted it against him, and would be +the cause of a new war. So the Usutu left me alone, perhaps because they +were satisfied with fighting for a while, and thought it wisest to be +content with what they had won. + +Indeed, they had won everything, for Cetewayo was now supreme--by right +of the assegai--and his father but a cipher. Although he remained the +"Head" of the nation, Cetewayo was publicly declared to be its "Feet," +and strength was in these active "Feet," not in the bowed and sleeping +"Head." In fact, so little power was left to Panda that he could not +protect his own household. Thus one day I heard a great tumult and +shouting proceeding apparently from the Isigodhlo, or royal enclosure, +and on inquiring what it was afterwards, was told that Cetewayo had come +from the Amangwe kraal and denounced Nomantshali, the King's wife, +as "umtakati", or a witch. More, in spite of his father's prayers and +tears, he had caused her to be put to death before his eyes--a dreadful +and a savage deed. At this distance of time I cannot remember whether +Nomantshali was the mother of Umbelazi or of one of the other fallen +princes.[*] + + [*--On re-reading this history it comes back to me that she + was the mother of M'tonga, who was much younger than + Umbelazi. --A. Q.] + +A few days later, when I was up and about again, although I had not +ventured into the kraal, Panda sent a messenger to me with a present of +an ox. On his behalf this man congratulated me on my recovery, and told +me that, whatever might have happened to others, I was to have no fear +for my own safety. He added that Cetewayo had sworn to the King that not +a hair of my head should be harmed, in these words: + +"Had I wished to kill Watcher-by-Night because he fought against me, I +could have done so down at Endondakusuka; but then I ought to kill you +also, my father, since you sent him thither against his will with your +own regiment. But I like him well, who is brave and who brought me good +tidings that the Prince, my enemy, was dead of a broken heart. Moreover, +I wish to have no quarrel with the White House [the English] on account +of Macumazahn, so tell him that he may sleep in peace." + +The messenger said further that Saduko, the husband of the King's +daughter, Nandie, and Umbelazi's chief induna, was to be put upon his +trial on the morrow before the King and his council, together with +Mameena, daughter of Umbezi, and that my presence was desired at this +trial. + +I asked what was the charge against them. He replied that, so far as +Saduko was concerned, there were two: first, that he had stirred up +civil war in the land, and, secondly, that having pushed on Umbelazi +into a fight in which many thousands perished, he had played the +traitor, deserting him in the midst of the battle, with all his +following--a very heinous offence in the eyes of Zulus, to whatever +party they may belong. + +Against Mameena there were three counts of indictment. First, that it +was she who had poisoned Saduko's child and others, not Masapo, her +first husband, who had suffered for that crime. Secondly, that she had +deserted Saduko, her second husband, and gone to live with another man, +namely, the late Prince Umbelazi. Thirdly, that she was a witch, who had +enmeshed Umbelazi in the web of her sorceries and thereby caused him to +aspire to the succession to the throne, to which he had no right, and +made the isililo, or cry of mourning for the dead, to be heard in every +kraal in Zululand. + +"With three such pitfalls in her narrow path, Mameena will have to walk +carefully if she would escape them all," I said. + +"Yes, Inkoosi, especially as the pitfalls are dug from side to side of +the path and have a pointed stake set at the bottom of each of them. Oh, +Mameena is already as good as dead, as she deserves to be, who without +doubt is the greatest umtakati north of the Tugela." + +I sighed, for somehow I was sorry for Mameena, though why she should +escape when so many better people had perished because of her I did not +know; and the messenger went on: + +"The Black One [that is, Panda] sent me to tell Saduko that he would be +allowed to see you, Macumazahn, before the trial, if he wished, for he +knew that you had been a friend of his, and thought that you might be +able to give evidence in his favour." + +"And what did Saduko say to that?" I asked. + +"He said that he thanked the King, but that it was not needful for him +to talk with Macumazahn, whose heart was white like his skin, and whose +lips, if they spoke at all, would tell neither more nor less than the +truth. The Princess Nandie, who is with him--for she will not leave +him in his trouble, as all others have done--on hearing these words of +Saduko's, said that they were true, and that for this reason, although +you were her friend, she did not hold it necessary to see you either." + +Upon this intimation I made no comment, but "my head thought," as the +natives say, that Saduko's real reason for not wishing to see me was +that he felt ashamed to do so, and Nandie's that she feared to learn +more about her husband's perfidies than she knew already. + +"With Mameena it is otherwise," went on the messenger, "for as soon +as she was brought here with Zikali the Little and Wise, with whom, it +seems, she has been sheltering, and learned that you, Macumazahn, were +at the kraal, she asked leave to see you--" + +"And is it granted?" I broke in hurriedly, for I did not at all wish for +a private interview with Mameena. + +"Nay, have no fear, Inkoosi," replied the messenger with a smile; "it +is refused, because the King said that if once she saw you she would +bewitch you and bring trouble on you, as she does on all men. It is for +this reason that she is guarded by women only, no man being allowed to +go near to her, for on women her witcheries will not bite. Still, they +say that she is merry, and laughs and sings a great deal, declaring that +her life has been dull up at old Zikali's, and that now she is going to +a place as gay as the veld in spring, after the first warm rain, where +there will be plenty of men to quarrel for her and make her great and +happy. That is what she says, the witch who knows perhaps what the Place +of Spirits is like." + +Then, as I made no remarks or suggestions, the messenger departed, +saying that he would return on the morrow to lead me to the place of +trial. + +Next morning, after the cows had been milked and the cattle loosed from +their kraals, he came accordingly, with a guard of about thirty men, all +of them soldiers who had survived the great fight of the Amawombe. These +warriors, some of whom had wounds that were scarcely healed, saluted me +with loud cries of "Inkoosi!" and "Baba" as I stepped out of the wagon, +where I had spent a wretched night of unpleasant anticipation, showing +me that there were at least some Zulus with whom I remained popular. +Indeed, their delight at seeing me, whom they looked upon as a comrade +and one of the few survivors of the great adventure, was quite touching. +As we went, which we did slowly, their captain told me of their fears +that I had been killed with the others, and how rejoiced they were when +they learned that I was safe. He told me also that, after the third +regiment had attacked them and broken up their ring, a small body of +them, from eighty to a hundred only, managed to cut a way through and +escape, running, not towards the Tugela, where so many thousands had +perished, but up to Nodwengu, where they reported themselves to Panda as +the only survivors of the Amawombe. + +"And are you safe now?" I asked of the captain. + +"Oh, yes," he answered. "You see, we were the King's men, not +Umbelazi's, so Cetewayo bears us no grudge. Indeed, he is obliged to us, +because we gave the Usutu their stomachs full of good fighting, which +is more than did those cows of Umbelazi's. It is towards Saduko that +he bears a grudge, for you know, my father, one should never pull a +drowning man out of the stream--which is what Saduko did, for had it not +been for his treachery, Cetewayo would have sunk beneath the water of +Death--especially if it is only to spite a woman who hates him. Still, +perhaps Saduko will escape with his life, because he is Nandie's +husband, and Cetewayo fears Nandie, his sister, if he does not love her. +But here we are, and those who have to watch the sky all day will be +able to tell of the evening weather" (in other words, those who live +will learn). + +As he spoke we passed into the private enclosure of the isi-gohlo, +outside of which a great many people were gathered, shouting, talking +and quarrelling, for in those days all the usual discipline of the Great +Place was relaxed. Within the fence, however, that was strongly guarded +on its exterior side, were only about a score of councillors, the +King, the Prince Cetewayo, who sat upon his right, the Princess Nandie, +Saduko's wife, a few attendants, two great, silent fellows armed with +clubs, whom I guessed to be executioners, and, seated in the shade in a +corner, that ancient dwarf, Zikali, though how he came to be there I did +not know. + +Obviously the trial was to be quite a private affair, which accounted +for the unusual presence of the two "slayers." Even my Amawombe guard +was left outside the gate, although I was significantly informed that if +I chose to call upon them they would hear me, which was another way of +saying that in such a small gathering I was absolutely safe. + +Walking forward boldly towards Panda, who, though he was as fat as ever, +looked very worn and much older than when I had last seen him, I made +my bow, whereon he took my hand and asked after my health. Then I shook +Cetewayo's hand also, as I saw that it was stretched out to me. He +seized the opportunity to remark that he was told that I had suffered +a knock on the head in some scrimmage down by the Tugela, and he hoped +that I felt no ill effects. I answered: No, though I feared that there +were a few others who had not been so fortunate, especially those who +had stumbled against the Amawombe regiment, with whom I chanced to be +travelling upon a peaceful mission of inquiry. + +It was a bold speech to make, but I was determined to give him a +quid pro quo, and, as a matter of fact, he took it in very good part, +laughing heartily at the joke. + +After this I saluted such of the councillors present as I knew, which +was not many, for most of my old friends were dead, and sat down upon +the stool that was placed for me not very far from the dwarf Zikali, who +stared at me in a stony fashion, as though he had never seen me before. + +There followed a pause. Then, at some sign from Panda, a side gate in +the fence was opened, and through it appeared Saduko, who walked +proudly to the space in front of the King, to whom he gave the salute +of "Bayéte," and, at a sign, sat himself down upon the ground. Next, +through the same gate, to which she was conducted by some women, came +Mameena, quite unchanged and, I think, more beautiful than she had ever +been. So lovely did she look, indeed, in her cloak of grey fur, her +necklet of blue beads, and the gleaming rings of copper which she wore +upon her wrists and ankles, that every eye was fixed upon her as she +glided gracefully forward to make her obeisance to Panda. + +This done, she turned and saw Nandie, to whom she also bowed, as she +did so inquiring after the health of her child. Without waiting for an +answer, which she knew would not be vouchsafed, she advanced to me and +grasped my hand, which she pressed warmly, saying how glad she was to +see me safe after going through so many dangers, though she thought I +looked even thinner than I used to be. + +Only of Saduko, who was watching her with his intent and melancholy +eyes, she took no heed whatsoever. Indeed, for a while I thought that +she could not have seen him. Nor did she appear to recognise Cetewayo, +although he stared at her hard enough. But, as her glance fell upon the +two executioners, I thought I saw her shudder like a shaken reed. Then +she sat down in the place appointed to her, and the trial began. + +The case of Saduko was taken first. An officer learned in Zulu +law--which I can assure the reader is a very intricate and +well-established law--I suppose that he might be called a kind of +attorney-general, rose and stated the case against the prisoner. He told +how Saduko, from a nobody, had been lifted to a great place by the +King and given his daughter, the Princess Nandie, in marriage. Then he +alleged that, as would be proved in evidence, the said Saduko had urged +on Umbelazi the Prince, to whose party he had attached himself, to +make war upon Cetewayo. This war having begun, at the great battle of +Endondakusuka, he had treacherously deserted Umbelazi, together with +three regiments under his command, and gone over to Cetewayo, thereby +bringing Umbelazi to defeat and death. + +This brief statement of the case for the prosecution being finished, +Panda asked Saduko whether he pleaded guilty or not guilty. + +"Guilty, O King," he answered, and was silent. + +Then Panda asked him if he had anything to say in excuse of his conduct. + +"Nothing, O King, except that I was Umbelazi's man, and when you, O +King, had given the word that he and the Prince yonder might fight, I, +like many others, some of whom are dead and some alive, worked for him +with all my ten fingers that he might have the victory." + +"Then why did you desert my son the Prince in the battle?" asked Panda. + +"Because I saw that the Prince Cetewayo was the stronger bull and wished +to be on the winning side, as all men do--for no other reason," answered +Saduko calmly. + +Now, everyone present stared, not excepting Cetewayo. Panda, who, +like the rest of us, had heard a very different tale, looked extremely +puzzled, while Zikali, in his corner, set up one of his great laughs. + +After a long pause, at length the King, as supreme judge, began to pass +sentence. At least, I suppose that was his intention, but before three +words had left his lips Nandie rose and said: + +"My Father, ere you speak that which cannot be unspoken, hear me. It is +well known that Saduko, my husband, was my brother Umbelazi's general +and councillor, and if he is to be killed for clinging to the Prince, +then I should be killed also, and countless others in Zululand who still +remain alive because they were not in or escaped the battle. It is well +known also, my Father, that during that battle Saduko went over to +my brother Cetewayo, though whether this brought about the defeat of +Umbelazi I cannot say. Why did he go over? He tells you because he +wished to be on the winning side. It is not true. He went over in order +to be revenged upon Umbelazi, who had taken from him yonder witch"--and +she pointed with her finger at Mameena--"yonder witch, whom he loved and +still loves, and whom even now he would shield, even though to do so +he must make his own name shameful. Saduko sinned; I do not deny it, +my Father, but there sits the real traitress, red with the blood of +Umbelazi and with that of thousands of others who have '_tshonile'd_' +[gone down to keep him company among the ghosts]. Therefore, O King, I +beseech you, spare the life of Saduko, my husband, or, if he must die, +learn that I, your daughter, will die with him. I have spoken, O King." + +And very proudly and quietly she sat herself down again, waiting for the +fateful words. + +But those words were not spoken, since Panda only said: "Let us try the +case of this woman, Mameena." + +Thereon the law officer rose again and set out the charges against +Mameena, namely, that it was she who had poisoned Saduko's child, and +not Masapo; that, after marrying Saduko, she had deserted him and gone +to live with the Prince Umbelazi; and that finally she had bewitched the +said Umbelazi and caused him to make civil war in the land. + +"The second charge, if proved, namely, that this woman deserted her +husband for another man, is a crime of death," broke in Panda abruptly +as the officer finished speaking; "therefore, what need is there to hear +the first and the third until that is examined. What do you plead to +that charge, woman?" + +Now, understanding that the King did not wish to stir up these other +matters of murder and witchcraft for some reason of his own, we all +turned to hear Mameena's answer. + +"O King," she said in her low, silvery voice, "I cannot deny that I left +Saduko for Umbelazi the Handsome, any more than Saduko can deny that he +left Umbelazi the beaten for Cetewayo the conqueror." + +"Why did you leave Saduko?" asked Panda. + +"O King, perhaps because I loved Umbelazi; for was he not called the +Handsome? Also _you_ know that the Prince, your son, was one to be +loved." Here she paused, looking at poor Panda, who winced. "Or, +perhaps, because I wished to be great; for was he not of the Blood +Royal, and, had it not been for Saduko, would he not one day have been a +king? Or, perhaps, because I could no longer bear the treatment that the +Princess Nandie dealt out to me; she who was cruel to me and threatened +to beat me, because Saduko loved my hut better than her own. Ask +Saduko; he knows more of these matters than I do," and she gazed at him +steadily. Then she went on: "How can a woman tell her reasons, O King, +when she never knows them herself?"--a question at which some of her +hearers smiled. + +Now Saduko rose and said slowly: + +"Hear me, O King, and I will give the reason that Mameena hides. She +left me for Umbelazi because I bade her to do so, for I knew that +Umbelazi desired her, and I wished to tie the cord tighter which bound +me to one who at that time I thought would inherit the Throne. Also, +I was weary of Mameena, who quarrelled night and day with the Princess +Nandie, my Inkosikazi." + +Now Nandie gasped in astonishment (and so did I), but Mameena laughed +and said: + +"Yes, O King, those were the two real reasons that I had forgotten. I +left Saduko because he bade me, as he wished to make a present to the +Prince. Also, he was tired of me; for many days at a time he would +scarcely speak to me, because, however kind she might be, I could not +help quarrelling with the Princess Nandie. Moreover, there was another +reason which I have forgotten: I had no child, and not having any +child I did not think it mattered whether I went or stayed. If Saduko +searches, he will remember that I told him so, and that he agreed with +me." + +Again she looked at Saduko, who said hurriedly: + +"Yes, yes, I told her so; I told her that I wished for no barren cows in +my kraal." + +Now some of the audience laughed outright, but Panda frowned. + +"It seems," he said, "that my ears are being stuffed with lies, though +which of these two tells them I cannot say. Well, if the woman left the +man by his own wish, and that his ends might be furthered, as he says, +he had put her away, and therefore the fault, if any, is his, not hers. +So that charge is ended. Now, woman, what have you to tell us of the +witchcraft which it is said you practised upon the Prince who is gone, +thereby causing him to make war in the land?" + +"Little that you would wish to hear, O King, or that it would be seemly +for me to speak," she answered, drooping her head modestly. "The only +witchcraft that ever I practised upon Umbelazi lies here"--and she +touched her beautiful eyes--"and here"--and she touched her curving +lips--"and in this poor shape of mine which some have thought so fair. +As for the war, what had I to do with war, who never spoke to Umbelazi, +who was so dear to me"--and she looked up with tears running down her +face--"save of love? O King, is there a man among you all who would +fear the witcheries of such a one as I; and because the Heavens made me +beautiful with the beauty that men must follow, am I also to be killed +as a sorceress?" + +Now, to this argument neither Panda nor anyone else seemed to find an +answer, especially as it was well known that Umbelazi had cherished his +ambition to the succession long before he met Mameena. So that charge +was dropped, and the first and greatest of the three proceeded with; +namely, that it was she, Mameena, and not her husband, Masapo, who had +murdered Nandie's child. + +When this accusation was made against her, for the first time I saw a +little shade of trouble flit across Mameena's soft eyes. + +"Surely, O King," she said, "that matter was settled long ago, when the +Ndwande, Zikali, the great Nyanga, smelt out Masapo the wizard, he who +was my husband, and brought him to his death for this crime. Must I then +be tried for it again?" + +"Not so, woman," answered Panda. "All that Zikali smelt out was the +poison that wrought the crime, and as some of that poison was found upon +Masapo, he was killed as a wizard. Yet it may be that it was not he who +used the poison." + +"Then surely the King should have thought of that before he died," +murmured Mameena. "But I forget: It is known that Masapo was always +hostile to the House of Senzangakona." + +To this remark Panda made no answer, perhaps because it was +unanswerable, even in a land where it was customary to kill the supposed +wizard first and inquire as to his actual guilt afterwards, or not at +all. Or perhaps he thought it politic to ignore the suggestion that he +had been inspired by personal enmity. Only, he looked at his daughter, +Nandie, who rose and said: + +"Have I leave to call a witness on this matter of the poison, my +Father?" + +Panda nodded, whereon Nandie said to one of the councillors: + +"Be pleased to summon my woman, Nahana, who waits without." + +The man went, and presently returned with an elderly female who, it +appeared, had been Nandie's nurse, and, never having married, owing to +some physical defect, had always remained in her service, a person well +known and much respected in her humble walk of life. + +"Nahana," said Nandie, "you are brought here that you may repeat to the +King and his council a tale which you told to me as to the coming of +a certain woman into my hut before the death of my first-born son, and +what she did there. Say first, is this woman present here?" + +"Aye, Inkosazana," answered Nahana, "yonder she sits. Who could mistake +her?" and she pointed to Mameena, who was listening to every word +intently, as a dog listens at the mouth of an ant-bear hole when the +beast is stirring beneath. + +"Then what of the woman and her deeds?" asked Panda. + +"Only this, O King. Two nights before the child that is dead was taken +ill, I saw Mameena creep into the hut of the lady Nandie, I who was +asleep alone in a corner of the big hut out of reach of the light of the +fire. At the time the lady Nandie was away from the hut with her son. +Knowing the woman for Mameena, the wife of Masapo, who was on friendly +terms with the Inkosazana, whom I supposed she had come to visit, I did +not declare myself; nor did I take any particular note when I saw her +sprinkle a little mat upon which the babe, Saduko's son, was wont to +be laid, with some medicine, because I had heard her promise to the +Inkosazana a powder which she said would drive away insects. Only, when +I saw her throw some of this powder into the vessel of warm water that +stood by the fire, to be used for the washing of the child, and place +something, muttering certain words that I could not catch, in the straw +of the doorway, I thought it strange, and was about to question her when +she left the hut. As it happened, O King, but a little while afterwards, +before one could count ten tens indeed, a messenger came to the hut to +tell me that my old mother lay dying at her kraal four days' journey +from Nodwengu, and prayed to see me before she died. Then I forgot all +about Mameena and the powder, and, running out to seek the Princess +Nandie, I craved her leave to go with the messenger to my mother's +kraal, which she granted to me, saying that I need not return until my +mother was buried. + +"So I went. But, oh! my mother took long to die. Whole moons passed +before I shut her eyes, and all this while she would not let me go; nor, +indeed, did I wish to leave her whom I loved. At length it was over, and +then came the days of mourning, and after those some more days of rest, +and after them again the days of the division of the cattle, so that in +the end six moons or more had gone by before I returned to the service +of the Princess Nandie, and found that Mameena was now the second wife +of the lord Saduko. Also I found that the child of the lady Nandie was +dead, and that Masapo, the first husband of Mameena, had been smelt out +and killed as the murderer of the child. But as all these things were +over and done with, and as Mameena was very kind to me, giving me gifts +and sparing me tasks, and as I saw that Saduko my lord loved her much, +it never came into my head to say anything of the matter of the powder +that I saw her sprinkle on the mat. + +"After she had run away with the Prince who is dead, however, I did tell +the lady Nandie. Moreover, the lady Nandie, in my presence, searched +in the straw of the doorway of the hut and found there, wrapped in soft +hide, certain medicines such as the Nyangas sell, wherewith those who +consult them can bewitch their enemies, or cause those whom they desire +to love them or to hate their wives or husbands. That is all I know of +the story, O King." + +"Do my ears hear a true tale, Nandie?" asked Panda. "Or is this woman a +liar like others?" + +"I think not, my Father; see, here is the muti [medicine] which Nahana +and I found hid in the doorway of the hut that I have kept unopened till +this day." + +And she laid on the ground a little leather bag, very neatly sewn with +sinews, and fastened round its neck with a fibre string. + +Panda directed one of the councillors to open the bag, which the man +did unwillingly enough, since evidently he feared its evil influence, +pouring out its contents on to the back of a hide shield, which was +then carried round so that we might all look at them. These, so far as +I could see, consisted of some withered roots, a small piece of human +thigh bone, such as might have come from the skeleton of an infant, that +had a little stopper of wood in its orifice, and what I took to be the +fang of a snake. + +Panda looked at them and shrank away, saying: + +"Come hither, Zikali the Old, you who are skilled in magic, and tell us +what is this medicine." + +Then Zikali rose from the corner where he had been sitting so silently, +and waddled heavily across the open space to where the shield lay in +front of the King. As he passed Mameena, she bent down over the dwarf +and began to whisper to him swiftly; but he placed his hands upon his +big head, covering up his ears, as I suppose, that he might not hear her +words. + +"What have I to do with this matter, O King?" he asked. + +"Much, it seems, O Opener-of-Roads," said Panda sternly, "seeing that +you were the doctor who smelt out Masapo, and that it was in your kraal +that yonder woman hid herself while her lover, the Prince, my son, who +is dead, went down to the battle, and that she was brought thence with +you. Tell us, now, the nature of this muti, and, being wise, as you are, +be careful to tell us truly, lest it should be said, O Zikali, that you +are not a Nyanga only, but an umtakati as well. For then," he added with +meaning, and choosing his words carefully, "perchance, O Zikali, I might +be tempted to make trial of whether or no it is true that you cannot +be killed like other men, especially as I have heard of late that your +heart is evil towards me and my House." + +For a moment Zikali hesitated--I think to give his quick brain time +to work, for he saw his great danger. Then he laughed in his dreadful +fashion and said: + +"Oho! the King thinks that the otter is in the trap," and he glanced +at the fence of the isi-gohlo and at the fierce executioners, who stood +watching him sternly. "Well, many times before has this otter seemed to +be in a trap, yes, ere your father saw light, O Son of Senzangakona, +and after it also. Yet here he stands living. Make no trial, O King, of +whether or no I be mortal, lest if Death should come to such a one as I, +he should take many others with him also. Have you not heard the saying +that when the Opener-of-Roads comes to the end of his road there will be +no more a King of the Zulus, as when he began his road there was no King +of the Zulus, since the days of his manhood are the days of _all_ the +Zulu kings?" + +Thus he spoke, glaring at Panda and at Cetewayo, who shrank before his +gaze. + +"Remember," he went on, "that the Black One who is 'gone down' long ago, +the Wild Beast who fathered the Zulu herd, threatened him whom he named +the 'Thing-that-should-not-have-been-born,' aye, and slew those whom he +loved, and afterwards was slain by others, who also are 'gone down,' +and that you alone, O Panda, did not threaten him, and that you alone, +O Panda, have not been slain. Now, if you would make trial of whether I +die as other men die, bid your dogs fall on, for Zikali is ready," and +he folded his arms and waited. + +Indeed, all of us waited breathlessly, for we understood that the +terrible dwarf was matching himself against Panda and Cetewayo and +defying them both. Presently it became obvious that he had won the game, +since Panda only said: + +"Why should I slay one whom I have befriended in the past, and why do +you speak such heavy words of death in my ears, O, Zikali the Wise, +which of late have heard so much of death?" He sighed, adding: "Be +pleased now, to tell us of this medicine, or, if you will not, go, and I +will send for other Nyangas." + +"Why should I not tell you, when you ask me softly and without threats, +O King? See"--and Zikali took up some of the twisted roots--"these are +the roots of a certain poisonous herb that blooms at night on the tops +of mountains, and woe be to the ox that eats thereof. They have been +boiled in gall and blood, and ill will befall the hut in which they are +hidden by one who can speak the words of power. This is the bone of a +babe that has never lived to cut its teeth--I think of a babe that was +left to die alone in the bush because it was hated, or because none +would father it. Such a bone has strength to work ill against other +babes; moreover, it is filled with a charmed medicine. Look!" and, +pulling out the plug of wood, he scattered some grey powder from the +bone, then stopped it up again. "This," he added, picking up the fang, +"is the tooth of a deadly serpent, that, after it has been doctored, is +used by women to change the heart of a man from another to herself. I +have spoken." + +And he turned to go. + +"Stay!" said the King. "Who set these foul charms in the doorway of +Saduko's hut?" + +"How can I tell, O King, unless I make preparation and cast the bones +and smell out the evil-doer? You have heard the story of the woman +Nahana. Accept it or reject it as your heart tells you." + +"If that story be true, O Zikali, how comes it that you yourself smelt +out, not Mameena, the wife of Masapo, but Masapo, her husband, himself, +and caused him to be slain because of the poisoning of the child of +Nandie?" + +"You err, O King. I, Zikali, smelt out the House of Masapo. Then I +smelt out the poison, searching for it first in the hair of Mameena, and +finding it in the kaross of Masapo. I never smelt out that it was Masapo +who gave the poison. That was the judgment of you and of your Council, +O King. Nay, I knew well that there was more in the matter, and had you +paid me another fee and bade me to continue to use my wisdom, without +doubt I should have found this magic stuff hidden in the hut, and mayhap +have learned the name of the hider. But I was weary, who am very old; +and what was it to me if you chose to kill Masapo or chose to let him +go? Masapo, who, being your secret enemy, was a man who deserved to +die--if not for this matter, then for others." + +Now, all this while I had been watching Mameena, who sat, in the Zulu +fashion, listening to this deadly evidence, a slight smile upon her +face, and without attempting any interruption or comment. Only I saw +that while Zikali was examining the medicine, her eyes were seeking +the eyes of Saduko, who remained in his place, also silent, and, to all +appearance, the least interested of anyone present. He tried to avoid +her glance, turning his head uneasily; but at length her eyes caught his +and held them. Then his heart began to beat quickly, his breast heaved, +and on his face there grew a look of dreamy content, even of happiness. +From that moment forward, till the end of the scene, Saduko never took +his eyes off this strange woman, though I think that, with the exception +of the dwarf, Zikali, who saw everything, and of myself, who am trained +to observation, none noted this curious by-play of the drama. + +The King began to speak. "Mameena," he said, "you have heard. Have +you aught to say? For if not it would seem that you are a witch and a +murderess, and one who must die." + +"Yea, a little word, O King," she answered quietly. "Nahana speaks +truth. It is true that I entered the hut of Nandie and set the medicine +there. I say it because by nature I am not one who hides the truth or +would attempt to throw discredit even upon a humble serving-woman," and +she glanced at Nahana. + +"Then from between your own teeth it is finished," said Panda. + +"Not altogether, O King. I have said that I set the medicine in the hut. +I have not said, and I will not say, how and why I set it there. That +tale I call upon Saduko yonder to tell to you, he who was my husband, +that I left for Umbelazi, and who, being a man, must therefore hate me. +By the words he says I will abide. If he declares that I am guilty, then +I am guilty, and prepared to pay the price of guilt. But if he declares +that I am innocent, then, O King and O Prince Cetewayo, without fear +I trust myself to your justness. Now speak, O Saduko; speak the whole +truth, whatever it may be, if that is the King's will." + +"It is my will," said Panda. + +"And mine also," added Cetewayo, who, I could see, like everyone else, +was much interested in this matter. + +Saduko rose to his feet, the same Saduko that I had always known, and +yet so changed. All the life and fire had gone from him; his pride +in himself was no more; none could have known him for that ambitious, +confident man who, in his day of power, the Zulus named the +"Self-Eater." He was a mere mask of the old Saduko, informed by some +new, some alien, spirit. With dull, lack-lustre eyes fixed always upon +the lovely eyes of Mameena, in slow and hesitating tones he began his +tale. + +"It is true, O Lion," he said, "that Mameena spread the poison upon my +child's mat. It is true that she set the deadly charms in the doorway of +Nandie's hut. These things she did, not knowing what she did, and it was +I who instructed her to do them. This is the case. From the beginning I +have always loved Mameena as I have loved no other woman and as no other +woman was ever loved. But while I was away with Macumazahn, who sits +yonder, to destroy Bangu, chief of the Amakoba, he who had killed my +father, Umbezi, the father of Mameena, he whom the Prince Cetewayo gave +to the vultures the other day because he had lied as to the death of +Umbelazi, he, I say, forced Mameena, against her will, to marry Masapo +the Boar, who afterwards was executed for wizardry. Now, here at your +feast, when you reviewed the people of the Zulus, O King, after you had +given me the lady Nandie as wife, Mameena and I met again and loved each +other more than we had ever done before. But, being an upright woman, +Mameena thrust me away from her, saying: + +"'I have a husband, who, if he is not dear to me, still is my husband, +and while he lives to him I will be true.' Then, O King, I took counsel +with the evil in my heart, and made a plot in myself to be rid of the +Boar, Masapo, so that when he was dead I might marry Mameena. This +was the plot that I made--that my son and Princess Nandie's should be +poisoned, and that Masapo should seem to poison him, so that he might be +killed as a wizard and I marry Mameena." + +Now, at this astounding statement, which was something beyond the +experience of the most cunning and cruel savage present there, a gasp of +astonishment went up from the audience; even old Zikali lifted his head +and stared. Nandie, too, shaken out of her usual calm, rose as though +to speak; then, looking first at Saduko and next at Mameena, sat herself +down again and waited. But Saduko went on again in the same cold, +measured voice: + +"I gave Mameena a powder which I had bought for two heifers from a great +doctor who lived beyond the Tugela, but who is now dead, which powder +I told her was desired by Nandie, my Inkosikazi, to destroy the little +beetles than ran about the hut, and directed her where she was to spread +it. Also, I gave her the bag of medicine, telling her to thrust it into +the doorway of the hut, that it might bring a blessing upon my House. +These things she did ignorantly to please me, not knowing that the +powder was poison, not knowing that the medicine was bewitched. So +my child died, as I wished it to die, and, indeed, I myself fell sick +because by accident I touched the powder. + +"Afterwards Masapo was smelt out as a wizard by old Zikali, I having +caused a bag of the poison to be sewn in his kaross in order to deceive +Zikali, and killed by your order, O King, and Mameena was given to me as +a wife, also by your order, O King, which was what I desired. Later on, +as I have told you, I wearied of her, and wishing to please the Prince +who has wandered away, I commanded her to yield herself to him, which +Mameena did out of her love for me and to advance my fortunes, she who +is blameless in all things." + +Saduko finished speaking and sat down again, as an automaton might do +when a wire is pulled, his lack-lustre eyes still fixed upon Mameena's +face. + +"You have heard, O King," said Mameena. "Now pass judgment, knowing +that, if it be your will, I am ready to die for Saduko's sake." + +But Panda sprang up in a rage. + +_"Take him away!"_ he said, pointing to Saduko. "Take away that dog who +is not fit to live, a dog who eats his own child that thereby he may +cause another to be slain unjustly and steal his wife." + +The executioners leapt forward, and, having something to say, for I +could bear this business no longer, I began to rise to my feet. Before I +gained them, however, Zikali was speaking. + +"O King," he said, "it seems that you have killed one man unjustly on +this matter, namely, Masapo. Would you do the same by another?" and he +pointed to Saduko. + +"What do you mean?" asked Panda angrily. "Have you not heard this +low fellow, whom I made great, giving him the rule over tribes and my +daughter in marriage, confess with his own lips that he murdered his +child, the child of my blood, in order that he might eat a fruit +which grew by the roadside for all men to nibble at?" and he glared at +Mameena. + +"Aye, Child of Senzangakona," answered Zikali, "I heard Saduko say this +with his own lips, but the voice that spoke from the lips was not the +voice of Saduko, as, were you a skilled Nyanga like me, you would +have known as well as I do, and as well as does the white man, +Watcher-by-Night, who is a reader of hearts. + +"Hearken now, O King, and you great ones around the King, and I will +tell you a story. Matiwane, the father of Saduko, was my friend, as he +was yours, O King, and when Bangu slew him and his people, by leave of +the Wild Beast [Chaka], I saved the child, his son, aye, and brought him +up in my own House, having learned to love him. Then, when he became a +man, I, the Opener-of-Roads, showed him two roads, down either of which +he might choose to walk--the Road of Wisdom and the Road of War and +Women: the white road that runs through peace to knowledge, and the red +road that runs through blood to death. + +"But already there stood one upon this red road who beckoned him, she +who sits yonder, and he followed after her, as I knew he would. From +the beginning she was false to him, taking a richer man for her husband. +Then, when Saduko grew great, she grew sorry, and came to ask my counsel +as to how she might be rid of Masapo, whom she swore she hated. I told +her that she could leave him for another man, or wait till her Spirit +moved him from her path; but I never put evil into her heart, seeing +that it was there already. + +"Then she and no other, having first made Saduko love her more than +ever, murdered the child of Nandie, his Inkosikazi; and so brought +about the death of Masapo and crept into Saduko's arms. Here +she slept a while, till a new shadow fell upon her, that of the +'Elephant-with-the-tuft-of-hair,' who will walk the woods no more. Him +she beguiled that she might grow great the quicker, and left the house +of Saduko, taking his heart with her, she who was destined to be the +doom of men. + +"Now, into Saduko's breast, where his heart had been, entered an evil +spirit of jealousy and of revenge, and in the battle of Endondakusuka +that spirit rode him as a white man rides a horse. As he had arranged +to do with the Prince Cetewayo yonder--nay, deny it not, O Prince, for I +know all; did you not make a bargain together, on the third night before +the battle, among the bushes, and start apart when the buck leapt out +between you?" (Here Cetewayo, who had been about to speak, threw the +corner of his kaross over his face.) "As he had arranged to do, I say, +he went over with his regiments from the Isigqosa to the Usutu, and so +brought about the fall of Umbelazi and the death of many thousands. Yes, +and this he did for one reason only--because yonder woman had left him +for the Prince, and he cared more for her than for all the world could +give him, for her who had filled him with madness as a bowl is filled +with milk. And now, O King, you have heard this man tell you a story, +you have heard him shout out that he is viler than any man in all the +land; that he murdered his own child, the child he loved so well, to win +this witch; that afterwards he gave her to his friend and lord to buy +more of his favour, and that lastly he deserted that lord because he +thought that there was another lord from whom he could buy more favour. +Is it not so, O King?" + +"It is so," answered Panda, "and therefore must Saduko be thrown out to +the jackals." + +"Wait a while, O King. I say that Saduko has spoken not with his own +voice, but with the voice of Mameena. I say that she is the greatest +witch in all the land, and that she has drugged him with the medicine +of her eyes, so that he knows not what he says, even as she drugged the +Prince who is dead." + +"Then prove it, or he dies!" exclaimed the King. + +Now the dwarf went to Panda and whispered in his ear, whereon Panda +whispered in turn into the ears of two of his councillors. These men, +who were unarmed, rose and made as though to leave the isi-gohlo. But +as they passed Mameena one of them suddenly threw his arms about her, +pinioning her arms, the other tearing off the kaross he wore--for the +weather was cold--flung it over her head and knotted it behind her so +that she was hidden except for her ankles and feet. Then, although she +did not move or struggle, they caught hold of her and stood still. + +Now Zikali hobbled to Saduko and bade him rise, which he did. Then he +looked at him for a long while and made certain movements with his hands +before his face, after which Saduko uttered a great sigh and stared +about him. + +"Saduko," said Zikali, "I pray you tell me, your foster-father, whether +it is true, as men say, that you sold your wife, Mameena, to the Prince +Umbelazi in order that his favour might fall on you like heavy rain?" + +"Wow! Zikali," said Saduko, with a start of rage, "If were you as others +are I would kill you, you toad, who dare to spit slander on my name. +She ran away with the Prince, having beguiled him with the magic of her +beauty." + +"Strike me not, Saduko," went on Zikali, "or at least wait to strike +until you have answered one more question. Is it true, as men say, that +in the battle of Endondakusuka you went over to the Usutu with your +regiments because you thought that Indhlovu-ene-Sihlonti would be +beaten, and wished to be on the side of him who won?" + +"What, Toad! More slander?" cried Saduko. "I went over for one reason +only--to be revenged upon the Prince because he had taken from me +her who was more to me than life or honour. Aye, and when I went over +Umbelazi was winning; it was because I went that he lost and died, as I +meant that he should die, though now," he added sadly, "I would that I +had not brought him to ruin and the dust, who think that, like myself, +he was but wet clay in a woman's fingers. + +"O King," he added, turning to Panda, "kill me, I pray you, who am not +worthy to live, since to him whose hand is red with the blood of his +friend, death alone is left, who, while he breathes, must share his +sleep with ghosts that watch him with their angry eyes." + +Then Nandie sprang up and said: + +"Nay, Father, listen not to him who is mad, and therefore holy.[*] +What he has done, he has done, who, as he has said, was but a tool in +another's hand. As for our babe, I know well that he would have died +sooner than harm it, for he loved it much, and when it was taken away, +for three whole days and nights he wept and would touch no food. Give +this poor man to me, my Father--to me, his wife, who loves him--and let +us go hence to some other land, where perchance we may forget." + + [*--The Zulus suppose that insane people are inspired. + --A.Q.] + +"Be silent, daughter," said the King; "and you, O Zikali, the Nyanga, be +silent also." + +They obeyed, and, after thinking awhile, Panda made a motion with his +hand, whereon the two councillors lifted the kaross from off Mameena, +who looked about her calmly and asked if she were taking part in some +child's game. + +"Aye, woman," answered Panda, "you are taking part in a great game, but +not, I think, such as is played by children--a game of life and death. +Now, have you heard the tale of Zikali the Little and Wise, and the +words of Saduko, who was once your husband, or must they be repeated to +you?" + +"There is no need, O King; my ears are too quick to be muffled by a fur +bag, and I would not waste your time." + +"Then what have you to say, woman?" + +"Not much," she answered with a shrug of her shoulders, "except that I +have lost in this game. You will not believe me, but if you had left me +alone I should have told you so, who did not wish to see that poor fool, +Saduko, killed for deeds he had never done. Still, the tale he told you +was not told because I had bewitched him; it was told for love of me, +whom he desired to save. It was Zikali yonder; Zikali, the enemy of your +House, who in the end will destroy your House, O Son of Senzangakona, +that bewitched him, as he has bewitched you all, and forced the truth +out of his unwilling heart. + +"Now, what more is there to say? Very little, as I think. I did the +things that are laid to my charge, and worse things which have not been +stated. Oh, I played for great stakes, I, who meant to be the Inkosazana +of the Zulus, and, as it chances, by the weight of a hair I have lost. +I thought that I had counted everything, but the hair's weight which +turned the balance against me was the mad jealousy of this fool, Saduko, +upon which I had not reckoned. I see now that when I left Saduko I +should have left him dead. Thrice I had thought of it. Once I mixed the +poison in his drink, and then he came in, weary with his plottings, and +kissed me ere he drank; and my woman's heart grew soft and I overset the +bowl that was at his lips. Do you not remember, Saduko? + +"So, so! For that folly alone I deserve to die, for she who would +reign"--and her beautiful eyes flashed royally--"must have a tiger's +heart, not that of a woman. Well, because I was too kind I must die; +and, after all is said, it is well to die, who go hence awaited by +thousands upon thousands that I have sent before me, and who shall be +greeted presently by your son, Indhlovu-ene-Sihlonti, and his warriors, +greeted as the Inkosazana of Death, with red, lifted spears and with the +royal salute! + +"Now, I have spoken. Walk your little road, O King and Prince and +Councillors, till you reach the gulf into which I sink, that yawns for +all of you. O King, when you meet me again at the bottom of that gulf, +what a tale you will have to tell me, you who are but the shadow of a +king, you whose heart henceforth must be eaten out by a worm that is +called _Love-of-the-Lost_. O Prince and Conqueror Cetewayo, what a tale +you will have to tell me when I greet you at the bottom of that gulf, +you who will bring your nation to a wreck and at last die as I must +die--only the servant of others and by the will of others. Nay, ask me +not how. Ask old Zikali, my master, who saw the beginning of your House +and will see its end. Oh, yes, as you say, I am a witch, and I know, I +know! Come, I am spent. You men weary me, as men have always done, being +but fools whom it is so easy to make drunk, and who when drunk are so +unpleasing. Piff! I am tired of you sober and cunning, and I am tired of +you drunken and brutal, you who, after all, are but beasts of the field +to whom Mvelingangi, the Creator, has given heads which can think, but +which always think wrong. + +"Now, King, before you unchain your dogs upon me, I ask one moment. +I said that I hated all men, yet, as you know, no woman can tell the +truth--quite. There is a man whom I do not hate, whom I never hated, +whom I think I love because he would not love me. He sits there," and to +my utter dismay, and the intense interest of that company, she pointed +at me, Allan Quatermain! + +"Well, once by my 'magic,' of which you have heard so much, I got the +better of this man against his will and judgment, and, because of that +soft heart of mine, I let him go; yes, I let the rare fish go when he +was on my hook. It is well that I should have let him go, since, had I +kept him, a fine story would have been spoiled and I should have become +nothing but a white hunter's servant, to be thrust away behind the door +when the white Inkosikazi came to eat his meat--I, Mameena, who never +loved to stand out of sight behind a door. Well, when he was at my feet +and I spared him, he made me a promise, a very small promise, which yet +I think he will keep now when we part for a little while. Macumazahn, +did you not promise to kiss me once more upon the lips whenever and +wherever I should ask you?" + +"I did," I answered in a hollow voice, for in truth her eyes held me as +they had held Saduko. + +"Then come now, Macumazahn, and give me that farewell kiss. The King +will permit it, and since I have now no husband, who take Death to +husband, there is none to say you nay." + +I rose. It seemed to me that I could not help myself. I went to her, +this woman surrounded by implacable enemies, this woman who had played +for great stakes and lost them, and who knew so well how to lose. I +stood before her, ashamed and yet not ashamed, for something of her +greatness, evil though it might be, drove out my shame, and I knew that +my foolishness was lost in a vast tragedy. + +Slowly she lifted her languid arm and threw it about my neck; slowly she +bent her red lips to mine and kissed me, once upon the mouth and once +upon the forehead. But between those two kisses she did a thing so +swiftly that my eyes could scarcely follow what she did. It seemed to +me that she brushed her left hand across her lips, and that I saw her +throat rise as though she swallowed something. Then she thrust me from +her, saying: + +"Farewell, O Macumazana, you will never forget this kiss of mine; and +when we meet again we shall have much to talk of, for between now and +then your story will be long. Farewell, Zikali. I pray that all your +plannings may succeed, since those you hate are those I hate, and I +bear you no grudge because you told the truth at last. Farewell, Prince +Cetewayo. You will never be the man your brother would have been, and +your lot is very evil, you who are doomed to pull down a House built +by One who was great. Farewell, Saduko the fool, who threw away your +fortune for a woman's eyes, as though the world were not full of women. +Nandie the Sweet and the Forgiving will nurse you well until your +haunted end. Oh! why does Umbelazi lean over your shoulder, Saduko, and +look at me so strangely? Farewell, Panda the Shadow. Now let loose your +slayers. Oh! let them loose swiftly, lest they should be balked of my +blood!" + +Panda lifted his hand and the executioners leapt forward, but ere +ever they reached her, Mameena shivered, threw wide her arms and fell +back--dead. The poisonous drug she had taken worked well and swiftly. + + +Such was the end of Mameena, Child of Storm. + + +A deep silence followed, a silence of awe and wonderment, till suddenly +it was broken by a sound of dreadful laughter. It came from the lips +of Zikali the Ancient, Zikali, the + +"Thing-that-should-never-have-been-born." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. MAMEENA--MAMEENA--MAMEENA! + + +That evening at sunset, just as I was about to trek, for the King had +given me leave to go, and at that time my greatest desire in life +seemed to be to bid good-bye to Zululand and the Zulus--I saw a strange, +beetle-like shape hobbling up the hill towards me, supported by two big +men. It was Zikali. + +He passed me without a word, merely making a motion that I was to follow +him, which I did out of curiosity, I suppose, for Heaven knows I had +seen enough of the old wizard to last me for a lifetime. He reached a +flat stone about a hundred yards above my camp, where there was no bush +in which anyone could hide, and sat himself down, pointing to another +stone in front of him, on which I sat myself down. Then the two men +retired out of earshot, and, indeed, of sight, leaving us quite alone. + +"So you are going away, O Macumazana?" he said. + +"Yes, I am," I answered with energy, "who, if I could have had my will, +would have gone away long ago." + +"Yes, yes, I know that; but it would have been a great pity, would it +not? If you had gone, Macumazahn, you would have missed seeing the end +of a strange little story, and you, who love to study the hearts of men +and women, would not have been so wise as you are to-day." + +"No, nor as sad, Zikali. Oh! the death of that woman!" And I put my hand +before my eyes. + +"Ah! I understand, Macumazahn; you were always fond of her, were you +not, although your white pride would not suffer you to admit that black +fingers were pulling at your heartstrings? She was a wonderful witch, +was Mameena; and there is this comfort for you--that she pulled at other +heartstrings as well. Masapo's, for instance; Saduko's, for instance; +Umbelazi's, for instance, none of whom got any luck from her +pulling--yes, and even at mine." + +Now, as I did not think it worth while to contradict his nonsense so far +as I was concerned personally, I went off on this latter point. + +"If you show affection as you did towards Mameena to-day, Zikali, I pray +my Spirit that you may cherish none for me," I said. + +He shook his great head pityingly as he answered: + +"Did you never love a lamb and kill it afterwards when you were hungry, +or when it grew into a ram and butted you, or when it drove away your +other sheep, so that they fell into the hands of thieves? Now, I am very +hungry for the fall of the House of Senzangakona, and the lamb, Mameena, +having grown big, nearly laid me on my back to-day within the reach of +the slayer's spear. Also, she was hunting my sheep, Saduko, into an evil +net whence he could never have escaped. So, somewhat against my will, I +was driven to tell the truth of that lamb and her tricks." + +"I daresay," I exclaimed; "but, at any rate, she is done with, so what +is the use of talking about her?" + +"Ah! Macumazahn, she is done with, or so you think, though that is a +strange saying for a white man who believes in much that we do not know; +but at least her work remains, and it has been a great work. Consider +now. Umbelazi and most of the princes, and thousands upon thousands +of the Zulus, whom I, the Dwande, hate, dead, dead! _Mameena's work_, +Macumazahn! Panda's hand grown strengthless with sorrow and his eyes +blind with tears. _Mameena's work_, Macumazahn! Cetewayo, king in all +but name; Cetewayo, who shall bring the House of Senzangakona to the +dust. _Mameena's work_, Macumazahn! Oh! a mighty work. Surely she has +lived a great and worthy life, and she died a great and worthy death! +And how well she did it! Had you eyes to see her take the poison which I +gave her--a good poison, was it not?--between her kisses, Macumazahn?" + +"I believe it was your work, and not hers," I blurted out, ignoring +his mocking questions. "You pulled the strings; you were the wind that +caused the grass to bend till the fire caught it and set the town in +flames--the town of your foes." + +"How clever you are, Macumazahn! If your wits grow so sharp, one day +they will cut your throat, as, indeed, they have nearly done several +times already. Yes, yes, I know how to pull strings till the trap falls, +and to blow grass until the flame catches it, and how to puff at that +flame until it burns the House of Kings. And yet this trap would have +fallen without me, only then it might have snared other rats; and this +grass would have caught fire if I had not blown, only then it might have +burnt another House. I did not make these forces, Macumazahn; I did but +guide them towards a great end, for which the White House [that is, the +English] should thank me one day." He brooded a while, then went on: +"But what need is there to talk to you of these matters, Macumazahn, +seeing that in a time to come you will have your share in them and see +them for yourself? After they are finished, then we will talk." + +"I do not wish to talk of them," I answered. "I have said so already. +But for what other purpose did you take the trouble to come here?" + +"Oh, to bid you farewell for a little while, Macumazahn. Also to tell +you that Panda, or rather Cetewayo, for now Panda is but his Voice, +since the Head must go where the Feet carry it, has spared Saduko at the +prayer of Nandie and banished him from the land, giving him his cattle +and any people who care to go with him to wherever he may choose to live +from henceforth. At least, Cetewayo says it was at Nandie's prayer, +and at mine and yours, but what he means is that, after all that has +happened, he thought it wise that Saduko should die of himself." + +"Do you mean that he should kill himself, Zikali?" + +"No, no; I mean that his own idhlozi, his Spirit, should be left to kill +him, which it will do in time. You see, Macumazahn, Saduko is now living +with a ghost, which he calls the ghost of Umbelazi, whom he betrayed." + +"Is that your way of saying he is mad, Zikali?" + +"Oh, yes, he lives with a ghost, or the ghost lives in him, or he is +mad--call it which you will. The mad have a way of living with ghosts, +and ghosts have a way of sharing their food with the mad. Now you +understand everything, do you not?" + +"Of course," I answered; "it is as plain as the sun." + +"Oh! did I not say you were clever, Macumazahn, you who know where +madness ends and ghosts begin, and why they are just the same thing? +Well, the sun is no longer plain. Look, it has sunk; and you would be on +your road who wish to be far from Nodwengu before morning. You will pass +the plain of Endondakusuka, will you not, and cross the Tugela by the +drift? Have a look round, Macumazahn, and see if you can recognise any +old friends. Umbezi, the knave and traitor, for instance; or some of the +princes. If so, I should like to send them a message. What! You cannot +wait? Well, then, here is a little present for you, some of my own work. +Open it when it is light again, Macumazahn; it may serve to remind you +of the strange little tale of Mameena with the Heart of Fire. I wonder +where she is now? Sometimes, sometimes--" And he rolled his great eyes +about him and sniffed at the air like a hound. "Farewell till we meet +again. Farewell, Macumazahn. Oh! if you had only run away with Mameena, +how different things might have been to-day!" + +I jumped up and fled from that terrible old dwarf, whom I verily +believe-- No; where is the good of my saying what I believe? I fled from +him, leaving him seated on the stone in the shadows, and as I fled, out +of the darkness behind me there arose the sound of his loud and eerie +laughter. + +Next morning I opened the packet which he had given me, after wondering +once or twice whether I should not thrust it down an ant-bear hole as it +was. But this, somehow, I could not find the heart to do, though now I +wish I had. Inside, cut from the black core of the umzimbiti wood, with +just a little of the white sap left on it to mark the eyes, teeth and +nails, was a likeness of Mameena. Of course, it was rudely executed, but +it was--or rather is, for I have it still--a wonderfully good portrait +of her, for whether Zikali was or was not a wizard, he was certainly +a good artist. There she stands, her body a little bent, her arms +outstretched, her head held forward with the lips parted, just as though +she were about to embrace somebody, and in one of her hands, cut also +from the white sap of the umzimbiti, she grasps a human heart--Saduko's, +I presume, or perhaps Umbelazi's. + +Nor was this all, for the figure was wrapped in a woman's hair, which I +knew at once for that of Mameena, this hair being held in place by the +necklet of big blue beads she used to wear about her throat. + + * * * * * + +Some five years had gone by, during which many things had happened to me +that need not be recorded here, when one day I found myself in a rather +remote part of the Umvoti district of Natal, some miles to the east of a +mountain called the Eland's Kopje, whither I had gone to carry out a +big deal in mealies, over which, by the way, I lost a good bit of money. +That has always been my fate when I plunged into commercial ventures. + +One night my wagons, which were overloaded with these confounded +weevilly mealies, got stuck in the drift of a small tributary of the +Tugela that most inopportunely had come down in flood. Just as darkness +fell I managed to get them up the bank in the midst of a pelting rain +that soaked me to the bone. There seemed to be no prospect of lighting +a fire or of obtaining any decent food, so I was about to go to bed +supperless when a flash of lightning showed me a large kraal situated +upon a hillside about half a mile away, and an idea entered my mind. + +"Who is the headman of that kraal?" I asked of one of the Kafirs who had +collected round us in our trouble, as such idle fellows always do. + +"Tshoza, Inkoosi," answered the man. + +"Tshoza! Tshoza!" I said, for the name seemed familiar to me. "Who is +Tshoza?" + +"Ikona [I don't know], Inkoosi. He came from Zululand some years ago +with Saduko the Mad." + +Then, of course, I remembered at once, and my mind flew back to the +night when old Tshoza, the brother of Matiwane, Saduko's father, had cut +out the cattle of the Bangu and we had fought the battle in the pass. + +"Oh!" I said, "is it so? Then lead me to Tshoza, and I will give you +a 'Scotchman.'" (That is, a two-shilling piece, so called because some +enterprising emigrant from Scotland passed off a vast number of them +among the simple natives of Natal as substitutes for half-crowns.) + +Tempted by this liberal offer--and it was very liberal, because I was +anxious to get to Tshoza's kraal before its inhabitants went to bed--the +meditative Kafir consented to guide me by a dark and devious path that +ran through bush and dripping fields of corn. At length we arrived--for +if the kraal was only half a mile away, the path to it covered fully two +miles--and glad enough was I when we had waded the last stream and found +ourselves at its gate. + +In response to the usual inquiries, conducted amid a chorus of yapping +dogs, I was informed that Tshoza did not live there, but somewhere else; +that he was too old to see anyone; that he had gone to sleep and could +not be disturbed; that he was dead and had been buried last week, and so +forth. + +"Look here, my friend," I said at last to the fellow who was telling me +all these lies, "you go to Tshoza in his grave and say to him that if he +does not come out alive instantly, Macumazahn will deal with his cattle +as once he dealt with those of Bangu." + +Impressed with the strangeness of this message, the man departed, and +presently, in the dim light of the rain-washed moon, I perceived a +little old man running towards me; for Tshoza, who was pretty ancient +at the beginning of this history, had not been made younger by a severe +wound at the battle of the Tugela and many other troubles. + +"Macumazahn," he said, "is that really you? Why, I heard that you +were dead long ago; yes, and sacrificed an ox for the welfare of your +Spirit." + +"And ate it afterwards, I'll be bound," I answered. + +"Oh! it must be you," he went on, "who cannot be deceived, for it is +true we ate that ox, combining the sacrifice to your Spirit with a +feast; for why should anything be wasted when one is poor? Yes, yes, +it must be you, for who else would come creeping about a man's kraal at +night, except the Watcher-by-Night? Enter, Macumazahn, and be welcome." + +So I entered and ate a good meal while we talked over old times. + +"And now, where is Saduko?" I asked suddenly as I lit my pipe. + +"Saduko?" he answered, his face changing as he spoke. "Oh! of course he +is here. You know I came away with him from Zululand. Why? Well, to +tell the truth, because after the part we had played--against my will, +Macumazahn--at the battle of Endondakusuka, I thought it safer to be +away from a country where those who have worn their karosses inside out +find many enemies and few friends." + +"Quite so," I said. "But about Saduko?" + +"Oh, I told you, did I not? He is in the next hut, and dying!" + +"Dying! What of, Tshoza?" + +"I don't know," he answered mysteriously; "but I think he must be +bewitched. For a long while, a year or more, he has eaten little and +cannot bear to be alone in the dark; indeed, ever since he left Zululand +he has been very strange and moody." + +Now I remembered what old Zikali had said to me years before to the +effect that Saduko was living with a ghost which would kill him. + +"Does he think much about Umbelazi, Tshoza?" I asked. + +"O Macumazana, he thinks of nothing else; the Spirit of Umbelazi is in +him day and night." + +"Indeed," I said. "Can I see him?" + +"I don't know, Macumazahn. I will go and ask the lady Nandie at once, +for, if you can, I believe there is no time to lose." And he left the +hut. + +Ten minutes later he returned with a woman, Nandie the Sweet herself, +the same quiet, dignified Nandie whom I used to know, only now somewhat +worn with trouble and looking older than her years. + +"Greeting, Macumazahn," she said. "I am pleased to see you, although it +is strange, very strange, that you should come here just at this time. +Saduko is leaving us--on a long journey, Macumazahn." + +I answered that I had heard so with grief, and wondered whether he would +like to see me. + +"Yes, very much, Macumazahn; only be prepared to find him different from +the Saduko whom you knew. Be pleased to follow me." + +So we went out of Tshoza's hut, across a courtyard to another large hut, +which we entered. It was lit with a good lamp of European make; also a +bright fire burned upon the hearth, so that the place was as light as +day. At the side of the hut a man lay upon some blankets, watched by a +woman. His eyes were covered with his hand, and he was moaning: + +"Drive him away! Drive him away! Cannot he suffer me to die in peace?" + +"Would you drive away your old friend, Macumazahn, Saduko?" asked Nandie +very gently, "Macumazahn, who has come from far to see you?" + +He sat up, and, the blankets falling off him, showed me that he was +nothing but a living skeleton. Oh! how changed from that lithe and +handsome chief whom I used to know. Moreover, his lips quivered and his +eyes were full of terrors. + +"Is it really you, Macumazahn?" he said in a weak voice. "Come, then, +and stand quite close to me, so that he may not get between us," and he +stretched out his bony hand. + +I took the hand; it was icy cold. + +"Yes, yes, it is I, Saduko," I said in a cheerful voice; "and there is +no man to get between us; only the lady Nandie, your wife, and myself +are in the hut; she who watched you has gone." + +"Oh, no, Macumazahn, there is another in the hut whom you cannot see. +There he stands," and he pointed towards the hearth. "Look! The spear is +through him and his plume lies on the ground!" + +"Through whom, Saduko?" + +"Whom? Why, the Prince Umbelazi, whom I betrayed for Mameena's sake." + +"Why do you talk wind, Saduko?" I asked. "Years ago I saw +Indhlovu-ene-Sihlonti die." + +"Die, Macumazahn! We do not die; it is only our flesh that dies. Yes, +yes, I have learned that since we parted. Do you not remember his last +words: 'I will haunt you while you live, and when you cease to live, ah! +then we shall meet again'? Oh! from that hour to this he _has_ haunted +me, Macumazahn--he and the others; and now, now we are about to meet as +he promised." + +Then once more he hid his eyes and groaned. + +"He is mad," I whispered to Nandie. + +"Perhaps. Who knows?" she answered, shaking her head. + +Saduko uncovered his eyes. + +"Make 'the-thing-that-burns' brighter," he gasped, "for I do not +perceive him so clearly when it is bright. Oh! Macumazahn, he is looking +at you and whispering. To whom is he whispering? I see! to Mameena, +who also looks at you and smiles. They are talking. Be silent. I must +listen." + +Now, I began to wish that I were out of that hut, for really a little +of this uncanny business went a long way. Indeed, I suggested going, but +Nandie would not allow it. + +"Stay with me till the end," she muttered. So I had to stay, wondering +what Saduko heard Umbelazi whispering to Mameena, and on which side of +me he saw her standing. + +He began to wander in his mind. + +"That was a clever pit you dug for Bangu, Macumazahn; but you would not +take your share of the cattle, so the blood of the Amakoba is not +on your head. Ah! what a fight was that which the Amawombe made at +Endondakusuka. You were with them, you remember, Macumazahn; and why was +I not at your side? Oh! then we would have swept away the Usutu as the +wind sweeps ashes. Why was I not at your side to share the glory? I +remember now--because of the Daughter of Storm. She betrayed me for +Umbelazi, and I betrayed Umbelazi for her; and now he haunts me, whose +greatness I brought to the dust; and the Usutu wolf, Cetewayo, curls +himself up in his form and grows fat on his food. And--and, Macumazahn, +it has all been done in vain, for Mameena hates me. Yes, I can read it +in her eyes. She mocks and hates me worse in death than she did in +life, and she says that--that it was not all her fault--because she +loves--because she loves--" + +A look of bewilderment came upon his face--his poor, tormented +face; then suddenly Saduko threw his arms wide, and sobbed in an +ever-weakening voice: + +"All--all done in vain! Oh! _Mameena, Ma--mee--na, Ma--meena!_" and fell +back dead. + + +"Saduko has gone away," said Nandie, as she drew a blanket over his +face. "But I wonder," she added with a little hysterical smile, "oh! +how I wonder who it was the Spirit of Mameena told him that she +loved--Mameena, who was born without a heart?" + + +I made no answer, for at that moment I heard a very curious sound, which +seemed to me to proceed from somewhere above the hut. Of what did it +remind me? Ah! I knew. It was like the sound of the dreadful laughter +of Zikali, Opener-of-Roads--Zikali, the + +"Thing-that-should-never-have-been-born." + +Doubtless, however, it was only the cry of some storm-driven night bird. +Or perhaps it was an hyena that laughed--an hyena that scented death. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Child of Storm, by H. Rider Haggard + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHILD OF STORM *** + +***** This file should be named 1711-8.txt or 1711-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/7/1/1711/ + +Produced by Christopher Hapka + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Child of Storm + +Author: H. Rider Haggard + +Posting Date: September 26, 2008 [EBook #1711] +Release Date: April, 1999 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHILD OF STORM *** + + + + +Produced by Christopher Hapka + + + + + +CHILD OF STORM + +by H. RIDER HAGGARD + + + + +Transcriber's Note: + +Where italics are used to indicate non-English words, I have silently +omitted them or replaced them with quotation marks. + +Haggard's spelling, especially of Zulu terms, is wildly inconsistent; +likewise his capitalization, especially of Zulu terms. For example, +Masapo is the chief of the Amansomi until chapter IX; thereafter his +tribe is consistently referred to as the "Amasomi". In general, I have +retained Haggard's spellings. + + + + +DEDICATION + + +Dear Mr. Stuart, + +For twenty years, I believe I am right in saying, you, as Assistant +Secretary for Native Affairs in Natal, and in other offices, have been +intimately acquainted with the Zulu people. Moreover, you are one of +the few living men who have made a deep and scientific study of their +language, their customs and their history. So I confess that I was the +more pleased after you were so good as to read this tale--the +second book of the epic of the vengeance of Zikali, "the +Thing-that-should-never-have-been-born," and of the fall of the House of +Senzangakona[*]--when you wrote to me that it was animated by the true +Zulu spirit. + + [*--"Marie" was the first. The third and final act in the + drama is yet to come.]. + +I must admit that my acquaintance with this people dates from a period +which closed almost before your day. What I know of them I gathered +at the time when Cetewayo, of whom my volume tells, was in his glory, +previous to the evil hour in which he found himself driven by the +clamour of his regiments, cut off, as they were, through the annexation +of the Transvaal, from their hereditary trade of war, to match himself +against the British strength. I learned it all by personal observation +in the 'seventies, or from the lips of the great Shepstone, my chief and +friend, and from my colleagues Osborn, Fynney, Clarke and others, every +one of them long since "gone down." + +Perhaps it may be as well that this is so, at any rate in the case of +one who desires to write of the Zulus as a reigning nation, which now +they have ceased to be, and to try to show them as they were, in all +their superstitious madness and bloodstained grandeur. + +Yet then they had virtues as well as vices. To serve their Country in +arms, to die for it and for the King; such was their primitive ideal. If +they were fierce they were loyal, and feared neither wounds nor doom; if +they listened to the dark redes of the witch-doctor, the trumpet-call +of duty sounded still louder in their ears; if, chanting their terrible +"Ingoma," at the King's bidding they went forth to slay unsparingly, at +least they were not mean or vulgar. From those who continually must face +the last great issues of life or death meanness and vulgarity are +far removed. These qualities belong to the safe and crowded haunts of +civilised men, not to the kraals of Bantu savages, where, at any rate of +old, they might be sought in vain. + +Now everything is changed, or so I hear, and doubtless in the balance +this is best. Still we may wonder what are the thoughts that pass +through the mind of some ancient warrior of Chaka's or Dingaan's time, +as he suns himself crouched on the ground, for example, where once stood +the royal kraal, Duguza, and watches men and women of the Zulu blood +passing homeward from the cities or the mines, bemused, some of them, +with the white man's smuggled liquor, grotesque with the white man's +cast-off garments, hiding, perhaps, in their blankets examples of the +white man's doubtful photographs--and then shuts his sunken eyes and +remembers the plumed and kilted regiments making that same ground shake +as, with a thunder of salute, line upon line, company upon company, they +rushed out to battle. + +Well, because the latter does not attract me, it is of this former time +that I have tried to write--the time of the Impis and the witch-finders +and the rival princes of the royal House--as I am glad to learn from +you, not quite in vain. Therefore, since you, so great an expert, +approve of my labours in the seldom-travelled field of Zulu story, I ask +you to allow me to set your name upon this page and subscribe myself, + +Gratefully and sincerely yours, + + +H. RIDER HAGGARD. + + +Ditchingham, 12th October, 1912. + + +To James Stuart, Esq., Late Assistant Secretary for Native Affairs, +Natal. + + + + +AUTHOR'S NOTE + +Mr. Allan Quatermain's story of the wicked and fascinating Mameena, +a kind of Zulu Helen, has, it should be stated, a broad foundation in +historical fact. Leaving Mameena and her wiles on one side, the tale of +the struggle between the Princes Cetewayo and Umbelazi for succession to +the throne of Zululand is true. + +When the differences between these sons of his became intolerable, +because of the tumult which they were causing in his country, King +Panda, their father, the son of Senzangakona, and the brother of the +great Chaka and of Dingaan, who had ruled before him, did say that "when +two young bulls quarrel they had better fight it out." So, at least, I +was told by the late Mr. F. B. Fynney, my colleague at the time of the +annexation of the Transvaal in 1877, who, as Zulu Border Agent, with the +exceptions of the late Sir Theophilus Shepstone and the late Sir Melmoth +Osborn, perhaps knew more of that land and people than anyone else of +his period. + +As a result of this hint given by a maddened king, the great battle of +the Tugela was fought at Endondakusuka in December, 1856, between the +Usutu party, commanded by Cetewayo, and the adherents of Umbelazi +the Handsome, his brother, who was known among the Zulus as +"Indhlovu-ene-Sihlonti," or the "Elephant with the tuft of hair," from a +little lock of hair which grew low down upon his back. + +My friend, Sir Melmoth Osborn, who died in or about the year 1897, was +present at this battle, although not as a combatant. Well do I remember +his thrilling story, told to me over thirty years ago, of the events of +that awful day. + +Early in the morning, or during the previous night, I forget which, he +swam his horse across the Tugela and hid with it in a bush-clad kopje, +blindfolding the animal with his coat lest it should betray him. As it +chanced, the great fight of the day, that of the regiment of veterans, +which Sir Melmoth informed me Panda had sent down at the last moment to +the assistance of Umbelazi, his favourite son, took place almost at +the foot of this kopje. Mr. Quatermain, in his narrative, calls this +regiment the Amawombe, but my recollection is that the name Sir Melmoth +Osborn gave them was "The Greys" or "Upunga." + +Whatever their exact title may have been, however, they made a great +stand. At least, he told me that when Umbelazi's impi, or army, began to +give before the Usutu onslaught, these "Greys" moved forward above 3,000 +strong, drawn up in a triple line, and were charged by one of Cetewayo's +regiments. + +The opposing forces met, and the noise of their clashing shields, said +Sir Melmoth, was like the roll of heavy thunder. Then, while he watched, +the veteran "Greys" passed over the opposing regiment "as a wave passes +over a rock"--these were his exact words--and, leaving about a third of +their number dead or wounded among the bodies of the annihilated foe, +charged on to meet a second regiment sent against them by Cetewayo. With +these the struggle was repeated, but again the "Greys" conquered. Only +now there were not more than five or six hundred of them left upon their +feet. + +These survivors ran to a mound, round which they formed a ring, and +here for a long while withstood the attack of a third regiment, until +at length they perished almost to a man, buried beneath heaps of their +slain assailants, the Usutu. + +Truly they made a noble end fighting thus against tremendous odds! + +As for the number who fell at this battle of Endondakusuka, Mr. Fynney, +in a pamphlet which he wrote, says that six of Umbelazi's brothers died, +"whilst it is estimated that upwards of 100,000 of the people--men, +women and children--were slain"--a high and indeed an impossible +estimate. + +That curious personage named John Dunn, an Englishman who became a +Zulu chief, and who actually fought in this battle, as narrated by Mr. +Quatermain, however, puts the number much lower. What the true total was +will never be known; but Sir Melmoth Osborn told me that when he swam +his horse back across the Tugela that night it was black with bodies; +and Sir Theophilus Shepstone also told me that when he visited the scene +a day or two later the banks of the river were strewn with multitudes of +them, male and female. + +It was from Mr. Fynney that I heard the story of the execution by +Cetewayo of the man who appeared before him with the ornaments of +Umbelazi, announcing that he had killed the prince with his own hand. +Of course, this tale, as Mr. Quatermain points out, bears a striking +resemblance to that recorded in the Old Testament in connection with the +death of King Saul. + +It by no means follows, however, that it is therefore apocryphal; +indeed, Mr. Fynney assured me that it was quite true, although, if he +gave me his authorities, I cannot remember them after a lapse of more +than thirty years. + +The exact circumstances of Umbelazi's death are unknown, but the general +report was that he died, not by the assegais of the Usutu, but of a +broken heart. Another story declares that he was drowned. His body was +never found, and it is therefore probable that it sank in the Tugela, as +is suggested in the following pages. + +I have only to add that it is quite in accordance with Zulu beliefs +that a man should be haunted by the ghost of one whom he has murdered +or betrayed, or, to be more accurate, that the spirit ("umoya") should +enter into the slayer and drive him mad. Or, in such a case, that spirit +might bring misfortune upon him, his family, or his tribe. + +H. RIDER HAGGARD. + + + + +CONTENTS + + I. ALLAN QUATERMAIN HEARS OF MAMEENA + II. THE MOONSHINE OF ZIKALI + III. THE BUFFALO WITH THE CLEFT HORN + IV. MAMEENA + V. TWO BUCKS AND THE DOE + VI. THE AMBUSH + VII. SADUKO BRINGS THE MARRIAGE GIFT + VIII. THE KING'S DAUGHTER + IX. ALLAN RETURNS TO ZULULAND + X. THE SMELLING-OUT + XI. THE SIN OF UMBELAZI + XII. PANDA'S PRAYER + XIII. UMBELAZI THE FALLEN + XIV. UMBEZI AND THE BLOOD-ROYAL + XV. MAMEENA CLAIMS THE KISS + XVI. MAMEENA--MAMEENA--MAMEENA! + + + + +CHAPTER I. ALLAN QUATERMAIN HEARS OF MAMEENA + + +We white people think that we know everything. For instance, we think +that we understand human nature. And so we do, as human nature appears +to us, with all its trappings and accessories seen dimly through the +glass of our conventions, leaving out those aspects of it which we have +forgotten or do not think it polite to mention. But I, Allan Quatermain, +reflecting upon these matters in my ignorant and uneducated fashion, +have always held that no one really understands human nature who has +not studied it in the rough. Well, that is the aspect of it with which I +have been best acquainted. + +For most of the years of my life I have handled the raw material, the +virgin ore, not the finished ornament that is smelted out of it--if, +indeed, it is finished yet, which I greatly doubt. I dare say that a +time may come when the perfected generations--if Civilisation, as we +understand it, really has a future and any such should be allowed +to enjoy their hour on the World--will look back to us as crude, +half-developed creatures whose only merit was that we handed on the +flame of life. + +Maybe, maybe, for everything goes by comparison; and at one end of the +ladder is the ape-man, and at the other, as we hope, the angel. No, not +the angel; he belongs to a different sphere, but that last expression +of humanity upon which I will not speculate. While man is man--that is, +before he suffers the magical death-change into spirit, if such should +be his destiny--well, he will remain man. I mean that the same passions +will sway him; he will aim at the same ambitions; he will know the same +joys and be oppressed by the same fears, whether he lives in a Kafir +hut or in a golden palace; whether he walks upon his two feet or, as for +aught I know he may do one day, flies through the air. This is certain: +that in the flesh he can never escape from our atmosphere, and while +he breathes it, in the main with some variations prescribed by climate, +local law and religion, he will do much as his forefathers did for +countless ages. + +That is why I have always found the savage so interesting, for in him, +nakedly and forcibly expressed, we see those eternal principles which +direct our human destiny. + +To descend from these generalities, that is why also I, who hate +writing, have thought it worth while, at the cost of some labour to +myself, to occupy my leisure in what to me is a strange land--for +although I was born in England, it is not my country--in setting down +various experiences of my life that do, in my opinion, interpret this +our universal nature. I dare say that no one will ever read them; still, +perhaps they are worthy of record, and who knows? In days to come they +may fall into the hands of others and prove of value. At any rate, they +are true stories of interesting peoples, who, if they should survive in +the savage competition of the nations, probably are doomed to undergo +great changes. Therefore I tell of them before they began to change. + +Now, although I take it out of its strict chronological order, the first +of these histories that I wish to preserve is in the main that of an +extremely beautiful woman--with the exception of a certain Nada, called +"the Lily," of whom I hope to speak some day, I think the most beautiful +that ever lived among the Zulus. Also she was, I think, the most able, +the most wicked, and the most ambitious. Her attractive name--for it was +very attractive as the Zulus said it, especially those of them who were +in love with her--was Mameena, daughter of Umbezi. Her other name +was Child of Storm (Ingane-ye-Sipepo, or, more freely and shortly, +O-we-Zulu), but the word "Ma-mee-na" had its origin in the sound of the +wind that wailed about the hut when she was born.[*] + + [*--The Zulu word "Meena"--or more correctly "Mina"--means + "Come here," and would therefore be a name not unsuitable to + one of the heroine's proclivities; but Mr. Quatermain does + not seem to accept this interpretation.--EDITOR.] + +Since I have been settled in England I have read--of course in a +translation--the story of Helen of Troy, as told by the Greek poet, +Homer. Well, Mameena reminds me very much of Helen, or, rather, Helen +reminds me of Mameena. At any rate, there was this in common between +them, although one of them was black, or, rather, copper-coloured, +and the other white--they both were lovely; moreover, they both were +faithless, and brought men by hundreds to their deaths. There, perhaps, +the resemblance ends, since Mameena had much more fire and grit than +Helen could boast, who, unless Homer misrepresents her, must have been +but a poor thing after all. Beauty Itself, which those old rascals of +Greek gods made use of to bait their snares set for the lives and honour +of men, such was Helen, no more; that is, as I understand her, who have +not had the advantage of a classical education. Now, Mameena, although +she was superstitious--a common weakness of great minds--acknowledging +no gods in particular, as we understand them, set her own snares, with +varying success but a very definite object, namely, that of becoming the +first woman in the world as she knew it--the stormy, bloodstained world +of the Zulus. + +But the reader shall judge for himself, if ever such a person should +chance to cast his eye upon this history. + + +It was in the year 1854 that I first met Mameena, and my acquaintance +with her continued off and on until 1856, when it came to an end in a +fashion that shall be told after the fearful battle of the Tugela in +which Umbelazi, Panda's son and Cetewayo's brother--who, to his sorrow, +had also met Mameena--lost his life. I was still a youngish man in +those days, although I had already buried my second wife, as I have told +elsewhere, after our brief but happy time of marriage. + +Leaving my boy in charge of some kind people in Durban, I started into +"the Zulu"--a land with which I had already become well acquainted as a +youth, there to carry on my wild life of trading and hunting. + +For the trading I never cared much, as may be guessed from the little +that ever I made out of it, the art of traffic being in truth repugnant +to me. But hunting was always the breath of my nostrils--not that I am +fond of killing creatures, for any humane man soon wearies of slaughter. +No, it is the excitement of sport, which, before breechloaders came in, +was acute enough, I can assure you; the lonely existence in wild places, +often with only the sun and the stars for companions; the continual +adventures; the strange tribes with whom I came in contact; in short, +the change, the danger, the hope always of finding something great and +new, that attracted and still attracts me, even now when I _have_ found +the great and the new. There, I must not go on writing like this, or I +shall throw down my pen and book a passage for Africa, and incidentally +to the next world, no doubt--that world of the great and new! + + +It was, I think, in the month of May in the year 1854 that I went +hunting in rough country between the White and Black Umvolosi Rivers, by +permission of Panda--whom the Boers had made king of Zululand after the +defeat and death of Dingaan his brother. The district was very feverish, +and for this reason I had entered it in the winter months. There was so +much bush that, in the total absence of roads, I thought it wise not +to attempt to bring my wagons down, and as no horses would live in +that veld I went on foot. My principal companions were a Kafir of mixed +origin, called Sikauli, commonly abbreviated into Scowl, the Zulu chief +Saduko, and a headman of the Undwandwe blood named Umbezi, at whose +kraal on the high land about thirty miles away I left my wagon and +certain of my men in charge of the goods and some ivory that I had +traded. + +This Umbezi was a stout and genial-mannered man of about sixty years of +age, and, what is rare among these people, one who loved sport for its +own sake. Being aware of his tastes, also that he knew the country +and was skilled in finding game, I had promised him a gun if he would +accompany me and bring a few hunters. It was a particularly bad gun that +had seen much service, and one which had an unpleasing habit of going +off at half-cock; but even after he had seen it, and I in my honesty had +explained its weaknesses, he jumped at the offer. + +"O Macumazana" (that is my native name, often abbreviated into +Macumazahn, which means "One who stands out," or as many interpret it, I +don't know how, "Watcher-by-Night")--"a gun that goes off sometimes when +you do not expect it is much better than no gun at all, and you are a +chief with a great heart to promise it to me, for when I own the White +Man's weapon I shall be looked up to and feared by everyone between the +two rivers." + +Now, while he was speaking he handled the gun, that was loaded, +observing which I moved behind him. Off it went in due course, its +recoil knocking him backwards--for that gun was a devil to kick--and its +bullet cutting the top off the ear of one of his wives. The lady fled +screaming, leaving a little bit of her ear upon the ground. + +"What does it matter?" said Umbezi, as he picked himself up, rubbing his +shoulder with a rueful look. "Would that the evil spirit in the gun had +cut off her tongue and not her ear! It is the Worn-out-Old-Cow's own +fault; she is always peeping into everything like a monkey. Now she will +have something to chatter about and leave my things alone for awhile. I +thank my ancestral Spirit it was not Mameena, for then her looks would +have been spoiled." + +"Who is Mameena?" I asked. "Your last wife?" + +"No, no, Macumazahn; I wish she were, for then I should have the most +beautiful wife in the land. She is my daughter, though not that of the +Worn-out-Old-Cow; her mother died when she was born, on the night of the +Great Storm. You should ask Saduko there who Mameena is," he added with +a broad grin, lifting his head from the gun, which he was examining +gingerly, as though he thought it might go off again while unloaded, and +nodding towards someone who stood behind him. + +I turned, and for the first time saw Saduko, whom I recognised at once +as a person quite out of the ordinary run of natives. + +He was a tall and magnificently formed young man, who, although his +breast was scarred with assegai wounds, showing that he was a warrior, +had not yet attained to the honour of the "ring" of polished wax laid +over strips of rush bound round with sinew and sewn to the hair, the +"isicoco" which at a certain age or dignity, determined by the king, +Zulus are allowed to assume. But his face struck me more even than his +grace, strength and stature. Undoubtedly it was a very fine face, with +little or nothing of the negroid type about it; indeed, he might have +been a rather dark-coloured Arab, to which stock he probably threw back. +The eyes, too, were large and rather melancholy, and in his reserved, +dignified air there was something that showed him to be no common +fellow, but one of breeding and intellect. + +"Siyakubona" (that is, "we see you," anglice "good morrow") "Saduko," I +said, eyeing him curiously. "Tell me, who is Mameena?" + +"Inkoosi," he answered in his deep voice, lifting his delicately shaped +hand in salutation, a courtesy that pleased me who, after all, was +nothing but a white hunter, "Inkoosi, has not her father said that she +is his daughter?" + +"Aye," answered the jolly old Umbezi, "but what her father has not said +is that Saduko is her lover, or, rather, would like to be. Wow! Saduko," +he went on, shaking his fat finger at him, "are you mad, man, that you +think a girl like that is for you? Give me a hundred cattle, not one +less, and I will begin to think of it. Why, you have not ten, and +Mameena is my eldest daughter, and must marry a rich man." + +"She loves me, O Umbezi," answered Saduko, looking down, "and that is +more than cattle." + +"For you, perhaps, Saduko, but not for me who am poor and want cows. +Also," he added, glancing at him shrewdly, "are you so sure that Mameena +loves you though you be such a fine man? Now, I should have thought that +whatever her eyes may say, her heart loves no one but herself, and +that in the end she will follow her heart and not her eyes. Mameena the +beautiful does not seek to be a poor man's wife and do all the hoeing. +But bring me the hundred cattle and we will see, for, speaking truth +from my heart, if you were a big chief there is no one I should like +better as a son-in-law, unless it were Macumazahn here," he said, +digging me in the ribs with his elbow, "who would lift up my House on +his white back." + +Now, at this speech Saduko shifted his feet uneasily; it seemed to me +as though he felt there was truth in Umbezi's estimate of his daughter's +character. But he only said: + +"Cattle can be acquired." + +"Or stolen," suggested Umbezi. + +"Or taken in war," corrected Saduko. "When I have a hundred head I will +hold you to your word, O father of Mameena." + +"And then what would you live on, fool, if you gave all your beasts to +me? There, there, cease talking wind. Before you have a hundred head of +cattle Mameena will have six children who will not call _you_ father. +Ah, don't you like that? Are you going away?" + +"Yes, I am going," he answered, with a flash of his quiet eyes; "only +then let the man whom they do call father beware of Saduko." + +"Beware of how you talk, young man," said Umbezi in a grave voice. +"Would you travel your father's road? I hope not, for I like you well; +but such words are apt to be remembered." + +Saduko walked away as though he did not hear. + +"Who is he?" I asked. + +"One of high blood," answered Umbezi shortly. "He might be a chief +to-day had not his father been a plotter and a wizard. Dingaan smelt him +out"--and he made a sideways motion with his hand that among the Zulus +means much. "Yes, they were killed, almost every one; the chief, his +wives, his children and his headmen--every one except Chosa +his brother and his son Saduko, whom Zikali the dwarf, the +Smeller-out-of-evil-doers, the Ancient, who was old before Senzangakona +became a father of kings, hid him. There, that is an evil tale to talk +of," and he shivered. "Come, White Man, and doctor that old Cow of mine, +or she will give me no peace for months." + +So I went to see the Worn-out-Old-Cow--not because I had any particular +interest in her, for, to tell the truth, she was a very disagreeable and +antique person, the cast-off wife of some chief whom at an unknown date +in the past the astute Umbezi had married from motives of policy--but +because I hoped to hear more of Miss Mameena, in whom I had become +interested. + +Entering a large hut, I found the lady so impolitely named "the Old Cow" +in a parlous state. There she lay upon the floor, an unpleasant object +because of the blood that had escaped from her wound, surrounded by a +crowd of other women and of children. At regular intervals she announced +that she was dying, and emitted a fearful yell, whereupon all the +audience yelled also; in short, the place was a perfect pandemonium. + +Telling Umbezi to get the hut cleared, I said that I would go to fetch +my medicines. Meanwhile I ordered my servant, Scowl, a humorous-looking +fellow, light yellow in hue, for he had a strong dash of Hottentot in +his composition, to cleanse the wound. When I returned from the wagon +ten minutes later the screams were more terrible than before, although +the chorus now stood without the hut. Nor was this altogether wonderful, +for on entering the place I found Scowl trimming up "the Old Cow's" ear +with a pair of blunt nail-scissors. + +"O Macumazana," said Umbezi in a hoarse whisper, "might it not perhaps +be as well to leave her alone? If she bled to death, at any rate she +would be quieter." + +"Are you a man or a hyena?" I answered sternly, and set about the job, +Scowl holding the poor woman's head between his knees. + +It was over at length; a simple operation in which I exhibited--I +believe that is the medical term--a strong solution of caustic applied +with a feather. + +"There, Mother," I said, for now we were alone in the hut, whence Scowl +had fled, badly bitten in the calf, "you won't die now." + +"No, you vile White Man," she sobbed. "I shan't die, but how about my +beauty?" + +"It will be greater than ever," I answered; "no one else will have an +ear with such a curve in it. But, talking of beauty, where is Mameena?" + +"I don't know where she is," she replied with fury, "but I very well +know where she would be if I had my way. That peeled willow-wand of +a girl"--here she added certain descriptive epithets I will not +repeat--"has brought this misfortune upon me. We had a slight quarrel +yesterday, White Man, and, being a witch as she is, she prophesied evil. +Yes, when by accident I scratched her ear, she said that before long +mine should burn, and surely burn it does." (This, no doubt, was true, +for the caustic had begun to bite.) + +"O devil of a White Man," she went on, "you have bewitched me; you have +filled my head with fire." + +Then she seized an earthenware pot and hurled it at me, saying, "Take +that for your doctor-fee. Go, crawl after Mameena like the others and +get her to doctor you." + +By this time I was half through the bee-hole of the hut, my movements +being hastened by a vessel of hot water which landed on me behind. + +"What is the matter, Macumazahn?" asked old Umbezi, who was waiting +outside. + +"Nothing at all, friend," I answered with a sweet smile, "except that +your wife wants to see you at once. She is in pain, and wishes you to +soothe her. Go in; do not hesitate." + +After a moment's pause he went in--that is, half of him went in. Then +came a fearful crash, and he emerged again with the rim of a pot about +his neck and his countenance veiled in a coating of what I took to be +honey. + +"Where is Mameena?" I asked him as he sat up spluttering. + +"Where I wish I was," he answered in a thick voice; "at a kraal five +hours' journey away." + +Well, that was the first I heard of Mameena. + +That night as I sat smoking my pipe under the flap lean-to attached +to the wagon, laughing to myself over the adventure of "the Old Cow," +falsely described as "worn out," and wondering whether Umbezi had got +the honey out of his hair, the canvas was lifted, and a Kafir wrapped in +a kaross crept in and squatted before me. + +"Who are you?" I asked, for it was too dark to see the man's face. + +"Inkoosi," answered a deep voice, "I am Saduko." + +"You are welcome," I answered, handing him a little gourd of snuff in +token of hospitality. Then I waited while he poured some of the snuff +into the palm of his hand and took it in the usual fashion. + +"Inkoosi," he said, when he had scraped away the tears produced by the +snuff, "I have come to ask you a favour. You heard Umbezi say to-day +that he will not give me his daughter, Mameena, unless I give him a +hundred head of cows. Now, I have not got the cattle, and I cannot earn +them by work in many years. Therefore I must take them from a certain +tribe I know which is at war with the Zulus. But this I cannot do unless +I have a gun. If I had a good gun, Inkoosi--one that only goes off +when it is asked, and not of its own fancy, I who have some name could +persuade a number of men whom I know, who once were servants of my +father, or their sons, to be my companions in this venture." + +"Do I understand that you wish me to give you one of my good guns with +two mouths to it (i.e. double-barrelled), a gun worth at least twelve +oxen, for nothing, O Saduko?" I asked in a cold and scandalised voice. + +"Not so, O Watcher-by-Night," he answered; "not so, O +He-who-sleeps-with-one-eye-open" (another free and difficult rendering +of my native name, Macumazahn, or more correctly, Macumazana)--"I should +never dream of offering such an insult to your high-born intelligence." +He paused and took another pinch of snuff, then went on in a meditative +voice: "Where I propose to get those hundred cattle there are many more; +I am told not less than a thousand head in all. Now, Inkoosi," he added, +looking at me sideways, "suppose you gave me the gun I ask for, and +suppose you accompanied me with your own gun and your armed hunters, it +would be fair that you should have half the cattle, would it not?" + +"That's cool," I said. "So, young man, you want to turn me into a +cow-thief and get my throat cut by Panda for breaking the peace of his +country?" + +"Neither, Macumazahn, for these are my own cattle. Listen, now, and +I will tell you a story. You have heard of Matiwane, the chief of the +Amangwane?" + +"Yes," I answered. "His tribe lived near the head of the Umzinyati, +did they not? Then they were beaten by the Boers or the English, and +Matiwane came under the Zulus. But afterwards Dingaan wiped him out, +with his House, and now his people are killed or scattered." + +"Yes, his people are killed and scattered, but his House still lives. +Macumazahn, I am his House, I, the only son of his chief wife, for +Zikali the Wise Little One, the Ancient, who is of the Amangwane blood, +and who hated Chaka and Dingaan--yes, and Senzangakona their father +before them, but whom none of them could kill because he is so great and +has such mighty spirits for his servants, saved and sheltered me." + +"If he is so great, why, then, did he not save your father also, +Saduko?" I asked, as though I knew nothing of this Zikali. + +"I cannot say, Macumazahn. Perhaps the spirits plant a tree for +themselves, and to do so cut down many other trees. At least, so it +happened. It happened thus: Bangu, chief of the Amakoba, whispered into +Dingaan's ear that Matiwane, my father, was a wizard; also that he was +very rich. Dingaan listened because he thought a sickness that he had +came from Matiwane's witchcraft. He said: 'Go, Bangu, and take a company +with you and pay Matiwane a visit of honour, and in the night, O in the +night! Afterwards, Bangu, we will divide the cattle, for Matiwane is +strong and clever, and you shall not risk your life for nothing.'" + +Saduko paused and looked down at the ground, brooding heavily. + +"Macumazahn, it was done," he said presently. "They ate my father's +meat, they drank his beer; they gave him a present from the king, they +praised him with high names; yes, Bangu took snuff with him and called +him brother. Then in the night, O in the night--! + +"My father was in the hut with my mother, and I, so big only"--and he +held his hand at the height of a boy of ten--"was with them. The cry +arose, the flames began to eat; my father looked out and saw. 'Break +through the fence and away, woman,' he said; 'away with Saduko, that he +may live to avenge me. Begone while I hold the gate! Begone to Zikali, +for whose witchcrafts I pay with my blood.' + +"Then he kissed me on the brow, saying but one word, 'Remember,' and +thrust us from the hut. + +"My mother broke a way through the fence; yes, she tore at it with her +nails and teeth like a hyena. I looked back out of the shadow of the hut +and saw Matiwane my father fighting like a buffalo. Men went down before +him, one, two, three, although he had no shield: only his spear. Then +Bangu crept behind him and stabbed him in the back and he threw up his +arms and fell. I saw no more, for by now we were through the fence. We +ran, but they perceived us. They hunted us as wild dogs hunt a buck. +They killed my mother with a throwing assegai; it entered at her back +and came out at her heart. I went mad, I drew it from her body, I ran at +them. I dived beneath the shield of the first, a very tall man, and held +the spear, so, in both my little hands. His weight came upon its point +and it went through him as though he were but a bowl of buttermilk. Yes, +he rolled over, quite dead, and the handle of the spear broke upon the +ground. Now the others stopped astonished, for never had they seen such +a thing. That a child should kill a tall warrior, oh! that tale had not +been told. Some of them would have let me go, but just then Bangu came +up and saw the dead man, who was his brother. + +"'Wow!' he said when he knew how the man had died. 'This lion's cub is +a wizard also, for how else could he have killed a soldier who has known +war? Hold out his arms that I may finish him slowly.' + +"So two of them held out my arms, and Bangu came up with his spear." + +Saduko ceased speaking, not that his tale was done, but because his +voice choked in his throat. Indeed, seldom have I seen a man so moved. +He breathed in great gasps, the sweat poured from him, and his muscles +worked convulsively. I gave him a pannikin of water and he drank, then +he went on: + +"Already the spear had begun to prick--look, here is the mark of +it"--and opening his kaross he pointed to a little white line just +below the breast-bone--"when a strange shadow thrown by the fire of +the burning huts came between Bangu and me, a shadow as that of a toad +standing on its hind legs. I looked round and saw that it was the shadow +of Zikali, whom I had seen once or twice. There he stood, though whence +he came I know not, wagging his great white head that sits on the top +of his body like a pumpkin on an ant-heap, rolling his big eyes and +laughing loudly. + +"'A merry sight,' he cried in his deep voice that sounded like water +in a hollow cave. 'A merry sight, O Bangu, Chief of the Amakoba! Blood, +blood, plenty of blood! Fire, fire, plenty of fire! Wizards dead here, +there, and everywhere! Oh, a merry sight! I have seen many such; one at +the kraal of your grandmother, for instance--your grandmother the great +Inkosikazi, when myself I escaped with my life because I was so old; but +never do I remember a merrier than that which this moon shines on,' and +he pointed to the White Lady who just then broke through the clouds. +'But, great Chief Bangu, lord loved by the son of Senzangakona, brother +of the Black One (Chaka) who has ridden hence on the assegai, what +is the meaning of _this_ play?' and he pointed to me and to the two +soldiers who held out my little arms. + +"'I kill the wizard's cub, Zikali, that is all,' answered Bangu. + +"'I see, I see,' laughed Zikali. 'A gallant deed! You have butchered the +father and the mother, and now you would butcher the child who has slain +one of your grown warriors in fair fight. A very gallant deed, well +worthy of the chief of the Amakoba! Well, loose his spirit--only--' He +stopped and took a pinch of snuff from a box which he drew from a slit +in the lobe of his great ear. + +"'Only what?' asked Bangu, hesitating. + +"'Only I wonder, Bangu, what you will think of the world in which you +will find yourself before to-morrow's moon arises. Come back thence and +tell me, Bangu, for there are so many worlds beyond the sun, and I would +learn for certain which of them such a one as you inhabits: a man who +for hatred and for gain murders the father and the mother and then +butchers the child--the child that could slay a warrior who has seen +war--with the spear hot from his mother's heart.' + +"'Do you mean that I shall die if I kill this lad?' shouted Bangu in a +great voice. + +"'What else?' answered Zikali, taking another pinch of snuff. + +"'This, Wizard; that we will go together.' + +"'Good, good!' laughed the dwarf. 'Let us go together. Long have I +wished to die, and what better companion could I find than Bangu, Chief +of the Amakoba, Slayer of Children, to guard me on a dark and terrible +road. Come, brave Bangu, come; kill me if you can,' and again he laughed +at him. + +"Now, Macumazahn, the people of Bangu fell back muttering, for they +found this business horrible. Yes, even those who held my arms let go of +them. + +"'What will happen to me, Wizard, if I spare the boy?' asked Bangu. + +"Zikali stretched out his hand and touched the scratch that the assegai +had made in me here. Then he held up his finger red with my blood, +and looked at it in the light of the moon; yes, and tasted it with his +tongue. + +"'I think this will happen to you, Bangu,' he said. 'If you spare this +boy he will grow into a man who will kill you and many others one day. +But if you do not spare him I think that his spirit, working as spirits +can do, will kill you to-morrow. Therefore the question is, will +you live a while or will you die at once, taking me with you as your +companion? For you must not leave me behind, brother Bangu.' + +"Now Bangu turned and walked away, stepping over the body of my mother, +and all his people walked away after him, so that presently Zikali the +Wise and Little and I were left alone. + +"'What! have they gone?' said Zikali, lifting up his eyes from the +ground. 'Then we had better be going also, Son of Matiwane, lest he +should change his mind and come back. Live on, Son of Matiwane, that you +may avenge Matiwane.'" + +"A nice tale," I said. "But what happened afterwards?" + +"Zikali took me away and nurtured me at his kraal in the Black Kloof, +where he lived alone save for his servants, for in that kraal he would +suffer no woman to set foot, Macumazahn. He taught me much wisdom and +many secret things, and would have made a great doctor of me had I so +willed. But I willed it not who find spirits ill company, and there are +many of them about the Black Kloof, Macumazahn. So in the end he said: +'Go where your heart calls, and be a warrior, Saduko. But know this: +You have opened a door that can never be shut again, and across the +threshold of that door spirits will pass in and out for all your life, +whether you seek them or seek them not.' + +"'It was you who opened the door, Zikali,' I answered angrily. + +"'Mayhap,' said Zikali, laughing after his fashion, 'for I open when I +must and shut when I must. Indeed, in my youth, before the Zulus were a +people, they named me Opener of Doors; and now, looking through one of +those doors, I see something about you, O Son of Matiwane.' + +"'What do you see, my father?' I asked. + +"'I see two roads, Saduko: the Road of Medicine, that is the spirit +road, and the Road of Spears, that is the blood road. I see you +travelling on the Road of Medicine, that is my own road, Saduko, and +growing wise and great, till at last, far, far away, you vanish over the +precipice to which it leads, full of years and honour and wealth, feared +yet beloved by all men, white and black. Only that road you must travel +alone, since such wisdom may have no friends, and, above all, no woman +to share its secrets. Then I look at the Road of Spears and see you, +Saduko, travelling on that road, and your feet are red with blood, and +women wind their arms about your neck, and one by one your enemies go +down before you. You love much, and sin much for the sake of the love, +and she for whom you sin comes and goes and comes again. And the road is +short, Saduko, and near the end of it are many spirits; and though you +shut your eyes you see them, and though you fill your ears with clay you +hear them, for they are the ghosts of your slain. But the end of your +journeying I see not. Now choose which road you will, Son of Matiwane, +and choose swiftly, for I speak no more of this matter.' + +"Then, Macumazahn, I thought a while of the safe and lonely path of +wisdom, also of the blood-red path of spears where I should find love +and war, and my youth rose up in me and--I chose the path of spears and +the love and the sin and the unknown death." + +"A foolish choice, Saduko, supposing that there is any truth in this +tale of roads, which there is not." + +"Nay, a wise one, Macumazahn, for since then I have seen Mameena and +know why I chose that path." + +"Ah!" I said. "Mameena--I forgot her. Well, after all, perhaps there is +some truth in your tale of roads. When _I_ have seen Mameena I will tell +you what I think." + +"When you have seen Mameena, Macumazahn, you will say that the choice +was very wise. Well, Zikali, Opener of Doors, laughed loudly when he +heard it. 'The ox seeks the fat pasture, but the young bull the rough +mountainside where the heifers graze,' he said; 'and after all, a +bull is better than an ox. Now begin to travel your own road, Son of +Matiwane, and from time to time return to the Black Kloof and tell me +how it fares with you. I will promise you not to die before I know the +end of it.' + +"Now, Macumazahn, I have told you things that hitherto have lived in my +own heart only. And, Macumazahn, Bangu is in ill favour with Panda, whom +he defies in his mountain, and I have a promise--never mind how--that he +who kills him will be called to no account and may keep his cattle. Will +you come with me and share those cattle, O Watcher-by-Night?" + +"Get thee behind me, Satan," I said in English, then added in Zulu: "I +don't know. If your story is true I should have no objection to helping +to kill Bangu; but I must learn lots more about this business first. +Meanwhile I am going on a shooting trip to-morrow with Umbezi the Fat, +and I like you, O Chooser of the Road of Spears and Blood. Will you be +my companion and earn the gun with two mouths in payment?" + +"Inkoosi," he said, lifting his hand in salute with a flash of his dark +eyes, "you are generous, you honour me. What is there that I should love +better? Yet," he added, and his face fell, "first I must ask Zikali the +Little, Zikali my foster-father." + +"Oh!" I said, "so you are still tied to the Wizard's girdle, are you?" + +"Not so, Macumazahn; but I promised him not long ago that I would +undertake no enterprise, save that you know of, until I had spoken with +him." + +"How far off does Zikali live?" I asked Saduko. + +"One day's journeying. Starting at sunrise I can be there by sunset." + +"Good! Then I will put off the shooting for three days and come with you +if you think that this wonderful old dwarf will receive me." + +"I believe that he will, Macumazahn, for this reason--he told me that +I should meet you and love you, and that you would be mixed up in my +fortunes." + +"Then he poured moonshine into your gourd instead of beer," I answered. +"Would you keep me here till midnight listening to such foolishness when +we must start at dawn? Begone now and let me sleep." + +"I go," he answered with a little smile. "But if this is so, O +Macumazana, why do you also wish to drink of the moonshine of Zikali?" +and he went. + +Yet I did not sleep very well that night, for Saduko and his strange and +terrible story had taken a hold of my imagination. Also, for reasons of +my own, I greatly wished to see this Zikali, of whom I had heard a great +deal in past years. I wished further to find out if he was a common +humbug, like so many witch-doctors, this dwarf who announced that my +fortunes were mixed up with those of his foster-son, and who at least +could tell me something true or false about the history and position +of Bangu, a person for whom I had conceived a strong dislike, possibly +quite unjustified by the facts. But more than all did I wish to see +Mameena, whose beauty or talents produced so much impression upon the +native mind. Perhaps if I went to see Zikali she would be back at her +father's kraal before we started on our shooting trip. + +Thus it was then that fate wove me and my doings into the web of some +very strange events; terrible, tragic and complete indeed as those of a +Greek play, as it has often done both before and since those days. + + + + +CHAPTER II. THE MOONSHINE OF ZIKALI + + +On the following morning I awoke, as a good hunter always should do, +just at that time when, on looking out of the wagon, nothing can be seen +but a little grey glint of light which he knows is reflected from the +horns of the cattle tied to the trek-tow. Presently, however, I saw +another glint of light which I guessed came from the spear of Saduko, +who was seated by the ashes of the cooking fire wrapped in his kaross +of wildcat skins. Slipping from the voorkisse, or driving-box, I came +behind him softly and touched him on the shoulder. He leapt up with a +start which revealed his nervous nature, then recognising me through the +soft grey gloom, said: + +"You are early, Macumazahn." + +"Of course," I answered; "am I not named Watcher-by-Night? Now let us +go to Umbezi and tell him that I shall be ready to start on our hunting +trip on the third morning from to-day." + +So we went, to find that Umbezi was in a hut with his last wife and +asleep. Fortunately enough, however, as under the circumstances I did +not wish to disturb him, outside the hut we found the Old Cow, whose +sore ear had kept her very wide awake, who, for purposes of her own, +although etiquette did not allow her to enter the hut, was waiting for +her husband to emerge. + +Having examined her wound and rubbed some ointment on it, with her I +left my message. Next I woke up my servant Scowl, and told him that I +was going on a short journey, and that he must guard all things until my +return; and while I did so, took a nip of raw rum and made ready a bag +of biltong, that is sun-dried flesh, and biscuits. + +Then, taking with me a single-barrelled gun, that same little Purdey +rifle with which I shot the vultures on the Hill of Slaughter at +Dingaan's Kraal,[*] we started on foot, for I would not risk my only +horse on such a journey. + + [*--For the story of this shooting of the vultures by Allan + Quatermain, see the book called "Marie."--EDITOR.] + +A rough journey it proved to be indeed, over a series of bush-clad hills +that at their crests were covered with rugged stones among which no +horse could have travelled. Up and down these hills we went, and across +the valleys that divided them, following some path which I could not +see, for all that live-long day. I have always been held a good walker, +being by nature very light and active; but I am bound to say that my +companion taxed my powers to the utmost, for on he marched for hour +after hour, striding ahead of me at such a rate that at times I was +forced to break into a run to keep up with him. Although my pride would +not suffer me to complain, since as a matter of principle I would never +admit to a Kafir that he was my master at anything, glad enough was I +when, towards evening, Saduko sat himself down on a stone at the top of +a hill and said: + +"Behold the Black Kloof, Macumazahn," which were almost the first words +he had uttered since we started. + +Truly the spot was well named, for there, cut out by water from the +heart of a mountain in some primeval age, lay one of the most gloomy +places that ever I had beheld. It was a vast cleft in which granite +boulders were piled up fantastically, perched one upon another in great +columns, and upon its sides grew dark trees set sparsely among the +rocks. It faced towards the west, but the light of the sinking sun that +flowed up it served only to accentuate its vast loneliness, for it was a +big cleft, the best part of a mile wide at its mouth. + +Up this dreary gorge we marched, mocked at by chattering baboons and +following a little path not a foot wide that led us at length to a large +hut and several smaller ones set within a reed fence and overhung by a +gigantic mass of rock that looked as though it might fall at any moment. +At the gate of the fence two natives of I know not what tribe, men of +fierce and forbidding appearance, suddenly sprang out and thrust their +spears towards my breast. + +"Whom bring you here, Saduko?" asked one of them sternly. + +"A white man that I vouch for," he answered. "Tell Zikali that we wait +on him." + +"What need to tell Zikali that which he knows already?" said the sentry. +"Your food and that of your companion is already cooked in yonder hut. +Enter, Saduko, with him for whom you vouch." + +So we went into the hut and ate, also I washed myself, for it was a +beautifully clean hut, and the stools, wooden bowls, etc., were finely +carved out of red ivory wood, this work, Saduko informed me, being done +by Zikali's own hand. Just as we were finishing our meal a messenger +came to tell us that Zikali waited our presence. We followed him across +an open space to a kind of door in the tall reed fence, passing which I +set eyes for the first time upon the famous old witch-doctor of whom so +many tales were told. + +Certainly he was a curious sight in those strange surroundings, for they +were very strange, and I think their complete simplicity added to the +effect. In front of us was a kind of courtyard with a black floor made +of polished ant-heap earth and cow-dung, two-thirds of which at least +was practically roofed in by the huge over-hanging mass of rock whereof +I have spoken, its arch bending above at a height of not less than +sixty or seventy feet from the ground. Into this great, precipice-backed +cavity poured the fierce light of the setting sun, turning it and all +within it, even the large straw hut in the background, to the deep hue +of blood. Seeing the wonderful effect of the sunset in that dark and +forbidding place, it occurred to me at once that the old wizard must +have chosen this moment to receive us because of its impressiveness. + +Then I forgot these scenic accessories in the sight of the man himself. +There he sat on a stool in front of his hut, quite unattended, and +wearing only a cloak of leopard skins open in front, for he was +unadorned with the usual hideous trappings of a witch-doctor, such as +snake-skins, human bones, bladders full of unholy compounds, and so +forth. + +What a man he was, if indeed he could be called quite human. His +stature, though stout, was only that of a child; his head was enormous, +and from it plaited white hair fell down on to his shoulders. His eyes +were deep and sunken, his face was broad and very stern. Except for this +snow-white hair, however, he did not look ancient, for his flesh was +firm and plump, and the skin on his cheeks and neck unwrinkled, which +suggested to me that the story of his great antiquity was false. A man +who was over a hundred years old, for instance, surely could not boast +such a beautiful set of teeth, for even at that distance I could see +them gleaming. On the other hand, evidently middle age was far behind +him; indeed, from his appearance it was quite impossible to guess even +approximately the number of his years. There he sat, red in the red +light, perfectly still, and staring without a blink of his eyes at the +furious ball of the setting sun, as an eagle is said to be able to do. + +Saduko advanced, and I walked after him. My stature is not great, and +I have never considered myself an imposing person, but somehow I do not +think that I ever felt more insignificant than on this occasion. The +tall and splendid native beside, or rather behind whom I walked, the +gloomy magnificence of the place, the blood-red light in which it was +bathed, and the solemn, solitary, little figure with wisdom stamped upon +its face before me, all tended to induce humility in a man not naturally +vain. I felt myself growing smaller and smaller, both in a moral and a +physical sense; I wished that my curiosity had not prompted me to seek +an interview with yonder uncanny being. + +Well, it was too late to retreat; indeed, Saduko was already standing +before the dwarf and lifting his right arm above his head as he gave him +the salute of "Makosi!"[*] whereon, feeling that something was expected +of me, I took off my shabby cloth hat and bowed, then, remembering my +white man's pride, replaced it on my head. + + [*--"Makosi", the plural of "Inkoosi", is the salute given + to Zulu wizards, because they are not one but many, since in + them (as in the possessed demoniac in the Bible) dwell an + unnumbered horde of spirits.--EDITOR.] + +The wizard suddenly seemed to become aware of our presence, for, ceasing +his contemplation of the sinking sun, he scanned us both with his slow, +thoughtful eyes, which somehow reminded me of those of a chameleon, +although they were not prominent, but, as I have said, sunken. + +"Greeting, son Saduko!" he said in a deep, rumbling voice. "Why are you +back here so soon, and why do you bring this flea of a white man with +you?" + +Now this was more than I could bear, so without waiting for my +companion's answer I broke in: + +"You give me a poor name, O Zikali. What would you think of me if I +called you a beetle of a wizard?" + +"I should think you clever," he answered after reflection, "for after +all I must look something like a beetle with a white head. But why +should you mind being compared to a flea? A flea works by night and so +do you, Macumazahn; a flea is active and so are you; a flea is very hard +to catch and kill and so are you; and lastly a flea drinks its fill of +that which it desires, the blood of man and beast, and so you have done, +do, and will, Macumazahn," and he broke into a great laugh that rolled +and echoed about the rocky roof above. + +Once, long years before, I had heard that laugh, when I was a prisoner +in Dingaan's kraal, after the massacre of Retief and his company, and I +recognised it again. + +While I was searching for some answer in the same vein, and not finding +it, though I thought of plenty afterwards, ceasing of a sudden from his +unseemly mirth, he went on: + +"Do not let us waste time in jests, for it is a precious thing, and +there is but little of it left for any one of us. Your business, son +Saduko?" + +"Baba!" (that is the Zulu for father), said Saduko, "this white Inkoosi, +for, as you know well enough, he is a chief by nature, a man of a great +heart and doubtless of high blood [this, I believe, is true, for I have +been told that my ancestors were more or less distinguished, +although, if this is so, their talents did not lie in the direction of +money-making], has offered to take me upon a shooting expedition and to +give me a good gun with two mouths in payment of my services. But I told +him I could not engage in any fresh venture without your leave, and--he +is come to see whether you will grant it, my father." + +"Indeed," answered the dwarf, nodding his great head. "This clever white +man has taken the trouble of a long walk in the sun to come here to +ask me whether he may be allowed the privilege of presenting you with a +weapon of great value in return for a service that any man of your years +in Zululand would love to give for nothing in such company? + +"Son Saduko, because my eye-holes are hollow, do you think it your part +to try to fill them up with dust? Nay, the white man has come because +he desires to see him who is named Opener-of-Roads, of whom he heard a +great deal when he was but a lad, and to judge whether in truth he has +wisdom, or is but a common cheat. And you have come to learn whether or +no your friendship with him will be fortunate; whether or no he will aid +you in a certain enterprise that you have in your mind." + +"True, O Zikali," I said. "That is so far as I am concerned." + +But Saduko answered nothing. + +"Well," went on the dwarf, "since I am in the mood I will try to answer +both your questions, for I should be a poor Nyanga" [that is doctor] +"if I did not when you have travelled so far to ask them. Moreover, O +Macumazana, be happy, for I seek no fee who, having made such fortune +as I need long ago, before your father was born across the Black Water, +Macumazahn, no longer work for a reward--unless it be from the hand of +one of the House of Senzangakona--and therefore, as you may guess, work +but seldom." + +Then he clapped his hands, and a servant appeared from somewhere behind +the hut, one of those fierce-looking men who had stopped us at the gate. +He saluted the dwarf and stood before him in silence and with bowed +head. + +"Make two fires," said Zikali, "and give me my medicine." + +The man fetched wood, which he built into two little piles in front of +Zikali. These piles he fired with a brand brought from behind the hut. +Then he handed his master a catskin bag. + +"Withdraw," said Zikali, "and return no more till I summon you, for I am +about to prophesy. If, however, I should seem to die, bury me to-morrow +in the place you know of and give this white man a safe-conduct from my +kraal." + +The man saluted again and went without a word. + +When he had gone the dwarf drew from the bag a bundle of twisted roots, +also some pebbles, from which he selected two, one white and the other +black. + +"Into this stone," he said, holding up the white pebble so that the +light from the fire shone on it--since, save for the lingering red +glow, it was now growing dark--"into this stone I am about to draw +your spirit, O Macumazana; and into this one"--and he held up the black +pebble--"yours, O Son of Matiwane. Why do you look frightened, O brave +White Man, who keep saying in your heart, 'He is nothing but an ugly +old Kafir cheat'? If I am a cheat, why do you look frightened? Is your +spirit already in your throat, and does it choke you, as this little +stone might do if you tried to swallow it?" and he burst into one of his +great, uncanny laughs. + +I tried to protest that I was not in the least frightened, but failed, +for, in fact, I suppose my nerves were acted on by his suggestion, and +I did feel exactly as though that stone were in my throat, only coming +upwards, not going downwards. "Hysteria," thought I to myself, "the +result of being overtired," and as I could not speak, sat still as +though I treated his gibes with silent contempt. + +"Now," went on the dwarf, "perhaps I shall seem to die; and if so do not +touch me lest you should really die. Wait till I wake up again and tell +you what your spirits have told me. Or if I do not wake up--for a time +must come when I shall go on sleeping--well--for as long as I have +lived--after the fires are quite out, not before, lay your hands upon +my breast; and if you find me turning cold, get you gone to some other +Nyanga as fast as the spirits of this place will let you, O ye who would +peep into the future." + +As he spoke he threw a big handful of the roots that I have mentioned +on to each of the fires, whereon tall flames leapt up from them, very +unholy-looking flames which were followed by columns of dense, white +smoke that emitted a most powerful and choking odour quite unlike +anything that I had ever smelt before. It seemed to penetrate all +through me, and that accursed stone in my throat grew as large as an +apple and felt as though someone were poking it upwards with a stick. + +Next he threw the white pebble into the right-hand fire, that which was +opposite to me, saying: + +"Enter, Macumazahn, and look," and the black pebble he threw into the +left-hand fire saying: "Enter, Son of Matiwane, and look. Then come back +both of you and make report to me, your master." + +Now it is a fact that as he said these words I experienced a sensation +as though a stone had come out of my throat; so readily do our nerves +deceive us that I even thought it grated against my teeth as I opened my +mouth to give it passage. At any rate the choking was gone, only now I +felt as though I were quite empty and floating on air, as though I were +not I, in short, but a mere shell of a thing, all of which doubtless was +caused by the stench of those burning roots. Still I could look and take +note, for I distinctly saw Zikali thrust his huge head, first into the +smoke of what I will call my fire, next into that of Saduko's fire, and +then lean back, blowing the stuff in clouds from his mouth and nostrils. +Afterwards I saw him roll over on to his side and lie quite still with +his arms outstretched; indeed, I noticed that one of his fingers seemed +to be in the left-hand fire and reflected that it would be burnt off. In +this, however, I must have been mistaken, since I observed subsequently +that it was not even scorched. + +Thus Zikali lay for a long while till I began to wonder whether he were +not really dead. Dead enough he seemed to be, for no corpse could have +stayed more stirless. But that night I could not keep my thoughts +fixed on Zikali or anything. I merely noted these circumstances in a +mechanical way, as might one with whom they had nothing whatsoever to +do. They did not interest me at all, for there appeared to be nothing +in me to be interested, as I gathered according to Zikali, because I was +not there, but in a warmer place than I hope ever to occupy, namely, in +the stone in that unpleasant-looking, little right-hand fire. + +So matters went as they might in a dream. The sun had sunk completely, +not even an after-glow was left. The only light remaining was that +from the smouldering fires, which just sufficed to illumine the bulk of +Zikali, lying on his side, his squat shape looking like that of a dead +hippopotamus calf. What was left of my consciousness grew heartily sick +of the whole affair; I was tired of being so empty. + +At length the dwarf stirred. He sat up, yawned, sneezed, shook himself, +and began to rake among the burning embers of my fire with his naked +hand. Presently he found the white stone, which was now red-hot--at any +rate it glowed as though it were--and after examining it for a moment +finally popped it into his mouth! Then he hunted in the other fire for +the black stone, which he treated in a similar fashion. The next thing I +remember was that the fires, which had died away almost to nothing, were +burning very brightly again, I suppose because someone had put fuel on +them, and Zikali was speaking. + +"Come here, O Macumazana and O Son of Matiwane," he said, "and I will +repeat to you what your spirits have been telling me." + +We drew near into the light of the fires, which for some reason or other +was extremely vivid. Then he spat the white stone from his mouth into +his big hand, and I saw that now it was covered with lines and patches +like a bird's egg. + +"You cannot read the signs?" he said, holding it towards me; and when I +shook my head went on: "Well, I can, as you white men read a book. All +your history is written here, Macumazahn; but there is no need to tell +you that, since you know it, as I do well enough, having learned it in +other days, the days of Dingaan, Macumazahn. All your future, also, a +very strange future," and he scanned the stone with interest. "Yes, yes; +a wonderful life, and a noble death far away. But of these matters you +have not asked me, and therefore I may not tell them even if I wished, +nor would you believe if I did. It is of your hunting trip that you have +asked me, and my answer is that if you seek your own comfort you will do +well not to go. A pool in a dry river-bed; a buffalo bull with the +tip of one horn shattered. Yourself and the bull in the pool. Saduko, +yonder, also in the pool, and a little half-bred man with a gun jumping +about upon the bank. Then a litter made of boughs and you in it, and the +father of Mameena walking lamely at your side. Then a hut and you in it, +and the maiden called Mameena sitting at your side. + +"Macumazahn, your spirit has written on this stone that you should +beware of Mameena, since she is more dangerous than any buffalo. If you +are wise you will not go out hunting with Umbezi, although it is true +that hunt will not cost you your life. There, away, Stone, and take +your writings with you!" and as he spoke he jerked his arm and I heard +something whiz past my face. + +Next he spat out the black stone and examined it in similar fashion. + +"Your expedition will be successful, Son of Matiwane," he said. +"Together with Macumazahn you will win many cattle at the cost of sundry +lives. But for the rest--well, you did not ask me of it, did you? Also, +I have told you something of that story before to-day. Away, Stone!" and +the black pebble followed the white out into the surrounding gloom. + +We sat quite still until the dwarf broke the deep silence with one of +his great laughs. + +"My witchcraft is done," he said. "A poor tale, was it not? Well, hunt +for those stones to-morrow and read the rest of it if you can. Why did +you not ask me to tell you everything while I was about it, White Man? +It would have interested you more, but now it has all gone from me back +into your spirit with the stones. Saduko, get you to sleep. Macumazahn, +you who are a Watcher-by-Night, come and sit with me awhile in my hut, +and we will talk of other things. All this business of the stones is +nothing more than a Kafir trick, is it, Macumazahn? When you meet the +buffalo with the split horn in the pool of a dried river, remember it is +but a cheating trick, and now come into my hut and drink a kamba [bowl] +of beer and let us talk of other things more interesting." + +So he took me into the hut, which was a fine one, very well lighted by +a fire in its centre, and gave me Kafir beer to drink, that I swallowed +gratefully, for my throat was dry and still felt as though it had been +scraped. + +"Who are you, Father?" I asked point-blank when I had taken my seat upon +a low stool, with my back resting against the wall of the hut, and lit +my pipe. + +He lifted his big head from the pile of karosses on which he was lying +and peered at me across the fire. + +"My name is Zikali, which means 'Weapons,' White Man. You know as much +as that, don't you?" he answered. "My father 'went down' so long ago +that his does not matter. I am a dwarf, very ugly, with some learning, +as we of the Black House understand it, and very old. Is there anything +else you would like to learn?" + +"Yes, Zikali; how old?" + +"There, there, Macumazahn, as you know, we poor Kafirs cannot count very +well. How old? Well, when I was young I came down towards the coast from +the Great River, you call it the Zambesi, I think, with Undwandwe, who +lived in the north in those days. They have forgotten it now because it +is some time ago, and if I could write I would set down the history of +that march, for we fought some great battles with the people who used to +live in this country. Afterwards I was the friend of the Father of the +Zulus, he whom they still call Inkoosi Umkulu--the mighty chief--you may +have heard tell of him. I carved that stool on which you sit for him and +he left it back to me when he died." + +"Inkoosi Umkulu!" I exclaimed. "Why, they say he lived hundreds of years +ago." + +"Do they, Macumazahn? If so, have I not told you that we black people +cannot count as well as you do? Really it was only the other day. +Anyhow, after his death the Zulus began to maltreat us Undwandwe and the +Quabies and the Tetwas with us--you may remember that they called us +the Amatefula, making a mock of us. So I quarrelled with the Zulus and +especially with Chaka, he whom they named 'Uhlanya' [the Mad One]. +You see, Macumazahn, it pleased him to laugh at me because +I am not as other men are. He gave me a name which means +'The-thing-which-should-never-have-been-born.' I will not speak that +name, it is secret to me, it may not pass my lips. Yet at times he +sought my wisdom, and I paid him back for his names, for I gave him very +ill counsel, and he took it, and I brought him to his death, although +none ever saw my finger in that business. But when he was dead at the +hands of his brothers Dingaan and Umhlangana and of Umbopa, Umbopa who +also had a score to settle with him, and his body was cast out of the +kraal like that of an evil-doer, why I, who because I was a dwarf was +not sent with the _men_ against Sotshangana, went and sat on it at +night and laughed thus," and he broke into one of his hideous peals of +merriment. + +"I laughed thrice: once for my wives whom he had taken; once for my +children whom he had slain; and once for the mocking name that he had +given me. Then I became the counsellor of Dingaan, whom I hated worse +than I had hated Chaka, for he was Chaka again without his greatness, +and you know the end of Dingaan, for you had a share in that war, and of +Umhlangana, his brother and fellow-murderer, whom I counselled Dingaan +to slay. This I did through the lips of the old Princess Menkabayi, +Jama's daughter, Senzangakona's sister, the Oracle before whom all men +bowed, causing her to say that 'This land of the Zulus cannot be ruled +by a crimson assegai.' For, Macumazahn, it was Umhlangana who first +struck Chaka with the spear. Now Panda reigns, the last of the sons of +Senzangakona, my enemy, Panda the Fool, and I hold my hand from Panda +because he tried to save the life of a child of mine whom Chaka slew. +But Panda has sons who are as Chaka was, and against them I work as I +worked against those who went before them." + +"Why?" I asked. + +"Why? Oh! if I were to tell you _all_ my story you would understand why, +Macumazahn. Well, perhaps I will one day." (Here I may state that as a +matter of fact he did, and a very wonderful tale it is, but as it has +nothing to do with this history I will not write it here.) + +"I dare say," I answered. "Chaka and Dingaan and Umhlangana and the +others were not nice people. But another question. Why do you tell +me all this, O Zikali, seeing that were I but to repeat it to a +talking-bird you would be smelt out and a single moon would not die +before you do?" + +"Oh! I should be smelt out and killed before one moon dies, should I? +Then I wonder that this has not happened during all the moons that are +gone. Well, I tell the story to you, Macumazahn, who have had so much to +do with the tale of the Zulus since the days of Dingaan, because I wish +that someone should know it and perhaps write it down when everything +is finished. Because, too, I have just been reading your spirit and see +that it is still a white spirit, and that you will not whisper it to a +'talking-bird.'" + +Now I leant forward and looked at him. + +"What is the end at which you aim, O Zikali?" I asked. "You are not one +who beats the air with a stick; on whom do you wish the stick to fall at +last?" + +"On whom?" he answered in a new voice, a low, hissing voice. "Why, on +these proud Zulus, this little family of men who call themselves the +'People of Heaven,' and swallow other tribes as the great tree-snake +swallows kids and small bucks, and when it is fat with them cries to the +world, 'See how big I am! Everything is inside of me.' I am a Ndwande, +one of those peoples whom it pleases the Zulus to call 'Amatefula'--poor +hangers-on who talk with an accent, nothing but bush swine. Therefore I +would see the swine tusk the hunter. Or, if that may not be, I would +see the black hunter laid low by the rhinoceros, the white rhinoceros +of your race, Macumazahn, yes, even if it sets its foot upon the Ndwande +boar as well. There, I have told you, and this is the reason that I live +so long, for I will not die until these things have come to pass, as +come to pass they will. What did Chaka, Senzangakona's son, say when the +little red assegai, the assegai with which he slew his mother, aye and +others, some of whom were near to me, was in his liver? What did he say +to Mbopa and the princes? Did he not say that he heard the feet of a +great white people running, of a people who should stamp the Zulus flat? +Well, I, 'The-thing-who-should-not-have-been-born,' live on until that +day comes, and when it comes I think that you and I, Macumazahn, shall +not be far apart, and that is why I have opened out my heart to you, I +who have knowledge of the future. There, I speak no more of these things +that are to be, who perchance have already said too much of them. Yet do +not forget my words. Or forget them if you will, for I shall remind +you of them, Macumazahn, when the feet of your people have avenged the +Ndwandes and others whom it pleases the Zulus to treat as dirt." + +Now, this strange man, who had sat up in his excitement, shook his long +white hair which, after the fashion of wizards, he wore plaited into +thin ropes, till it hung like a veil about him, hiding his broad face +and deep eyes. Presently he spoke again through this veil of hair, +saying: + +"You are wondering, Macumazahn, what Saduko has to do with all these +great events that are to be. I answer that he must play his part in +them; not a very great part, but still a part, and it is for this +purpose that I saved him as a child from Bangu, Dingaan's man, and +reared him up to be a warrior, although, since I cannot lie, I warned +him that he would do well to leave spears alone and follow after wisdom. +Well, he will slay Bangu, who now has quarrelled with Panda, and a woman +will come into the story, one Mameena, and that woman will bring about +war between the sons of Panda, and from this war shall spring the ruin +of the Zulus, for he who wins will be an evil king to them and +bring down on them the wrath of a mightier race. And so +'The-thing-that-should-not-have-been-born' and the Ndwandes and the +Quabies and Twetwas, whom it has pleased the conquering Zulus to name +'Amatefula,' shall be avenged. Yes, yes, my Spirit tells me all these +things, and they are true." + +"And what of Saduko, my friend and your fosterling?" + +"Saduko, your friend and my fosterling, will take his appointed road, +Macumazahn, as I shall and you will. What more could he desire, seeing +it is that which he has chosen? He will take his road and he will play +the part which the Great-Great has prepared for him. Seek not to know +more. Why should you, since Time will tell you the story? And now go to +rest, Macumazahn, as I must who am old and feeble. And when it pleases +you to visit me again, we will talk further. Meanwhile, remember always +that I am nothing but an old Kafir cheat who pretends to a knowledge +that belongs to no man. Remember it especially, Macumazahn, when you +meet a buffalo with a split horn in the pool of a dried-up river, and +afterwards, when a woman named Mameena makes a certain offer to you, +which you may be tempted to accept. Good night to you, Watcher-by-Night +with the white heart and the strange destiny, good night to you, and try +not to think too hardly of the old Kafir cheat who just now is called +'Opener-of-Roads.' My servant waits without to lead you to your hut, +and if you wish to be back at Umbezi's kraal by nightfall to-morrow, +you will do well to start ere sunrise, since, as you found in coming, +Saduko, although he may be a fool, is a very good walker, and you do not +like to be left behind, Macumazahn, do you?" + +So I rose to go, but as I went some impulse seemed to take him and he +called me back and made me sit down again. + +"Macumazahn," he said, "I would add a word. When you were quite a lad +you came into this country with Retief, did you not?" + +"Yes," I answered slowly, for this matter of the massacre of Retief is +one of which I have seldom cared to speak, for sundry reasons, although +I have made a record of it in writing.[*] Even my friends Sir Henry +Curtis and Captain Good have heard little of the part I played in that +tragedy. "But what do you know of that business, Zikali?" + + [*--Published under the title of "Marie."--EDITOR.] + +"All that there is to know, I think, Macumazahn, seeing that I was at +the bottom of it, and that Dingaan killed those Boers on my advice--just +as he killed Chaka and Umhlangana." + +"You cold-blooded old murderer--" I began, but he interrupted me at +once. + +"Why do you throw evil names at me, Macumazahn, as I threw the stone of +your fate at you just now? Why am I a murderer because I brought about +the death of some white men that chanced to be your friends, who had +come here to cheat us black folk of our country?" + +"Was it for _this_ reason that you brought about their deaths, Zikali?" +I asked, staring him in the face, for I felt that he was lying to me. + +"Not altogether, Macumazahn," he answered, letting his eyes, those +strange eyes that could look at the sun without blinking, fall before +my gaze. "Have I not told you that I hate the House of Senzangakona? +And when Retief and his companions were killed, did not the spilling of +their blood mean war to the end between the Zulus and the White Men? Did +it not mean the death of Dingaan and of thousands of his people, which +is but a beginning of deaths? Now do you understand?" + +"I understand that you are a very wicked man," I answered with +indignation. + +"At least _you_ should not say so, Macumazahn," he replied in a new +voice, one with the ring of truth in it. + +"Why not?" + +"Because I saved your life on that day. You escaped alone of the White +Men, did you not? And you never could understand why, could you?" + +"No, I could not, Zikali. I put it down to what you would call 'the +spirits.'" + +"Well, I will tell you. Those spirits of yours wore my kaross," and +he laughed. "I saw you with the Boers, and saw, too, that you were of +another people--the people of the English. You may have heard at the +time that I was doctoring at the Great Place, although I kept out of the +way and we did not meet, or at least you never knew that we met, for you +were--asleep. Also I pitied your youth, for, although you do not believe +it, I had a little bit of heart left in those days. Also I knew that we +should come together again in the after years, as you see we have done +to-day and shall often do until the end. So I told Dingaan that whoever +died you must be spared, or he would bring up the 'people of George' +[i.e. the English] to avenge you, and your ghost would enter into him +and pour out a curse upon him. He believed me who did not understand +that already so many curses were gathered about his head that one more +or less made no matter. So you see you were spared, Macumazahn, and +afterwards you helped to pour out a curse upon Dingaan without becoming +a ghost, which is the reason why Panda likes you so well to-day, Panda, +the enemy of Dingaan, his brother. You remember the woman who helped +you? Well, I made her do so. How did it go with you afterwards, +Macumazahn, with you and the Boer maiden across the Buffalo River, to +whom you were making love in those days?" + +"Never mind how it went," I replied, springing up, for the old wizard's +talk had stirred sad and bitter memories in my heart. "That time is +dead, Zikali." + +"Is it, Macumazahn? Now, from the look upon your face I should have said +that it was still very much alive, as things that happened in our youth +have a way of keeping alive. But doubtless I am mistaken, and it is all +as dead as Dingaan, and as Retief, and as the others, your companions. +At least, although you do not believe it, I saved your life on that +red day, for my own purposes, of course, not because one white life was +anything among so many in my count. And now go to rest, Macumazahn, +go to rest, for although your heart has been awakened by memories this +evening, I promise that you shall sleep well to-night," and throwing the +long hair back off his eyes he looked at me keenly, wagging his big head +to and fro, and burst into another of his great laughs. + +So I went. But, ah! as I went I wept. + +Anyone who knew all that story would understand why. But this is not the +place to tell it, that tale of my first love and of the terrible events +which befell us in the time of Dingaan. Still, as I say, I have written +it down, and perhaps one day it will be read. + + + + +CHAPTER III. THE BUFFALO WITH THE CLEFT HORN + + +I slept very well that night, I suppose because I was so dog-tired +I could not help it; but next day, on our long walk back to Umbezi's +kraal, I thought a great deal. + +Without doubt I had seen and heard very strange things, both of the +past and the present--things that I could not in the least understand. +Moreover, they were mixed up with all sorts of questions of high Zulu +policy, and threw a new light upon events that happened to me and others +in my youth. + +Now, in the clear sunlight, was the time to analyse these things, and +this I did in the most logical fashion I could command, although without +the slightest assistance from Saduko, who, when I asked him questions, +merely shrugged his shoulders. + +These questions, he said, did not interest him; I had wished to see the +magic of Zikali, and Zikali had been pleased to show me some very good +magic, quite of his best indeed. Also he had conversed alone with me +afterwards, doubtless on high matters--so high that he, Saduko, was not +admitted to share the conversation--which was an honour he accorded +to very few. I could form my own conclusions in the light of the White +Man's wisdom, which everyone knew was great. + +I replied shortly that I could, for Saduko's tone irritated me. Of +course, the truth was that he felt aggrieved at being sent off to +bed like a little boy while his foster-father, the old dwarf, made +confidences to me. One of Saduko's faults was that he had always a very +good opinion of himself. Also he was by nature terribly jealous, even in +little things, as the readers of his history, if any, will learn. + +We trudged on for several hours in silence, broken at length by my +companion. + +"Do you still mean to go on a shooting expedition with Umbezi, Inkoosi?" +he asked, "or are you afraid?" + +"Of what should I be afraid?" I answered tartly. + +"Of the buffalo with the split horn, of which Zikali told you. What +else?" + +Now, I fear I used strong language about the buffalo with the split +horn, a beast in which I declared I had no belief whatsoever, either +with or without its accessories of dried river-beds and water-holes. + +"If all this old woman's talk has made _you_ afraid, however," I added, +"you can stop at the kraal with Mameena." + +"Why should the talk make me afraid, Macumazahn? Zikali did not say that +this evil spirit of a buffalo would hurt _me_. If I fear, it is for you, +seeing that if you are hurt you may not be able to go with me to look +for Bangu's cattle." + +"Oh!" I replied sarcastically; "it seems that you are somewhat selfish, +friend Saduko, since it is of your welfare and not of my safety that you +are thinking." + +"If I were as selfish as you seem to believe, Inkoosi, should I advise +you to stop with your wagons, and thereby lose the good gun with two +mouths that you have promised me? Still, it is true that I should like +well enough to stay at Umbezi's kraal with Mameena, especially if Umbezi +were away." + +Now, as there is nothing more uninteresting than to listen to +other people's love affairs, and as I saw that with the slightest +encouragement Saduko was ready to tell me all the history of his +courtship over again, I did not continue the argument. So we finished +our journey in silence, and arrived at Umbezi's kraal a little after +sundown, to find, to the disappointment of both of us, that Mameena was +still away. + +Upon the following morning we started on our shooting expedition, the +party consisting of myself, my servant Scowl, who, as I think I said, +hailed from the Cape and was half a Hottentot; Saduko; the merry old +Zulu, Umbezi, and a number of his men to serve as bearers and beaters. +It proved a very successful trip--that is, until the end of it--for in +those days the game in this part of the country was extremely plentiful. +Before the end of the second week I killed four elephants, two of them +with large tusks, while Saduko, who soon developed into a very fair +shot, bagged another with the double-barrelled gun that I had promised +him. Also, Umbezi--how, I have never discovered, for the thing partook +of the nature of a miracle--managed to slay an elephant cow with fair +ivories, using the old rifle that went off at half-cock. + +Never have I seen a man, black or white, so delighted as was that +vainglorious Kafir. For whole hours he danced and sang and took snuff +and saluted with his hand, telling me the story of his deed over and +over again, no single version of which tale agreed with the other. He +took a new title also, that meant "Eater-up-of-Elephants"; he allowed +one of his men to "bonga"--that is, praise--him all through the night, +preventing us from getting a wink of sleep, until at last the poor +fellow dropped in a kind of fit from exhaustion, and so forth. It really +was very amusing until it became a bore. + +Besides the elephants we killed lots of other things, including two +lions, which I got almost with a right and left, and three white +rhinoceroses, that now, alas! are nearly extinct. At last, towards the +end of the third week, we had as much as our men could carry in the +shape of ivory, rhinoceros horns, skins and sun-dried buckflesh, or +biltong, and determined to start back for Umbezi's kraal next day. +Indeed, this could not be long delayed, as our powder and lead were +running low; for in those days, it will be remembered, breechloaders had +not come in, and ammunition, therefore, had to be carried in bulk. + +To tell the truth, I was very glad that our trip had come to such a +satisfactory conclusion, for, although I would not admit it even to +myself, I could not get rid of a kind of sneaking dread lest after +all there might be something in the old dwarf's prophecy about a +disagreeable adventure with a buffalo which was in store for me. Well, +as it chanced, we had not so much as seen a buffalo, and as the road +which we were going to take back to the kraal ran over high, bare +country that these animals did not frequent, there was now little +prospect of our doing so--all of which, of course, showed what I already +knew, that only weak-headed superstitious idiots would put the slightest +faith in the drivelling nonsense of deceiving or self-deceived Kafir +medicine-men. These things, indeed, I pointed out with much vigour to +Saduko before we turned in on the last night of the hunt. + +Saduko listened in silence and said nothing at all, except that he would +not keep me up any longer, as I must be tired. + +Now, whatever may be the reason for it, my experience in life is that it +is never wise to brag about anything. At any rate, on a hunting trip, to +come to a particular instance, wait until you are safe at home till you +begin to do so. Of the truth of this ancient adage I was now destined to +experience a particularly fine and concrete example. + +The place where we had camped was in scattered bush overlooking a great +extent of dry reeds, that in the wet season was doubtless a swamp fed by +a small river which ran into it on the side opposite to our camp. During +the night I woke up, thinking that I heard some big beasts moving in +these reeds; but as no further sounds reached my ears I went to sleep +again. + +Shortly after dawn I was awakened by a voice calling me, which in a hazy +fashion I recognised as that of Umbezi. + +"Macumazahn," said the voice in a hoarse whisper, "the reeds below us +are full of buffalo. Get up. Get up at once." + +"What for?" I answered. "If the buffalo came into the reeds they will go +out of them. We do not want meat." + +"No, Macumazahn; but I want their hides. Panda, the King, has demanded +fifty shields of me, and without killing oxen that I can ill spare I +have not the skins whereof to make them. Now, these buffalo are in a +trap. This swamp is like a dish with one mouth. They cannot get out +at the sides of the dish, and the mouth by which they came in is very +narrow. If we station ourselves at either side of it we can kill many of +them." + +By this time I was thoroughly awake and had arisen from my blankets. +Throwing a kaross over my shoulders, I left the hut, made of boughs, +in which I was sleeping and walked a few paces to the crest of a rocky +ridge, whence I could see the dry vlei below. Here the mists of dawn +still clung, but from it rose sounds of grunts, bellows and tramplings +which I, an old hunter, could not mistake. Evidently a herd of buffalo, +one or two hundred of them, had established themselves in those reeds. + +Just then my bastard servant, Scowl, and Saduko joined us, both of them +full of excitement. + +It appeared that Scowl, who never seemed to sleep at any natural time, +had seen the buffalo entering the reeds, and estimated their number at +two or three hundred. Saduko had examined the cleft through which they +passed, and reported it to be so narrow that we could kill any number of +them as they rushed out to escape. + +"Quite so. I understand," I said. "Well, my opinion is that we had +better let them escape. Only four of us, counting Umbezi, are armed with +guns, and assegais are not of much use against buffalo. Let them go, I +say." + +Umbezi, thinking of a cheap raw material for the shields which had been +requisitioned by the King, who would surely be pleased if they were made +of such a rare and tough hide as that of buffalo, protested +violently, and Saduko, either to please one whom he hoped might be his +father-in-law or from sheer love of sport, for which he always had a +positive passion, backed him up. Only Scowl--whose dash of Hottentot +blood made him cunning and cautious--took my side, pointing out that we +were very short of powder and that buffalo "ate up much lead." At last +Saduko said: + +"The lord Macumazana is our captain; we must obey him, although it is a +pity. But doubtless the prophesying of Zikali weighs upon his mind, so +there is nothing to be done." + +"Zikali!" exclaimed Umbezi. "What has the old dwarf to do with this +matter?" + +"Never mind what he has or has not to do with it," I broke in, for +although I do not think that he meant them as a taunt, but merely as a +statement of fact, Saduko's words stung me to the quick, especially as +my conscience told me that they were not altogether without foundation. + +"We will try to kill some of these buffalo," I went on, "although, +unless the herd should get bogged, which is not likely, as the swamp is +very dry, I do not think that we can hope for more than eight or ten at +the most, which won't be of much use for shields. Come, let us make a +plan. We have no time to lose, for I think they will begin to move again +before the sun is well up." + +Half an hour later the four of us who were armed with guns were posted +behind rocks on either side of the steep, natural roadway cut by water, +which led down to the vlei, and with us some of Umbezi's men. That chief +himself was at my side--a post of honour which he had insisted upon +taking. To tell the truth, I did not dissuade him, for I thought that +I should be safer so than if he were opposite to me, since, even if the +old rifle did not go off of its own accord, Umbezi, when excited, was a +most uncertain shot. The herd of buffalo appeared to have lain down in +the reeds, so, being careful to post ourselves first, we sent three of +the native bearers to the farther side of the vlei, with instructions to +rouse the beasts by shouting. The remainder of the Zulus--there were ten +or a dozen of them armed with stabbing spears--we kept with us. + +But what did these scoundrels do? Instead of disturbing the herd +by making a noise, as we told them, for some reason best known to +themselves--I expect it was because they were afraid to go into the +vlei, where they might meet the horn of a buffalo at any moment--they +fired the dry reeds in three or four places at once, and this, if you +please, with a strong wind blowing from them to us. In a minute or two +the farther side of the swamp was a sheet of crackling flame that gave +off clouds of dense white smoke. Then pandemonium began. + +The sleeping buffalo leapt to their feet, and, after a few moments of +indecision, crashed towards us, the whole huge herd of them, snorting +and bellowing like mad things. Seeing what was about to happen, I nipped +behind a big boulder, while Scowl shinned up a mimosa with the swiftness +of a cat and, heedless of its thorns, sat himself in an eagle's nest +at the top. The Zulus with the spears bolted to take cover where they +could. What became of Saduko I did not see, but old Umbezi, bewildered +with excitement, jumped into the exact middle of the roadway, shouting: + +"They come! They come! Charge, buffalo folk, if you will. The +Eater-up-of-Elephants awaits you!" + +"You etceterad old fool!" I shouted, but got no farther, for just at +this moment the first of the buffalo, which I could see was an enormous +bull, probably the leader of the herd, accepted Umbezi's invitation and +came, with its nose stuck straight out in front of it. Umbezi's gun went +off, and next instant he went up. Through the smoke I saw his black bulk +in the air, and then heard it alight with a thud on the top of the rock +behind which I was crouching. + +"Exit Umbezi," I said to myself, and by way of a requiem let the bull +which had hoisted him, as I thought to heaven, have an ounce of lead +in the ribs as it passed me. After that I did not fire any more, for it +occurred to me that it was as well not to further advertise my presence. + +In all my hunting experience I cannot remember ever seeing such a sight +as that which followed. Out of the vlei rushed the buffalo by dozens, +every one of them making remarks in its own language as it came. They +jammed in the narrow roadway, they leapt on to each other's backs. They +squealed, they kicked, they bellowed. They charged my friendly rock till +I felt it shake. They knocked over Scowl's mimosa thorn, and would have +shot him out of his eagle's nest had not its flat top fortunately caught +in that of another and less accessible tree. And with them came clouds +of pungent smoke, mixed with bits of burning reed and puffs of hot air. + +It was over at last. With the exception of some calves, which had been +trampled to death in the rush, the herd had gone. Now, like the Roman +emperor--I think he was an emperor--I began to wonder what had become of +my legions. + +"Umbezi," I shouted, or, rather, sneezed through the smoke, "are you +dead, Umbezi?" + +"Yes, yes, Macumazahn," replied a choking and melancholy voice from the +top of the rock, "I am dead, quite dead. That evil spirit of a silwana +[i.e. wild beast] has killed me. Oh! why did I think I was a hunter; why +did I not stop at my kraal and count my cattle?" + +"I am sure I don't know, you old lunatic," I answered, as I scrambled up +the rock to bid him good-bye. + +It was a rock with a razor top like the ridge of a house, and +there, hanging across this ridge like a pair of nether garments on a +clothes-line, I found the "Eater-up-of-Elephants." + +"Where did he get you, Umbezi?" I asked, for I could not see his wounds +because of the smoke. + +"Behind, Macumazahn, behind!" he groaned, "for I had turned to fly, but, +alas! too late." + +"On the contrary," I replied, "for one so heavy you flew very well; like +a bird, Umbezi, like a bird." + +"Look and see what the evil beast has done to me, Macumazahn. It will be +easy, for my moocha has gone." + +So I looked, examining Umbezi's ample proportions with care, but could +discover nothing except a large smudge of black mud, as though he had +sat down in a half-dried puddle. Then I guessed the truth. The buffalo's +horns had missed him. He had been struck only with its muddy nose, +which, being almost as broad as that portion of Umbezi with which it +came in contact, had inflicted nothing worse than a bruise. When I was +sure he had received no serious injury, my temper, already sorely tried, +gave out, and I administered to him the soundest smacking--his position +being very convenient--that he had ever received since he was a little +boy. + +"Get up, you idiot!" I shouted, "and let us look for the others. This +is the end of your folly in making me attack a herd of buffalo in reeds. +Get up. Am I to stop here till I choke?" + +"Do you mean to tell me that I have no mortal wound, Macumazahn?" he +asked, with a return of cheerfulness, accepting the castigation in good +part, for he was not one who bore malice. "Oh, I am glad to hear it, for +now I shall live to make those cowards who fired the reeds sorry that +they are not dead; also to finish off that wild beast, for I hit him, +Macumazahn, I hit him." + +"I don't know whether you hit him; I know he hit you," I replied, as I +shoved him off the rock and ran towards the tilted tree where I had last +seen Scowl. + +Here I beheld another strange sight. Scowl was still seated in the +eagle's nest that he shared with two nearly fledged young birds, one of +which, having been injured, was uttering piteous cries. Nor did it cry +in vain, for its parents, which were of that great variety of kite that +the Boers call "lammefange", or lamb-lifters, had just arrived to its +assistance, and were giving their new nestling, Scowl, the best doing +that man ever received at the beak and claws of feathered kind. Seen +through those rushing smoke wreaths, the combat looked perfectly +titanic; also it was one of the noisiest to which I ever listened, for +I don't know which shrieked the more loudly, the infuriated eagles or +their victim. + +Seeing how things stood, I burst into a roar of laughter, and just then +Scowl grabbed the leg of the male bird, that was planted in his breast +while it removed tufts of his wool with its hooked beak, and leapt +boldly from the nest, which had become too hot to hold him. The eagle's +outspread wings broke his fall, for they acted as a parachute; and so +did Umbezi, upon whom he chanced to land. Springing from the prostrate +shape of the chief, who now had a bruise in front to match that behind, +Scowl, covered with pecks and scratches, ran like a lamp-lighter, +leaving me to collect my second gun, which he had dropped at the bottom +of the tree, but fortunately without injuring it. The Kafirs +gave him another name after that encounter, which meant +"He-who-fights-birds-and-gets-the-worst-of-it." + +Well, we escaped from the line of the smoke, a dishevelled trio--indeed, +Umbezi had nothing left on him except his head ring--and shouted for the +others, if perchance they had not been trodden to death in the rush. The +first to arrive was Saduko, who looked quite calm and untroubled, but +stared at us in astonishment, and asked coolly what we had been doing +to get in such a state. I replied in appropriate language, and asked in +turn how he had managed to remain so nicely dressed. + +He did not answer, but I believe the truth was that he had crept into +a large ant-bear's hole--small blame to him, to be frank. Then the +remainder of our party turned up one by one, some of them looking very +blown, as though they had run a long way. None were missing, except +those who had fired the reeds, and they thought it well to keep clear +for a good many hours. I believe that afterwards they regretted not +having taken a longer leave of absence; but when they finally did +arrive I was in no condition to note what passed between them and their +outraged chief. + +Being collected, the question arose what we should do. Of course, I +wished to return to camp and get out of this ill-omened place as soon +as possible. But I had reckoned without the vanity of Umbezi. Umbezi +stretched over the edge of a sharp rock, whither he had been hoisted by +the nose of a buffalo, and imagining himself to be mortally wounded, +was one thing; but Umbezi in a borrowed moocha, although, because of +his bruises, he supported his person with one hand in front and with the +other behind, knowing his injuries to be purely superficial, was quite +another. + +"I am a hunter," he said; "I am named 'Eater-up-of-Elephants';" and +he rolled his eyes, looking about for someone to contradict him, which +nobody did. Indeed, his "praiser," a thin, tired-looking person, whose +voice was worn out with his previous exertions, repeated in a feeble +way: + +"Yes, Black One, 'Eater-up-of-Elephants' is your name; +'Lifted-up-by-Buffalo' is your name." + +"Be silent, idiot," roared Umbezi. "As I said, I am a hunter; I have +wounded the wild beast that subsequently dared to assault me. [As a +matter of fact, it was I, Allan Quatermain, who had wounded it.] I would +make it bite the dust, for it cannot be far away. Let us follow it." + +He glared round him, whereon his obsequious people, or one of them, +echoed: + +"Yes, by all means let us follow it, 'Eater-up-of-Elephants.' +Macumazahn, the clever white man, will show us how, for where is the +buffalo that he fears!" + +Of course, after this there was nothing else to be done, so, having +summoned the scratched Scowl, who seemed to have no heart in the +business, we started on the spoor of the herd, which was as easy to +track as a wagon road. + +"Never mind, Baas," said Scowl, "they are two hours' march off by now." + +"I hope so," I answered; but, as it happened, luck was against me, for +before we had covered half a mile some over-zealous fellow struck a +blood spoor. + +I marched on that spoor for twenty minutes or so, till we came to a +patch of bush that sloped downwards to a river-bed. Right to this river +I followed it, till I reached the edge of a big pool that was still full +of water, although the river itself had gone dry. Here I stood looking +at the spoor and consulting with Saduko as to whether the beast could +have swum the pool, for the tracks that went to its very verge had +become confused and uncertain. Suddenly our doubts were ended, since +out of a patch of dense bush which we had passed--for it had played the +common trick of doubling back on its own spoor--appeared the buffalo, a +huge bull, that halted on three legs, my bullet having broken one of its +thighs. As to its identity there was no doubt, since on, or rather from, +its right horn, which was cleft apart at the top, hung the remains of +Umbezi's moocha. + +"Oh, beware, Inkoosi," cried Saduko in a frightened voice. _"It is the +buffalo with the cleft horn!"_ + +I heard him; I saw. All the scene in the hut of Zikali rose before +me--the old dwarf, his words, everything. I lifted my rifle and fired at +the charging beast, but knew that the bullet glanced from its skull. I +threw down the gun--for the buffalo was right on me--and tried to jump +aside. + +Almost I did so, but that cleft horn, to which hung the remains +of Umbezi's moocha, scooped me up and hurled me off the river bank +backwards and sideways into the deep pool below. As I departed thither I +saw Saduko spring forward and heard a shot fired that caused the bull to +collapse for a moment. Then with a slow, sliding motion it followed me +into the pool. + +Now we were together, and there was no room for both, so after a certain +amount of dodging I went under, as the lighter dog always does in a +fight. That buffalo seemed to do everything to me which a buffalo +could do under the circumstances. It tried to horn me, and partially +succeeded, although I ducked at each swoop. Then it struck me with its +nose and drove me to the bottom of the pool, although I got hold of its +lip and twisted it. Then it calmly knelt on me and sank me deeper and +deeper into the mud. I remember kicking it in the stomach. After this I +remember no more, except a kind of wild dream in which I rehearsed +all the scene in the dwarf's hut, and his request that when I met the +buffalo with the cleft horn in the pool of a dried river, I should +remember that he was nothing but a "poor old Kafir cheat." + +After this I saw my mother bending over a little child in my bed in the +old house in Oxfordshire where I was born, and then--blackness! + + +I came to myself again and saw, instead of my mother, the stately figure +of Saduko bending over me upon one side, and on the other that of Scowl, +the half-bred Hottentot, who was weeping, for his hot tears fell upon my +face. + +"He is gone," said poor Scowl; "that bewitched beast with the split +horn has killed him. He is gone who was the best white man in all South +Africa, whom I loved better than my father and all my relatives." + +"That you might easily do, Bastard," answered Saduko, "seeing that you +do not know who they are. But he is not gone, for the 'Opener-of-Roads' +said that he would live; also I got my spear into the heart of that +buffalo before he had kneaded the life out of him, as fortunately the +mud was soft. Yet I fear that his ribs are broken"; and he poked me with +his finger on the breast. + +"Take your clumsy hand off me," I gasped. + +"There!" said Saduko, "I have made him feel. Did I not tell you that he +would live?" + + +After this I remember little more, except some confused dreams, till I +found myself lying in a great hut, which I discovered subsequently was +Umbezi's own, the same, indeed, wherein I had doctored the ear of that +wife of his who was called "Worn-out-old-Cow." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. MAMEENA + + +For a while I contemplated the roof and sides of the hut by the light +which entered it through the smoke-vent and the door-hole, wondering +whose it might be and how I came there. + +Then I tried to sit up, and instantly was seized with agony in the +region of the ribs, which I found were bound about with broad strips of +soft tanned hide. Clearly they, or some of them, were broken. + +What had broken them? I asked myself, and in a flash everything +came back to me. So I had escaped with my life, as the old dwarf, +"Opener-of-Roads," had told me that I should. Certainly he was an +excellent prophet; and if he spoke truth in this matter, why not in +others? What was I to make of it all? How could a black savage, however +ancient, foresee the future? + +By induction from the past, I supposed; and yet what amount of induction +would suffice to show him the details of a forthcoming accident that +was to happen to me through the agency of a wild beast with a peculiarly +shaped horn? I gave it up, as before and since that day I have found it +necessary to do in the case of many other events in life. Indeed, +the question is one that I often have had cause to ask where Kafir +"witch-doctors" or prophets are concerned, notably in the instance of a +certain Mavovo, of whom I hope to tell one day, whose predictions saved +my life and those of my companions. + +Just then I heard the sound of someone creeping through the bee-hole +of the hut, and half-closed my eyes, as I did not feel inclined for +conversation. The person came and stood over me, and somehow--by +instinct, I suppose--I became aware that my visitor was a woman. Very +slowly I lifted my eyelids, just enough to enable me to see her. + +There, standing in a beam of golden light that, passing through the +smoke-hole, pierced the soft gloom of the hut, stood the most beautiful +creature that I had ever seen--that is, if it be admitted that a person +who is black, or rather copper-coloured, can be beautiful. + +She was a little above the medium height, not more, with a figure that, +so far as I am a judge of such matters, was absolutely perfect--that of +a Greek statue indeed. On this point I had an opportunity of forming an +opinion, since, except for her little bead apron and a single string +of large blue beads about her throat, her costume was--well, that of +a Greek statue. Her features showed no trace of the negro type; on the +contrary, they were singularly well cut, the nose being straight and +fine and the pouting mouth that just showed the ivory teeth between, +very small. Then the eyes, large, dark and liquid, like those of a +buck, set beneath a smooth, broad forehead on which the curling, but not +woolly, hair grew low. This hair, by the way, was not dressed up in any +of the eccentric native fashions, but simply parted in the middle and +tied in a big knot over the nape of the neck, the little ears peeping +out through its tresses. The hands, like the feet, were very small and +delicate, and the curves of the bust soft and full without being coarse, +or even showing the promise of coarseness. + +A lovely woman, truly; and yet there was something not quite pleasing +about that beautiful face; something, notwithstanding its childlike +outline, which reminded me of a flower breaking into bloom, that one +does not associate with youth and innocence. I tried to analyse what +this might be, and came to the conclusion that without being hard, it +was too clever and, in a sense, too reflective. I felt even then that +the brain within the shapely head was keen and bright as polished steel; +that this woman was one made to rule, not to be man's toy, or even his +loving companion, but to use him for her ends. + +She dropped her chin till it hid the little, dimple-like depression +below her throat, which was one of her charms, and began not to look at, +but to study me, seeing which I shut my eyes tight and waited. Evidently +she thought that I was still in my swoon, for now she spoke to herself +in a low voice that was soft and sweet as honey. + +"A small man," she said; "Saduko would make two of him, and the +other"--who was he, I wondered--"three. His hair, too, is ugly; he cuts +it short and it sticks up like that on a cat's back. Iya!" (i.e. +Piff!), and she moved her hand contemptuously, "a feather of a man. But +white--white, one of those who rule. Why, they all of them know that he +is their master. They call him 'He-who-never-Sleeps.' They say that he +has the courage of a lioness with young--he who got away when Dingaan +killed Piti [Retief] and the Boers; they say that he is quick and +cunning as a snake, and that Panda and his great indunas think more of +him than of any white man they know. He is unmarried also, though they +say, too, that twice he had a wife, who died, and now he does not turn +to look at women, which is strange in any man, and shows that he will +escape trouble and succeed. Still, it must be remembered that they are +all ugly down here in Zululand, cows, or heifers who will be cows. Piff! +no more." + +She paused for a little while, then went on in her dreamy, reflective +voice: + +"Now, if he met a woman who is not merely a cow or a heifer, a woman +cleverer than himself, even if she were not white, I wonder--" + +At this point I thought it well to wake up. Turning my head I yawned, +opened my eyes and looked at her vaguely, seeing which her expression +changed in a flash from that of brooding power to one of moved and +anxious girlhood; in short, it became most sweetly feminine. + +"You are Mameena?" I said; "is it not so?" + +"Oh, yes, Inkoosi," she answered, "that is my poor name. But how did you +hear it, and how do you know me?" + +"I heard it from one Saduko"--here she frowned a little--"and others, +and I knew you because you are so beautiful"--an incautious speech at +which she broke into a dazzling smile and tossed her deer-like head. + +"Am I?" she asked. "I never knew it, who am only a common Zulu girl to +whom it pleases the great white chief to say kind things, for which I +thank him"; and she made a graceful little reverence, just bending +one knee. "But," she went on quickly, "whatever else I be, I am of no +knowledge, not fit to tend you who are hurt. Shall I go and send my +oldest mother?" + +"Do you mean her whom your father calls the 'Worn-out-old-Cow,' and +whose ear he shot off?" + +"Yes, it must be she from the description," she answered with a little +shake of laughter, "though I never heard him give her that name." + +"Or if you did, you have forgotten it," I said dryly. "Well, I think +not, thank you. Why trouble her, when you will do quite as well? If +there is milk in that gourd, perhaps you will give me a drink of it." + +She flew to the bowl like a swallow, and next moment was kneeling at my +side and holding it to my lips with one hand, while with the other she +supported my head. + +"I am honoured," she said. "I only came to the hut the moment before +you woke, and seeing you still lost in swoon, I wept--look, my eyes are +still wet [they were, though how she made them so I do not know]--for I +feared lest that sleep should be but the beginning of the last." + +"Quite so," I said; "it is very good of you. And now, since your fears +are groundless--thanks be to the heavens--sit down, if you will, and +tell me the story of how I came here." + +She sat down, not, I noted, as a Kafir woman ordinarily does, in a kind +of kneeling position, but on a stool. + +"You were carried into the kraal, Inkoosi," she said, "on a litter of +boughs. My heart stood still when I saw that litter coming; it was no +more heart; it was cold iron, because I thought the dead or injured man +was--" And she paused. + +"Saduko?" I suggested. + +"Not at all, Inkoosi--my father." + +"Well, it wasn't either of them," I said, "so you must have felt happy." + +"Happy! Inkoosi, when the guest of our house had been wounded, perhaps +to death--the guest of whom I have heard so much, although by misfortune +I was absent when he arrived." + +"A difference of opinion with your eldest mother?" I suggested. + +"Yes, Inkoosi; my own is dead, and I am not too well treated here. She +called me a witch." + +"Did she?" I answered. "Well, I do not altogether wonder at it; but +please continue your story." + +"There is none, Inkoosi. They brought you here, they told me how the +evil brute of a buffalo had nearly killed you in the pool; that is all." + +"Yes, yes, Mameena; but how did I get out of the pool?" + +"Oh, it seems that your servant, Sikauli, the bastard, leapt into the +water and engaged the attention of the buffalo which was kneading you +into the mud, while Saduko got on to its back and drove his assegai down +between its shoulders to the heart, so that it died. Then they pulled +you out of the mud, crushed and almost drowned with water, and brought +you to life again. But afterwards you became senseless, and so lay +wandering in your speech until this hour." + +"Ah, he is a brave man, is Saduko." + +"Like others, neither more nor less," she replied with a shrug of her +rounded shoulders. "Would you have had him let you die? I think the +brave man was he who got in front of the bull and twisted its nose, not +he who sat on its back and poked at it with a spear." + +At this period in our conversation I became suddenly faint and lost +count of things, even of the interesting Mameena. When I awoke again she +was gone, and in her place was old Umbezi, who, I noticed, took down +a mat from the side of the hut and folded it up to serve as a cushion +before he sat himself upon the stool. + +"Greeting, Macumazahn," he said when he saw that I was awake; "how are +you?" + +"As well as can be hoped," I answered; "and how are you, Umbezi?" + +"Oh, bad, Macumazahn; even now I can scarcely sit down, for that bull +had a very hard nose; also I am swollen up in front where Sikauli struck +me when he tumbled out of the tree. Also my heart is cut in two because +of our losses." + +"What losses, Umbezi?" + +"Wow! Macumazahn, the fire that those low fellows of mine lit got to our +camp and burned up nearly everything--the meat, the skins, and even the +ivory, which it cracked so that it is useless. That was an unlucky hunt, +for although it began so well, we have come out of it quite naked; yes, +with nothing at all except the head of the bull with the cleft horn, +that I thought you might like to keep." + +"Well, Umbezi, let us be thankful that we have come out with our +lives--that is, if I am going to live," I added. + +"Oh, Macumazahn, you will live without doubt, and be none the worse. Two +of our doctors--very clever men--have looked at you and said so. One of +them tied you up in all those skins, and I promised him a heifer for the +business, if he cured you, and gave him a goat on account. But you must +lie here for a month or more, so he says. Meanwhile Panda has sent for +the hides which he demanded of me to be made into shields, and I have +been obliged to kill twenty-five of my beasts to provide them--that is, +of my own and of those of my headmen." + +"Then I wish you and your headmen had killed them before we met those +buffalo, Umbezi," I groaned, for my ribs were paining me very much. +"Send Saduko and Sikauli here; I would thank them for saving my life." + +So they came, next morning, I think, and I thanked them warmly enough. + +"There, there, Baas," said Scowl, who was literally weeping tears of joy +at my return from delirium and coma to the light of life and reason; not +tears of Mameena's sort, but real ones, for I saw them running down his +snub nose, that still bore marks of the eagle's claws. "There, there, +say no more, I beseech you. If you were going to die, I wished to die, +too, who, if you had left it, should only have wandered through the +world without a heart. That is why I jumped into the pool, not because I +am brave." + +When I heard this my own eyes grew moist. Oh, it is the fashion to abuse +natives, but from whom do we meet with more fidelity and love than from +these poor wild Kafirs that so many of us talk of as black dirt which +chances to be fashioned to the shape of man? + +"As for myself, Inkoosi," added Saduko, "I only did my duty. How could +I have held up my head again if the bull had killed you while I walked +away alive? Why, the very girls would have mocked at me. But, oh, his +skin was tough. I thought that assegai would never get through it." + +Observe the difference between these two men's characters. The one, +although no hero in daily life, imperils himself from sheer, dog-like +fidelity to a master who had given him many hard words and sometimes +a flogging in punishment for drunkenness, and the other to gratify his +pride, also perhaps because my death would have interfered with his +plans and ambitions in which I had a part to play. No, that is a hard +saying; still, there is no doubt that Saduko always first took his own +interests into consideration, and how what he did would reflect upon +his prospects and repute, or influence the attainment of his desires. I +think this was so even when Mameena was concerned--at any rate, in the +beginning--although certainly he always loved her with a single-hearted +passion that is very rare among Zulus. + +Presently Scowl left the hut to prepare me some broth, whereon Saduko at +once turned the talk to this subject of Mameena. + +He understood that I had seen her. Did I not think her very beautiful? + +"Yes, very beautiful," I answered; "indeed, the most beautiful Zulu +woman I have ever seen." + +And very clever--almost as clever as a white? + +"Yes, and very clever--much cleverer than most whites." + +And--anything else? + +"Yes; very dangerous, and one who could turn like the wind and blow hot +and blow cold." + +"Ah!" he said, thought a while, then added: "Well, what do I care how +she blows to others, so long as she blows hot to me." + +"Well, Saduko, and does she blow hot for you?" + +"Not altogether, Macumazahn." Another pause. "I think she blows rather +like the wind before a great storm." + +"That is a biting wind, Saduko, and when we feel it we know that the +storm will follow." + +"I dare say that the storm will follow, Inkoosi, for she was born in a +storm and storm goes with her; but what of that, if she and I stand it +out together? I love her, and I had rather die with her than live with +any other woman." + +"The question is, Saduko, whether she would rather die with you than +live with any other man. Does she say so?" + +"Inkoosi, Mameena's thought works in the dark; it is like a white ant in +its tunnel of mud. You see the tunnel which shows that she is thinking, +but you do not see the thought within. Still, sometimes, when she +believes that no one beholds or hears her"--here I bethought me of the +young lady's soliloquy over my apparently senseless self--"or when she +is surprised, the true thought peeps out of its tunnel. It did so the +other day, when I pleaded with her after she had heard that I killed the +buffalo with the cleft horn. + +"'Do I love you?' she said. 'I know not for sure. How can I tell? It is +not our custom that a maiden should love before she is married, for +if she did so most marriages would be things of the heart and not of +cattle, and then half the fathers of Zululand would grow poor and refuse +to rear girl-children who would bring them nothing. You are brave, you +are handsome, you are well-born; I would sooner live with you than +with any other man I know--that is, if you were rich and, better still, +powerful. Become rich and powerful, Saduko, and I think that I shall +love you.' + +"'I will, Mameena,' I answered; 'but you must wait. The Zulu nation was +not fashioned from nothing in a day. First Chaka had to come.' + +"'Ah!' she said, and, my father, her eyes flashed. 'Ah! Chaka! There was +a man! Be another Chaka, Saduko, and I will love you more--more than you +can dream of--thus and thus,' and she flung her arms about me and kissed +me as I was never kissed before, which, as you know, among us is a +strange thing for a girl to do. Then she thrust me from her with a +laugh, and added: 'As for the waiting, you must ask my father of that. +Am I not his heifer, to be sold, and can I disobey my father?' And she +was gone, leaving me empty, for it seemed as though she took my vitals +with her. Nor will she talk thus any more, the white ant who has gone +back into its tunnel." + +"And did you speak to her father?" + +"Yes, I spoke to him, but in an evil moment, for he had but just killed +the cattle to furnish Panda's shields. He answered me very roughly. He +said: 'You see these dead beasts which I and my people must slay for +the king, or fall under his displeasure? Well, bring me five times their +number, and we will talk of your marriage with my daughter, who is a +maid in some request.' + +"I answered that I understood and would try my best, whereon he became +more gentle, for Umbezi has a kindly heart. + +"'My son,' he said, 'I like you well, and since I saw you save +Macumazahn, my friend, from that mad wild beast of a buffalo I like +you better than before. Yet you know my case. I have an old name and +am called the chief of a tribe, and many live on me. But I am poor, and +this daughter of mine is worth much. Such a woman few men have bred. +Well, I must make the best of her. My son-in-law must be one who will +prop up my old age, one to whom, in my need or trouble, I could always +go as to a dry log,[*] to break off some of its bark to make a fire to +comfort me, not one who treads me into the mire as the buffalo did to +Macumazahn. Now I have spoken, and I do not love such talk. Come back +with the cattle, and I will listen to you, but meanwhile understand that +I am not bound to you or to anyone; I shall take what my spirit sends +me, which, if I may judge the future by the past, will not be much. One +word more: Do not linger about this kraal too long, lest it should be +said that you are the accepted suitor of Mameena. Go hence and do a +man's work, and return with a man's reward, or not at all.'" + + [*--In Zululand a son-in-law is known as "isigodo so + mkwenyana", the "son-in-law log," for the reason stated in + the text.--EDITOR.] + +"Well, Saduko, that spear has an edge on it, has it not?" I answered. +"And now, what is your plan?" + +"My plan is, Macumazahn," he said, rising from his seat, "to go hence +and gather those who are friendly to me because I am my father's son +and still the chief of the Amangwane, or those who are left of them, +although I have no kraal and no hoof of kine. Then, within a moon, I +hope, I shall return here to find you strong again and once more a man, +and we will start out against Bangu, as I have whispered to you, with +the leave of a High One, who has said that, if I can take any cattle, I +may keep them for my pains." + +"I don't know about that, Saduko. I never promised you that I would make +war upon Bangu--with or without the king's leave." + +"No, you never promised, but Zikali the Dwarf, the Wise Little One, said +that you would--and does Zikali lie? Ask yourself, who will remember a +certain saying of his about a buffalo with a cleft horn, a pool and a +dry river-bed. Farewell, O my father Macumazahn; I walk with the dawn, +and I leave Mameena in your keeping." + +"You mean that you leave me in Mameena's keeping," I began, but already +he was crawling through the hole in the hut. + +Well, Mameena kept me very comfortably. She was always in evidence, yet +not too much so. + +Heedless of her malice and abuse, she headed off the "Worn-out-old-Cow," +whom she knew I detested, from my presence. She saw personally to my +bandages, as well as to the cooking of my food, over which matter she +had several quarrels with the bastard, Scowl, who did not like her, +for on him she never wasted any of her sweet looks. Also, as I grew +stronger, she sat with me a good deal, talking, since, by common +consent, Mameena the fair was exempted from all the field, and even +the ordinary household labours that fall to the lot of Kafir women. Her +place was to be the ornament and, I may add, the advertisement of her +father's kraal. Others might do the work, and she saw that they did it. + +We discussed all sorts of things, from the Christian and other religions +and European policy down, for her thirst for knowledge seemed to be +insatiable. But what really interested her was the state of affairs in +Zululand, with which she knew I was well acquainted, as a person who +had played a part in its history and who was received and trusted at the +Great House, and as a white man who understood the designs and plans of +the Boers and of the Governor of Natal. + +Now, if the old king, Panda, should chance to die, she would ask me, +which of his sons did I think would succeed him--Umbelazi or Cetewayo, +or another? Or, if he did not chance to die, which of them would he name +his heir? + +I replied that I was not a prophet, and that she had better ask Zikali +the Wise. + +"That is a very good idea," she said, "only I have no one to take me to +him, since my father would not allow me to go with Saduko, his ward." +Then she clapped her hands and added: "Oh, Macumazahn, will you take me? +My father would trust me with you." + +"Yes, I dare say," I answered; "but the question is, could I trust +myself with you?" + +"What do you mean?" she asked. "Oh, I understand. Then, after all, I am +more to you than a black stone to play with?" + +I think it was that unlucky joke of mine which first set Mameena +thinking, "like a white ant in its tunnel," as Saduko said. At least, +after it her manner towards me changed; she became very deferential; +she listened to my words as though they were all wisdom; I caught her +looking at me with her soft eyes as though I were quite an admirable +object. She began to talk to me of her difficulties, her troubles and +her ambitions. She asked me for my advice as to Saduko. On this point +I replied to her that, if she loved him, and her father would allow it, +presumably she had better marry him. + +"I like him well enough, Macumazahn, although he wearies me at times; +but love-- Oh, tell me, _what_ is love?" Then she clasped her slim hands +and gazed at me like a fawn. + +"Upon my word, young woman," I replied, "that is a matter upon which I +should have thought you more competent to instruct me." + +"Oh, Macumazahn," she said almost in a whisper, and letting her head +droop like a fading lily, "you have never given me the chance, have +you?" And she laughed a little, looking extremely attractive. + +"Good gracious!"--or, rather, its Zulu equivalent--I answered, for I +began to feel nervous. "What do you mean, Mameena? How could I--" There +I stopped. + +"I do not know what I mean, Macumazahn," she exclaimed wildly, "but +I know well enough what you mean--that you are white as snow and I am +black as soot, and that snow and soot don't mix well together." + +"No," I answered gravely, "snow is good to look at, and so is soot, but +mingled they make an ugly colour. Not that you are like soot," I added +hastily, fearing to hurt her feelings. "That is your hue"--and I touched +a copper bangle she was wearing--"a very lovely hue, Mameena, like +everything else about you." + +"Lovely," she said, beginning to weep a little, which upset me very +much, for if there is one thing I hate, it is to see a woman cry. "How +can a poor Zulu girl be lovely? Oh, Macumazahn, the spirits have dealt +hardly with me, who have given me the colour of my people and the +heart of yours. If I were white, now, what you are pleased to call this +loveliness of mine would be of some use to me, for then-- then-- Oh, +cannot you guess, Macumazahn?" + +I shook my head and said that I could not, and next moment was sorry, +for she proceeded to explain. + +Sinking to her knees--for we were quite alone in the big hut and there +was no one else about, all the other women being engaged on rural or +domestic tasks, for which Mameena declared she had no time, as her +business was to look after me--she rested her shapely head upon my knees +and began to talk in a low, sweet voice that sometimes broke into a sob. + +"Then I will tell you--I will tell you; yes, even if you hate me +afterwards. I could teach you what love is very well, Macumazahn; you +are quite right--because I love you." (Sob.) "No, you shall not stir +till you have heard me out." Here she flung her arms about my legs and +held them tight, so that without using great violence it was absolutely +impossible for me to move. "When I saw you first, all shattered and +senseless, snow seemed to fall upon my heart, and it stopped for a +little while and has never been the same since. I think that something +is growing in it, Macumazahn, that makes it big." (Sob.) "I used to like +Saduko before that, but afterwards I did not like him at all--no, +nor Masapo either--you know, he is the big chief who lives over the +mountain, a very rich and powerful man, who, I believe, would like +to marry me. Well, as I went on nursing you my heart grew bigger and +bigger, and now you see it has burst." (Sob.) "Nay, stay still and do +not try to speak. You _shall_ hear me out. It is the least you can do, +seeing that you have caused me all this pain. If you did not want me to +love you, why did you not curse at me and strike me, as I am told white +men do to Kafir girls?" She rose and went on: + +"Now, hearken. Although I am the colour of copper, I am comely. I am +well-bred also; there is no higher blood than ours in Zululand, both on +my father's and my mother's side, and, Macumazahn, I have a fire in me +that shows me things. I can be great, and I long for greatness. Take me +to wife, Macumazahn, and I swear to you that in ten years I will make +you king of the Zulus. Forget your pale white women and wed yourself to +that fire which burns in me, and it shall eat up all that stands between +you and the Crown, as flame eats up dry grass. More, I will make you +happy. If you choose to take other wives, I will not be jealous, because +I know that I should hold your spirit, and that, compared to me, they +would be nothing in your thought--" + +"But, Mameena," I broke in, "I don't want to be king of the Zulus." + +"Oh, yes, yes, you do, for every man wants power, and it is better to +rule over a brave, black people--thousands and thousands of them--than +to be no one among the whites. Think, think! There is wealth in the +land. By your skill and knowledge the amabuto [regiments] could be +improved; with the wealth you would arm them with guns--yes, and +'by-and-byes' also with the throat of thunder" (that is, or was, the +Kafir name for cannon).[*] "They would be invincible. Chaka's kingdom +would be nothing to ours, for a hundred thousand warriors would sleep +on their spears, waiting for your word. If you wished it even you could +sweep out Natal and make the whites there your subjects, too. Or perhaps +it would be safer to let them be, lest others should come across the +green water to help them, and to strike northwards, where I am told +there are great lands as rich and fair, in which none would dispute our +sovereignty--" + + [*--Cannon were called "by-and-byes" by the natives, because + when field-pieces first arrived in Natal inquisitive Kafirs + pestered the soldiers to show them how they were fired. + The answer given was always "By-and-bye!" Hence the name.-- + EDITOR] + +"But, Mameena," I gasped, for this girl's titanic ambition literally +overwhelmed me, "surely you are mad! How would you do all these things?" + +"I am not mad," she answered; "I am only what is called great, and you +know well enough that I can do them, not by myself, who am but a woman +and tied with the ropes that bind women, but with you to cut those ropes +and help me. I have a plan which will not fail. But, Macumazahn," she +added in a changed voice, "until I know that you will be my partner in +it I will not tell it even to you, for perhaps you might talk--in your +sleep, and then the fire in my breast would soon go out--for ever." + +"I might talk now, for the matter of that, Mameena." + +"No; for men like you do not tell tales of foolish girls who chance to +love them. But if that plan began to work, and you heard say that kings +or princes died, it might be otherwise. You might say, 'I think I +know where the witch lives who causes these evils'--in your sleep, +Macumazahn." + +"Mameena," I said, "tell me no more. Setting your dreams on one side, +can I be false to my friend, Saduko, who talks to me day and night of +you?" + +"Saduko! Piff!" she exclaimed, with that expressive gesture of her hand. + +"And can I be false," I continued, seeing that Saduko was no good card +to play, "to my friend, Umbezi, your father?" + +"My father!" she laughed. "Why, would it not please him to grow great +in your shadow? Only yesterday he told me to marry you, if I could, for +then he would find a stick indeed to lean on, and be rid of Saduko's +troubling." + +Evidently Umbezi was a worse card even than Saduko, so I played another. + +"And can I help you, Mameena, to tread a road that at the best must be +red with blood?" + +"Why not," she asked, "since with or without you I am destined to tread +that road, the only difference being that with you it will lead to glory +and without you perhaps to the jackals and the vultures? Blood! Piff! +What is blood in Zululand?" + +This card also having failed, I tabled my last. + +"Glory or no glory, I do not wish to share it, Mameena. I will not +make war among a people who have entertained me hospitably, or plot the +downfall of their Great Ones. As you told me just now, I am nobody--just +one grain of sand upon a white shore--but I had rather be that than a +haunted rock which draws the heavens' lightnings and is drenched with +sacrifice. I seek no throne over white or black, Mameena, who walk my +own path to a quiet grave that shall perhaps not be without honour of +its own, though other than you seek. I will keep your counsel, Mameena, +but, because you are so beautiful and so wise, and because you say you +are fond of me--for which I thank you--I pray you put away these fearful +dreams of yours that in the end, whether they succeed or fail, will +send you shivering from the world to give account of them to the +Watcher-on-high." + +"Not so, O Macumazana," she said, with a proud little laugh. "When your +Watcher sowed my seed--if thus he did--he sowed the dreams that are +a part of me also, and I shall only bring him back his own, with the +flower and the fruit by way of interest. But that is finished. You +refuse the greatness. Now, tell me, if I sink those dreams in a great +water, tying about them the stone of forgetfulness and saying: 'Sleep +there, O dreams; it is not your hour'--if I do this, and stand before +you just a woman who loves and who swears by the spirits of her fathers +never to think or do that which has not your blessing--will you love me +a little, Macumazahn?" + +Now I was silent, for she had driven me to the last ditch, and I knew +not what to say. Moreover, I will confess my weakness--I was strangely +moved. This beautiful girl with the "fire in her heart," this woman who +was different from all other women that I had ever known, seemed to have +twisted her slender fingers into my heart-strings and to be drawing +me towards her. It was a great temptation, and I bethought me of old +Zikali's saying in the Black Kloof, and seemed to hear his giant laugh. + +She glided up to me, she threw her arms about me and kissed me on the +lips, and I think I kissed her back, but really I am not sure what I +did or said, for my head swam. When it cleared again she was standing in +front of me, looking at me reflectively. + +"Now, Macumazahn," she said, with a little smile that both mocked and +dazzled, "the poor black girl has you, the wise, experienced white man, +in her net, and I will show you that she can be generous. Do you think +that I do not read your heart, that I do not know that you believe I +am dragging you down to shame and ruin? Well, I spare you, Macumazahn, +since you have kissed me and spoken words which already you may have +forgotten, but which I do not forget. Go your road, Macumazahn, and I +go mine, since the proud white man shall not be stained with my black +touch. Go your road; but one thing I forbid you--to believe that you +have been listening to lies, and that I have merely played off a woman's +arts upon you for my own ends. I love you, Macumazahn, as you will never +be loved till you die, and I shall never love any other man, however +many I may marry. Moreover, you shall promise me one thing--that once in +my life, and once only, if I wish it, you shall kiss me again before all +men. And now, lest you should be moved to folly and forget your white +man's pride, I bid you farewell, O Macumazana. When we meet again it +will be as friends only." + +Then she went, leaving me feeling smaller than ever I felt in my life, +before or since--even smaller than when I walked into the presence of +old Zikali the Wise. Why, I wondered, had she first made a fool of me, +and then thrown away the fruits of my folly? To this hour I cannot quite +answer the question, though I believe the explanation to be that she did +really care for me, and was anxious not to involve me in trouble and her +plottings; also she may have been wise enough to see that our natures +were as oil and water and would never blend. + + + + +CHAPTER V. TWO BUCKS AND THE DOE + + +It may be thought that, as a sequel to this somewhat remarkable scene in +which I was absolutely bowled over--perhaps bowled out would be a better +term--by a Kafir girl who, after bending me to her will, had the genius +to drop me before I repented, as she knew I would do so soon as her back +was turned, thereby making me look the worst of fools, that my relations +with that young lady would have been strained. But not a bit of it. When +next we met, which was on the following morning, she was just her easy, +natural self, attending to my hurts, which by now were almost well, +joking about this and that, inquiring as to the contents of certain +letters which I had received from Natal, and of some newspapers that +came with them--for on all such matters she was very curious--and so +forth. + +Impossible, the clever critic will say--impossible that a savage could +act with such finish. Well, friend critic, that is just where you are +wrong. When you come to add it up there's very little difference in all +main and essential matters between the savage and yourself. + +To begin with, by what exact right do we call people like the Zulus +savages? Setting aside the habit of polygamy, which, after all, is +common among very highly civilised peoples in the East, they have a +social system not unlike our own. They have, or had, their king, their +nobles, and their commons. They have an ancient and elaborate law, and +a system of morality in some ways as high as our own, and certainly more +generally obeyed. They have their priests and their doctors; they are +strictly upright, and observe the rites of hospitality. + +Where they differ from us mainly is that they do not get drunk until the +white man teaches them so to do, they wear less clothing, the climate +being more genial, their towns at night are not disgraced by the +sights that distinguish ours, they cherish and are never cruel to their +children, although they may occasionally put a deformed infant or a twin +out of the way, and when they go to war, which is often, they carry out +the business with a terrible thoroughness, almost as terrible as that +which prevailed in every nation in Europe a few generations ago. + +Of course, there remain their witchcraft and the cruelties which result +from their almost universal belief in the power and efficiency of magic. +Well, since I lived in England I have been reading up this subject, and +I find that quite recently similar cruelties were practised throughout +Europe--that is in a part of the world which for over a thousand years +has enjoyed the advantages of the knowledge and profession of the +Christian faith. + +Now, let him who is highly cultured take up a stone to throw at the +poor, untaught Zulu, which I notice the most dissolute and drunken +wretch of a white man is often ready to do, generally because he covets +his land, his labour, or whatever else may be his. + +But I wander from my point, which is that a clever man or woman among +the people whom we call savages is in all essentials very much the same +as a clever man or woman anywhere else. + +Here in England every child is educated at the expense of the Country, +but I have not observed that the system results in the production of +more really able individuals. Ability is the gift of Nature, and that +universal mother sheds her favours impartially over all who breathe. +No, not quite impartially, perhaps, for the old Greeks and others were +examples to the contrary. Still, the general rule obtains. + +To return. Mameena was a very able person, as she chanced to be a very +lovely one, a person who, had she been favoured by opportunity, would +doubtless have played the part of a Cleopatra with equal or greater +success, since she shared the beauty and the unscrupulousness of that +famous lady and was, I believe, capable of her passion. + +I scarcely like to mention the matter since it affects myself, and +the natural vanity of man makes him prone to conclude that he is the +particular object of sole and undying devotion. Could he know all the +facts of the case, or cases, probably he would be much undeceived, and +feel about as small as I did when Mameena walked, or rather crawled, out +of the hut (she could even crawl gracefully). Still, to be honest--and +why should I not, since all this business "went beyond" so long +ago?--I do believe that there was a certain amount of truth in what she +said--that, for Heaven knows what reason, she did take a fancy to me, +which fancy continued during her short and stormy life. But the reader +of her story may judge for himself. + +Within a fortnight of the day of my discomfiture in the hut I was quite +well and strong again, my ribs, or whatever part of me it was that the +buffalo had injured with his iron knees, having mended up. Also, I was +anxious to be going, having business to attend to in Natal, and, as no +more had been seen or heard of Saduko, I determined to trek homewards, +leaving a message that he knew where to find me if he wanted me. The +truth is that I was by no means keen on being involved in his private +war with Bangu. Indeed, I wished to wash my hands of the whole matter, +including the fair Mameena and her mocking eyes. + +So one morning, having already got up my oxen, I told Scowl to inspan +them--an order which he received with joy, for he and the other boys +wished to be off to civilisation and its delights. Just as the operation +was beginning, however, a message came to me from old Umbezi, who begged +me to delay my departure till after noon, as a friend of his, a big +chief, had come to visit him who wished much to have the honour of +making my acquaintance. Now, I wished the big chief farther off, but, as +it seemed rude to refuse the request of one who had been so kind to me, +I ordered the oxen to be unyoked but kept at hand, and in an irritable +frame of mind walked up to the kraal. This was about half a mile from +my place of outspan, for as soon as I was sufficiently recovered I +had begun to sleep in my wagon, leaving the big hut to the +"Worn-out-Old-Cow." + +There was no particular reason why I should be irritated, since time +in those days was of no great account in Zululand, and it did not much +matter to me whether I trekked in the morning or the afternoon. But the +fact was that I could not get over the prophecy of Zikali, "the Little +and Wise," that I was destined to share Saduko's expedition against +Bangu, and, although he had been right about the buffalo and Mameena, I +was determined to prove him wrong in this particular. + +If I had left the country, obviously I could not go against Bangu, at +any rate at present. But while I remained in it Saduko might return at +any moment, and then, doubtless, I should find it hard to escape from +the kind of half-promise that I had given to him. + +Well, as soon as I reached the kraal I saw that some kind of festivity +was in progress, for an ox had been killed and was being cooked, some of +it in pots and some by roasting; also there were several strange Zulus +present. Within the fence of the kraal, seated in its shadow, I found +Umbezi and some of his headmen, and with them a great, brawny "ringed" +native, who wore a tiger-skin moocha as a mark of rank, and some of +_his_ headmen. Also Mameena was standing near the gate, dressed in her +best beads and holding a gourd of Kafir beer which, evidently, she had +just been handing to the guests. + +"Would you have run away without saying good-bye to me, Macumazahn?" she +whispered to me as I came abreast of her. "That is unkind of you, and I +should have wept much. However, it was not so fated." + +"I was going to ride up and bid farewell when the oxen were inspanned," +I answered. "But who is that man?" + +"You will find out presently, Macumazahn. Look, my father is beckoning +to us." + +So I went on to the circle, and as I advanced Umbezi rose and, taking me +by the hand, led me to the big man, saying: + +"This is Masapo, chief of the Amansomi, of the Quabe race, who desires +to know you, Macumazahn." + +"Very kind of him, I am sure," I replied coolly, as I threw my eye over +Masapo. He was, as I have said, a big man, and of about fifty years +of age, for his hair was tinged with grey. To be frank, I took a great +dislike to him at once, for there was something in his strong, coarse +face, and his air of insolent pride, which repelled me. Then I was +silent, since among the Zulus, when two strangers of more or less equal +rank meet, he who speaks first acknowledges inferiority to the other. +Therefore I stood and contemplated this new suitor of Mameena, waiting +on events. + +Masapo also contemplated me, then made some remark to one of his +attendants, that I did not catch, which caused the fellow to laugh. + +"He has heard that you are an ipisi" (a great hunter), broke in Umbezi, +who evidently felt that the situation was growing strained, and that it +was necessary to say something. + +"Has he?" I answered. "Then he is more fortunate than I am, for I have +never heard of him or what he is." This, I am sorry to say, was a fib, +for it will be remembered that Mameena had mentioned him in the hut as +one of her suitors, but among natives one must keep up one's dignity +somehow. "Friend Umbezi," I went on, "I have come to bid you farewell, +as I am about to trek for Durban." + +At this juncture Masapo stretched out his great hand to me, but without +rising, and said: + +"Siyakubona [that is, good-day], White Man." + +"Siyakubona, Black Man," I answered, just touching his fingers, while +Mameena, who had come up again with her beer, and was facing me, made a +little grimace and tittered. + +Now I turned on my heel to go, whereon Masapo said in a coarse, growling +voice: + +"O Macumazana, before you leave us I wish to speak with you on a certain +matter. Will it please you to sit aside with me for a while?" + +"Certainly, O Masapo." And I walked away a few yards out of hearing, +whither he followed me. + +"Macumazahn," he said (I give the gist of his remarks, for he did not +come to the point at once), "I need guns, and I am told that you can +provide them, being a trader." + +"Yes, Masapo, I dare say that I can, at a price, though it is a risky +business smuggling guns into Zululand. But might I ask what you need +them for? is it to shoot elephants?" + +"Yes, to shoot elephants," he replied, rolling his big eyes round him. +"Macumazahn, I am told that you are discreet, that you do not shout +from the top of a hut what you hear within it. Now, hearken to me. Our +country is disturbed; we do not all of us love the seed of Senzangakona, +of whom the present king, Panda, is one. For instance, you may know that +we Quabies--for my tribe, the Amansomi, are of that race--suffered at +the spear of Chaka. Well, we think that a time may come when we who live +on shrubs like goats may again browse on tree-tops like giraffes, for +Panda is no strong king, and he has sons who hate each other, one of +whom may need our spears. Do you understand?" + +"I understand that you want guns, O Masapo," I answered dryly. "Now, as +to the price and place of delivery." + +Then we bargained for a while, but the details of that business +transaction of long ago will interest no one. Indeed, I only mention the +matter to show that Masapo was plotting to bring trouble on the ruling +house, whereof Panda was the representative at that time. + +When we had concluded our rather nefarious negotiations, which were to +the effect that I was to receive so many cattle in return for so many +guns, if I could deliver them at a certain spot, namely, Umbezi's kraal, +I returned to the circle where Umbezi, his followers and guests were +sitting, purposing to bid him farewell. By now, however, meat had been +served, and as I was hungry, having had little breakfast that morning, +I stayed to eat. When I had finished my meal, and washed it down with a +draught of tshwala (that is, Kafir beer), I rose to go, but just at that +moment who should walk through the gate but Saduko? + +"Piff!" said Mameena, who was standing near me, speaking in a voice that +none but I could hear. "When two bucks meet, what happens, Macumazahn?" + +"Sometimes they fight and sometimes one runs away. It depends very much +on the doe," I answered in the same low voice, looking at her. + +She shrugged her shoulders, folded her arms beneath her breast, nodded +to Saduko as he passed, then leaned gracefully against the fence and +awaited events. + +"Greeting, Umbezi," said Saduko in his proud manner. "I see that you +feast. Am I welcome here?" + +"Of course you are always welcome, Saduko," replied Umbezi uneasily, +"although, as it happens, I am entertaining a great man." And he looked +towards Masapo. + +"I see," said Saduko, eyeing the strangers. "But which of these may be +the great man? I ask that I may salute him." + +"You know well enough, umfokazana" (that is, low fellow), exclaimed +Masapo angrily. + +"I know that if you were outside this fence, Masapo, I would cram that +word down your throat at the point of my assegai," replied Saduko in a +fierce voice. "Oh, I can guess your business here, Masapo, and you can +guess mine," and he glanced towards Mameena. "Tell me, Umbezi, is this +little chief of the Amansomi your daughter's accepted suitor?" + +"Nay, nay, Saduko," said Umbezi; "no one is her accepted suitor. Will +you not sit down and take food with us? Tell us where you have been, and +why you return here thus suddenly, and--uninvited?" + +"I return here, O Umbezi, to speak with the white chief, Macumazahn. As +to where I have been, that is my affair, and not yours or Masapo's." + +"Now, if I were chief of this kraal," said Masapo, "I would hunt out of +it this hyena with a mangy coat and without a hole who comes to devour +your meat and, perhaps," he added with meaning, "to steal away your +child." + +"Did I not tell you, Macumazahn, that when two bucks met they would +fight?" whispered Mameena suavely into my ear. + +"Yes, Mameena, you did--or rather I told you. But you did not tell me +what the doe would do." + +"The doe, Macumazahn, will crouch in her form and see what happens--as +is the fashion of does," and again she laughed softly. + +"Why not do your own hunting, Masapo?" asked Saduko. "Come, now, I +will promise you good sport. Outside this kraal there are other hyenas +waiting who call me chief--a hundred or two of them--assembled for a +certain purpose by the royal leave of King Panda, whose House, as we all +know, you hate. Come, leave that beef and beer and begin your hunting of +hyenas, O Masapo." + +Now Masapo sat silent, for he saw that he who thought to snare a baboon +had caught a tiger. + +"You do not speak, O Chief of the little Amansomi," went on Saduko, who +was beside himself with rage and jealousy. "You will not leave your beef +and beer to hunt the hyenas who are captained by an umfokazana! Well, +then, the umfokazana will speak," and, stepping up to Masapo, with the +spear he carried poised in his right hand, Saduko grasped his rival's +short beard with his left. + +"Listen, Chief," he said. "You and I are enemies. You seek the woman I +seek, and, mayhap, being rich, you will buy her. But if so, I tell you +that I will kill you and all your House, you sneaking, half-bred dog!" + +With these fierce words he spat in his face and tumbled him backwards. +Then, before anyone could stop him, for Umbezi, and even Masapo's +headmen, seemed paralysed with surprise, he stalked through the kraal +gate, saying as he passed me: + +"Inkoosi, I have words for you when you are at liberty." + +"You shall pay for this," roared Umbezi after him, turning almost green +with rage, for Masapo still lay upon his broad back, speechless, "you +who dare to insult my guest in my own house." + +"Somebody must pay," cried back Saduko from the gate, "but who it is +only the unborn moons will see." + +"Mameena," I said as I followed him, "you have set fire to the grass, +and men will be burned in it." + +"I meant to, Macumazahn," she answered calmly. "Did I not tell you +that there was a flame in me, and it will break out sometimes? But, +Macumazahn, it is you who have set fire to the grass, not I. Remember +that when half Zululand is in ashes. Farewell, O Macumazana, till we +meet again, and," she added softly, "whoever else must burn, may the +spirits have _you_ in their keeping." + +At the gate, remembering my manners, I turned to bid that company a +polite farewell. By now Masapo had gained his feet, and was roaring out +like a bull: + +"Kill him! Kill the hyena! Umbezi, will you sit still and see me, your +guest--me, Masapo--struck and insulted under the shadow of your own hut? +Go forth and kill him, I say!" + +"Why not kill him yourself, Masapo," asked the agitated Umbezi, "or +bid your headmen kill him? Who am I that I should take precedence of +so great a chief in a matter of the spear?" Then he turned towards me, +saying: "Oh, Macumazahn the crafty, if I have dealt well by you, come +here and give me your counsel." + +"I come, Eater-up-of-Elephants," I answered, and I did. + +"What shall I do--what shall I do?" went on Umbezi, brushing the +perspiration off his brow with one hand, while he wrung the other in his +agitation. "There stands a friend of mine"--he pointed to the infuriated +Masapo--"who wishes me to kill another friend of mine," and he jerked +his thumb towards the kraal gate. "If I refuse I offend one friend, +and if I consent I bring blood upon my hands which will call for blood, +since, although Saduko is poor, without doubt he has those who love +him." + +"Yes," I answered, "and perhaps you will bring blood upon other parts of +yourself besides your hands, since Saduko is not one to sit still like a +sheep while his throat is cut. Also did he not say that he is not quite +alone? Umbezi, if you will take my advice, you will leave Masapo to do +his own killing." + +"It is good; it is wise!" exclaimed Umbezi. "Masapo," he called to that +warrior, "if you wish to fight, pray do not think of me. I see nothing, +I hear nothing, and I promise proper burial to any who fall. Only you +had best be swift, for Saduko is walking away all this time. Come, you +and your people have spears, and the gate stands open." + +"Am I to go without my meat in order to knock that hyena on the head?" +asked Masapo in a brave voice. "No, he can wait my leisure. Sit still, +my people. I tell you, sit still. Tell him, you Macumazahn, that I am +coming for him presently, and be warned to keep yourself away from him, +lest you should tumble into his hole." + +"I will tell him," I answered, "though I know not who made me your +messenger. But listen to me, you Speaker of big words and Doer of +small deeds, if you dare to lift a finger against me I will teach you +something about holes, for there shall be one or more through that great +carcass of yours." + +Then, walking up to him, I looked him in the face, and at the same time +tapped the handle of the big double-barrelled pistol I carried. + +He shrank back muttering something. + +"Oh, don't apologise," I said, "only be more careful in future. And +now I wish you a good dinner, Chief Masapo, and peace upon your kraal, +friend Umbezi." + +After this speech I marched off, followed by the clamour of Masapo's +furious attendants and the sound of Mameena's light and mocking +laughter. + +"I wonder which of them she will marry?" I thought to myself, as I set +out for the wagons. + +As I approached my camp I saw that the oxen were being inspanned, as I +supposed by the order of Scowl, who must have heard that there was a row +up at the kraal, and thought it well to be ready to bolt. In this I was +mistaken, however, for just then Saduko strolled out of a patch of bush +and said: + +"I ordered your boys to yoke up the oxen, Inkoosi." + +"Have you? That's cool!" I answered. "Perhaps you will tell me why." + +"Because we must make a good trek to the northward before night, +Inkoosi." + +"Indeed! I thought that I was heading south-east." + +"Bangu does not live in the south or the east," he replied slowly. + +"Oh, I had almost forgotten about Bangu," I said, with a rather feeble +attempt at evasion. + +"Is it so?" he answered in his haughty voice. "I never knew before that +Macumazahn was a man who broke a promise to his friend." + +"Would you be so kind as to explain your meaning, Saduko?" + +"Is it needful?" he answered, shrugging his shoulders. "Unless my ears +played me tricks, you agreed to go up with me against Bangu. Well, I +have gathered the necessary men--with the king's leave--they await us +yonder," and he pointed with his spear towards a dense patch of bush +that lay some miles beneath us. "But," he added, "if you desire to +change your mind I will go alone. Only then, I think, we had better bid +each other good-bye, since I love not friends who change their minds +when the assegais begin to shake." + +Now, whether Saduko spoke thus by design I do not know. Certainly, +however, he could have found no better way to ensure my companionship +for what it was worth, since, although I had made no actual promise in +this case, I have always prided myself on keeping even a half-bargain +with a native. + +"I will go with you," I said quietly, "and I hope that, when it comes to +the pinch, your spear will be as sharp as your tongue, Saduko. Only do +not speak to me again like that, lest we should quarrel." + +As I said this I saw a look of relief appear on his face, of very great +relief. + +"I pray your pardon, my lord Macumazahn," he said, seizing my hand, +"but, oh! there is a hole in my heart. I think that Mameena means to +play me false, and now that has happened with yonder dog, Masapo, which +will make her father hate me." + +"If you will take my advice, Saduko," I replied earnestly, "you will +let this Mameena fall out of the hole in your heart; you will forget her +name; you will have done with her. Ask me not why." + +"Perhaps there is no need, O Macumazana. Perhaps she has been making +love to you, and you have turned her away, as, being what you are, and +my friend, of course you would do." (It is rather inconvenient to be +set upon such a pedestal at times, but I did not attempt to assent or to +deny anything, much less to enter into explanations.) + +"Perhaps all this has happened," he continued, "or perhaps it is she who +has sent for Masapo the Hog. I do not ask, because if you know you will +not tell me. Moreover, it matters nothing. While I have a heart, Mameena +will never drop out of it; while I can remember names, hers will never +be forgotten by me. Moreover, I mean that she shall be my wife. Now, I +am minded to take a few men and spear this hog, Masapo, before we go up +against Bangu, for then he, at any rate, will be out of my road." + +"If you do anything of the sort, Saduko, you will go up against Bangu +alone, for I trek east at once, who will not be mixed up with murder." + +"Then let it be, Inkoosi; unless he attacks me, as my Snake send that +he may, the Hog can wait. After all, he will only be growing a little +fatter. Now, if it pleases you order the wagons to trek. I will show the +road, for we must camp in that bush to-night where my people wait +me, and there I will tell you my plans; also you will find one with a +message for you." + + + + +CHAPTER VI. THE AMBUSH + + +We had reached the bush after six hours' downhill trek over a pretty bad +track made by cattle--of course, there were no roads in Zululand at this +date. I remember the place well. It was a kind of spreading woodland +on a flat bottom, where trees of no great size grew sparsely. Some were +mimosa thorns, others had deep green leaves and bore a kind of plum with +an acid taste and a huge stone, and others silver-coloured leaves in +their season. A river, too, low at this time of the year, wound through +it, and in the scrub upon its banks were many guinea-fowl and other +birds. It was a pleasing, lonely place, with lots of game in it, that +came here in the winter to eat the grass, which was lacking on the +higher veld. Also it gave the idea of vastness, since wherever one +looked there was nothing to be seen except a sea of trees. + +Well, we outspanned by the river, of which I forget the name, at a spot +that Saduko showed us, and set to work to cook our food, that consisted +of venison from a blue wildebeest, one of a herd of these wild-looking +animals which I had been fortunate enough to shoot as they whisked past +us, gambolling in and out between the trees. + +While we were eating I observed that armed Zulus arrived continually in +parties of from six to a score of men, and as they arrived lifted their +spears, though whether in salutation to Saduko or to myself I did +not know, and sat themselves down on an open space between us and the +river-bank. Although it was difficult to say whence they came, for +they appeared like ghosts out of the bush, I thought it well to take no +notice of them, since I guessed that their coming was prearranged. + +"Who are they?" I whispered to Scowl, as he brought me my tot of +"squareface." + +"Saduko's wild men," he answered in the same low voice, "outlaws of his +tribe who live among the rocks." + +Now I scanned them sideways, while pretending to light my pipe and so +forth, and certainly they seemed a remarkably savage set of people. +Great, gaunt fellows with tangled hair, who wore tattered skins upon +their shoulders and seemed to have no possessions save some snuff, a few +sleeping-mats, and an ample supply of large fighting shields, hardwood +kerries or knob-sticks, and broad ixwas, or stabbing assegais. Such +was the look of them as they sat round us in silent semicircles, like +aas-vogels--as the Dutch call vultures--sit round a dying ox. + +Still I smoked on and took no notice. + +At length, as I expected, Saduko grew weary of my silence and spoke. +"These are men of the Amangwane tribe, Macumazahn; three hundred of +them, all that Bangu left alive, for when their fathers were killed, +the women escaped with some of the children, especially those of the +outlying kraals. I have gathered them to be revenged upon Bangu, I who +am their chief by right of blood." + +"Quite so," I answered. "I see that you have gathered them; but do they +wish to be revenged on Bangu at the risk of their own lives?" + +"We do, white Inkoosi," came the deep-throated answer from the three +hundred. + +"And do they acknowledge you, Saduko, to be their chief?" + +"We do," again came the answer. Then a spokesman stepped forward, one of +the few grey-haired men among them, for most of these Amangwane were of +the age of Saduko, or even younger. + +"O Watcher-by-Night," he said, "I am Tshoza, the brother of Matiwane, +Saduko's father, the only one of his brothers that escaped the slaughter +on the night of the Great Killing. Is it not so?" + +"It is so," exclaimed the serried ranks behind him. + +"I acknowledge Saduko as my chief, and so do we all," went on Tshoza. + +"So do we all," echoed the ranks. + +"Since Matiwane died we have lived as we could, O Macumazana; like +baboons among the rocks, without cattle, often without a hut to shelter +us; here one, there one. Still, we have lived, awaiting the hour of +vengeance upon Bangu, that hour which Zikali the Wise, who is of our +blood, has promised to us. Now we believe that it has come, and one and +all, from here, from there, from everywhere, we have gathered at the +summons of Saduko to be led against Bangu and to conquer him or to die. +Is it not so, Amangwane?" + +"It is, it is so!" came the deep, unanimous answer, that caused the +stirless leaves to shake in the still air. + +"I understand, O Tshoza, brother of Matiwane and uncle of Saduko the +chief," I replied. "But Bangu is a strong man, living, I am told, in a +strong place. Still, let that go; for have you not said that you come +out to conquer or to die, you who have nothing to lose; and if you +conquer, you conquer; and if you die, you die and the tale is told. But +supposing that you conquer. What will Panda, King of the Zulus, say to +you, and to me also, who stir up war in his country?" + +Now the Amangwane looked behind them, and Saduko cried out: + +"Appear, messenger from Panda the King!" + +Before his words had ceased to echo I saw a little, withered man +threading his way between the tall, gaunt forms of the Amangwane. He +came and stood before me, saying: + +"Hail, Macumazahn. Do you remember me?" + +"Aye," I answered, "I remember you as Maputa, one of Panda's indunas." + +"Quite so, Macumazahn; I am Maputa, one of his indunas, a member of +his Council, a captain of his impis [that is, armies], as I was to his +brothers who are gone, whose names it is not lawful that I should name. +Well, Panda the King has sent me to you, at the request of Saduko there, +with a message." + +"How do I know that you are a true messenger?" I asked. "Have you +brought me any token?" + +"Aye," he answered, and, fumbling under his cloak, he produced something +wrapped in dried leaves, which he undid and handed to me, saying: + +"This is the token that Panda sends to you, Macumazahn, bidding me +to tell you that you will certainly know it again; also that you are +welcome to it, since the two little bullets which he swallowed as you +directed made him very ill, and he needs no more of them." + +I took the token, and, examining it in the moonlight, recognised it at +once. + +It was a cardboard box of strong calomel pills, on the top of which was +written: "Allan Quatermain, Esq.: One _only_ to be taken as directed." +Without entering into explanations, I may state that I had taken "one as +directed," and subsequently presented the rest of the box to King Panda, +who was very anxious to "taste the white man's medicine." + +"Do you recognise the token, Macumazahn?" asked the induna. + +"Yes," I replied gravely; "and let the King return thanks to the spirits +of his ancestors that he did not swallow three of the balls, for if +he had done so, by now there would have been another Head in Zululand. +Well, speak on, Messenger." + +But to myself I reflected, not for the first time, how strangely these +natives could mix up the sublime with the ridiculous. Here was a matter +that must involve the death of many men, and the token sent to me by the +autocrat who stood at the back of it all, to prove the good faith of his +messenger, was a box of calomel pills! However, it served the purpose as +well as anything else. + +Maputa and I drew aside, for I saw that he wished to speak with me +alone. + +"O Macumazana," he said, when we were out of hearing of the others, +"these are the words of Panda to you: 'I understand that you, +Macumazahn, have promised to accompany Saduko, son of Matiwane, on an +expedition of his against Bangu, chief of the Amakoba. Now, were anyone +else concerned, I should forbid this expedition, and especially should I +forbid you, a white man in my country, to share therein. But this dog of +a Bangu is an evil-doer. Many years ago he worked on the Black One who +went before me to send him to destroy Matiwane, my friend, filling +the Black One's ears with false accusations; and thereafter he did +treacherously destroy him and all his tribe save Saduko, his son, and +some of the people and children who escaped. Moreover, of late he has +been working against me, the King, striving to stir up rebellion against +me, because he knows that I hate him for his crimes. Now I, Panda, +unlike those who went before me, am a man of peace who do not wish to +light the fire of civil war in the land, for who knows where such fires +will stop, or whose kraals they will consume? Yet I do wish to see Bangu +punished for his wickedness, and his pride abated. Therefore I give +Saduko leave, and those people of the Amangwane who remain to him, +to avenge their private wrongs upon Bangu if they can; and I give you +leave, Macumazahn, to be of his party. Moreover, if any cattle are +taken, I shall ask no account of them; you and Saduko may divide them as +you wish. But understand, O Macumazana, that if you or your people +are killed or wounded, or robbed of your goods, I know nothing of the +matter, and am not responsible to you or to the white House of Natal; it +is your own matter. These are my words. I have spoken.'" + +"I see," I answered. "I am to pull Panda's hot iron out of the fire and +to extinguish the fire. If I succeed I may keep a piece of the iron when +it gets cool, and if I burn my fingers it is my own fault, and I or my +House must not come crying to Panda." + +"O Watcher-by-Night, you have speared the bull in the heart," replied +Maputa, the messenger, nodding his shrewd old head. "Well, will you go +up with Saduko?" + +"Say to the King, O Messenger, that I will go up with Saduko because I +promised him that I would, being moved by the tale of his wrongs, and +not for the sake of the cattle, although it is true that if I hear any +of them lowing in my camp I may keep them. Say to Panda also that if +aught of ill befalls me he shall hear nothing of it, nor will I bring +his high name into this business; but that he, on his part, must not +blame me for anything that may happen afterwards. Have you the message?" + +"I have it word for word; and may your Spirit be with you, Macumazahn, +when you attack the strong mountain of Bangu, which, were I you," Maputa +added reflectively, "I think I should do just at the dawn, since the +Amakoba drink much beer and are heavy sleepers." + +Then we took a pinch of snuff together, and he departed at once for +Nodwengu, Panda's Great Place. + + +Fourteen days had gone by, and Saduko and I, with our ragged band of +Amangwane, sat one morning, after a long night march, in the hilly +country looking across a broad vale, which was sprinkled with trees like +an English park, at that mountain on the side of which Bangu, chief of +the Amakoba, had his kraal. + +It was a very formidable mountain, and, as we had already observed, the +paths leading up to the kraal were amply protected with stone walls in +which the openings were quite narrow, only just big enough to allow one +ox to pass through them at a time. Moreover, all these walls had been +strengthened recently, perhaps because Bangu was aware that Panda looked +upon him, a northern chief dwelling on the confines of his dominions, +with suspicion and even active enmity, as he was also no doubt aware +Panda had good cause to do. + +Here in a dense patch of bush that grew in a kloof of the hills we held +a council of war. + +So far as we knew our advance had been unobserved, for I had left my +wagons in the low veld thirty miles away, giving it out among the local +natives that I was hunting game there, and bringing on with me only +Scowl and four of my best hunters, all well-armed natives who could +shoot. The three hundred Amangwane also had advanced in small parties, +separated from each other, pretending to be Kafirs marching towards +Delagoa Bay. Now, however, we had all met in this bush. Among our number +were three Amangwane who, on the slaughter of their tribe, had fled with +their mothers to this district and been brought up among the people of +Bangu, but who at his summons had come back to Saduko. It was on these +men that we relied at this juncture, for they alone knew the country. +Long and anxiously did we consult with them. First they explained, and, +so far as the moonlight would allow, for as yet the dawn had not broken, +pointed out to us the various paths that led to Bangu's kraal. + +"How many men are there in the town?" I asked. + +"About seven hundred who carry spears," they answered, "together with +others in outlying kraals. Moreover, watchmen are always set at the +gateways in the walls." + +"And where are the cattle?" I asked again. + +"Here, in the valley beneath, Macumazahn," answered the spokesman. "If +you listen you will hear them lowing. Fifty men, not less, watch them at +night--two thousand head of them, or more." + +"Then it would not be difficult to get round these cattle and drive them +off, leaving Bangu to breed up a new herd?" + +"It might not be difficult," interrupted Saduko, "but I came here to +kill Bangu, as well as to seize his cattle, since with him I have a +blood feud." + +"Very good," I answered; "but that mountain cannot be stormed with three +hundred men, fortified as it is with walls and schanzes. Our band would +be destroyed before ever we came to the kraal, since, owing to the +sentries who are set everywhere, it would be impossible to surprise the +place. Also you have forgotten the dogs, Saduko. Moreover, even if it +were possible, I will have nothing to do with the massacre of women and +children, which must happen in an assault. Now, listen to me, O Saduko. +I say let us leave the kraal of Bangu alone, and this coming night send +fifty of our men, under the leadership of the guides, down to yonder +bush, where they will lie hid. Then, after moonrise, when all are +asleep, these fifty must rush the cattle kraal, killing any who may +oppose them, should they be seen, and driving the herd out through +yonder great pass by which we have entered the land. Bangu and his +people, thinking that those who have taken the cattle are but common +thieves of some wild tribe, will gather and follow the beasts to +recapture them. But we, with the rest of the Amangwane, can set an +ambush in the narrowest part of the pass among the rocks, where the +grass is high and the euphorbia trees grow thick, and there, when they +have passed the Nek, which I and my hunters will hold with our guns, we +will give them battle. What say you?" + +Now, Saduko answered that he would rather attack the kraal, which he +wished to burn. But the old Amangwane, Tshoza, brother of the dead +Matiwane, said: + +"No, Macumazahn, Watcher-by-Night, is wise. Why should we waste our +strength on stone walls, of which none know the number or can find the +gates in the darkness, and thereby leave our skulls to be set up as +ornaments on the fences of the accursed Amakoba? Let us draw the Amakoba +out into the pass of the mountains, where they have no walls to protect +them, and there fall on them when they are bewildered and settle +the matter with them man to man. As for the women and children, with +Macumazahn I say let them go; afterwards, perhaps, they will become +_our_ women and children." + +"Aye," answered the Amangwane, "the plan of the white Inkoosi is good; +he is clever as a weasel; we will have his plan and no other." + +So Saduko was overruled and my counsel adopted. + +All that day we rested, lighting no fires and remaining still as the +dead in the dense bush. It was a very anxious day, for although the +place was so wild and lonely, there was always the fear lest we should +be discovered. It was true that we had travelled mostly by night in +small parties, to avoid leaving a spoor, and avoided all kraals; still, +some rumour of our approach might have reached the Amakoba, or a party +of hunters might stumble on us, or those who sought for lost cattle. + +Indeed, something of this sort did happen, for about midday we heard a +footfall, and perceived the figure of a man, whom by his head-dress we +knew for an Amakoba, threading his way through the bush. Before he saw +us he was in our midst. For a moment he hesitated ere he turned to fly, +and that moment was his last, for three of the Amangwane leapt on him +silently as leopards leap upon a buck, and where he stood there he died. +Poor fellow! Evidently he had been on a visit to some witch-doctor, for +in his blanket we found medicine and love charms. This doctor cannot +have been one of the stamp of Zikali the Dwarf, I thought to myself; +at least, he had not warned him that he would never live to dose his +beloved with that foolish medicine. + +Meanwhile a few of us who had the quickest eyes climbed trees, and +thence watched the town of Bangu and the valley that lay between us and +it. Soon we saw that so far, at any rate, Fortune was playing into our +hands, since herd after herd of kine were driven into the valley during +the afternoon and enclosed in the stock-kraals. Doubtless Bangu intended +on the morrow to make his half-yearly inspection of all the cattle of +the tribe, many of which were herded at a distance from his town. + +At length the long day drew to its close and the shadows of the evening +thickened. Then we made ready for our dreadful game, of which the stake +was the lives of all of us, since, should we fail, we could expect no +mercy. The fifty picked men were gathered and ate food in silence. +These men were placed under the command of Tshoza, for he was the most +experienced of the Amangwane, and led by the three guides who had dwelt +among the Amakoba, and who "knew every ant-heap in the land," or so +they swore. Their duty, it will be remembered, was to cross the valley, +separate themselves into small parties, unbar the various cattle kraals, +kill or hunt off the herdsmen, and drive the beasts back across the +valley into the pass. A second fifty men, under the command of Saduko, +were to be left just at the end of this pass where it opened out into +the valley, in order to help and reinforce the cattle-lifters, or, if +need be, to check the following Amakoba while the great herds of beasts +were got away, and then fall back on the rest of us in our ambush nearly +two miles distant. The management of this ambush was to be my charge--a +heavy one indeed. + +Now, the moon would not be up till midnight. But two hours before that +time we began our moves, since the cattle must be driven out of the +kraals as soon as she appeared and gave the needful light. Otherwise +the fight in the pass would in all probability be delayed till after +sunrise, when the Amakoba would see how small was the number of their +foes. Terror, doubt, darkness--these must be our allies if our desperate +venture was to succeed. + +All was arranged at last and the time had come. We, the three captains +of our divided force, bade each other farewell, and passed the word +down the ranks that, should we be separated by the accidents of war, my +wagons were the meeting-place of any who survived. + +Tshoza and his fifty glided away into the shadow silently as ghosts +and were gone. Presently the fierce-faced Saduko departed also with +his fifty. He carried the double-barrelled gun I had given him, and +was accompanied by one of my best hunters, a Natal native, who was also +armed with a heavy smooth-bore loaded with slugs. Our hope was that the +sound of these guns might terrify the foe, should there be occasion to +use them before our forces joined up again, and make them think they +had to do with a body of raiding Dutch white men, of whose roers--as +the heavy elephant guns of that day were called--all natives were much +afraid. + +So Saduko went with his fifty, leaving me wondering whether I should +ever see his face again. Then I, my bearer Scowl, the two remaining +hunters, and the ten score Amangwane who were left turned and soon were +following the road by which we had come down the rugged pass. I call +it a road, but, in fact, it was nothing but a water-washed gully strewn +with boulders, through which we must pick our way as best we could in +the darkness, having first removed the percussion cap from the nipple of +every gun, for fear lest the accidental discharge of one of them should +warn the Amakoba, confuse our other parties, and bring all our deep-laid +plans to nothing. + +Well, we accomplished that march somehow, walking in three long lines, +so that each man might keep touch with him in front, and just as the +moon began to rise reached the spot that I had chosen for the ambush. + +Certainly it was well suited to that purpose. Here the track or gully +bed narrowed to a width of not more than a hundred feet, while the steep +slopes of the kloof on either side were clothed with scattered bushes +and finger-like euphorbias which grew among stones. Behind these stones +and bushes we hid ourselves, a hundred men on one side and a hundred on +the other, whilst I and my three hunters, who were armed with guns, took +up a position under shelter of a great boulder nearly five feet thick +that lay but a little to the right of the gully itself, up which we +expected the cattle would come. This place I chose for two reasons: +first, that I might keep touch with both wings of my force, and, +secondly, that we might be able to fire straight down the path on the +pursuing Amakoba. + +These were the orders that I gave to the Amangwane, warning them that he +who disobeyed would be punished with death. They were not to stir until +I, or, if I should be killed, one of my hunters, fired a shot; for my +fear was lest, growing excited, they might leap out before the time and +kill some of our own people, who very likely would be mixed up with the +first of the pursuing Amakoba. Secondly, when the cattle had passed and +the signal had been given, they were to rush on the Amakoba, throwing +themselves across the gully, so that the enemy would have to fight +upwards on a steep slope. + +That was all I told them, since it is not wise to confuse natives by +giving too many orders. One thing I added, however--that they must +conquer or they must die. There was no mercy for them; it was a case +of death or victory. Their spokesman--for these people always find +a spokesman--answered that they thanked me for my advice; that they +understood, and that they would do their best. Then they lifted their +spears to me in salute. A wild lot of men they looked in the moonlight +as they departed to take shelter behind the rocks and trees and wait. + +That waiting was long, and I confess that before the end it got upon +my nerves. I began to think of all sorts of things, such as whether +I should live to see the sun rise again; also I reflected upon the +legitimacy of this remarkable enterprise. What right had I to involve +myself in a quarrel between these savages? + +Why had I come here? To gain cattle as a trader? No, for I was not at +all sure that I would take them if gained. Because Saduko had twitted me +with faithlessness to my words? Yes, to a certain extent; but that was +by no means the whole reason. I had been moved by the recital of the +cruel wrongs inflicted upon Saduko and his tribe by this Bangu, and +therefore had not been loath to associate myself with his attempted +vengeance upon a wicked murderer. Well, that was sound enough so far +as it went; but now a new consideration suggested itself to me. Those +wrongs had been worked many years ago; probably most of the men who had +aided and abetted them by now were dead or very aged, and it was their +sons upon whom the vengeance would be wreaked. + +What right had I to assist in visiting the sins of the fathers upon the +sons? Frankly I could not say. The thing seemed to me to be a part of +the problem of life, neither less nor more. So I shrugged my shoulders +sadly and consoled myself by reflecting that very likely the issue would +go against me, and that my own existence would pay the price of the +venture and expound its moral. This consideration soothed my conscience +somewhat, for when a man backs his actions with the risk of his life, +right or wrong, at any rate he plays no coward's part. + +The time went by very slowly and nothing happened. The waning moon shone +brightly in a clear sky, and as there was no wind the silence seemed +peculiarly intense. Save for the laugh of an occasional hyena and now +and again for a sound which I took for the coughing of a distant lion, +there was no stir between sleeping earth and moonlit heaven in which +little clouds floated beneath the pale stars. + +At length I thought that I heard a noise, a kind of murmur far away. It +grew, it developed. + +It sounded like a thousand sticks tapping upon something hard, very +faintly. It continued to grow, and I knew the sound for that of the +beating hoofs of animals galloping. Then there were isolated noises, +very faint and thin; they might be shouts; then something that I could +not mistake--shots fired at a distance. So the business was afoot; the +cattle were moving, Saduko and my hunter were firing. There was nothing +for it but to wait. + +The excitement was very fierce; it seemed to consume me, to eat into +my brain. The sound of the tapping upon the rocks grew louder until +it merged into a kind of rumble, mixed with an echo as of that of very +distant thunder, which presently I knew to be not thunder, but the +bellowing of a thousand frightened beasts. + +Nearer and nearer came the galloping hoofs and the rumble of bellowings; +nearer and nearer the shouts of men, affronting the stillness of the +solemn night. At length a single animal appeared, a koodoo buck that +somehow had got mixed up with the cattle. It went past us like a flash, +and was followed a minute or so later by a bull that, being young and +light, had outrun its companions. That, too, went by, foam on its lips +and its tongue hanging from its jaws. + +Then the herd appeared--a countless herd it seemed to me--plunging up +the incline--cows, heifers, calves, bulls, and oxen, all mixed together +in one inextricable mass, and every one of them snorting, bellowing, +or making some other kind of sound. The din was fearful, the sight +bewildering, for the beasts were of all colours, and their long horns +flashed like ivory in the moonlight. Indeed, the only thing in the least +like it which I have ever seen was the rush of the buffaloes from the +reed camp on that day when I got my injury. + +They were streaming past us now, a mighty and moving mass so closely +packed that a man might have walked upon their backs. In fact, some of +the calves which had been thrust up by the pressure were being carried +along in this fashion. Glad was I that none of us were in their path, +for their advance seemed irresistible. No fence or wall could have saved +us, and even stout trees that grew in the gully were snapped or thrust +over. + +At length the long line began to thin, for now it was composed of +stragglers and weak or injured beasts, of which there were many. Other +sounds, too, began to dominate the bellowings of the animals, those +of the excited cries of men. The first of our companions, the +cattle-lifters, appeared, weary and gasping, but waving their spears in +triumph. Among them was old Tshoza. I stepped upon my rock, calling to +him by name. He heard me, and presently was lying at my side panting. + +"We have got them all!" he gasped. "Not a hoof is left save those +that are trodden down. Saduko is not far behind with the rest of our +brothers, except some that have been killed. All the Amakoba tribe are +after us. He holds them back to give the cattle time to get away." + +"Well done!" I answered. "It is very good. Now make your men hide among +the others that they may find their breath before the fight." + +So he stopped them as they came. Scarcely had the last of them vanished +into the bushes when the gathering volume of shouts, amongst which I +heard a gun go off, told us that Saduko and his band and the pursuing +Amakoba were not far away. Presently they, too, appeared--that is the +handful of Amangwane did--not fighting now, but running as hard as they +could, for they knew they were approaching the ambush and wished to pass +it so as not to be mixed up with the Amakoba. We let them go through us. +Among the last of them came Saduko, who was wounded, for the blood ran +down his side, supporting my hunter, who was also wounded, more severely +as I feared. + +I called to him. + +"Saduko," I said, "halt at the crest of the path and rest there so that +you may be able to help us presently." + +He waved the gun in answer, for he was too breathless to speak, and +went on with those who were left of his following--perhaps thirty men in +all--in the track of the cattle. Before he was out of sight the +Amakoba arrived, a mob of five or six hundred men mixed up together +and advancing without order or discipline, for they seemed to have lost +their heads as well as their cattle. Some of them had shields and some +had none, some broad and some throwing assegais, while many were quite +naked, not having stayed to put on their moochas and much less their war +finery. Evidently they were mad with rage, for the sounds that issued +from them seemed to concentrate into one mighty curse. + +The moment had come, though to tell the truth I heartily wished that +it had not. I wasn't exactly afraid, although I never set up for great +courage, but I did not quite like the business. After all we were +stealing these people's cattle, and now were going to kill as many +of them as we could. I had to recall Saduko's dreadful story of the +massacre of his tribe before I could make up my mind to give the +signal. That hardened me, and so did the reflection that after all they +outnumbered us enormously and very likely would prove victors in the +end. Anyhow it was too late to repent. What a tricky and uncomfortable +thing is conscience, that nearly always begins to trouble us at the +moment of, or after, the event, not before, when it might be of some +use. + +I raised myself upon the rock and fired both barrels of my gun into the +advancing horde, though whether I killed anyone or no I cannot say. I +have always hoped that I did not; but as the mark was large and I am a +fair shot, I fear that is scarcely possible. Next moment, with a howl +that sounded like that of wild beasts, from either side of the gorge the +fierce Amangwane free-spears--for that is what they were--leapt out of +their hiding-places and hurled themselves upon their hereditary foes. +They were fighting for more than cattle; they were fighting for hate and +for revenge since these Amakoba had slaughtered their fathers and their +mothers, their sisters and their brothers, and they alone remained to +pay them back blood for blood. + +Great heaven! how they did fight, more like devils than human beings. +After that first howl which shaped itself to the word "Saduko," they +were silent as bulldogs. Though they were so few, at first their +terrible rush drove back the Amakoba. Then, as these recovered from +their surprise, the weight of numbers began to tell, for they, too, were +brave men who did not give way to panic. Scores of them went down at +once, but the remainder pushed the Amangwane before them up the hill. I +took little share in the fight, but was thrust backward with the others, +only firing when I was obliged to save my own life. Foot by foot we were +pushed back till at length we drew near to the crest of the pass. + +Then, while the issue hung in the balance, there was another shout of +"Saduko!" and that chief himself, followed by his thirty, rushed upon +the Amakoba. + +This charge decided the battle, for not knowing how many more were +coming, those who were left of the Amakoba turned and fled, nor did we +pursue them far. + +We mustered on the hill-top, not more than two hundred of us now, the +rest were fallen or desperately wounded, my poor hunter, whom I had lent +to Saduko, being among the dead. Although wounded, he died fighting to +the last, then fell down, shouting to me: + +"Chief, have I done well?" and expired. + +I was breathless and spent, but as in a dream I saw some Amangwane drag +up a gaunt old savage, crying: + +"Here is Bangu, Bangu the Butcher, whom we have caught alive." + +Saduko stepped up to him. + +"Ah! Bangu," he said, "now say, why should I not kill you as you would +have killed the little lad Saduko long ago, had not Zikali saved him? +See, here is the mark of your spear." + +"Kill," said Bangu. "Your Spirit is stronger than mine. Did not Zikali +foretell it? Kill, Saduko." + +"Nay," answered Saduko. "If you are weary I am weary, too, and wounded +as well. Take a spear, Bangu, and we will fight." + +So they fought there in the moonlight, man to man; fought fiercely while +all watched, till presently I saw Bangu throw his arms wide and fall +backwards. + + +Saduko was avenged. I have always been glad that he slew his enemy thus, +and not as it might have been expected that he would do. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. SADUKO BRINGS THE MARRIAGE GIFT + + +We reached my wagons in the early morning of the following day, bringing +with us the cattle and our wounded. Thus encumbered it was a most +toilsome march, and an anxious one also, for it was always possible that +the remnant of the Amakoba might attempt pursuit. This, however, they +did not do, for very many of them were dead or wounded, and those who +remained had no heart left in them. They went back to their mountain +home and lived there in shame and wretchedness, for I do not believe +there were fifty head of cattle left among the tribe, and Kafirs without +cattle are nothing. Still, they did not starve, since there were plenty +of women to work the fields, and we had not touched their corn. The +end of them was that Panda gave them to their conqueror, Saduko, and he +incorporated them with the Amangwane. But that did not happen until some +time afterwards. + +When we had rested a while at the wagons the captured beasts were +mustered, and on being counted were found to number a little over twelve +hundred head, not reckoning animals that had been badly hurt in the +flight, which we killed for beef. It was a noble prize, truly, and, +notwithstanding the wound in his thigh, which hurt him a good deal now +that it had stiffened, Saduko stood up and surveyed them with glistening +eyes. No wonder, for he who had been so poor was now rich, and would +remain so even after he had paid over whatever number of cows Umbezi +chose to demand as the price of Mameena's hand. Moreover, he was sure, +and I shared his confidence, that in these changed circumstances both +that young woman and her father would look upon his suit with very +favourable eyes. He had, so to speak, succeeded to the title and the +family estates by means of a lawsuit brought in the "Court of the +Assegai," and therefore there was hardly a father in Zululand who would +shut his kraal gate upon him. We forgot, both of us, the proverb that +points out how numerous are the slips between the cup and the lip, +which, by the way, is one that has its Zulu equivalents. One of them, if +I remember right at the moment, is: "However loud the hen cackles, the +housewife does not always get the egg." + +As it chanced, although Saduko's hen was cackling very loudly just at +this time, he was not destined to find the coveted egg. But of that +matter I will speak in its place. + +I, too, looked at those cattle, wondering whether Saduko would remember +our bargain, under which some six hundred head of them belonged to me. +Six hundred head! Why, putting them at L5 apiece all round--and as oxen +were very scarce just at that time, they were worth quite as much, if +not more--that meant L3,000, a larger sum of money than I had ever owned +at one time in all my life. Truly the paths of violence were profitable! +But would he remember? On the whole I thought probably not, since Kafirs +are not fond of parting with cattle. + +Well, I did him an injustice, for presently he turned and said, with +something of an effort: + +"Macumazahn, half of all these belong to you, and truly you have earned +them, for it was your cunning and good counsel that gained us the +victory. Now we will choose them beast by beast." + +So I chose a fine ox, then Saduko chose one; and so it went on till I +had eight of my number driven out. As the eighth was taken I turned to +Saduko and said: + +"There, that will do. These oxen I must have to replace those in my +teams which died on the trek, but I want no more." + +"Wow!" said Saduko, and all those who stood with him, while one of them +added--I think it was old Tshoza: + +"He refuses six hundred cattle which are fairly his! He must be mad!" + +"No friends," I answered, "I am not mad, but neither am I bad. I +accompanied Saduko on this raid because he is dear to me and stood by +me once in the hour of danger. But I do not love killing men with whom I +have no quarrel, and I will not take the price of blood." + +"Wow!" said old Tshoza again, for Saduko seemed too astonished to speak, +"he is a spirit, not a man. He is _holy!_" + +"Not a bit of it," I answered. "If you think that, ask Mameena"--a dark +saying which they did not understand. "Now, listen. I will not take +those cattle because I do not think as you Kafirs think. But as they are +mine, according to your law, I am going to dispose of them. I give ten +head to each of my hunters, and fifteen head to the relations of him +who was killed. The rest I give to Tshoza and to the other men of +the Amangwane who fought with us, to be divided among them in such +proportions as they may agree, I being the judge in the event of any +quarrel arising." + +Now these men raised a great cry of "Inkoosi!" and, running up, old +Tshoza seized my hand and kissed it. + +"Your heart is big," he cried; "you drop fatness! Although you are +so small, the spirit of a king lives in you, and the wisdom of the +heavens." + +Thus he praised me, while all the others joined in, till the din was +awful. Saduko thanked me also in his magnificent manner. Yet I do not +think that he was altogether pleased, although my great gift relieved +him from the necessity of sharing up the spoil with his companions. +The truth was, or so I believe, that he understood that henceforth the +Amangwane would love me better than they loved him. This, indeed, proved +to be the case, for I am sure that there was no man among all those wild +fellows who would not have served me to the death, and to this day my +name is a power among them and their descendants. Also it has grown into +something of a proverb among all those Kafirs who know the story. +They talk of any great act of liberality in an idiom as "a gift of +Macumazana," and in the same way of one who makes any remarkable +renunciation, as "a wearer of Macumazana's blanket," or as "he who has +stolen Macumazana's shadow." + +Thus did I earn a great reputation very cheaply, for really I could not +have taken those cattle; also I am sure that had I done so they would +have brought me bad luck. Indeed, one of the regrets of my life is that +I had anything whatsoever to do with the business. + + +Our journey back to Umbezi's kraal--for thither we were heading--was +very slow, hampered as we were with wounded and by a vast herd of +cattle. Of the latter, indeed, we got rid after a while, for, except +those which I had given to my men, and a hundred or so of the best +beasts that Saduko took with him for a certain purpose, they were sent +away to a place which he had chosen, in charge of about half of his +people, under the command of his uncle, Tshoza, there to await his +coming. + +Over a month had gone by since the night of the ambush when at last we +outspanned quite close to Umbezi's, in that bush where first I had met +the Amangwane free-spears. A very different set of men they looked on +this triumphant day to those fierce fellows who had slipped out of the +trees at the call of their chief. As we went through the country Saduko +had bought fine moochas and blankets for them; also head-dresses had +been made with the long black feathers of the sakabuli finch, and +shields and leglets of the hides and tails of oxen. Moreover, having fed +plentifully and travelled easily, they were fat and well-favoured, as, +given good food, natives soon become after a period of abstinence. + +The plan of Saduko was to lie quiet in the bush that night, and on the +following morning to advance in all his grandeur, accompanied by his +spears, present the hundred head of cattle that had been demanded, and +formally ask his daughter's hand from Umbezi. As the reader may have +gathered already, there was a certain histrionic vein in Saduko; also +when he was in feather he liked to show off his plumage. + +Well, this plan was carried out to the letter. On the following morning, +after the sun was well up, Saduko, as a great chief does, sent forward +two bedizened heralds to announce his approach to Umbezi, after whom +followed two other men to sing his deeds and praises. (By the way, I +observed that they had clearly been instructed to avoid any mention of a +person called Macumazahn.) Then we advanced in force. First went Saduko, +splendidly apparelled as a chief, carrying a small assegai and adorned +with plumes, leglets and a leopard-skin kilt. He was attended by +about half a dozen of the best-looking of his followers, who posed as +"indunas" or councillors. Behind these I walked, a dusty, insignificant +little fellow, attended by the ugly, snub-nosed Scowl in a very greasy +pair of trousers, worn-out European boots through which his toes peeped, +and nothing else, and by my three surviving hunters, whose appearance +was even more disreputable. After us marched about four score of the +transformed Amangwane, and after them came the hundred picked cattle +driven by a few herdsmen. + +In due course we arrived at the gate of the kraal, where we found the +heralds and the praisers prancing and shouting. + +"Have you seen Umbezi?" asked Saduko of them. + +"No," they answered; "he was asleep when we got here, but his people say +that he is coming out presently." + +"Then tell his people that he had better be quick about it, or I shall +turn him out," replied the proud Saduko. + +Just at this moment the kraal gate opened and through it appeared +Umbezi, looking extremely fat and foolish; also, it struck me, +frightened, although this he tried to conceal. + +"Who visits me here," he said, "with so much--um--ceremony?" and with +the carved dancing-stick he carried he pointed doubtfully at the lines +of armed men. "Oh, it is you, is it, Saduko?" and he looked him up +and down, adding: "How grand you are to be sure. Have you been robbing +anybody? And you, too, Macumazahn. Well, _you_ do not look grand. You +look like an old cow that has been suckling two calves on the winter +veld. But tell me, what are all these warriors for? I ask because I have +not food for so many, especially as we have just had a feast here." + +"Fear nothing, Umbezi," answered Saduko in his grandest manner. "I have +brought food for my own men. As for my business, it is simple. You asked +a hundred head of cattle as the lobola [that is, the marriage gift] of +your daughter, Mameena. They are there. Go send your servants to the +kraal and count them." + +"Oh, with pleasure," Umbezi replied nervously, and he gave some orders +to certain men behind him. "I am glad to see that you have become rich +in this sudden fashion, Saduko, though how you have done so I cannot +understand." + +"Never mind how I have become rich," answered Saduko. "I _am_ rich; that +is enough for the present. Be pleased to send for Mameena, for I would +talk with her." + +"Yes, yes, Saduko, I understand that you would talk with Mameena; +but"--and he looked round him desperately--"I fear that she is still +asleep. As you know, Mameena was always a late riser, and, what is more, +she hates to be disturbed. Don't you think that you could come back, +say, to-morrow morning? She will be sure to be up by then; or, better +still, the day after?" + +"In which hut is Mameena?" asked Saduko sternly, while I, smelling a +rat, began to chuckle to myself. + +"I really do not know, Saduko," replied Umbezi. "Sometimes she sleeps in +one, sometimes in another, and sometimes she goes several hours' journey +away to her aunt's kraal for a change. I should not be in the least +surprised if she had done so last night. I have no control over +Mameena." + +Before Saduko could answer, a shrill, rasping voice broke upon our ears, +which after some search I saw proceeded from an ugly and ancient female +seated in the shadow, in whom I recognised the lady who was known by the +pleasing name of "Worn-out-Old-Cow." + +"He lies!" screeched the voice. "He lies. Thanks be to the spirit of my +ancestors that wild cat Mameena has left this kraal for good. She slept +last night, not with her aunt, but with her husband, Masapo, to whom +Umbezi gave her in marriage two days ago, receiving in payment a +hundred and twenty head of cattle, which was twenty more than _you_ bid, +Saduko." + +Now when Saduko heard these words I thought that he would really go +mad with rage. He turned quite grey under his dark skin and for a while +trembled like a leaf, looking as though he were about to fall to the +ground. Then he leapt as a lion leaps, and seizing Umbezi by the throat, +hurled him backwards, standing over him with raised spear. + +"You dog!" he cried in a terrible voice. "Tell me the truth or I will +rip you up. What have you done with Mameena?" + +"Oh! Saduko," answered Umbezi in choking tones, "Mameena has chosen to +get married. It was no fault of mine; she would have her way." + +He got no farther, and had I not intervened by throwing my arms about +Saduko and dragging him back, that moment would have been Umbezi's +last, for Saduko was about to pin him to the earth with his spear. As it +proved, I was just in time, and Saduko, being weak with emotion, for I +felt his heart going like a sledge-hammer, could not break from my grasp +before his reason returned to him. + +At length he recovered himself a little and threw down his spear as +though to put himself out of temptation. Then he spoke, always in the +same terrible voice, asking: + +"Have you more to say about this business, Umbezi? I would hear all +before I answer you." + +"Only this, Saduko," replied Umbezi, who had risen to his feet and was +shaking like a reed. "I did no more than any other father would have +done. Masapo is a very powerful chief, one who will be a good stick for +me to lean on in my old age. Mameena declared that she wished to marry +him--" + +"He lies!" screeched the "Old Cow." "What Mameena said was that she had +no will towards marriage with any Zulu in the land, so I suppose she is +looking after a white man," and she leered in my direction. "She said, +however, that if her father wished to marry her to Masapo, she must be +a dutiful daughter and obey him, but that if blood and trouble came of +that marriage, let it be on his head and not on hers." + +"Would you also stick your claws into me, cat?" shouted Umbezi, catching +the old woman a savage cut across the back with the light dancing-stick +which he still held in his hand, whereon she fled away screeching and +cursing him. + +"Oh, Saduko," he went on, "let not your ears be poisoned by these +falsehoods. Mameena never said anything of the sort, or if she did it +was not to me. Well, the moment that my daughter had consented to take +Masapo as her husband his people drove a hundred and twenty of the most +beautiful cattle over the hill, and would you have had me refuse them, +Saduko? I am sure that when you have seen them you will say that I +was quite right to accept such a splendid lobola in return for one +sharp-tongued girl. Remember, Saduko, that although you had promised a +hundred head, that is less by twenty, at the time you did not own one, +and where you were to get them from I could not guess. Moreover," he +added with a last, desperate, imaginative effort, for I think he saw +that his arguments were making no impression, "some strangers who called +here told me that both you and Macumazahn had been killed by certain +evil-doers in the mountains. There, I have spoken, and, Saduko, if you +now have cattle, why, on my part, I have another daughter, not quite so +good-looking perhaps, but a much better worker in the field. Come and +drink a sup of beer, and I will send for her." + +"Stop talking about your other daughter and your beer and listen to me," +replied Saduko, looking at the assegai which he had thrown to the ground +so ominously that I set my foot on it. "I am now a greater chief +than the boar Masapo. Has Masapo such a bodyguard as these +Eaters-up-of-Enemies?" and he jerked his thumb backwards towards the +serried lines of fierce-faced Amangwane who stood listening behind us. +"Has Masapo as many cattle as I have, whereof those which you see are +but a tithe brought as a lobola gift to the father of her who had been +promised to me as wife? Is Masapo Panda's friend? I think that I have +heard otherwise. Has Masapo just conquered a countless tribe by his +courage and his wit? Is Masapo young and of high blood, or is he but an +old, low-born boar of the mountains? + +"You do not answer, Umbezi, and perhaps you do well to be silent. Now +listen again. Were it not for Macumazahn here, whom I do not desire to +mix up with my quarrels, I would bid my men take you and beat you to +death with the handles of their spears, and then go on and serve the +Boar in the same fashion in his mountain sty. As it is, these things +must wait a little while, especially as I have other matters to attend +to first. Yet the day is not far off when I will attend to them also. +Therefore my counsel to you, Cheat, is to make haste to die or to find +courage to fall upon a spear, unless you would learn how it feels to be +brayed with sticks like a green hide until none can know that you +were once a man. Send now and tell my words to Masapo the Boar. And to +Mameena say that soon I will come to take her with spears and not with +cattle. Do you understand? Oh! I see that you do, since already you weep +with fear like a woman. Then farewell to you till that day when I +return with the sticks, O Umbezi the cheat and the liar, Umbezi, +'Eater-up-of-Elephants,'" and turning, Saduko stalked away. + +I was about to follow in a great hurry, having had enough of this very +unpleasant scene, when poor old Umbezi sprang at me and clasped me by +the arm. + +"O Macumazana," he exclaimed, weeping in his terror, "O Macumazana, +if ever I have been a friend to you, help me out of this deep pit into +which I have fallen through the tricks of that monkey of a daughter of +mine, who I think is a witch born to bring trouble upon men. Macumazahn, +if she had been your daughter and a powerful chief had appeared with a +hundred and twenty head of such beautiful cattle, you would have given +her to him, would you not, although he is of mixed blood and not very +young, especially as she did not mind who only cares for place and +wealth?" + +"I think not," I answered; "but then it is not our custom to sell women +in that fashion." + +"No, no, I forgot; in this as in other matters you white men are mad +and, Macumazahn, to tell you the truth, I believe it is you she really +cares for; she said as much to me once or twice. Well, why did you not +take her away when I was not looking? We could have settled matters +afterwards, and I should have been free of her witcheries and not up to +my neck in this hole as I am now." + +"Because some people don't do that kind of thing, Umbezi." + +"No, no, I forgot. Oh! why can I not remember that you are _quite_ mad +and therefore that it must not be expected of you to act as though you +were sane. Well, at least you are that tiger Saduko's friend, which +again shows that you must be very mad, for most people would sooner try +to milk a cow buffalo than walk hand in hand with him. Don't you see, +Macumazahn, that he means to kill me, Macumazahn, to bray me like a +green hide? Ugh! to beat me to death with sticks. Ugh! And what is more, +that unless you prevent him, he will certainly do it, perhaps to-morrow +or the next day. Ugh! Ugh! Ugh!" + +"Yes, I see, Umbezi, and I think that he _will_ do it. But what I do not +see is how I am to prevent him. Remember that you let Mameena grow into +his heart and behaved badly to him, Umbezi." + +"I never promised her to him, Macumazahn. I only said that if he brought +a hundred cattle, then I might promise." + +"Well, he has wiped out the Amakoba, the enemies of his House, and there +are the hundred cattle whereof he has many more, and now it is too late +for you to keep your share of the bargain. So I think you must make +yourself as comfortable as you can in the hole that your hands dug, +Umbezi, which I would not share for all the cattle in Zululand." + +"Truly you are not one from whom to seek comfort in the hour of +distress," groaned poor Umbezi, then added, brightening up: "But perhaps +Panda will kill him because he has wiped out Bangu in a time of peace. +Oh Macumazahn, can you not persuade Panda to kill him? If so, I now have +more cattle than I really want--" + +"Impossible," I answered. "Panda is his friend, and between ourselves I +may tell you that he ate up the Amakoba by his especial wish. When the +King hears of it he will call to Saduko to sit in his shadow and make +him great, one of his councillors, probably with power of life and death +over little people like you and Masapo." + +"Then it is finished," said Umbezi faintly, "and I will try to die +like a man. But to be brayed like a hide! And with thin sticks! Oh!" he +added, grinding his teeth, "if only I can get hold of Mameena I will +not leave much of that pretty hair of hers upon her head. I will tie her +hands and shut her up with the 'Old Cow,' who loves her as a meer-cat +loves a mouse. No; I will kill her. There--do you hear, Macumazahn, +unless you do something to help me, I will kill Mameena, and you won't +like that, for I am sure she is dear to you, although you were not man +enough to run away with her as she wished." + +"If you touch Mameena," I said, "be certain, my friend, that Saduko's +sticks and your skin will not be far apart, for I will report you to +Panda myself as an unnatural evil-doer. Now hearken to me, you old fool. +Saduko is so fond of your daughter, on this point being mad, as you say +I am, that if only he could get her I think he might overlook the fact +of her having been married before. What you have to do is to try to +buy her back from Masapo. Mind you, I say buy her back--not get her +by bloodshed--which you might do by persuading Masapo to put her away. +Then, if he knew that you were trying to do this, I think that Saduko +might leave his sticks uncut for a while." + +"I will try. I will indeed, Macumazahn. I will try very hard. It is true +Masapo is an obstinate pig; still, if he knows that his own life is +at stake, he might give way. Moreover, when she learns that Saduko +has grown rich and great, Mameena might help me. Oh, I thank you, +Macumazahn; you are indeed the prop of my hut, and it and all in it are +yours. Farewell, farewell, Macumazahn, if you must go. But why--why did +you not run away with Mameena, and save me all this fear and trouble?" + + +So I and that old humbug, Umbezi, "Eater-up-of-Elephants," parted for +a while, and never did I know him in a more chastened frame of mind, +except once, as I shall tell. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. THE KING'S DAUGHTER + + +When I got back to my wagons after this semi-tragical interview with +that bombastic and self-seeking old windbag, Umbezi, it was to find +that Saduko and his warriors had already marched for the King's kraal, +Nodwengu. A message awaited me, however, to the effect that it was +hoped that I would follow, in order to make report of the affair of the +destruction of the Amakoba. This, after reflection, I determined to +do, really, I think, because of the intense human interest of the whole +business. I wanted to see how it would work out. + +Also, in a way, I read Saduko's mind and understood that at the moment +he did not wish to discuss the matter of his hideous disappointment. +Whatever else may have been false in this man's nature, one thing +rang true, namely, his love or his infatuation for the girl Mameena. +Throughout his life she was his guiding star--about as evil a star as +could have arisen upon any man's horizon; the fatal star that was to +light him down to doom. Let me thank Providence, as I do, that I was +so fortunate as to escape its baneful influences, although I admit that +they attracted me not a little. + +So, seduced thither by my curiosity, which has so often led me into +trouble, I trekked to Nodwengu, full of many doubts not unmingled with +amusement, for I could not rid my mind of recollections of the utter +terror of the "Eater-up-of-Elephants" when he was brought face to face +with the dreadful and concentrated rage of the robbed Saduko and the +promise of his vengeance. Ultimately I arrived at the Great Place +without experiencing any adventure that is worthy of record, and camped +in a spot that was appointed to me by some _induna_ whose name I forget, +but who evidently knew of my approach, for I found him awaiting me at +some distance from the town. Here I sat for quite a long while, two or +three days, if I remember right, amusing myself with killing or missing +turtle-doves with a shotgun, and similar pastimes, until something +should happen, or I grew tired and started for Natal. + +In the end, just as I was about to trek seawards, an old friend, Maputa, +turned up at my wagons--that same man who had brought me the message +from Panda before we started to attack Bangu. + +"Greeting, Macumazahn," he said. "What of the Amakoba? I see they did +not kill you." + +"No," I answered, handing him some snuff, "they did not quite kill me, +for here I am. What is your pleasure with me?" + +"O Macumazana, only that the King wishes to know whether you have any of +those little balls left in the box which I brought back to you, since, +if so, he thinks he would like to swallow one of them in this hot +weather." + +I proffered him the whole box, but he would not take it, saying that the +King would like me to give it to him myself. Now I understood that this +was a summons to an audience, and asked when it would please Panda +to receive me and "the-little-black-stones-that-work-wonders." He +answered--at once. + +So we started, and within an hour I stood, or rather sat, before Panda. + +Like all his family, the King was an enormous man, but, unlike Chaka and +those of his brothers whom I had known, one of a kindly countenance. +I saluted him by lifting my cap, and took my place upon a wooden stool +that had been provided for me outside the great hut, in the shadow of +which he sat within his isi-gohlo, or private enclosure. + +"Greeting, O Macumazana," he said. "I am glad to see you safe and well, +for I understand that you have been engaged upon a perilous adventure +since last we met." + +"Yes, King," I answered; "but to which adventure do you refer--that +of the buffalo, when Saduko helped me, or that of the Amakoba, when I +helped Saduko?" + +"The latter, Macumazahn, of which I desire to hear all the story." + +So I told it to him, he and I being alone, for he commanded his +councillors and servants to retire out of hearing. + +"Wow!" he said, when I had finished, "you are clever as a baboon, +Macumazahn. That was a fine trick to set a trap for Bangu and his +Amakoba dogs and bait it with his own cattle. But they tell me that you +refused your share of those cattle. Now, why was that, Macumazahn?" + +By way of answer I repeated to Panda my reasons, which I have set out +already. + +"Ah!" he exclaimed, when I had finished. "Every one seeks greatness in +his own way, and perhaps yours is better than ours. Well, the White man +walks one road--or some of them do--and the Black man another. They both +end at the same place, and none will know which is the right road till +the journey is done. Meanwhile, what you lose Saduko and his people +gain. He is a wise man, Saduko, who knows how to choose his friends, and +his wisdom has brought him victory and gifts. But to you, Macumazahn, it +has brought nothing but honour, on which, if a man feeds only, he will +grow thin." + +"I like to be thin, O Panda," I answered slowly. + +"Yes, yes, I understand," replied the King, who, in common with most +natives, was quick enough to seize a point, "and I, too, like people who +keep thin on such food as yours, people, also, whose hands are always +clean. We Zulus trust you, Macumazahn, as we trust few white men, for we +have known for years that your lips say what your heart thinks, and +that your heart always thinks the thing which is good. You may be named +Watcher-by-Night, but you love light, not darkness." + +Now, at these somewhat unusual compliments I bowed, and felt myself +colouring a little as I did so, even through my sunburn, but I made no +answer to them, since to do so would have involved a discussion of the +past and its tragical events, into which I had no wish to enter. Panda, +too, remained silent for a while. Then he called to a messenger to +summon the princes, Cetewayo and Umbelazi, and to bid Saduko, the son of +Matiwane, to wait without, in case he should wish to speak with him. + +A few minutes later the two princes arrived. I watched their coming with +interest, for they were the most important men in Zululand, and already +the nation debated fiercely which of them would succeed to the throne. I +will try to describe them a little. + +They were both of much the same age--it is always difficult to arrive +at a Zulu's exact years--and both fine young men. Cetewayo, however, had +the stronger countenance. It was said that he resembled that fierce and +able monster, Chaka the Wild Beast, his uncle, and certainly I perceived +in him a likeness to his other uncle, Dingaan, Umpanda's predecessor, +whom I had known but too well when I was a lad. He had the same surly +eyes and haughty bearing; also, when he was angry his mouth shut itself +in the same iron fashion. + +Of Umbelazi it is difficult for me to speak without enthusiasm. As +Mameena was the most beautiful woman I ever saw in Zululand--although +it is true that old war-dog, Umslopogaas, a friend of mine who does not +come into this story, used to tell me that Nada the Lily, whom I have +mentioned, was even lovelier--so Umbelazi was by far the most splendid +man. Indeed, the Zulus named him "Umbelazi the Handsome," and no wonder. +To begin with, he stood at least three inches above the tallest of them; +from a quarter of a mile away I have recognised him by his great +height, even through the dust of a desperate battle, and his breadth +was proportionate to his stature. Then he was perfectly made, his great, +shapely limbs ending, like Saduko's, in small hands and feet. His face, +too, was well-cut and open, his colour lighter than Cetewayo's, and his +eyes, which always seemed to smile, were large and dark. + +Even before they passed the small gate of the inner fence it was easy +for me to see that this royal pair were not upon the best of terms, +for each of them tried to get through it first, to show his right of +precedence. The result was somewhat ludicrous, for they jammed in the +gateway. Here, however, Umbelazi's greater weight told, for, putting out +his strength, he squeezed his brother into the reeds of the fence, and +won through a foot or so in front of him. + +"You grow too fat, my brother," I heard Cetewayo say, and saw him scowl +as he spoke. "If I had held an assegai in my hand you would have been +cut." + +"I know it, my brother," answered Umbelazi, with a good-humoured laugh, +"but I knew also that none may appear before the King armed. Had it been +otherwise, I would rather have followed after you." + +Now, at this hint of Umbelazi's, that he would not trust his brother +behind his back with a spear, although it seemed to be conveyed in jest, +I saw Panda shift uneasily on his seat, while Cetewayo scowled even more +ominously than before. However, no further words passed between them, +and, walking up to the King side by side, they saluted him with raised +hands, calling out "Baba!"--that is, Father. + +"Greeting, my children," said Panda, adding hastily, for he foresaw a +quarrel as to which of them should take the seat of honour on his right: +"Sit there in front of me, both of you, and, Macumazahn, do you come +hither," and he pointed to the coveted place. "I am a little deaf in my +left ear this morning." + +So these brothers sat themselves down in front of the King; nor were +they, I think, grieved to find this way out of their rivalry; but first +they shook hands with me, for I knew them both, though not well, and +even in this small matter the old trouble arose, since there was +some difficulty as to which of them should first offer me his hand. +Ultimately, I remember, Cetewayo won this trick. + +When these preliminaries were finished, Panda addressed the princes, +saying: + +"My sons, I have sent for you to ask your counsel upon a certain +matter--not a large matter, but one that may grow." And he paused to +take snuff, whereon both of them ejaculated: + +"We hear you, Father." + +"Well, my sons, the matter is that of Saduko, the son of Matiwane, chief +of the Amangwane, whom Bangu, chief of the Amakoba, ate up years ago by +leave of Him who went before me. Now, this Bangu, as you know, has for +some time been a thorn in my foot--a thorn that caused it to fester--and +yet I did not wish to make war on him. So I spoke a word in the ear of +Saduko, saying, 'He is yours, if you can kill him; and his cattle are +yours.' Well, Saduko is not dull. With the help of this white man, +Macumazahn, our friend from of old, he has killed Bangu and taken his +cattle, and already my foot is beginning to heal." + +"We have heard it," said Cetewayo. + +"It was a great deed," added Umbelazi, a more generous critic. + +"Yes," continued Panda, "I, too, think it was a great deed, seeing that +Saduko had but a small regiment of wanderers to back him--" + +"Nay," interrupted Cetewayo, "it was not those eaters of rats who won +him the day, it was the wisdom of this Macumazahn." + +"Macumazahn's wisdom would have been of little use without the courage +of Saduko and his rats," commented Umbelazi, and from this moment I saw +that the two brothers were taking sides for and against Saduko, as they +did upon every other matter, not because they cared for the right of +whatever was in question, but because they wished to oppose each other. + +"Quite so," went on the King; "I agree with both of you, my sons. But +the point is this: I think Saduko a man of promise, and one who should +be advanced that he may learn to love us all, especially as his House +has suffered wrong from our House, since He-who-is-gone listened to +the evil counsel of Bangu, and allowed him to kill out Matiwane's tribe +without just cause. Therefore, in order to wipe away this stain and +bind Saduko to us, I think it well to re-establish Saduko in the +chieftainship of the Amangwane, with the lands that his father held, and +to give him also the chieftainship of the Amakoba, of whom it seems +that the women and children, with some of the men, remain, although he +already holds their cattle which he has captured in war." + +"As the King pleases," said Umbelazi, with a yawn, for he was growing +weary of listening to the case of Saduko. + +But Cetewayo said nothing, for he appeared to be thinking of something +else. + +"I think also," went on Panda in a rather uncertain voice, "in order to +bind him so close that the bonds may never be broken, it would be wise +to give him a woman of our family in marriage." + +"Why should this little Amangwane be allowed to marry into the royal +House?" asked Cetewayo, looking up. "If he is dangerous, why not kill +him, and have done?" + +"For this reason, my son. There is trouble ahead in Zululand, and I do +not wish to kill those who may help us in that hour, nor do I wish +them to become our enemies. I wish that they may be our friends; and +therefore it seems to me wise, when we find a seed of greatness, to +water it, and not to dig it up or plant it in a neighbour's garden. From +his deeds I believe that this Saduko is such a seed." + +"Our father has spoken," said Umbelazi; "and I like Saduko, who is a man +of mettle and good blood. Which of our sisters does our father propose +to give to him?" + +"She who is named after the mother of our race, O Umbelazi; she whom +your own mother bore--your sister Nandie" (in English, "The Sweet"). + +"A great gift, O my Father, since Nandie is both fair and wise. Also, +what does she think of this matter?" + +"She thinks well of it, Umbelazi, for she has seen Saduko and taken a +liking to him. She told me herself that she wishes no other husband." + +"Is it so?" replied Umbelazi indifferently. "Then if the King commands, +and the King's daughter desires, what more is there to be said?" + +"Much, I think," broke in Cetewayo. "I hold that it is out of place that +this little man, who has but conquered a little tribe by borrowing +the wit of Macumazahn here, should be rewarded not only with a +chieftainship, but with the hand of the wisest and most beautiful of the +King's daughters, even though Umbelazi," he added, with a sneer, "should +be willing to throw him his own sister like a bone to a passing dog." + +"Who threw the bone, Cetewayo?" asked Umbelazi, awaking out of his +indifference. "Was it the King, or was it I, who never heard of the +matter till this moment? And who are we that we should question the +King's decrees? Is it our business to judge or to obey?" + +"Has Saduko perchance made you a present of some of those cattle which +he stole from the Amakoba, Umbelazi?" asked Cetewayo. "As our father +asks no lobola, perhaps you have taken the gift instead." + +"The only gift that I have taken from Saduko," said Umbelazi, who, I +could see, was hard pressed to keep his temper, "is that of his service. +He is my friend, which is why you hate him, as you hate all my friends." + +"Must I then love every stray cur that licks your hand, Umbelazi? Oh, no +need to tell me he is your friend, for I know it was you who put it +into our father's heart to allow him to kill Bangu and steal his cattle, +which I hold to be an ill deed, for now the Great House is thatched +with his reeds and Bangu's blood is on its doorposts. Moreover, he who +wrought the wrong is to come and dwell therein, and for aught I know +to be called a prince, like you and me. Why should he not, since the +Princess Nandie is to be given to him in marriage? Certainly, Umbelazi, +you would do well to take the cattle which this white trader has +refused, for all men know that you have earned them." + +Now Umbelazi sprang up, straightening himself to the full of his great +height, and spoke in a voice that was thick with passion. + +"I pray your leave to withdraw, O King," he said, "since if I stay here +longer I shall grow sorry that I have no spear in my hand. Yet before I +go I will tell the truth. Cetewayo hates Saduko, because, knowing him +to be a chief of wit and courage, who will grow great, he sought him for +his man, saying, 'Sit you in my shadow,' after he had promised to sit in +mine. Therefore it is that he heaps these taunts upon me. Let him deny +it if he can." + +"That I shall not trouble to do, Umbelazi," answered Cetewayo, with a +scowl. "Who are you that spy upon my doings, and with a mouth full of +lies call me to account before the King? I will hear no more of it. Do +you bide here and pay Saduko his price with the person of our sister. +For, as the King has promised her, his word cannot be changed. Only let +your dog know that I keep a stick for him, if he should snarl at me. +Farewell, my Father. I go upon a journey to my own lordship, the land +of Gikazi, and there you will find me when you want me, which I pray +may not be till after this marriage is finished, for on that I will not +trust my eyes to look." + +Then, with a salute, he turned and departed, bidding no good-bye to his +brother. + +My hand, however, he shook in farewell, for Cetewayo was always friendly +to me, perhaps because he thought I might be useful to him. Also, as I +learned afterwards, he was very pleased with me for the reason that I +had refused my share of the Amakoba cattle, and that he knew I had no +part in this proposed marriage between Saduko and Nandie, of which, +indeed, I now heard for the first time. + +"My Father," said Umbelazi, when Cetewayo had gone, "is this to be +borne? Am I to blame in the matter? You have heard and seen--answer me, +my Father." + +"No, you are not to blame this time, Umbelazi," replied the King, with a +heavy sigh. "But oh! my sons, my sons, where will your quarrelling end? +I think that only a river of blood can quench so fierce a fire, and then +which of you will live to reach its bank?" + +For a while he looked at Umbelazi, and I saw love and fear in his eye, +for towards him Panda always had more affection than for any of his +other children. + +"Cetewayo has behaved ill," he said at length; "and before a white man, +who will report the matter, which makes it worse. He has no right +to dictate to me to whom I shall or shall not give my daughters in +marriage. Moreover, I have spoken; nor do I change my word because he +threatens me. It is known throughout the land that I never change my +word; and the white men know it also, do they not, O Macumazana?" + +I answered yes, they did. Also, this was true, for, like most weak men, +Panda was very obstinate, and honest, too, in his own fashion. + +He waved his hand, to show that the subject was ended, then bade +Umbelazi go to the gate and send a messenger to bring in "the son of +Matiwane." + +Presently Saduko arrived, looking very stately and composed as he lifted +his right hand and gave Panda the "Bayete"--the royal salute. + +"Be seated," said the King. "I have words for your ear." + +Thereon, with the most perfect grace, without hurrying and without undue +delay, Saduko crouched himself down upon his knees, with one of his +elbows resting on the ground, as only a native knows how to do without +looking absurd, and waited. + +"Son of Matiwane," said the King, "I have heard all the story of how, +with a small company, you destroyed Bangu and most of the men of the +Amakoba, and ate up their cattle every one." + +"Your pardon, Black One," interrupted Saduko. "I am but a boy, I did +nothing. It was Macumazahn, Watcher-by-Night, who sits yonder. His +wisdom taught me how to snare the Amakoba, after they were decoyed from +their mountain, and it was Tshoza, my uncle, who loosed the cattle from +the kraals. I say that I did nothing, except to strike a blow or two +with a spear when I must, just as a baboon throws stones at those who +would steal its young." + +"I am glad to see that you are no boaster, Saduko," said Panda. "Would +that more of the Zulus were like you in that matter, for then I must not +listen to so many loud songs about little things. At least, Bangu was +killed and his proud tribe humbled, and, for reasons of state, I am glad +that this happened without my moving a regiment or being mixed up with +the business, for I tell you that there are some of my family who loved +Bangu. But I--I loved your father, Matiwane, whom Bangu butchered, for +we were brought up together as boys--yes, and served together in the +same regiment, the Amawombe, when the Wild One, my brother, ruled" +(he meant Chaka, for among the Zulus the names of dead kings are +hlonipa--that is, they must not be spoken if it can be avoided). +"Therefore," went on Panda, "for this reason, and for others, I am glad +that Bangu has been punished, and that, although vengeance has crawled +after him like a footsore bull, at length he has been tossed with its +horns and crushed with its knees." + +"Yebo, Ngonyama!" (Yes, O Lion!) said Saduko. + +"Now, Saduko," went on Panda, "because you are your father's son, and +because you have shown yourself a man, although you are still little +in the land, I am minded to advance you. Therefore I give to you the +chieftainship over those who remain of the Amakoba and over all of the +Amangwane blood whom you can gather." + +"Bayete! As the King pleases," said Saduko. + +"And I give you leave to become a kehla--a wearer of the +head-ring--although, as you have said, you are still but a boy, and with +it a place upon my Council." + +"Bayete! As the King pleases," said Saduko, still apparently unmoved by +the honours that were being heaped upon him. + +"And, Son of Matiwane," went on Panda, "you are still unmarried, are you +not?" + +Now, for the first time, Saduko's face changed. "Yes, Black One," he +said hurriedly, "but--" + +Here he caught my eye, and, reading some warning in it, was silent. + +"But," repeated Panda after him, "doubtless you would like to be? Well, +it is natural in a young man who wishes to found a House, and therefore +I give you leave to marry." + +"Yebo, Silo!" (Yes, O Wild Beast!) "I thank the King, but--" + +Here I sneezed loudly, and he ceased. + +"But," repeated Panda, "of course, you do not know where to find a wife +between the time the hawk stoops and the rat squeaks in its claws. How +should you who have never thought of the matter? Also," he continued, +with a smile, "it is well that you have not thought of it, since she +whom I shall give to you could not live in the second hut in your kraal +and call another 'Inkosikazi' [that is, head lady or chieftainess]. +Umbelazi, my son, go fetch her of whom we have thought as a bride for +this boy." + +Now Umbelazi rose, and went with a broad smile upon his face, while +Panda, somewhat fatigued with all his speech-making--for he was very +fat and the day was very hot--leaned his head back against the hut and +closed his eyes. + +"O Black One! O thou who consumeth with rage! [Dhlangamandhla]" broke +out Saduko, who, I could see, was much disturbed. "I have something to +say to you." + +"No doubt, no doubt," answered Panda drowsily, "but save up your thanks +till you have seen, or you will have none left afterwards," and he +snored slightly. + +Now I, perceiving that Saduko was about to ruin himself, thought it well +to interfere, though what business of mine it was to do so I cannot say. +At any rate, if only I had held my tongue at this moment, and allowed +Saduko to make a fool of himself, as he wished to do--for where Mameena +was concerned he never could be wise--I verily believe that all the +history of Zululand would have run a different course, and that many +thousands of men, white and black, who are now dead would be alive +to-day. But Fate ordered it otherwise. Yes, it was not I who spoke, but +Fate. The Angel of Doom used my throat as his trumpet. + +Seeing that Panda dozed, I slipped behind Saduko and gripped him by the +arm. + +"Are you mad?" I whispered into his ear. "Will you throw away your +fortune, and your life also?" + +"But Mameena," he whispered back. "I would marry none save Mameena." + +"Fool!" I answered. "Mameena has betrayed and spat upon you. Take what +the Heavens send you and give thanks. Would you wear Masapo's soiled +blanket?" + +"Macumazahn," he said in a hollow voice, "I will follow your head, and +not my own heart. Yet you sow a strange seed, Macumazahn, or so you may +think when you see its fruit." And he gave me a wild look--a look that +frightened me. + +There was something in this look which caused me to reflect that I might +do well to go away and leave Saduko, Mameena, Nandie, and the rest of +them to "dree their weirds," as the Scotch say, for, after all, what was +my finger doing in that very hot stew? Getting burnt, I thought, and not +collecting any stew. + +Yet, looking back on these events, how could I foresee what would be the +end of the madness of Saduko, of the fearful machinations of Mameena, +and of the weakness of Umbelazi when she snared him in the net of her +beauty, thus bringing about his ruin, through the hate of Saduko and the +ambition of Cetewayo? How could I know that, at the back of all these +events, stood the old dwarf, Zikali the Wise, working night and day +to slake the enmity and fulfil the vengeance which long ago he had +conceived and planned against the royal House of Senzangakona and the +Zulu people over whom it ruled? + +Yes, he stood there like a man behind a great stone upon the brow of +a mountain, slowly, remorselessly, with infinite skill, labour, and +patience, pushing that stone to the edge of the cliff, whence at length, +in the appointed hour, it would thunder down upon those who dwelt +beneath, to leave them crushed and no more a people. How could I guess +that we, the actors in this play, were all the while helping him to push +that stone, and that he cared nothing how many of us were carried with +it into the abyss, if only we brought about the triumph of his secret, +unutterable rage and hate? + +Now I see and understand all these things, as it is easy to do, but then +I was blind; nor did the Voices reach my dull ears to warn me, as, how +or why I cannot tell, they did, I believe, reach those of Zikali. + +Oh, what was the sum of it? Just this, I think, and nothing more--that, +as Saduko and the others were Mameena's tools, and as all of them and +their passions were Zikali's tools, so he himself was the tool of some +unseen Power that used him and us to accomplish its design. Which, I +suppose, is fatalism, or, in other words, all these things happened +because they must happen. A poor conclusion to reach after so much +thought and striving, and not complimentary to man and his boasted +powers of free will; still, one to which many of us are often driven, +especially if we have lived among savages, where such dramas work +themselves out openly and swiftly, unhidden from our eyes by the veils +and subterfuges of civilisation. At least, there is this comfort +about it--that, if we are but feathers blown by the wind, how can the +individual feather be blamed because it did not travel against, turn or +keep back the wind? + +Well, let me return from these speculations to the history of the facts +that caused them. + +Just as--a little too late--I had made up my mind that I would go after +my own business, and leave Saduko to manage his, through the fence +gateway appeared the great, tall Umbelazi leading by the hand a woman. +As I saw in a moment, it did not need certain bangles of copper, +ornaments of ivory and of very rare pink beads, called infibinga, which +only those of the royal House were permitted to wear, to proclaim her +a person of rank, for dignity and high blood were apparent in her face, +her carriage, her gestures, and all that had to do with her. + +Nandie the Sweet was not a great beauty, as was Mameena, although +her figure was fine, and her stature like that of all the race of +Senzangakona--considerably above the average. To begin with, she was +darker in hue, and her lips were rather thick, as was her nose; nor were +her eyes large and liquid like those of an antelope. Further, she lacked +the informing mystery of Mameena's face, that at times was broken and +lit up by flashes of alluring light and quick, sympathetic perception, +as a heavy evening sky, that seems to join the dim earth to the dimmer +heavens, is illuminated by pulsings of fire, soft and many-hued, +suggesting, but not revealing, the strength and splendour that it veils. +Nandie had none of these attractions, which, after all, anywhere upon +the earth belong only to a few women in each generation. She was a +simple, honest-natured, kindly, affectionate young woman of high birth, +no more; that is, as these qualities are understood and expressed among +her people. + +Umbelazi led her forward into the presence of the King, to whom she +bowed gracefully enough. Then, after casting a swift, sidelong glance at +Saduko, which I found it difficult to interpret, and another of inquiry +at me, she folded her hands upon her breast and stood silent, with bent +head, waiting to be addressed. + +The address was brief enough, for Panda was still sleepy. + +"My daughter," he said, with a yawn, "there stands your husband," and +he jerked his thumb towards Saduko. "He is a young man and a brave, and +unmarried; also one who should grow great in the shadow of our House, +especially as he is a friend of your brother, Umbelazi. I understand +also that you have seen him and like him. Unless you have anything to +say against it, for as, not being a common father, the King receives no +cattle--at least in this case--I am not prejudiced, but will listen to +your words," and he chuckled in a drowsy fashion. "I propose that +the marriage should take place to-morrow. Now, my daughter, have you +anything to say? For if so, please say it at once, as I am tired. The +eternal wranglings between your brethren, Cetewayo and Umbelazi, have +worn me out." + +Now Nandie looked about her in her open, honest fashion, her gaze +resting first on Saduko, then on Umbelazi, and lastly upon me. + +"My Father," she said at length, in her soft, steady voice, "tell me, I +beseech you, who proposes this marriage? Is it the Chief Saduko, is it +the Prince Umbelazi, or is it the white lord whose true name I do not +know, but who is called Macumazahn, Watcher-by-Night?" + +"I can't remember which of them proposed it," yawned Panda. "Who can +keep on talking about things from night till morning? At any rate, I +propose it, and I will make your husband a big man among our people. +Have you anything to say against it?" + +"I have nothing to say, my Father. I have met Saduko, and like him +well--for the rest, you are the judge. But," she added slowly, "does +Saduko like me? When he speaks my name, does he feel it here?" and she +pointed to her throat. + +"I am sure I do not know what he feels in his throat," Panda replied +testily, "but I feel that mine is dry. Well, as no one says anything, +the matter is settled. To-morrow Saduko shall give the umqoliso [the +Ox of the Girl], that makes marriage--if he has not got one here I will +lend it to him, and you can take the new, big hut that I have built in +the outer kraal to dwell in for the present. There will be a dance, if +you wish it; if not, I do not care, for I have no wish for ceremony just +now, who am too troubled with great matters. Now I am going to sleep." + +Then sinking from his stool on to his knees, Panda crawled through the +doorway of his great hut, which was close to him, and vanished. + +Umbelazi and I departed also through the gateway of the fence, leaving +Saduko and the Princess Nandie alone together, for there were no +attendants present. What happened between them I am sure I do not +know, but I gather that, in one way or another, Saduko made himself +sufficiently agreeable to the princess to persuade her to take him to +husband. Perhaps, being already enamoured of him, she was not difficult +to persuade. At any rate, on the morrow, without any great feasting or +fuss, except the customary dance, the umqoliso, the "Ox of the Girl," +was slaughtered, and Saduko became the husband of a royal maiden of the +House of Senzangakona. + +Certainly, as I remember reflecting, it was a remarkable rise in life +for one who, but a few months before, had been without possessions or a +home. + +I may add that, after our brief talk in the King's kraal, while Panda +was dozing, I had no further words with Saduko on this matter of his +marriage, for between its proposal and the event he avoided me, nor did +I seek him out. On the day of the marriage also, I trekked for Natal, +and for a whole year heard no more of Saduko, Nandie, and Mameena; +although, to be frank, I must admit I thought of the last of these +persons more often, perhaps, than I should have done. + +The truth is that Mameena was one of those women who sticks in a man's +mind even more closely than a "Wait-a-bit" thorn does in his coat. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. ALLAN RETURNS TO ZULULAND + + +A whole year had gone by, in which I did, or tried to do, various things +that have no connection with this story, when once more I found +myself in Zululand--at Umbezi's kraal indeed. Hither I had trekked in +fulfilment of a certain bargain, already alluded to, that was concerned +with ivory and guns, which I had made with the old fellow, or, rather, +with Masapo, his son-in-law, whom he represented in this matter. Into +the exact circumstances of that bargain I do not enter, since at the +moment I cannot recall whether I ever obtained the necessary permit +to import those guns into Zululand, although now that I am older I +earnestly hope that I did so, since it is wrong to sell weapons to +natives that may be put to all sorts of unforeseen uses. + +At any rate, there I was, sitting alone with the Headman in his hut +discussing a dram of "squareface" that I had given to him, for the +"trade" was finished to our mutual satisfaction, and Scowl, my body +servant, with the hunters, had just carried off the ivory--a fine lot of +tusks--to my wagons. + +"Well, Umbezi," I said, "and how has it fared with you since we parted a +year ago? Have you seen anything of Saduko, who, you may remember, left +you in some wrath?" + +"Thanks be to my Spirit, I have seen nothing of that wild man, +Macumazahn," answered Umbezi, shaking his fat old head in a fashion +which showed great anxiety. "Yet I have heard of him, for he sent me a +message the other day to tell me that he had not forgotten what he owed +me." + +"Did he mean the sticks with which he promised to bray you like a green +hide?" I inquired innocently. + +"I think so, Macumazahn--I think so, for certainly he owes me nothing +else. And the worst of it is that, there at Panda's kraal, he has grown +like a pumpkin on a dung heap--great, great!" + +"And therefore is now one who can pay any debt that he owes, Umbezi," I +said, taking a pull at the "squareface" and looking at him over the top +of the pannikin. + +"Doubtless he can, Macumazahn, and, between you and me, that is the real +reason why I--or rather Masapo--was so anxious to get those guns. They +were not for hunting, as he told you by the messenger, or for war, but +to protect us against Saduko, in case he should attack. Well, now I hope +we shall be able to hold our own." + +"You and Masapo must teach your people to use them first, Umbezi. But +I expect Saduko has forgotten all about both of you now that he is the +husband of a princess of the royal blood. Tell me, how goes it with +Mameena?" + +"Oh, well, well, Macumazahn. For is she not the head lady of the +Amasomi? There is nothing wrong with her--nothing at all, except that as +yet she has no child; also that--," and he paused. + +"That what?" I asked. + +"That she hates the very sight of her husband, Masapo, and says that +she would rather be married to a baboon--yes, to a baboon--than to him, +which gives him offence, after he has paid so many cattle for her. +But what of this, Macumazahn? There is always a grain missing upon +the finest head of corn. Nothing is _quite_ perfect in the world, +Macumazahn, and if Mameena does not chance to love her husband--" and he +shrugged his shoulders and drank some "squareface." + +"Of course it does not matter in the least, Umbezi, except to Mameena +and her husband, who no doubt will settle down in time, now that Saduko +is married to a princess of the Zulu House." + +"I hope so, Macumazahn, but, to tell the truth, I wish you had brought +more guns, for I live amongst a terrible lot of people. Masapo, who is +furious with Mameena because she will have none of him, and therefore +with me, as though I could control Mameena; Mameena, who is mad with +Masapo, and therefore with me, because I gave her in marriage to him; +Saduko, who foams at the mouth at the name of Masapo, because he has +married Mameena, whom, it is said, he still loves, and therefore at me, +because I am her father and did my best to settle her in the world. Oh, +give me some more of that fire-water, Macumazahn, for it makes me forget +all these things, and especially that my guardian spirit made me the +father of Mameena, with whom you would not run away when you might have +done so. Oh, Macumazahn, why did you not run away with Mameena, and turn +her into a quiet white woman who ties herself up in sacks, sings songs +to the 'Great-Great' in the sky--[that is, hymns to the Power above +us]--and never thinks of any man who is not her husband?" + +"Because if I had done so, Umbezi, I should have ceased to be a quiet +white man. Yes, yes, my friend, I should have been in some such place as +yours to-day, and that is the last thing that I wish. And now, Umbezi, +you have had quite enough 'squareface,' so I will take the bottle away +with me. Good-night." + + +On the following morning I trekked very early from Umbezi's +kraal--before he was up indeed, for the "squareface" made him sleep +sound. My destination was Nodwengu, Panda's Great Place, where I hoped +to do some trading, but, as I was in no particular hurry, my plan was +to go round by Masapo's, and see for myself how it fared between him and +Mameena. Indeed, I reached the borders of the Amasomi territory, whereof +Masapo was chief, by evening, and camped there. But with the night came +reflection, and reflection told me that I should do well to keep clear +of Mameena and her domestic complications, if she had any. So I changed +my mind, and next morning trekked on to Nodwengu by the only route +that my guides reported to be practicable, one which took me a long way +round. + +That day, owing to the roughness of the road--if road it could be +called--and an accident to one of the wagons, we only covered about +fifteen miles, and as night fell were obliged to outspan at the first +spot where we could find water. When the oxen had been unyoked I +looked about me, and saw that we were in a place that, although I had +approached it from a somewhat different direction, I recognised at once +as the mouth of the Black Kloof, in which, over a year before, I had +interviewed Zikali the Little and Wise. There was no mistaking the +spot; that blasted valley, with the piled-up columns of boulders and the +overhanging cliff at the end of it, have, so far as I am aware, no exact +counterparts in Africa. + +I sat upon the box of the first wagon, eating my food, which consisted +of some biltong and biscuit, for I had not bothered to shoot any game +that day, which was very hot, and wondering whether Zikali were still +alive, also whether I should take the trouble to walk up the kloof and +find out. On the whole I thought that I would not, as the place repelled +me, and I did not particularly wish to hear any more of his prophecies +and fierce, ill-omened talk. So I just sat there studying the wonderful +effect of the red evening light pouring up between those walls of +fantastic rocks. + +Presently I perceived, far away, a single human figure--whether it were +man or woman I could not tell--walking towards me along the path which +ran at the bottom of the cleft. In those gigantic surroundings it +looked extraordinarily small and lonely, although perhaps because of the +intense red light in which it was bathed, or perhaps just because it +was human, a living thing in the midst of all that still, inanimate +grandeur, it caught and focused my attention. I grew greatly interested +in it; I wondered if it were that of man or woman, and what it was doing +here in this haunted valley. + +The figure drew nearer, and now I saw it was slender and tall, like that +of a lad or of a well-grown woman, but to which sex it belonged I could +not see, because it was draped in a cloak of beautiful grey fur. Just +then Scowl came to the other side of the wagon to speak to me about +something, which took off my attention for the next two minutes. When I +looked round again it was to see the figure standing within three yards +of me, its face hidden by a kind of hood which was attached to the fur +cloak. + +"Who are you, and what is your business?" I asked, whereon a gentle +voice answered: + +"Do you not know me, O Macumazana?" + +"How can I know one who is tied up like a gourd in a mat? Yet is it +not--is it not--" + +"Yes, it is Mameena, and I am very pleased that you should remember my +voice, Macumazahn, after we have been separated for such a long, long +time," and, with a sudden movement, she threw back the kaross, hood and +all, revealing herself in all her strange beauty. + +I jumped down off the wagon-box and took her hand. + +"O Macumazana," she said, while I still held it--or, to be accurate, +while she still held mine--"indeed my heart is glad to see a friend +again," and she looked at me with her appealing eyes, which, in the red +light, I could see appeared to float in tears. + +"A friend, Mameena!" I exclaimed. "Why, now you are so rich, and the +wife of a big chief, you must have plenty of friends." + +"Alas! Macumazahn, I am rich in nothing except trouble, for my husband +saves, like the ants for winter. Why, he even grudged me this poor +kaross; and as for friends, he is so jealous that he will not allow me +any." + +"He cannot be jealous of women, Mameena!" + +"Oh, women! Piff! I do not care for women; they are very unkind to me, +because--because--well, perhaps you can guess why, Macumazahn," +she answered, glancing at her own reflection in a little travelling +looking-glass that hung from the woodwork of the wagon, for I had been +using it to brush my hair, and smiled very sweetly. + +"At least you have your husband, Mameena, and I thought that perhaps by +this time--" + +She held up her hand. + +"My husband! Oh, I would that I had him not, for I hate him, Macumazahn; +and as for the rest--never! The truth is that I never cared for any man +except one whose name _you_ may chance to remember, Macumazahn." + +"I suppose you mean Saduko--" I began. + +"Tell me, Macumazahn," she inquired innocently, "are white people very +stupid? I ask because you do not seem as clever as you used to be. Or +have you perhaps a bad memory?" + +Now I felt myself turning red as the sky behind me, and broke in +hurriedly: + +"If you did not like your husband, Mameena, you should not have married +him. You know you need not unless you wished." + +"When one has only two thorn bushes to sit on, Macumazahn, one chooses +that which seems to have the fewest prickles, to discover sometimes that +they are still there in hundreds, although one did not see them. You +know that at length everyone gets tired of standing." + +"Is that why you have taken to walking, Mameena? I mean, what are you +doing here alone?" + +"I? Oh, I heard that you were passing this way, and came to have a talk +with you. No, from you I cannot hide even the least bit of the truth. I +came to talk with you, but also I came to see Zikali and ask him what a +wife should do who hates her husband." + +"Indeed! And what did he answer you?" + +"He answered that he thought she had better run away with another man, +if there were one whom she did not hate--out of Zululand, of course," +she replied, looking first at me and then at my wagon and the two horses +that were tied to it. + +"Is that all he said, Mameena?" + +"No. Have I not told you that I cannot hide one grain of the truth from +you? He added that the only other thing to be done was to sit still and +drink my sour milk, pretending that it is sweet, until my Spirit gives +me a new cow. He seemed to think that my Spirit would be bountiful in +the matter of new cows--one day." + +"Anything more?" I inquired. + +"One little thing. Have I not told you that you shall have all--all the +truth? Zikali seemed to think also that at last every one of my herd of +cows, old and new, would come to a bad end. He did not tell me to what +end." + +She turned her head aside, and when she looked up again I saw that she +was weeping, really weeping this time, not just making her eyes swim, as +she did before. + +"Of course they will come to a bad end, Macumazahn," she went on in a +soft, thick voice, "for I and all with whom I have to do were 'torn out +of the reeds' [i.e. created] that way. And that's why I won't tempt you +to run away with me any more, as I meant to do when I saw you, because +it is true, Macumazahn you are the only man I ever liked or ever +shall like; and you know I could make you run away with me if I chose, +although I am black and you are white--oh, yes, before to-morrow +morning. But I won't do it; for why should I catch you in my unlucky web +and bring you into all sorts of trouble among my people and your own? Go +you your road, Macumazahn, and I will go mine as the wind blows me. And +now give me a cup of water and let me be away--a cup of water, no more. +Oh, do not be afraid for me, or melt too much, lest I should melt also. +I have an escort waiting over yonder hill. There, thank you for your +water, Macumazahn, and good night. Doubtless we shall meet again ere +long, and-- I forgot; the Little Wise One said he would like to have a +talk with you. Good night, Macumazahn, good night. I trust that you did +a profitable trade with Umbezi my father and Masapo my husband. I wonder +why such men as these should have been chosen to be my father and my +husband. Think it over, Macumazahn, and tell me when next we meet. Give +me that pretty mirror, Macumazahn; when I look in it I shall see you +as well as myself, and that will please me--you don't know how much. I +thank you. Good night." + +In another minute I was watching her solitary little figure, now wrapped +again in the hooded kaross, as it vanished over the brow of the rise +behind us, and really, as she went, I felt a lump rising in my throat. +Notwithstanding all her wickedness--and I suppose she was wicked--there +was something horribly attractive about Mameena. + +When she had gone, taking my only looking-glass with her, and the lump +in my throat had gone also, I began to wonder how much fact there was in +her story. She had protested so earnestly that she told me all the truth +that I felt sure there must be something left behind. Also I remembered +she had said Zikali wanted to see me. Well, the end of it was I took a +moonlight walk up that dreadful gorge, into which not even Scowl would +accompany me, because he declared that the place was well known to be +haunted by imikovu, or spectres who have been raised from the dead by +wizards. + +It was a long and disagreeable walk, and somehow I felt very depressed +and insignificant as I trudged on between those gigantic cliffs, passing +now through patches of bright moonlight and now through deep pools of +shadow, threading my way among clumps of bush or round the bases of tall +pillars of piled-up stones, till at length I came to the overhanging +cliffs at the end, which frowned down on me like the brows of some +titanic demon. + +Well, I got to the end at last, and at the gate of the kraal fence was +met by one of those fierce and huge men who served the dwarf as guards. +Suddenly he emerged from behind a stone, and having scanned me for +a moment in silence, beckoned to me to follow him, as though I were +expected. A minute later I found myself face to face with Zikali, who +was seated in the clear moonlight just outside the shadow of his hut, +and engaged, apparently, in his favourite occupation of carving wood +with a rough native knife of curious shape. + +For a while he took no notice of me; then suddenly looked up, shaking +back his braided grey locks, and broke into one of his great laughs. + +"So it is you, Macumazahn," he said. "Well, I knew you were passing my +way and that Mameena would send you here. But why do you come to see the +'Thing-that-should-not-have-been-born'? To tell me how you fared with +the buffalo with the split horn, eh?" + +"No, Zikali, for why should I tell you what you know already? Mameena +said you wished to talk with me, that was all." + +"Then Mameena lied," he answered, "as is her nature, in whose throat +live four false words for every one of truth. Still, sit down, +Macumazahn. There is beer made ready for you by that stool; and give me +the knife and a pinch of the white man's snuff that you have brought for +me as a present." + +I produced these articles, though how he knew that I had them with me +I cannot tell, nor did I think it worth while to inquire. The snuff, I +remember, pleased him very much, but of the knife he said that it was +a pretty toy, but he would not know how to use it. Then we fell to +talking. + +"What was Mameena doing here?" I asked boldly. + +"What was she doing at your wagons?" he asked. "Oh, do not stop to tell +me; I know, I know. That is a very good Snake of yours, Macumazahn, +which always just lets you slip through her fingers, when, if she +chose to close her hand-- Well, well, I do not betray the secrets of +my clients; but I say this to you--go on to the kraal of the son of +Senzangakona, and you will see things happen that will make you laugh, +for Mameena will be there, and the mongrel Masapo, her husband. Truly +she hates him well, and, after all, I would rather be loved than hated +by Mameena, though both are dangerous. Poor Mongrel! Soon the jackals +will be chewing his bones." + +"Why do you say that?" I asked. + +"Only because Mameena tells me that he is a great wizard, and the +jackals eat many wizards in Zululand. Also he is an enemy of Panda's +House, is he not?" + +"You have been giving her some bad counsel, Zikali," I said, blurting +out the thought in my mind. + +"Perhaps, perhaps, Macumazahn; only I may call it good counsel. I have +my own road to walk, and if I can find some to clear away the thorns +that would prick my feet, what of it? Also she will get her pay, who +finds life dull up there among the Amasomi, with one she hates for a +hut-fellow. Go you and watch, and afterwards, when you have an hour to +spare, come and tell me what happens--that is, if I do not chance to be +there to see for myself." + +"Is Saduko well?" I asked to change the subject, for I did not wish to +become privy to the plots that filled the air. + +"I am told that his tree grows great, that it overshadows all the royal +kraal. I think that Mameena wishes to sleep in the shade of it. And now +you are weary, and so am I. Go back to your wagons, Macumazahn, for I +have nothing more to say to you to-night. But be sure to return and tell +me what chances at Panda's kraal. Or, as I have said, perhaps I shall +meet you there. Who knows, who knows?" + +Now, it will be observed that there was nothing very remarkable in this +conversation between Zikali and myself. He did not tell me any deep +secrets or make any great prophecy. It may be wondered, indeed, when +there is so much to record, why I set it down at all. + +My answer is, because of the extraordinary impression that it produced +upon me. Although so little was said, I felt all the while that those +few words were a veil hiding terrible events to be. I was sure that +some dreadful scheme had been hatched between the old dwarf and Mameena +whereof the issue would soon become apparent, and that he had sent me +away in a hurry after he learned that she had told me nothing, because +he feared lest I should stumble on its cue and perhaps cause it to fail. + +At any rate, as I walked back to my wagons by moonlight down that +dreadful gorge, the hot, thick air seemed to me to have a physical taste +and smell of blood, and the dank foliage of the tropical trees that grew +there, when now and again a puff of wind stirred them, moaned like the +fabled imikovu, or as men might do in their last faint agony. The effect +upon my nerves was quite strange, for when at last I reached my wagons I +was shaking like a reed, and a cold perspiration, unnatural enough upon +that hot night, poured from my face and body. + +Well, I took a couple of stiff tots of "squareface" to pull myself +together, and at length went to sleep, to awake before dawn with a +headache. Looking out of the wagon, to my surprise I saw Scowl and the +hunters, who should have been snoring, standing in a group and talking +to each other in frightened whispers. I called Scowl to me and asked +what was the matter. + +"Nothing, Baas," he said with a shamefaced air; "only there are so many +spooks about this place. They have been passing in and out of it all +night." + +"Spooks, you idiot!" I answered. "Probably they were people going to +visit the Nyanga, Zikali." + +"Perhaps, Baas; only then we do not know why they should all look like +dead people--princes, some of them, by their dress--and walk upon the +air a man's height from the ground." + +"Pooh!" I replied. "Do you not know the difference between owls in the +mist and dead kings? Make ready, for we trek at once; the air here is +full of fever." + +"Certainly, Baas," he said, springing off to obey; and I do not think I +ever remember two wagons being got under way quicker than they were that +morning. + +I merely mention this nonsense to show that the Black Kloof could affect +other people's nerves as well as my own. + + +In due course I reached Nodwengu without accident, having sent forward +one of my hunters to report my approach to Panda. When my wagons arrived +outside the Great Place they were met by none other than my old friend, +Maputa, he who had brought me back the pills before our attack upon +Bangu. + +"Greeting, Macumazahn," he said. "I am sent by the King to say that you +are welcome and to point you out a good place to outspan; also to give +you permission to trade as much as you will in this town, since he knows +that your dealings are always fair." + +I returned my thanks in the usual fashion, adding that I had brought a +little present for the King which I would deliver when it pleased him +to receive me. Then I invited Maputa, to whom I also offered some trifle +which delighted him very much, to ride with me on the wagon-box till we +came to the selected outspan. + +This, by the way, proved, to be a very good place indeed, a little +valley full of grass for the cattle--for by the King's order it had not +been grazed--with a stream of beautiful water running down it. Moreover +it overlooked a great open space immediately in front of the main gate +of the town, so that I could see everything that went on and all who +arrived or departed. + +"You will be comfortable here, Macumazahn," said Maputa, "during your +stay, which we hope will be long, since, although there will soon be +a mighty crowd at Nodwengu, the King has given orders that none except +your own servants are to enter this valley." + +"I thank the King; but why will there be a crowd, Maputa?" + +"Oh!" he answered with a shrug of the shoulders, "because of a new +thing. All the tribes of the Zulus are to come up to be reviewed. +Some say that Cetewayo has brought this about, and some say that it is +Umbelazi. But I am sure that it is the work of neither of these, but of +Saduko, your old friend, though what his object is I cannot tell you. +I only trust," he added uneasily, "that it will not end in bloodshed +between the Great Brothers." + +"So Saduko has grown tall, Maputa?" + +"Tall as a tree, Macumazahn. His whisper in the King's ear is louder +than the shouts of others. Moreover, he has become a 'self-eater' [that +is a Zulu term which means one who is very haughty]. You will have to +wait on him, Macumazahn; he will not wait on you." + +"Is it so?" I answered. "Well, tall trees are blown down sometimes." + +He nodded his wise old head. "Yes, Macumazahn; I have seen plenty grow +and fall in my time, for at last the swimmer goes with the stream. +Anyhow, you will be able to do a good trade among so many, and, whatever +happens, none will harm you whom all love. And now farewell; I bear your +messages to the King, who sends an ox for you to kill lest you should +grow hungry in his house." + +That same evening I saw Saduko and the others, as I shall tell. I had +been up to visit the King and give him my present, a case of English +table-knives with bone handles, which pleased him greatly, although +he did not in the least know how to use them. Indeed, without their +accompanying forks these are somewhat futile articles. I found the old +fellow very tired and anxious, but as he was surrounded by indunas, I +had no private talk with him. Seeing that he was busy, I took my leave +as soon as I could, and when I walked away whom should I meet but +Saduko. + +I saw him while he was a good way off, advancing towards the inner gate +with a train of attendants like a royal personage, and knew very well +that he saw me. Making up my mind what to do at once, I walked straight +on to him, forcing him to give me the path, which he did not wish to +do before so many people, and brushed past him as though he were a +stranger. As I expected, this treatment had the desired effect, for +after we had passed each other he turned and said: + +"Do you not know me, Macumazahn?" + +"Who calls?" I asked. "Why, friend, your face is familiar to me. How are +you named?" + +"Have you forgotten Saduko?" he said in a pained voice. + +"No, no, of course not," I answered. "I know you now, although you seem +somewhat changed since we went out hunting and fighting together--I +suppose because you are fatter. I trust that you are well, Saduko? +Good-bye. I must be going back to my wagons. If you wish to see me you +will find me there." + +These remarks, I may add, seemed to take Saduko very much aback. At any +rate, he found no reply to them, even when old Maputa, with whom I was +walking, and some others sniggered aloud. There is nothing that Zulus +enjoy so much as seeing one whom they consider an upstart set in his +place. + +Well, a couple of hours afterwards, just as the sun was sinking, who +should walk up to my wagons but Saduko himself, accompanied by a woman +whom I recognised at once as his wife, the Princess Nandie, who carried +a fine baby boy in her arms. Rising, I saluted Nandie and offered her my +camp-stool, which she looked at suspiciously and declined, preferring to +seat herself on the ground after the native fashion. So I took it back +again, and after I had sat down on it, not before, stretched out my hand +to Saduko, who by this time was quite humble and polite. + +Well, we talked away, and by degrees, without seeming too much +interested in them, I was furnished with a list of all the advancements +which it had pleased Panda to heap upon Saduko during the past year. In +their way they were remarkable enough, for it was much as though some +penniless country gentleman in England had been promoted in that short +space of time to be one of the premier peers of the kingdom and endowed +with great offices and estates. When he had finished the count of them +he paused, evidently waiting for me to congratulate him. But all I said +was: + +"By the Heavens above I am sorry for you, Saduko! How many enemies +you must have made! What a long way there will be for you to fall one +night!"--a remark at which the quiet Nandie broke into a low laugh that +I think pleased her husband even less than my sarcasm. "Well," I went +on, "I see that you have got a baby, which is much better than all these +titles. May I look at it, Inkosazana?" + +Of course she was delighted, and we proceeded to inspect the baby, +which evidently she loved more than anything on earth. Whilst we were +examining the child and chatting about it, Saduko sitting by meanwhile +in the sulks, who on earth should appear but Mameena and her fat and +sullen-looking husband, the chief Masapo. + +"Oh, Macumazahn," she said, appearing to notice no one else, "how +pleased I am to see you after a whole long year!" + +I stared at her and my jaw dropped. Then I recovered myself, thinking +she must have made a mistake and meant to say "week." + +"Twelve moons," she went on, "and, Macumazahn, not one of them has gone +by but I have thought of you several times and wondered if we should +ever meet again. Where have you been all this while?" + +"In many places," I answered; "amongst others at the Black Kloof, where +I called upon the dwarf, Zikali, and lost my looking-glass." + +"The Nyanga, Zikali! Oh, how often have I wished to see him. But, of +course, I cannot, for I am told he will not receive any women." + +"I don't know, I am sure," I replied, "but you might try; perhaps he +would make an exception in your favour." + +"I think I will, Macumazahn," she murmured, whereon I collapsed into +silence, feeling that things were getting beyond me. + +When I recovered myself a little it was to hear Mameena greeting Saduko +with much effusion, and complimenting him on his rise in life, which +she said she had always foreseen. This remark seemed to bowl out Saduko +also, for he made no answer to it, although I noticed that he could +not take his eyes off Mameena's beautiful face. Presently, however, +he seemed to become aware of Masapo, and instantly his whole demeanour +changed, for it grew proud and even terrible. Masapo tendered him some +greeting; whereon Saduko turned upon him and said: + +"What, chief of the Amasomi, do you give the good-day to an umfokazana +and a mangy hyena? Why do you do this? Is it because the low umfokazana +has become a noble and the mangy hyena has put on a tiger's coat?" And +he glared at him like a veritable tiger. + +Masapo made no answer that I could catch. Muttering some inaudible +words, he turned to depart, and in doing so--quite innocently, I +think--struck Nandie, knocking her over on to her back and causing +the child to fall out of her arms in such fashion that its tender head +struck against a pebble with sufficient force to cause it to bleed. + +Saduko leapt at him, smiting him across the shoulders with the little +stick that he carried. For a moment Masapo paused, and I thought that +he was going to show fight. If he had any such intention, however, he +changed his mind, for without a word, or showing any resentment at the +insult which he had received, he broke into a heavy run and vanished +among the evening shadows. Mameena, who had observed all, broke into +something else, namely, a laugh. + +"Piff! My husband is big yet not brave," she said, "but I do not think +he meant to hurt you, woman." + +"Do you speak to me, wife of Masapo?" asked Nandie with gentle dignity, +as she gained her feet and picked up the stunned child. "If so, my name +and titles are the Inkosazana Nandie, daughter of the Black One and wife +of the lord Saduko." + +"Your pardon," replied Mameena humbly, for she was cowed at once. "I did +not know who you were, Inkosazana." + +"It is granted, wife of Masapo. Macumazahn, give me water, I pray you, +that I may bathe the head of my child." + +The water was brought, and presently, when the little one seemed all +right again, for it had only received a scratch, Nandie thanked me and +departed to her own huts, saying with a smile to her husband as she +passed that there was no need for him to accompany her, as she had +servants waiting at the kraal gate. So Saduko stayed behind, and Mameena +stayed also. He talked with me for quite a long while, for he had much +to tell me, although all the time I felt that his heart was not in his +talk. His heart was with Mameena, who sat there and smiled continually +in her mysterious way, only putting in a word now and again, as though +to excuse her presence. + +At length she rose and said with a sigh that she must be going back to +where the Amasomi were in camp, as Masapo would need her to see to his +food. By now it was quite dark, although I remember that from time to +time the sky was lit up by sheet lightning, for a storm was brewing. As +I expected, Saduko rose also, saying that he would see me on the morrow, +and went away with Mameena, walking like one who dreams. + +A few minutes later I had occasion to leave the wagons in order to +inspect one of the oxen which was tied up by itself at a distance, +because it had shown signs of some sickness that might or might not be +catching. Moving quietly, as I always do from a hunter's habit, I walked +alone to the place where the beast was tethered behind some mimosa +thorns. Just as I reached these thorns the broad lightning shone out +vividly, and showed me Saduko holding the unresisting shape of Mameena +in his arms and kissing her passionately. + +Then I turned and went back to the wagons even more quietly than I had +come. + +I should add that on the morrow I found out that, after all, there was +nothing serious the matter with my ox. + + + + +CHAPTER X. THE SMELLING-OUT + + +After these events matters went on quietly for some time. I visited +Saduko's huts--very fine huts--about the doors of which sat quite a +number of his tribesmen, who seemed glad to see me again. Here I learned +from the Lady Nandie that her babe, whom she loved dearly, was none the +worse for its little accident. Also I learned from Saduko himself, who +came in before I left, attended like a prince by several notable men, +that he had made up his quarrel with Masapo, and, indeed, apologised to +him, as he found that he had not really meant to insult the princess, +his wife, having only thrust her over by accident. Saduko added indeed +that now they were good friends, which was well for Masapo, a man whom +the King had no cause to like. I said that I was glad to hear it, and +went on to call upon Masapo, who received me with enthusiasm, as also +did Mameena. + +Here I noted with pleasure that this pair seemed to be on much better +terms than I understood had been the case in the past, for Mameena even +addressed her husband on two separate occasions in very affectionate +language, and fetched something that he wanted without waiting to be +asked. Masapo, too, was in excellent spirits, because, as he told me, +the old quarrel between him and Saduko was thoroughly made up, their +reconciliation having been sealed by an interchange of gifts. He added +that he was very glad that this was the case, since Saduko was now one +of the most powerful men in the country, who could harm him much if he +chose, especially as some secret enemy had put it about of late that he, +Masapo, was an enemy of the King's House, and an evil-doer who practised +witchcraft. In proof of his new friendship, however, Saduko had promised +that these slanders should be looked into and their originator punished, +if he or she could be found. + +Well, I congratulated him and took my departure, "thinking furiously," +as the Frenchman says. That there was a tragedy pending I was sure; +this weather was too calm to last; the water ran so still because it was +preparing to leap down some hidden precipice. + +Yet what could I do? Tell Masapo I had seen his wife being embraced by +another man? Surely that was not my business; it was Masapo's business +to attend to her conduct. Also they would both deny it, and I had no +witness. Tell him that Saduko's reconciliation with him was not sincere, +and that he had better look to himself? How did I know it was not +sincere? It might suit Saduko's book to make friends with Masapo, and +if I interfered I should only make enemies and be called a liar who was +working for some secret end. + +Go to Panda and confide my suspicions to him? He was far too anxious +and busy about great matters to listen to me, and if he did, would only +laugh at this tale of a petty flirtation. No, there was nothing to be +done except sit still and wait. Very possibly I was mistaken, after all, +and things would smooth themselves out, as they generally do. + +Meanwhile the "reviewing," or whatever it may have been, was in +progress, and I was busy with my own affairs, making hay while the sun +shone. So great were the crowds of people who came up to Nodwengu that +in a week I had sold everything I had to sell in the two wagons, that +were mostly laden with cloth, beads, knives and so forth. Moreover, the +prices I got were splendid, since the buyers bid against each other, and +before I was cleared out I had collected quite a herd of cattle, also +a quantity of ivory. These I sent on to Natal with one of the wagons, +remaining behind myself with the other, partly because Panda asked me +to do so--for now and again he would seek my advice on sundry +questions--and partly from curiosity. + +There was plenty to be curious about up at Nodwengu just then, since +no one was sure that civil war would not break out between the princes +Cetewayo and Umbelazi, whose factions were present in force. + +It was averted for the time, however, by Umbelazi keeping away from the +great gathering under pretext of being sick, and leaving Saduko and some +others to watch his interests. Also the rival regiments were not allowed +to approach the town at the same time. So that public cloud passed over, +to the enormous relief of everyone, especially of Panda the King. As to +the private cloud whereof this history tells, it was otherwise. + +As the tribes came up to the Great Place they were reviewed and sent +away, since it was impossible to feed so vast a multitude as would have +collected had they all remained. Thus the Amasomi, a small people who +were amongst the first to arrive, soon left. Only, for some reason which +I never quite understood, Masapo, Mameena and a few of Masapo's children +and headmen were detained there; though perhaps, if she had chosen, +Mameena could have given an explanation. + +Well, things began to happen. Sundry personages were taken ill, and +some of them died suddenly; and soon it was noted that all these people +either lived near to where Masapo's family was lodged or had at some +time or other been on bad terms with him. Thus Saduko himself was taken +ill, or said he was; at any rate, he vanished from public gaze for three +days, and reappeared looking very sorry for himself, though I could not +observe that he had lost strength or weight. These catastrophes I pass +over, however, in order to come to the greatest of them, which is one of +the turning points of this chronicle. + +After recovering from his alleged sickness Saduko gave a kind of +thanksgiving feast, at which several oxen were killed. I was present at +this feast, or rather at the last part of it, for I only put in what may +be called a complimentary appearance, having no taste for such native +gorgings. As it drew near its close Saduko sent for Nandie, who at +first refused to come as there were no women present--I think because he +wished to show his friends that he had a princess of the royal blood +for his wife, who had borne him a son that one day would be great in the +land. For Saduko, as I have said, had become a "self-eater," and this +day his pride was inflamed by the adulation of the company and by the +beer that he had drunk. + +At length Nandie did come, carrying her babe, from which she never would +be parted. In her dignified, ladylike fashion (although it seems an odd +term to apply to a savage, I know none that describes her better) she +greeted first me and then sundry of the other guests, saying a few words +to each of them. At length she came opposite to Masapo, who had dined +not wisely but too well, and to him, out of her natural courtesy, spoke +rather longer than to the others, inquiring after his wife, Mameena, and +others. At the moment it occurred to me that she did this in order to +assure him that she bore no malice because of the accident of a while +before, and was a party to her husband's reconciliation with him. + +Masapo, in a hazy way, tried to reciprocate these kind intentions. +Rising to his feet, his fat, coarse body swaying to and fro because of +the beer that he had drunk, he expressed satisfaction at the feast that +had been prepared in her house. Then, his eyes falling on the child, he +began to declaim about its size and beauty, until he was stopped by the +murmured protests of others, since among natives it is held to be not +fortunate to praise a young child. Indeed, the person who does so is apt +to be called an "umtakati", or bewitcher, who will bring evil upon its +head, a word that I heard murmured by several near to me. Not satisfied +with this serious breach of etiquette, the intoxicated Masapo snatched +the infant from its mother's arms under pretext of looking for the hurt +that had been caused to its brow when it fell to the ground at my camp, +and finding none, proceeded to kiss it with his thick lips. + +Nandie dragged it from him, saying: + +"Would you bring death upon my son, O Chief of the Amasomi?" + +Then, turning, she walked away from the feasters, upon whom there fell a +certain hush. + +Fearing lest something unpleasant should ensue, for I saw Saduko biting +his lips with rage not unmixed with fear, and remembering Masapo's +reputation as a wizard, I took advantage of this pause to bid a general +good night to the company and retire to my camp. + +What happened immediately after I left I do not know, but just before +dawn on the following morning I was awakened from sleep in my wagon by +my servant Scowl, who said that a messenger had come from the huts of +Saduko, begging that I would proceed there at once and bring the white +man's medicines, as his child was very ill. Of course I got up and went, +taking with me some ipecacuanha and a few other remedies that I thought +might be suitable for infantile ailments. + +Outside the huts, which I reached just as the sun began to rise, I was +met by Saduko himself, who was coming to seek me, as I saw at once, in a +state of terrible grief. + +"What is the matter?" I asked. + +"O Macumazana," he answered, "that dog Masapo has bewitched my boy, and +unless you can save him he dies." + +"Nonsense," I said, "why do you utter wind? If the babe is sick, it is +from some natural cause." + +"Wait till you see it," he replied. + +Well, I went into the big hut, and there found Nandie and some other +women, also a native doctor or two. Nandie was seated on the floor +looking like a stone image of grief, for she made no sound, only pointed +with her finger to the infant that lay upon a mat in front of her. + +A single glance showed me that it was dying of some disease of which +I had no knowledge, for its dusky little body was covered with red +blotches and its tiny face twisted all awry. I told the women to heat +water, thinking that possibly this might be a case of convulsions, which +a hot bath would mitigate; but before it was ready the poor babe uttered +a thin wail and died. + +Then, when she saw that her child was gone, Nandie spoke for the first +time. + +"The wizard has done his work well," she said, and flung herself face +downwards on the floor of the hut. + +As I did not know what to answer, I went out, followed by Saduko. + +"What has killed my son, Macumazahn?" he asked in a hollow voice, the +tears running down his handsome face, for he had loved his firstborn. + +"I cannot tell," I replied; "but had he been older I should have thought +he had eaten something poisonous, which seems impossible." + +"Yes, Macumazahn, and the poison that he has eaten came from the breath +of a wizard whom you may chance to have seen kiss him last night. Well, +his life shall be avenged." + +"Saduko," I exclaimed, "do not be unjust. There are many sicknesses +that may have killed your son of which I have no knowledge, who am not a +trained doctor." + +"I will not be unjust, Macumazahn. The babe has died by witchcraft, +like others in this town of late, but the evil-doer may not be he whom I +suspect. That is for the smellers-out to decide," and without more words +he turned and left me. + +Next day Masapo was put upon his trial before a Court of Councillors, +over which the King himself presided, a very unusual thing for him to +do, and one which showed the great interest he took in the case. + +At this court I was summoned to give evidence, and, of course, confined +myself to answering such questions as were put to me. Practically these +were but two. What had passed at my wagons when Masapo had knocked over +Nandie and her child, and Saduko had struck him, and what had I seen at +Saduko's feast when Masapo had kissed the infant? I told them in as few +words as I could, and after some slight cross-examination by Masapo, +made with a view to prove that the upsetting of Nandie was an accident +and that he was drunk at Saduko's feast, to both of which suggestions I +assented, I rose to go. Panda, however, stopped me and bade me describe +the aspect of the child when I was called in to give it medicine. + +I did so as accurately as possible, and could see that my account made +a deep impression on the mind of the court. Then Panda asked me if I had +ever seen any similar case, to which I was obliged to reply: + +"No, I have not." + +After this the Councillors consulted privately, and when we were called +back the King gave his judgment, which was very brief. It was evident, +he said, that there had been events which might have caused enmity to +arise in the mind of Masapo against Saduko, by whom Masapo had been +struck with a stick. Therefore, although a reconciliation had taken +place, there seemed to be a possible motive for revenge. But if Masapo +killed the child, there was no evidence to show how he had done so. +Moreover, that infant, his own grandson, had not died of any known +disease. He had, however, died of a similar disease to that which had +carried off certain others with whom Masapo had been mixed up, whereas +more, including Saduko himself, had been sick and recovered, all of +which seemed to make a strong case against Masapo. + +Still, he and his Councillors wished not to condemn without full proof. +That being so, they had determined to call in the services of some +great witch-doctor, one who lived at a distance and knew nothing of the +circumstances. Who that doctor should be was not yet settled. When +it was and he had arrived, the case would be re-opened, and meanwhile +Masapo would be kept a close prisoner. Finally, he prayed that the white +man, Macumazahn, would remain at his town until the matter was settled. + +So Masapo was led off, looking very dejected, and, having saluted the +King, we all went away. + +I should add that, except for the remission of the case to the court +of the witch-doctor, which, of course, was an instance of pure Kafir +superstition, this judgment of the King's seemed to me well reasoned and +just, very different indeed from what would have been given by Dingaan +or Chaka, who were wont, on less evidence, to make a clean sweep not +only of the accused, but of all his family and dependents. + +About eight days later, during which time I had heard nothing of the +matter and seen no one connected with it, for the whole thing seemed to +have become Zila--that is, not to be talked about--I received a summons +to attend the "smelling-out," and went, wondering what witch-doctor had +been chosen for that bloody and barbarous ceremony. Indeed, I had not +far to go, since the place selected for the occasion was outside the +fence of the town of Nodwengu, on that great open stretch of ground +which lay at the mouth of the valley where I was camped. Here, as I +approached, I saw a vast multitude of people crowded together, fifty +deep or more, round a little oval space not much larger than the pit +of a theatre. On the inmost edge of this ring were seated many notable +people, male and female, and as I was conducted to the side of it which +was nearest to the gate of the town, I observed among them Saduko, +Masapo, Mameena and others, and mixed up with them a number of soldiers, +who were evidently on duty. + +Scarcely had I seated myself on a camp-stool, carried by my servant +Scowl, when through the gate of the kraal issued Panda and certain +of his Council, whose appearance the multitude greeted with the royal +salute of "Bayete", that came from them in a deep and simultaneous roar +of sound. When its echoes died away, in the midst of a deep silence +Panda spoke, saying: + +"Bring forth the Nyanga [doctor]. Let the umhlahlo [that is, the +witch-trial] begin!" + +There was a long pause, and then in the open gateway appeared a solitary +figure that at first sight seemed to be scarcely human, the figure of +a dwarf with a gigantic head, from which hung long, white hair, plaited +into locks. It was Zikali, no other! + +Quite unattended, and naked save for his moocha, for he had on him none +of the ordinary paraphernalia of the witch-doctor, he waddled forward +with a curious toad-like gait till he had passed through the Councillors +and stood in the open space of the ring. Halting there, he looked about +him slowly with his deep-set eyes, turning as he looked, till at length +his glance fell upon the King. + +"What would you have of me, Son of Senzangakona?" he asked. "Many years +have passed since last we met. Why do you drag me from my hut, I who +have visited the kraal of the King of the Zulus but twice since the +'Black One' [Chaka] sat upon the throne--once when the Boers were killed +by him who went before you, and once when I was brought forth to see +all who were left of my race, shoots of the royal Dwandwe stock, slain +before my eyes. Do you bear me hither that I may follow them into the +darkness, O Child of Senzangakona? If so I am ready; only then I have +words to say that it may not please you to hear." + +His deep, rumbling voice echoed into silence, while the great audience +waited for the King's answer. I could see that they were all afraid of +this man, yes, even Panda was afraid, for he shifted uneasily upon his +stool. At length he spoke, saying: + +"Not so, O Zikali. Who would wish to do hurt to the wisest and most +ancient man in all the land, to him who touches the far past with one +hand and the present with the other, to him who was old before our +grandfathers began to be? Nay, you are safe, you on whom not even the +'Black One' dared to lay a finger, although you were his enemy and he +hated you. As for the reason why you have been brought here, tell it +to us, O Zikali. Who are we that we should instruct you in the ways of +wisdom?" + +When the dwarf heard this he broke into one of his great laughs. + +"So at last the House of Senzangakona acknowledges that I have wisdom. +Then before all is done they will think me wise indeed." + +He laughed again in his ill-omened fashion and went on hurriedly, as +though he feared that he should be called upon to explain his words: + +"Where is the fee? Where is the fee? Is the King so poor that he expects +an old Dwandwe doctor to divine for nothing, just as though he were +working for a private friend?" + +Panda made a motion with his hand, and ten fine heifers were driven into +the circle from some place where they had been kept in waiting. + +"Sorry beasts!" said Zikali contemptuously, "compared to those we used +to breed before the time of Senzangakona"--a remark which caused a loud +"Wow!" of astonishment to be uttered by the multitude that heard it. +"Still, such as they are, let them be taken to my kraal, with a bull, +for I have none." + +The cattle were driven away, and the ancient dwarf squatted himself down +and stared at the ground, looking like a great black toad. For a long +while--quite ten minutes, I should think--he stared thus, till I, for +one, watching him intently, began to feel as though I were mesmerised. + +At length he looked up, tossing back his grey locks, and said: + +"I see many things in the dust. Oh, yes, it is alive, it is alive, and +tells me many things. Show that you are alive, O Dust. Look!" + +As he spoke, throwing his hands upwards, there arose at his very feet +one of those tiny and incomprehensible whirlwinds with which all who +know South Africa will be familiar. It drove the dust together; it +lifted it in a tall, spiral column that rose and rose to a height of +fifty feet or more. Then it died away as suddenly as it had come, so +that the dust fell down again over Zikali, over the King, and over three +of his sons who sat behind him. Those three sons, I remember, were named +Tshonkweni, Dabulesinye, and Mantantashiya. As it chanced, by a strange +coincidence all of these were killed at the great battle of the Tugela +of which I have to tell. + +Now again an exclamation of fear and wonder rose from the audience, who +set down this lifting of the dust at Zikali's very feet not to natural +causes, but to the power of his magic. Moreover, those on whom it had +fallen, including the King, rose hurriedly and shook and brushed it +from their persons with a zeal that was not, I think, inspired by a mere +desire for cleanliness. But Zikali only laughed again in his terrible +fashion and let it lie on his fresh-oiled body, which it turned to the +dull, dead hue of a grey adder. + +He rose and, stepping here and there, examined the new-fallen dust. Then +he put his hand into a pouch he wore and produced from it a dried human +finger, whereof the nail was so pink that I think it must have been +coloured--a sight at which the circle shuddered. + +"Be clever," he said, "O Finger of her I loved best; be clever and write +in the dust as yonder Macumazana can write, and as some of the Dwandwe +used to write before we became slaves and bowed ourselves down before +the Great Heavens." (By this he meant the Zulus, whose name means +the Heavens.) "Be clever, dear Finger which caressed me once, me, the +'Thing-that-should-not-have-been-born,' as more will think before I die, +and write those matters that it pleases the House of Senzangakona to +know this day." + +Then he bent down, and with the dead finger at three separate spots made +certain markings in the fallen dust, which to me seemed to consist of +circles and dots; and a strange and horrid sight it was to see him do +it. + +"I thank you, dear Finger. Now sleep, sleep, your work is done," and +slowly he wrapped the relic up in some soft material and restored it to +his pouch. + +Then he studied the first of the markings and asked: "What am I here +for? What am I here for? Does he who sits upon the Throne desire to know +how long he has to reign?" + +Now, those of the inner circle of the spectators, who at these +"smellings-out" act as a kind of chorus, looked at the King, and, seeing +that he shook his head vigorously, stretched out their right hands, +holding the thumb downwards, and said simultaneously in a cold, low +voice: + +"Izwa!" (That is, "We hear you.") + +Zikali stamped upon this set of markings. + +"It is well," he said. "He who sits upon the Throne does not desire to +know how long he has to reign, and therefore the dust has forgotten and +shows it not to me." + +Then he walked to the next markings and studied them. + +"Does the Child of Senzangakona desire to know which of his sons shall +live and which shall die; aye, and which of them shall sleep in his hut +when he is gone?" + +Now a great roar of "Izwa!" accompanied by the clapping of hands, rose +from all the outer multitude who heard, for there was no information +that the Zulu people desired so earnestly as this at the time of which I +write. + +But again Panda, who, I saw, was thoroughly alarmed at the turn things +were taking, shook his head vigorously, whereon the obedient chorus +negatived the question in the same fashion as before. + +Zikali stamped upon the second set of markings, saying: + +"The people desire to know, but the Great Ones are afraid to learn, and +therefore the dust has forgotten who in the days to come shall sleep in +the hut of the King and who shall sleep in the bellies of the jackals +and the crops of the vultures after they have 'gone beyond' by the +bridge of spears." + +Now, at this awful speech (which, both because of all that it implied of +bloodshed and civil war and of the wild, wailing voice in which it was +spoken, that seemed quite different from Zikali's, caused everyone who +heard it, including myself, I am afraid, to gasp and shiver) the King +sprang from his stool as though to put a stop to such doctoring. Then, +after his fashion, he changed his mind and sat down again. But Zikali, +taking no heed, went to the third set of marks and studied them. + +"It would seem," he said, "that I am awakened from sleep in my Black +House yonder to tell of a very little matter, that might well have been +dealt with by any common Nyanga born but yesterday. Well, I have taken +my fee, and I will earn it, although I thought that I was brought here +to speak of great matters, such as the death of princes and the fortunes +of peoples. Is it desired that my Spirit should speak of wizardries in +this town of Nodwengu?" + +"Izwa!" said the chorus in a loud voice. + +Zikali nodded his great head and seemed to talk with the dust, waiting +now and again for an answer. + +"Good," he said; "they are many, and the dust has told them all to me. +Oh, they are very many"--and he glared around him--"so many that if I +spoke them all the hyenas of the hills would be full to-night--" + +Here the audience began to show signs of great apprehension. + +"But," looking down at the dust and turning his head sideways, "what +do you say, what do you say? Speak more plainly, Little Voices, for you +know I grow deaf. Oh! now I understand. The matter is even smaller than +I thought. Just of one wizard--" + +"Izwa!" (loudly). + +"--just of a few deaths and some sicknesses." + +"Izwa!" + +"Just of one death, one principal death." + +"Izwa!" (very loudly). + +"Ah! So we have it--one death. Now, was it a man?" + +"Izwa!" (very coldly). + +"A woman?" + +"Izwa!" (still more coldly). + +"Then a child? It must be a child, unless indeed it is the death of a +spirit. But what do you people know of spirits? A child! A child! Ah! +you hear me--a child. A male child, I think. Do you not say so, O Dust?" + +"Izwa!" (emphatically). + +"A common child? A bastard? The son of nobody?" + +"Izwa!" (very low). + +"A well-born child? One who would have been great? O Dust, I hear, I +hear; a royal child, a child in whom ran the blood of the Father of the +Zulus, he who was my friend? The blood of Senzangakona, the blood of the +'Black One,' the blood of Panda." + +He stopped, while both from the chorus and from the thousands of the +circle gathered around went up one roar of "Izwa!" emphasised by a +mighty movement of outstretched arms and down-pointing thumbs. + +Then silence, during which Zikali stamped upon all the remaining +markings, saying: + +"I thank you, O Dust, though I am sorry to have troubled you for so +small a matter. So, so," he went on presently, "a royal boy-child +is dead, and you think by witchcraft. Let us find out if he died by +witchcraft or as others die, by command of the Heavens that need them. +What! Here is one mark which I have left. Look! It grows red, it is full +of spots! The child died with a twisted face." + +"Izwa! Izwa! Izwa!" (crescendo). + +"This death was not natural. Now, was it witchcraft or was it poison? +Both, I think, both. And whose was the child? Not that of a son of the +King, I think. Oh, yes, you hear me, People, you hear me; but be silent; +I do not need your help. No, not of a son; of a daughter, then." He +turned and, looked about him till his eye fell upon a group of women, +amongst whom sat Nandie, dressed like a common person. "Of a daughter, +a daughter--" He walked to the group of women. "Why, none of these are +royal; they are the children of low people. And yet--and yet I seem to +smell the blood of Senzangakona." + +He sniffed at the air as a dog does, and as he sniffed drew ever nearer +to Nandie, till at last he laughed and pointed to her. + +"_Your_ child, Princess, whose name I do not know. Your firstborn child, +whom you loved more than your own heart." + +She rose. + +"Yes, yes, Nyanga," she cried. "I am the Princess Nandie, and he was my +child, whom I loved more than my own heart." + +"Haha!" said Zikali. "Dust, you did not lie to me. My Spirit, you did +not lie to me. But now, tell me, Dust--and tell me, my Spirit--who +killed this child?" + +He began to waddle round the circle, an extraordinary sight, covered +as he was with grey grime, varied with streaks of black skin where the +perspiration had washed the dust away. + +Presently he came opposite to me, and, to my dismay, paused, sniffing at +me as he had at Nandie. + +"Ah! ah! O Macumazana," he said, "you have something to do with this +matter," a saying at which all that audience pricked their ears. + +Then I rose up in wrath and fear, knowing my position to be one of some +danger. + +"Wizard, or Smeller-out of Wizards, whichever you name yourself," I +called in a loud voice, "if you mean that _I_ killed Nandie's child, you +lie!" + +"No, no, Macumazahn," he answered, "but you tried to save it, and +therefore you had something to do with the matter, had you not? +Moreover, I think that you, who are wise like me, know who did kill it. +Won't you tell me, Macumazahn? No? Then I must find out for myself. Be +at peace. Does not all the land know that your hands are white as your +heart?" + +Then, to my great relief, he passed on, amidst a murmur of approbation, +for, as I have said, the Zulus liked me. Round and round he wandered, +to my surprise passing both Mameena and Masapo without taking any +particular note of them, although he scanned them both, and I thought +that I saw a swift glance of recognition pass between him and Mameena. +It was curious to watch his progress, for as he went those in front of +him swayed in their terror like corn before a puff of wind, and when he +had passed they straightened themselves as the corn does when the wind +has gone by. + +At length he had finished his journey and returned to his +starting-point, to all appearance completely puzzled. + +"You keep so many wizards at your kraal, King," he said, addressing +Panda, "that it is hard to say which of them wrought this deed. It would +have been easier to tell you of greater matters. Yet I have taken your +fee, and I must earn it--I must earn it. Dust, you are dumb. Now, my +Idhlozi, my Spirit, do you speak?" and, holding his head sideways, +he turned his left ear up towards the sky, then said presently, in a +curious, matter-of-fact voice: + +"Ah! I thank you, Spirit. Well, King, your grandchild was killed by the +House of Masapo, your enemy, chief of the Amasomi." + +Now a roar of approbation went up from the audience, among whom Masapo's +guilt was a foregone conclusion. + +When this had died down Panda spoke, saying: + +"The House of Masapo is a large house; I believe that he has several +wives and many children. It is not enough to smell out the House, since +I am not as those who went before me were, nor will I slay the innocent +with the guilty. Tell us, O Opener-of-Roads, who among the House of +Masapo has wrought this deed?" + +"That's just the question," grumbled Zikali in a deep voice. "All that +I know is that it was done by poisoning, and I smell the poison. It is +here." + +Then he walked to where Mameena sat and cried out: + +"Seize that woman and search her hair." + +Executioners who were in waiting sprang forward, but Mameena waved them +away. + +"Friends," she said, with a little laugh, "there is no need to touch +me," and, rising, she stepped forward to the centre of the ring. Here, +with a few swift motions of her hands, she flung off first the cloak she +wore, then the moocha about her middle, and lastly the fillet that bound +her long hair, and stood before that audience in all her naked beauty--a +wondrous and a lovely sight. + +"Now," she said, "let women come and search me and my garments, and see +if there is any poison hid there." + +Two old crones stepped forward--though I do not know who sent them--and +carried out a very thorough examination, finally reporting that they had +found nothing. Thereon Mameena, with a shrug of her shoulders, resumed +such clothes as she wore, and returned to her place. + +Zikali appeared to grow angry. He stamped upon the ground with his big +feet; he shook his braided grey locks and cried out: + +"Is my wisdom to be defeated in such a little matter? One of you tie a +bandage over my eyes." + +Now a man--it was Maputa, the messenger--came out and did so, and I +noted that he tied it well and tight. Zikali whirled round upon his +heels, first one way and then another, and, crying aloud: "Guide me, my +Spirit!" marched forward in a zigzag fashion, as a blindfolded man does, +with his arms stretched out in front of him. First he went to the right, +then to the left, and then straight forward, till at length, to my +astonishment, he came exactly opposite the spot where Masapo sat and, +stretching out his great, groping hands, seized the kaross with which he +was covered and, with a jerk, tore it from him. + +"Search this!" he cried, throwing it on the ground, and a woman +searched. + +Presently she uttered an exclamation, and from among the fur of one of +the tails of the kaross produced a tiny bag that appeared to be made out +of the bladder of a fish. This she handed to Zikali, whose eyes had now +been unbandaged. + +He looked at it, then gave it to Maputa, saying: + +"There is the poison--there is the poison, but who gave it I do not say. +I am weary. Let me go." + +Then, none hindering him, he walked away through the gate of the kraal. + +Soldiers seized upon Masapo, while the multitude roared: "Kill the +wizard!" + +Masapo sprang up, and, running to where the King sat, flung himself upon +his knees, protesting his innocence and praying for mercy. I also, who +had doubts as to all this business, ventured to rise and speak. + +"O King," I said, "as one who has known this man in the past, I plead +with you. How that powder came into his kaross I know not, but perchance +it is not poison, only harmless dust." + +"Yes, it is but wood dust which I use for the cleaning of my nails," +cried Masapo, for he was so terrified I think he knew not what he said. + +"So you own to knowledge of the medicine?" exclaimed Panda. "Therefore +none hid it in your kaross through malice." + +Masapo began to explain, but what he said was lost in a mighty roar of +"Kill the wizard!" + +Panda held up his hand and there was silence. + +"Bring milk in a dish," commanded the King, and it, was brought, and, at +a further word from him, dusted with the powder. + +"Now, O Macumazana," said Panda to me, "if you still think that yonder +man is innocent, will you drink this milk?" + +"I do not like milk, O King," I answered, shaking my head, whereon all +who heard me laughed. + +"Will Mameena, his wife, drink it, then?" asked Panda. + +She also shook her head, saying: + +"O King, I drink no milk that is mixed with dust." + +Just then a lean, white dog, one of those homeless, mangy beasts that +stray about kraals and live upon carrion, wandered into the ring. Panda +made a sign, and a servant, going to where the poor beast stood staring +about it hungrily, set down the wooden dish of milk in front of it. +Instantly the dog lapped it up, for it was starving, and as it finished +the last drop the man slipped a leathern thong about its neck and held +it fast. + +Now all eyes were fixed upon the dog, mine among them. Presently the +beast uttered a long and melancholy howl which thrilled me through, for +I knew it to be Masapo's death warrant, then began to scratch the ground +and foam at the mouth. Guessing what would follow, I rose, bowed to the +King, and walked away to my camp, which, it will be remembered, was set +up in a little kloof commanding this place, at a distance only of a few +hundred yards. So intent was all the multitude upon watching the dog +that I doubt whether anyone saw me go. As for that poor beast, Scowl, +who stayed behind, told me that it did not die for about ten minutes, +since before its end a red rash appeared upon it similar to that which I +had seen upon Saduko's child, and it was seized with convulsions. + +Well, I reached my tent unmolested, and, having lit my pipe, engaged +myself in making business entries in my note-book, in order to divert my +mind as much as I could, when suddenly I heard a most devilish clamour. +Looking up, I saw Masapo running towards me with a speed that I should +have thought impossible in so fat a man, while after him raced the +fierce-faced executioners, and behind came the mob. + +"Kill the evil-doer!" they shouted. + +Masapo reached me. He flung himself on his knees before me, gasping: + +"Save me, Macumazahn! I am innocent. Mameena, the witch! Mameena--" + +He got no farther, for the slayers had leapt on him like hounds upon a +buck and dragged him from me. + +Then I turned and covered up my eyes. + + +Next morning I left Nodwengu without saying good-bye to anyone, for what +had happened there made me desire a change. My servant, Scowl, and one +of my hunters remained, however, to collect some cattle that were still +due to me. + +A month or more later, when they joined me in Natal, bringing the +cattle, they told me that Mameena, the widow of Masapo, had entered the +house of Saduko as his second wife. In answer to a question which I put +to them, they added that it was said that the Princess Nandie did +not approve of this choice of Saduko, which she thought would not be +fortunate for him or bring him happiness. As her husband seemed to be +much enamoured of Mameena, however, she had waived her objections, and +when Panda asked if she gave her consent had told him that, although she +would prefer that Saduko should choose some other woman who had not been +mixed up with the wizard who killed her child, she was prepared to take +Mameena as her sister, and would know how to keep her in her place. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. THE SIN OF UMBELAZI + + +About eighteen months had gone by, and once again, in the autumn of the +year 1856, I found myself at old Umbezi's kraal, where there seemed to +be an extraordinary market for any kind of gas-pipe that could be called +a gun. Well, as a trader who could not afford to neglect profitable +markets, which are hard things to find, there I was. + +Now, in eighteen months many things become a little obscured in one's +memory, especially if they have to do with savages, in whom, after all, +one takes only a philosophical and a business interest. Therefore I may +perhaps be excused if I had more or less forgotten a good many of the +details of what I may call the Mameena affair. These, however, came back +to me very vividly when the first person that I met--at some distance +from the kraal, where I suppose she had been taking a country walk--was +the beautiful Mameena herself. There she was, looking quite unchanged +and as lovely as ever, sitting under the shade of a wild fig-tree and +fanning herself with a handful of its leaves. + +Of course I jumped off my wagon-box and greeted her. + +"Siyakubona [that is, good morrow], Macumazahn," she said. "My heart is +glad to see you." + +"Siyakubona, Mameena," I answered, leaving out all reference to _my_ +heart. Then I added, looking at her: "Is it true that you have a new +husband?" + +"Yes, Macumazahn, an old lover of mine has become a new husband. You +know whom I mean--Saduko. After the death of that evil-doer, Masapo, he +grew very urgent, and the King, also the Inkosazana Nandie, pressed it +on me, and so I yielded. Also, to be honest, Saduko was a good match, or +seemed to be so." + +By now we were walking side by side, for the train of wagons had gone +ahead to the old outspan. So I stopped and looked her in the face. + +"'Seemed to be,'" I repeated. "What do you mean by 'seemed to be'? Are +you not happy this time?" + +"Not altogether, Macumazahn," she answered, with a shrug of her +shoulders. "Saduko is very fond of me--fonder than I like indeed, since +it causes him to neglect Nandie, who, by the way, has another son, and, +although she says little, that makes Nandie cross. In short," she added, +with a burst of truth, "I am the plaything, Nandie is the great lady, +and that place suits me ill." + +"If you love Saduko, you should not mind, Mameena." + +"Love," she said bitterly. "Piff! What is love? But I have asked you +that question once before." + +"Why are you here, Mameena?" I inquired, leaving it unanswered. + +"Because Saduko is here, and, of course, Nandie, for she never leaves +him, and he will not leave me; because the Prince Umbelazi is coming; +because there are plots afoot and the great war draws near--that war in +which so many must die." + +"Between Cetewayo and Umbelazi, Mameena?" + +"Aye, between Cetewayo and Umbelazi. Why do you suppose those wagons of +yours are loaded with guns for which so many cattle must be paid? Not to +shoot game with, I think. Well, this little kraal of my father's is +just now the headquarters of the Umbelazi faction, the Isigqosa, as the +princedom of Gikazi is that of Cetewayo. My poor father!" she added, +with her characteristic shrug, "he thinks himself very great to-day, +as he did after he had shot the elephant--before I nursed you, +Macumazahn--but often I wonder what will be the end of it--for him and +for all of us, Macumazahn, including yourself." + +"I!" I answered. "What have I to do with your Zulu quarrels?" + +"That you will know when you have done with them, Macumazahn. But here +is the kraal, and before we enter it I wish to thank you for trying to +protect that unlucky husband of mine, Masapo." + +"I only did so, Mameena, because I thought him innocent." + +"I know, Macumazahn; and so did I, although, as I always told you, I +hated him, the man with whom my father forced me to marry. But I am +afraid, from what I have learned since, that he was not altogether +innocent. You see, Saduko had struck him, which he could not forget. +Also, he was jealous of Saduko, who had been my suitor, and wished to +injure him. But what I do not understand," she added, with a burst of +confidence, "is why he did not kill Saduko instead of his child." + +"Well, Mameena, you may remember it was said he tried to do so." + +"Yes, Macumazahn; I had forgotten that. I suppose that he did try, and +failed. Oh, now I see things with both eyes. Look, yonder is my father. +I will go away. But come and talk to me sometimes, Macumazahn, for +otherwise Nandie will be careful that I should hear nothing--I who am +the plaything, the beautiful woman of the House, who must sit and smile, +but must not think." + +So she departed, and I went on to meet old Umbezi, who came gambolling +towards me like an obese goat, reflecting that, whatever might be the +truth or otherwise of her story, her advancement in the world did not +seem to have brought Mameena greater happiness and contentment. + +Umbezi, who greeted me warmly, was in high spirits and full of +importance. He informed me that the marriage of Mameena to Saduko, after +the death of the wizard, her husband, whose tribe and cattle had been +given to Saduko in compensation for the loss of his son, was a most +fortunate thing for him. + +I asked why. + +"Because as Saduko grows great so I, his father-in-law, grow great with +him, Macumazahn, especially as he has been liberal to me in the matter +of cattle, passing on to me a share of the herds of Masapo, so that I, +who have been poor so long, am getting rich at last. Moreover, my kraal +is to be honoured with a visit from Umbelazi and some of his brothers +to-morrow, and Saduko has promised to lift me up high when the Prince is +declared heir to the throne." + +"Which prince?" I asked. + +"Umbelazi, Macumazahn. Who else? Umbelazi, who without doubt will +conquer Cetewayo." + +"Why without doubt, Umbezi? Cetewayo has a great following, and if _he_ +should conquer I think that you will only be lifted up in the crops of +the vultures." + +At this rough suggestion Umbezi's fat face fell. + +"O Macumazana," he said, "if I thought that, I would go over to +Cetewayo, although Saduko is my son-in-law. But it is not possible, +since the King loves Umbelazi's mother most of all his wives, and, as I +chance to know, has sworn to her that he favours Umbelazi's cause, since +he is the dearest to him of all his sons, and will do everything that +he can to help him, even to the sending of his own regiment to his +assistance, if there should be need. Also, it is said that Zikali, +Opener-of-Roads, who has all wisdom, has prophesied that Umbelazi will +win more than he ever hoped for." + +"The King!" I said, "a straw blown hither and thither between two great +winds, waiting to be wafted to rest by that which is strongest! The +prophecy of Zikali! It seems to me that it can be read two ways, if, +indeed, he ever made one. Well, Umbezi, I hope that you are right, for, +although it is no affair of mine, who am but a white trader in your +country, I like Umbelazi better than Cetewayo, and think that he has a +kinder heart. Also, as you have chosen his side, I advise you to stick +to it, since traitors to a cause seldom come to any good, whether it +wins or loses. And now, will you take count of the guns and powder which +I have brought with me?" + +Ah! better would it have been for Umbezi if he had listened to my advice +and remained faithful to the leader he had chosen, for then, even if he +had lost his life, at least he would have kept his good name. But of him +presently, as they say in pedigrees. + +Next day I went to pay my respects to Nandie, whom I found engaged in +nursing her new baby and as quiet and stately in her demeanour as ever. +Still, I think that she was very glad to see me, because I had tried to +save the life of her first child, whom she could not forget, if for no +other reason. Whilst I was talking to her of that sad matter, also of +the political state of the country, as to which I think she wished to +say something to me, Mameena entered the hut, without waiting to be +asked, and sat down, whereon Nandie became suddenly silent. + +This, however, did not trouble Mameena, who talked away about anything +and everything, completely ignoring the head-wife. For a while Nandie +bore it with patience, but at length she took advantage of a pause in +the conversation to say in her firm, low voice: + +"This is my hut, daughter of Umbezi, a thing which you remember well +enough when it is a question whether Saduko, our husband, shall visit +you or me. Can you not remember it now when I would speak with the white +chief, Watcher-by-Night, who has been so good as to take the trouble to +come to see me?" + +On hearing these words Mameena leapt up in a rage, and I must say I +never saw her look more lovely. + +"You insult me, daughter of Panda, as you always try to do, because you +are jealous of me." + +"Your pardon, sister," replied Nandie. "Why should I, who am Saduko's +Inkosikazi, and, as you say, daughter of Panda, the King, be jealous +of the widow of the wizard, Masapo, and the daughter of the headman, +Umbezi, whom it has pleased our husband to take into his house to be the +companion of his leisure?" + +"Why? Because you know that Saduko loves my little finger more than +he does your whole body, although you are of the King's blood and have +borne him brats," she answered, looking at the infant with no kindly +eye. + +"It may be so, daughter of Umbezi, for men have their fancies, and +without doubt you are fair. Yet I would ask you one thing--if Saduko +loves you so much, how comes it he trusts you so little that you must +learn any matter of weight by listening at my door, as I found you doing +the other day?" + +"Because you teach him not to do so, O Nandie. Because you are ever +telling him not to consult with me, since she who has betrayed one +husband may betray another. Because you make him believe my place is +that of his toy, not that of his companion, and this although I am +cleverer than you and all your House tied into one bundle, as you may +find out some day." + +"Yes," answered Nandie, quite undisturbed, "I do teach him these things, +and I am glad that in this matter Saduko has a thinking head and listens +to me. Also I agree that it is likely I shall learn many more ill things +through and of you one day, daughter of Umbezi. And now, as it is not +good that we should wrangle before this white lord, again I say to you +that this is my hut, in which I wish to speak alone with my guest." + +"I go, I go!" gasped Mameena; "but I tell you that Saduko shall hear of +this." + +"Certainly he will hear of it, for I shall tell him when he comes +to-night." + +Another instant and Mameena was gone, having shot out of the hut like a +rabbit from its burrow. + +"I ask your pardon, Macumazahn, for what has happened," said Nandie, +"but it had become necessary that I should teach my sister, Mameena, +upon which stool she ought to sit. I do not trust her, Macumazahn. I +think that she knows more of the death of my child than she chooses to +say, she who wished to be rid of Masapo for a reason you can guess. I +think also she will bring shame and trouble upon Saduko, whom she +has bewitched with her beauty, as she bewitches all men--perhaps even +yourself a little, Macumazahn. And now let us talk of other matters." + +To this proposition I agreed cordially, since, to tell the truth, if I +could have managed to do so with any decent grace, I should have been +out of that hut long before Mameena. So we fell to conversing on the +condition of Zululand and the dangers that lay ahead for all who were +connected with the royal House--a state of affairs which troubled Nandie +much, for she was a clear-headed woman, and one who feared the future. + +"Ah! Macumazahn," she said to me as we parted, "I would that I were the +wife of some man who did not desire to grow great, and that no royal +blood ran in my veins." + +On the next day the Prince Umbelazi arrived, and with him Saduko and +a few other notable men. They came quite quietly and without any +ostensible escort, although Scowl, my servant, told me he heard that +the bush at a little distance was swarming with soldiers of the Isigqosa +party. If I remember rightly, the excuse for the visit was that Umbezi +had some of a certain rare breed of white cattle whereof the prince +wished to secure young bulls and heifers to improve his herd. + +Once inside the kraal, however, Umbelazi, who was a very open-natured +man, threw off all pretence, and, after greeting me heartily enough, +told me with plainness that he was there because this was a convenient +spot on which to arrange the consolidation of his party. + +Almost every hour during the next two weeks messengers--many of whom +were chiefs disguised--came and went. I should have liked to follow +their example--that is, so far as their departure was concerned--for +I felt that I was being drawn into a very dangerous vortex. But, as +a matter of fact, I could not escape, since I was obliged to wait to +receive payment for my stuff, which, as usual, was made in cattle. + +Umbelazi talked with me a good deal at that time, impressing upon me how +friendly he was towards the English white men of Natal, as distinguished +from the Boers, and what good treatment he was prepared to promise to +them, should he ever attain to authority in Zululand. It was during one +of the earliest of these conversations, which, of course, I saw had an +ultimate object, that he met Mameena, I think, for the first time. + +We were walking together in a little natural glade of the bush that +bordered one side of the kraal, when, at the end of it, looking like +some wood nymph of classic fable in the light of the setting sun, +appeared the lovely Mameena, clothed only in her girdle of fur, her +necklace of blue beads and some copper ornaments, and carrying upon her +head a gourd. + +Umbelazi noted her at once, and, ceasing his political talk, of which he +was obviously tired, asked me who that beautiful intombi (that is, girl) +might be. + +"She is not an intombi, Prince," I answered. "She is a widow who is +again a wife, the second wife of your friend and councillor, Saduko, and +the daughter of your host, Umbezi." + +"Is it so, Macumazahn? Oh, then I have heard of her, though, as it +chances, I have never met her before. No wonder that my sister Nandie is +jealous, for she is beautiful indeed." + +"Yes," I answered, "she looks pretty against the red sky, does she not?" + +By now we were drawing near to Mameena, and I greeted her, asking if she +wanted anything. + +"Nothing, Macumazahn," she answered in her delicate, modest way, for +never did I know anyone who could seem quite so modest as Mameena, and +with a swift glance of her shy eyes at the tall and splendid Umbelazi, +"nothing. Only," she added, "I was passing with the milk of one of the +few cows my father gave me, and saw you, and I thought that perhaps, as +the day has been so hot, you might like a drink of it." + +Then, lifting the gourd from her head, she held it out to me. + +I thanked her, drank some--who could do less?--and returned it to her, +whereon she made as though she would hasten to depart. + +"May I not drink also, daughter of Umbezi?" asked Umbelazi, who could +scarcely take his eyes off her. + +"Certainly, sir, if you are a friend of Macumazahn," she replied, +handing him the gourd. + +"I am that, Lady, and more than that, since I am a friend of your +husband, Saduko, also, as you will know when I tell you that my name is +Umbelazi." + +"I thought it must be so," she replied, "because of your--of your +stature. Let the Prince accept the offering of his servant, who one day +hopes to be his subject," and, dropping upon her knee, she held out the +gourd to him. Over it I saw their eyes meet. He drank, and as he handed +back the vessel she said: + +"O Prince, may I be granted a word with you? I have that to tell which +you would perhaps do well to hear, since news sometimes reaches the ears +of humble women that escapes those of the men, our masters." + +He bowed his head in assent, whereon, taking a hint which Mameena gave +me with her eyes, I muttered something about business and made myself +scarce. I may add that Mameena must have had a great deal to tell +Umbelazi. Fully an hour and a half had gone by before, by the light of +the moon, from a point of vantage on my wagon-box, whence, according to +my custom, I was keeping a lookout on things in general, I saw her slip +back to the kraal silently as a snake, followed at a little distance by +the towering form of Umbelazi. + +Apparently Mameena continued to be the recipient of information which +she found it necessary to communicate in private to the prince. At any +rate, on sundry subsequent evenings the dullness of my vigil on the +wagon-box was relieved by the sight of her graceful figure gliding home +from the kloof that Umbelazi seemed to find a very suitable spot +for reflection after sunset. On one of the last of these occasions I +remember that Nandie chanced to be with me, having come to my wagon for +some medicine for her baby. + +"What does it mean, Macumazahn?" she asked, when the pair had gone by, +as they thought unobserved, since we were standing where they could not +see us. + +"I don't know, and I don't want to know," I answered sharply. + +"Neither do I, Macumazahn; but without doubt we shall learn in time. If +the crocodile is patient and silent the buck always drops into its jaws +at last." + +On the day after Nandie made this wise remark Saduko started on a +mission, as I understood, to win over several doubtful chiefs to the +cause of Indhlovu-ene-sihlonti (the Elephant-with-the-tuft-of-hair), as +the Prince Umbelazi was called among the Zulus, though not to his face. +This mission lasted ten days, and before it was concluded an important +event happened at Umbezi's kraal. + +One evening Mameena came to me in a great rage, and said that she could +bear her present life no longer. Presuming on her rank and position as +head-wife, Nandie treated her like a servant--nay, like a little dog, to +be beaten with a stick. She wished that Nandie would die. + +"It will be very unlucky for you if she does," I answered, "for then, +perhaps, Zikali will be summoned to look into the matter, as he was +before." + +What was she to do, she went on, ignoring my remark. + +"Eat the porridge that you have made in your own pot, or break the pot" +(i.e. go away), I suggested. "There was no need for you to marry Saduko, +any more than there was for you to marry Masapo." + +"How can you talk to me like that, Macumazahn," she answered, stamping +her foot, "when you know well it is your fault if I married anyone? +Piff! I hate them all, and, since my father would only beat me if I took +my troubles to him, I will run off, and live in the wilderness alone and +become a witch-doctoress." + +"I am afraid you will find it very dull, Mameena," I began in a +bantering tone, for, to tell the truth, I did not think it wise to show +her too much sympathy while she was so excited. + +Mameena never waited for the end of the sentence, but, sobbing out that +I was false and cruel, she turned and departed swiftly. Oh! little did I +foresee how and where we should meet again. + +Next morning I was awakened shortly after sunrise by Scowl, whom I had +sent out with another man the night before to look for a lost ox. + +"Well, have you found the ox?" I asked. + +"Yes, Baas; but I did not waken you to tell you that. I have a message +for you, Baas, from Mameena, wife of Saduko, whom I met about four hours +ago upon the plain yonder." + +I bade him set it out. + +"These were the words of Mameena, Baas: 'Say to Macumazahn, your master, +that Indhlovu-ene-sihlonti, taking pity on my wrongs and loving me +with his heart, has offered to take me into his House and that I have +accepted his offer, since I think it better to become the Inkosazana of +the Zulus, as I shall one day, than to remain a servant in the house +of Nandie. Say to Macumazahn that when Saduko returns he is to tell him +that this is all his fault, since if he had kept Nandie in her place I +would have died rather than leave him. Let him say to Saduko also that, +although from henceforth we can be no more than friends, my heart is +still tender towards him, and that by day and by night I will strive to +water his greatness, so that it may grow into a tree that shall shade +the land. Let Macumazahn bid him not to be angry with me, since what I +do I do for his good, as he would have found no happiness while Nandie +and I dwelt in one house. Above all, also let him not be angry with the +Prince, who loves him more than any man, and does but travel whither the +wind that I breathe blows him. Bid Macumazahn think of me kindly, as I +shall of him while my eyes are open.'" + +I listened to this amazing message in silence, then asked if Mameena was +alone. + +"No, Baas; Umbelazi and some soldiers were with her, but they did +not hear her words, for she stepped aside to speak with me. Then she +returned to them, and they walked away swiftly, and were swallowed up in +the night." + +"Very good, Sikauli," I said. "Make me some coffee, and make it strong." + +I dressed and drank several cups of the coffee, all the while "thinking +with my head," as the Zulus say. Then I walked up to the kraal to see +Umbezi, whom I found just coming out of his hut, yawning. + +"Why do you look so black upon this beautiful morning, Macumazahn?" +asked the genial old scamp. "Have you lost your best cow, or what?" + +"No, my friend," I answered; "but you and another have lost your best +cow." And word for word I repeated to him Mameena's message. When I had +finished really I thought that Umbezi was about to faint. + +"Curses be on the head of this Mameena!" he exclaimed. "Surely some evil +spirit must have been her father, not I, and well was she called Child +of Storm.[*] What shall I do now, Macumazahn? Thanks be to my Spirit," +he added, with an air of relief, "she is too far gone for me to try to +catch her; also, if I did, Umbelazi and his soldiers would kill me." + + [*--That, if I have not said so already, was the meaning + which the Zulus gave to the word "Mameena", although as I + know the language I cannot get any such interpretation out + of the name, I believe that it was given to her, however, + because she was born just before a terrible tempest, when + the wind wailing round the hut made a sound like the word + "Ma-mee-na". --A. Q.] + +"And what will Saduko do if you don't?" I asked. + +"Oh, of course he will be angry, for no doubt he is fond of her. But, +after all, I am used to that. You remember how he went mad when she +married Masapo. At least, he cannot say that I made her run away with +Umbelazi. After all, it is a matter which they must settle between +them." + +"I think it may mean great trouble," I said, "at a time when trouble is +not needed." + +"Oh, why so, Macumazahn? My daughter did not get on with the Princess +Nandie--we could all see that--for they would scarcely speak to each +other. And if Saduko is fond of her--well, after all, there are other +beautiful women in Zululand. I know one or two of them myself whom I +will mention to Saduko--or rather to Nandie. Really, as things were, I +am not sure but that he is well rid of her." + +"But what do you think of the matter as her father?" I asked, for I +wanted to see to what length his accommodating morality would stretch. + +"As her father--well, of course, Macumazahn, as her father I am sorry, +because it will mean talk, will it not, as the Masapo business +did? Still, there is this to be said for Mameena," he added, with a +brightening face, "she always runs away up the tree, not down. When she +got rid of Masapo--I mean when Masapo was killed for his witchcraft--she +married Saduko, who was a bigger man--Saduko, whom she would not marry +when Masapo was the bigger man. And now, when she has got rid of Saduko, +she enters the hut of Umbelazi, who will one day be King of the Zulus, +the biggest man in all the world, which means that she will be the +biggest woman, for remember, Macumazahn, she will walk round and round +that great Umbelazi till whatever way he looks he will see her and no +one else. Oh, she will grow great, and carry up her poor old father +in the blanket on her back. Oh, the sun still shines behind the cloud, +Macumazahn, so let us make the best of the cloud, since we know that it +will break out presently." + +"Yes, Umbezi; but other things besides the sun break out from clouds +sometimes--lightning, for instance; lightning which kills." + +"You speak ill-omened words, Macumazahn; words that take away my +appetite, which is generally excellent at this hour. Well, if Mameena is +bad it is not my fault, for I brought her up to be good. After all," +he added with an outburst of petulance, "why do you scold me when it is +your fault? If you had run away with the girl when you might have done +so, there would have been none of this trouble." + +"Perhaps not," I answered; "only then I am sure I should have been dead +to-day, as I think that all who have to do with her will be ere long. +And now, Umbezi, I wish you a good breakfast." + +On the following morning, Saduko returned and was told the news by +Nandie, whom I had carefully avoided. On this occasion, however, I was +forced to be present, as the person to whom the sinful Mameena had sent +her farewell message. It was a very painful experience, of which I do +not remember all the details. For a while after he learned the truth +Saduko sat still as a stone, staring in front of him, with a face that +seemed to have become suddenly old. Then he turned upon Umbezi, and in a +few terrible words accused him of having arranged the matter in order to +advance his own fortunes at the price of his daughter's dishonour. Next, +without listening to his ex-father-in-law's voluble explanations, he +rose and said that he was going away to kill Umbelazi, the evil-doer who +had robbed him of the wife he loved, with the connivance of all three of +us, and by a sweep of his hand he indicated Umbezi, the Princess Nandie +and myself. + +This was more than I could stand, so I, too, rose and asked him what he +meant, adding in the irritation of the moment that if I had wished to +rob him of his beautiful Mameena, I thought I could have done so long +ago--a remark that staggered him a little. + +Then Nandie rose also, and spoke in her quiet voice. + +"Saduko, my husband," she said, "I, a Princess of the Zulu House, +married you who are not of royal blood because I loved you, and although +Panda the King and Umbelazi the Prince wished it, for no other reason +whatsoever. Well, I have been faithful to you through some trials, even +when you set the widow of a wizard--if, indeed, as I have reason to +suspect, she was not herself the wizard--before me, and although that +wizard had killed our son, lived in her hut rather than in mine. Now +this woman of whom you thought so much has deserted you for your +friend and my brother, the Prince Umbelazi--Umbelazi who is called the +Handsome, and who, if the fortune of war goes with him, as it may or +may not, will succeed to Panda, my father. This she has done because she +alleges that I, your Inkosikazi and the King's daughter, treated her as +a servant, which is a lie. I kept her in her place, no more, who, if +she could have had her will, would have ousted me from mine, perhaps by +death, for the wives of wizards learn their arts. On this pretext she +has left you; but that is not her real reason. She has left you because +the Prince, my brother, whom she has befooled with her tricks and +beauty, as she has befooled others, or tried to"--and she glanced at +me--"is a bigger man than you are. You, Saduko, may become great, as my +heart prays that you will, but my brother may become a king. She does +not love him any more than she loved you, but she does love the place +that may be his, and therefore hers--she who would be the first doe of +the herd. My husband, I think that you are well rid of Mameena, for I +think also that if she had stayed with us there would have been more +deaths in our House; perhaps mine, which would not matter, and perhaps +yours, which would matter much. All this I say to you, not from jealousy +of one who is fairer than I, but because it is the truth. Therefore my +counsel to you is to let this business pass over and keep silent. Above +all, seek not to avenge yourself upon Umbelazi, since I am sure that he +has taken vengeance to dwell with him in his own hut. I have spoken." + +That this moderate and reasoned speech of Nandie's produced a great +effect upon Saduko I could see, but at the time the only answer he made +to it was: + +"Let the name of Mameena be spoken no more within hearing of my ears. +Mameena is dead." + +So her name was heard no more in the Houses of Saduko and of Umbezi, and +when it was necessary for any reason to refer to her, she was given a +new name, a composite Zulu word, "O-we-Zulu", I think it was, which is +"Storm-child" shortly translated, for "Zulu" means a storm as well as +the sky. + +I do not think that Saduko spoke of her to me again until towards the +climax of this history, and certainly I did not mention her to him. But +from that day forward I noted that he was a changed man. His pride and +open pleasure in his great success, which had caused the Zulus to name +him the "Self-eater," were no longer marked. He became cold and silent, +like a man who is thinking deeply, but who shutters his thoughts lest +some should read them through the windows of his eyes. Moreover, he paid +a visit to Zikali the Little and Wise, as I found out by accident; but +what advice that cunning old dwarf gave to him I did not find out--then. + +The only other event which happened in connection with this elopement +was that a message came from Umbelazi to Saduko, brought by one of the +princes, a brother of Umbelazi, who was of his party. As I know, for +I heard it delivered, it was a very humble message when the relative +positions of the two men are considered--that of one who knew that he +had done wrong, and, if not repentant, was heartily ashamed of himself. + +"Saduko," it said, "I have stolen a cow of yours, and I hope you will +forgive me, since that cow did not love the pasture in your kraal, but +in mine she grows fat and is content. Moreover, in return I will give +you many other cows. Everything that I have to give, I will give to you +who are my friend and trusted councillor. Send me word, O Saduko, that +this wall which I have built between us is broken down, since ere long +you and I must stand together in war." + +To this message Saduko's answer was: + +"O Prince, you are troubled about a very little thing. That cow which +you have taken was of no worth to me, for who wishes to keep a beast +that is ever tearing and lowing at the gates of the kraal, disturbing +those who would sleep inside with her noise? Had you asked her of me, +I would have given her to you freely. I thank you for your offer, but I +need no more cows, especially if, like this one, they have no calves. +As for a wall between us, there is none, for how can two men who, if the +battle is to be won, must stand shoulder to shoulder, fight if divided +by a wall? O Son of the King, I am dreaming by day and night of the +battle and the victory, and I have forgotten all about the barren cow +that ran away after you, the great bull of the herd. Only do not be +surprised if one day you find that this cow has a sharp horn." + + + + +CHAPTER XII. PANDA'S PRAYER + + +About six weeks later, in the month of November, 1856, I chanced to +be at Nodwengu when the quarrel between the princes came to a head. +Although none of the regiments was actually allowed to enter the +town--that is, as a regiment--the place was full of people, all of them +in a state of great excitement, who came in during the daytime and went +to sleep in the neighbouring military kraals at night. One evening, +as some of these soldiers--about a thousand of them, if I remember +right--were returning to the Ukubaza kraal, a fight occurred between +them, which led to the final outbreak. + +As it happened, at that time there were two separate regiments stationed +at this kraal. I think that they were the Imkulutshana and the Hlaba, +one of which favoured Cetewayo and the other Umbelazi. As certain +companies of each of these regiments marched along together in parallel +lines, two of their captains got into dispute on the eternal subject of +the succession to the throne. From words they came to blows, and the end +of it was that he who favoured Umbelazi killed him who favoured Cetewayo +with his kerry. Thereon the comrades of the slain man, raising a shout +of "Usutu," which became the war-cry of Cetewayo's party, fell upon the +others, and a dreadful combat ensued. Fortunately the soldiers were only +armed with sticks, or the slaughter would have been very great; but as +it was, after an indecisive engagement, about fifty men were killed and +many more injured. + +Now, with my usual bad luck, I, who had gone out to shoot a few birds +for the pot--pauw, or bustard, I think they were--was returning across +this very plain to my old encampment in the kloof where Masapo had been +executed, and so ran into the fight just as it was beginning. I saw the +captain killed and the subsequent engagement. Indeed, as it happened, I +did more. Not knowing where to go or what to do, for I was quite alone, +I pulled up my horse behind a tree and waited till I could escape the +horrors about me; for I can assure anyone who may ever read these words +that it is a very horrible sight to see a thousand men engaged in fierce +and deadly combat. In truth, the fact that they had no spears, and could +only batter each other to death with their heavy kerries, made it worse, +since the duels were more desperate and prolonged. + +Everywhere men were rolling on the ground, hitting at each other's +heads, until at last some blow went home and one of them threw out his +arms and lay still, either dead or senseless. Well, there I sat watching +all this shocking business from the saddle of my trained shooting pony, +which stood like a stone, till presently I became aware of two great +fellows rushing at me with their eyes starting out of their heads and +shouting as they came: + +"Kill Umbelazi's white man! Kill! Kill!" + +Then, seeing that the matter was urgent and that it was a question of my +life or theirs, I came into action. + +In my hand I held a double-barrelled shotgun loaded with what we used +to call "loopers," or B.B. shot, of which but a few went to each charge, +for I had hoped to meet with a small buck on my way to camp. So, as +these soldiers came, I lifted the gun and fired, the right barrel at +one of them and the left barrel at the other, aiming in each case at the +centre of the small dancing shields, which from force of habit they held +stretched out to protect their throats and breasts. At that distance, of +course, the loopers sank through the soft hide of the shields and deep +into the bodies of those who carried them, so that both of them dropped +dead, the left-hand man being so close that he fell against my pony, his +uplifted kerry striking me upon the thigh and bruising me. + +When I saw what I had done, and that my danger was over for the moment, +without waiting to reload I dug the spurs into my horse's sides and +galloped off to Nodwengu, passing between the groups of struggling men. +On arriving unharmed at the town, I went instantly to the royal huts and +demanded to see the King, who sent word that I was to be admitted. +On coming before him I told him exactly what had happened--that I had +killed two of Cetewayo's men in order to save my own life, and on that +account submitted myself to his justice. + +"O Macumazana," said Panda in great distress, "I know well that you +are not to blame, and already I have sent out a regiment to stop this +fighting, with command that those who caused it should be brought before +me to-morrow for judgment. I am glad indeed, Macumazahn, that you have +escaped without harm, but I must tell you that I fear henceforth your +life will be in danger, since all the Usutu party will hold it forfeit +if they can catch you. While you are in my town I can protect you, for I +will set a strong guard about your camp; but here you will have to +stay until these troubles are done with, since if you leave you may be +murdered on the road." + +"I thank you for your kindness, King," I answered; "but all this is very +awkward for me, who hoped to trek for Natal to-morrow." + +"Well, there it is, Macumazahn, you will have to stay here unless +you wish to be killed. He who walks into a storm must put up with the +hailstones." + +So it came about that once again Fate dragged me into the Zulu +maelstrom. + +On the morrow I was summoned to the trial, half as a witness and half +as one of the offenders. Going to the head of the Nodwengu kraal, where +Panda was sitting in state with his Council, I found the whole great +space in front of him crowded with a dense concourse of fierce-faced +partisans, those who favoured Cetewayo--the Usutu--sitting on the right, +and those who favoured Umbelazi--the Isigqosa--sitting on the left. At +the head of the right-hand section sat Cetewayo, his brethren and chief +men. At the head of the left-hand section sat Umbelazi, his brethren and +his chief men, amongst whom I saw Saduko take a place immediately behind +the Prince, so that he could whisper into his ear. + +To myself and my little band of eight hunters, who by Panda's express +permission, came armed with their guns, as I did also, for I was +determined that if the necessity arose we would sell our lives as dearly +as we could, was appointed a place almost in front of the King and +between the two factions. When everyone was seated the trial began, +Panda demanding to know who had caused the tumult of the previous night. + +I cannot set out what followed in all its details, for it would be too +long; also I have forgotten many of them. I remember, however, that +Cetewayo's people said that Umbelazi's men were the aggressors, and that +Umbelazi's people said that Cetewayo's men were the aggressors, and that +each of their parties backed up these statements, which were given at +great length, with loud shouts. + +"How am I to know the truth?" exclaimed Panda at last. "Macumazahn, you +were there; step forward and tell it to me." + +So I stood out and told the King what I had seen, namely that the +captain who favoured Cetewayo had begun the quarrel by striking the +captain who favoured Umbelazi, but that in the end Umbelazi's man had +killed Cetewayo's man, after which the fighting commenced. + +"Then it would seem that the Usutu are to blame," said Panda. + +"Upon what grounds do you say so, my father?" asked Cetewayo, springing +up. "Upon the testimony of this white man, who is well known to be the +friend of Umbelazi and of his henchman Saduko, and who himself killed +two of those who called me chief in the course of the fight?" + +"Yes, Cetewayo," I broke in, "because I thought it better that I should +kill them than that they should kill me, whom they attacked quite +unprovoked." + +"At any rate, you killed them, little White Man," shouted Cetewayo, "for +which cause your blood is forfeit. Say, did Umbelazi give you leave to +appear before the King accompanied by men armed with guns, when we who +are his sons must come with sticks only? If so, let him protect you!" + +"That I will do if there is need!" exclaimed Umbelazi. + +"Thank you, Prince," I said; "but if there is need I will protect myself +as I did yesterday," and, cocking my double-barrelled rifle, I looked +full at Cetewayo. + +"When you leave here, then at least I will come even with you, +Macumazahn!" threatened Cetewayo, spitting through his teeth, as was his +way when mad with passion. + +For he was beside himself, and wished to vent his temper on someone, +although in truth he and I were always good friends. + +"If so I shall stop where I am," I answered coolly, "in the shadow of +the King, your father. Moreover, are you so lost in folly, Cetewayo, +that you should wish to bring the English about your ears? Know that if +I am killed you will be asked to give account of my blood." + +"Aye," interrupted Panda, "and know that if anyone lays a finger on +Macumazana, who is my guest, he shall die, whether he be a common man or +a prince and my son. Also, Cetewayo, I fine you twenty head of cattle, +to be paid to Macumazana because of the unprovoked attack which your men +made upon him when he rightly slew them." + +"The fine shall be paid, my father," said Cetewayo more quietly, for he +saw that in threatening me he had pushed matters too far. + +Then, after some more talk, Panda gave judgment in the cause, which +judgment really amounted to nothing. As it was impossible to decide +which party was most to blame, he fined both an equal number of cattle, +accompanying the fine with a lecture on their ill-behaviour, which was +listened to indifferently. + +After this matter was disposed of the real business of the meeting +began. + +Rising to his feet, Cetewayo addressed Panda. + +"My father," he said, "the land wanders and wanders in darkness, and you +alone can give light for its feet. I and my brother, Umbelazi, are at +variance, and the quarrel is a great one, namely, as to which of us is +to sit in your place when you are 'gone down,' when we call and you +do not answer. Some of the nation favour one of us and some favour +the other, but you, O King, and you alone, have the voice of judgment. +Still, before you speak, I and those who stand with me would bring this +to your mind. My mother, Umqumbazi, is your Inkosikazi, your head-wife, +and therefore, according to our law, I, her eldest son, should be your +heir. Moreover, when you fled to the Boers before the fall of him who +sat in your place before you [Dingaan], did not they, the white Amabunu, +ask you which amongst your sons was your heir, and did you not point +me out to the white men? And thereon did not the Amabunu clothe me in a +dress of honour because I was the King to be? But now of late the mother +of Umbelazi has been whispering in your ear, as have others"--and he +looked at Saduko and some of Umbelazi's brethren--"and your face has +grown cold towards me, so cold that many say that you will point out +Umbelazi to be King after you and stamp on my name. If this is so, my +father, tell me at once, that I may know what to do." + +Having finished this speech, which certainly did not lack force and +dignity, Cetewayo sat down again, awaiting the answer in sullen silence. +But, making none, Panda looked at Umbelazi, who, on rising, was greeted +with a great cheer, for although Cetewayo had the larger following in +the land, especially among the distant chiefs, the Zulus individually +loved Umbelazi more, perhaps because of his stature, beauty and kindly +disposition--physical and moral qualities that naturally appeal to a +savage nation. + +"My father," he said, "like my brother, Cetewayo, I await your word. +Whatever you may have said to the Amabunu in haste or fear, I do not +admit that Cetewayo was ever proclaimed your heir in the hearing of the +Zulu people. I say that my right to the succession is as good as his, +and that it lies with you, and you alone, to declare which of us shall +put on the royal kaross in days that my heart prays may be distant. +Still, to save bloodshed, I am willing to divide the land with Cetewayo" +(here both Panda and Cetewayo shook their heads and the audience roared +"Nay"), "or, if that does not please him, I am willing to meet Cetewayo +man to man and spear to spear and fight till one of us be slain." + +"A safe offer!" sneered Cetewayo, "for is not my brother named +'Elephant,' and the strongest warrior among the Zulus? No, I will not +set the fortunes of those who cling to me on the chance of a single +stab, or on the might of a man's muscles. Decide, O father; say which +of the two of us is to sit at the head of your kraal after you have gone +over to the Spirits and are but an ancestor to be worshipped." + +Now, Panda looked much disturbed, as was not wonderful, since, rushing +out from the fence behind which they had been listening, Umqumbazi, +Cetewayo's mother, whispered into one of his ears, while Umbelazi's +mother whispered into the other. What advice each of them gave I do not +know, although obviously it was not the same advice, since the poor man +rolled his eyes first at one and then at the other, and finally put his +hands over his ears that he might hear no more. + +"Choose, choose, O King!" shouted the audience. "Who is to succeed you, +Cetewayo or Umbelazi?" + +Watching Panda, I saw that he fell into a kind of agony; his fat sides +heaved, and, although the day was cold, sweat ran from his brow. + +"What would the white men do in such a case?" he said to me in a hoarse, +low voice, whereon I answered, looking at the ground and speaking so +that few could hear me: + +"I think, O King, that a white man would do nothing. He would say that +others might settle the matter after he was dead." + +"Would that I could say so, too," muttered Panda; "but it is not +possible." + +Then followed a long pause, during which all were silent, for every man +there felt that the hour was big with doom. At length Panda rose with +difficulty, because of his unwieldy weight, and uttered these fateful +words, that were none the less ominous because of the homely idiom in +which they were couched: + +_"When two young bulls quarrel they must fight it out."_ + +Instantly in one tremendous roar volleyed forth the royal salute of +"Bayete", a signal of the acceptance of the King's word--the word that +meant civil war and the death of many thousands. + +Then Panda turned and, so feebly that I thought he would fall, walked +through the gateway behind him, followed by the rival queens. Each of +these ladies struggled to be first after him in the gate, thinking that +it would be an omen of success for her son. Finally, however, to the +disappointment of the multitude, they only succeeded in passing it side +by side. + +When they had gone the great audience began to break up, the men of +each party marching away together as though by common consent, without +offering any insult or molestation to their adversaries. I think that +this peaceable attitude arose, however, from the knowledge that matters +had now passed from the stage of private quarrel into that of public +war. It was felt that their dispute awaited decision, not with sticks +outside the Nodwengu kraal, but with spears upon some great battlefield, +for which they went to prepare. + +Within two days, except for those regiments which Panda kept to guard +his person, scarcely a soldier was to be seen in the neighbourhood of +Nodwengu. The princes also departed to muster their adherents, Cetewayo +establishing himself among the Mandhlakazi that he commanded, and +Umbelazi returning to the kraal of Umbezi, which happened to stand +almost in the centre of that part of the nation which adhered to him. + +Whether he took Mameena with him there I am not certain. I believe, +however, that, fearing lest her welcome at her birthplace should be +warmer than she wished, she settled herself at some retired and outlying +kraal in the neighbourhood, and there awaited the crisis of her fortune. +At any rate, I saw nothing of her, for she was careful to keep out of my +way. + +With Umbelazi and Saduko, however, I did have an interview. Before they +left Nodwengu they called on me together, apparently on the best of +terms, and said in effect that they hoped for my support in the coming +war. + +I answered that, however well I might like them personally, a Zulu civil +war was no affair of mine, and that, indeed, for every reason, including +the supreme one of my own safety, I had better get out of the way at +once. + +They argued with me for a long while, making great offers and promises +of reward, till at length, when he saw that my determination could not +be shaken, Umbelazi said: + +"Come, Saduko, let us humble ourselves no more before this white man. +After all, he is right; the business is none of his, and why should we +ask him to risk his life in our quarrel, knowing as we do that white +men are not like us; they think a great deal of their lives. Farewell, +Macumazahn. If I conquer and grow great you will always be welcome in +Zululand, whereas if I fail perhaps you will be best over the Tugela +river." + +Now, I felt the hidden taunt in this speech very keenly. Still, being +determined that for once I would be wise and not allow my natural +curiosity and love of adventure to drag me into more risks and trouble, +I replied: + +"The Prince says that I am not brave and love my life, and what he says +is true. I fear fighting, who by nature am a trader with the heart of +a trader, not a warrior with the heart of a warrior, like the great +Indhlovu-ene-Sihlonti"--words at which I saw the grave Saduko smile +faintly. "So farewell to you, Prince, and may good fortune attend you." + +Of course, to call the Prince to his face by this nickname, which +referred to a defect in his person, was something of an insult; but +I had been insulted, and meant to give him "a Roland for his Oliver." +However, he took it in good part. + +"What is good fortune, Macumazahn?" Umbelazi replied as he grasped my +hand. "Sometimes I think that to live and prosper is good fortune, and +sometimes I think that to die and sleep is good fortune, for in sleep +there is neither hunger nor thirst of body or of spirit. In sleep there +come no cares; in sleep ambitions are at rest; nor do those who look no +more upon the sun smart beneath the treacheries of false women or false +friends. Should the battle turn against me, Macumazahn, at least that +good fortune will be mine, for never will I live to be crushed beneath +Cetewayo's heel." + +Then he went. Saduko accompanied him for a little way, but, making some +excuse to the Prince, came back and said to me: + +"Macumazahn, my friend, I dare say that we part for the last time, and +therefore I make a request to you. It is as to one who is dead to me. +Macumazahn, I believe that Umbelazi the thief"--these words broke from +his lips with a hiss--"has given her many cattle and hidden her away +either in the kloof of Zikali the Wise, or near to it, under his care. +Now, if the war should go against Umbelazi and I should be killed in +it, I think evil will fall upon that woman's head, I who have grown sure +that it was she who was the wizard and not Masapo the Boar. Also, as one +connected with Umbelazi, who has helped him in his plots, she will be +killed if she is caught. Macumazahn, hearken to me. I will tell you the +truth. My heart is still on fire for that woman. She has bewitched me; +her eyes haunt my sleep and I hear her voice in the wind. She is more to +me than all the earth and all the sky, and although she has wronged me +I do not wish that harm should come to her. Macumazahn, I pray you if I +die, do your best to befriend her, even though it be only as a servant +in your house, for I think that she cares more for you than for anyone, +who only ran away with him"--and he pointed in the direction that +Umbelazi had taken--"because he is a prince, who, in her folly, she +believes will be a king. At least take her to Natal, Macumazahn, where, +if you wish to be free of her, she can marry whom she will and will live +safe until night comes. Panda loves you much, and, whoever conquers in +the war, will give you her life if you ask it of him." + +Then this strange man drew the back of his hand across his eyes, from +which I saw the tears were running, and, muttering, "If you would have +good fortune remember my prayer," turned and left me before I could +answer a single word. + +As for me, I sat down upon an ant-heap and whistled a whole hymn tune +that my mother had taught me before I could think at all. To be left +the guardian of Mameena! Talk of a "damnosa hereditas," a terrible and +mischievous inheritance--why, this was the worst that ever I heard of. +A servant in my house indeed, knowing what _I_ did about her! Why, I had +sooner share the "good fortune" which Umbelazi anticipated beneath +the sod. However, that was not in the question, and without it the +alternative of acting as her guardian was bad enough, though I comforted +myself with the reflection that the circumstances in which this would +become necessary might never arise. For, alas! I was sure that if they +did arise I should have to live up to them. True, I had made no promise +to Saduko with my lips, but I felt, as I knew he felt, that this promise +had passed from my heart to his. + +"That thief Umbelazi!" Strange words to be uttered by a great vassal of +his lord, and both of them about to enter upon a desperate enterprise. +"A prince whom in her folly she believes will be a king." Stranger words +still. Then Saduko did not believe that he _would_ be a king! And yet he +was about to share the fortunes of his fight for the throne, he who said +that his heart was still on fire for the woman whom "Umbelazi the thief" +had stolen. Well, if I were Umbelazi, thought I to myself, I would +rather that Saduko were not my chief councillor and general. But, thank +Heaven! I was not Umbelazi, or Saduko, or any of them! And, thank Heaven +still more, I was going to begin my trek from Zululand on the morrow! + +Man proposes but God disposes. I did not trek from Zululand for many a +long day. When I got back to my wagons it was to find that my oxen had +mysteriously disappeared from the veld on which they were accustomed +to graze. They were lost; or perhaps they had felt the urgent need of +trekking from Zululand back to a more peaceful country. I sent all the +hunters I had with me to look for them, only Scowl and I remaining +at the wagons, which in those disturbed times I did not like to leave +unguarded. + +Four days went by, a week went by, and no sign of either hunters or +oxen. Then at last a message, which reached me in some roundabout +fashion, to the effect that the hunters had found the oxen a long way +off, but on trying to return to Nodwengu had been driven by some of +the Usutu--that is, by Cetewayo's party--across the Tugela into Natal, +whence they dared not attempt to return. + +For once in my life I went into a rage and cursed that nondescript kind +of messenger, sent by I know not whom, in language that I think he will +not forget. Then, realising the futility of swearing at a mere tool, I +went up to the Great House and demanded an audience with Panda himself. +Presently the inceku, or household servant, to whom I gave my message, +returned, saying that I was to be admitted at once, and on entering the +enclosure I found the King sitting at the head of the kraal quite alone, +except for a man who was holding a large shield over him in order to +keep off the sun. + +He greeted me warmly, and I told him my trouble about the oxen, whereon +he sent away the shield-holder, leaving us two together. + +"Watcher-by-Night," he said, "why do you blame me for these events, when +you know that I am nobody in my own House? I say that I am a dead man, +whose sons fight for his inheritance. I cannot tell you for certain who +it was that drove away your oxen. Still, I am glad that they are gone, +since I believe that if you had attempted to trek to Natal just now you +would have been killed on the road by the Usutu, who believe you to be a +councillor of Umbelazi." + +"I understand, O King," I answered, "and I dare say that the accident of +the loss of my oxen is fortunate for me. But tell me now, what am I to +do? I wish to follow the example of John Dunn [another white man in the +country who was much mixed up with Zulu politics] and leave the land. +Will you give me more oxen to draw my wagons?" + +"I have none that are broken in, Macumazahn, for, as you know, we Zulus +possess few wagons; and if I had I would not lend them to you, who do +not desire that your blood should be upon my head." + +"You are hiding something from me, O King," I said bluntly. "What is it +that you want me to do? Stay here at Nodwengu?" + +"No, Macumazahn. When the trouble begins I want you to go with a +regiment of my own that I shall send to the assistance of my son, +Umbelazi, so that he may have the benefit of your wisdom. O Macumazana, +I will tell you the truth. My heart loves Umbelazi, and I fear me that +he is overmatched by Cetewayo. If I could I would save his life, but I +know not how to do so, since I must not seem to take sides too openly. +But I can send down a regiment as your escort, if you choose to go to +view the battle as my agent and make report to me. Say, will you not +go?" + +"Why should I go?" I answered, "seeing that whoever wins I may be +killed, and that if Cetewayo wins I shall certainly be killed, and all +for no reward." + +"Nay, Macumazahn; I will give orders that whoever conquers, the man that +dares to lift a spear against you shall die. In this matter, at least, I +shall not be disobeyed. Oh! I pray you, do not desert me in my trouble. +Go down with the regiment that I shall send and breathe your wisdom into +the ear of my son, Umbelazi. As for your reward, I swear to you by the +head of the Black One [Chaka] that it shall be great. I will see to it +that you do not leave Zululand empty-handed, Macumazahn." + +Still I hesitated, for I mistrusted me of this business. + +"O Watcher-by-Night," exclaimed Panda, "you will not desert me, will +you? I am afraid for the son of my heart, Umbelazi, whom I love above +all my children; I am much afraid for Umbelazi," and he burst into tears +before me. + +It was foolish, no doubt, but the sight of the old King weeping for his +best-beloved child, whom he believed to be doomed, moved me so much that +I forgot my caution. + +"If you wish it, O Panda," I said, "I will go down to the battle with +your regiment and stand there by the side of the Prince Umbelazi." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. UMBELAZI THE FALLEN + + +So I stayed on at Nodwengu, who, indeed, had no choice in the matter, +and was very wretched and ill at ease. The place was almost deserted, +except for a couple of regiments which were quartered there, the +Sangqu and the Amawombe. This latter was the royal regiment, a kind +of Household Guards, to which the Kings Chaka, Dingaan and Panda all +belonged in turn. Most of the headmen had taken one side or the other, +and were away raising forces to fight for Cetewayo or Umbelazi, and even +the greater part of the women and children had gone to hide themselves +in the bush or among the mountains, since none knew what would happen, +or if the conquering army would not fall upon and destroy them. + +A few councillors, however, remained with Panda, among whom was old +Maputa, the general, who had once brought me the "message of the pills." +Several times he visited me at night and told me the rumours that were +flying about. From these I gathered that some skirmishes had taken place +and the battle could not be long delayed; also that Umbelazi had chosen +his fighting ground, a plain near the banks of the Tugela. + +"Why has he done this," I asked, "seeing that then he will have a +broad river behind him, and if he is defeated water can kill as well as +spears?" + +"I know not for certain," answered Maputa; "but it is said because of a +dream that Saduko, his general, has dreamed thrice, which dream declares +that there and there alone Umbelazi will find honour. At any rate, he +has chosen this place; and I am told that all the women and children of +his army, by thousands, are hidden in the bush along the banks of the +river, so that they may fly into Natal if there is need." + +"Have they wings," I asked, "wherewith to fly over the Tugela 'in +wrath,' as it well may be after the rains? Oh, surely his Spirit has +turned from Umbelazi!" + +"Aye, Macumazahn," he answered, "I, too, think that ufulatewe idhlozi +[that is, his own Spirit] has turned its back on him. Also I think that +Saduko is no good councillor. Indeed, were I the prince," added the old +fellow shrewdly, "I would not keep him whose wife I had stolen as the +whisperer in my ear." + +"Nor I, Maputa," I answered as I bade him good-bye. + +Two days later, early in the morning, Maputa came to me again and said +that Panda wished to see me. I went to the head of the kraal, where I +found the King seated and before him the captains of the royal Amawombe +regiment. + +"Watcher-by-Night," he said, "I have news that the great battle between +my sons will take place within a few days. Therefore I am sending down +this, my own royal regiment, under the command of Maputa the skilled in +war to spy out the battle, and I pray that you will go with it, that +you may give to the General Maputa and to the captains the help of +your wisdom. Now these are my orders to you, Maputa, and to you, O +captains--that you take no part in the fight unless you should see that +the Elephant, my son Umbelazi, is fallen into a pit, and that then you +shall drag him out if you can and save him alive. Now repeat my words to +me." + +So they repeated the words, speaking with one voice. + +"Your answer, O Macumazana," he said when they had spoken. + +"O King, I have told you that I will go--though I do not like war--and I +will keep my promise," I replied. + +"Then make ready, Macumazahn, and be back here within an hour, for the +regiment marches ere noon." + +So I went up to my wagons and handed them over to the care of some men +whom Panda had sent to take charge of them. Also Scowl and I saddled our +horses, for this faithful fellow insisted upon accompanying me, although +I advised him to stay behind, and got out our rifles and as much +ammunition as we could possibly need, and with them a few other +necessaries. These things done, we rode back to the gathering-place, +taking farewell of the wagons with a sad heart, since I, for one, never +expected to see them again. + +As we went I saw that the regiment of the Amawombe, picked men every one +of them, all fifty years of age or over, nearly four thousand strong, +was marshalled on the dancing-ground, where they stood company +by company. A magnificent sight they were, with their white +fighting-shields, their gleaming spears, their otter-skin caps, their +kilts and armlets of white bulls' tails, and the snowy egret plumes +which they wore upon their brows. We rode to the head of them, where I +saw Maputa, and as I came they greeted me with a cheer of welcome, for +in those days a white man was a power in the land. Moreover, as I have +said, the Zulus knew and liked me well. Also the fact that I was to +watch, or perchance to fight with them, put a good heart into the +Amawombe. + +There we stood until the lads, several hundreds of them, who bore +the mats and cooking vessels and drove the cattle that were to be +our commissariat, had wended away in a long line. Then suddenly Panda +appeared out of his hut, accompanied by a few servants, and seemed +to utter some kind of prayer, as he did so throwing dust or powdered +medicine towards us, though what this ceremony meant I did not +understand. + +When he had finished Maputa raised a spear, whereon the whole regiment, +in perfect time, shouted out the royal salute, "Bayete", with a +sound like that of thunder. Thrice they repeated this tremendous and +impressive salute, and then were silent. Again Maputa raised his spear, +and all the four thousand voices broke out into the Ingoma, or national +chant, to which deep, awe-inspiring music we began our march. As I do +not think it has ever been written down, I will quote the words. They +ran thus: + + "Ba ya m'zonda, + Ba ya m'loyisa, + Izizwe zonke, + Ba zond', Inkoosi."[*] + + [*--Literally translated, this famous chant, now, I think, + published for the first time, which, I suppose, will never + again pass the lips of a Zulu impi, means: + + "They [i.e. the enemy] bear him [i.e. the King] hatred, + They call down curses on his head, + All of them throughout this land + Abhor our King." + + The Ingoma when sung by twenty or thirty thousand men + rushing down to battle must, indeed, have been a song to + hear.--EDITOR.] + +The spirit of this fierce Ingoma, conveyed by sound, gesture and +inflection of voice, not the exact words, remember, which are very rude +and simple, leaving much to the imagination, may perhaps be rendered +somewhat as follows. An exact translation into English verse is almost +impossible--at any rate, to me: + + "Loud on their lips is lying, + Rebels their King defying. + There shall be dead and dying, + + Red are their eyes with hate; + Lo! where our impis wait + Vengeance insatiate!" + +It was early on the morning of the 2nd of December, a cold, miserable +morning that came with wind and driving mist, that I found myself with +the Amawombe at the place known as Endondakusuka, a plain with some +kopjes in it that lies within six miles of the Natal border, from which +it is separated by the Tugela river. + +As the orders of the Amawombe were to keep out of the fray if that were +possible, we had taken up a position about a mile to the right of what +proved to be the actual battlefield, choosing as our camping ground +a rising knoll that looked like a huge tumulus, and was fronted at a +distance of about five hundred yards by another smaller knoll. Behind us +stretched bushland, or rather broken land, where mimosa thorns grew in +scattered groups, sloping down to the banks of the Tugela about four +miles away. + +Shortly after dawn I was roused from the place where I slept, wrapped +up in some blankets, under a mimosa tree--for, of course, we had no +tents--by a messenger, who said that the Prince Umbelazi and the white +man, John Dunn, wished to see me. I rose and tidied myself as best I +could, since, if I can avoid it, I never like to appear before natives +in a dishevelled condition. I remember that I had just finished brushing +my hair when Umbelazi arrived. + +I can see him now, looking a veritable giant in that morning mist. +Indeed, there was something quite unearthly about his appearance as +he arose out of those rolling vapours, such light as there was being +concentrated upon the blade of his big spear, which was well known as +the broadest carried by any warrior in Zululand, and a copper torque he +wore about his throat. + +There he stood, rolling his eyes and hugging his kaross around him +because of the cold, and something in his anxious, indeterminate +expression told me at once that he knew himself to be a man in terrible +danger. Just behind him, dark and brooding, his arms folded on +his breast, his eyes fixed upon the ground, looking, to my moved +imagination, like an evil genius, stood the stately and graceful Saduko. +On his left was a young and sturdy white man carrying a rifle and +smoking a pipe, whom I guessed to be John Dunn, a gentleman whom, as it +chanced, I had never met, while behind were a force of Natal Government +Zulus, clad in some kind of uniform and armed with guns, and with them a +number of natives, also from Natal--"kraal Kafirs," who carried stabbing +assegais. One of these led John Dunn's horse. + +Of those Government men there may have been thirty or forty, and of the +"kraal Kafirs" anything between two and three hundred. + +I shook Umbelazi's hand and gave him good-day. + +"That is an ill day upon which no sun shines, O Macumazana," he +answered--words that struck me as ominous. Then he introduced me to John +Dunn, who seemed glad to meet another white man. Next, not knowing what +to say, I asked the exact object of their visit, whereon Dunn began to +talk. He said that he had been sent over on the previous afternoon by +Captain Walmsley, who was an officer of the Natal Government stationed +across the border, to try to make peace between the Zulu factions, but +that when he spoke of peace one of Umbelazi's brothers--I think it was +Mantantashiya--had mocked at him, saying that they were quite strong +enough to cope with the Usutu--that was Cetewayo's party. Also, he +added, that when he suggested that the thousands of women and children +and the cattle should be got across the Tugela drift during the previous +night into safety in Natal, Mantantashiya would not listen, and Umbelazi +being absent, seeking the aid of the Natal Government, he could do +nothing. + +"Quem Deus vult perdere prius dementat" [whom God wishes to destroy, He +first makes mad], quoted I to myself beneath my breath. This was one of +the Latin tags that my old father, who was a scholar, had taught me, +and at that moment it came back to my mind. But as I suspected that John +Dunn knew no Latin, I only said aloud: + +"What an infernal fool!" (We were talking in English.) "Can't you get +Umbelazi to do it now?" (I meant, to send the women and children across +the river.) + +"I fear it is too late, Mr. Quatermain," he answered. "The Usutu are +in sight. Look for yourself." And he handed me a telescope which he had +with him. + +I climbed on to some rocks and scanned the plain in front of us, from +which just then a puff of wind rolled away the mist. It was black with +advancing men! As yet they were a considerable distance away--quite two +miles, I should think--and coming on very slowly in a great half-moon +with thin horns and a deep breast; but a ray from the sun glittered upon +their countless spears. It seemed to me that there must be quite twenty +or thirty thousand of them in this breast, which was in three divisions, +commanded, as I learned afterwards, by Cetewayo, Uzimela, and by a young +Boer named Groening. + +"There they are, right enough," I said, climbing down from my rocks. +"What are you going to do, Mr. Dunn?" + +"Obey orders and try to make peace, if I can find anyone to make peace +with; and if I can't--well, fight, I suppose. And you, Mr. Quatermain?" + +"Oh, obey orders and stop here, I suppose. Unless," I added doubtfully, +"these Amawombe take the bit between their teeth and run away with me." + +"They'll do that before nightfall, Mr. Quatermain, if I know anything of +the Zulus. Look here, why don't you get on your horse and come off with +me? This is a queer place for you." + +"Because I promised not to," I answered with a groan, for really, as +I looked at those savages round me, who were already fingering their +spears in a disagreeable fashion, and those other thousands of savages +advancing towards us, I felt such little courage as I possessed sinking +into my boots. + +"Very well, Mr. Quatermain, you know your own business best; but I hope +you will come out of it safely, that is all." + +"Same to you," I replied. + +Then John Dunn turned, and in my hearing asked Umbelazi what he knew of +the movements of the Usutu and of their plan of battle. + +The Prince replied, with a shrug of his shoulders: + +"Nothing at present, Son of Mr. Dunn, but doubtless before the sun is +high I shall know much." + +As he spoke a sudden gust of wind struck us, and tore the nodding +ostrich plume from its fastening on Umbelazi's head-ring. Whilst a +murmur of dismay rose from all who saw what they considered this very +ill-omened accident, away it floated into the air, to fall gently to the +ground at the feet of Saduko. He stooped, picked it up, and reset it +in its place, saying as he did so, with that ready wit for which some +Kafirs are remarkable: + +"So may I live, O Prince, to set the crown upon the head of Panda's +favoured son!" + +This apt speech served to dispel the general gloom caused by the +incident, for those who heard it cheered, while Umbelazi thanked his +captain with a nod and a smile. Only I noted that Saduko did not mention +the name of "Panda's favoured son" upon whose head he hoped to live to +set the crown. Now, Panda had many sons, and that day would show which +of them was favoured. + +A minute or two later John Dunn and his following departed, as he said, +to try to make peace with the advancing Usutu. Umbelazi, Saduko and +their escort departed also towards the main body of the host of the +Isigqosa, which was massed to our left, "sitting on their spears," as +the natives say, and awaiting the attack. As for me, I remained alone +with the Amawombe, drinking some coffee that Scowl had brewed for me, +and forcing myself to swallow food. + +I can say honestly that I do not ever remember partaking of a more +unhappy meal. Not only did I believe that I was looking on the last sun +I should ever see--though by the way, there was uncommonly little of +that orb visible--but what made the matter worse was that, if so, I +should be called upon to die alone among savages, with not a single +white face near to comfort me. Oh, how I wished I had never allowed +myself to be dragged into this dreadful business. Yes, and I was even +mean enough to wish that I had broken my word to Panda and gone off with +John Dunn when he invited me, although now I thank goodness that I did +not yield to that temptation and thereby sacrifice my self-respect. + +Soon, however, things grew so exciting that I forgot these and other +melancholy reflections in watching the development of events from the +summit of our tumulus-like knoll, whence I had a magnificent view of the +whole battle. Here, after seeing that his regiment made a full meal, +as a good general should, old Maputa joined me, whom I asked whether he +thought there would be any fighting for him that day. + +"I think so, I think so," he answered cheerfully. "It seems to me that +the Usutu greatly outnumber Umbelazi and the Isigqosa, and, of course, +as you know, Panda's orders are that if he is in danger we must help +him. Oh, keep a good heart, Macumazahn, for I believe I can promise you +that you will see our spears grow red to-day. You will not go hungry +from this battle to tell the white people that the Amawombe are cowards +whom you could not flog into the fight. No, no, Macumazahn, my Spirit +looks towards me this morning, and I who am old and who thought that +I should die at length like a cow, shall see one more great fight--my +twentieth, Macumazahn; for I fought with this same Amawombe in all the +Black One's big battles, and for Panda against Dingaan also." + +"Perhaps it will be your last," I suggested. + +"I dare say, Macumazahn; but what does that matter if only I and the +royal regiment can make an end that shall be spoken of? Oh, cheer up, +cheer up, Macumazahn; your Spirit, too, looks towards you, as I promise +that we all will do when the shields meet; for know, Macumazahn, that we +poor black soldiers expect that you will show us how to fight this day, +and, if need be, how to fall hidden in a heap of the foe." + +"Oh!" I replied, "so this is what you Zulus mean by the 'giving of +counsel,' is it?--you infernal, bloodthirsty old scoundrel," I added in +English. + +But I think Maputa never heard me. At any rate, he only seized my arm +and pointed in front, a little to the left, where the horn of the great +Usutu army was coming up fast, a long, thin line alive with twinkling +spears; their moving arms and legs causing them to look like spiders, of +which the bodies were formed by the great war shields. + +"See their plan?" he said. "They would close on Umbelazi and gore him +with their horns and then charge with their head. The horn will pass +between us and the right flank of the Isigqosa. Oh! awake, awake, +Elephant! Are you asleep with Mameena in a hut? Unloose your spears, +Child of the King, and at them as they mount the slope. Behold!" he went +on, "it is the Son of Dunn that begins the battle! Did I not tell you +that we must look to the white men to show us the way? Peep through your +tube, Macumazahn, and tell me what passes." + +So I "peeped," and, the telescope which John Dunn had kindly left with +me being good though small, saw everything clearly enough. He rode +up almost to the point of the left horn of the Usutu, waving a white +handkerchief and followed by his small force of police and Natal Kafirs. +Then from somewhere among the Usutu rose a puff of smoke. Dunn had been +fired at. + +He dropped the handkerchief and leapt to the ground. Now he and his +police were firing rapidly in reply, and men fell fast among the Usutu. +They raised their war shout and came on, though slowly, for they feared +the bullets. Step by step John Dunn and his people were thrust back, +fighting gallantly against overwhelming odds. They were level with us, +not a quarter of a mile to our left. They were pushed past us. They +vanished among the bush behind us, and a long while passed before ever I +heard what became of them, for we met no more that day. + +Now, the horns having done their work and wrapped themselves round +Umbelazi's army as the nippers of a wasp close about a fly (why did +not Umbelazi cut off those horns, I wondered), the Usutu bull began +his charge. Twenty or thirty thousand strong, regiment after regiment, +Cetewayo's men rushed up the slope, and there, near the crest of +it, were met by Umbelazi's regiments springing forward to repel the +onslaught and shouting their battle-cry of "Laba! Laba! Laba! Laba!" + +The noise of their meeting shields came to our ears like that of the +roll of thunder, and the sheen of their stabbing-spears shone as shines +the broad summer lightning. They hung and wavered on the slope; then +from the Amawombe ranks rose a roar of + +_"Umbelazi wins!"_ + +Watching intently, we saw the Usutu giving back. Down the slope they +went, leaving the ground in front of them covered with black spots which +we knew to be dead or wounded men. + +"Why does not the Elephant charge home?" said Maputa in a perplexed +voice. "The Usutu bull is on his back! Why does he not trample him?" + +"Because he is afraid, I suppose," I answered, and went on watching. + +There was plenty to see, as it happened. Finding that they were not +pursued, Cetewayo's impi reformed swiftly at the bottom of the slope, +in preparation for another charge. Among that of Umbelazi, above them, +rapid movements took place of which I could not guess the meaning, +which movements were accompanied by much noise of angry shouting. Then +suddenly, from the midst of the Isigqosa army, emerged a great body of +men, thousands strong, which ran swiftly, but in open order, down the +slope towards the Usutu, holding their spears reversed. At first I +thought that they were charging independently, till I saw the Usutu +ranks open to receive them with a shout of welcome. + +"Treachery!" I said. "Who is it?" + +"Saduko, with the Amakoba and Amangwane soldiers and others. I know them +by their head-dresses," answered Maputa in a cold voice. + +"Do you mean that Saduko has gone over to Cetewayo with all his +following?" I asked excitedly. + +"What else, Macumazahn? Saduko is a traitor: Umbelazi is finished," and +he passed his hand swiftly across his mouth--a gesture that has only one +meaning among the Zulus. + +As for me, I sat down upon a stone and groaned, for now I understood +everything. + +Presently the Usutu raised fierce, triumphant shouts, and once again +their impi, swelled with Saduko's power, began to advance up the slope. +Umbelazi, and those of the Isigqosa party who clung to him--now, I +should judge, not more than eight thousand men--never stayed to wait the +onslaught. They broke! They fled in a hideous rout, crashing through +the thin, left horn of the Usutu by mere weight of numbers, and +passing behind us obliquely on their road to the banks of the Tugela. A +messenger rushed up to us, panting. + +"These are the words of Umbelazi," he gasped. "O Watcher-by-Night and O +Maputa, Indhlovu-ene-sihlonti prays that you will hold back the Usutu, +as the King bade you do in case of need, and so give to him and those +who cling to him time to escape with the women and children into +Natal. His general, Saduko, has betrayed him, and gone over with three +regiments to Cetewayo, and therefore we can no longer stand against the +thousands of the Usutu." + +"Go tell the prince that Macumazahn, Maputa, and the Amawombe regiment +will do their best," answered Maputa calmly. "Still, this is our advice +to him, that he should cross the Tugela swiftly with the women and the +children, seeing that we are few and Cetewayo is many." + +The messenger leapt away, but, as I heard afterwards, he never found +Umbelazi, since the poor man was killed within five hundred yards of +where we stood. + +Then Maputa gave an order, and the Amawombe formed themselves into a +triple line, thirteen hundred men in the first line, thirteen hundred +men in the second line, and about a thousand in the third, behind whom +were the carrier boys, three or four hundred of them. The place assigned +to me was in the exact centre of the second line, where, being mounted +on a horse, it was thought, as I gathered, that I should serve as a +convenient rallying-point. + +In this formation we advanced a few hundred yards to our left, evidently +with the object of interposing ourselves between the routed impi and the +pursuing Usutu, or, if the latter should elect to go round us, with that +of threatening their flank. Cetewayo's generals did not leave us long in +doubt as to what they would do. The main body of their army bore away +to the right in pursuit of the flying foe, but three regiments, each +of about two thousand five hundred spears, halted. Five minutes passed +perhaps while they marshalled, with a distance of some six hundred yards +between them. Each regiment was in a triple line like our own. + +To me that seemed a very long five minutes, but, reflecting that it was +probably my last on earth, I tried to make the best of it in a fashion +that can be guessed. Strange to say, however, I found it impossible to +keep my mind fixed upon those matters with which it ought to have been +filled. My eyes and thoughts would roam. I looked at the ranks of the +veteran Amawombe, and noted that they were still and solemn as men about +to die should be, although they showed no sign of fear. Indeed, I +saw some of those near me passing their snuffboxes to each other. Two +grey-haired men also, who evidently were old friends, shook hands as +people do who are parting before a journey, while two others discussed +in a low voice the possibility of our wiping out most of the Usutu +before we were wiped out ourselves. + +"It depends," said one of them, "whether they attack us regiment by +regiment or all together, as they will do if they are wise." + +Then an officer bade them be silent, and conversation ceased. Maputa +passed through the ranks giving orders to the captains. From a distance +his withered old body, with a fighting shield held in front of it, +looked like that of a huge black ant carrying something in its mouth. He +came to where Scowl and I sat upon our horses. + +"Ah! I see that you are ready, Macumazahn," he said in a cheerful voice. +"I told you that you should not go away hungry, did I not?" + +"Maputa," I said in remonstrance, "what is the use of this? Umbelazi is +defeated, you are not of his impi, why send all these"--and I waved my +hand--"down into the darkness? Why not go to the river and try to save +the women and children?" + +"Because we shall take many of those down into the darkness with us, +Macumazahn," and he pointed to the dense masses of the Usutu. "Yet," he +added, with a touch of compunction, "this is not your quarrel. You and +your servant have horses. Slip out, if you will, and gallop hard to the +lower drift. You may get away with your lives." + +Then my white man's pride came to my aid. + +"Nay," I answered, "I will not run while others stay to fight." + +"I never thought you would, Macumazahn, who, I am sure, do not wish to +earn a new and ugly name. Well, neither will the Amawombe run to become +a mock among their people. The King's orders were that we should try to +help Umbelazi, if the battle went against him. We obey the King's orders +by dying where we stand. Macumazahn, do you think that you could hit +that big fellow who is shouting insults at us there? If so, I should be +obliged to you, as I dislike him very much," and he showed me a captain +who was swaggering about in front of the lines of the first of the Usutu +regiments, about six hundred yards away. + +"I will try," I answered, "but it's a long shot." Dismounting, I climbed +a pile of stones and, resting my rifle on the topmost of them, took +a very full sight, aimed, held my breath, and pressed the trigger. A +second afterwards the shouter of insults threw his arms wide, letting +fall his spear, and pitched forward on to his face. + +A roar of delight rose from the watching Amawombe, while old Maputa +clapped his thin brown hands and grinned from ear to ear. + +"Thank you, Macumazahn. A very good omen! Now I am sure that, whatever +those Isigqosa dogs of Umbelazi's may do, we King's men shall make an +excellent end, which is all that we can hope. Oh, what a beautiful shot! +It will be something to think of when I am an idhlozi, a spirit-snake, +crawling about my own kraal. Farewell, Macumazahn," and he took my +hand and pressed it. "The time has come. I go to lead the charge. The +Amawombe have orders to defend you to the last, for I wish you to see +the finish of this fight. Farewell." + +Then off he hurried, followed by his orderlies and staff-officers. + +I never saw him again alive, though I think that once in after years I +did meet his idhlozi in his kraal under strange circumstances. But that +has nothing to do with this history. + +As for me, having reloaded, I mounted my horse again, being afraid lest, +if I went on shooting, I should miss and spoil my reputation. Besides, +what was the use of killing more men unless I was obliged? There were +plenty ready to do that. + +Another minute, and the regiment in front of us began to move, while the +other two behind it ostentatiously sat themselves down in their ranks, +to show that they did not mean to spoil sport. The fight was to begin +with a duel between about six thousand men. + +"Good!" muttered the warrior who was nearest me. "They are in our bag." + +"Aye," answered another, "those little boys" (used as a term of +contempt) "are going to learn their last lesson." + +For a few seconds there was silence, while the long ranks leant forward +between the hedges of lean and cruel spears. A whisper went down the +line; it sounded like the noise of wind among trees, and was the signal +to prepare. Next a far-off voice shouted some word, which was repeated +again and again by other voices before and behind me. I became aware +that we were moving, quite slowly at first, then more quickly. Being +lifted above the ranks upon my horse I could see the whole advance, +and the general aspect of it was that of a triple black wave, each wave +crowned with foam--the white plumes and shields of the Amawombe were +the foam--and alive with sparkles of light--their broad spears were the +light. + +We were charging now--and oh! the awful and glorious excitement of that +charge! Oh, the rush of the bending plumes and the dull thudding of +eight thousand feet! The Usutu came up the slope to meet us. In silence +we went, and in silence they came. We drew near to each other. Now we +could see their faces peering over the tops of their mottled shields, +and now we could see their fierce and rolling eyes. + +Then a roar--a rolling roar such as at that time I had never heard: +the thunder of the roar of the meeting shields--and a flash--a swift, +simultaneous flash, the flash of the lightning of the stabbing spears. +Up went the cry of: + +_"Kill, Amawombe, kill!"_ answered by another cry of: + +_"Toss, Usutu, toss!"_ + +After that, what happened? Heaven knows alone--or at least I do not. +But in later years Mr. Osborn, afterwards the resident magistrate at +Newcastle, in Natal, who, being young and foolish in those days, had +swum his horse over the Tugela and hidden in a little kopje quite near +to us in order to see the battle, told me that it looked as though +some huge breaker--that breaker being the splendid Amawombe--rolling in +towards the shore with the weight of the ocean behind it, had suddenly +struck a ridge of rock and, rearing itself up, submerged and hidden it. + +At least, within three minutes that Usutu regiment was no more. We +had killed them every one, and from all along our lines rose a fierce +hissing sound of "S'gee, S'gee" ("Zhi" in the Zulu) uttered as the +spears went home in the bodies of the conquered. + +That regiment had gone, taking nearly a third of our number with it, for +in such a battle as this the wounded were as good as dead. Practically +our first line had vanished in a fray that did not last more than a few +minutes. Before it was well over the second Usutu regiment sprang up and +charged. With a yell of victory we rushed down the slope towards them. +Again there was the roar of the meeting shields, but this time the fight +was more prolonged, and, being in the front rank now, I had my share of +it. I remember shooting two Usutu who stabbed at me, after which my gun +was wrenched from my hand. I remember the melee swinging backwards and +forwards, the groans of the wounded, the shouts of victory and despair, +and then Scowl's voice saying: + +"We have beat them, Baas, but here come the others." + + +The third regiment was on our shattered lines. We closed up, we fought +like devils, even the bearer boys rushed into the fray. From all sides +they poured down upon us, for we had made a ring; every minute men died +by hundreds, and, though their numbers grew few, not one of the Amawombe +yielded. I was fighting with a spear now, though how it came into my +hand I cannot remember for certain. I think, however, I wrenched it from +a man who rushed at me and was stabbed before he could strike. I killed +a captain with this spear, for as he fell I recognised his face. It was +that of one of Cetewayo's companions to whom I had sold some cloth at +Nodwengu. The fallen were piled up quite thick around me--we were using +them as a breastwork, friend and foe together. I saw Scowl's horse rear +into the air and fall. He slipped over its tail, and next instant was +fighting at my side, also with a spear, muttering Dutch and English +oaths as he struck. + +"Beetje varm! [a little hot] Beetje varm, Baas!" I heard him say. Then +my horse screamed aloud and something hit me hard upon the head--I +suppose it was a thrown kerry--after which I remember nothing for a +while, except a sensation of passing through the air. + +I came to myself again, and found that I was still on the horse, which +was ambling forward across the veld at a rate of about eight miles an +hour, and that Scowl was clinging to my stirrup leather and running at +my side. He was covered with blood, so was the horse, and so was I. It +may have been our own blood, for all three were more or less wounded, or +it may have been that of others; I am sure I do not know, but we were +a terrible sight. I pulled upon the reins, and the horse stopped among +some thorns. Scowl felt in the saddlebags and found a large flask of +Hollands gin and water--half gin and half water--which he had placed +there before the battle. He uncorked and gave it to me. I took a long +pull at the stuff, that tasted like veritable nectar, then handed it to +him, who did likewise. New life seemed to flow into my veins. Whatever +teetotallers may say, alcohol is good at such a moment. + +"Where are the Amawombe?" I asked. + +"All dead by now, I think, Baas, as we should be had not your horse +bolted. Wow! but they made a great fight--one that will be told of! They +have carried those three regiments away upon their spears." + +"That's good," I said. "But where are we going?" + +"To Natal, I hope, Baas. I have had enough of the Zulus for the present. +The Tugela is not far away, and we will swim it. Come on, before our +hurts grow stiff." + +So we went on, till presently we reached the crest of a rise of ground +overlooking the river, and there saw and heard dreadful things, for +beneath us those devilish Usutu were massacring the fugitives and the +camp-followers. These were being driven by the hundred to the edge of +the water, there to perish on the banks or in the stream, which was +black with drowned or drowning forms. + +And oh! the sounds! Well, these I will not attempt to describe. + +"Keep up stream," I said shortly, and we struggled across a kind of +donga, where only a few wounded men were hidden, into a somewhat denser +patch of bush that had scarcely been entered by the flying Isigqosa, +perhaps because here the banks of the river were very steep and +difficult; also, between them its waters ran swiftly, for this was above +the drift. + +For a while we went on in safety, then suddenly I heard a noise. A great +man plunged past me, breaking through the bush like a buffalo, and came +to a halt upon a rock which overhung the Tugela, for the floods had +eaten away the soil beneath. + +"Umbelazi!" said Scowl, and as he spoke we saw another man following as +a wild dog follows a buck. + +"Saduko!" said Scowl. + +I rode on. I could not help riding on, although I knew it would be safer +to keep away. I reached the edge of that big rock. Saduko and Umbelazi +were fighting there. + +In ordinary circumstances, strong and active as he was, Saduko would +have had no chance against the most powerful Zulu living. But the prince +was utterly exhausted; his sides were going like a blacksmith's bellows, +or those of a fat eland bull that has been galloped to a standstill. +Moreover, he seemed to me to be distraught with grief, and, lastly, he +had no shield left, nothing but an assegai. + +A stab from Saduko's spear, which he partially parried, wounded him +slightly on the head, and cut loose the fillet of his ostrich plume, +that same plume which I had seen blown off in the morning, so that +it fell to the ground. Another stab pierced his right arm, making +it helpless. He snatched the assegai with his left hand, striving to +continue the fight, and just at that moment we came up. + +"What are you doing, Saduko?" I cried. "Does a dog bite his own master?" + +He turned and stared at me; both of them stared at me. + +"Aye, Macumazahn," he answered in an icy voice, "sometimes when it is +starving and that full-fed master has snatched away its bone. Nay, stand +aside, Macumazahn" (for, although I was quite unarmed, I had stepped +between them), "lest you should share the fate of this woman-thief." + +"Not I, Saduko," I cried, for this sight made me mad, "unless you murder +me." + +Then Umbelazi spoke in a hollow voice, sobbing out his words: + +"I thank you, White Man, yet do as this snake bids you--this snake that +has lived in my kraal and fed out of my cup. Let him have his fill of +vengeance because of the woman who bewitched me--yes, because of the +sorceress who has brought me and thousands to the dust. Have you heard, +Macumazahn, of the great deed of this son of Matiwane? Have you heard +that all the while he was a traitor in the pay of Cetewayo, and that he +went over, with the regiments of his command, to the Usutu just when the +battle hung upon the turn? Come, Traitor, here is my heart--the heart +that loved and trusted you. Strike--strike hard!" + +"Out of the way, Macumazahn!" hissed Saduko. But I would not stir. + +He sprang at me, and, though I put up the best fight that I could in +my injured state, got his hands about my throat and began to choke +me. Scowl ran to help me, but his wound--for he was hurt--or his utter +exhaustion took effect on him. Or perhaps it was excitement. At any +rate, he fell down in a fit. I thought that all was over, when again I +heard Umbelazi's voice, and felt Saduko's grip loosen at my throat, and +sat up. + +"Dog," said the Prince, "where is your assegai?" And as he spoke he +threw it from him into the river beneath, for he had picked it up while +we struggled, but, as I noted, retained his own. "Now, dog, why do I not +kill you, as would have been easy but now? I will tell you. Because I +will not mix the blood of a traitor with my own. See!" He set the haft +of his broad spear upon the rock and bent forward over the blade. "You +and your witch-wife have brought me to nothing, O Saduko. My blood, and +the blood of all who clung to me, is on your head. Your name shall +stink for ever in the nostrils of all true men, and I whom you have +betrayed--I, the Prince Umbelazi--will haunt you while you live; yes, +my spirit shall enter into you, and when you die--ah! then we'll meet +again. Tell this tale to the white men, Macumazahn, my friend, on whom +be honour and blessings." + +He paused, and I saw the tears gush from his eyes--tears mingled +with blood from the wound in his head. Then suddenly he uttered the +battle-cry of "Laba! Laba!" and let his weight fall upon the point of +the spear. + +It pierced him through and through. He fell on to his hands and knees. +He looked up at us--oh, the piteousness of that look!--and then rolled +sideways from the edge of the rock. + +A heavy splash, and that was the end of Umbelazi the Fallen--Umbelazi, +about whom Mameena had cast her net. + + +A sad story in truth. Although it happened so many years ago I weep as I +write it--I weep as Umbelazi wept. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. UMBEZI AND THE BLOOD ROYAL + + +After this I think that some of the Usutu came up, for it seemed to me +that I heard Saduko say: + +"Touch not Macumazahn or his servant. They are my prisoners. He who +harms them dies, with all his House." + +So they put me, fainting, on my horse, and Scowl they carried away upon +a shield. + +When I came to I found myself in a little cave, or rather beneath some +overhanging rocks, at the side of a kopje, and with me Scowl, who had +recovered from his fit, but seemed in a very bewildered condition. +Indeed, neither then nor afterwards did he remember anything of the +death of Umbelazi, nor did I ever tell him that tale. Like many others, +he thought that the Prince had been drowned in trying to swim the +Tugela. + +"Are they going to kill us?" I asked of him, since, from the triumphant +shouting without, I knew that we must be in the midst of the victorious +Usutu. + +"I don't know, Baas," he answered. "I hope not; after we have gone +through so much it would be a pity. Better to have died at the beginning +of the battle." + +I nodded my head in assent, and just at that moment a Zulu, who had very +evidently been fighting, entered the place carrying a dish of toasted +lumps of beef and a gourd of water. + +"Cetewayo sends you these, Macumazahn," he said, "and is sorry that +there is no milk or beer. When you have eaten a guard waits without to +escort you to him." And he went. + +"Well," I said to Scowl, "if they were going to kill us, they would +scarcely take the trouble to feed us first. So let us keep up our hearts +and eat." + +"Who knows?" answered poor Scowl, as he crammed a lump of beef into +his big mouth. "Still, it is better to die on a full than on an empty +stomach." + +So we ate and drank, and, as we were suffering more from exhaustion than +from our hurts, which were not really serious, our strength came back +to us. As we finished the last lump of meat, which, although it had been +only half cooked upon the point of an assegai, tasted very good, the +Zulu put his head into the mouth of the shelter and asked if we were +ready. I nodded, and, supporting each other, Scowl and I limped from the +place. Outside were about fifty soldiers, who greeted us with a shout +that, although it was mixed with laughter at our pitiable appearance, +struck me as not altogether unfriendly. Amongst these men was my horse, +which stood with its head hanging down, looking very depressed. I was +helped on to its back, and, Scowl clinging to the stirrup leather, we +were led a distance of about a quarter of a mile to Cetewayo. + +We found him seated, in the full blaze of the evening sun, on the +eastern slope of one of the land-waves of the veld, with the open +plain in front of him. It was a strange and savage scene. There sat the +victorious prince, surrounded by his captains and indunas, while before +him rushed the triumphant regiments, shouting his titles in the +most extravagant language. Izimbongi also--that is, professional +praisers--were running up and down before him dressed in all sorts of +finery, telling his deeds, calling him "Eater-up-of-the-Earth," and +yelling out the names of those great ones who had been killed in the +battle. + +Meanwhile parties of bearers were coming up continually, carrying dead +men of distinction upon shields and laying them out in rows, as game +is laid out at the end of a day's shooting in England. It seems that +Cetewayo had taken a fancy to see them, and, being too tired to walk +over the field of battle, ordered that this should be done. Among these, +by the way, I saw the body of my old friend, Maputa, the general of the +Amawombe, and noted that it was literally riddled with spear thrusts, +every one of them in front; also that his quaint face still wore a +smile. + +At the head of these lines of corpses were laid six dead, all men of +large size, in whom I recognised the brothers of Umbelazi, who had +fought on his side, and the half-brothers of Cetewayo. Among them were +those three princes upon whom the dust had fallen when Zikali, the +prophet, smelt out Masapo, the husband of Mameena. + +Dismounting from my horse, with the help of Scowl, I limped through and +over the corpses of these fallen royalties, cut in the Zulu fashion to +free their spirits, which otherwise, as they believed, would haunt the +slayers, and stood in front of Cetewayo. + +"Siyakubona, Macumazahn," he said, stretching out his hand to me, which +I took, though I could not find it in my heart to wish _him_ "good day." + +"I hear that you were leading the Amawombe, whom my father, the King, +sent down to help Umbelazi, and I am very glad that you have escaped +alive. Also my heart is proud of the fight that they made, for you know, +Macumazahn, once, next to the King, I was general of that regiment, +though afterwards we quarrelled. Still, I am pleased that they did so +well, and I have given orders that every one of them who remains alive +is to be spared, that they may be officers of a new Amawombe which I +shall raise. Do you know, Macumazahn, that you have nearly wiped out +three whole regiments of the Usutu, killing many more people than did +all my brother's army, the Isigqosa? Oh, you are a great man. Had it +not been for the loyalty"--this word was spoken with just a tinge of +sarcasm--"of Saduko yonder, you would have won the day for Umbelazi. +Well, now that this quarrel is finished, if you will stay with me I +will make you general of a whole division of the King's army, since +henceforth I shall have a voice in affairs." + +"You are mistaken, O Son of Panda," I answered; "the splendour of the +Amawombe's great stand against a multitude is on the name of Maputa, the +King's councillor and the induna of the Black One [Chaka], who is gone. +He lies yonder in his glory," and I pointed to Maputa's pierced body. "I +did but fight as a soldier in his ranks." + +"Oh, yes, we know that, we know all that, Macumazahn; and Maputa was a +clever monkey in his way, but we know also that you taught him how to +jump. Well, he is dead, and nearly all the Amawombe are dead, and of +my three regiments but a handful is left; the vultures have the rest +of them. That is all finished and forgotten, Macumazahn, though by good +fortune the spears went wide of you, who doubtless are a magician, since +otherwise you and your servant and your horse would not have escaped +with a few scratches when everyone else was killed. But you did escape, +as you have done before in Zululand; and now you see here lie certain +men who were born of my father. Yet one is missing--he against whom I +fought, aye, and he whom, although we fought, I loved the best of all +of them. Now, it has been whispered in my ear that you alone know what +became of him, and, Macumazahn, I would learn whether he lives or is +dead; also, if he is dead, by whose hand he died, who would reward that +hand." + +Now, I looked round me, wondering whether I should tell the truth or +hold my tongue, and as I looked my eyes met those of Saduko, who, cold +and unconcerned, was seated among the captains, but at a little distance +from any of them--a man apart; and I remembered that he and I alone knew +the truth of the end of Umbelazi. + +Why, I do not know, but it came into my mind that I would keep the +secret. Why should I tell the triumphant Cetewayo that Umbelazi had been +driven to die by his own hand; why should I lay bare Saduko's victory +and shame? All these matters had passed into the court of a different +tribunal. Who was I that I should reveal them or judge the actors of +this terrible drama? + +"O Cetewayo," I said, "as it chanced I saw the end of Umbelazi. No enemy +killed him. He died of a broken heart upon a rock above the river; and +for the rest of the story go ask the Tugela into which he fell." + +For a moment Cetewayo hid his eyes with his hand. + +"Is it so?" he said presently. "Wow! I say again that had it not been +for Saduko, the son of Matiwane, yonder, who had some quarrel with +Indhlovu-ene-Sihlonti about a woman and took his chance of vengeance, +it might have been I who died of a broken heart upon a rock above the +river. Oh, Saduko, I owe you a great debt and will pay you well; but you +shall be no friend of mine, lest we also should chance to quarrel about +a woman, and _I_ should find myself dying of a broken heart on a rock +above a river. O my brother Umbelazi, I mourn for you, my brother, for, +after all, we played together when we were little and loved each other +once, who in the end fought for a toy that is called a throne, since, +as our father said, two bulls cannot live in the same yard, my brother. +Well, you are gone and I remain, yet who knows but that at the last your +lot may be happier than mine. You died of a broken heart, Umbelazi, but +of what shall _I_ die, I wonder?"[*] + + [*--That history of Cetewayo's fall and tragic death and of + Zikali's vengeance I hope to write one day, for in these + events also I was destined to play a part.--A. Q.] + +I have given this interview in detail, since it was because of it that +the saying went abroad that Umbelazi died of a broken heart. + +So in truth he did, for before his spear pierced it his heart was +broken. + +Now, seeing that Cetewayo was in one of his soft moods, and that he +seemed to look upon me kindly, though I had fought against him, I +reflected that this would be a good opportunity to ask his leave to +depart. To tell the truth, my nerves were quite shattered with all I had +gone through, and I longed to be away from the sights and sounds of that +terrible battlefield, on and about which so many thousand people had +perished this fateful day, as I had seldom longed for anything before. +But while I was making up my mind as to the best way to approach him, +something happened which caused me to lose my chance. + +Hearing a noise behind me, I looked round, to see a stout man arrayed +in a very fine war dress, and waving in one hand a gory spear and in the +other a head-plume of ostrich feathers, who was shouting out: + +"Give me audience of the son of the King! I have a song to sing to the +Prince. I have a tale to tell to the conqueror, Cetewayo." + +I stared. I rubbed my eyes. It could not be--yes, it was--Umbezi, +"Eater-up-of-Elephants," the father of Mameena. In a few seconds, +without waiting for leave to approach, he had bounded through the line +of dead princes, stopping to kick one of them on the head and address +his poor clay in some words of shameful insult, and was prancing about +before Cetewayo, shouting his praises. + +"Who is this umfokazana?" [that is, low fellow] growled the Prince. "Bid +him cease his noise and speak, lest he should be silent for ever." + +"O Calf of the Black Cow, I am Umbezi, 'Eater-up-of-Elephants,' chief +captain of Saduko the Cunning, he who won you the battle, father of +Mameena the Beautiful, whom Saduko wed and whom the dead dog, Umbelazi, +stole away from him." + +"Ah!" said Cetewayo, screwing up his eyes in a fashion he had when +he meant mischief, which among the Zulus caused him to be named the +"Bull-who-shuts-his-eyes-to-toss," "and what have you to tell me, +'Eater-up-of-Elephants' and father of Mameena, whom the dead dog, +Umbelazi, took away from your master, Saduko the Cunning?" + +"This, O Mighty One; this, O Shaker of the Earth, that well am I named +'Eater-up-of-Elephants,' who have eaten up Indhlovu-ene-Sihlonti--the +Elephant himself." + +Now Saduko seemed to awake from his brooding and started from his place; +but Cetewayo sharply bade him be silent, whereon Umbezi, the fool, +noting nothing, continued his tale. + +"O Prince, I met Umbelazi in the battle, and when he saw me he fled from +me; yes, his heart grew soft as water at the sight of me, the warrior +whom he had wronged, whose daughter he had stolen." + +"I hear you," said Cetewayo. "Umbelazi's heart turned to water at the +sight of you because he had wronged you--you who until this morning, +when you deserted him with Saduko, were one of his jackals. Well, and +what happened then?" + +"He fled, O Lion with the Black Mane; he fled like the wind, and I, I +flew after him like--a stronger wind. Far into the bush he fled, till at +length he came to a rock above the river and was obliged to stand. Then +there we fought. He thrust at me, but I leapt over his spear _thus_," +and he gambolled into the air. "He thrust at me again, but I bent myself +_thus_," and he ducked his great head. "Then he grew tired and my time +came. He turned and ran round the rock, and I, I ran after him, stabbing +him through the back, _thus_, and _thus_, and _thus_, till he fell, +crying for mercy, and rolled off the rock into the river; and as he +rolled I snatched away his plume. See, is it not the plume of the dead +dog Umbelazi?" + +Cetewayo took the ornament and examined it, showing it to one or two of +the captains near him, who nodded their heads gravely. + +"Yes," he said, "this is the war plume of Umbelazi, beloved of the King, +strong and shining pillar of the Great House; we know it well, that war +plume at the sight of which many a knee has loosened. And so you killed +him, 'Eater-up-of-Elephants,' father of Mameena, you who this morning +were one of the meanest of his jackals. Now, what reward shall I give +you for this mighty deed, O Umbezi?" + +"A great reward, O Terrible One," began Umbezi, but in an awful voice +Cetewayo bade him be silent. + +"Yes," he said, "a great reward. Hearken, Jackal and Traitor. Your own +words bear witness against you. You, _you_ have dared to lift your hand +against the blood-royal, and with your foul tongue to heap lies and +insults upon the name of the mighty dead." + +Now, understanding at last, Umbezi began to babble excuses, yes, and to +declare that all his tale was false. His fat cheeks fell in, he sank to +his knees. + +But Cetewayo only spat towards the man, after his fashion when enraged, +and looked round him till his eye fell upon Saduko. + +"Saduko," he said, "take away this slayer of the Prince, who boasts that +he is red with my own blood, and when he is dead cast him into the river +from that rock on which he says he stabbed Panda's son." + +Saduko looked round him wildly and hesitated. + +"Take him away," thundered Cetewayo, "and return ere dark to make report +to me." + +Then, at a sign from the Prince, soldiers flung themselves upon the +miserable Umbezi and dragged him thence, Saduko going with them; nor was +the poor liar ever seen again. As he passed by me he called to me, for +Mameena's sake, to save him; but I could only shake my head and bethink +me of the warning I had once given to him as to the fate of traitors. + +It may be said that this story comes straight from the history of Saul +and David, but I can only answer that it happened. Circumstances that +were not unlike ended in a similar tragedy, that is all. What David's +exact motives were, naturally I cannot tell; but it is easy to guess +those of Cetewayo, who, although he could make war upon his brother to +secure the throne, did not think it wise to let it go abroad that the +royal blood might be lightly spilt. Also, knowing that I was a witness +of the Prince's death, he was well aware that Umbezi was but a +boastful liar who hoped thus to ingratiate himself with an all-powerful +conqueror. + +Well, this tragic incident had its sequel. It seems--to his honour, be +it said--that Saduko refused to be the executioner of his father-in-law, +Umbezi; so those with him performed this office and brought him back a +prisoner to Cetewayo. + +When the Prince learned that his direct order, spoken in the accustomed +and fearful formula of _"Take him away,"_ had been disobeyed, his rage +was, or seemed to be, great. My own conviction is that he was only +seeking a cause of quarrel against Saduko, who, he thought, was a very +powerful man, who would probably treat him, should opportunity arise, as +he had treated Umbelazi, and perhaps now that the most of Panda's sons +were dead, except himself and the lads M'tonga, Sikota and M'kungo, who +had fled into Natal, might even in future days aspire to the throne +as the husband of the King's daughter. Still, he was afraid or did not +think it politic at once to put out of his path this master of many +legions, who had played so important a part in the battle. Therefore he +ordered him to be kept under guard and taken back to Nodwengu, that the +whole matter might be investigated by Panda the King, who still ruled +the land, though henceforth only in name. Also he refused to allow me to +depart into Natal, saying that I, too, must come to Nodwengu, as there +my testimony might be needed. + +So, having no choice, I went, it being fated that I should see the end +of the drama. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. MAMEENA CLAIMS THE KISS + + +When I reached Nodwengu I was taken ill and laid up in my wagon for +about a fortnight. What my exact sickness was I do not know, for I had +no doctor at hand to tell me, as even the missionaries had fled the +country. Fever resulting from fatigue, exposure and excitement, and +complicated with fearful headache--caused, I presume, by the blow which +I received in the battle--were its principal symptoms. + +When I began to get better, Scowl and some Zulu friends who came to see +me informed me that the whole land was in a fearful state of disorder, +and that Umbelazi's adherents, the Isigqosa, were still being hunted +out and killed. It seems that it was even suggested by some of the +Usutu that I should share their fate, but on this point Panda was firm. +Indeed, he appears to have said publicly that whoever lifted a spear +against me, his friend and guest, lifted it against him, and would be +the cause of a new war. So the Usutu left me alone, perhaps because they +were satisfied with fighting for a while, and thought it wisest to be +content with what they had won. + +Indeed, they had won everything, for Cetewayo was now supreme--by right +of the assegai--and his father but a cipher. Although he remained the +"Head" of the nation, Cetewayo was publicly declared to be its "Feet," +and strength was in these active "Feet," not in the bowed and sleeping +"Head." In fact, so little power was left to Panda that he could not +protect his own household. Thus one day I heard a great tumult and +shouting proceeding apparently from the Isigodhlo, or royal enclosure, +and on inquiring what it was afterwards, was told that Cetewayo had come +from the Amangwe kraal and denounced Nomantshali, the King's wife, +as "umtakati", or a witch. More, in spite of his father's prayers and +tears, he had caused her to be put to death before his eyes--a dreadful +and a savage deed. At this distance of time I cannot remember whether +Nomantshali was the mother of Umbelazi or of one of the other fallen +princes.[*] + + [*--On re-reading this history it comes back to me that she + was the mother of M'tonga, who was much younger than + Umbelazi. --A. Q.] + +A few days later, when I was up and about again, although I had not +ventured into the kraal, Panda sent a messenger to me with a present of +an ox. On his behalf this man congratulated me on my recovery, and told +me that, whatever might have happened to others, I was to have no fear +for my own safety. He added that Cetewayo had sworn to the King that not +a hair of my head should be harmed, in these words: + +"Had I wished to kill Watcher-by-Night because he fought against me, I +could have done so down at Endondakusuka; but then I ought to kill you +also, my father, since you sent him thither against his will with your +own regiment. But I like him well, who is brave and who brought me good +tidings that the Prince, my enemy, was dead of a broken heart. Moreover, +I wish to have no quarrel with the White House [the English] on account +of Macumazahn, so tell him that he may sleep in peace." + +The messenger said further that Saduko, the husband of the King's +daughter, Nandie, and Umbelazi's chief induna, was to be put upon his +trial on the morrow before the King and his council, together with +Mameena, daughter of Umbezi, and that my presence was desired at this +trial. + +I asked what was the charge against them. He replied that, so far as +Saduko was concerned, there were two: first, that he had stirred up +civil war in the land, and, secondly, that having pushed on Umbelazi +into a fight in which many thousands perished, he had played the +traitor, deserting him in the midst of the battle, with all his +following--a very heinous offence in the eyes of Zulus, to whatever +party they may belong. + +Against Mameena there were three counts of indictment. First, that it +was she who had poisoned Saduko's child and others, not Masapo, her +first husband, who had suffered for that crime. Secondly, that she had +deserted Saduko, her second husband, and gone to live with another man, +namely, the late Prince Umbelazi. Thirdly, that she was a witch, who had +enmeshed Umbelazi in the web of her sorceries and thereby caused him to +aspire to the succession to the throne, to which he had no right, and +made the isililo, or cry of mourning for the dead, to be heard in every +kraal in Zululand. + +"With three such pitfalls in her narrow path, Mameena will have to walk +carefully if she would escape them all," I said. + +"Yes, Inkoosi, especially as the pitfalls are dug from side to side of +the path and have a pointed stake set at the bottom of each of them. Oh, +Mameena is already as good as dead, as she deserves to be, who without +doubt is the greatest umtakati north of the Tugela." + +I sighed, for somehow I was sorry for Mameena, though why she should +escape when so many better people had perished because of her I did not +know; and the messenger went on: + +"The Black One [that is, Panda] sent me to tell Saduko that he would be +allowed to see you, Macumazahn, before the trial, if he wished, for he +knew that you had been a friend of his, and thought that you might be +able to give evidence in his favour." + +"And what did Saduko say to that?" I asked. + +"He said that he thanked the King, but that it was not needful for him +to talk with Macumazahn, whose heart was white like his skin, and whose +lips, if they spoke at all, would tell neither more nor less than the +truth. The Princess Nandie, who is with him--for she will not leave +him in his trouble, as all others have done--on hearing these words of +Saduko's, said that they were true, and that for this reason, although +you were her friend, she did not hold it necessary to see you either." + +Upon this intimation I made no comment, but "my head thought," as the +natives say, that Saduko's real reason for not wishing to see me was +that he felt ashamed to do so, and Nandie's that she feared to learn +more about her husband's perfidies than she knew already. + +"With Mameena it is otherwise," went on the messenger, "for as soon +as she was brought here with Zikali the Little and Wise, with whom, it +seems, she has been sheltering, and learned that you, Macumazahn, were +at the kraal, she asked leave to see you--" + +"And is it granted?" I broke in hurriedly, for I did not at all wish for +a private interview with Mameena. + +"Nay, have no fear, Inkoosi," replied the messenger with a smile; "it +is refused, because the King said that if once she saw you she would +bewitch you and bring trouble on you, as she does on all men. It is for +this reason that she is guarded by women only, no man being allowed to +go near to her, for on women her witcheries will not bite. Still, they +say that she is merry, and laughs and sings a great deal, declaring that +her life has been dull up at old Zikali's, and that now she is going to +a place as gay as the veld in spring, after the first warm rain, where +there will be plenty of men to quarrel for her and make her great and +happy. That is what she says, the witch who knows perhaps what the Place +of Spirits is like." + +Then, as I made no remarks or suggestions, the messenger departed, +saying that he would return on the morrow to lead me to the place of +trial. + +Next morning, after the cows had been milked and the cattle loosed from +their kraals, he came accordingly, with a guard of about thirty men, all +of them soldiers who had survived the great fight of the Amawombe. These +warriors, some of whom had wounds that were scarcely healed, saluted me +with loud cries of "Inkoosi!" and "Baba" as I stepped out of the wagon, +where I had spent a wretched night of unpleasant anticipation, showing +me that there were at least some Zulus with whom I remained popular. +Indeed, their delight at seeing me, whom they looked upon as a comrade +and one of the few survivors of the great adventure, was quite touching. +As we went, which we did slowly, their captain told me of their fears +that I had been killed with the others, and how rejoiced they were when +they learned that I was safe. He told me also that, after the third +regiment had attacked them and broken up their ring, a small body of +them, from eighty to a hundred only, managed to cut a way through and +escape, running, not towards the Tugela, where so many thousands had +perished, but up to Nodwengu, where they reported themselves to Panda as +the only survivors of the Amawombe. + +"And are you safe now?" I asked of the captain. + +"Oh, yes," he answered. "You see, we were the King's men, not +Umbelazi's, so Cetewayo bears us no grudge. Indeed, he is obliged to us, +because we gave the Usutu their stomachs full of good fighting, which +is more than did those cows of Umbelazi's. It is towards Saduko that +he bears a grudge, for you know, my father, one should never pull a +drowning man out of the stream--which is what Saduko did, for had it not +been for his treachery, Cetewayo would have sunk beneath the water of +Death--especially if it is only to spite a woman who hates him. Still, +perhaps Saduko will escape with his life, because he is Nandie's +husband, and Cetewayo fears Nandie, his sister, if he does not love her. +But here we are, and those who have to watch the sky all day will be +able to tell of the evening weather" (in other words, those who live +will learn). + +As he spoke we passed into the private enclosure of the isi-gohlo, +outside of which a great many people were gathered, shouting, talking +and quarrelling, for in those days all the usual discipline of the Great +Place was relaxed. Within the fence, however, that was strongly guarded +on its exterior side, were only about a score of councillors, the +King, the Prince Cetewayo, who sat upon his right, the Princess Nandie, +Saduko's wife, a few attendants, two great, silent fellows armed with +clubs, whom I guessed to be executioners, and, seated in the shade in a +corner, that ancient dwarf, Zikali, though how he came to be there I did +not know. + +Obviously the trial was to be quite a private affair, which accounted +for the unusual presence of the two "slayers." Even my Amawombe guard +was left outside the gate, although I was significantly informed that if +I chose to call upon them they would hear me, which was another way of +saying that in such a small gathering I was absolutely safe. + +Walking forward boldly towards Panda, who, though he was as fat as ever, +looked very worn and much older than when I had last seen him, I made +my bow, whereon he took my hand and asked after my health. Then I shook +Cetewayo's hand also, as I saw that it was stretched out to me. He +seized the opportunity to remark that he was told that I had suffered +a knock on the head in some scrimmage down by the Tugela, and he hoped +that I felt no ill effects. I answered: No, though I feared that there +were a few others who had not been so fortunate, especially those who +had stumbled against the Amawombe regiment, with whom I chanced to be +travelling upon a peaceful mission of inquiry. + +It was a bold speech to make, but I was determined to give him a +quid pro quo, and, as a matter of fact, he took it in very good part, +laughing heartily at the joke. + +After this I saluted such of the councillors present as I knew, which +was not many, for most of my old friends were dead, and sat down upon +the stool that was placed for me not very far from the dwarf Zikali, who +stared at me in a stony fashion, as though he had never seen me before. + +There followed a pause. Then, at some sign from Panda, a side gate in +the fence was opened, and through it appeared Saduko, who walked +proudly to the space in front of the King, to whom he gave the salute +of "Bayete," and, at a sign, sat himself down upon the ground. Next, +through the same gate, to which she was conducted by some women, came +Mameena, quite unchanged and, I think, more beautiful than she had ever +been. So lovely did she look, indeed, in her cloak of grey fur, her +necklet of blue beads, and the gleaming rings of copper which she wore +upon her wrists and ankles, that every eye was fixed upon her as she +glided gracefully forward to make her obeisance to Panda. + +This done, she turned and saw Nandie, to whom she also bowed, as she +did so inquiring after the health of her child. Without waiting for an +answer, which she knew would not be vouchsafed, she advanced to me and +grasped my hand, which she pressed warmly, saying how glad she was to +see me safe after going through so many dangers, though she thought I +looked even thinner than I used to be. + +Only of Saduko, who was watching her with his intent and melancholy +eyes, she took no heed whatsoever. Indeed, for a while I thought that +she could not have seen him. Nor did she appear to recognise Cetewayo, +although he stared at her hard enough. But, as her glance fell upon the +two executioners, I thought I saw her shudder like a shaken reed. Then +she sat down in the place appointed to her, and the trial began. + +The case of Saduko was taken first. An officer learned in Zulu +law--which I can assure the reader is a very intricate and +well-established law--I suppose that he might be called a kind of +attorney-general, rose and stated the case against the prisoner. He told +how Saduko, from a nobody, had been lifted to a great place by the +King and given his daughter, the Princess Nandie, in marriage. Then he +alleged that, as would be proved in evidence, the said Saduko had urged +on Umbelazi the Prince, to whose party he had attached himself, to +make war upon Cetewayo. This war having begun, at the great battle of +Endondakusuka, he had treacherously deserted Umbelazi, together with +three regiments under his command, and gone over to Cetewayo, thereby +bringing Umbelazi to defeat and death. + +This brief statement of the case for the prosecution being finished, +Panda asked Saduko whether he pleaded guilty or not guilty. + +"Guilty, O King," he answered, and was silent. + +Then Panda asked him if he had anything to say in excuse of his conduct. + +"Nothing, O King, except that I was Umbelazi's man, and when you, O +King, had given the word that he and the Prince yonder might fight, I, +like many others, some of whom are dead and some alive, worked for him +with all my ten fingers that he might have the victory." + +"Then why did you desert my son the Prince in the battle?" asked Panda. + +"Because I saw that the Prince Cetewayo was the stronger bull and wished +to be on the winning side, as all men do--for no other reason," answered +Saduko calmly. + +Now, everyone present stared, not excepting Cetewayo. Panda, who, +like the rest of us, had heard a very different tale, looked extremely +puzzled, while Zikali, in his corner, set up one of his great laughs. + +After a long pause, at length the King, as supreme judge, began to pass +sentence. At least, I suppose that was his intention, but before three +words had left his lips Nandie rose and said: + +"My Father, ere you speak that which cannot be unspoken, hear me. It is +well known that Saduko, my husband, was my brother Umbelazi's general +and councillor, and if he is to be killed for clinging to the Prince, +then I should be killed also, and countless others in Zululand who still +remain alive because they were not in or escaped the battle. It is well +known also, my Father, that during that battle Saduko went over to +my brother Cetewayo, though whether this brought about the defeat of +Umbelazi I cannot say. Why did he go over? He tells you because he +wished to be on the winning side. It is not true. He went over in order +to be revenged upon Umbelazi, who had taken from him yonder witch"--and +she pointed with her finger at Mameena--"yonder witch, whom he loved and +still loves, and whom even now he would shield, even though to do so +he must make his own name shameful. Saduko sinned; I do not deny it, +my Father, but there sits the real traitress, red with the blood of +Umbelazi and with that of thousands of others who have '_tshonile'd_' +[gone down to keep him company among the ghosts]. Therefore, O King, I +beseech you, spare the life of Saduko, my husband, or, if he must die, +learn that I, your daughter, will die with him. I have spoken, O King." + +And very proudly and quietly she sat herself down again, waiting for the +fateful words. + +But those words were not spoken, since Panda only said: "Let us try the +case of this woman, Mameena." + +Thereon the law officer rose again and set out the charges against +Mameena, namely, that it was she who had poisoned Saduko's child, and +not Masapo; that, after marrying Saduko, she had deserted him and gone +to live with the Prince Umbelazi; and that finally she had bewitched the +said Umbelazi and caused him to make civil war in the land. + +"The second charge, if proved, namely, that this woman deserted her +husband for another man, is a crime of death," broke in Panda abruptly +as the officer finished speaking; "therefore, what need is there to hear +the first and the third until that is examined. What do you plead to +that charge, woman?" + +Now, understanding that the King did not wish to stir up these other +matters of murder and witchcraft for some reason of his own, we all +turned to hear Mameena's answer. + +"O King," she said in her low, silvery voice, "I cannot deny that I left +Saduko for Umbelazi the Handsome, any more than Saduko can deny that he +left Umbelazi the beaten for Cetewayo the conqueror." + +"Why did you leave Saduko?" asked Panda. + +"O King, perhaps because I loved Umbelazi; for was he not called the +Handsome? Also _you_ know that the Prince, your son, was one to be +loved." Here she paused, looking at poor Panda, who winced. "Or, +perhaps, because I wished to be great; for was he not of the Blood +Royal, and, had it not been for Saduko, would he not one day have been a +king? Or, perhaps, because I could no longer bear the treatment that the +Princess Nandie dealt out to me; she who was cruel to me and threatened +to beat me, because Saduko loved my hut better than her own. Ask +Saduko; he knows more of these matters than I do," and she gazed at him +steadily. Then she went on: "How can a woman tell her reasons, O King, +when she never knows them herself?"--a question at which some of her +hearers smiled. + +Now Saduko rose and said slowly: + +"Hear me, O King, and I will give the reason that Mameena hides. She +left me for Umbelazi because I bade her to do so, for I knew that +Umbelazi desired her, and I wished to tie the cord tighter which bound +me to one who at that time I thought would inherit the Throne. Also, +I was weary of Mameena, who quarrelled night and day with the Princess +Nandie, my Inkosikazi." + +Now Nandie gasped in astonishment (and so did I), but Mameena laughed +and said: + +"Yes, O King, those were the two real reasons that I had forgotten. I +left Saduko because he bade me, as he wished to make a present to the +Prince. Also, he was tired of me; for many days at a time he would +scarcely speak to me, because, however kind she might be, I could not +help quarrelling with the Princess Nandie. Moreover, there was another +reason which I have forgotten: I had no child, and not having any +child I did not think it mattered whether I went or stayed. If Saduko +searches, he will remember that I told him so, and that he agreed with +me." + +Again she looked at Saduko, who said hurriedly: + +"Yes, yes, I told her so; I told her that I wished for no barren cows in +my kraal." + +Now some of the audience laughed outright, but Panda frowned. + +"It seems," he said, "that my ears are being stuffed with lies, though +which of these two tells them I cannot say. Well, if the woman left the +man by his own wish, and that his ends might be furthered, as he says, +he had put her away, and therefore the fault, if any, is his, not hers. +So that charge is ended. Now, woman, what have you to tell us of the +witchcraft which it is said you practised upon the Prince who is gone, +thereby causing him to make war in the land?" + +"Little that you would wish to hear, O King, or that it would be seemly +for me to speak," she answered, drooping her head modestly. "The only +witchcraft that ever I practised upon Umbelazi lies here"--and she +touched her beautiful eyes--"and here"--and she touched her curving +lips--"and in this poor shape of mine which some have thought so fair. +As for the war, what had I to do with war, who never spoke to Umbelazi, +who was so dear to me"--and she looked up with tears running down her +face--"save of love? O King, is there a man among you all who would +fear the witcheries of such a one as I; and because the Heavens made me +beautiful with the beauty that men must follow, am I also to be killed +as a sorceress?" + +Now, to this argument neither Panda nor anyone else seemed to find an +answer, especially as it was well known that Umbelazi had cherished his +ambition to the succession long before he met Mameena. So that charge +was dropped, and the first and greatest of the three proceeded with; +namely, that it was she, Mameena, and not her husband, Masapo, who had +murdered Nandie's child. + +When this accusation was made against her, for the first time I saw a +little shade of trouble flit across Mameena's soft eyes. + +"Surely, O King," she said, "that matter was settled long ago, when the +Ndwande, Zikali, the great Nyanga, smelt out Masapo the wizard, he who +was my husband, and brought him to his death for this crime. Must I then +be tried for it again?" + +"Not so, woman," answered Panda. "All that Zikali smelt out was the +poison that wrought the crime, and as some of that poison was found upon +Masapo, he was killed as a wizard. Yet it may be that it was not he who +used the poison." + +"Then surely the King should have thought of that before he died," +murmured Mameena. "But I forget: It is known that Masapo was always +hostile to the House of Senzangakona." + +To this remark Panda made no answer, perhaps because it was +unanswerable, even in a land where it was customary to kill the supposed +wizard first and inquire as to his actual guilt afterwards, or not at +all. Or perhaps he thought it politic to ignore the suggestion that he +had been inspired by personal enmity. Only, he looked at his daughter, +Nandie, who rose and said: + +"Have I leave to call a witness on this matter of the poison, my +Father?" + +Panda nodded, whereon Nandie said to one of the councillors: + +"Be pleased to summon my woman, Nahana, who waits without." + +The man went, and presently returned with an elderly female who, it +appeared, had been Nandie's nurse, and, never having married, owing to +some physical defect, had always remained in her service, a person well +known and much respected in her humble walk of life. + +"Nahana," said Nandie, "you are brought here that you may repeat to the +King and his council a tale which you told to me as to the coming of +a certain woman into my hut before the death of my first-born son, and +what she did there. Say first, is this woman present here?" + +"Aye, Inkosazana," answered Nahana, "yonder she sits. Who could mistake +her?" and she pointed to Mameena, who was listening to every word +intently, as a dog listens at the mouth of an ant-bear hole when the +beast is stirring beneath. + +"Then what of the woman and her deeds?" asked Panda. + +"Only this, O King. Two nights before the child that is dead was taken +ill, I saw Mameena creep into the hut of the lady Nandie, I who was +asleep alone in a corner of the big hut out of reach of the light of the +fire. At the time the lady Nandie was away from the hut with her son. +Knowing the woman for Mameena, the wife of Masapo, who was on friendly +terms with the Inkosazana, whom I supposed she had come to visit, I did +not declare myself; nor did I take any particular note when I saw her +sprinkle a little mat upon which the babe, Saduko's son, was wont to +be laid, with some medicine, because I had heard her promise to the +Inkosazana a powder which she said would drive away insects. Only, when +I saw her throw some of this powder into the vessel of warm water that +stood by the fire, to be used for the washing of the child, and place +something, muttering certain words that I could not catch, in the straw +of the doorway, I thought it strange, and was about to question her when +she left the hut. As it happened, O King, but a little while afterwards, +before one could count ten tens indeed, a messenger came to the hut to +tell me that my old mother lay dying at her kraal four days' journey +from Nodwengu, and prayed to see me before she died. Then I forgot all +about Mameena and the powder, and, running out to seek the Princess +Nandie, I craved her leave to go with the messenger to my mother's +kraal, which she granted to me, saying that I need not return until my +mother was buried. + +"So I went. But, oh! my mother took long to die. Whole moons passed +before I shut her eyes, and all this while she would not let me go; nor, +indeed, did I wish to leave her whom I loved. At length it was over, and +then came the days of mourning, and after those some more days of rest, +and after them again the days of the division of the cattle, so that in +the end six moons or more had gone by before I returned to the service +of the Princess Nandie, and found that Mameena was now the second wife +of the lord Saduko. Also I found that the child of the lady Nandie was +dead, and that Masapo, the first husband of Mameena, had been smelt out +and killed as the murderer of the child. But as all these things were +over and done with, and as Mameena was very kind to me, giving me gifts +and sparing me tasks, and as I saw that Saduko my lord loved her much, +it never came into my head to say anything of the matter of the powder +that I saw her sprinkle on the mat. + +"After she had run away with the Prince who is dead, however, I did tell +the lady Nandie. Moreover, the lady Nandie, in my presence, searched +in the straw of the doorway of the hut and found there, wrapped in soft +hide, certain medicines such as the Nyangas sell, wherewith those who +consult them can bewitch their enemies, or cause those whom they desire +to love them or to hate their wives or husbands. That is all I know of +the story, O King." + +"Do my ears hear a true tale, Nandie?" asked Panda. "Or is this woman a +liar like others?" + +"I think not, my Father; see, here is the muti [medicine] which Nahana +and I found hid in the doorway of the hut that I have kept unopened till +this day." + +And she laid on the ground a little leather bag, very neatly sewn with +sinews, and fastened round its neck with a fibre string. + +Panda directed one of the councillors to open the bag, which the man +did unwillingly enough, since evidently he feared its evil influence, +pouring out its contents on to the back of a hide shield, which was +then carried round so that we might all look at them. These, so far as +I could see, consisted of some withered roots, a small piece of human +thigh bone, such as might have come from the skeleton of an infant, that +had a little stopper of wood in its orifice, and what I took to be the +fang of a snake. + +Panda looked at them and shrank away, saying: + +"Come hither, Zikali the Old, you who are skilled in magic, and tell us +what is this medicine." + +Then Zikali rose from the corner where he had been sitting so silently, +and waddled heavily across the open space to where the shield lay in +front of the King. As he passed Mameena, she bent down over the dwarf +and began to whisper to him swiftly; but he placed his hands upon his +big head, covering up his ears, as I suppose, that he might not hear her +words. + +"What have I to do with this matter, O King?" he asked. + +"Much, it seems, O Opener-of-Roads," said Panda sternly, "seeing that +you were the doctor who smelt out Masapo, and that it was in your kraal +that yonder woman hid herself while her lover, the Prince, my son, who +is dead, went down to the battle, and that she was brought thence with +you. Tell us, now, the nature of this muti, and, being wise, as you are, +be careful to tell us truly, lest it should be said, O Zikali, that you +are not a Nyanga only, but an umtakati as well. For then," he added with +meaning, and choosing his words carefully, "perchance, O Zikali, I might +be tempted to make trial of whether or no it is true that you cannot +be killed like other men, especially as I have heard of late that your +heart is evil towards me and my House." + +For a moment Zikali hesitated--I think to give his quick brain time +to work, for he saw his great danger. Then he laughed in his dreadful +fashion and said: + +"Oho! the King thinks that the otter is in the trap," and he glanced +at the fence of the isi-gohlo and at the fierce executioners, who stood +watching him sternly. "Well, many times before has this otter seemed to +be in a trap, yes, ere your father saw light, O Son of Senzangakona, +and after it also. Yet here he stands living. Make no trial, O King, of +whether or no I be mortal, lest if Death should come to such a one as I, +he should take many others with him also. Have you not heard the saying +that when the Opener-of-Roads comes to the end of his road there will be +no more a King of the Zulus, as when he began his road there was no King +of the Zulus, since the days of his manhood are the days of _all_ the +Zulu kings?" + +Thus he spoke, glaring at Panda and at Cetewayo, who shrank before his +gaze. + +"Remember," he went on, "that the Black One who is 'gone down' long ago, +the Wild Beast who fathered the Zulu herd, threatened him whom he named +the 'Thing-that-should-not-have-been-born,' aye, and slew those whom he +loved, and afterwards was slain by others, who also are 'gone down,' +and that you alone, O Panda, did not threaten him, and that you alone, +O Panda, have not been slain. Now, if you would make trial of whether I +die as other men die, bid your dogs fall on, for Zikali is ready," and +he folded his arms and waited. + +Indeed, all of us waited breathlessly, for we understood that the +terrible dwarf was matching himself against Panda and Cetewayo and +defying them both. Presently it became obvious that he had won the game, +since Panda only said: + +"Why should I slay one whom I have befriended in the past, and why do +you speak such heavy words of death in my ears, O, Zikali the Wise, +which of late have heard so much of death?" He sighed, adding: "Be +pleased now, to tell us of this medicine, or, if you will not, go, and I +will send for other Nyangas." + +"Why should I not tell you, when you ask me softly and without threats, +O King? See"--and Zikali took up some of the twisted roots--"these are +the roots of a certain poisonous herb that blooms at night on the tops +of mountains, and woe be to the ox that eats thereof. They have been +boiled in gall and blood, and ill will befall the hut in which they are +hidden by one who can speak the words of power. This is the bone of a +babe that has never lived to cut its teeth--I think of a babe that was +left to die alone in the bush because it was hated, or because none +would father it. Such a bone has strength to work ill against other +babes; moreover, it is filled with a charmed medicine. Look!" and, +pulling out the plug of wood, he scattered some grey powder from the +bone, then stopped it up again. "This," he added, picking up the fang, +"is the tooth of a deadly serpent, that, after it has been doctored, is +used by women to change the heart of a man from another to herself. I +have spoken." + +And he turned to go. + +"Stay!" said the King. "Who set these foul charms in the doorway of +Saduko's hut?" + +"How can I tell, O King, unless I make preparation and cast the bones +and smell out the evil-doer? You have heard the story of the woman +Nahana. Accept it or reject it as your heart tells you." + +"If that story be true, O Zikali, how comes it that you yourself smelt +out, not Mameena, the wife of Masapo, but Masapo, her husband, himself, +and caused him to be slain because of the poisoning of the child of +Nandie?" + +"You err, O King. I, Zikali, smelt out the House of Masapo. Then I +smelt out the poison, searching for it first in the hair of Mameena, and +finding it in the kaross of Masapo. I never smelt out that it was Masapo +who gave the poison. That was the judgment of you and of your Council, +O King. Nay, I knew well that there was more in the matter, and had you +paid me another fee and bade me to continue to use my wisdom, without +doubt I should have found this magic stuff hidden in the hut, and mayhap +have learned the name of the hider. But I was weary, who am very old; +and what was it to me if you chose to kill Masapo or chose to let him +go? Masapo, who, being your secret enemy, was a man who deserved to +die--if not for this matter, then for others." + +Now, all this while I had been watching Mameena, who sat, in the Zulu +fashion, listening to this deadly evidence, a slight smile upon her +face, and without attempting any interruption or comment. Only I saw +that while Zikali was examining the medicine, her eyes were seeking +the eyes of Saduko, who remained in his place, also silent, and, to all +appearance, the least interested of anyone present. He tried to avoid +her glance, turning his head uneasily; but at length her eyes caught his +and held them. Then his heart began to beat quickly, his breast heaved, +and on his face there grew a look of dreamy content, even of happiness. +From that moment forward, till the end of the scene, Saduko never took +his eyes off this strange woman, though I think that, with the exception +of the dwarf, Zikali, who saw everything, and of myself, who am trained +to observation, none noted this curious by-play of the drama. + +The King began to speak. "Mameena," he said, "you have heard. Have +you aught to say? For if not it would seem that you are a witch and a +murderess, and one who must die." + +"Yea, a little word, O King," she answered quietly. "Nahana speaks +truth. It is true that I entered the hut of Nandie and set the medicine +there. I say it because by nature I am not one who hides the truth or +would attempt to throw discredit even upon a humble serving-woman," and +she glanced at Nahana. + +"Then from between your own teeth it is finished," said Panda. + +"Not altogether, O King. I have said that I set the medicine in the hut. +I have not said, and I will not say, how and why I set it there. That +tale I call upon Saduko yonder to tell to you, he who was my husband, +that I left for Umbelazi, and who, being a man, must therefore hate me. +By the words he says I will abide. If he declares that I am guilty, then +I am guilty, and prepared to pay the price of guilt. But if he declares +that I am innocent, then, O King and O Prince Cetewayo, without fear +I trust myself to your justness. Now speak, O Saduko; speak the whole +truth, whatever it may be, if that is the King's will." + +"It is my will," said Panda. + +"And mine also," added Cetewayo, who, I could see, like everyone else, +was much interested in this matter. + +Saduko rose to his feet, the same Saduko that I had always known, and +yet so changed. All the life and fire had gone from him; his pride +in himself was no more; none could have known him for that ambitious, +confident man who, in his day of power, the Zulus named the +"Self-Eater." He was a mere mask of the old Saduko, informed by some +new, some alien, spirit. With dull, lack-lustre eyes fixed always upon +the lovely eyes of Mameena, in slow and hesitating tones he began his +tale. + +"It is true, O Lion," he said, "that Mameena spread the poison upon my +child's mat. It is true that she set the deadly charms in the doorway of +Nandie's hut. These things she did, not knowing what she did, and it was +I who instructed her to do them. This is the case. From the beginning I +have always loved Mameena as I have loved no other woman and as no other +woman was ever loved. But while I was away with Macumazahn, who sits +yonder, to destroy Bangu, chief of the Amakoba, he who had killed my +father, Umbezi, the father of Mameena, he whom the Prince Cetewayo gave +to the vultures the other day because he had lied as to the death of +Umbelazi, he, I say, forced Mameena, against her will, to marry Masapo +the Boar, who afterwards was executed for wizardry. Now, here at your +feast, when you reviewed the people of the Zulus, O King, after you had +given me the lady Nandie as wife, Mameena and I met again and loved each +other more than we had ever done before. But, being an upright woman, +Mameena thrust me away from her, saying: + +"'I have a husband, who, if he is not dear to me, still is my husband, +and while he lives to him I will be true.' Then, O King, I took counsel +with the evil in my heart, and made a plot in myself to be rid of the +Boar, Masapo, so that when he was dead I might marry Mameena. This +was the plot that I made--that my son and Princess Nandie's should be +poisoned, and that Masapo should seem to poison him, so that he might be +killed as a wizard and I marry Mameena." + +Now, at this astounding statement, which was something beyond the +experience of the most cunning and cruel savage present there, a gasp of +astonishment went up from the audience; even old Zikali lifted his head +and stared. Nandie, too, shaken out of her usual calm, rose as though +to speak; then, looking first at Saduko and next at Mameena, sat herself +down again and waited. But Saduko went on again in the same cold, +measured voice: + +"I gave Mameena a powder which I had bought for two heifers from a great +doctor who lived beyond the Tugela, but who is now dead, which powder +I told her was desired by Nandie, my Inkosikazi, to destroy the little +beetles than ran about the hut, and directed her where she was to spread +it. Also, I gave her the bag of medicine, telling her to thrust it into +the doorway of the hut, that it might bring a blessing upon my House. +These things she did ignorantly to please me, not knowing that the +powder was poison, not knowing that the medicine was bewitched. So +my child died, as I wished it to die, and, indeed, I myself fell sick +because by accident I touched the powder. + +"Afterwards Masapo was smelt out as a wizard by old Zikali, I having +caused a bag of the poison to be sewn in his kaross in order to deceive +Zikali, and killed by your order, O King, and Mameena was given to me as +a wife, also by your order, O King, which was what I desired. Later on, +as I have told you, I wearied of her, and wishing to please the Prince +who has wandered away, I commanded her to yield herself to him, which +Mameena did out of her love for me and to advance my fortunes, she who +is blameless in all things." + +Saduko finished speaking and sat down again, as an automaton might do +when a wire is pulled, his lack-lustre eyes still fixed upon Mameena's +face. + +"You have heard, O King," said Mameena. "Now pass judgment, knowing +that, if it be your will, I am ready to die for Saduko's sake." + +But Panda sprang up in a rage. + +_"Take him away!"_ he said, pointing to Saduko. "Take away that dog who +is not fit to live, a dog who eats his own child that thereby he may +cause another to be slain unjustly and steal his wife." + +The executioners leapt forward, and, having something to say, for I +could bear this business no longer, I began to rise to my feet. Before I +gained them, however, Zikali was speaking. + +"O King," he said, "it seems that you have killed one man unjustly on +this matter, namely, Masapo. Would you do the same by another?" and he +pointed to Saduko. + +"What do you mean?" asked Panda angrily. "Have you not heard this +low fellow, whom I made great, giving him the rule over tribes and my +daughter in marriage, confess with his own lips that he murdered his +child, the child of my blood, in order that he might eat a fruit +which grew by the roadside for all men to nibble at?" and he glared at +Mameena. + +"Aye, Child of Senzangakona," answered Zikali, "I heard Saduko say this +with his own lips, but the voice that spoke from the lips was not the +voice of Saduko, as, were you a skilled Nyanga like me, you would +have known as well as I do, and as well as does the white man, +Watcher-by-Night, who is a reader of hearts. + +"Hearken now, O King, and you great ones around the King, and I will +tell you a story. Matiwane, the father of Saduko, was my friend, as he +was yours, O King, and when Bangu slew him and his people, by leave of +the Wild Beast [Chaka], I saved the child, his son, aye, and brought him +up in my own House, having learned to love him. Then, when he became a +man, I, the Opener-of-Roads, showed him two roads, down either of which +he might choose to walk--the Road of Wisdom and the Road of War and +Women: the white road that runs through peace to knowledge, and the red +road that runs through blood to death. + +"But already there stood one upon this red road who beckoned him, she +who sits yonder, and he followed after her, as I knew he would. From +the beginning she was false to him, taking a richer man for her husband. +Then, when Saduko grew great, she grew sorry, and came to ask my counsel +as to how she might be rid of Masapo, whom she swore she hated. I told +her that she could leave him for another man, or wait till her Spirit +moved him from her path; but I never put evil into her heart, seeing +that it was there already. + +"Then she and no other, having first made Saduko love her more than +ever, murdered the child of Nandie, his Inkosikazi; and so brought +about the death of Masapo and crept into Saduko's arms. Here +she slept a while, till a new shadow fell upon her, that of the +'Elephant-with-the-tuft-of-hair,' who will walk the woods no more. Him +she beguiled that she might grow great the quicker, and left the house +of Saduko, taking his heart with her, she who was destined to be the +doom of men. + +"Now, into Saduko's breast, where his heart had been, entered an evil +spirit of jealousy and of revenge, and in the battle of Endondakusuka +that spirit rode him as a white man rides a horse. As he had arranged +to do with the Prince Cetewayo yonder--nay, deny it not, O Prince, for I +know all; did you not make a bargain together, on the third night before +the battle, among the bushes, and start apart when the buck leapt out +between you?" (Here Cetewayo, who had been about to speak, threw the +corner of his kaross over his face.) "As he had arranged to do, I say, +he went over with his regiments from the Isigqosa to the Usutu, and so +brought about the fall of Umbelazi and the death of many thousands. Yes, +and this he did for one reason only--because yonder woman had left him +for the Prince, and he cared more for her than for all the world could +give him, for her who had filled him with madness as a bowl is filled +with milk. And now, O King, you have heard this man tell you a story, +you have heard him shout out that he is viler than any man in all the +land; that he murdered his own child, the child he loved so well, to win +this witch; that afterwards he gave her to his friend and lord to buy +more of his favour, and that lastly he deserted that lord because he +thought that there was another lord from whom he could buy more favour. +Is it not so, O King?" + +"It is so," answered Panda, "and therefore must Saduko be thrown out to +the jackals." + +"Wait a while, O King. I say that Saduko has spoken not with his own +voice, but with the voice of Mameena. I say that she is the greatest +witch in all the land, and that she has drugged him with the medicine +of her eyes, so that he knows not what he says, even as she drugged the +Prince who is dead." + +"Then prove it, or he dies!" exclaimed the King. + +Now the dwarf went to Panda and whispered in his ear, whereon Panda +whispered in turn into the ears of two of his councillors. These men, +who were unarmed, rose and made as though to leave the isi-gohlo. But +as they passed Mameena one of them suddenly threw his arms about her, +pinioning her arms, the other tearing off the kaross he wore--for the +weather was cold--flung it over her head and knotted it behind her so +that she was hidden except for her ankles and feet. Then, although she +did not move or struggle, they caught hold of her and stood still. + +Now Zikali hobbled to Saduko and bade him rise, which he did. Then he +looked at him for a long while and made certain movements with his hands +before his face, after which Saduko uttered a great sigh and stared +about him. + +"Saduko," said Zikali, "I pray you tell me, your foster-father, whether +it is true, as men say, that you sold your wife, Mameena, to the Prince +Umbelazi in order that his favour might fall on you like heavy rain?" + +"Wow! Zikali," said Saduko, with a start of rage, "If were you as others +are I would kill you, you toad, who dare to spit slander on my name. +She ran away with the Prince, having beguiled him with the magic of her +beauty." + +"Strike me not, Saduko," went on Zikali, "or at least wait to strike +until you have answered one more question. Is it true, as men say, that +in the battle of Endondakusuka you went over to the Usutu with your +regiments because you thought that Indhlovu-ene-Sihlonti would be +beaten, and wished to be on the side of him who won?" + +"What, Toad! More slander?" cried Saduko. "I went over for one reason +only--to be revenged upon the Prince because he had taken from me +her who was more to me than life or honour. Aye, and when I went over +Umbelazi was winning; it was because I went that he lost and died, as I +meant that he should die, though now," he added sadly, "I would that I +had not brought him to ruin and the dust, who think that, like myself, +he was but wet clay in a woman's fingers. + +"O King," he added, turning to Panda, "kill me, I pray you, who am not +worthy to live, since to him whose hand is red with the blood of his +friend, death alone is left, who, while he breathes, must share his +sleep with ghosts that watch him with their angry eyes." + +Then Nandie sprang up and said: + +"Nay, Father, listen not to him who is mad, and therefore holy.[*] +What he has done, he has done, who, as he has said, was but a tool in +another's hand. As for our babe, I know well that he would have died +sooner than harm it, for he loved it much, and when it was taken away, +for three whole days and nights he wept and would touch no food. Give +this poor man to me, my Father--to me, his wife, who loves him--and let +us go hence to some other land, where perchance we may forget." + + [*--The Zulus suppose that insane people are inspired. + --A.Q.] + +"Be silent, daughter," said the King; "and you, O Zikali, the Nyanga, be +silent also." + +They obeyed, and, after thinking awhile, Panda made a motion with his +hand, whereon the two councillors lifted the kaross from off Mameena, +who looked about her calmly and asked if she were taking part in some +child's game. + +"Aye, woman," answered Panda, "you are taking part in a great game, but +not, I think, such as is played by children--a game of life and death. +Now, have you heard the tale of Zikali the Little and Wise, and the +words of Saduko, who was once your husband, or must they be repeated to +you?" + +"There is no need, O King; my ears are too quick to be muffled by a fur +bag, and I would not waste your time." + +"Then what have you to say, woman?" + +"Not much," she answered with a shrug of her shoulders, "except that I +have lost in this game. You will not believe me, but if you had left me +alone I should have told you so, who did not wish to see that poor fool, +Saduko, killed for deeds he had never done. Still, the tale he told you +was not told because I had bewitched him; it was told for love of me, +whom he desired to save. It was Zikali yonder; Zikali, the enemy of your +House, who in the end will destroy your House, O Son of Senzangakona, +that bewitched him, as he has bewitched you all, and forced the truth +out of his unwilling heart. + +"Now, what more is there to say? Very little, as I think. I did the +things that are laid to my charge, and worse things which have not been +stated. Oh, I played for great stakes, I, who meant to be the Inkosazana +of the Zulus, and, as it chances, by the weight of a hair I have lost. +I thought that I had counted everything, but the hair's weight which +turned the balance against me was the mad jealousy of this fool, Saduko, +upon which I had not reckoned. I see now that when I left Saduko I +should have left him dead. Thrice I had thought of it. Once I mixed the +poison in his drink, and then he came in, weary with his plottings, and +kissed me ere he drank; and my woman's heart grew soft and I overset the +bowl that was at his lips. Do you not remember, Saduko? + +"So, so! For that folly alone I deserve to die, for she who would +reign"--and her beautiful eyes flashed royally--"must have a tiger's +heart, not that of a woman. Well, because I was too kind I must die; +and, after all is said, it is well to die, who go hence awaited by +thousands upon thousands that I have sent before me, and who shall be +greeted presently by your son, Indhlovu-ene-Sihlonti, and his warriors, +greeted as the Inkosazana of Death, with red, lifted spears and with the +royal salute! + +"Now, I have spoken. Walk your little road, O King and Prince and +Councillors, till you reach the gulf into which I sink, that yawns for +all of you. O King, when you meet me again at the bottom of that gulf, +what a tale you will have to tell me, you who are but the shadow of a +king, you whose heart henceforth must be eaten out by a worm that is +called _Love-of-the-Lost_. O Prince and Conqueror Cetewayo, what a tale +you will have to tell me when I greet you at the bottom of that gulf, +you who will bring your nation to a wreck and at last die as I must +die--only the servant of others and by the will of others. Nay, ask me +not how. Ask old Zikali, my master, who saw the beginning of your House +and will see its end. Oh, yes, as you say, I am a witch, and I know, I +know! Come, I am spent. You men weary me, as men have always done, being +but fools whom it is so easy to make drunk, and who when drunk are so +unpleasing. Piff! I am tired of you sober and cunning, and I am tired of +you drunken and brutal, you who, after all, are but beasts of the field +to whom Mvelingangi, the Creator, has given heads which can think, but +which always think wrong. + +"Now, King, before you unchain your dogs upon me, I ask one moment. +I said that I hated all men, yet, as you know, no woman can tell the +truth--quite. There is a man whom I do not hate, whom I never hated, +whom I think I love because he would not love me. He sits there," and to +my utter dismay, and the intense interest of that company, she pointed +at me, Allan Quatermain! + +"Well, once by my 'magic,' of which you have heard so much, I got the +better of this man against his will and judgment, and, because of that +soft heart of mine, I let him go; yes, I let the rare fish go when he +was on my hook. It is well that I should have let him go, since, had I +kept him, a fine story would have been spoiled and I should have become +nothing but a white hunter's servant, to be thrust away behind the door +when the white Inkosikazi came to eat his meat--I, Mameena, who never +loved to stand out of sight behind a door. Well, when he was at my feet +and I spared him, he made me a promise, a very small promise, which yet +I think he will keep now when we part for a little while. Macumazahn, +did you not promise to kiss me once more upon the lips whenever and +wherever I should ask you?" + +"I did," I answered in a hollow voice, for in truth her eyes held me as +they had held Saduko. + +"Then come now, Macumazahn, and give me that farewell kiss. The King +will permit it, and since I have now no husband, who take Death to +husband, there is none to say you nay." + +I rose. It seemed to me that I could not help myself. I went to her, +this woman surrounded by implacable enemies, this woman who had played +for great stakes and lost them, and who knew so well how to lose. I +stood before her, ashamed and yet not ashamed, for something of her +greatness, evil though it might be, drove out my shame, and I knew that +my foolishness was lost in a vast tragedy. + +Slowly she lifted her languid arm and threw it about my neck; slowly she +bent her red lips to mine and kissed me, once upon the mouth and once +upon the forehead. But between those two kisses she did a thing so +swiftly that my eyes could scarcely follow what she did. It seemed to +me that she brushed her left hand across her lips, and that I saw her +throat rise as though she swallowed something. Then she thrust me from +her, saying: + +"Farewell, O Macumazana, you will never forget this kiss of mine; and +when we meet again we shall have much to talk of, for between now and +then your story will be long. Farewell, Zikali. I pray that all your +plannings may succeed, since those you hate are those I hate, and I +bear you no grudge because you told the truth at last. Farewell, Prince +Cetewayo. You will never be the man your brother would have been, and +your lot is very evil, you who are doomed to pull down a House built +by One who was great. Farewell, Saduko the fool, who threw away your +fortune for a woman's eyes, as though the world were not full of women. +Nandie the Sweet and the Forgiving will nurse you well until your +haunted end. Oh! why does Umbelazi lean over your shoulder, Saduko, and +look at me so strangely? Farewell, Panda the Shadow. Now let loose your +slayers. Oh! let them loose swiftly, lest they should be balked of my +blood!" + +Panda lifted his hand and the executioners leapt forward, but ere +ever they reached her, Mameena shivered, threw wide her arms and fell +back--dead. The poisonous drug she had taken worked well and swiftly. + + +Such was the end of Mameena, Child of Storm. + + +A deep silence followed, a silence of awe and wonderment, till suddenly +it was broken by a sound of dreadful laughter. It came from the lips +of Zikali the Ancient, Zikali, the + +"Thing-that-should-never-have-been-born." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. MAMEENA--MAMEENA--MAMEENA! + + +That evening at sunset, just as I was about to trek, for the King had +given me leave to go, and at that time my greatest desire in life +seemed to be to bid good-bye to Zululand and the Zulus--I saw a strange, +beetle-like shape hobbling up the hill towards me, supported by two big +men. It was Zikali. + +He passed me without a word, merely making a motion that I was to follow +him, which I did out of curiosity, I suppose, for Heaven knows I had +seen enough of the old wizard to last me for a lifetime. He reached a +flat stone about a hundred yards above my camp, where there was no bush +in which anyone could hide, and sat himself down, pointing to another +stone in front of him, on which I sat myself down. Then the two men +retired out of earshot, and, indeed, of sight, leaving us quite alone. + +"So you are going away, O Macumazana?" he said. + +"Yes, I am," I answered with energy, "who, if I could have had my will, +would have gone away long ago." + +"Yes, yes, I know that; but it would have been a great pity, would it +not? If you had gone, Macumazahn, you would have missed seeing the end +of a strange little story, and you, who love to study the hearts of men +and women, would not have been so wise as you are to-day." + +"No, nor as sad, Zikali. Oh! the death of that woman!" And I put my hand +before my eyes. + +"Ah! I understand, Macumazahn; you were always fond of her, were you +not, although your white pride would not suffer you to admit that black +fingers were pulling at your heartstrings? She was a wonderful witch, +was Mameena; and there is this comfort for you--that she pulled at other +heartstrings as well. Masapo's, for instance; Saduko's, for instance; +Umbelazi's, for instance, none of whom got any luck from her +pulling--yes, and even at mine." + +Now, as I did not think it worth while to contradict his nonsense so far +as I was concerned personally, I went off on this latter point. + +"If you show affection as you did towards Mameena to-day, Zikali, I pray +my Spirit that you may cherish none for me," I said. + +He shook his great head pityingly as he answered: + +"Did you never love a lamb and kill it afterwards when you were hungry, +or when it grew into a ram and butted you, or when it drove away your +other sheep, so that they fell into the hands of thieves? Now, I am very +hungry for the fall of the House of Senzangakona, and the lamb, Mameena, +having grown big, nearly laid me on my back to-day within the reach of +the slayer's spear. Also, she was hunting my sheep, Saduko, into an evil +net whence he could never have escaped. So, somewhat against my will, I +was driven to tell the truth of that lamb and her tricks." + +"I daresay," I exclaimed; "but, at any rate, she is done with, so what +is the use of talking about her?" + +"Ah! Macumazahn, she is done with, or so you think, though that is a +strange saying for a white man who believes in much that we do not know; +but at least her work remains, and it has been a great work. Consider +now. Umbelazi and most of the princes, and thousands upon thousands +of the Zulus, whom I, the Dwande, hate, dead, dead! _Mameena's work_, +Macumazahn! Panda's hand grown strengthless with sorrow and his eyes +blind with tears. _Mameena's work_, Macumazahn! Cetewayo, king in all +but name; Cetewayo, who shall bring the House of Senzangakona to the +dust. _Mameena's work_, Macumazahn! Oh! a mighty work. Surely she has +lived a great and worthy life, and she died a great and worthy death! +And how well she did it! Had you eyes to see her take the poison which I +gave her--a good poison, was it not?--between her kisses, Macumazahn?" + +"I believe it was your work, and not hers," I blurted out, ignoring +his mocking questions. "You pulled the strings; you were the wind that +caused the grass to bend till the fire caught it and set the town in +flames--the town of your foes." + +"How clever you are, Macumazahn! If your wits grow so sharp, one day +they will cut your throat, as, indeed, they have nearly done several +times already. Yes, yes, I know how to pull strings till the trap falls, +and to blow grass until the flame catches it, and how to puff at that +flame until it burns the House of Kings. And yet this trap would have +fallen without me, only then it might have snared other rats; and this +grass would have caught fire if I had not blown, only then it might have +burnt another House. I did not make these forces, Macumazahn; I did but +guide them towards a great end, for which the White House [that is, the +English] should thank me one day." He brooded a while, then went on: +"But what need is there to talk to you of these matters, Macumazahn, +seeing that in a time to come you will have your share in them and see +them for yourself? After they are finished, then we will talk." + +"I do not wish to talk of them," I answered. "I have said so already. +But for what other purpose did you take the trouble to come here?" + +"Oh, to bid you farewell for a little while, Macumazahn. Also to tell +you that Panda, or rather Cetewayo, for now Panda is but his Voice, +since the Head must go where the Feet carry it, has spared Saduko at the +prayer of Nandie and banished him from the land, giving him his cattle +and any people who care to go with him to wherever he may choose to live +from henceforth. At least, Cetewayo says it was at Nandie's prayer, +and at mine and yours, but what he means is that, after all that has +happened, he thought it wise that Saduko should die of himself." + +"Do you mean that he should kill himself, Zikali?" + +"No, no; I mean that his own idhlozi, his Spirit, should be left to kill +him, which it will do in time. You see, Macumazahn, Saduko is now living +with a ghost, which he calls the ghost of Umbelazi, whom he betrayed." + +"Is that your way of saying he is mad, Zikali?" + +"Oh, yes, he lives with a ghost, or the ghost lives in him, or he is +mad--call it which you will. The mad have a way of living with ghosts, +and ghosts have a way of sharing their food with the mad. Now you +understand everything, do you not?" + +"Of course," I answered; "it is as plain as the sun." + +"Oh! did I not say you were clever, Macumazahn, you who know where +madness ends and ghosts begin, and why they are just the same thing? +Well, the sun is no longer plain. Look, it has sunk; and you would be on +your road who wish to be far from Nodwengu before morning. You will pass +the plain of Endondakusuka, will you not, and cross the Tugela by the +drift? Have a look round, Macumazahn, and see if you can recognise any +old friends. Umbezi, the knave and traitor, for instance; or some of the +princes. If so, I should like to send them a message. What! You cannot +wait? Well, then, here is a little present for you, some of my own work. +Open it when it is light again, Macumazahn; it may serve to remind you +of the strange little tale of Mameena with the Heart of Fire. I wonder +where she is now? Sometimes, sometimes--" And he rolled his great eyes +about him and sniffed at the air like a hound. "Farewell till we meet +again. Farewell, Macumazahn. Oh! if you had only run away with Mameena, +how different things might have been to-day!" + +I jumped up and fled from that terrible old dwarf, whom I verily +believe-- No; where is the good of my saying what I believe? I fled from +him, leaving him seated on the stone in the shadows, and as I fled, out +of the darkness behind me there arose the sound of his loud and eerie +laughter. + +Next morning I opened the packet which he had given me, after wondering +once or twice whether I should not thrust it down an ant-bear hole as it +was. But this, somehow, I could not find the heart to do, though now I +wish I had. Inside, cut from the black core of the umzimbiti wood, with +just a little of the white sap left on it to mark the eyes, teeth and +nails, was a likeness of Mameena. Of course, it was rudely executed, but +it was--or rather is, for I have it still--a wonderfully good portrait +of her, for whether Zikali was or was not a wizard, he was certainly +a good artist. There she stands, her body a little bent, her arms +outstretched, her head held forward with the lips parted, just as though +she were about to embrace somebody, and in one of her hands, cut also +from the white sap of the umzimbiti, she grasps a human heart--Saduko's, +I presume, or perhaps Umbelazi's. + +Nor was this all, for the figure was wrapped in a woman's hair, which I +knew at once for that of Mameena, this hair being held in place by the +necklet of big blue beads she used to wear about her throat. + + * * * * * + +Some five years had gone by, during which many things had happened to me +that need not be recorded here, when one day I found myself in a rather +remote part of the Umvoti district of Natal, some miles to the east of a +mountain called the Eland's Kopje, whither I had gone to carry out a +big deal in mealies, over which, by the way, I lost a good bit of money. +That has always been my fate when I plunged into commercial ventures. + +One night my wagons, which were overloaded with these confounded +weevilly mealies, got stuck in the drift of a small tributary of the +Tugela that most inopportunely had come down in flood. Just as darkness +fell I managed to get them up the bank in the midst of a pelting rain +that soaked me to the bone. There seemed to be no prospect of lighting +a fire or of obtaining any decent food, so I was about to go to bed +supperless when a flash of lightning showed me a large kraal situated +upon a hillside about half a mile away, and an idea entered my mind. + +"Who is the headman of that kraal?" I asked of one of the Kafirs who had +collected round us in our trouble, as such idle fellows always do. + +"Tshoza, Inkoosi," answered the man. + +"Tshoza! Tshoza!" I said, for the name seemed familiar to me. "Who is +Tshoza?" + +"Ikona [I don't know], Inkoosi. He came from Zululand some years ago +with Saduko the Mad." + +Then, of course, I remembered at once, and my mind flew back to the +night when old Tshoza, the brother of Matiwane, Saduko's father, had cut +out the cattle of the Bangu and we had fought the battle in the pass. + +"Oh!" I said, "is it so? Then lead me to Tshoza, and I will give you +a 'Scotchman.'" (That is, a two-shilling piece, so called because some +enterprising emigrant from Scotland passed off a vast number of them +among the simple natives of Natal as substitutes for half-crowns.) + +Tempted by this liberal offer--and it was very liberal, because I was +anxious to get to Tshoza's kraal before its inhabitants went to bed--the +meditative Kafir consented to guide me by a dark and devious path that +ran through bush and dripping fields of corn. At length we arrived--for +if the kraal was only half a mile away, the path to it covered fully two +miles--and glad enough was I when we had waded the last stream and found +ourselves at its gate. + +In response to the usual inquiries, conducted amid a chorus of yapping +dogs, I was informed that Tshoza did not live there, but somewhere else; +that he was too old to see anyone; that he had gone to sleep and could +not be disturbed; that he was dead and had been buried last week, and so +forth. + +"Look here, my friend," I said at last to the fellow who was telling me +all these lies, "you go to Tshoza in his grave and say to him that if he +does not come out alive instantly, Macumazahn will deal with his cattle +as once he dealt with those of Bangu." + +Impressed with the strangeness of this message, the man departed, and +presently, in the dim light of the rain-washed moon, I perceived a +little old man running towards me; for Tshoza, who was pretty ancient +at the beginning of this history, had not been made younger by a severe +wound at the battle of the Tugela and many other troubles. + +"Macumazahn," he said, "is that really you? Why, I heard that you +were dead long ago; yes, and sacrificed an ox for the welfare of your +Spirit." + +"And ate it afterwards, I'll be bound," I answered. + +"Oh! it must be you," he went on, "who cannot be deceived, for it is +true we ate that ox, combining the sacrifice to your Spirit with a +feast; for why should anything be wasted when one is poor? Yes, yes, +it must be you, for who else would come creeping about a man's kraal at +night, except the Watcher-by-Night? Enter, Macumazahn, and be welcome." + +So I entered and ate a good meal while we talked over old times. + +"And now, where is Saduko?" I asked suddenly as I lit my pipe. + +"Saduko?" he answered, his face changing as he spoke. "Oh! of course he +is here. You know I came away with him from Zululand. Why? Well, to +tell the truth, because after the part we had played--against my will, +Macumazahn--at the battle of Endondakusuka, I thought it safer to be +away from a country where those who have worn their karosses inside out +find many enemies and few friends." + +"Quite so," I said. "But about Saduko?" + +"Oh, I told you, did I not? He is in the next hut, and dying!" + +"Dying! What of, Tshoza?" + +"I don't know," he answered mysteriously; "but I think he must be +bewitched. For a long while, a year or more, he has eaten little and +cannot bear to be alone in the dark; indeed, ever since he left Zululand +he has been very strange and moody." + +Now I remembered what old Zikali had said to me years before to the +effect that Saduko was living with a ghost which would kill him. + +"Does he think much about Umbelazi, Tshoza?" I asked. + +"O Macumazana, he thinks of nothing else; the Spirit of Umbelazi is in +him day and night." + +"Indeed," I said. "Can I see him?" + +"I don't know, Macumazahn. I will go and ask the lady Nandie at once, +for, if you can, I believe there is no time to lose." And he left the +hut. + +Ten minutes later he returned with a woman, Nandie the Sweet herself, +the same quiet, dignified Nandie whom I used to know, only now somewhat +worn with trouble and looking older than her years. + +"Greeting, Macumazahn," she said. "I am pleased to see you, although it +is strange, very strange, that you should come here just at this time. +Saduko is leaving us--on a long journey, Macumazahn." + +I answered that I had heard so with grief, and wondered whether he would +like to see me. + +"Yes, very much, Macumazahn; only be prepared to find him different from +the Saduko whom you knew. Be pleased to follow me." + +So we went out of Tshoza's hut, across a courtyard to another large hut, +which we entered. It was lit with a good lamp of European make; also a +bright fire burned upon the hearth, so that the place was as light as +day. At the side of the hut a man lay upon some blankets, watched by a +woman. His eyes were covered with his hand, and he was moaning: + +"Drive him away! Drive him away! Cannot he suffer me to die in peace?" + +"Would you drive away your old friend, Macumazahn, Saduko?" asked Nandie +very gently, "Macumazahn, who has come from far to see you?" + +He sat up, and, the blankets falling off him, showed me that he was +nothing but a living skeleton. Oh! how changed from that lithe and +handsome chief whom I used to know. Moreover, his lips quivered and his +eyes were full of terrors. + +"Is it really you, Macumazahn?" he said in a weak voice. "Come, then, +and stand quite close to me, so that he may not get between us," and he +stretched out his bony hand. + +I took the hand; it was icy cold. + +"Yes, yes, it is I, Saduko," I said in a cheerful voice; "and there is +no man to get between us; only the lady Nandie, your wife, and myself +are in the hut; she who watched you has gone." + +"Oh, no, Macumazahn, there is another in the hut whom you cannot see. +There he stands," and he pointed towards the hearth. "Look! The spear is +through him and his plume lies on the ground!" + +"Through whom, Saduko?" + +"Whom? Why, the Prince Umbelazi, whom I betrayed for Mameena's sake." + +"Why do you talk wind, Saduko?" I asked. "Years ago I saw +Indhlovu-ene-Sihlonti die." + +"Die, Macumazahn! We do not die; it is only our flesh that dies. Yes, +yes, I have learned that since we parted. Do you not remember his last +words: 'I will haunt you while you live, and when you cease to live, ah! +then we shall meet again'? Oh! from that hour to this he _has_ haunted +me, Macumazahn--he and the others; and now, now we are about to meet as +he promised." + +Then once more he hid his eyes and groaned. + +"He is mad," I whispered to Nandie. + +"Perhaps. Who knows?" she answered, shaking her head. + +Saduko uncovered his eyes. + +"Make 'the-thing-that-burns' brighter," he gasped, "for I do not +perceive him so clearly when it is bright. Oh! Macumazahn, he is looking +at you and whispering. To whom is he whispering? I see! to Mameena, +who also looks at you and smiles. They are talking. Be silent. I must +listen." + +Now, I began to wish that I were out of that hut, for really a little +of this uncanny business went a long way. Indeed, I suggested going, but +Nandie would not allow it. + +"Stay with me till the end," she muttered. So I had to stay, wondering +what Saduko heard Umbelazi whispering to Mameena, and on which side of +me he saw her standing. + +He began to wander in his mind. + +"That was a clever pit you dug for Bangu, Macumazahn; but you would not +take your share of the cattle, so the blood of the Amakoba is not +on your head. Ah! what a fight was that which the Amawombe made at +Endondakusuka. You were with them, you remember, Macumazahn; and why was +I not at your side? Oh! then we would have swept away the Usutu as the +wind sweeps ashes. Why was I not at your side to share the glory? I +remember now--because of the Daughter of Storm. She betrayed me for +Umbelazi, and I betrayed Umbelazi for her; and now he haunts me, whose +greatness I brought to the dust; and the Usutu wolf, Cetewayo, curls +himself up in his form and grows fat on his food. And--and, Macumazahn, +it has all been done in vain, for Mameena hates me. Yes, I can read it +in her eyes. She mocks and hates me worse in death than she did in +life, and she says that--that it was not all her fault--because she +loves--because she loves--" + +A look of bewilderment came upon his face--his poor, tormented +face; then suddenly Saduko threw his arms wide, and sobbed in an +ever-weakening voice: + +"All--all done in vain! Oh! _Mameena, Ma--mee--na, Ma--meena!_" and fell +back dead. + + +"Saduko has gone away," said Nandie, as she drew a blanket over his +face. "But I wonder," she added with a little hysterical smile, "oh! +how I wonder who it was the Spirit of Mameena told him that she +loved--Mameena, who was born without a heart?" + + +I made no answer, for at that moment I heard a very curious sound, which +seemed to me to proceed from somewhere above the hut. Of what did it +remind me? Ah! I knew. It was like the sound of the dreadful laughter +of Zikali, Opener-of-Roads--Zikali, the + +"Thing-that-should-never-have-been-born." + +Doubtless, however, it was only the cry of some storm-driven night bird. +Or perhaps it was an hyena that laughed--an hyena that scented death. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Child of Storm, by H. Rider Haggard + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHILD OF STORM *** + +***** This file should be named 1711.txt or 1711.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/7/1/1711/ + +Produced by Christopher Hapka + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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In the +interest of readability, where italics are used to indicate +non-English words, I have silently omitted them or replaced them +with quotation marks. + +Haggard's spelling, especially of Zulu terms, is wildly inconsistent; +likewise his capitalization, especially of Zulu terms. For example, +Masapo is the chief of the Amansomi until chapter IX; thereafter his +tribe is consistently referred to as the "Amasomi". In general, I +have retained Haggard's spellings. + +Some diacriticals in the text could not be represented in 7-bit +ASCII text and have been approximated here. To restore all +formatting, do the following throughout the text: + +Replace the pound symbol "#" with the English pound + currency symbol +Place a circumflex accent over the first "e" and + an acute accent over the second "e" in "melee" +Place an acute accent over the first "e" in "ancetres" +Place an umlaut over the "o" in "aas-vogel" +Place an acute accent over the first "e" in "bayete" + + + + + +CHILD OF STORM + +by H. RIDER HAGGARD + + + + +DEDICATION + + +Dear Mr. Stuart, + +For twenty years, I believe I am right in saying, you, as Assistant +Secretary for Native Affairs in Natal, and in other offices, have been +intimately acquainted with the Zulu people. Moreover, you are one of +the few living men who have made a deep and scientific study of their +language, their customs and their history. So I confess that I was the +more pleased after you were so good as to read this tale--the second +book of the epic of the vengeance of Zikali, "the +Thing-that-should-never-have-been-born," and of the fall of the House of +Senzangakona*--when you wrote to me that it was animated by the true +Zulu spirit. + +[*--"Marie" was the first. The third and final act in the drama is yet +to come.]. + +I must admit that my acquaintance with this people dates from a period +which closed almost before your day. What I know of them I gathered at +the time when Cetewayo, of whom my volume tells, was in his glory, +previous to the evil hour in which he found himself driven by the +clamour of his regiments, cut off, as they were, through the annexation +of the Transvaal, from their hereditary trade of war, to match himself +against the British strength. I learned it all by personal observation +in the 'seventies, or from the lips of the great Shepstone, my chief and +friend, and from my colleagues Osborn, Fynney, Clarke and others, every +one of them long since "gone down." + +Perhaps it may be as well that this is so, at any rate in the case of +one who desires to write of the Zulus as a reigning nation, which now +they have ceased to be, and to try to show them as they were, in all +their superstitious madness and bloodstained grandeur. + +Yet then they had virtues as well as vices. To serve their Country in +arms, to die for it and for the King; such was their primitive ideal. +If they were fierce they were loyal, and feared neither wounds nor doom; +if they listened to the dark redes of the witch-doctor, the trumpet-call +of duty sounded still louder in their ears; if, chanting their terrible +"Ingoma," at the King's bidding they went forth to slay unsparingly, at +least they were not mean or vulgar. From those who continually must +face the last great issues of life or death meanness and vulgarity are +far removed. These qualities belong to the safe and crowded haunts of +civilised men, not to the kraals of Bantu savages, where, at any rate of +old, they might be sought in vain. + +Now everything is changed, or so I hear, and doubtless in the balance +this is best. Still we may wonder what are the thoughts that pass +through the mind of some ancient warrior of Chaka's or Dingaan's time, +as he suns himself crouched on the ground, for example, where once stood +the royal kraal, Duguza, and watches men and women of the Zulu blood +passing homeward from the cities or the mines, bemused, some of them, +with the white man's smuggled liquor, grotesque with the white man's +cast-off garments, hiding, perhaps, in their blankets examples of the +white man's doubtful photographs--and then shuts his sunken eyes and +remembers the plumed and kilted regiments making that same ground shake +as, with a thunder of salute, line upon line, company upon company, they +rushed out to battle. + +Well, because the latter does not attract me, it is of this former time +that I have tried to write--the time of the Impis and the witch-finders +and the rival princes of the royal House--as I am glad to learn from +you, not quite in vain. Therefore, since you, so great an expert, +approve of my labours in the seldom-travelled field of Zulu story, I ask +you to allow me to set your name upon this page and subscribe myself, + +Gratefully and sincerely yours, + + +H. RIDER HAGGARD. + + +Ditchingham, 12th October, 1912. + + +To James Stuart, Esq., +Late Assistant Secretary for Native Affairs, Natal. + + + +AUTHOR'S NOTE + +Mr. Allan Quatermain's story of the wicked and fascinating Mameena, a +kind of Zulu Helen, has, it should be stated, a broad foundation in +historical fact. Leaving Mameena and her wiles on one side, the tale of +the struggle between the Princes Cetewayo and Umbelazi for succession to +the throne of Zululand is true. + +When the differences between these sons of his became intolerable, +because of the tumult which they were causing in his country, King +Panda, their father, the son of Senzangakona, and the brother of the +great Chaka and of Dingaan, who had ruled before him, did say that "when +two young bulls quarrel they had better fight it out." So, at least, I +was told by the late Mr. F. B. Fynney, my colleague at the time of the +annexation of the Transvaal in 1877, who, as Zulu Border Agent, with the +exceptions of the late Sir Theophilus Shepstone and the late Sir Melmoth +Osborn, perhaps knew more of that land and people than anyone else of +his period. + +As a result of this hint given by a maddened king, the great battle of +the Tugela was fought at Endondakusuka in December, 1856, between the +Usutu party, commanded by Cetewayo, and the adherents of Umbelazi the +Handsome, his brother, who was known among the Zulus as +"Indhlovu-ene-Sihlonti," or the "Elephant with the tuft of hair," from a +little lock of hair which grew low down upon his back. + +My friend, Sir Melmoth Osborn, who died in or about the year 1897, was +present at this battle, although not as a combatant. Well do I remember +his thrilling story, told to me over thirty years ago, of the events of +that awful day. + +Early in the morning, or during the previous night, I forget which, he +swam his horse across the Tugela and hid with it in a bush-clad kopje, +blindfolding the animal with his coat lest it should betray him. As it +chanced, the great fight of the day, that of the regiment of veterans, +which Sir Melmoth informed me Panda had sent down at the last moment to +the assistance of Umbelazi, his favourite son, took place almost at the +foot of this kopje. Mr. Quatermain, in his narrative, calls this +regiment the Amawombe, but my recollection is that the name Sir Melmoth +Osborn gave them was "The Greys" or "Upunga." + +Whatever their exact title may have been, however, they made a great +stand. At least, he told me that when Umbelazi's impi, or army, began +to give before the Usutu onslaught, these "Greys" moved forward above +3,000 strong, drawn up in a triple line, and were charged by one of +Cetewayo's regiments. + +The opposing forces met, and the noise of their clashing shields, said +Sir Melmoth, was like the roll of heavy thunder. Then, while he +watched, the veteran "Greys" passed over the opposing regiment "as a +wave passes over a rock"--these were his exact words--and, leaving about +a third of their number dead or wounded among the bodies of the +annihilated foe, charged on to meet a second regiment sent against them +by Cetewayo. With these the struggle was repeated, but again the +"Greys" conquered. Only now there were not more than five or six +hundred of them left upon their feet. + +These survivors ran to a mound, round which they formed a ring, and here +for a long while withstood the attack of a third regiment, until at +length they perished almost to a man, buried beneath heaps of their +slain assailants, the Usutu. + +Truly they made a noble end fighting thus against tremendous odds! + +As for the number who fell at this battle of Endondakusuka, Mr. Fynney, +in a pamphlet which he wrote, says that six of Umbelazi's brothers died, +"whilst it is estimated that upwards of 100,000 of the people--men, +women and children--were slain"--a high and indeed an impossible +estimate. + +That curious personage named John Dunn, an Englishman who became a Zulu +chief, and who actually fought in this battle, as narrated by Mr. +Quatermain, however, puts the number much lower. What the true total +was will never be known; but Sir Melmoth Osborn told me that when he +swam his horse back across the Tugela that night it was black with +bodies; and Sir Theophilus Shepstone also told me that when he visited +the scene a day or two later the banks of the river were strewn with +multitudes of them, male and female. + +It was from Mr. Fynney that I heard the story of the execution by +Cetewayo of the man who appeared before him with the ornaments of +Umbelazi, announcing that he had killed the prince with his own hand. +Of course, this tale, as Mr. Quatermain points out, bears a striking +resemblance to that recorded in the Old Testament in connection with the +death of King Saul. + +It by no means follows, however, that it is therefore apocryphal; +indeed, Mr. Fynney assured me that it was quite true, although, if he +gave me his authorities, I cannot remember them after a lapse of more +than thirty years. + +The exact circumstances of Umbelazi's death are unknown, but the general +report was that he died, not by the assegais of the Usutu, but of a +broken heart. Another story declares that he was drowned. His body was +never found, and it is therefore probable that it sank in the Tugela, as +is suggested in the following pages. + +I have only to add that it is quite in accordance with Zulu beliefs that +a man should be haunted by the ghost of one whom he has murdered or +betrayed, or, to be more accurate, that the spirit ("umoya") should +enter into the slayer and drive him mad. Or, in such a case, that +spirit might bring misfortune upon him, his family, or his tribe. + +H. RIDER HAGGARD. + + + + +CONTENTS + +I. ALLAN QUATERMAIN HEARS OF MAMEENA +II. THE MOONSHINE OF ZIKALI +III. THE BUFFALO WITH THE CLEFT HORN +IV. MAMEENA +V. TWO BUCKS AND THE DOE +VI. THE AMBUSH +VII. SADUKO BRINGS THE MARRIAGE GIFT +VIII. THE KING'S DAUGHTER +IX. ALLAN RETURNS TO ZULULAND +X. THE SMELLING-OUT +XI. THE SIN OF UMBELAZI +XII. PANDA'S PRAYER +XIII. UMBELAZI THE FALLEN +XIV. UMBEZI AND THE BLOOD-ROYAL +XV. MAMEENA CLAIMS THE KISS +XVI. MAMEENA--MAMEENA--MAMEENA! + + + + +CHAPTER I + + + +ALLAN QUATERMAIN HEARS OF MAMEENA + + +We white people think that we know everything. For instance, we think +that we understand human nature. And so we do, as human nature appears +to us, with all its trappings and accessories seen dimly through the +glass of our conventions, leaving out those aspects of it which we have +forgotten or do not think it polite to mention. But I, Allan +Quatermain, reflecting upon these matters in my ignorant and uneducated +fashion, have always held that no one really understands human nature +who has not studied it in the rough. Well, that is the aspect of it +with which I have been best acquainted. + +For most of the years of my life I have handled the raw material, the +virgin ore, not the finished ornament that is smelted out of it--if, +indeed, it is finished yet, which I greatly doubt. I dare say that a +time may come when the perfected generations--if Civilisation, as we +understand it, really has a future and any such should be allowed to +enjoy their hour on the World--will look back to us as crude, +half-developed creatures whose only merit was that we handed on the +flame of life. + +Maybe, maybe, for everything goes by comparison; and at one end of the +ladder is the ape-man, and at the other, as we hope, the angel. No, not +the angel; he belongs to a different sphere, but that last expression of +humanity upon which I will not speculate. While man is man--that is, +before he suffers the magical death-change into spirit, if such should +be his destiny--well, he will remain man. I mean that the same passions +will sway him; he will aim at the same ambitions; he will know the same +joys and be oppressed by the same fears, whether he lives in a Kafir hut +or in a golden palace; whether he walks upon his two feet or, as for +aught I know he may do one day, flies through the air. This is certain: +that in the flesh he can never escape from our atmosphere, and while he +breathes it, in the main with some variations prescribed by climate, +local law and religion, he will do much as his forefathers did for +countless ages. + +That is why I have always found the savage so interesting, for in him, +nakedly and forcibly expressed, we see those eternal principles which +direct our human destiny. + +To descend from these generalities, that is why also I, who hate +writing, have thought it worth while, at the cost of some labour to +myself, to occupy my leisure in what to me is a strange land--for +although I was born in England, it is not my country--in setting down +various experiences of my life that do, in my opinion, interpret this +our universal nature. I dare say that no one will ever read them; +still, perhaps they are worthy of record, and who knows? In days to +come they may fall into the hands of others and prove of value. At any +rate, they are true stories of interesting peoples, who, if they should +survive in the savage competition of the nations, probably are doomed to +undergo great changes. Therefore I tell of them before they began to +change. + +Now, although I take it out of its strict chronological order, the first +of these histories that I wish to preserve is in the main that of an +extremely beautiful woman--with the exception of a certain Nada, called +"the Lily," of whom I hope to speak some day, I think the most beautiful +that ever lived among the Zulus. Also she was, I think, the most able, +the most wicked, and the most ambitious. Her attractive name--for it +was very attractive as the Zulus said it, especially those of them who +were in love with her--was Mameena, daughter of Umbezi. Her other name +was Child of Storm (Ingane-ye-Sipepo, or, more freely and shortly, +O-we-Zulu), but the word "Ma-mee-na" had its origin in the sound of the +wind that wailed about the hut when she was born.* + +[*--The Zulu word "Meena"--or more correctly "Mina"--means "Come here," +and would therefore be a name not unsuitable to one of the heroine's +proclivities; but Mr. Quatermain does not seem to accept this +interpretation.--EDITOR.] + +Since I have been settled in England I have read--of course in a +translation--the story of Helen of Troy, as told by the Greek poet, +Homer. Well, Mameena reminds me very much of Helen, or, rather, Helen +reminds me of Mameena. At any rate, there was this in common between +them, although one of them was black, or, rather, copper-coloured, and +the other white--they both were lovely; moreover, they both were +faithless, and brought men by hundreds to their deaths. There, perhaps, +the resemblance ends, since Mameena had much more fire and grit than +Helen could boast, who, unless Homer misrepresents her, must have been +but a poor thing after all. Beauty Itself, which those old rascals of +Greek gods made use of to bait their snares set for the lives and honour +of men, such was Helen, no more; that is, as I understand her, who have +not had the advantage of a classical education. Now, Mameena, although +she was superstitious--a common weakness of great minds--acknowledging +no gods in particular, as we understand them, set her own snares, with +varying success but a very definite object, namely, that of becoming the +first woman in the world as she knew it--the stormy, bloodstained world +of the Zulus. + +But the reader shall judge for himself, if ever such a person should +chance to cast his eye upon this history. + + +It was in the year 1854 that I first met Mameena, and my acquaintance +with her continued off and on until 1856, when it came to an end in a +fashion that shall be told after the fearful battle of the Tugela in +which Umbelazi, Panda's son and Cetewayo's brother--who, to his sorrow, +had also met Mameena--lost his life. I was still a youngish man in +those days, although I had already buried my second wife, as I have told +elsewhere, after our brief but happy time of marriage. + +Leaving my boy in charge of some kind people in Durban, I started into +"the Zulu"--a land with which I had already become well acquainted as a +youth, there to carry on my wild life of trading and hunting. + +For the trading I never cared much, as may be guessed from the little +that ever I made out of it, the art of traffic being in truth repugnant +to me. But hunting was always the breath of my nostrils--not that I am +fond of killing creatures, for any humane man soon wearies of slaughter. +No, it is the excitement of sport, which, before breechloaders came in, +was acute enough, I can assure you; the lonely existence in wild places, +often with only the sun and the stars for companions; the continual +adventures; the strange tribes with whom I came in contact; in short, +the change, the danger, the hope always of finding something great and +new, that attracted and still attracts me, even now when I _have_ found +the great and the new. There, I must not go on writing like this, or I +shall throw down my pen and book a passage for Africa, and incidentally +to the next world, no doubt--that world of the great and new! + + +It was, I think, in the month of May in the year 1854 that I went +hunting in rough country between the White and Black Umvolosi Rivers, by +permission of Panda--whom the Boers had made king of Zululand after the +defeat and death of Dingaan his brother. The district was very +feverish, and for this reason I had entered it in the winter months. +There was so much bush that, in the total absence of roads, I thought it +wise not to attempt to bring my wagons down, and as no horses would live +in that veld I went on foot. My principal companions were a Kafir of +mixed origin, called Sikauli, commonly abbreviated into Scowl, the Zulu +chief Saduko, and a headman of the Undwandwe blood named Umbezi, at +whose kraal on the high land about thirty miles away I left my wagon and +certain of my men in charge of the goods and some ivory that I had +traded. + +This Umbezi was a stout and genial-mannered man of about sixty years of +age, and, what is rare among these people, one who loved sport for its +own sake. Being aware of his tastes, also that he knew the country and +was skilled in finding game, I had promised him a gun if he would +accompany me and bring a few hunters. It was a particularly bad gun +that had seen much service, and one which had an unpleasing habit of +going off at half-cock; but even after he had seen it, and I in my +honesty had explained its weaknesses, he jumped at the offer. + +"O Macumazana" (that is my native name, often abbreviated into +Macumazahn, which means "One who stands out," or as many interpret it, I +don't know how, "Watcher-by-Night")--"a gun that goes off sometimes when +you do not expect it is much better than no gun at all, and you are a +chief with a great heart to promise it to me, for when I own the White +Man's weapon I shall be looked up to and feared by everyone between the +two rivers." + +Now, while he was speaking he handled the gun, that was loaded, +observing which I moved behind him. Off it went in due course, its +recoil knocking him backwards--for that gun was a devil to kick--and its +bullet cutting the top off the ear of one of his wives. The lady fled +screaming, leaving a little bit of her ear upon the ground. + +"What does it matter?" said Umbezi, as he picked himself up, rubbing his +shoulder with a rueful look. "Would that the evil spirit in the gun had +cut off her tongue and not her ear! It is the Worn-out-Old-Cow's own +fault; she is always peeping into everything like a monkey. Now she +will have something to chatter about and leave my things alone for +awhile. I thank my ancestral Spirit it was not Mameena, for then her +looks would have been spoiled." + +"Who is Mameena?" I asked. "Your last wife?" + +"No, no, Macumazahn; I wish she were, for then I should have the most +beautiful wife in the land. She is my daughter, though not that of the +Worn-out-Old-Cow; her mother died when she was born, on the night of the +Great Storm. You should ask Saduko there who Mameena is," he added with +a broad grin, lifting his head from the gun, which he was examining +gingerly, as though he thought it might go off again while unloaded, and +nodding towards someone who stood behind him. + +I turned, and for the first time saw Saduko, whom I recognised at once +as a person quite out of the ordinary run of natives. + +He was a tall and magnificently formed young man, who, although his +breast was scarred with assegai wounds, showing that he was a warrior, +had not yet attained to the honour of the "ring" of polished wax laid +over strips of rush bound round with sinew and sewn to the hair, the +"isicoco" which at a certain age or dignity, determined by the king, +Zulus are allowed to assume. But his face struck me more even than his +grace, strength and stature. Undoubtedly it was a very fine face, with +little or nothing of the negroid type about it; indeed, he might have +been a rather dark-coloured Arab, to which stock he probably threw back. +The eyes, too, were large and rather melancholy, and in his reserved, +dignified air there was something that showed him to be no common +fellow, but one of breeding and intellect. + +"Siyakubona" (that is, "we see you," anglice "good morrow") "Saduko," I +said, eyeing him curiously. "Tell me, who is Mameena?" + +"Inkoosi," he answered in his deep voice, lifting his delicately shaped +hand in salutation, a courtesy that pleased me who, after all, was +nothing but a white hunter, "Inkoosi, has not her father said that she +is his daughter?" + +"Aye," answered the jolly old Umbezi, "but what her father has not said +is that Saduko is her lover, or, rather, would like to be. Wow! +Saduko," he went on, shaking his fat finger at him, "are you mad, man, +that you think a girl like that is for you? Give me a hundred cattle, +not one less, and I will begin to think of it. Why, you have not ten, +and Mameena is my eldest daughter, and must marry a rich man." + +"She loves me, O Umbezi," answered Saduko, looking down, "and that is +more than cattle." + +"For you, perhaps, Saduko, but not for me who am poor and want cows. +Also," he added, glancing at him shrewdly, "are you so sure that Mameena +loves you though you be such a fine man? Now, I should have thought +that whatever her eyes may say, her heart loves no one but herself, and +that in the end she will follow her heart and not her eyes. Mameena the +beautiful does not seek to be a poor man's wife and do all the hoeing. +But bring me the hundred cattle and we will see, for, speaking truth +from my heart, if you were a big chief there is no one I should like +better as a son-in-law, unless it were Macumazahn here," he said, +digging me in the ribs with his elbow, "who would lift up my House on +his white back." + +Now, at this speech Saduko shifted his feet uneasily; it seemed to me as +though he felt there was truth in Umbezi's estimate of his daughter's +character. But he only said: + +"Cattle can be acquired." + +"Or stolen," suggested Umbezi. + +"Or taken in war," corrected Saduko. "When I have a hundred head I will +hold you to your word, O father of Mameena." + +"And then what would you live on, fool, if you gave all your beasts to +me? There, there, cease talking wind. Before you have a hundred head +of cattle Mameena will have six children who will not call _you_ father. +Ah, don't you like that? Are you going away?" + +"Yes, I am going," he answered, with a flash of his quiet eyes; "only +then let the man whom they do call father beware of Saduko." + +"Beware of how you talk, young man," said Umbezi in a grave voice. +"Would you travel your father's road? I hope not, for I like you well; +but such words are apt to be remembered." + +Saduko walked away as though he did not hear. + +"Who is he?" I asked. + +"One of high blood," answered Umbezi shortly. "He might be a chief +to-day had not his father been a plotter and a wizard. Dingaan smelt +him out"--and he made a sideways motion with his hand that among the +Zulus means much. "Yes, they were killed, almost every one; the chief, +his wives, his children and his headmen--every one except Chosa his +brother and his son Saduko, whom Zikali the dwarf, the +Smeller-out-of-evil-doers, the Ancient, who was old before Senzangakona +became a father of kings, hid him. There, that is an evil tale to talk +of," and he shivered. "Come, White Man, and doctor that old Cow of +mine, or she will give me no peace for months." + +So I went to see the Worn-out-Old-Cow--not because I had any particular +interest in her, for, to tell the truth, she was a very disagreeable and +antique person, the cast-off wife of some chief whom at an unknown date +in the past the astute Umbezi had married from motives of policy--but +because I hoped to hear more of Miss Mameena, in whom I had become +interested. + +Entering a large hut, I found the lady so impolitely named "the Old Cow" +in a parlous state. There she lay upon the floor, an unpleasant object +because of the blood that had escaped from her wound, surrounded by a +crowd of other women and of children. At regular intervals she +announced that she was dying, and emitted a fearful yell, whereupon all +the audience yelled also; in short, the place was a perfect pandemonium. + +Telling Umbezi to get the hut cleared, I said that I would go to fetch +my medicines. Meanwhile I ordered my servant, Scowl, a humorous-looking +fellow, light yellow in hue, for he had a strong dash of Hottentot in +his composition, to cleanse the wound. When I returned from the wagon +ten minutes later the screams were more terrible than before, although +the chorus now stood without the hut. Nor was this altogether +wonderful, for on entering the place I found Scowl trimming up "the Old +Cow's" ear with a pair of blunt nail-scissors. + +"O Macumazana," said Umbezi in a hoarse whisper, "might it not perhaps +be as well to leave her alone? If she bled to death, at any rate she +would be quieter." + +"Are you a man or a hyena?" I answered sternly, and set about the job, +Scowl holding the poor woman's head between his knees. + +It was over at length; a simple operation in which I exhibited--I +believe that is the medical term--a strong solution of caustic applied +with a feather. + +"There, Mother," I said, for now we were alone in the hut, whence Scowl +had fled, badly bitten in the calf, "you won't die now." + +"No, you vile White Man," she sobbed. "I shan't die, but how about my +beauty?" + +"It will be greater than ever," I answered; "no one else will have an +ear with such a curve in it. But, talking of beauty, where is Mameena?" + +"I don't know where she is," she replied with fury, "but I very well +know where she would be if I had my way. That peeled willow-wand of a +girl"--here she added certain descriptive epithets I will not +repeat--"has brought this misfortune upon me. We had a slight quarrel +yesterday, White Man, and, being a witch as she is, she prophesied evil. +Yes, when by accident I scratched her ear, she said that before long +mine should burn, and surely burn it does." (This, no doubt, was true, +for the caustic had begun to bite.) + +"O devil of a White Man," she went on, "you have bewitched me; you have +filled my head with fire." + +Then she seized an earthenware pot and hurled it at me, saying, "Take +that for your doctor-fee. Go, crawl after Mameena like the others and +get her to doctor you." + +By this time I was half through the bee-hole of the hut, my movements +being hastened by a vessel of hot water which landed on me behind. + +"What is the matter, Macumazahn?" asked old Umbezi, who was waiting +outside. + +"Nothing at all, friend," I answered with a sweet smile, "except that +your wife wants to see you at once. She is in pain, and wishes you to +soothe her. Go in; do not hesitate." + +After a moment's pause he went in--that is, half of him went in. Then +came a fearful crash, and he emerged again with the rim of a pot about +his neck and his countenance veiled in a coating of what I took to be +honey. + +"Where is Mameena?" I asked him as he sat up spluttering. + +"Where I wish I was," he answered in a thick voice; "at a kraal five +hours' journey away." + +Well, that was the first I heard of Mameena. + +That night as I sat smoking my pipe under the flap lean-to attached to +the wagon, laughing to myself over the adventure of "the Old Cow," +falsely described as "worn out," and wondering whether Umbezi had got +the honey out of his hair, the canvas was lifted, and a Kafir wrapped in +a kaross crept in and squatted before me. + +"Who are you?" I asked, for it was too dark to see the man's face. + +"Inkoosi," answered a deep voice, "I am Saduko." + +"You are welcome," I answered, handing him a little gourd of snuff in +token of hospitality. Then I waited while he poured some of the snuff +into the palm of his hand and took it in the usual fashion. + +"Inkoosi," he said, when he had scraped away the tears produced by the +snuff, "I have come to ask you a favour. You heard Umbezi say to-day +that he will not give me his daughter, Mameena, unless I give him a +hundred head of cows. Now, I have not got the cattle, and I cannot earn +them by work in many years. Therefore I must take them from a certain +tribe I know which is at war with the Zulus. But this I cannot do +unless I have a gun. If I had a good gun, Inkoosi--one that only goes +off when it is asked, and not of its own fancy, I who have some name +could persuade a number of men whom I know, who once were servants of my +father, or their sons, to be my companions in this venture." + +"Do I understand that you wish me to give you one of my good guns with +two mouths to it (i.e. double-barrelled), a gun worth at least twelve +oxen, for nothing, O Saduko?" I asked in a cold and scandalised voice. + +"Not so, O Watcher-by-Night," he answered; "not so, O +He-who-sleeps-with-one-eye-open" (another free and difficult rendering +of my native name, Macumazahn, or more correctly, Macumazana)--"I should +never dream of offering such an insult to your high-born intelligence." +He paused and took another pinch of snuff, then went on in a meditative +voice: "Where I propose to get those hundred cattle there are many more; +I am told not less than a thousand head in all. Now, Inkoosi," he +added, looking at me sideways, "suppose you gave me the gun I ask for, +and suppose you accompanied me with your own gun and your armed hunters, +it would be fair that you should have half the cattle, would it not?" + +"That's cool," I said. "So, young man, you want to turn me into a +cow-thief and get my throat cut by Panda for breaking the peace of his +country?" + +"Neither, Macumazahn, for these are my own cattle. Listen, now, and I +will tell you a story. You have heard of Matiwane, the chief of the +Amangwane?" + +"Yes," I answered. "His tribe lived near the head of the Umzinyati, did +they not? Then they were beaten by the Boers or the English, and +Matiwane came under the Zulus. But afterwards Dingaan wiped him out, +with his House, and now his people are killed or scattered." + +"Yes, his people are killed and scattered, but his House still lives. +Macumazahn, I am his House, I, the only son of his chief wife, for +Zikali the Wise Little One, the Ancient, who is of the Amangwane blood, +and who hated Chaka and Dingaan--yes, and Senzangakona their father +before them, but whom none of them could kill because he is so great and +has such mighty spirits for his servants, saved and sheltered me." + +"If he is so great, why, then, did he not save your father also, +Saduko?" I asked, as though I knew nothing of this Zikali. + +"I cannot say, Macumazahn. Perhaps the spirits plant a tree for +themselves, and to do so cut down many other trees. At least, so it +happened. It happened thus: Bangu, chief of the Amakoba, whispered into +Dingaan's ear that Matiwane, my father, was a wizard; also that he was +very rich. Dingaan listened because he thought a sickness that he had +came from Matiwane's witchcraft. He said: 'Go, Bangu, and take a +company with you and pay Matiwane a visit of honour, and in the night, O +in the night! Afterwards, Bangu, we will divide the cattle, for +Matiwane is strong and clever, and you shall not risk your life for +nothing.'" + +Saduko paused and looked down at the ground, brooding heavily. + +"Macumazahn, it was done," he said presently. "They ate my father's +meat, they drank his beer; they gave him a present from the king, they +praised him with high names; yes, Bangu took snuff with him and called +him brother. Then in the night, O in the night--! + +"My father was in the hut with my mother, and I, so big only"--and he +held his hand at the height of a boy of ten--"was with them. The cry +arose, the flames began to eat; my father looked out and saw. 'Break +through the fence and away, woman,' he said; 'away with Saduko, that he +may live to avenge me. Begone while I hold the gate! Begone to Zikali, +for whose witchcrafts I pay with my blood.' + +"Then he kissed me on the brow, saying but one word, 'Remember,' and +thrust us from the hut. + +"My mother broke a way through the fence; yes, she tore at it with her +nails and teeth like a hyena. I looked back out of the shadow of the +hut and saw Matiwane my father fighting like a buffalo. Men went down +before him, one, two, three, although he had no shield: only his spear. +Then Bangu crept behind him and stabbed him in the back and he threw up +his arms and fell. I saw no more, for by now we were through the fence. +We ran, but they perceived us. They hunted us as wild dogs hunt a +buck. They killed my mother with a throwing assegai; it entered at her +back and came out at her heart. I went mad, I drew it from her body, I +ran at them. I dived beneath the shield of the first, a very tall man, +and held the spear, so, in both my little hands. His weight came upon +its point and it went through him as though he were but a bowl of +buttermilk. Yes, he rolled over, quite dead, and the handle of the +spear broke upon the ground. Now the others stopped astonished, for +never had they seen such a thing. That a child should kill a tall +warrior, oh! that tale had not been told. Some of them would have let +me go, but just then Bangu came up and saw the dead man, who was his +brother. + +"'Wow!' he said when he knew how the man had died. 'This lion's cub is +a wizard also, for how else could he have killed a soldier who has known +war? Hold out his arms that I may finish him slowly.' + +"So two of them held out my arms, and Bangu came up with his spear." + +Saduko ceased speaking, not that his tale was done, but because his +voice choked in his throat. Indeed, seldom have I seen a man so moved. +He breathed in great gasps, the sweat poured from him, and his muscles +worked convulsively. I gave him a pannikin of water and he drank, then +he went on: + +"Already the spear had begun to prick--look, here is the mark of +it"--and opening his kaross he pointed to a little white line just below +the breast-bone--"when a strange shadow thrown by the fire of the +burning huts came between Bangu and me, a shadow as that of a toad +standing on its hind legs. I looked round and saw that it was the +shadow of Zikali, whom I had seen once or twice. There he stood, though +whence he came I know not, wagging his great white head that sits on the +top of his body like a pumpkin on an ant-heap, rolling his big eyes and +laughing loudly. + +"'A merry sight,' he cried in his deep voice that sounded like water in +a hollow cave. 'A merry sight, O Bangu, Chief of the Amakoba! Blood, +blood, plenty of blood! Fire, fire, plenty of fire! Wizards dead here, +there, and everywhere! Oh, a merry sight! I have seen many such; one +at the kraal of your grandmother, for instance--your grandmother the +great Inkosikazi, when myself I escaped with my life because I was so +old; but never do I remember a merrier than that which this moon shines +on,' and he pointed to the White Lady who just then broke through the +clouds. 'But, great Chief Bangu, lord loved by the son of Senzangakona, +brother of the Black One (Chaka) who has ridden hence on the assegai, +what is the meaning of _this_ play?' and he pointed to me and to the two +soldiers who held out my little arms. + +"'I kill the wizard's cub, Zikali, that is all,' answered Bangu. + +"'I see, I see,' laughed Zikali. 'A gallant deed! You have butchered +the father and the mother, and now you would butcher the child who has +slain one of your grown warriors in fair fight. A very gallant deed, +well worthy of the chief of the Amakoba! Well, loose his spirit--only--' +He stopped and took a pinch of snuff from a box which he drew from a +slit in the lobe of his great ear. + +"'Only what?' asked Bangu, hesitating. + +"'Only I wonder, Bangu, what you will think of the world in which you +will find yourself before to-morrow's moon arises. Come back thence and +tell me, Bangu, for there are so many worlds beyond the sun, and I would +learn for certain which of them such a one as you inhabits: a man who +for hatred and for gain murders the father and the mother and then +butchers the child--the child that could slay a warrior who has seen +war--with the spear hot from his mother's heart.' + +"'Do you mean that I shall die if I kill this lad?' shouted Bangu in a +great voice. + +"'What else?' answered Zikali, taking another pinch of snuff. + +"'This, Wizard; that we will go together.' + +"'Good, good!' laughed the dwarf. 'Let us go together. Long have I +wished to die, and what better companion could I find than Bangu, Chief +of the Amakoba, Slayer of Children, to guard me on a dark and terrible +road. Come, brave Bangu, come; kill me if you can,' and again he +laughed at him. + +"Now, Macumazahn, the people of Bangu fell back muttering, for they +found this business horrible. Yes, even those who held my arms let go +of them. + +"'What will happen to me, Wizard, if I spare the boy?' asked Bangu. + +"Zikali stretched out his hand and touched the scratch that the assegai +had made in me here. Then he held up his finger red with my blood, and +looked at it in the light of the moon; yes, and tasted it with his +tongue. + +"'I think this will happen to you, Bangu,' he said. 'If you spare this +boy he will grow into a man who will kill you and many others one day. +But if you do not spare him I think that his spirit, working as spirits +can do, will kill you to-morrow. Therefore the question is, will you +live a while or will you die at once, taking me with you as your +companion? For you must not leave me behind, brother Bangu.' + +"Now Bangu turned and walked away, stepping over the body of my mother, +and all his people walked away after him, so that presently Zikali the +Wise and Little and I were left alone. + +"'What! have they gone?' said Zikali, lifting up his eyes from the +ground. 'Then we had better be going also, Son of Matiwane, lest he +should change his mind and come back. Live on, Son of Matiwane, that +you may avenge Matiwane.'" + +"A nice tale," I said. "But what happened afterwards?" + +"Zikali took me away and nurtured me at his kraal in the Black Kloof, +where he lived alone save for his servants, for in that kraal he would +suffer no woman to set foot, Macumazahn. He taught me much wisdom and +many secret things, and would have made a great doctor of me had I so +willed. But I willed it not who find spirits ill company, and there are +many of them about the Black Kloof, Macumazahn. So in the end he said: +'Go where your heart calls, and be a warrior, Saduko. But know this: +You have opened a door that can never be shut again, and across the +threshold of that door spirits will pass in and out for all your life, +whether you seek them or seek them not.' + +"'It was you who opened the door, Zikali,' I answered angrily. + +"'Mayhap,' said Zikali, laughing after his fashion, 'for I open when I +must and shut when I must. Indeed, in my youth, before the Zulus were a +people, they named me Opener of Doors; and now, looking through one of +those doors, I see something about you, O Son of Matiwane.' + +"'What do you see, my father?' I asked. + +"'I see two roads, Saduko: the Road of Medicine, that is the spirit +road, and the Road of Spears, that is the blood road. I see you +travelling on the Road of Medicine, that is my own road, Saduko, and +growing wise and great, till at last, far, far away, you vanish over the +precipice to which it leads, full of years and honour and wealth, feared +yet beloved by all men, white and black. Only that road you must travel +alone, since such wisdom may have no friends, and, above all, no woman +to share its secrets. Then I look at the Road of Spears and see you, +Saduko, travelling on that road, and your feet are red with blood, and +women wind their arms about your neck, and one by one your enemies go +down before you. You love much, and sin much for the sake of the love, +and she for whom you sin comes and goes and comes again. And the road +is short, Saduko, and near the end of it are many spirits; and though +you shut your eyes you see them, and though you fill your ears with clay +you hear them, for they are the ghosts of your slain. But the end of +your journeying I see not. Now choose which road you will, Son of +Matiwane, and choose swiftly, for I speak no more of this matter.' + +"Then, Macumazahn, I thought a while of the safe and lonely path of +wisdom, also of the blood-red path of spears where I should find love +and war, and my youth rose up in me and--I chose the path of spears and +the love and the sin and the unknown death." + +"A foolish choice, Saduko, supposing that there is any truth in this +tale of roads, which there is not." + +"Nay, a wise one, Macumazahn, for since then I have seen Mameena and +know why I chose that path." + +"Ah!" I said. "Mameena--I forgot her. Well, after all, perhaps there +is some truth in your tale of roads. When _I_ have seen Mameena I will +tell you what I think." + +"When you have seen Mameena, Macumazahn, you will say that the choice +was very wise. Well, Zikali, Opener of Doors, laughed loudly when he +heard it. 'The ox seeks the fat pasture, but the young bull the rough +mountainside where the heifers graze,' he said; 'and after all, a bull +is better than an ox. Now begin to travel your own road, Son of +Matiwane, and from time to time return to the Black Kloof and tell me +how it fares with you. I will promise you not to die before I know the +end of it.' + +"Now, Macumazahn, I have told you things that hitherto have lived in my +own heart only. And, Macumazahn, Bangu is in ill favour with Panda, +whom he defies in his mountain, and I have a promise--never mind +how--that he who kills him will be called to no account and may keep his +cattle. Will you come with me and share those cattle, O +Watcher-by-Night?" + +"Get thee behind me, Satan," I said in English, then added in Zulu: "I +don't know. If your story is true I should have no objection to helping +to kill Bangu; but I must learn lots more about this business first. +Meanwhile I am going on a shooting trip to-morrow with Umbezi the Fat, +and I like you, O Chooser of the Road of Spears and Blood. Will you be +my companion and earn the gun with two mouths in payment?" + +"Inkoosi," he said, lifting his hand in salute with a flash of his dark +eyes, "you are generous, you honour me. What is there that I should +love better? Yet," he added, and his face fell, "first I must ask +Zikali the Little, Zikali my foster-father." + +"Oh!" I said, "so you are still tied to the Wizard's girdle, are you?" + +"Not so, Macumazahn; but I promised him not long ago that I would +undertake no enterprise, save that you know of, until I had spoken with +him." + +"How far off does Zikali live?" I asked Saduko. + +"One day's journeying. Starting at sunrise I can be there by sunset." + +"Good! Then I will put off the shooting for three days and come with +you if you think that this wonderful old dwarf will receive me." + +"I believe that he will, Macumazahn, for this reason--he told me that I +should meet you and love you, and that you would be mixed up in my +fortunes." + +"Then he poured moonshine into your gourd instead of beer," I answered. +"Would you keep me here till midnight listening to such foolishness when +we must start at dawn? Begone now and let me sleep." + +"I go," he answered with a little smile. "But if this is so, O +Macumazana, why do you also wish to drink of the moonshine of Zikali?" +and he went. + +Yet I did not sleep very well that night, for Saduko and his strange and +terrible story had taken a hold of my imagination. Also, for reasons of +my own, I greatly wished to see this Zikali, of whom I had heard a great +deal in past years. I wished further to find out if he was a common +humbug, like so many witch-doctors, this dwarf who announced that my +fortunes were mixed up with those of his foster-son, and who at least +could tell me something true or false about the history and position of +Bangu, a person for whom I had conceived a strong dislike, possibly +quite unjustified by the facts. But more than all did I wish to see +Mameena, whose beauty or talents produced so much impression upon the +native mind. Perhaps if I went to see Zikali she would be back at her +father's kraal before we started on our shooting trip. + +Thus it was then that fate wove me and my doings into the web of some +very strange events; terrible, tragic and complete indeed as those of a +Greek play, as it has often done both before and since those days. + + + +CHAPTER II + + + + +THE MOONSHINE OF ZIKALI + + + + + +On the following morning I awoke, as a good hunter always should do, +just at that time when, on looking out of the wagon, nothing can be seen +but a little grey glint of light which he knows is reflected from the +horns of the cattle tied to the trek-tow. Presently, however, I saw +another glint of light which I guessed came from the spear of Saduko, +who was seated by the ashes of the cooking fire wrapped in his kaross of +wildcat skins. Slipping from the voorkisse, or driving-box, I came +behind him softly and touched him on the shoulder. He leapt up with a +start which revealed his nervous nature, then recognising me through the +soft grey gloom, said: + +"You are early, Macumazahn." + +"Of course," I answered; "am I not named Watcher-by-Night? Now let us +go to Umbezi and tell him that I shall be ready to start on our hunting +trip on the third morning from to-day." + +So we went, to find that Umbezi was in a hut with his last wife and +asleep. Fortunately enough, however, as under the circumstances I did +not wish to disturb him, outside the hut we found the Old Cow, whose +sore ear had kept her very wide awake, who, for purposes of her own, +although etiquette did not allow her to enter the hut, was waiting for +her husband to emerge. + +Having examined her wound and rubbed some ointment on it, with her I +left my message. Next I woke up my servant Scowl, and told him that I +was going on a short journey, and that he must guard all things until my +return; and while I did so, took a nip of raw rum and made ready a bag +of biltong, that is sun-dried flesh, and biscuits. + +Then, taking with me a single-barrelled gun, that same little Purdey +rifle with which I shot the vultures on the Hill of Slaughter at +Dingaan's Kraal,* we started on foot, for I would not risk my only horse +on such a journey. + +[*--For the story of this shooting of the vultures by Allan Quatermain, +see the book called "Marie."--EDITOR.] + +A rough journey it proved to be indeed, over a series of bush-clad hills +that at their crests were covered with rugged stones among which no +horse could have travelled. Up and down these hills we went, and across +the valleys that divided them, following some path which I could not +see, for all that live-long day. I have always been held a good walker, +being by nature very light and active; but I am bound to say that my +companion taxed my powers to the utmost, for on he marched for hour +after hour, striding ahead of me at such a rate that at times I was +forced to break into a run to keep up with him. Although my pride would +not suffer me to complain, since as a matter of principle I would never +admit to a Kafir that he was my master at anything, glad enough was I +when, towards evening, Saduko sat himself down on a stone at the top of +a hill and said: + +"Behold the Black Kloof, Macumazahn," which were almost the first words +he had uttered since we started. + +Truly the spot was well named, for there, cut out by water from the +heart of a mountain in some primeval age, lay one of the most gloomy +places that ever I had beheld. It was a vast cleft in which granite +boulders were piled up fantastically, perched one upon another in great +columns, and upon its sides grew dark trees set sparsely among the +rocks. It faced towards the west, but the light of the sinking sun that +flowed up it served only to accentuate its vast loneliness, for it was a +big cleft, the best part of a mile wide at its mouth. + +Up this dreary gorge we marched, mocked at by chattering baboons and +following a little path not a foot wide that led us at length to a large +hut and several smaller ones set within a reed fence and overhung by a +gigantic mass of rock that looked as though it might fall at any moment. +At the gate of the fence two natives of I know not what tribe, men of +fierce and forbidding appearance, suddenly sprang out and thrust their +spears towards my breast. + +"Whom bring you here, Saduko?" asked one of them sternly. + +"A white man that I vouch for," he answered. "Tell Zikali that we wait +on him." + +"What need to tell Zikali that which he knows already?" said the sentry. +"Your food and that of your companion is already cooked in yonder hut. +Enter, Saduko, with him for whom you vouch." + +So we went into the hut and ate, also I washed myself, for it was a +beautifully clean hut, and the stools, wooden bowls, etc., were finely +carved out of red ivory wood, this work, Saduko informed me, being done +by Zikali's own hand. Just as we were finishing our meal a messenger +came to tell us that Zikali waited our presence. We followed him across +an open space to a kind of door in the tall reed fence, passing which I +set eyes for the first time upon the famous old witch-doctor of whom so +many tales were told. + +Certainly he was a curious sight in those strange surroundings, for they +were very strange, and I think their complete simplicity added to the +effect. In front of us was a kind of courtyard with a black floor made +of polished ant-heap earth and cow-dung, two-thirds of which at least +was practically roofed in by the huge over-hanging mass of rock whereof +I have spoken, its arch bending above at a height of not less than sixty +or seventy feet from the ground. Into this great, precipice-backed +cavity poured the fierce light of the setting sun, turning it and all +within it, even the large straw hut in the background, to the deep hue +of blood. Seeing the wonderful effect of the sunset in that dark and +forbidding place, it occurred to me at once that the old wizard must +have chosen this moment to receive us because of its impressiveness. + +Then I forgot these scenic accessories in the sight of the man himself. +There he sat on a stool in front of his hut, quite unattended, and +wearing only a cloak of leopard skins open in front, for he was +unadorned with the usual hideous trappings of a witch-doctor, such as +snake-skins, human bones, bladders full of unholy compounds, and so +forth. + +What a man he was, if indeed he could be called quite human. His +stature, though stout, was only that of a child; his head was enormous, +and from it plaited white hair fell down on to his shoulders. His eyes +were deep and sunken, his face was broad and very stern. Except for +this snow-white hair, however, he did not look ancient, for his flesh +was firm and plump, and the skin on his cheeks and neck unwrinkled, +which suggested to me that the story of his great antiquity was false. +A man who was over a hundred years old, for instance, surely could not +boast such a beautiful set of teeth, for even at that distance I could +see them gleaming. On the other hand, evidently middle age was far +behind him; indeed, from his appearance it was quite impossible to guess +even approximately the number of his years. There he sat, red in the +red light, perfectly still, and staring without a blink of his eyes at +the furious ball of the setting sun, as an eagle is said to be able to +do. + +Saduko advanced, and I walked after him. My stature is not great, and I +have never considered myself an imposing person, but somehow I do not +think that I ever felt more insignificant than on this occasion. The +tall and splendid native beside, or rather behind whom I walked, the +gloomy magnificence of the place, the blood-red light in which it was +bathed, and the solemn, solitary, little figure with wisdom stamped upon +its face before me, all tended to induce humility in a man not naturally +vain. I felt myself growing smaller and smaller, both in a moral and a +physical sense; I wished that my curiosity had not prompted me to seek +an interview with yonder uncanny being. + +Well, it was too late to retreat; indeed, Saduko was already standing +before the dwarf and lifting his right arm above his head as he gave him +the salute of "Makosi!"* whereon, feeling that something was expected of +me, I took off my shabby cloth hat and bowed, then, remembering my white +man's pride, replaced it on my head. + +[*--"Makosi", the plural of "Inkoosi", is the salute given to Zulu +wizards, because they are not one but many, since in them (as in the +possessed demoniac in the Bible) dwell an unnumbered horde of +spirits.--EDITOR.] + +The wizard suddenly seemed to become aware of our presence, for, ceasing +his contemplation of the sinking sun, he scanned us both with his slow, +thoughtful eyes, which somehow reminded me of those of a chameleon, +although they were not prominent, but, as I have said, sunken. + +"Greeting, son Saduko!" he said in a deep, rumbling voice. "Why are you +back here so soon, and why do you bring this flea of a white man with +you?" + +Now this was more than I could bear, so without waiting for my +companion's answer I broke in: + +"You give me a poor name, O Zikali. What would you think of me if I +called you a beetle of a wizard?" + +"I should think you clever," he answered after reflection, "for after +all I must look something like a beetle with a white head. But why +should you mind being compared to a flea? A flea works by night and so +do you, Macumazahn; a flea is active and so are you; a flea is very hard +to catch and kill and so are you; and lastly a flea drinks its fill of +that which it desires, the blood of man and beast, and so you have done, +do, and will, Macumazahn," and he broke into a great laugh that rolled +and echoed about the rocky roof above. + +Once, long years before, I had heard that laugh, when I was a prisoner +in Dingaan's kraal, after the massacre of Retief and his company, and I +recognised it again. + +While I was searching for some answer in the same vein, and not finding +it, though I thought of plenty afterwards, ceasing of a sudden from his +unseemly mirth, he went on: + +"Do not let us waste time in jests, for it is a precious thing, and +there is but little of it left for any one of us. Your business, son +Saduko?" + +"Baba!" (that is the Zulu for father), said Saduko, "this white Inkoosi, +for, as you know well enough, he is a chief by nature, a man of a great +heart and doubtless of high blood [this, I believe, is true, for I have +been told that my ancestors were more or less distinguished, although, +if this is so, their talents did not lie in the direction of +money-making], has offered to take me upon a shooting expedition and to +give me a good gun with two mouths in payment of my services. But I +told him I could not engage in any fresh venture without your leave, +and--he is come to see whether you will grant it, my father." + +"Indeed," answered the dwarf, nodding his great head. "This clever +white man has taken the trouble of a long walk in the sun to come here +to ask me whether he may be allowed the privilege of presenting you with +a weapon of great value in return for a service that any man of your +years in Zululand would love to give for nothing in such company? + +"Son Saduko, because my eye-holes are hollow, do you think it your part +to try to fill them up with dust? Nay, the white man has come because +he desires to see him who is named Opener-of-Roads, of whom he heard a +great deal when he was but a lad, and to judge whether in truth he has +wisdom, or is but a common cheat. And you have come to learn whether or +no your friendship with him will be fortunate; whether or no he will aid +you in a certain enterprise that you have in your mind." + +"True, O Zikali," I said. "That is so far as I am concerned." + +But Saduko answered nothing. + +"Well," went on the dwarf, "since I am in the mood I will try to answer +both your questions, for I should be a poor Nyanga" [that is doctor] "if +I did not when you have travelled so far to ask them. Moreover, O +Macumazana, be happy, for I seek no fee who, having made such fortune as +I need long ago, before your father was born across the Black Water, +Macumazahn, no longer work for a reward--unless it be from the hand of +one of the House of Senzangakona--and therefore, as you may guess, work +but seldom." + +Then he clapped his hands, and a servant appeared from somewhere behind +the hut, one of those fierce-looking men who had stopped us at the gate. +He saluted the dwarf and stood before him in silence and with bowed +head. + +"Make two fires," said Zikali, "and give me my medicine." + +The man fetched wood, which he built into two little piles in front of +Zikali. These piles he fired with a brand brought from behind the hut. +Then he handed his master a catskin bag. + +"Withdraw," said Zikali, "and return no more till I summon you, for I am +about to prophesy. If, however, I should seem to die, bury me to-morrow +in the place you know of and give this white man a safe-conduct from my +kraal." + +The man saluted again and went without a word. + +When he had gone the dwarf drew from the bag a bundle of twisted roots, +also some pebbles, from which he selected two, one white and the other +black. + +"Into this stone," he said, holding up the white pebble so that the +light from the fire shone on it--since, save for the lingering red glow, +it was now growing dark--"into this stone I am about to draw your +spirit, O Macumazana; and into this one"--and he held up the black +pebble--"yours, O Son of Matiwane. Why do you look frightened, O brave +White Man, who keep saying in your heart, 'He is nothing but an ugly old +Kafir cheat'? If I am a cheat, why do you look frightened? Is your +spirit already in your throat, and does it choke you, as this little +stone might do if you tried to swallow it?" and he burst into one of his +great, uncanny laughs. + +I tried to protest that I was not in the least frightened, but failed, +for, in fact, I suppose my nerves were acted on by his suggestion, and I +did feel exactly as though that stone were in my throat, only coming +upwards, not going downwards. "Hysteria," thought I to myself, "the +result of being overtired," and as I could not speak, sat still as +though I treated his gibes with silent contempt. + +"Now," went on the dwarf, "perhaps I shall seem to die; and if so do not +touch me lest you should really die. Wait till I wake up again and tell +you what your spirits have told me. Or if I do not wake up--for a time +must come when I shall go on sleeping--well--for as long as I have +lived--after the fires are quite out, not before, lay your hands upon my +breast; and if you find me turning cold, get you gone to some other +Nyanga as fast as the spirits of this place will let you, O ye who would +peep into the future." + +As he spoke he threw a big handful of the roots that I have mentioned on +to each of the fires, whereon tall flames leapt up from them, very +unholy-looking flames which were followed by columns of dense, white +smoke that emitted a most powerful and choking odour quite unlike +anything that I had ever smelt before. It seemed to penetrate all +through me, and that accursed stone in my throat grew as large as an +apple and felt as though someone were poking it upwards with a stick. + +Next he threw the white pebble into the right-hand fire, that which was +opposite to me, saying: + +"Enter, Macumazahn, and look," and the black pebble he threw into the +left-hand fire saying: "Enter, Son of Matiwane, and look. Then come +back both of you and make report to me, your master." + +Now it is a fact that as he said these words I experienced a sensation +as though a stone had come out of my throat; so readily do our nerves +deceive us that I even thought it grated against my teeth as I opened my +mouth to give it passage. At any rate the choking was gone, only now I +felt as though I were quite empty and floating on air, as though I were +not I, in short, but a mere shell of a thing, all of which doubtless was +caused by the stench of those burning roots. Still I could look and +take note, for I distinctly saw Zikali thrust his huge head, first into +the smoke of what I will call my fire, next into that of Saduko's fire, +and then lean back, blowing the stuff in clouds from his mouth and +nostrils. Afterwards I saw him roll over on to his side and lie quite +still with his arms outstretched; indeed, I noticed that one of his +fingers seemed to be in the left-hand fire and reflected that it would +be burnt off. In this, however, I must have been mistaken, since I +observed subsequently that it was not even scorched. + +Thus Zikali lay for a long while till I began to wonder whether he were +not really dead. Dead enough he seemed to be, for no corpse could have +stayed more stirless. But that night I could not keep my thoughts fixed +on Zikali or anything. I merely noted these circumstances in a +mechanical way, as might one with whom they had nothing whatsoever to +do. They did not interest me at all, for there appeared to be nothing +in me to be interested, as I gathered according to Zikali, because I was +not there, but in a warmer place than I hope ever to occupy, namely, in +the stone in that unpleasant-looking, little right-hand fire. + +So matters went as they might in a dream. The sun had sunk completely, +not even an after-glow was left. The only light remaining was that from +the smouldering fires, which just sufficed to illumine the bulk of +Zikali, lying on his side, his squat shape looking like that of a dead +hippopotamus calf. What was left of my consciousness grew heartily sick +of the whole affair; I was tired of being so empty. + +At length the dwarf stirred. He sat up, yawned, sneezed, shook himself, +and began to rake among the burning embers of my fire with his naked +hand. Presently he found the white stone, which was now red-hot--at any +rate it glowed as though it were--and after examining it for a moment +finally popped it into his mouth! Then he hunted in the other fire for +the black stone, which he treated in a similar fashion. The next thing +I remember was that the fires, which had died away almost to nothing, +were burning very brightly again, I suppose because someone had put fuel +on them, and Zikali was speaking. + +"Come here, O Macumazana and O Son of Matiwane," he said, "and I will +repeat to you what your spirits have been telling me." + +We drew near into the light of the fires, which for some reason or other +was extremely vivid. Then he spat the white stone from his mouth into +his big hand, and I saw that now it was covered with lines and patches +like a bird's egg. + +"You cannot read the signs?" he said, holding it towards me; and when I +shook my head went on: "Well, I can, as you white men read a book. All +your history is written here, Macumazahn; but there is no need to tell +you that, since you know it, as I do well enough, having learned it in +other days, the days of Dingaan, Macumazahn. All your future, also, a +very strange future," and he scanned the stone with interest. "Yes, +yes; a wonderful life, and a noble death far away. But of these matters +you have not asked me, and therefore I may not tell them even if I +wished, nor would you believe if I did. It is of your hunting trip that +you have asked me, and my answer is that if you seek your own comfort +you will do well not to go. A pool in a dry river-bed; a buffalo bull +with the tip of one horn shattered. Yourself and the bull in the pool. +Saduko, yonder, also in the pool, and a little half-bred man with a gun +jumping about upon the bank. Then a litter made of boughs and you in +it, and the father of Mameena walking lamely at your side. Then a hut +and you in it, and the maiden called Mameena sitting at your side. + +"Macumazahn, your spirit has written on this stone that you should +beware of Mameena, since she is more dangerous than any buffalo. If you +are wise you will not go out hunting with Umbezi, although it is true +that hunt will not cost you your life. There, away, Stone, and take +your writings with you!" and as he spoke he jerked his arm and I heard +something whiz past my face. + +Next he spat out the black stone and examined it in similar fashion. + +"Your expedition will be successful, Son of Matiwane," he said. +"Together with Macumazahn you will win many cattle at the cost of sundry +lives. But for the rest--well, you did not ask me of it, did you? +Also, I have told you something of that story before to-day. Away, +Stone!" and the black pebble followed the white out into the surrounding +gloom. + +We sat quite still until the dwarf broke the deep silence with one of +his great laughs. + +"My witchcraft is done," he said. "A poor tale, was it not? Well, hunt +for those stones to-morrow and read the rest of it if you can. Why did +you not ask me to tell you everything while I was about it, White Man? +It would have interested you more, but now it has all gone from me back +into your spirit with the stones. Saduko, get you to sleep. +Macumazahn, you who are a Watcher-by-Night, come and sit with me awhile +in my hut, and we will talk of other things. All this business of the +stones is nothing more than a Kafir trick, is it, Macumazahn? When you +meet the buffalo with the split horn in the pool of a dried river, +remember it is but a cheating trick, and now come into my hut and drink +a kamba [bowl] of beer and let us talk of other things more +interesting." + +So he took me into the hut, which was a fine one, very well lighted by a +fire in its centre, and gave me Kafir beer to drink, that I swallowed +gratefully, for my throat was dry and still felt as though it had been +scraped. + +"Who are you, Father?" I asked point-blank when I had taken my seat upon +a low stool, with my back resting against the wall of the hut, and lit +my pipe. + +He lifted his big head from the pile of karosses on which he was lying +and peered at me across the fire. + +"My name is Zikali, which means 'Weapons,' White Man. You know as much +as that, don't you?" he answered. "My father 'went down' so long ago +that his does not matter. I am a dwarf, very ugly, with some learning, +as we of the Black House understand it, and very old. Is there anything +else you would like to learn?" + +"Yes, Zikali; how old?" + +"There, there, Macumazahn, as you know, we poor Kafirs cannot count very +well. How old? Well, when I was young I came down towards the coast +from the Great River, you call it the Zambesi, I think, with Undwandwe, +who lived in the north in those days. They have forgotten it now +because it is some time ago, and if I could write I would set down the +history of that march, for we fought some great battles with the people +who used to live in this country. Afterwards I was the friend of the +Father of the Zulus, he whom they still call Inkoosi Umkulu--the mighty +chief--you may have heard tell of him. I carved that stool on which you +sit for him and he left it back to me when he died." + +"Inkoosi Umkulu!" I exclaimed. "Why, they say he lived hundreds of +years ago." + +"Do they, Macumazahn? If so, have I not told you that we black people +cannot count as well as you do? Really it was only the other day. +Anyhow, after his death the Zulus began to maltreat us Undwandwe and the +Quabies and the Tetwas with us--you may remember that they called us the +Amatefula, making a mock of us. So I quarrelled with the Zulus and +especially with Chaka, he whom they named 'Uhlanya' [the Mad One]. You +see, Macumazahn, it pleased him to laugh at me because I am not as other +men are. He gave me a name which means +'The-thing-which-should-never-have-been-born.' I will not speak that +name, it is secret to me, it may not pass my lips. Yet at times he +sought my wisdom, and I paid him back for his names, for I gave him very +ill counsel, and he took it, and I brought him to his death, although +none ever saw my finger in that business. But when he was dead at the +hands of his brothers Dingaan and Umhlangana and of Umbopa, Umbopa who +also had a score to settle with him, and his body was cast out of the +kraal like that of an evil-doer, why I, who because I was a dwarf was +not sent with the _men_ against Sotshangana, went and sat on it at night +and laughed thus," and he broke into one of his hideous peals of +merriment. + +"I laughed thrice: once for my wives whom he had taken; once for my +children whom he had slain; and once for the mocking name that he had +given me. Then I became the counsellor of Dingaan, whom I hated worse +than I had hated Chaka, for he was Chaka again without his greatness, +and you know the end of Dingaan, for you had a share in that war, and of +Umhlangana, his brother and fellow-murderer, whom I counselled Dingaan +to slay. This I did through the lips of the old Princess Menkabayi, +Jama's daughter, Senzangakona's sister, the Oracle before whom all men +bowed, causing her to say that 'This land of the Zulus cannot be ruled +by a crimson assegai.' For, Macumazahn, it was Umhlangana who first +struck Chaka with the spear. Now Panda reigns, the last of the sons of +Senzangakona, my enemy, Panda the Fool, and I hold my hand from Panda +because he tried to save the life of a child of mine whom Chaka slew. +But Panda has sons who are as Chaka was, and against them I work as I +worked against those who went before them." + +"Why?" I asked. + +"Why? Oh! if I were to tell you _all_ my story you would understand +why, Macumazahn. Well, perhaps I will one day." (Here I may state that +as a matter of fact he did, and a very wonderful tale it is, but as it +has nothing to do with this history I will not write it here.) + +"I dare say," I answered. "Chaka and Dingaan and Umhlangana and the +others were not nice people. But another question. Why do you tell me +all this, O Zikali, seeing that were I but to repeat it to a +talking-bird you would be smelt out and a single moon would not die +before you do?" + +"Oh! I should be smelt out and killed before one moon dies, should I? +Then I wonder that this has not happened during all the moons that are +gone. Well, I tell the story to you, Macumazahn, who have had so much +to do with the tale of the Zulus since the days of Dingaan, because I +wish that someone should know it and perhaps write it down when +everything is finished. Because, too, I have just been reading your +spirit and see that it is still a white spirit, and that you will not +whisper it to a 'talking-bird.'" + +Now I leant forward and looked at him. + +"What is the end at which you aim, O Zikali?" I asked. "You are not one +who beats the air with a stick; on whom do you wish the stick to fall at +last?" + +"On whom?" he answered in a new voice, a low, hissing voice. "Why, on +these proud Zulus, this little family of men who call themselves the +'People of Heaven,' and swallow other tribes as the great tree-snake +swallows kids and small bucks, and when it is fat with them cries to the +world, 'See how big I am! Everything is inside of me.' I am a Ndwande, +one of those peoples whom it pleases the Zulus to call 'Amatefula'--poor +hangers-on who talk with an accent, nothing but bush swine. Therefore I +would see the swine tusk the hunter. Or, if that may not be, I would +see the black hunter laid low by the rhinoceros, the white rhinoceros of +your race, Macumazahn, yes, even if it sets its foot upon the Ndwande +boar as well. There, I have told you, and this is the reason that I +live so long, for I will not die until these things have come to pass, +as come to pass they will. What did Chaka, Senzangakona's son, say when +the little red assegai, the assegai with which he slew his mother, aye +and others, some of whom were near to me, was in his liver? What did he +say to Mbopa and the princes? Did he not say that he heard the feet of +a great white people running, of a people who should stamp the Zulus +flat? Well, I, 'The-thing-who-should-not-have-been-born,' live on until +that day comes, and when it comes I think that you and I, Macumazahn, +shall not be far apart, and that is why I have opened out my heart to +you, I who have knowledge of the future. There, I speak no more of +these things that are to be, who perchance have already said too much of +them. Yet do not forget my words. Or forget them if you will, for I +shall remind you of them, Macumazahn, when the feet of your people have +avenged the Ndwandes and others whom it pleases the Zulus to treat as +dirt." + +Now, this strange man, who had sat up in his excitement, shook his long +white hair which, after the fashion of wizards, he wore plaited into +thin ropes, till it hung like a veil about him, hiding his broad face +and deep eyes. Presently he spoke again through this veil of hair, +saying: + +"You are wondering, Macumazahn, what Saduko has to do with all these +great events that are to be. I answer that he must play his part in +them; not a very great part, but still a part, and it is for this +purpose that I saved him as a child from Bangu, Dingaan's man, and +reared him up to be a warrior, although, since I cannot lie, I warned +him that he would do well to leave spears alone and follow after wisdom. +Well, he will slay Bangu, who now has quarrelled with Panda, and a +woman will come into the story, one Mameena, and that woman will bring +about war between the sons of Panda, and from this war shall spring the +ruin of the Zulus, for he who wins will be an evil king to them and +bring down on them the wrath of a mightier race. And so +'The-thing-that-should-not-have-been-born' and the Ndwandes and the +Quabies and Twetwas, whom it has pleased the conquering Zulus to name +'Amatefula,' shall be avenged. Yes, yes, my Spirit tells me all these +things, and they are true." + +"And what of Saduko, my friend and your fosterling?" + +"Saduko, your friend and my fosterling, will take his appointed road, +Macumazahn, as I shall and you will. What more could he desire, seeing +it is that which he has chosen? He will take his road and he will play +the part which the Great-Great has prepared for him. Seek not to know +more. Why should you, since Time will tell you the story? And now go +to rest, Macumazahn, as I must who am old and feeble. And when it +pleases you to visit me again, we will talk further. Meanwhile, +remember always that I am nothing but an old Kafir cheat who pretends to +a knowledge that belongs to no man. Remember it especially, Macumazahn, +when you meet a buffalo with a split horn in the pool of a dried-up +river, and afterwards, when a woman named Mameena makes a certain offer +to you, which you may be tempted to accept. Good night to you, +Watcher-by-Night with the white heart and the strange destiny, good +night to you, and try not to think too hardly of the old Kafir cheat who +just now is called 'Opener-of-Roads.' My servant waits without to lead +you to your hut, and if you wish to be back at Umbezi's kraal by +nightfall to-morrow, you will do well to start ere sunrise, since, as +you found in coming, Saduko, although he may be a fool, is a very good +walker, and you do not like to be left behind, Macumazahn, do you?" + +So I rose to go, but as I went some impulse seemed to take him and he +called me back and made me sit down again. + +"Macumazahn," he said, "I would add a word. When you were quite a lad +you came into this country with Retief, did you not?" + +"Yes," I answered slowly, for this matter of the massacre of Retief is +one of which I have seldom cared to speak, for sundry reasons, although +I have made a record of it in writing.* Even my friends Sir Henry +Curtis and Captain Good have heard little of the part I played in that +tragedy. "But what do you know of that business, Zikali?" + +[*--Published under the title of "Marie."--EDITOR.] + +"All that there is to know, I think, Macumazahn, seeing that I was at +the bottom of it, and that Dingaan killed those Boers on my advice--just +as he killed Chaka and Umhlangana." + +"You cold-blooded old murderer--" I began, but he interrupted me at +once. + +"Why do you throw evil names at me, Macumazahn, as I threw the stone of +your fate at you just now? Why am I a murderer because I brought about +the death of some white men that chanced to be your friends, who had +come here to cheat us black folk of our country?" + +"Was it for _this_ reason that you brought about their deaths, Zikali?" +I asked, staring him in the face, for I felt that he was lying to me. + +"Not altogether, Macumazahn," he answered, letting his eyes, those +strange eyes that could look at the sun without blinking, fall before my +gaze. "Have I not told you that I hate the House of Senzangakona? And +when Retief and his companions were killed, did not the spilling of +their blood mean war to the end between the Zulus and the White Men? +Did it not mean the death of Dingaan and of thousands of his people, +which is but a beginning of deaths? Now do you understand?" + +"I understand that you are a very wicked man," I answered with +indignation. + +"At least _you_ should not say so, Macumazahn," he replied in a new +voice, one with the ring of truth in it. + +"Why not?" + +"Because I saved your life on that day. You escaped alone of the White +Men, did you not? And you never could understand why, could you?" + +"No, I could not, Zikali. I put it down to what you would call 'the +spirits.'" + +"Well, I will tell you. Those spirits of yours wore my kaross," and he +laughed. "I saw you with the Boers, and saw, too, that you were of +another people--the people of the English. You may have heard at the +time that I was doctoring at the Great Place, although I kept out of the +way and we did not meet, or at least you never knew that we met, for you +were--asleep. Also I pitied your youth, for, although you do not +believe it, I had a little bit of heart left in those days. Also I knew +that we should come together again in the after years, as you see we +have done to-day and shall often do until the end. So I told Dingaan +that whoever died you must be spared, or he would bring up the 'people +of George' [i.e. the English] to avenge you, and your ghost would enter +into him and pour out a curse upon him. He believed me who did not +understand that already so many curses were gathered about his head that +one more or less made no matter. So you see you were spared, +Macumazahn, and afterwards you helped to pour out a curse upon Dingaan +without becoming a ghost, which is the reason why Panda likes you so +well to-day, Panda, the enemy of Dingaan, his brother. You remember the +woman who helped you? Well, I made her do so. How did it go with you +afterwards, Macumazahn, with you and the Boer maiden across the Buffalo +River, to whom you were making love in those days?" + +"Never mind how it went," I replied, springing up, for the old wizard's +talk had stirred sad and bitter memories in my heart. "That time is +dead, Zikali." + +"Is it, Macumazahn? Now, from the look upon your face I should have +said that it was still very much alive, as things that happened in our +youth have a way of keeping alive. But doubtless I am mistaken, and it +is all as dead as Dingaan, and as Retief, and as the others, your +companions. At least, although you do not believe it, I saved your life +on that red day, for my own purposes, of course, not because one white +life was anything among so many in my count. And now go to rest, +Macumazahn, go to rest, for although your heart has been awakened by +memories this evening, I promise that you shall sleep well to-night," +and throwing the long hair back off his eyes he looked at me keenly, +wagging his big head to and fro, and burst into another of his great +laughs. + +So I went. But, ah! as I went I wept. + +Anyone who knew all that story would understand why. But this is not +the place to tell it, that tale of my first love and of the terrible +events which befell us in the time of Dingaan. Still, as I say, I have +written it down, and perhaps one day it will be read. + + + +CHAPTER III + + + + +THE BUFFALO WITH THE CLEFT HORN + + + + + +I slept very well that night, I suppose because I was so dog-tired I +could not help it; but next day, on our long walk back to Umbezi's +kraal, I thought a great deal. + +Without doubt I had seen and heard very strange things, both of the past +and the present--things that I could not in the least understand. +Moreover, they were mixed up with all sorts of questions of high Zulu +policy, and threw a new light upon events that happened to me and others +in my youth. + +Now, in the clear sunlight, was the time to analyse these things, and +this I did in the most logical fashion I could command, although without +the slightest assistance from Saduko, who, when I asked him questions, +merely shrugged his shoulders. + +These questions, he said, did not interest him; I had wished to see the +magic of Zikali, and Zikali had been pleased to show me some very good +magic, quite of his best indeed. Also he had conversed alone with me +afterwards, doubtless on high matters--so high that he, Saduko, was not +admitted to share the conversation--which was an honour he accorded to +very few. I could form my own conclusions in the light of the White +Man's wisdom, which everyone knew was great. + +I replied shortly that I could, for Saduko's tone irritated me. Of +course, the truth was that he felt aggrieved at being sent off to bed +like a little boy while his foster-father, the old dwarf, made +confidences to me. One of Saduko's faults was that he had always a very +good opinion of himself. Also he was by nature terribly jealous, even +in little things, as the readers of his history, if any, will learn. + +We trudged on for several hours in silence, broken at length by my +companion. + +"Do you still mean to go on a shooting expedition with Umbezi, Inkoosi?" +he asked, "or are you afraid?" + +"Of what should I be afraid?" I answered tartly. + +"Of the buffalo with the split horn, of which Zikali told you. What +else?" + +Now, I fear I used strong language about the buffalo with the split +horn, a beast in which I declared I had no belief whatsoever, either +with or without its accessories of dried river-beds and water-holes. + +"If all this old woman's talk has made _you_ afraid, however," I added, +"you can stop at the kraal with Mameena." + +"Why should the talk make me afraid, Macumazahn? Zikali did not say +that this evil spirit of a buffalo would hurt _me_. If I fear, it is +for you, seeing that if you are hurt you may not be able to go with me +to look for Bangu's cattle." + +"Oh!" I replied sarcastically; "it seems that you are somewhat selfish, +friend Saduko, since it is of your welfare and not of my safety that you +are thinking." + +"If I were as selfish as you seem to believe, Inkoosi, should I advise +you to stop with your wagons, and thereby lose the good gun with two +mouths that you have promised me? Still, it is true that I should like +well enough to stay at Umbezi's kraal with Mameena, especially if Umbezi +were away." + +Now, as there is nothing more uninteresting than to listen to other +people's love affairs, and as I saw that with the slightest +encouragement Saduko was ready to tell me all the history of his +courtship over again, I did not continue the argument. So we finished +our journey in silence, and arrived at Umbezi's kraal a little after +sundown, to find, to the disappointment of both of us, that Mameena was +still away. + +Upon the following morning we started on our shooting expedition, the +party consisting of myself, my servant Scowl, who, as I think I said, +hailed from the Cape and was half a Hottentot; Saduko; the merry old +Zulu, Umbezi, and a number of his men to serve as bearers and beaters. +It proved a very successful trip--that is, until the end of it--for in +those days the game in this part of the country was extremely plentiful. +Before the end of the second week I killed four elephants, two of them +with large tusks, while Saduko, who soon developed into a very fair +shot, bagged another with the double-barrelled gun that I had promised +him. Also, Umbezi--how, I have never discovered, for the thing partook +of the nature of a miracle--managed to slay an elephant cow with fair +ivories, using the old rifle that went off at half-cock. + +Never have I seen a man, black or white, so delighted as was that +vainglorious Kafir. For whole hours he danced and sang and took snuff +and saluted with his hand, telling me the story of his deed over and +over again, no single version of which tale agreed with the other. He +took a new title also, that meant "Eater-up-of-Elephants"; he allowed +one of his men to "bonga"--that is, praise--him all through the night, +preventing us from getting a wink of sleep, until at last the poor +fellow dropped in a kind of fit from exhaustion, and so forth. It +really was very amusing until it became a bore. + +Besides the elephants we killed lots of other things, including two +lions, which I got almost with a right and left, and three white +rhinoceroses, that now, alas! are nearly extinct. At last, towards the +end of the third week, we had as much as our men could carry in the +shape of ivory, rhinoceros horns, skins and sun-dried buckflesh, or +biltong, and determined to start back for Umbezi's kraal next day. +Indeed, this could not be long delayed, as our powder and lead were +running low; for in those days, it will be remembered, breechloaders had +not come in, and ammunition, therefore, had to be carried in bulk. + +To tell the truth, I was very glad that our trip had come to such a +satisfactory conclusion, for, although I would not admit it even to +myself, I could not get rid of a kind of sneaking dread lest after all +there might be something in the old dwarf's prophecy about a +disagreeable adventure with a buffalo which was in store for me. Well, +as it chanced, we had not so much as seen a buffalo, and as the road +which we were going to take back to the kraal ran over high, bare +country that these animals did not frequent, there was now little +prospect of our doing so--all of which, of course, showed what I already +knew, that only weak-headed superstitious idiots would put the slightest +faith in the drivelling nonsense of deceiving or self-deceived Kafir +medicine-men. These things, indeed, I pointed out with much vigour to +Saduko before we turned in on the last night of the hunt. + +Saduko listened in silence and said nothing at all, except that he would +not keep me up any longer, as I must be tired. + +Now, whatever may be the reason for it, my experience in life is that it +is never wise to brag about anything. At any rate, on a hunting trip, +to come to a particular instance, wait until you are safe at home till +you begin to do so. Of the truth of this ancient adage I was now +destined to experience a particularly fine and concrete example. + +The place where we had camped was in scattered bush overlooking a great +extent of dry reeds, that in the wet season was doubtless a swamp fed by +a small river which ran into it on the side opposite to our camp. +During the night I woke up, thinking that I heard some big beasts moving +in these reeds; but as no further sounds reached my ears I went to sleep +again. + +Shortly after dawn I was awakened by a voice calling me, which in a hazy +fashion I recognised as that of Umbezi. + +"Macumazahn," said the voice in a hoarse whisper, "the reeds below us +are full of buffalo. Get up. Get up at once." + +"What for?" I answered. "If the buffalo came into the reeds they will +go out of them. We do not want meat." + +"No, Macumazahn; but I want their hides. Panda, the King, has demanded +fifty shields of me, and without killing oxen that I can ill spare I +have not the skins whereof to make them. Now, these buffalo are in a +trap. This swamp is like a dish with one mouth. They cannot get out at +the sides of the dish, and the mouth by which they came in is very +narrow. If we station ourselves at either side of it we can kill many +of them." + +By this time I was thoroughly awake and had arisen from my blankets. +Throwing a kaross over my shoulders, I left the hut, made of boughs, in +which I was sleeping and walked a few paces to the crest of a rocky +ridge, whence I could see the dry vlei below. Here the mists of dawn +still clung, but from it rose sounds of grunts, bellows and tramplings +which I, an old hunter, could not mistake. Evidently a herd of buffalo, +one or two hundred of them, had established themselves in those reeds. + +Just then my bastard servant, Scowl, and Saduko joined us, both of them +full of excitement. + +It appeared that Scowl, who never seemed to sleep at any natural time, +had seen the buffalo entering the reeds, and estimated their number at +two or three hundred. Saduko had examined the cleft through which they +passed, and reported it to be so narrow that we could kill any number of +them as they rushed out to escape. + +"Quite so. I understand," I said. "Well, my opinion is that we had +better let them escape. Only four of us, counting Umbezi, are armed +with guns, and assegais are not of much use against buffalo. Let them +go, I say." + +Umbezi, thinking of a cheap raw material for the shields which had been +requisitioned by the King, who would surely be pleased if they were made +of such a rare and tough hide as that of buffalo, protested violently, +and Saduko, either to please one whom he hoped might be his +father-in-law or from sheer love of sport, for which he always had a +positive passion, backed him up. Only Scowl--whose dash of Hottentot +blood made him cunning and cautious--took my side, pointing out that we +were very short of powder and that buffalo "ate up much lead." At last +Saduko said: + +"The lord Macumazana is our captain; we must obey him, although it is a +pity. But doubtless the prophesying of Zikali weighs upon his mind, so +there is nothing to be done." + +"Zikali!" exclaimed Umbezi. "What has the old dwarf to do with this +matter?" + +"Never mind what he has or has not to do with it," I broke in, for +although I do not think that he meant them as a taunt, but merely as a +statement of fact, Saduko's words stung me to the quick, especially as +my conscience told me that they were not altogether without foundation. + +"We will try to kill some of these buffalo," I went on, "although, +unless the herd should get bogged, which is not likely, as the swamp is +very dry, I do not think that we can hope for more than eight or ten at +the most, which won't be of much use for shields. Come, let us make a +plan. We have no time to lose, for I think they will begin to move +again before the sun is well up." + +Half an hour later the four of us who were armed with guns were posted +behind rocks on either side of the steep, natural roadway cut by water, +which led down to the vlei, and with us some of Umbezi's men. That +chief himself was at my side--a post of honour which he had insisted +upon taking. To tell the truth, I did not dissuade him, for I thought +that I should be safer so than if he were opposite to me, since, even if +the old rifle did not go off of its own accord, Umbezi, when excited, +was a most uncertain shot. The herd of buffalo appeared to have lain +down in the reeds, so, being careful to post ourselves first, we sent +three of the native bearers to the farther side of the vlei, with +instructions to rouse the beasts by shouting. The remainder of the +Zulus--there were ten or a dozen of them armed with stabbing spears--we +kept with us. + +But what did these scoundrels do? Instead of disturbing the herd by +making a noise, as we told them, for some reason best known to +themselves--I expect it was because they were afraid to go into the +vlei, where they might meet the horn of a buffalo at any moment--they +fired the dry reeds in three or four places at once, and this, if you +please, with a strong wind blowing from them to us. In a minute or two +the farther side of the swamp was a sheet of crackling flame that gave +off clouds of dense white smoke. Then pandemonium began. + +The sleeping buffalo leapt to their feet, and, after a few moments of +indecision, crashed towards us, the whole huge herd of them, snorting +and bellowing like mad things. Seeing what was about to happen, I +nipped behind a big boulder, while Scowl shinned up a mimosa with the +swiftness of a cat and, heedless of its thorns, sat himself in an +eagle's nest at the top. The Zulus with the spears bolted to take cover +where they could. What became of Saduko I did not see, but old Umbezi, +bewildered with excitement, jumped into the exact middle of the roadway, +shouting: + +"They come! They come! Charge, buffalo folk, if you will. The +Eater-up-of-Elephants awaits you!" + +"You etceterad old fool!" I shouted, but got no farther, for just at +this moment the first of the buffalo, which I could see was an enormous +bull, probably the leader of the herd, accepted Umbezi's invitation and +came, with its nose stuck straight out in front of it. Umbezi's gun +went off, and next instant he went up. Through the smoke I saw his +black bulk in the air, and then heard it alight with a thud on the top +of the rock behind which I was crouching. + +"Exit Umbezi," I said to myself, and by way of a requiem let the bull +which had hoisted him, as I thought to heaven, have an ounce of lead in +the ribs as it passed me. After that I did not fire any more, for it +occurred to me that it was as well not to further advertise my presence. + +In all my hunting experience I cannot remember ever seeing such a sight +as that which followed. Out of the vlei rushed the buffalo by dozens, +every one of them making remarks in its own language as it came. They +jammed in the narrow roadway, they leapt on to each other's backs. They +squealed, they kicked, they bellowed. They charged my friendly rock +till I felt it shake. They knocked over Scowl's mimosa thorn, and would +have shot him out of his eagle's nest had not its flat top fortunately +caught in that of another and less accessible tree. And with them came +clouds of pungent smoke, mixed with bits of burning reed and puffs of +hot air. + +It was over at last. With the exception of some calves, which had been +trampled to death in the rush, the herd had gone. Now, like the Roman +emperor--I think he was an emperor--I began to wonder what had become of +my legions. + +"Umbezi," I shouted, or, rather, sneezed through the smoke, "are you +dead, Umbezi?" + +"Yes, yes, Macumazahn," replied a choking and melancholy voice from the +top of the rock, "I am dead, quite dead. That evil spirit of a silwana +[i.e. wild beast] has killed me. Oh! why did I think I was a hunter; +why did I not stop at my kraal and count my cattle?" + +"I am sure I don't know, you old lunatic," I answered, as I scrambled up +the rock to bid him good-bye. + +It was a rock with a razor top like the ridge of a house, and there, +hanging across this ridge like a pair of nether garments on a +clothes-line, I found the "Eater-up-of-Elephants." + +"Where did he get you, Umbezi?" I asked, for I could not see his wounds +because of the smoke. + +"Behind, Macumazahn, behind!" he groaned, "for I had turned to fly, but, +alas! too late." + +"On the contrary," I replied, "for one so heavy you flew very well; like +a bird, Umbezi, like a bird." + +"Look and see what the evil beast has done to me, Macumazahn. It will +be easy, for my moocha has gone." + +So I looked, examining Umbezi's ample proportions with care, but could +discover nothing except a large smudge of black mud, as though he had +sat down in a half-dried puddle. Then I guessed the truth. The +buffalo's horns had missed him. He had been struck only with its muddy +nose, which, being almost as broad as that portion of Umbezi with which +it came in contact, had inflicted nothing worse than a bruise. When I +was sure he had received no serious injury, my temper, already sorely +tried, gave out, and I administered to him the soundest smacking--his +position being very convenient--that he had ever received since he was a +little boy. + +"Get up, you idiot!" I shouted, "and let us look for the others. This +is the end of your folly in making me attack a herd of buffalo in reeds. +Get up. Am I to stop here till I choke?" + +"Do you mean to tell me that I have no mortal wound, Macumazahn?" he +asked, with a return of cheerfulness, accepting the castigation in good +part, for he was not one who bore malice. "Oh, I am glad to hear it, +for now I shall live to make those cowards who fired the reeds sorry +that they are not dead; also to finish off that wild beast, for I hit +him, Macumazahn, I hit him." + +"I don't know whether you hit him; I know he hit you," I replied, as I +shoved him off the rock and ran towards the tilted tree where I had last +seen Scowl. + +Here I beheld another strange sight. Scowl was still seated in the +eagle's nest that he shared with two nearly fledged young birds, one of +which, having been injured, was uttering piteous cries. Nor did it cry +in vain, for its parents, which were of that great variety of kite that +the Boers call "lammefange", or lamb-lifters, had just arrived to its +assistance, and were giving their new nestling, Scowl, the best doing +that man ever received at the beak and claws of feathered kind. Seen +through those rushing smoke wreaths, the combat looked perfectly +titanic; also it was one of the noisiest to which I ever listened, for I +don't know which shrieked the more loudly, the infuriated eagles or +their victim. + +Seeing how things stood, I burst into a roar of laughter, and just then +Scowl grabbed the leg of the male bird, that was planted in his breast +while it removed tufts of his wool with its hooked beak, and leapt +boldly from the nest, which had become too hot to hold him. The eagle's +outspread wings broke his fall, for they acted as a parachute; and so +did Umbezi, upon whom he chanced to land. Springing from the prostrate +shape of the chief, who now had a bruise in front to match that behind, +Scowl, covered with pecks and scratches, ran like a lamp-lighter, +leaving me to collect my second gun, which he had dropped at the bottom +of the tree, but fortunately without injuring it. The Kafirs gave him +another name after that encounter, which meant +"He-who-fights-birds-and-gets-the-worst-of-it." + +Well, we escaped from the line of the smoke, a dishevelled trio--indeed, +Umbezi had nothing left on him except his head ring--and shouted for the +others, if perchance they had not been trodden to death in the rush. +The first to arrive was Saduko, who looked quite calm and untroubled, +but stared at us in astonishment, and asked coolly what we had been +doing to get in such a state. I replied in appropriate language, and +asked in turn how he had managed to remain so nicely dressed. + +He did not answer, but I believe the truth was that he had crept into a +large ant-bear's hole--small blame to him, to be frank. Then the +remainder of our party turned up one by one, some of them looking very +blown, as though they had run a long way. None were missing, except +those who had fired the reeds, and they thought it well to keep clear +for a good many hours. I believe that afterwards they regretted not +having taken a longer leave of absence; but when they finally did arrive +I was in no condition to note what passed between them and their +outraged chief. + +Being collected, the question arose what we should do. Of course, I +wished to return to camp and get out of this ill-omened place as soon as +possible. But I had reckoned without the vanity of Umbezi. Umbezi +stretched over the edge of a sharp rock, whither he had been hoisted by +the nose of a buffalo, and imagining himself to be mortally wounded, was +one thing; but Umbezi in a borrowed moocha, although, because of his +bruises, he supported his person with one hand in front and with the +other behind, knowing his injuries to be purely superficial, was quite +another. + +"I am a hunter," he said; "I am named 'Eater-up-of-Elephants';" and he +rolled his eyes, looking about for someone to contradict him, which +nobody did. Indeed, his "praiser," a thin, tired-looking person, whose +voice was worn out with his previous exertions, repeated in a feeble +way: + +"Yes, Black One, 'Eater-up-of-Elephants' is your name; +'Lifted-up-by-Buffalo' is your name." + +"Be silent, idiot," roared Umbezi. "As I said, I am a hunter; I have +wounded the wild beast that subsequently dared to assault me. [As a +matter of fact, it was I, Allan Quatermain, who had wounded it.] I +would make it bite the dust, for it cannot be far away. Let us follow +it." + +He glared round him, whereon his obsequious people, or one of them, +echoed: + +"Yes, by all means let us follow it, 'Eater-up-of-Elephants.' +Macumazahn, the clever white man, will show us how, for where is the +buffalo that he fears!" + +Of course, after this there was nothing else to be done, so, having +summoned the scratched Scowl, who seemed to have no heart in the +business, we started on the spoor of the herd, which was as easy to +track as a wagon road. + +"Never mind, Baas," said Scowl, "they are two hours' march off by now." + +"I hope so," I answered; but, as it happened, luck was against me, for +before we had covered half a mile some over-zealous fellow struck a +blood spoor. + +I marched on that spoor for twenty minutes or so, till we came to a +patch of bush that sloped downwards to a river-bed. Right to this river +I followed it, till I reached the edge of a big pool that was still full +of water, although the river itself had gone dry. Here I stood looking +at the spoor and consulting with Saduko as to whether the beast could +have swum the pool, for the tracks that went to its very verge had +become confused and uncertain. Suddenly our doubts were ended, since +out of a patch of dense bush which we had passed--for it had played the +common trick of doubling back on its own spoor--appeared the buffalo, a +huge bull, that halted on three legs, my bullet having broken one of its +thighs. As to its identity there was no doubt, since on, or rather +from, its right horn, which was cleft apart at the top, hung the remains +of Umbezi's moocha. + +"Oh, beware, Inkoosi," cried Saduko in a frightened voice. _"It is the +buffalo with the cleft horn!"_ + +I heard him; I saw. All the scene in the hut of Zikali rose before +me--the old dwarf, his words, everything. I lifted my rifle and fired +at the charging beast, but knew that the bullet glanced from its skull. +I threw down the gun--for the buffalo was right on me--and tried to jump +aside. + +Almost I did so, but that cleft horn, to which hung the remains of +Umbezi's moocha, scooped me up and hurled me off the river bank +backwards and sideways into the deep pool below. As I departed thither +I saw Saduko spring forward and heard a shot fired that caused the bull +to collapse for a moment. Then with a slow, sliding motion it followed +me into the pool. + +Now we were together, and there was no room for both, so after a certain +amount of dodging I went under, as the lighter dog always does in a +fight. That buffalo seemed to do everything to me which a buffalo could +do under the circumstances. It tried to horn me, and partially +succeeded, although I ducked at each swoop. Then it struck me with its +nose and drove me to the bottom of the pool, although I got hold of its +lip and twisted it. Then it calmly knelt on me and sank me deeper and +deeper into the mud. I remember kicking it in the stomach. After this +I remember no more, except a kind of wild dream in which I rehearsed all +the scene in the dwarf's hut, and his request that when I met the +buffalo with the cleft horn in the pool of a dried river, I should +remember that he was nothing but a "poor old Kafir cheat." + +After this I saw my mother bending over a little child in my bed in the +old house in Oxfordshire where I was born, and then--blackness! + + +I came to myself again and saw, instead of my mother, the stately figure +of Saduko bending over me upon one side, and on the other that of Scowl, +the half-bred Hottentot, who was weeping, for his hot tears fell upon my +face. + +"He is gone," said poor Scowl; "that bewitched beast with the split horn +has killed him. He is gone who was the best white man in all South +Africa, whom I loved better than my father and all my relatives." + +"That you might easily do, Bastard," answered Saduko, "seeing that you +do not know who they are. But he is not gone, for the 'Opener-of-Roads' +said that he would live; also I got my spear into the heart of that +buffalo before he had kneaded the life out of him, as fortunately the +mud was soft. Yet I fear that his ribs are broken"; and he poked me +with his finger on the breast. + +"Take your clumsy hand off me," I gasped. + +"There!" said Saduko, "I have made him feel. Did I not tell you that he +would live?" + + +After this I remember little more, except some confused dreams, till I +found myself lying in a great hut, which I discovered subsequently was +Umbezi's own, the same, indeed, wherein I had doctored the ear of that +wife of his who was called "Worn-out-old-Cow." + + + +CHAPTER IV + + + + +MAMEENA + + + + + +For a while I contemplated the roof and sides of the hut by the light +which entered it through the smoke-vent and the door-hole, wondering +whose it might be and how I came there. + +Then I tried to sit up, and instantly was seized with agony in the +region of the ribs, which I found were bound about with broad strips of +soft tanned hide. Clearly they, or some of them, were broken. + +What had broken them? I asked myself, and in a flash everything came +back to me. So I had escaped with my life, as the old dwarf, +"Opener-of-Roads," had told me that I should. Certainly he was an +excellent prophet; and if he spoke truth in this matter, why not in +others? What was I to make of it all? How could a black savage, +however ancient, foresee the future? + +By induction from the past, I supposed; and yet what amount of induction +would suffice to show him the details of a forthcoming accident that was +to happen to me through the agency of a wild beast with a peculiarly +shaped horn? I gave it up, as before and since that day I have found it +necessary to do in the case of many other events in life. Indeed, the +question is one that I often have had cause to ask where Kafir +"witch-doctors" or prophets are concerned, notably in the instance of a +certain Mavovo, of whom I hope to tell one day, whose predictions saved +my life and those of my companions. + +Just then I heard the sound of someone creeping through the bee-hole of +the hut, and half-closed my eyes, as I did not feel inclined for +conversation. The person came and stood over me, and somehow--by +instinct, I suppose--I became aware that my visitor was a woman. Very +slowly I lifted my eyelids, just enough to enable me to see her. + +There, standing in a beam of golden light that, passing through the +smoke-hole, pierced the soft gloom of the hut, stood the most beautiful +creature that I had ever seen--that is, if it be admitted that a person +who is black, or rather copper-coloured, can be beautiful. + +She was a little above the medium height, not more, with a figure that, +so far as I am a judge of such matters, was absolutely perfect--that of +a Greek statue indeed. On this point I had an opportunity of forming an +opinion, since, except for her little bead apron and a single string of +large blue beads about her throat, her costume was--well, that of a +Greek statue. Her features showed no trace of the negro type; on the +contrary, they were singularly well cut, the nose being straight and +fine and the pouting mouth that just showed the ivory teeth between, +very small. Then the eyes, large, dark and liquid, like those of a +buck, set beneath a smooth, broad forehead on which the curling, but not +woolly, hair grew low. This hair, by the way, was not dressed up in any +of the eccentric native fashions, but simply parted in the middle and +tied in a big knot over the nape of the neck, the little ears peeping +out through its tresses. The hands, like the feet, were very small and +delicate, and the curves of the bust soft and full without being coarse, +or even showing the promise of coarseness. + +A lovely woman, truly; and yet there was something not quite pleasing +about that beautiful face; something, notwithstanding its childlike +outline, which reminded me of a flower breaking into bloom, that one +does not associate with youth and innocence. I tried to analyse what +this might be, and came to the conclusion that without being hard, it +was too clever and, in a sense, too reflective. I felt even then that +the brain within the shapely head was keen and bright as polished steel; +that this woman was one made to rule, not to be man's toy, or even his +loving companion, but to use him for her ends. + +She dropped her chin till it hid the little, dimple-like depression +below her throat, which was one of her charms, and began not to look at, +but to study me, seeing which I shut my eyes tight and waited. +Evidently she thought that I was still in my swoon, for now she spoke to +herself in a low voice that was soft and sweet as honey. + +"A small man," she said; "Saduko would make two of him, and the +other"--who was he, I wondered--"three. His hair, too, is ugly; he cuts +it short and it sticks up like that on a cat's back. Iya!" (i.e. +Piff!), and she moved her hand contemptuously, "a feather of a man. But +white--white, one of those who rule. Why, they all of them know that he +is their master. They call him 'He-who-never-Sleeps.' They say that he +has the courage of a lioness with young--he who got away when Dingaan +killed Piti [Retief] and the Boers; they say that he is quick and +cunning as a snake, and that Panda and his great indunas think more of +him than of any white man they know. He is unmarried also, though they +say, too, that twice he had a wife, who died, and now he does not turn +to look at women, which is strange in any man, and shows that he will +escape trouble and succeed. Still, it must be remembered that they are +all ugly down here in Zululand, cows, or heifers who will be cows. +Piff! no more." + +She paused for a little while, then went on in her dreamy, reflective +voice: + +"Now, if he met a woman who is not merely a cow or a heifer, a woman +cleverer than himself, even if she were not white, I wonder--" + +At this point I thought it well to wake up. Turning my head I yawned, +opened my eyes and looked at her vaguely, seeing which her expression +changed in a flash from that of brooding power to one of moved and +anxious girlhood; in short, it became most sweetly feminine. + +"You are Mameena?" I said; "is it not so?" + +"Oh, yes, Inkoosi," she answered, "that is my poor name. But how did +you hear it, and how do you know me?" + +"I heard it from one Saduko"--here she frowned a little--"and others, +and I knew you because you are so beautiful"--an incautious speech at +which she broke into a dazzling smile and tossed her deer-like head. + +"Am I?" she asked. "I never knew it, who am only a common Zulu girl to +whom it pleases the great white chief to say kind things, for which I +thank him"; and she made a graceful little reverence, just bending one +knee. "But," she went on quickly, "whatever else I be, I am of no +knowledge, not fit to tend you who are hurt. Shall I go and send my +oldest mother?" + +"Do you mean her whom your father calls the 'Worn-out-old-Cow,' and +whose ear he shot off?" + +"Yes, it must be she from the description," she answered with a little +shake of laughter, "though I never heard him give her that name." + +"Or if you did, you have forgotten it," I said dryly. "Well, I think +not, thank you. Why trouble her, when you will do quite as well? If +there is milk in that gourd, perhaps you will give me a drink of it." + +She flew to the bowl like a swallow, and next moment was kneeling at my +side and holding it to my lips with one hand, while with the other she +supported my head. + +"I am honoured," she said. "I only came to the hut the moment before +you woke, and seeing you still lost in swoon, I wept--look, my eyes are +still wet [they were, though how she made them so I do not know]--for I +feared lest that sleep should be but the beginning of the last." + +"Quite so," I said; "it is very good of you. And now, since your fears +are groundless--thanks be to the heavens--sit down, if you will, and +tell me the story of how I came here." + +She sat down, not, I noted, as a Kafir woman ordinarily does, in a kind +of kneeling position, but on a stool. + +"You were carried into the kraal, Inkoosi," she said, "on a litter of +boughs. My heart stood still when I saw that litter coming; it was no +more heart; it was cold iron, because I thought the dead or injured man +was--" And she paused. + +"Saduko?" I suggested. + +"Not at all, Inkoosi--my father." + +"Well, it wasn't either of them," I said, "so you must have felt happy." + +"Happy! Inkoosi, when the guest of our house had been wounded, perhaps +to death--the guest of whom I have heard so much, although by misfortune +I was absent when he arrived." + +"A difference of opinion with your eldest mother?" I suggested. + +"Yes, Inkoosi; my own is dead, and I am not too well treated here. She +called me a witch." + +"Did she?" I answered. "Well, I do not altogether wonder at it; but +please continue your story." + +"There is none, Inkoosi. They brought you here, they told me how the +evil brute of a buffalo had nearly killed you in the pool; that is all." + +"Yes, yes, Mameena; but how did I get out of the pool?" + +"Oh, it seems that your servant, Sikauli, the bastard, leapt into the +water and engaged the attention of the buffalo which was kneading you +into the mud, while Saduko got on to its back and drove his assegai down +between its shoulders to the heart, so that it died. Then they pulled +you out of the mud, crushed and almost drowned with water, and brought +you to life again. But afterwards you became senseless, and so lay +wandering in your speech until this hour." + +"Ah, he is a brave man, is Saduko." + +"Like others, neither more nor less," she replied with a shrug of her +rounded shoulders. "Would you have had him let you die? I think the +brave man was he who got in front of the bull and twisted its nose, not +he who sat on its back and poked at it with a spear." + +At this period in our conversation I became suddenly faint and lost +count of things, even of the interesting Mameena. When I awoke again +she was gone, and in her place was old Umbezi, who, I noticed, took down +a mat from the side of the hut and folded it up to serve as a cushion +before he sat himself upon the stool. + +"Greeting, Macumazahn," he said when he saw that I was awake; "how are +you?" + +"As well as can be hoped," I answered; "and how are you, Umbezi?" + +"Oh, bad, Macumazahn; even now I can scarcely sit down, for that bull +had a very hard nose; also I am swollen up in front where Sikauli struck +me when he tumbled out of the tree. Also my heart is cut in two because +of our losses." + +"What losses, Umbezi?" + +"Wow! Macumazahn, the fire that those low fellows of mine lit got to our +camp and burned up nearly everything--the meat, the skins, and even the +ivory, which it cracked so that it is useless. That was an unlucky +hunt, for although it began so well, we have come out of it quite naked; +yes, with nothing at all except the head of the bull with the cleft +horn, that I thought you might like to keep." + +"Well, Umbezi, let us be thankful that we have come out with our +lives--that is, if I am going to live," I added. + +"Oh, Macumazahn, you will live without doubt, and be none the worse. +Two of our doctors--very clever men--have looked at you and said so. +One of them tied you up in all those skins, and I promised him a heifer +for the business, if he cured you, and gave him a goat on account. But +you must lie here for a month or more, so he says. Meanwhile Panda has +sent for the hides which he demanded of me to be made into shields, and +I have been obliged to kill twenty-five of my beasts to provide +them--that is, of my own and of those of my headmen." + +"Then I wish you and your headmen had killed them before we met those +buffalo, Umbezi," I groaned, for my ribs were paining me very much. +"Send Saduko and Sikauli here; I would thank them for saving my life." + +So they came, next morning, I think, and I thanked them warmly enough. + +"There, there, Baas," said Scowl, who was literally weeping tears of joy +at my return from delirium and coma to the light of life and reason; not +tears of Mameena's sort, but real ones, for I saw them running down his +snub nose, that still bore marks of the eagle's claws. "There, there, +say no more, I beseech you. If you were going to die, I wished to die, +too, who, if you had left it, should only have wandered through the +world without a heart. That is why I jumped into the pool, not because +I am brave." + +When I heard this my own eyes grew moist. Oh, it is the fashion to +abuse natives, but from whom do we meet with more fidelity and love than +from these poor wild Kafirs that so many of us talk of as black dirt +which chances to be fashioned to the shape of man? + +"As for myself, Inkoosi," added Saduko, "I only did my duty. How could +I have held up my head again if the bull had killed you while I walked +away alive? Why, the very girls would have mocked at me. But, oh, his +skin was tough. I thought that assegai would never get through it." + +Observe the difference between these two men's characters. The one, +although no hero in daily life, imperils himself from sheer, dog-like +fidelity to a master who had given him many hard words and sometimes a +flogging in punishment for drunkenness, and the other to gratify his +pride, also perhaps because my death would have interfered with his +plans and ambitions in which I had a part to play. No, that is a hard +saying; still, there is no doubt that Saduko always first took his own +interests into consideration, and how what he did would reflect upon his +prospects and repute, or influence the attainment of his desires. I +think this was so even when Mameena was concerned--at any rate, in the +beginning--although certainly he always loved her with a single-hearted +passion that is very rare among Zulus. + +Presently Scowl left the hut to prepare me some broth, whereon Saduko at +once turned the talk to this subject of Mameena. + +He understood that I had seen her. Did I not think her very beautiful? + +"Yes, very beautiful," I answered; "indeed, the most beautiful Zulu +woman I have ever seen." + +And very clever--almost as clever as a white? + +"Yes, and very clever--much cleverer than most whites." + +And--anything else? + +"Yes; very dangerous, and one who could turn like the wind and blow hot +and blow cold." + +"Ah!" he said, thought a while, then added: "Well, what do I care how +she blows to others, so long as she blows hot to me." + +"Well, Saduko, and does she blow hot for you?" + +"Not altogether, Macumazahn." Another pause. "I think she blows rather +like the wind before a great storm." + +"That is a biting wind, Saduko, and when we feel it we know that the +storm will follow." + +"I dare say that the storm will follow, Inkoosi, for she was born in a +storm and storm goes with her; but what of that, if she and I stand it +out together? I love her, and I had rather die with her than live with +any other woman." + +"The question is, Saduko, whether she would rather die with you than +live with any other man. Does she say so?" + +"Inkoosi, Mameena's thought works in the dark; it is like a white ant in +its tunnel of mud. You see the tunnel which shows that she is thinking, +but you do not see the thought within. Still, sometimes, when she +believes that no one beholds or hears her"--here I bethought me of the +young lady's soliloquy over my apparently senseless self--"or when she +is surprised, the true thought peeps out of its tunnel. It did so the +other day, when I pleaded with her after she had heard that I killed the +buffalo with the cleft horn. + +"'Do I love you?' she said. 'I know not for sure. How can I tell? It +is not our custom that a maiden should love before she is married, for +if she did so most marriages would be things of the heart and not of +cattle, and then half the fathers of Zululand would grow poor and refuse +to rear girl-children who would bring them nothing. You are brave, you +are handsome, you are well-born; I would sooner live with you than with +any other man I know--that is, if you were rich and, better still, +powerful. Become rich and powerful, Saduko, and I think that I shall +love you.' + +"'I will, Mameena,' I answered; 'but you must wait. The Zulu nation was +not fashioned from nothing in a day. First Chaka had to come.' + +"'Ah!' she said, and, my father, her eyes flashed. 'Ah! Chaka! There +was a man! Be another Chaka, Saduko, and I will love you more--more +than you can dream of--thus and thus,' and she flung her arms about me +and kissed me as I was never kissed before, which, as you know, among us +is a strange thing for a girl to do. Then she thrust me from her with a +laugh, and added: 'As for the waiting, you must ask my father of that. +Am I not his heifer, to be sold, and can I disobey my father?' And she +was gone, leaving me empty, for it seemed as though she took my vitals +with her. Nor will she talk thus any more, the white ant who has gone +back into its tunnel." + +"And did you speak to her father?" + +"Yes, I spoke to him, but in an evil moment, for he had but just killed +the cattle to furnish Panda's shields. He answered me very roughly. He +said: 'You see these dead beasts which I and my people must slay for the +king, or fall under his displeasure? Well, bring me five times their +number, and we will talk of your marriage with my daughter, who is a +maid in some request.' + +"I answered that I understood and would try my best, whereon he became +more gentle, for Umbezi has a kindly heart. + +"'My son,' he said, 'I like you well, and since I saw you save +Macumazahn, my friend, from that mad wild beast of a buffalo I like you +better than before. Yet you know my case. I have an old name and am +called the chief of a tribe, and many live on me. But I am poor, and +this daughter of mine is worth much. Such a woman few men have bred. +Well, I must make the best of her. My son-in-law must be one who will +prop up my old age, one to whom, in my need or trouble, I could always +go as to a dry log,* to break off some of its bark to make a fire to +comfort me, not one who treads me into the mire as the buffalo did to +Macumazahn. Now I have spoken, and I do not love such talk. Come back +with the cattle, and I will listen to you, but meanwhile understand that +I am not bound to you or to anyone; I shall take what my spirit sends +me, which, if I may judge the future by the past, will not be much. One +word more: Do not linger about this kraal too long, lest it should be +said that you are the accepted suitor of Mameena. Go hence and do a +man's work, and return with a man's reward, or not at all.'" + +[*--In Zululand a son-in-law is known as "isigodo so mkwenyana", the +"son-in-law log," for the reason stated in the text.--EDITOR.] + +"Well, Saduko, that spear has an edge on it, has it not?" I answered. +"And now, what is your plan?" + +"My plan is, Macumazahn," he said, rising from his seat, "to go hence +and gather those who are friendly to me because I am my father's son and +still the chief of the Amangwane, or those who are left of them, +although I have no kraal and no hoof of kine. Then, within a moon, I +hope, I shall return here to find you strong again and once more a man, +and we will start out against Bangu, as I have whispered to you, with +the leave of a High One, who has said that, if I can take any cattle, I +may keep them for my pains." + +"I don't know about that, Saduko. I never promised you that I would +make war upon Bangu--with or without the king's leave." + +"No, you never promised, but Zikali the Dwarf, the Wise Little One, said +that you would--and does Zikali lie? Ask yourself, who will remember a +certain saying of his about a buffalo with a cleft horn, a pool and a +dry river-bed. Farewell, O my father Macumazahn; I walk with the dawn, +and I leave Mameena in your keeping." + +"You mean that you leave me in Mameena's keeping," I began, but already +he was crawling through the hole in the hut. + +Well, Mameena kept me very comfortably. She was always in evidence, yet +not too much so. + +Heedless of her malice and abuse, she headed off the "Worn-out-old-Cow," +whom she knew I detested, from my presence. She saw personally to my +bandages, as well as to the cooking of my food, over which matter she +had several quarrels with the bastard, Scowl, who did not like her, for +on him she never wasted any of her sweet looks. Also, as I grew +stronger, she sat with me a good deal, talking, since, by common +consent, Mameena the fair was exempted from all the field, and even the +ordinary household labours that fall to the lot of Kafir women. Her +place was to be the ornament and, I may add, the advertisement of her +father's kraal. Others might do the work, and she saw that they did it. + +We discussed all sorts of things, from the Christian and other religions +and European policy down, for her thirst for knowledge seemed to be +insatiable. But what really interested her was the state of affairs in +Zululand, with which she knew I was well acquainted, as a person who had +played a part in its history and who was received and trusted at the +Great House, and as a white man who understood the designs and plans of +the Boers and of the Governor of Natal. + +Now, if the old king, Panda, should chance to die, she would ask me, +which of his sons did I think would succeed him--Umbelazi or Cetewayo, +or another? Or, if he did not chance to die, which of them would he +name his heir? + +I replied that I was not a prophet, and that she had better ask Zikali +the Wise. + +"That is a very good idea," she said, "only I have no one to take me to +him, since my father would not allow me to go with Saduko, his ward." +Then she clapped her hands and added: "Oh, Macumazahn, will you take me? +My father would trust me with you." + +"Yes, I dare say," I answered; "but the question is, could I trust +myself with you?" + +"What do you mean?" she asked. "Oh, I understand. Then, after all, I +am more to you than a black stone to play with?" + +I think it was that unlucky joke of mine which first set Mameena +thinking, "like a white ant in its tunnel," as Saduko said. At least, +after it her manner towards me changed; she became very deferential; she +listened to my words as though they were all wisdom; I caught her +looking at me with her soft eyes as though I were quite an admirable +object. She began to talk to me of her difficulties, her troubles and +her ambitions. She asked me for my advice as to Saduko. On this point +I replied to her that, if she loved him, and her father would allow it, +presumably she had better marry him. + +"I like him well enough, Macumazahn, although he wearies me at times; +but love-- Oh, tell me, _what_ is love?" Then she clasped her slim +hands and gazed at me like a fawn. + +"Upon my word, young woman," I replied, "that is a matter upon which I +should have thought you more competent to instruct me." + +"Oh, Macumazahn," she said almost in a whisper, and letting her head +droop like a fading lily, "you have never given me the chance, have +you?" And she laughed a little, looking extremely attractive. + +"Good gracious!"--or, rather, its Zulu equivalent--I answered, for I +began to feel nervous. "What do you mean, Mameena? How could I--" +There I stopped. + +"I do not know what I mean, Macumazahn," she exclaimed wildly, "but I +know well enough what you mean--that you are white as snow and I am +black as soot, and that snow and soot don't mix well together." + +"No," I answered gravely, "snow is good to look at, and so is soot, but +mingled they make an ugly colour. Not that you are like soot," I added +hastily, fearing to hurt her feelings. "That is your hue"--and I +touched a copper bangle she was wearing--"a very lovely hue, Mameena, +like everything else about you." + +"Lovely," she said, beginning to weep a little, which upset me very +much, for if there is one thing I hate, it is to see a woman cry. "How +can a poor Zulu girl be lovely? Oh, Macumazahn, the spirits have dealt +hardly with me, who have given me the colour of my people and the heart +of yours. If I were white, now, what you are pleased to call this +loveliness of mine would be of some use to me, for then-- then-- Oh, +cannot you guess, Macumazahn?" + +I shook my head and said that I could not, and next moment was sorry, +for she proceeded to explain. + +Sinking to her knees--for we were quite alone in the big hut and there +was no one else about, all the other women being engaged on rural or +domestic tasks, for which Mameena declared she had no time, as her +business was to look after me--she rested her shapely head upon my knees +and began to talk in a low, sweet voice that sometimes broke into a sob. + +"Then I will tell you--I will tell you; yes, even if you hate me +afterwards. I could teach you what love is very well, Macumazahn; you +are quite right--because I love you." (Sob.) "No, you shall not stir +till you have heard me out." Here she flung her arms about my legs and +held them tight, so that without using great violence it was absolutely +impossible for me to move. "When I saw you first, all shattered and +senseless, snow seemed to fall upon my heart, and it stopped for a +little while and has never been the same since. I think that something +is growing in it, Macumazahn, that makes it big." (Sob.) "I used to +like Saduko before that, but afterwards I did not like him at all--no, +nor Masapo either--you know, he is the big chief who lives over the +mountain, a very rich and powerful man, who, I believe, would like to +marry me. Well, as I went on nursing you my heart grew bigger and +bigger, and now you see it has burst." (Sob.) "Nay, stay still and do +not try to speak. You _shall_ hear me out. It is the least you can do, +seeing that you have caused me all this pain. If you did not want me to +love you, why did you not curse at me and strike me, as I am told white +men do to Kafir girls?" She rose and went on: + +"Now, hearken. Although I am the colour of copper, I am comely. I am +well-bred also; there is no higher blood than ours in Zululand, both on +my father's and my mother's side, and, Macumazahn, I have a fire in me +that shows me things. I can be great, and I long for greatness. Take +me to wife, Macumazahn, and I swear to you that in ten years I will make +you king of the Zulus. Forget your pale white women and wed yourself to +that fire which burns in me, and it shall eat up all that stands between +you and the Crown, as flame eats up dry grass. More, I will make you +happy. If you choose to take other wives, I will not be jealous, +because I know that I should hold your spirit, and that, compared to me, +they would be nothing in your thought--" + +"But, Mameena," I broke in, "I don't want to be king of the Zulus." + +"Oh, yes, yes, you do, for every man wants power, and it is better to +rule over a brave, black people--thousands and thousands of them--than +to be no one among the whites. Think, think! There is wealth in the +land. By your skill and knowledge the amabuto [regiments] could be +improved; with the wealth you would arm them with guns--yes, and +'by-and-byes' also with the throat of thunder" (that is, or was, the +Kafir name for cannon).* "They would be invincible. Chaka's kingdom +would be nothing to ours, for a hundred thousand warriors would sleep on +their spears, waiting for your word. If you wished it even you could +sweep out Natal and make the whites there your subjects, too. Or +perhaps it would be safer to let them be, lest others should come across +the green water to help them, and to strike northwards, where I am told +there are great lands as rich and fair, in which none would dispute our +sovereignty--" + +[*--Cannon were called "by-and-byes" by the natives, because when +field-pieces first arrived in Natal inquisitive Kafirs pestered the +soldiers to show them how they were fired. The answer given was always +"By-and-bye!" Hence the name.--EDITOR] + +"But, Mameena," I gasped, for this girl's titanic ambition literally +overwhelmed me, "surely you are mad! How would you do all these +things?" + +"I am not mad," she answered; "I am only what is called great, and you +know well enough that I can do them, not by myself, who am but a woman +and tied with the ropes that bind women, but with you to cut those ropes +and help me. I have a plan which will not fail. But, Macumazahn," she +added in a changed voice, "until I know that you will be my partner in +it I will not tell it even to you, for perhaps you might talk--in your +sleep, and then the fire in my breast would soon go out--for ever." + +"I might talk now, for the matter of that, Mameena." + +"No; for men like you do not tell tales of foolish girls who chance to +love them. But if that plan began to work, and you heard say that kings +or princes died, it might be otherwise. You might say, 'I think I know +where the witch lives who causes these evils'--in your sleep, +Macumazahn." + +"Mameena," I said, "tell me no more. Setting your dreams on one side, +can I be false to my friend, Saduko, who talks to me day and night of +you?" + +"Saduko! Piff!" she exclaimed, with that expressive gesture of her +hand. + +"And can I be false," I continued, seeing that Saduko was no good card +to play, "to my friend, Umbezi, your father?" + +"My father!" she laughed. "Why, would it not please him to grow great +in your shadow? Only yesterday he told me to marry you, if I could, for +then he would find a stick indeed to lean on, and be rid of Saduko's +troubling." + +Evidently Umbezi was a worse card even than Saduko, so I played another. + +"And can I help you, Mameena, to tread a road that at the best must be +red with blood?" + +"Why not," she asked, "since with or without you I am destined to tread +that road, the only difference being that with you it will lead to glory +and without you perhaps to the jackals and the vultures? Blood! Piff! +What is blood in Zululand?" + +This card also having failed, I tabled my last. + +"Glory or no glory, I do not wish to share it, Mameena. I will not make +war among a people who have entertained me hospitably, or plot the +downfall of their Great Ones. As you told me just now, I am +nobody--just one grain of sand upon a white shore--but I had rather be +that than a haunted rock which draws the heavens' lightnings and is +drenched with sacrifice. I seek no throne over white or black, Mameena, +who walk my own path to a quiet grave that shall perhaps not be without +honour of its own, though other than you seek. I will keep your +counsel, Mameena, but, because you are so beautiful and so wise, and +because you say you are fond of me--for which I thank you--I pray you +put away these fearful dreams of yours that in the end, whether they +succeed or fail, will send you shivering from the world to give account +of them to the Watcher-on-high." + +"Not so, O Macumazana," she said, with a proud little laugh. "When your +Watcher sowed my seed--if thus he did--he sowed the dreams that are a +part of me also, and I shall only bring him back his own, with the +flower and the fruit by way of interest. But that is finished. You +refuse the greatness. Now, tell me, if I sink those dreams in a great +water, tying about them the stone of forgetfulness and saying: 'Sleep +there, O dreams; it is not your hour'--if I do this, and stand before +you just a woman who loves and who swears by the spirits of her fathers +never to think or do that which has not your blessing--will you love me +a little, Macumazahn?" + +Now I was silent, for she had driven me to the last ditch, and I knew +not what to say. Moreover, I will confess my weakness--I was strangely +moved. This beautiful girl with the "fire in her heart," this woman who +was different from all other women that I had ever known, seemed to have +twisted her slender fingers into my heart-strings and to be drawing me +towards her. It was a great temptation, and I bethought me of old +Zikali's saying in the Black Kloof, and seemed to hear his giant laugh. + +She glided up to me, she threw her arms about me and kissed me on the +lips, and I think I kissed her back, but really I am not sure what I did +or said, for my head swam. When it cleared again she was standing in +front of me, looking at me reflectively. + +"Now, Macumazahn," she said, with a little smile that both mocked and +dazzled, "the poor black girl has you, the wise, experienced white man, +in her net, and I will show you that she can be generous. Do you think +that I do not read your heart, that I do not know that you believe I am +dragging you down to shame and ruin? Well, I spare you, Macumazahn, +since you have kissed me and spoken words which already you may have +forgotten, but which I do not forget. Go your road, Macumazahn, and I +go mine, since the proud white man shall not be stained with my black +touch. Go your road; but one thing I forbid you--to believe that you +have been listening to lies, and that I have merely played off a woman's +arts upon you for my own ends. I love you, Macumazahn, as you will +never be loved till you die, and I shall never love any other man, +however many I may marry. Moreover, you shall promise me one +thing--that once in my life, and once only, if I wish it, you shall kiss +me again before all men. And now, lest you should be moved to folly and +forget your white man's pride, I bid you farewell, O Macumazana. When +we meet again it will be as friends only." + +Then she went, leaving me feeling smaller than ever I felt in my life, +before or since--even smaller than when I walked into the presence of +old Zikali the Wise. Why, I wondered, had she first made a fool of me, +and then thrown away the fruits of my folly? To this hour I cannot +quite answer the question, though I believe the explanation to be that +she did really care for me, and was anxious not to involve me in trouble +and her plottings; also she may have been wise enough to see that our +natures were as oil and water and would never blend. + + + +CHAPTER V + + + + +TWO BUCKS AND THE DOE + + + + + +It may be thought that, as a sequel to this somewhat remarkable scene in +which I was absolutely bowled over--perhaps bowled out would be a better +term--by a Kafir girl who, after bending me to her will, had the genius +to drop me before I repented, as she knew I would do so soon as her back +was turned, thereby making me look the worst of fools, that my relations +with that young lady would have been strained. But not a bit of it. +When next we met, which was on the following morning, she was just her +easy, natural self, attending to my hurts, which by now were almost +well, joking about this and that, inquiring as to the contents of +certain letters which I had received from Natal, and of some newspapers +that came with them--for on all such matters she was very curious--and +so forth. + +Impossible, the clever critic will say--impossible that a savage could +act with such finish. Well, friend critic, that is just where you are +wrong. When you come to add it up there's very little difference in all +main and essential matters between the savage and yourself. + +To begin with, by what exact right do we call people like the Zulus +savages? Setting aside the habit of polygamy, which, after all, is +common among very highly civilised peoples in the East, they have a +social system not unlike our own. They have, or had, their king, their +nobles, and their commons. They have an ancient and elaborate law, and +a system of morality in some ways as high as our own, and certainly more +generally obeyed. They have their priests and their doctors; they are +strictly upright, and observe the rites of hospitality. + +Where they differ from us mainly is that they do not get drunk until the +white man teaches them so to do, they wear less clothing, the climate +being more genial, their towns at night are not disgraced by the sights +that distinguish ours, they cherish and are never cruel to their +children, although they may occasionally put a deformed infant or a twin +out of the way, and when they go to war, which is often, they carry out +the business with a terrible thoroughness, almost as terrible as that +which prevailed in every nation in Europe a few generations ago. + +Of course, there remain their witchcraft and the cruelties which result +from their almost universal belief in the power and efficiency of magic. +Well, since I lived in England I have been reading up this subject, and +I find that quite recently similar cruelties were practised throughout +Europe--that is in a part of the world which for over a thousand years +has enjoyed the advantages of the knowledge and profession of the +Christian faith. + +Now, let him who is highly cultured take up a stone to throw at the +poor, untaught Zulu, which I notice the most dissolute and drunken +wretch of a white man is often ready to do, generally because he covets +his land, his labour, or whatever else may be his. + +But I wander from my point, which is that a clever man or woman among +the people whom we call savages is in all essentials very much the same +as a clever man or woman anywhere else. + +Here in England every child is educated at the expense of the Country, +but I have not observed that the system results in the production of +more really able individuals. Ability is the gift of Nature, and that +universal mother sheds her favours impartially over all who breathe. +No, not quite impartially, perhaps, for the old Greeks and others were +examples to the contrary. Still, the general rule obtains. + +To return. Mameena was a very able person, as she chanced to be a very +lovely one, a person who, had she been favoured by opportunity, would +doubtless have played the part of a Cleopatra with equal or greater +success, since she shared the beauty and the unscrupulousness of that +famous lady and was, I believe, capable of her passion. + +I scarcely like to mention the matter since it affects myself, and the +natural vanity of man makes him prone to conclude that he is the +particular object of sole and undying devotion. Could he know all the +facts of the case, or cases, probably he would be much undeceived, and +feel about as small as I did when Mameena walked, or rather crawled, out +of the hut (she could even crawl gracefully). Still, to be honest--and +why should I not, since all this business "went beyond" so long ago?--I +do believe that there was a certain amount of truth in what she +said--that, for Heaven knows what reason, she did take a fancy to me, +which fancy continued during her short and stormy life. But the reader +of her story may judge for himself. + +Within a fortnight of the day of my discomfiture in the hut I was quite +well and strong again, my ribs, or whatever part of me it was that the +buffalo had injured with his iron knees, having mended up. Also, I was +anxious to be going, having business to attend to in Natal, and, as no +more had been seen or heard of Saduko, I determined to trek homewards, +leaving a message that he knew where to find me if he wanted me. The +truth is that I was by no means keen on being involved in his private +war with Bangu. Indeed, I wished to wash my hands of the whole matter, +including the fair Mameena and her mocking eyes. + +So one morning, having already got up my oxen, I told Scowl to inspan +them--an order which he received with joy, for he and the other boys +wished to be off to civilisation and its delights. Just as the +operation was beginning, however, a message came to me from old Umbezi, +who begged me to delay my departure till after noon, as a friend of his, +a big chief, had come to visit him who wished much to have the honour of +making my acquaintance. Now, I wished the big chief farther off, but, +as it seemed rude to refuse the request of one who had been so kind to +me, I ordered the oxen to be unyoked but kept at hand, and in an +irritable frame of mind walked up to the kraal. This was about half a +mile from my place of outspan, for as soon as I was sufficiently +recovered I had begun to sleep in my wagon, leaving the big hut to the +"Worn-out-Old-Cow." + +There was no particular reason why I should be irritated, since time in +those days was of no great account in Zululand, and it did not much +matter to me whether I trekked in the morning or the afternoon. But the +fact was that I could not get over the prophecy of Zikali, "the Little +and Wise," that I was destined to share Saduko's expedition against +Bangu, and, although he had been right about the buffalo and Mameena, I +was determined to prove him wrong in this particular. + +If I had left the country, obviously I could not go against Bangu, at +any rate at present. But while I remained in it Saduko might return at +any moment, and then, doubtless, I should find it hard to escape from +the kind of half-promise that I had given to him. + +Well, as soon as I reached the kraal I saw that some kind of festivity +was in progress, for an ox had been killed and was being cooked, some of +it in pots and some by roasting; also there were several strange Zulus +present. Within the fence of the kraal, seated in its shadow, I found +Umbezi and some of his headmen, and with them a great, brawny "ringed" +native, who wore a tiger-skin moocha as a mark of rank, and some of +_his_ headmen. Also Mameena was standing near the gate, dressed in her +best beads and holding a gourd of Kafir beer which, evidently, she had +just been handing to the guests. + +"Would you have run away without saying good-bye to me, Macumazahn?" she +whispered to me as I came abreast of her. "That is unkind of you, and I +should have wept much. However, it was not so fated." + +"I was going to ride up and bid farewell when the oxen were inspanned," +I answered. "But who is that man?" + +"You will find out presently, Macumazahn. Look, my father is beckoning +to us." + +So I went on to the circle, and as I advanced Umbezi rose and, taking me +by the hand, led me to the big man, saying: + +"This is Masapo, chief of the Amansomi, of the Quabe race, who desires +to know you, Macumazahn." + +"Very kind of him, I am sure," I replied coolly, as I threw my eye over +Masapo. He was, as I have said, a big man, and of about fifty years of +age, for his hair was tinged with grey. To be frank, I took a great +dislike to him at once, for there was something in his strong, coarse +face, and his air of insolent pride, which repelled me. Then I was +silent, since among the Zulus, when two strangers of more or less equal +rank meet, he who speaks first acknowledges inferiority to the other. +Therefore I stood and contemplated this new suitor of Mameena, waiting +on events. + +Masapo also contemplated me, then made some remark to one of his +attendants, that I did not catch, which caused the fellow to laugh. + +"He has heard that you are an ipisi" (a great hunter), broke in Umbezi, +who evidently felt that the situation was growing strained, and that it +was necessary to say something. + +"Has he?" I answered. "Then he is more fortunate than I am, for I have +never heard of him or what he is." This, I am sorry to say, was a fib, +for it will be remembered that Mameena had mentioned him in the hut as +one of her suitors, but among natives one must keep up one's dignity +somehow. "Friend Umbezi," I went on, "I have come to bid you farewell, +as I am about to trek for Durban." + +At this juncture Masapo stretched out his great hand to me, but without +rising, and said: + +"Siyakubona [that is, good-day], White Man." + +"Siyakubona, Black Man," I answered, just touching his fingers, while +Mameena, who had come up again with her beer, and was facing me, made a +little grimace and tittered. + +Now I turned on my heel to go, whereon Masapo said in a coarse, growling +voice: + +"O Macumazana, before you leave us I wish to speak with you on a certain +matter. Will it please you to sit aside with me for a while?" + +"Certainly, O Masapo." And I walked away a few yards out of hearing, +whither he followed me. + +"Macumazahn," he said (I give the gist of his remarks, for he did not +come to the point at once), "I need guns, and I am told that you can +provide them, being a trader." + +"Yes, Masapo, I dare say that I can, at a price, though it is a risky +business smuggling guns into Zululand. But might I ask what you need +them for? is it to shoot elephants?" + +"Yes, to shoot elephants," he replied, rolling his big eyes round him. +"Macumazahn, I am told that you are discreet, that you do not shout from +the top of a hut what you hear within it. Now, hearken to me. Our +country is disturbed; we do not all of us love the seed of Senzangakona, +of whom the present king, Panda, is one. For instance, you may know +that we Quabies--for my tribe, the Amansomi, are of that race--suffered +at the spear of Chaka. Well, we think that a time may come when we who +live on shrubs like goats may again browse on tree-tops like giraffes, +for Panda is no strong king, and he has sons who hate each other, one of +whom may need our spears. Do you understand?" + +"I understand that you want guns, O Masapo," I answered dryly. "Now, as +to the price and place of delivery." + +Then we bargained for a while, but the details of that business +transaction of long ago will interest no one. Indeed, I only mention +the matter to show that Masapo was plotting to bring trouble on the +ruling house, whereof Panda was the representative at that time. + +When we had concluded our rather nefarious negotiations, which were to +the effect that I was to receive so many cattle in return for so many +guns, if I could deliver them at a certain spot, namely, Umbezi's kraal, +I returned to the circle where Umbezi, his followers and guests were +sitting, purposing to bid him farewell. By now, however, meat had been +served, and as I was hungry, having had little breakfast that morning, I +stayed to eat. When I had finished my meal, and washed it down with a +draught of tshwala (that is, Kafir beer), I rose to go, but just at that +moment who should walk through the gate but Saduko? + +"Piff!" said Mameena, who was standing near me, speaking in a voice that +none but I could hear. "When two bucks meet, what happens, Macumazahn?" + +"Sometimes they fight and sometimes one runs away. It depends very much +on the doe," I answered in the same low voice, looking at her. + +She shrugged her shoulders, folded her arms beneath her breast, nodded +to Saduko as he passed, then leaned gracefully against the fence and +awaited events. + +"Greeting, Umbezi," said Saduko in his proud manner. "I see that you +feast. Am I welcome here?" + +"Of course you are always welcome, Saduko," replied Umbezi uneasily, +"although, as it happens, I am entertaining a great man." And he looked +towards Masapo. + +"I see," said Saduko, eyeing the strangers. "But which of these may be +the great man? I ask that I may salute him." + +"You know well enough, umfokazana" (that is, low fellow), exclaimed +Masapo angrily. + +"I know that if you were outside this fence, Masapo, I would cram that +word down your throat at the point of my assegai," replied Saduko in a +fierce voice. "Oh, I can guess your business here, Masapo, and you can +guess mine," and he glanced towards Mameena. "Tell me, Umbezi, is this +little chief of the Amansomi your daughter's accepted suitor?" + +"Nay, nay, Saduko," said Umbezi; "no one is her accepted suitor. Will +you not sit down and take food with us? Tell us where you have been, +and why you return here thus suddenly, and--uninvited?" + +"I return here, O Umbezi, to speak with the white chief, Macumazahn. As +to where I have been, that is my affair, and not yours or Masapo's." + +"Now, if I were chief of this kraal," said Masapo, "I would hunt out of +it this hyena with a mangy coat and without a hole who comes to devour +your meat and, perhaps," he added with meaning, "to steal away your +child." + +"Did I not tell you, Macumazahn, that when two bucks met they would +fight?" whispered Mameena suavely into my ear. + +"Yes, Mameena, you did--or rather I told you. But you did not tell me +what the doe would do." + +"The doe, Macumazahn, will crouch in her form and see what happens--as +is the fashion of does," and again she laughed softly. + +"Why not do your own hunting, Masapo?" asked Saduko. "Come, now, I will +promise you good sport. Outside this kraal there are other hyenas +waiting who call me chief--a hundred or two of them--assembled for a +certain purpose by the royal leave of King Panda, whose House, as we all +know, you hate. Come, leave that beef and beer and begin your hunting +of hyenas, O Masapo." + +Now Masapo sat silent, for he saw that he who thought to snare a baboon +had caught a tiger. + +"You do not speak, O Chief of the little Amansomi," went on Saduko, who +was beside himself with rage and jealousy. "You will not leave your +beef and beer to hunt the hyenas who are captained by an umfokazana! +Well, then, the umfokazana will speak," and, stepping up to Masapo, with +the spear he carried poised in his right hand, Saduko grasped his +rival's short beard with his left. + +"Listen, Chief," he said. "You and I are enemies. You seek the woman I +seek, and, mayhap, being rich, you will buy her. But if so, I tell you +that I will kill you and all your House, you sneaking, half-bred dog!" + +With these fierce words he spat in his face and tumbled him backwards. +Then, before anyone could stop him, for Umbezi, and even Masapo's +headmen, seemed paralysed with surprise, he stalked through the kraal +gate, saying as he passed me: + +"Inkoosi, I have words for you when you are at liberty." + +"You shall pay for this," roared Umbezi after him, turning almost green +with rage, for Masapo still lay upon his broad back, speechless, "you +who dare to insult my guest in my own house." + +"Somebody must pay," cried back Saduko from the gate, "but who it is +only the unborn moons will see." + +"Mameena," I said as I followed him, "you have set fire to the grass, +and men will be burned in it." + +"I meant to, Macumazahn," she answered calmly. "Did I not tell you that +there was a flame in me, and it will break out sometimes? But, +Macumazahn, it is you who have set fire to the grass, not I. Remember +that when half Zululand is in ashes. Farewell, O Macumazana, till we +meet again, and," she added softly, "whoever else must burn, may the +spirits have _you_ in their keeping." + +At the gate, remembering my manners, I turned to bid that company a +polite farewell. By now Masapo had gained his feet, and was roaring out +like a bull: + +"Kill him! Kill the hyena! Umbezi, will you sit still and see me, your +guest--me, Masapo--struck and insulted under the shadow of your own hut? +Go forth and kill him, I say!" + +"Why not kill him yourself, Masapo," asked the agitated Umbezi, "or bid +your headmen kill him? Who am I that I should take precedence of so +great a chief in a matter of the spear?" Then he turned towards me, +saying: "Oh, Macumazahn the crafty, if I have dealt well by you, come +here and give me your counsel." + +"I come, Eater-up-of-Elephants," I answered, and I did. + +"What shall I do--what shall I do?" went on Umbezi, brushing the +perspiration off his brow with one hand, while he wrung the other in his +agitation. "There stands a friend of mine"--he pointed to the +infuriated Masapo--"who wishes me to kill another friend of mine," and +he jerked his thumb towards the kraal gate. "If I refuse I offend one +friend, and if I consent I bring blood upon my hands which will call for +blood, since, although Saduko is poor, without doubt he has those who +love him." + +"Yes," I answered, "and perhaps you will bring blood upon other parts of +yourself besides your hands, since Saduko is not one to sit still like a +sheep while his throat is cut. Also did he not say that he is not quite +alone? Umbezi, if you will take my advice, you will leave Masapo to do +his own killing." + +"It is good; it is wise!" exclaimed Umbezi. "Masapo," he called to that +warrior, "if you wish to fight, pray do not think of me. I see nothing, +I hear nothing, and I promise proper burial to any who fall. Only you +had best be swift, for Saduko is walking away all this time. Come, you +and your people have spears, and the gate stands open." + +"Am I to go without my meat in order to knock that hyena on the head?" +asked Masapo in a brave voice. "No, he can wait my leisure. Sit still, +my people. I tell you, sit still. Tell him, you Macumazahn, that I am +coming for him presently, and be warned to keep yourself away from him, +lest you should tumble into his hole." + +"I will tell him," I answered, "though I know not who made me your +messenger. But listen to me, you Speaker of big words and Doer of small +deeds, if you dare to lift a finger against me I will teach you +something about holes, for there shall be one or more through that great +carcass of yours." + +Then, walking up to him, I looked him in the face, and at the same time +tapped the handle of the big double-barrelled pistol I carried. + +He shrank back muttering something. + +"Oh, don't apologise," I said, "only be more careful in future. And now +I wish you a good dinner, Chief Masapo, and peace upon your kraal, +friend Umbezi." + +After this speech I marched off, followed by the clamour of Masapo's +furious attendants and the sound of Mameena's light and mocking +laughter. + +"I wonder which of them she will marry?" I thought to myself, as I set +out for the wagons. + +As I approached my camp I saw that the oxen were being inspanned, as I +supposed by the order of Scowl, who must have heard that there was a row +up at the kraal, and thought it well to be ready to bolt. In this I was +mistaken, however, for just then Saduko strolled out of a patch of bush +and said: + +"I ordered your boys to yoke up the oxen, Inkoosi." + +"Have you? That's cool!" I answered. "Perhaps you will tell me why." + +"Because we must make a good trek to the northward before night, +Inkoosi." + +"Indeed! I thought that I was heading south-east." + +"Bangu does not live in the south or the east," he replied slowly. + +"Oh, I had almost forgotten about Bangu," I said, with a rather feeble +attempt at evasion. + +"Is it so?" he answered in his haughty voice. "I never knew before that +Macumazahn was a man who broke a promise to his friend." + +"Would you be so kind as to explain your meaning, Saduko?" + +"Is it needful?" he answered, shrugging his shoulders. "Unless my ears +played me tricks, you agreed to go up with me against Bangu. Well, I +have gathered the necessary men--with the king's leave--they await us +yonder," and he pointed with his spear towards a dense patch of bush +that lay some miles beneath us. "But," he added, "if you desire to +change your mind I will go alone. Only then, I think, we had better bid +each other good-bye, since I love not friends who change their minds +when the assegais begin to shake." + +Now, whether Saduko spoke thus by design I do not know. Certainly, +however, he could have found no better way to ensure my companionship +for what it was worth, since, although I had made no actual promise in +this case, I have always prided myself on keeping even a half-bargain +with a native. + +"I will go with you," I said quietly, "and I hope that, when it comes to +the pinch, your spear will be as sharp as your tongue, Saduko. Only do +not speak to me again like that, lest we should quarrel." + +As I said this I saw a look of relief appear on his face, of very great +relief. + +"I pray your pardon, my lord Macumazahn," he said, seizing my hand, +"but, oh! there is a hole in my heart. I think that Mameena means to +play me false, and now that has happened with yonder dog, Masapo, which +will make her father hate me." + +"If you will take my advice, Saduko," I replied earnestly, "you will let +this Mameena fall out of the hole in your heart; you will forget her +name; you will have done with her. Ask me not why." + +"Perhaps there is no need, O Macumazana. Perhaps she has been making +love to you, and you have turned her away, as, being what you are, and +my friend, of course you would do." (It is rather inconvenient to be +set upon such a pedestal at times, but I did not attempt to assent or to +deny anything, much less to enter into explanations.) + +"Perhaps all this has happened," he continued, "or perhaps it is she who +has sent for Masapo the Hog. I do not ask, because if you know you will +not tell me. Moreover, it matters nothing. While I have a heart, +Mameena will never drop out of it; while I can remember names, hers will +never be forgotten by me. Moreover, I mean that she shall be my wife. +Now, I am minded to take a few men and spear this hog, Masapo, before we +go up against Bangu, for then he, at any rate, will be out of my road." + +"If you do anything of the sort, Saduko, you will go up against Bangu +alone, for I trek east at once, who will not be mixed up with murder." + +"Then let it be, Inkoosi; unless he attacks me, as my Snake send that he +may, the Hog can wait. After all, he will only be growing a little +fatter. Now, if it pleases you order the wagons to trek. I will show +the road, for we must camp in that bush to-night where my people wait +me, and there I will tell you my plans; also you will find one with a +message for you." + + + +CHAPTER VI + + + + +THE AMBUSH + + + + + +We had reached the bush after six hours' downhill trek over a pretty bad +track made by cattle--of course, there were no roads in Zululand at this +date. I remember the place well. It was a kind of spreading woodland +on a flat bottom, where trees of no great size grew sparsely. Some were +mimosa thorns, others had deep green leaves and bore a kind of plum with +an acid taste and a huge stone, and others silver-coloured leaves in +their season. A river, too, low at this time of the year, wound through +it, and in the scrub upon its banks were many guinea-fowl and other +birds. It was a pleasing, lonely place, with lots of game in it, that +came here in the winter to eat the grass, which was lacking on the +higher veld. Also it gave the idea of vastness, since wherever one +looked there was nothing to be seen except a sea of trees. + +Well, we outspanned by the river, of which I forget the name, at a spot +that Saduko showed us, and set to work to cook our food, that consisted +of venison from a blue wildebeest, one of a herd of these wild-looking +animals which I had been fortunate enough to shoot as they whisked past +us, gambolling in and out between the trees. + +While we were eating I observed that armed Zulus arrived continually in +parties of from six to a score of men, and as they arrived lifted their +spears, though whether in salutation to Saduko or to myself I did not +know, and sat themselves down on an open space between us and the +river-bank. Although it was difficult to say whence they came, for they +appeared like ghosts out of the bush, I thought it well to take no +notice of them, since I guessed that their coming was prearranged. + +"Who are they?" I whispered to Scowl, as he brought me my tot of +"squareface." + +"Saduko's wild men," he answered in the same low voice, "outlaws of his +tribe who live among the rocks." + +Now I scanned them sideways, while pretending to light my pipe and so +forth, and certainly they seemed a remarkably savage set of people. +Great, gaunt fellows with tangled hair, who wore tattered skins upon +their shoulders and seemed to have no possessions save some snuff, a few +sleeping-mats, and an ample supply of large fighting shields, hardwood +kerries or knob-sticks, and broad ixwas, or stabbing assegais. Such was +the look of them as they sat round us in silent semicircles, like +aas-vogels--as the Dutch call vultures--sit round a dying ox. + +Still I smoked on and took no notice. + +At length, as I expected, Saduko grew weary of my silence and spoke. +"These are men of the Amangwane tribe, Macumazahn; three hundred of +them, all that Bangu left alive, for when their fathers were killed, the +women escaped with some of the children, especially those of the +outlying kraals. I have gathered them to be revenged upon Bangu, I who +am their chief by right of blood." + +"Quite so," I answered. "I see that you have gathered them; but do they +wish to be revenged on Bangu at the risk of their own lives?" + +"We do, white Inkoosi," came the deep-throated answer from the three +hundred. + +"And do they acknowledge you, Saduko, to be their chief?" + +"We do," again came the answer. Then a spokesman stepped forward, one +of the few grey-haired men among them, for most of these Amangwane were +of the age of Saduko, or even younger. + +"O Watcher-by-Night," he said, "I am Tshoza, the brother of Matiwane, +Saduko's father, the only one of his brothers that escaped the slaughter +on the night of the Great Killing. Is it not so?" + +"It is so," exclaimed the serried ranks behind him. + +"I acknowledge Saduko as my chief, and so do we all," went on Tshoza. + +"So do we all," echoed the ranks. + +"Since Matiwane died we have lived as we could, O Macumazana; like +baboons among the rocks, without cattle, often without a hut to shelter +us; here one, there one. Still, we have lived, awaiting the hour of +vengeance upon Bangu, that hour which Zikali the Wise, who is of our +blood, has promised to us. Now we believe that it has come, and one and +all, from here, from there, from everywhere, we have gathered at the +summons of Saduko to be led against Bangu and to conquer him or to die. +Is it not so, Amangwane?" + +"It is, it is so!" came the deep, unanimous answer, that caused the +stirless leaves to shake in the still air. + +"I understand, O Tshoza, brother of Matiwane and uncle of Saduko the +chief," I replied. "But Bangu is a strong man, living, I am told, in a +strong place. Still, let that go; for have you not said that you come +out to conquer or to die, you who have nothing to lose; and if you +conquer, you conquer; and if you die, you die and the tale is told. But +supposing that you conquer. What will Panda, King of the Zulus, say to +you, and to me also, who stir up war in his country?" + +Now the Amangwane looked behind them, and Saduko cried out: + +"Appear, messenger from Panda the King!" + +Before his words had ceased to echo I saw a little, withered man +threading his way between the tall, gaunt forms of the Amangwane. He +came and stood before me, saying: + +"Hail, Macumazahn. Do you remember me?" + +"Aye," I answered, "I remember you as Maputa, one of Panda's indunas." + +"Quite so, Macumazahn; I am Maputa, one of his indunas, a member of his +Council, a captain of his impis [that is, armies], as I was to his +brothers who are gone, whose names it is not lawful that I should name. +Well, Panda the King has sent me to you, at the request of Saduko there, +with a message." + +"How do I know that you are a true messenger?" I asked. "Have you +brought me any token?" + +"Aye," he answered, and, fumbling under his cloak, he produced something +wrapped in dried leaves, which he undid and handed to me, saying: + +"This is the token that Panda sends to you, Macumazahn, bidding me to +tell you that you will certainly know it again; also that you are +welcome to it, since the two little bullets which he swallowed as you +directed made him very ill, and he needs no more of them." + +I took the token, and, examining it in the moonlight, recognised it at +once. + +It was a cardboard box of strong calomel pills, on the top of which was +written: "Allan Quatermain, Esq.: One _only_ to be taken as directed." +Without entering into explanations, I may state that I had taken "one as +directed," and subsequently presented the rest of the box to King Panda, +who was very anxious to "taste the white man's medicine." + +"Do you recognise the token, Macumazahn?" asked the induna. + +"Yes," I replied gravely; "and let the King return thanks to the spirits +of his ancestors that he did not swallow three of the balls, for if he +had done so, by now there would have been another Head in Zululand. +Well, speak on, Messenger." + +But to myself I reflected, not for the first time, how strangely these +natives could mix up the sublime with the ridiculous. Here was a matter +that must involve the death of many men, and the token sent to me by the +autocrat who stood at the back of it all, to prove the good faith of his +messenger, was a box of calomel pills! However, it served the purpose +as well as anything else. + +Maputa and I drew aside, for I saw that he wished to speak with me +alone. + +"O Macumazana," he said, when we were out of hearing of the others, +"these are the words of Panda to you: 'I understand that you, +Macumazahn, have promised to accompany Saduko, son of Matiwane, on an +expedition of his against Bangu, chief of the Amakoba. Now, were anyone +else concerned, I should forbid this expedition, and especially should I +forbid you, a white man in my country, to share therein. But this dog +of a Bangu is an evil-doer. Many years ago he worked on the Black One +who went before me to send him to destroy Matiwane, my friend, filling +the Black One's ears with false accusations; and thereafter he did +treacherously destroy him and all his tribe save Saduko, his son, and +some of the people and children who escaped. Moreover, of late he has +been working against me, the King, striving to stir up rebellion against +me, because he knows that I hate him for his crimes. Now I, Panda, +unlike those who went before me, am a man of peace who do not wish to +light the fire of civil war in the land, for who knows where such fires +will stop, or whose kraals they will consume? Yet I do wish to see +Bangu punished for his wickedness, and his pride abated. Therefore I +give Saduko leave, and those people of the Amangwane who remain to him, +to avenge their private wrongs upon Bangu if they can; and I give you +leave, Macumazahn, to be of his party. Moreover, if any cattle are +taken, I shall ask no account of them; you and Saduko may divide them as +you wish. But understand, O Macumazana, that if you or your people are +killed or wounded, or robbed of your goods, I know nothing of the +matter, and am not responsible to you or to the white House of Natal; it +is your own matter. These are my words. I have spoken.'" + +"I see," I answered. "I am to pull Panda's hot iron out of the fire and +to extinguish the fire. If I succeed I may keep a piece of the iron +when it gets cool, and if I burn my fingers it is my own fault, and I or +my House must not come crying to Panda." + +"O Watcher-by-Night, you have speared the bull in the heart," replied +Maputa, the messenger, nodding his shrewd old head. "Well, will you go +up with Saduko?" + +"Say to the King, O Messenger, that I will go up with Saduko because I +promised him that I would, being moved by the tale of his wrongs, and +not for the sake of the cattle, although it is true that if I hear any +of them lowing in my camp I may keep them. Say to Panda also that if +aught of ill befalls me he shall hear nothing of it, nor will I bring +his high name into this business; but that he, on his part, must not +blame me for anything that may happen afterwards. Have you the +message?" + +"I have it word for word; and may your Spirit be with you, Macumazahn, +when you attack the strong mountain of Bangu, which, were I you," Maputa +added reflectively, "I think I should do just at the dawn, since the +Amakoba drink much beer and are heavy sleepers." + +Then we took a pinch of snuff together, and he departed at once for +Nodwengu, Panda's Great Place. + + +Fourteen days had gone by, and Saduko and I, with our ragged band of +Amangwane, sat one morning, after a long night march, in the hilly +country looking across a broad vale, which was sprinkled with trees like +an English park, at that mountain on the side of which Bangu, chief of +the Amakoba, had his kraal. + +It was a very formidable mountain, and, as we had already observed, the +paths leading up to the kraal were amply protected with stone walls in +which the openings were quite narrow, only just big enough to allow one +ox to pass through them at a time. Moreover, all these walls had been +strengthened recently, perhaps because Bangu was aware that Panda looked +upon him, a northern chief dwelling on the confines of his dominions, +with suspicion and even active enmity, as he was also no doubt aware +Panda had good cause to do. + +Here in a dense patch of bush that grew in a kloof of the hills we held +a council of war. + +So far as we knew our advance had been unobserved, for I had left my +wagons in the low veld thirty miles away, giving it out among the local +natives that I was hunting game there, and bringing on with me only +Scowl and four of my best hunters, all well-armed natives who could +shoot. The three hundred Amangwane also had advanced in small parties, +separated from each other, pretending to be Kafirs marching towards +Delagoa Bay. Now, however, we had all met in this bush. Among our +number were three Amangwane who, on the slaughter of their tribe, had +fled with their mothers to this district and been brought up among the +people of Bangu, but who at his summons had come back to Saduko. It was +on these men that we relied at this juncture, for they alone knew the +country. Long and anxiously did we consult with them. First they +explained, and, so far as the moonlight would allow, for as yet the dawn +had not broken, pointed out to us the various paths that led to Bangu's +kraal. + +"How many men are there in the town?" I asked. + +"About seven hundred who carry spears," they answered, "together with +others in outlying kraals. Moreover, watchmen are always set at the +gateways in the walls." + +"And where are the cattle?" I asked again. + +"Here, in the valley beneath, Macumazahn," answered the spokesman. "If +you listen you will hear them lowing. Fifty men, not less, watch them +at night--two thousand head of them, or more." + +"Then it would not be difficult to get round these cattle and drive them +off, leaving Bangu to breed up a new herd?" + +"It might not be difficult," interrupted Saduko, "but I came here to +kill Bangu, as well as to seize his cattle, since with him I have a +blood feud." + +"Very good," I answered; "but that mountain cannot be stormed with three +hundred men, fortified as it is with walls and schanzes. Our band would +be destroyed before ever we came to the kraal, since, owing to the +sentries who are set everywhere, it would be impossible to surprise the +place. Also you have forgotten the dogs, Saduko. Moreover, even if it +were possible, I will have nothing to do with the massacre of women and +children, which must happen in an assault. Now, listen to me, O Saduko. +I say let us leave the kraal of Bangu alone, and this coming night send +fifty of our men, under the leadership of the guides, down to yonder +bush, where they will lie hid. Then, after moonrise, when all are +asleep, these fifty must rush the cattle kraal, killing any who may +oppose them, should they be seen, and driving the herd out through +yonder great pass by which we have entered the land. Bangu and his +people, thinking that those who have taken the cattle are but common +thieves of some wild tribe, will gather and follow the beasts to +recapture them. But we, with the rest of the Amangwane, can set an +ambush in the narrowest part of the pass among the rocks, where the +grass is high and the euphorbia trees grow thick, and there, when they +have passed the Nek, which I and my hunters will hold with our guns, we +will give them battle. What say you?" + +Now, Saduko answered that he would rather attack the kraal, which he +wished to burn. But the old Amangwane, Tshoza, brother of the dead +Matiwane, said: + +"No, Macumazahn, Watcher-by-Night, is wise. Why should we waste our +strength on stone walls, of which none know the number or can find the +gates in the darkness, and thereby leave our skulls to be set up as +ornaments on the fences of the accursed Amakoba? Let us draw the +Amakoba out into the pass of the mountains, where they have no walls to +protect them, and there fall on them when they are bewildered and settle +the matter with them man to man. As for the women and children, with +Macumazahn I say let them go; afterwards, perhaps, they will become +_our_ women and children." + +"Aye," answered the Amangwane, "the plan of the white Inkoosi is good; +he is clever as a weasel; we will have his plan and no other." + +So Saduko was overruled and my counsel adopted. + +All that day we rested, lighting no fires and remaining still as the +dead in the dense bush. It was a very anxious day, for although the +place was so wild and lonely, there was always the fear lest we should +be discovered. It was true that we had travelled mostly by night in +small parties, to avoid leaving a spoor, and avoided all kraals; still, +some rumour of our approach might have reached the Amakoba, or a party +of hunters might stumble on us, or those who sought for lost cattle. + +Indeed, something of this sort did happen, for about midday we heard a +footfall, and perceived the figure of a man, whom by his head-dress we +knew for an Amakoba, threading his way through the bush. Before he saw +us he was in our midst. For a moment he hesitated ere he turned to fly, +and that moment was his last, for three of the Amangwane leapt on him +silently as leopards leap upon a buck, and where he stood there he died. +Poor fellow! Evidently he had been on a visit to some witch-doctor, +for in his blanket we found medicine and love charms. This doctor +cannot have been one of the stamp of Zikali the Dwarf, I thought to +myself; at least, he had not warned him that he would never live to dose +his beloved with that foolish medicine. + +Meanwhile a few of us who had the quickest eyes climbed trees, and +thence watched the town of Bangu and the valley that lay between us and +it. Soon we saw that so far, at any rate, Fortune was playing into our +hands, since herd after herd of kine were driven into the valley during +the afternoon and enclosed in the stock-kraals. Doubtless Bangu +intended on the morrow to make his half-yearly inspection of all the +cattle of the tribe, many of which were herded at a distance from his +town. + +At length the long day drew to its close and the shadows of the evening +thickened. Then we made ready for our dreadful game, of which the stake +was the lives of all of us, since, should we fail, we could expect no +mercy. The fifty picked men were gathered and ate food in silence. +These men were placed under the command of Tshoza, for he was the most +experienced of the Amangwane, and led by the three guides who had dwelt +among the Amakoba, and who "knew every ant-heap in the land," or so they +swore. Their duty, it will be remembered, was to cross the valley, +separate themselves into small parties, unbar the various cattle kraals, +kill or hunt off the herdsmen, and drive the beasts back across the +valley into the pass. A second fifty men, under the command of Saduko, +were to be left just at the end of this pass where it opened out into +the valley, in order to help and reinforce the cattle-lifters, or, if +need be, to check the following Amakoba while the great herds of beasts +were got away, and then fall back on the rest of us in our ambush nearly +two miles distant. The management of this ambush was to be my charge--a +heavy one indeed. + +Now, the moon would not be up till midnight. But two hours before that +time we began our moves, since the cattle must be driven out of the +kraals as soon as she appeared and gave the needful light. Otherwise +the fight in the pass would in all probability be delayed till after +sunrise, when the Amakoba would see how small was the number of their +foes. Terror, doubt, darkness--these must be our allies if our +desperate venture was to succeed. + +All was arranged at last and the time had come. We, the three captains +of our divided force, bade each other farewell, and passed the word down +the ranks that, should we be separated by the accidents of war, my +wagons were the meeting-place of any who survived. + +Tshoza and his fifty glided away into the shadow silently as ghosts and +were gone. Presently the fierce-faced Saduko departed also with his +fifty. He carried the double-barrelled gun I had given him, and was +accompanied by one of my best hunters, a Natal native, who was also +armed with a heavy smooth-bore loaded with slugs. Our hope was that the +sound of these guns might terrify the foe, should there be occasion to +use them before our forces joined up again, and make them think they had +to do with a body of raiding Dutch white men, of whose roers--as the +heavy elephant guns of that day were called--all natives were much +afraid. + +So Saduko went with his fifty, leaving me wondering whether I should +ever see his face again. Then I, my bearer Scowl, the two remaining +hunters, and the ten score Amangwane who were left turned and soon were +following the road by which we had come down the rugged pass. I call it +a road, but, in fact, it was nothing but a water-washed gully strewn +with boulders, through which we must pick our way as best we could in +the darkness, having first removed the percussion cap from the nipple of +every gun, for fear lest the accidental discharge of one of them should +warn the Amakoba, confuse our other parties, and bring all our deep-laid +plans to nothing. + +Well, we accomplished that march somehow, walking in three long lines, +so that each man might keep touch with him in front, and just as the +moon began to rise reached the spot that I had chosen for the ambush. + +Certainly it was well suited to that purpose. Here the track or gully +bed narrowed to a width of not more than a hundred feet, while the steep +slopes of the kloof on either side were clothed with scattered bushes +and finger-like euphorbias which grew among stones. Behind these stones +and bushes we hid ourselves, a hundred men on one side and a hundred on +the other, whilst I and my three hunters, who were armed with guns, took +up a position under shelter of a great boulder nearly five feet thick +that lay but a little to the right of the gully itself, up which we +expected the cattle would come. This place I chose for two reasons: +first, that I might keep touch with both wings of my force, and, +secondly, that we might be able to fire straight down the path on the +pursuing Amakoba. + +These were the orders that I gave to the Amangwane, warning them that he +who disobeyed would be punished with death. They were not to stir until +I, or, if I should be killed, one of my hunters, fired a shot; for my +fear was lest, growing excited, they might leap out before the time and +kill some of our own people, who very likely would be mixed up with the +first of the pursuing Amakoba. Secondly, when the cattle had passed and +the signal had been given, they were to rush on the Amakoba, throwing +themselves across the gully, so that the enemy would have to fight +upwards on a steep slope. + +That was all I told them, since it is not wise to confuse natives by +giving too many orders. One thing I added, however--that they must +conquer or they must die. There was no mercy for them; it was a case of +death or victory. Their spokesman--for these people always find a +spokesman--answered that they thanked me for my advice; that they +understood, and that they would do their best. Then they lifted their +spears to me in salute. A wild lot of men they looked in the moonlight +as they departed to take shelter behind the rocks and trees and wait. + +That waiting was long, and I confess that before the end it got upon my +nerves. I began to think of all sorts of things, such as whether I +should live to see the sun rise again; also I reflected upon the +legitimacy of this remarkable enterprise. What right had I to involve +myself in a quarrel between these savages? + +Why had I come here? To gain cattle as a trader? No, for I was not at +all sure that I would take them if gained. Because Saduko had twitted +me with faithlessness to my words? Yes, to a certain extent; but that +was by no means the whole reason. I had been moved by the recital of +the cruel wrongs inflicted upon Saduko and his tribe by this Bangu, and +therefore had not been loath to associate myself with his attempted +vengeance upon a wicked murderer. Well, that was sound enough so far as +it went; but now a new consideration suggested itself to me. Those +wrongs had been worked many years ago; probably most of the men who had +aided and abetted them by now were dead or very aged, and it was their +sons upon whom the vengeance would be wreaked. + +What right had I to assist in visiting the sins of the fathers upon the +sons? Frankly I could not say. The thing seemed to me to be a part of +the problem of life, neither less nor more. So I shrugged my shoulders +sadly and consoled myself by reflecting that very likely the issue would +go against me, and that my own existence would pay the price of the +venture and expound its moral. This consideration soothed my conscience +somewhat, for when a man backs his actions with the risk of his life, +right or wrong, at any rate he plays no coward's part. + +The time went by very slowly and nothing happened. The waning moon +shone brightly in a clear sky, and as there was no wind the silence +seemed peculiarly intense. Save for the laugh of an occasional hyena +and now and again for a sound which I took for the coughing of a distant +lion, there was no stir between sleeping earth and moonlit heaven in +which little clouds floated beneath the pale stars. + +At length I thought that I heard a noise, a kind of murmur far away. It +grew, it developed. + +It sounded like a thousand sticks tapping upon something hard, very +faintly. It continued to grow, and I knew the sound for that of the +beating hoofs of animals galloping. Then there were isolated noises, +very faint and thin; they might be shouts; then something that I could +not mistake--shots fired at a distance. So the business was afoot; the +cattle were moving, Saduko and my hunter were firing. There was nothing +for it but to wait. + +The excitement was very fierce; it seemed to consume me, to eat into my +brain. The sound of the tapping upon the rocks grew louder until it +merged into a kind of rumble, mixed with an echo as of that of very +distant thunder, which presently I knew to be not thunder, but the +bellowing of a thousand frightened beasts. + +Nearer and nearer came the galloping hoofs and the rumble of bellowings; +nearer and nearer the shouts of men, affronting the stillness of the +solemn night. At length a single animal appeared, a koodoo buck that +somehow had got mixed up with the cattle. It went past us like a flash, +and was followed a minute or so later by a bull that, being young and +light, had outrun its companions. That, too, went by, foam on its lips +and its tongue hanging from its jaws. + +Then the herd appeared--a countless herd it seemed to me--plunging up +the incline--cows, heifers, calves, bulls, and oxen, all mixed together +in one inextricable mass, and every one of them snorting, bellowing, or +making some other kind of sound. The din was fearful, the sight +bewildering, for the beasts were of all colours, and their long horns +flashed like ivory in the moonlight. Indeed, the only thing in the +least like it which I have ever seen was the rush of the buffaloes from +the reed camp on that day when I got my injury. + +They were streaming past us now, a mighty and moving mass so closely +packed that a man might have walked upon their backs. In fact, some of +the calves which had been thrust up by the pressure were being carried +along in this fashion. Glad was I that none of us were in their path, +for their advance seemed irresistible. No fence or wall could have +saved us, and even stout trees that grew in the gully were snapped or +thrust over. + +At length the long line began to thin, for now it was composed of +stragglers and weak or injured beasts, of which there were many. Other +sounds, too, began to dominate the bellowings of the animals, those of +the excited cries of men. The first of our companions, the +cattle-lifters, appeared, weary and gasping, but waving their spears in +triumph. Among them was old Tshoza. I stepped upon my rock, calling to +him by name. He heard me, and presently was lying at my side panting. + +"We have got them all!" he gasped. "Not a hoof is left save those that +are trodden down. Saduko is not far behind with the rest of our +brothers, except some that have been killed. All the Amakoba tribe are +after us. He holds them back to give the cattle time to get away." + +"Well done!" I answered. "It is very good. Now make your men hide +among the others that they may find their breath before the fight." + +So he stopped them as they came. Scarcely had the last of them vanished +into the bushes when the gathering volume of shouts, amongst which I +heard a gun go off, told us that Saduko and his band and the pursuing +Amakoba were not far away. Presently they, too, appeared--that is the +handful of Amangwane did--not fighting now, but running as hard as they +could, for they knew they were approaching the ambush and wished to pass +it so as not to be mixed up with the Amakoba. We let them go through +us. Among the last of them came Saduko, who was wounded, for the blood +ran down his side, supporting my hunter, who was also wounded, more +severely as I feared. + +I called to him. + +"Saduko," I said, "halt at the crest of the path and rest there so that +you may be able to help us presently." + +He waved the gun in answer, for he was too breathless to speak, and went +on with those who were left of his following--perhaps thirty men in +all--in the track of the cattle. Before he was out of sight the Amakoba +arrived, a mob of five or six hundred men mixed up together and +advancing without order or discipline, for they seemed to have lost +their heads as well as their cattle. Some of them had shields and some +had none, some broad and some throwing assegais, while many were quite +naked, not having stayed to put on their moochas and much less their war +finery. Evidently they were mad with rage, for the sounds that issued +from them seemed to concentrate into one mighty curse. + +The moment had come, though to tell the truth I heartily wished that it +had not. I wasn't exactly afraid, although I never set up for great +courage, but I did not quite like the business. After all we were +stealing these people's cattle, and now were going to kill as many of +them as we could. I had to recall Saduko's dreadful story of the +massacre of his tribe before I could make up my mind to give the signal. +That hardened me, and so did the reflection that after all they +outnumbered us enormously and very likely would prove victors in the +end. Anyhow it was too late to repent. What a tricky and uncomfortable +thing is conscience, that nearly always begins to trouble us at the +moment of, or after, the event, not before, when it might be of some +use. + +I raised myself upon the rock and fired both barrels of my gun into the +advancing horde, though whether I killed anyone or no I cannot say. I +have always hoped that I did not; but as the mark was large and I am a +fair shot, I fear that is scarcely possible. Next moment, with a howl +that sounded like that of wild beasts, from either side of the gorge the +fierce Amangwane free-spears--for that is what they were--leapt out of +their hiding-places and hurled themselves upon their hereditary foes. +They were fighting for more than cattle; they were fighting for hate and +for revenge since these Amakoba had slaughtered their fathers and their +mothers, their sisters and their brothers, and they alone remained to +pay them back blood for blood. + +Great heaven! how they did fight, more like devils than human beings. +After that first howl which shaped itself to the word "Saduko," they +were silent as bulldogs. Though they were so few, at first their +terrible rush drove back the Amakoba. Then, as these recovered from +their surprise, the weight of numbers began to tell, for they, too, were +brave men who did not give way to panic. Scores of them went down at +once, but the remainder pushed the Amangwane before them up the hill. I +took little share in the fight, but was thrust backward with the others, +only firing when I was obliged to save my own life. Foot by foot we +were pushed back till at length we drew near to the crest of the pass. + +Then, while the issue hung in the balance, there was another shout of +"Saduko!" and that chief himself, followed by his thirty, rushed upon +the Amakoba. + +This charge decided the battle, for not knowing how many more were +coming, those who were left of the Amakoba turned and fled, nor did we +pursue them far. + +We mustered on the hill-top, not more than two hundred of us now, the +rest were fallen or desperately wounded, my poor hunter, whom I had lent +to Saduko, being among the dead. Although wounded, he died fighting to +the last, then fell down, shouting to me: + +"Chief, have I done well?" and expired. + +I was breathless and spent, but as in a dream I saw some Amangwane drag +up a gaunt old savage, crying: + +"Here is Bangu, Bangu the Butcher, whom we have caught alive." + +Saduko stepped up to him. + +"Ah! Bangu," he said, "now say, why should I not kill you as you would +have killed the little lad Saduko long ago, had not Zikali saved him? +See, here is the mark of your spear." + +"Kill," said Bangu. "Your Spirit is stronger than mine. Did not Zikali +foretell it? Kill, Saduko." + +"Nay," answered Saduko. "If you are weary I am weary, too, and wounded +as well. Take a spear, Bangu, and we will fight." + +So they fought there in the moonlight, man to man; fought fiercely while +all watched, till presently I saw Bangu throw his arms wide and fall +backwards. + + +Saduko was avenged. I have always been glad that he slew his enemy +thus, and not as it might have been expected that he would do. + + + +CHAPTER VII + + + + +SADUKO BRINGS THE MARRIAGE GIFT + + + + + +We reached my wagons in the early morning of the following day, bringing +with us the cattle and our wounded. Thus encumbered it was a most +toilsome march, and an anxious one also, for it was always possible that +the remnant of the Amakoba might attempt pursuit. This, however, they +did not do, for very many of them were dead or wounded, and those who +remained had no heart left in them. They went back to their mountain +home and lived there in shame and wretchedness, for I do not believe +there were fifty head of cattle left among the tribe, and Kafirs without +cattle are nothing. Still, they did not starve, since there were plenty +of women to work the fields, and we had not touched their corn. The end +of them was that Panda gave them to their conqueror, Saduko, and he +incorporated them with the Amangwane. But that did not happen until +some time afterwards. + +When we had rested a while at the wagons the captured beasts were +mustered, and on being counted were found to number a little over twelve +hundred head, not reckoning animals that had been badly hurt in the +flight, which we killed for beef. It was a noble prize, truly, and, +notwithstanding the wound in his thigh, which hurt him a good deal now +that it had stiffened, Saduko stood up and surveyed them with glistening +eyes. No wonder, for he who had been so poor was now rich, and would +remain so even after he had paid over whatever number of cows Umbezi +chose to demand as the price of Mameena's hand. Moreover, he was sure, +and I shared his confidence, that in these changed circumstances both +that young woman and her father would look upon his suit with very +favourable eyes. He had, so to speak, succeeded to the title and the +family estates by means of a lawsuit brought in the "Court of the +Assegai," and therefore there was hardly a father in Zululand who would +shut his kraal gate upon him. We forgot, both of us, the proverb that +points out how numerous are the slips between the cup and the lip, +which, by the way, is one that has its Zulu equivalents. One of them, +if I remember right at the moment, is: "However loud the hen cackles, +the housewife does not always get the egg." + +As it chanced, although Saduko's hen was cackling very loudly just at +this time, he was not destined to find the coveted egg. But of that +matter I will speak in its place. + +I, too, looked at those cattle, wondering whether Saduko would remember +our bargain, under which some six hundred head of them belonged to me. +Six hundred head! Why, putting them at #5 apiece all round--and as oxen +were very scarce just at that time, they were worth quite as much, if +not more--that meant #3,000, a larger sum of money than I had ever owned +at one time in all my life. Truly the paths of violence were +profitable! But would he remember? On the whole I thought probably +not, since Kafirs are not fond of parting with cattle. + +Well, I did him an injustice, for presently he turned and said, with +something of an effort: + +"Macumazahn, half of all these belong to you, and truly you have earned +them, for it was your cunning and good counsel that gained us the +victory. Now we will choose them beast by beast." + +So I chose a fine ox, then Saduko chose one; and so it went on till I +had eight of my number driven out. As the eighth was taken I turned to +Saduko and said: + +"There, that will do. These oxen I must have to replace those in my +teams which died on the trek, but I want no more." + +"Wow!" said Saduko, and all those who stood with him, while one of them +added--I think it was old Tshoza: + +"He refuses six hundred cattle which are fairly his! He must be mad!" + +"No friends," I answered, "I am not mad, but neither am I bad. I +accompanied Saduko on this raid because he is dear to me and stood by me +once in the hour of danger. But I do not love killing men with whom I +have no quarrel, and I will not take the price of blood." + +"Wow!" said old Tshoza again, for Saduko seemed too astonished to speak, +"he is a spirit, not a man. He is _holy!_" + +"Not a bit of it," I answered. "If you think that, ask Mameena"--a dark +saying which they did not understand. "Now, listen. I will not take +those cattle because I do not think as you Kafirs think. But as they +are mine, according to your law, I am going to dispose of them. I give +ten head to each of my hunters, and fifteen head to the relations of him +who was killed. The rest I give to Tshoza and to the other men of the +Amangwane who fought with us, to be divided among them in such +proportions as they may agree, I being the judge in the event of any +quarrel arising." + +Now these men raised a great cry of "Inkoosi!" and, running up, old +Tshoza seized my hand and kissed it. + +"Your heart is big," he cried; "you drop fatness! Although you are so +small, the spirit of a king lives in you, and the wisdom of the +heavens." + +Thus he praised me, while all the others joined in, till the din was +awful. Saduko thanked me also in his magnificent manner. Yet I do not +think that he was altogether pleased, although my great gift relieved +him from the necessity of sharing up the spoil with his companions. The +truth was, or so I believe, that he understood that henceforth the +Amangwane would love me better than they loved him. This, indeed, +proved to be the case, for I am sure that there was no man among all +those wild fellows who would not have served me to the death, and to +this day my name is a power among them and their descendants. Also it +has grown into something of a proverb among all those Kafirs who know +the story. They talk of any great act of liberality in an idiom as "a +gift of Macumazana," and in the same way of one who makes any remarkable +renunciation, as "a wearer of Macumazana's blanket," or as "he who has +stolen Macumazana's shadow." + +Thus did I earn a great reputation very cheaply, for really I could not +have taken those cattle; also I am sure that had I done so they would +have brought me bad luck. Indeed, one of the regrets of my life is that +I had anything whatsoever to do with the business. + + +Our journey back to Umbezi's kraal--for thither we were heading--was +very slow, hampered as we were with wounded and by a vast herd of +cattle. Of the latter, indeed, we got rid after a while, for, except +those which I had given to my men, and a hundred or so of the best +beasts that Saduko took with him for a certain purpose, they were sent +away to a place which he had chosen, in charge of about half of his +people, under the command of his uncle, Tshoza, there to await his +coming. + +Over a month had gone by since the night of the ambush when at last we +outspanned quite close to Umbezi's, in that bush where first I had met +the Amangwane free-spears. A very different set of men they looked on +this triumphant day to those fierce fellows who had slipped out of the +trees at the call of their chief. As we went through the country Saduko +had bought fine moochas and blankets for them; also head-dresses had +been made with the long black feathers of the sakabuli finch, and +shields and leglets of the hides and tails of oxen. Moreover, having +fed plentifully and travelled easily, they were fat and well-favoured, +as, given good food, natives soon become after a period of abstinence. + +The plan of Saduko was to lie quiet in the bush that night, and on the +following morning to advance in all his grandeur, accompanied by his +spears, present the hundred head of cattle that had been demanded, and +formally ask his daughter's hand from Umbezi. As the reader may have +gathered already, there was a certain histrionic vein in Saduko; also +when he was in feather he liked to show off his plumage. + +Well, this plan was carried out to the letter. On the following +morning, after the sun was well up, Saduko, as a great chief does, sent +forward two bedizened heralds to announce his approach to Umbezi, after +whom followed two other men to sing his deeds and praises. (By the way, +I observed that they had clearly been instructed to avoid any mention of +a person called Macumazahn.) Then we advanced in force. First went +Saduko, splendidly apparelled as a chief, carrying a small assegai and +adorned with plumes, leglets and a leopard-skin kilt. He was attended +by about half a dozen of the best-looking of his followers, who posed as +"indunas" or councillors. Behind these I walked, a dusty, insignificant +little fellow, attended by the ugly, snub-nosed Scowl in a very greasy +pair of trousers, worn-out European boots through which his toes peeped, +and nothing else, and by my three surviving hunters, whose appearance +was even more disreputable. After us marched about four score of the +transformed Amangwane, and after them came the hundred picked cattle +driven by a few herdsmen. + +In due course we arrived at the gate of the kraal, where we found the +heralds and the praisers prancing and shouting. + +"Have you seen Umbezi?" asked Saduko of them. + +"No," they answered; "he was asleep when we got here, but his people say +that he is coming out presently." + +"Then tell his people that he had better be quick about it, or I shall +turn him out," replied the proud Saduko. + +Just at this moment the kraal gate opened and through it appeared +Umbezi, looking extremely fat and foolish; also, it struck me, +frightened, although this he tried to conceal. + +"Who visits me here," he said, "with so much--um--ceremony?" and with +the carved dancing-stick he carried he pointed doubtfully at the lines +of armed men. "Oh, it is you, is it, Saduko?" and he looked him up and +down, adding: "How grand you are to be sure. Have you been robbing +anybody? And you, too, Macumazahn. Well, _you_ do not look grand. You +look like an old cow that has been suckling two calves on the winter +veld. But tell me, what are all these warriors for? I ask because I +have not food for so many, especially as we have just had a feast here." + +"Fear nothing, Umbezi," answered Saduko in his grandest manner. "I have +brought food for my own men. As for my business, it is simple. You +asked a hundred head of cattle as the lobola [that is, the marriage +gift] of your daughter, Mameena. They are there. Go send your servants +to the kraal and count them." + +"Oh, with pleasure," Umbezi replied nervously, and he gave some orders +to certain men behind him. "I am glad to see that you have become rich +in this sudden fashion, Saduko, though how you have done so I cannot +understand." + +"Never mind how I have become rich," answered Saduko. "I _am_ rich; +that is enough for the present. Be pleased to send for Mameena, for I +would talk with her." + +"Yes, yes, Saduko, I understand that you would talk with Mameena; +but"--and he looked round him desperately--"I fear that she is still +asleep. As you know, Mameena was always a late riser, and, what is +more, she hates to be disturbed. Don't you think that you could come +back, say, to-morrow morning? She will be sure to be up by then; or, +better still, the day after?" + +"In which hut is Mameena?" asked Saduko sternly, while I, smelling a +rat, began to chuckle to myself. + +"I really do not know, Saduko," replied Umbezi. "Sometimes she sleeps +in one, sometimes in another, and sometimes she goes several hours' +journey away to her aunt's kraal for a change. I should not be in the +least surprised if she had done so last night. I have no control over +Mameena." + +Before Saduko could answer, a shrill, rasping voice broke upon our ears, +which after some search I saw proceeded from an ugly and ancient female +seated in the shadow, in whom I recognised the lady who was known by the +pleasing name of "Worn-out-Old-Cow." + +"He lies!" screeched the voice. "He lies. Thanks be to the spirit of +my ancestors that wild cat Mameena has left this kraal for good. She +slept last night, not with her aunt, but with her husband, Masapo, to +whom Umbezi gave her in marriage two days ago, receiving in payment a +hundred and twenty head of cattle, which was twenty more than _you_ bid, +Saduko." + +Now when Saduko heard these words I thought that he would really go mad +with rage. He turned quite grey under his dark skin and for a while +trembled like a leaf, looking as though he were about to fall to the +ground. Then he leapt as a lion leaps, and seizing Umbezi by the +throat, hurled him backwards, standing over him with raised spear. + +"You dog!" he cried in a terrible voice. "Tell me the truth or I will +rip you up. What have you done with Mameena?" + +"Oh! Saduko," answered Umbezi in choking tones, "Mameena has chosen to +get married. It was no fault of mine; she would have her way." + +He got no farther, and had I not intervened by throwing my arms about +Saduko and dragging him back, that moment would have been Umbezi's last, +for Saduko was about to pin him to the earth with his spear. As it +proved, I was just in time, and Saduko, being weak with emotion, for I +felt his heart going like a sledge-hammer, could not break from my grasp +before his reason returned to him. + +At length he recovered himself a little and threw down his spear as +though to put himself out of temptation. Then he spoke, always in the +same terrible voice, asking: + +"Have you more to say about this business, Umbezi? I would hear all +before I answer you." + +"Only this, Saduko," replied Umbezi, who had risen to his feet and was +shaking like a reed. "I did no more than any other father would have +done. Masapo is a very powerful chief, one who will be a good stick for +me to lean on in my old age. Mameena declared that she wished to marry +him--" + +"He lies!" screeched the "Old Cow." "What Mameena said was that she had +no will towards marriage with any Zulu in the land, so I suppose she is +looking after a white man," and she leered in my direction. "She said, +however, that if her father wished to marry her to Masapo, she must be a +dutiful daughter and obey him, but that if blood and trouble came of +that marriage, let it be on his head and not on hers." + +"Would you also stick your claws into me, cat?" shouted Umbezi, catching +the old woman a savage cut across the back with the light dancing-stick +which he still held in his hand, whereon she fled away screeching and +cursing him. + +"Oh, Saduko," he went on, "let not your ears be poisoned by these +falsehoods. Mameena never said anything of the sort, or if she did it +was not to me. Well, the moment that my daughter had consented to take +Masapo as her husband his people drove a hundred and twenty of the most +beautiful cattle over the hill, and would you have had me refuse them, +Saduko? I am sure that when you have seen them you will say that I was +quite right to accept such a splendid lobola in return for one +sharp-tongued girl. Remember, Saduko, that although you had promised a +hundred head, that is less by twenty, at the time you did not own one, +and where you were to get them from I could not guess. Moreover," he +added with a last, desperate, imaginative effort, for I think he saw +that his arguments were making no impression, "some strangers who called +here told me that both you and Macumazahn had been killed by certain +evil-doers in the mountains. There, I have spoken, and, Saduko, if you +now have cattle, why, on my part, I have another daughter, not quite so +good-looking perhaps, but a much better worker in the field. Come and +drink a sup of beer, and I will send for her." + +"Stop talking about your other daughter and your beer and listen to me," +replied Saduko, looking at the assegai which he had thrown to the ground +so ominously that I set my foot on it. "I am now a greater chief than +the boar Masapo. Has Masapo such a bodyguard as these +Eaters-up-of-Enemies?" and he jerked his thumb backwards towards the +serried lines of fierce-faced Amangwane who stood listening behind us. +"Has Masapo as many cattle as I have, whereof those which you see are +but a tithe brought as a lobola gift to the father of her who had been +promised to me as wife? Is Masapo Panda's friend? I think that I have +heard otherwise. Has Masapo just conquered a countless tribe by his +courage and his wit? Is Masapo young and of high blood, or is he but an +old, low-born boar of the mountains? + +"You do not answer, Umbezi, and perhaps you do well to be silent. Now +listen again. Were it not for Macumazahn here, whom I do not desire to +mix up with my quarrels, I would bid my men take you and beat you to +death with the handles of their spears, and then go on and serve the +Boar in the same fashion in his mountain sty. As it is, these things +must wait a little while, especially as I have other matters to attend +to first. Yet the day is not far off when I will attend to them also. +Therefore my counsel to you, Cheat, is to make haste to die or to find +courage to fall upon a spear, unless you would learn how it feels to be +brayed with sticks like a green hide until none can know that you were +once a man. Send now and tell my words to Masapo the Boar. And to +Mameena say that soon I will come to take her with spears and not with +cattle. Do you understand? Oh! I see that you do, since already you +weep with fear like a woman. Then farewell to you till that day when I +return with the sticks, O Umbezi the cheat and the liar, Umbezi, +'Eater-up-of-Elephants,'" and turning, Saduko stalked away. + +I was about to follow in a great hurry, having had enough of this very +unpleasant scene, when poor old Umbezi sprang at me and clasped me by +the arm. + +"O Macumazana," he exclaimed, weeping in his terror, "O Macumazana, if +ever I have been a friend to you, help me out of this deep pit into +which I have fallen through the tricks of that monkey of a daughter of +mine, who I think is a witch born to bring trouble upon men. +Macumazahn, if she had been your daughter and a powerful chief had +appeared with a hundred and twenty head of such beautiful cattle, you +would have given her to him, would you not, although he is of mixed +blood and not very young, especially as she did not mind who only cares +for place and wealth?" + +"I think not," I answered; "but then it is not our custom to sell women +in that fashion." + +"No, no, I forgot; in this as in other matters you white men are mad +and, Macumazahn, to tell you the truth, I believe it is you she really +cares for; she said as much to me once or twice. Well, why did you not +take her away when I was not looking? We could have settled matters +afterwards, and I should have been free of her witcheries and not up to +my neck in this hole as I am now." + +"Because some people don't do that kind of thing, Umbezi." + +"No, no, I forgot. Oh! why can I not remember that you are _quite_ mad +and therefore that it must not be expected of you to act as though you +were sane. Well, at least you are that tiger Saduko's friend, which +again shows that you must be very mad, for most people would sooner try +to milk a cow buffalo than walk hand in hand with him. Don't you see, +Macumazahn, that he means to kill me, Macumazahn, to bray me like a +green hide? Ugh! to beat me to death with sticks. Ugh! And what is +more, that unless you prevent him, he will certainly do it, perhaps +to-morrow or the next day. Ugh! Ugh! Ugh!" + +"Yes, I see, Umbezi, and I think that he _will_ do it. But what I do +not see is how I am to prevent him. Remember that you let Mameena grow +into his heart and behaved badly to him, Umbezi." + +"I never promised her to him, Macumazahn. I only said that if he +brought a hundred cattle, then I might promise." + +"Well, he has wiped out the Amakoba, the enemies of his House, and there +are the hundred cattle whereof he has many more, and now it is too late +for you to keep your share of the bargain. So I think you must make +yourself as comfortable as you can in the hole that your hands dug, +Umbezi, which I would not share for all the cattle in Zululand." + +"Truly you are not one from whom to seek comfort in the hour of +distress," groaned poor Umbezi, then added, brightening up: "But perhaps +Panda will kill him because he has wiped out Bangu in a time of peace. +Oh Macumazahn, can you not persuade Panda to kill him? If so, I now +have more cattle than I really want--" + +"Impossible," I answered. "Panda is his friend, and between ourselves I +may tell you that he ate up the Amakoba by his especial wish. When the +King hears of it he will call to Saduko to sit in his shadow and make +him great, one of his councillors, probably with power of life and death +over little people like you and Masapo." + +"Then it is finished," said Umbezi faintly, "and I will try to die like +a man. But to be brayed like a hide! And with thin sticks! Oh!" he +added, grinding his teeth, "if only I can get hold of Mameena I will not +leave much of that pretty hair of hers upon her head. I will tie her +hands and shut her up with the 'Old Cow,' who loves her as a meer-cat +loves a mouse. No; I will kill her. There--do you hear, Macumazahn, +unless you do something to help me, I will kill Mameena, and you won't +like that, for I am sure she is dear to you, although you were not man +enough to run away with her as she wished." + +"If you touch Mameena," I said, "be certain, my friend, that Saduko's +sticks and your skin will not be far apart, for I will report you to +Panda myself as an unnatural evil-doer. Now hearken to me, you old +fool. Saduko is so fond of your daughter, on this point being mad, as +you say I am, that if only he could get her I think he might overlook +the fact of her having been married before. What you have to do is to +try to buy her back from Masapo. Mind you, I say buy her back--not get +her by bloodshed--which you might do by persuading Masapo to put her +away. Then, if he knew that you were trying to do this, I think that +Saduko might leave his sticks uncut for a while." + +"I will try. I will indeed, Macumazahn. I will try very hard. It is +true Masapo is an obstinate pig; still, if he knows that his own life is +at stake, he might give way. Moreover, when she learns that Saduko has +grown rich and great, Mameena might help me. Oh, I thank you, +Macumazahn; you are indeed the prop of my hut, and it and all in it are +yours. Farewell, farewell, Macumazahn, if you must go. But why--why +did you not run away with Mameena, and save me all this fear and +trouble?" + + +So I and that old humbug, Umbezi, "Eater-up-of-Elephants," parted for a +while, and never did I know him in a more chastened frame of mind, +except once, as I shall tell. + + + +CHAPTER VIII + + + + +THE KING'S DAUGHTER + + + + + +When I got back to my wagons after this semi-tragical interview with +that bombastic and self-seeking old windbag, Umbezi, it was to find that +Saduko and his warriors had already marched for the King's kraal, +Nodwengu. A message awaited me, however, to the effect that it was +hoped that I would follow, in order to make report of the affair of the +destruction of the Amakoba. This, after reflection, I determined to do, +really, I think, because of the intense human interest of the whole +business. I wanted to see how it would work out. + +Also, in a way, I read Saduko's mind and understood that at the moment +he did not wish to discuss the matter of his hideous disappointment. +Whatever else may have been false in this man's nature, one thing rang +true, namely, his love or his infatuation for the girl Mameena. +Throughout his life she was his guiding star--about as evil a star as +could have arisen upon any man's horizon; the fatal star that was to +light him down to doom. Let me thank Providence, as I do, that I was so +fortunate as to escape its baneful influences, although I admit that +they attracted me not a little. + +So, seduced thither by my curiosity, which has so often led me into +trouble, I trekked to Nodwengu, full of many doubts not unmingled with +amusement, for I could not rid my mind of recollections of the utter +terror of the "Eater-up-of-Elephants" when he was brought face to face +with the dreadful and concentrated rage of the robbed Saduko and the +promise of his vengeance. Ultimately I arrived at the Great Place +without experiencing any adventure that is worthy of record, and camped +in a spot that was appointed to me by some _induna_ whose name I forget, +but who evidently knew of my approach, for I found him awaiting me at +some distance from the town. Here I sat for quite a long while, two or +three days, if I remember right, amusing myself with killing or missing +turtle-doves with a shotgun, and similar pastimes, until something +should happen, or I grew tired and started for Natal. + +In the end, just as I was about to trek seawards, an old friend, Maputa, +turned up at my wagons--that same man who had brought me the message +from Panda before we started to attack Bangu. + +"Greeting, Macumazahn," he said. "What of the Amakoba? I see they did +not kill you." + +"No," I answered, handing him some snuff, "they did not quite kill me, +for here I am. What is your pleasure with me?" + +"O Macumazana, only that the King wishes to know whether you have any of +those little balls left in the box which I brought back to you, since, +if so, he thinks he would like to swallow one of them in this hot +weather." + +I proffered him the whole box, but he would not take it, saying that the +King would like me to give it to him myself. Now I understood that this +was a summons to an audience, and asked when it would please Panda to +receive me and "the-little-black-stones-that-work-wonders." He +answered--at once. + +So we started, and within an hour I stood, or rather sat, before Panda. + +Like all his family, the King was an enormous man, but, unlike Chaka and +those of his brothers whom I had known, one of a kindly countenance. I +saluted him by lifting my cap, and took my place upon a wooden stool +that had been provided for me outside the great hut, in the shadow of +which he sat within his isi-gohlo, or private enclosure. + +"Greeting, O Macumazana," he said. "I am glad to see you safe and well, +for I understand that you have been engaged upon a perilous adventure +since last we met." + +"Yes, King," I answered; "but to which adventure do you refer--that of +the buffalo, when Saduko helped me, or that of the Amakoba, when I +helped Saduko?" + +"The latter, Macumazahn, of which I desire to hear all the story." + +So I told it to him, he and I being alone, for he commanded his +councillors and servants to retire out of hearing. + +"Wow!" he said, when I had finished, "you are clever as a baboon, +Macumazahn. That was a fine trick to set a trap for Bangu and his +Amakoba dogs and bait it with his own cattle. But they tell me that you +refused your share of those cattle. Now, why was that, Macumazahn?" + +By way of answer I repeated to Panda my reasons, which I have set out +already. + +"Ah!" he exclaimed, when I had finished. "Every one seeks greatness in +his own way, and perhaps yours is better than ours. Well, the White man +walks one road--or some of them do--and the Black man another. They +both end at the same place, and none will know which is the right road +till the journey is done. Meanwhile, what you lose Saduko and his +people gain. He is a wise man, Saduko, who knows how to choose his +friends, and his wisdom has brought him victory and gifts. But to you, +Macumazahn, it has brought nothing but honour, on which, if a man feeds +only, he will grow thin." + +"I like to be thin, O Panda," I answered slowly. + +"Yes, yes, I understand," replied the King, who, in common with most +natives, was quick enough to seize a point, "and I, too, like people who +keep thin on such food as yours, people, also, whose hands are always +clean. We Zulus trust you, Macumazahn, as we trust few white men, for +we have known for years that your lips say what your heart thinks, and +that your heart always thinks the thing which is good. You may be named +Watcher-by-Night, but you love light, not darkness." + +Now, at these somewhat unusual compliments I bowed, and felt myself +colouring a little as I did so, even through my sunburn, but I made no +answer to them, since to do so would have involved a discussion of the +past and its tragical events, into which I had no wish to enter. Panda, +too, remained silent for a while. Then he called to a messenger to +summon the princes, Cetewayo and Umbelazi, and to bid Saduko, the son of +Matiwane, to wait without, in case he should wish to speak with him. + +A few minutes later the two princes arrived. I watched their coming +with interest, for they were the most important men in Zululand, and +already the nation debated fiercely which of them would succeed to the +throne. I will try to describe them a little. + +They were both of much the same age--it is always difficult to arrive at +a Zulu's exact years--and both fine young men. Cetewayo, however, had +the stronger countenance. It was said that he resembled that fierce and +able monster, Chaka the Wild Beast, his uncle, and certainly I perceived +in him a likeness to his other uncle, Dingaan, Umpanda's predecessor, +whom I had known but too well when I was a lad. He had the same surly +eyes and haughty bearing; also, when he was angry his mouth shut itself +in the same iron fashion. + +Of Umbelazi it is difficult for me to speak without enthusiasm. As +Mameena was the most beautiful woman I ever saw in Zululand--although it +is true that old war-dog, Umslopogaas, a friend of mine who does not +come into this story, used to tell me that Nada the Lily, whom I have +mentioned, was even lovelier--so Umbelazi was by far the most splendid +man. Indeed, the Zulus named him "Umbelazi the Handsome," and no +wonder. To begin with, he stood at least three inches above the tallest +of them; from a quarter of a mile away I have recognised him by his +great height, even through the dust of a desperate battle, and his +breadth was proportionate to his stature. Then he was perfectly made, +his great, shapely limbs ending, like Saduko's, in small hands and feet. +His face, too, was well-cut and open, his colour lighter than +Cetewayo's, and his eyes, which always seemed to smile, were large and +dark. + +Even before they passed the small gate of the inner fence it was easy +for me to see that this royal pair were not upon the best of terms, for +each of them tried to get through it first, to show his right of +precedence. The result was somewhat ludicrous, for they jammed in the +gateway. Here, however, Umbelazi's greater weight told, for, putting +out his strength, he squeezed his brother into the reeds of the fence, +and won through a foot or so in front of him. + +"You grow too fat, my brother," I heard Cetewayo say, and saw him scowl +as he spoke. "If I had held an assegai in my hand you would have been +cut." + +"I know it, my brother," answered Umbelazi, with a good-humoured laugh, +"but I knew also that none may appear before the King armed. Had it +been otherwise, I would rather have followed after you." + +Now, at this hint of Umbelazi's, that he would not trust his brother +behind his back with a spear, although it seemed to be conveyed in jest, +I saw Panda shift uneasily on his seat, while Cetewayo scowled even more +ominously than before. However, no further words passed between them, +and, walking up to the King side by side, they saluted him with raised +hands, calling out "Baba!"--that is, Father. + +"Greeting, my children," said Panda, adding hastily, for he foresaw a +quarrel as to which of them should take the seat of honour on his right: +"Sit there in front of me, both of you, and, Macumazahn, do you come +hither," and he pointed to the coveted place. "I am a little deaf in my +left ear this morning." + +So these brothers sat themselves down in front of the King; nor were +they, I think, grieved to find this way out of their rivalry; but first +they shook hands with me, for I knew them both, though not well, and +even in this small matter the old trouble arose, since there was some +difficulty as to which of them should first offer me his hand. +Ultimately, I remember, Cetewayo won this trick. + +When these preliminaries were finished, Panda addressed the princes, +saying: + +"My sons, I have sent for you to ask your counsel upon a certain +matter--not a large matter, but one that may grow." And he paused to +take snuff, whereon both of them ejaculated: + +"We hear you, Father." + +"Well, my sons, the matter is that of Saduko, the son of Matiwane, chief +of the Amangwane, whom Bangu, chief of the Amakoba, ate up years ago by +leave of Him who went before me. Now, this Bangu, as you know, has for +some time been a thorn in my foot--a thorn that caused it to fester--and +yet I did not wish to make war on him. So I spoke a word in the ear of +Saduko, saying, 'He is yours, if you can kill him; and his cattle are +yours.' Well, Saduko is not dull. With the help of this white man, +Macumazahn, our friend from of old, he has killed Bangu and taken his +cattle, and already my foot is beginning to heal." + +"We have heard it," said Cetewayo. + +"It was a great deed," added Umbelazi, a more generous critic. + +"Yes," continued Panda, "I, too, think it was a great deed, seeing that +Saduko had but a small regiment of wanderers to back him--" + +"Nay," interrupted Cetewayo, "it was not those eaters of rats who won +him the day, it was the wisdom of this Macumazahn." + +"Macumazahn's wisdom would have been of little use without the courage +of Saduko and his rats," commented Umbelazi, and from this moment I saw +that the two brothers were taking sides for and against Saduko, as they +did upon every other matter, not because they cared for the right of +whatever was in question, but because they wished to oppose each other. + +"Quite so," went on the King; "I agree with both of you, my sons. But +the point is this: I think Saduko a man of promise, and one who should +be advanced that he may learn to love us all, especially as his House +has suffered wrong from our House, since He-who-is-gone listened to the +evil counsel of Bangu, and allowed him to kill out Matiwane's tribe +without just cause. Therefore, in order to wipe away this stain and +bind Saduko to us, I think it well to re-establish Saduko in the +chieftainship of the Amangwane, with the lands that his father held, and +to give him also the chieftainship of the Amakoba, of whom it seems that +the women and children, with some of the men, remain, although he +already holds their cattle which he has captured in war." + +"As the King pleases," said Umbelazi, with a yawn, for he was growing +weary of listening to the case of Saduko. + +But Cetewayo said nothing, for he appeared to be thinking of something +else. + +"I think also," went on Panda in a rather uncertain voice, "in order to +bind him so close that the bonds may never be broken, it would be wise +to give him a woman of our family in marriage." + +"Why should this little Amangwane be allowed to marry into the royal +House?" asked Cetewayo, looking up. "If he is dangerous, why not kill +him, and have done?" + +"For this reason, my son. There is trouble ahead in Zululand, and I do +not wish to kill those who may help us in that hour, nor do I wish them +to become our enemies. I wish that they may be our friends; and +therefore it seems to me wise, when we find a seed of greatness, to +water it, and not to dig it up or plant it in a neighbour's garden. +From his deeds I believe that this Saduko is such a seed." + +"Our father has spoken," said Umbelazi; "and I like Saduko, who is a man +of mettle and good blood. Which of our sisters does our father propose +to give to him?" + +"She who is named after the mother of our race, O Umbelazi; she whom +your own mother bore--your sister Nandie" (in English, "The Sweet"). + +"A great gift, O my Father, since Nandie is both fair and wise. Also, +what does she think of this matter?" + +"She thinks well of it, Umbelazi, for she has seen Saduko and taken a +liking to him. She told me herself that she wishes no other husband." + +"Is it so?" replied Umbelazi indifferently. "Then if the King commands, +and the King's daughter desires, what more is there to be said?" + +"Much, I think," broke in Cetewayo. "I hold that it is out of place +that this little man, who has but conquered a little tribe by borrowing +the wit of Macumazahn here, should be rewarded not only with a +chieftainship, but with the hand of the wisest and most beautiful of the +King's daughters, even though Umbelazi," he added, with a sneer, "should +be willing to throw him his own sister like a bone to a passing dog." + +"Who threw the bone, Cetewayo?" asked Umbelazi, awaking out of his +indifference. "Was it the King, or was it I, who never heard of the +matter till this moment? And who are we that we should question the +King's decrees? Is it our business to judge or to obey?" + +"Has Saduko perchance made you a present of some of those cattle which +he stole from the Amakoba, Umbelazi?" asked Cetewayo. "As our father +asks no lobola, perhaps you have taken the gift instead." + +"The only gift that I have taken from Saduko," said Umbelazi, who, I +could see, was hard pressed to keep his temper, "is that of his service. +He is my friend, which is why you hate him, as you hate all my +friends." + +"Must I then love every stray cur that licks your hand, Umbelazi? Oh, +no need to tell me he is your friend, for I know it was you who put it +into our father's heart to allow him to kill Bangu and steal his cattle, +which I hold to be an ill deed, for now the Great House is thatched with +his reeds and Bangu's blood is on its doorposts. Moreover, he who +wrought the wrong is to come and dwell therein, and for aught I know to +be called a prince, like you and me. Why should he not, since the +Princess Nandie is to be given to him in marriage? Certainly, Umbelazi, +you would do well to take the cattle which this white trader has +refused, for all men know that you have earned them." + +Now Umbelazi sprang up, straightening himself to the full of his great +height, and spoke in a voice that was thick with passion. + +"I pray your leave to withdraw, O King," he said, "since if I stay here +longer I shall grow sorry that I have no spear in my hand. Yet before I +go I will tell the truth. Cetewayo hates Saduko, because, knowing him +to be a chief of wit and courage, who will grow great, he sought him for +his man, saying, 'Sit you in my shadow,' after he had promised to sit in +mine. Therefore it is that he heaps these taunts upon me. Let him deny +it if he can." + +"That I shall not trouble to do, Umbelazi," answered Cetewayo, with a +scowl. "Who are you that spy upon my doings, and with a mouth full of +lies call me to account before the King? I will hear no more of it. Do +you bide here and pay Saduko his price with the person of our sister. +For, as the King has promised her, his word cannot be changed. Only let +your dog know that I keep a stick for him, if he should snarl at me. +Farewell, my Father. I go upon a journey to my own lordship, the land +of Gikazi, and there you will find me when you want me, which I pray may +not be till after this marriage is finished, for on that I will not +trust my eyes to look." + +Then, with a salute, he turned and departed, bidding no good-bye to his +brother. + +My hand, however, he shook in farewell, for Cetewayo was always friendly +to me, perhaps because he thought I might be useful to him. Also, as I +learned afterwards, he was very pleased with me for the reason that I +had refused my share of the Amakoba cattle, and that he knew I had no +part in this proposed marriage between Saduko and Nandie, of which, +indeed, I now heard for the first time. + +"My Father," said Umbelazi, when Cetewayo had gone, "is this to be +borne? Am I to blame in the matter? You have heard and seen--answer +me, my Father." + +"No, you are not to blame this time, Umbelazi," replied the King, with a +heavy sigh. "But oh! my sons, my sons, where will your quarrelling end? +I think that only a river of blood can quench so fierce a fire, and +then which of you will live to reach its bank?" + +For a while he looked at Umbelazi, and I saw love and fear in his eye, +for towards him Panda always had more affection than for any of his +other children. + +"Cetewayo has behaved ill," he said at length; "and before a white man, +who will report the matter, which makes it worse. He has no right to +dictate to me to whom I shall or shall not give my daughters in +marriage. Moreover, I have spoken; nor do I change my word because he +threatens me. It is known throughout the land that I never change my +word; and the white men know it also, do they not, O Macumazana?" + +I answered yes, they did. Also, this was true, for, like most weak men, +Panda was very obstinate, and honest, too, in his own fashion. + +He waved his hand, to show that the subject was ended, then bade +Umbelazi go to the gate and send a messenger to bring in "the son of +Matiwane." + +Presently Saduko arrived, looking very stately and composed as he lifted +his right hand and gave Panda the "Bayete"--the royal salute. + +"Be seated," said the King. "I have words for your ear." + +Thereon, with the most perfect grace, without hurrying and without undue +delay, Saduko crouched himself down upon his knees, with one of his +elbows resting on the ground, as only a native knows how to do without +looking absurd, and waited. + +"Son of Matiwane," said the King, "I have heard all the story of how, +with a small company, you destroyed Bangu and most of the men of the +Amakoba, and ate up their cattle every one." + +"Your pardon, Black One," interrupted Saduko. "I am but a boy, I did +nothing. It was Macumazahn, Watcher-by-Night, who sits yonder. His +wisdom taught me how to snare the Amakoba, after they were decoyed from +their mountain, and it was Tshoza, my uncle, who loosed the cattle from +the kraals. I say that I did nothing, except to strike a blow or two +with a spear when I must, just as a baboon throws stones at those who +would steal its young." + +"I am glad to see that you are no boaster, Saduko," said Panda. "Would +that more of the Zulus were like you in that matter, for then I must not +listen to so many loud songs about little things. At least, Bangu was +killed and his proud tribe humbled, and, for reasons of state, I am glad +that this happened without my moving a regiment or being mixed up with +the business, for I tell you that there are some of my family who loved +Bangu. But I--I loved your father, Matiwane, whom Bangu butchered, for +we were brought up together as boys--yes, and served together in the +same regiment, the Amawombe, when the Wild One, my brother, ruled" (he +meant Chaka, for among the Zulus the names of dead kings are +hlonipa--that is, they must not be spoken if it can be avoided). +"Therefore," went on Panda, "for this reason, and for others, I am glad +that Bangu has been punished, and that, although vengeance has crawled +after him like a footsore bull, at length he has been tossed with its +horns and crushed with its knees." + +"Yebo, Ngonyama!" (Yes, O Lion!) said Saduko. + +"Now, Saduko," went on Panda, "because you are your father's son, and +because you have shown yourself a man, although you are still little in +the land, I am minded to advance you. Therefore I give to you the +chieftainship over those who remain of the Amakoba and over all of the +Amangwane blood whom you can gather." + +"Bayete! As the King pleases," said Saduko. + +"And I give you leave to become a kehla--a wearer of the +head-ring--although, as you have said, you are still but a boy, and with +it a place upon my Council." + +"Bayete! As the King pleases," said Saduko, still apparently unmoved by +the honours that were being heaped upon him. + +"And, Son of Matiwane," went on Panda, "you are still unmarried, are you +not?" + +Now, for the first time, Saduko's face changed. "Yes, Black One," he +said hurriedly, "but--" + +Here he caught my eye, and, reading some warning in it, was silent. + +"But," repeated Panda after him, "doubtless you would like to be? Well, +it is natural in a young man who wishes to found a House, and therefore +I give you leave to marry." + +"Yebo, Silo!" (Yes, O Wild Beast!) "I thank the King, but--" + +Here I sneezed loudly, and he ceased. + +"But," repeated Panda, "of course, you do not know where to find a wife +between the time the hawk stoops and the rat squeaks in its claws. How +should you who have never thought of the matter? Also," he continued, +with a smile, "it is well that you have not thought of it, since she +whom I shall give to you could not live in the second hut in your kraal +and call another 'Inkosikazi' [that is, head lady or chieftainess]. +Umbelazi, my son, go fetch her of whom we have thought as a bride for +this boy." + +Now Umbelazi rose, and went with a broad smile upon his face, while +Panda, somewhat fatigued with all his speech-making--for he was very fat +and the day was very hot--leaned his head back against the hut and +closed his eyes. + +"O Black One! O thou who consumeth with rage! [Dhlangamandhla]" broke +out Saduko, who, I could see, was much disturbed. "I have something to +say to you." + +"No doubt, no doubt," answered Panda drowsily, "but save up your thanks +till you have seen, or you will have none left afterwards," and he +snored slightly. + +Now I, perceiving that Saduko was about to ruin himself, thought it well +to interfere, though what business of mine it was to do so I cannot say. +At any rate, if only I had held my tongue at this moment, and allowed +Saduko to make a fool of himself, as he wished to do--for where Mameena +was concerned he never could be wise--I verily believe that all the +history of Zululand would have run a different course, and that many +thousands of men, white and black, who are now dead would be alive +to-day. But Fate ordered it otherwise. Yes, it was not I who spoke, +but Fate. The Angel of Doom used my throat as his trumpet. + +Seeing that Panda dozed, I slipped behind Saduko and gripped him by the +arm. + +"Are you mad?" I whispered into his ear. "Will you throw away your +fortune, and your life also?" + +"But Mameena," he whispered back. "I would marry none save Mameena." + +"Fool!" I answered. "Mameena has betrayed and spat upon you. Take +what the Heavens send you and give thanks. Would you wear Masapo's +soiled blanket?" + +"Macumazahn," he said in a hollow voice, "I will follow your head, and +not my own heart. Yet you sow a strange seed, Macumazahn, or so you may +think when you see its fruit." And he gave me a wild look--a look that +frightened me. + +There was something in this look which caused me to reflect that I might +do well to go away and leave Saduko, Mameena, Nandie, and the rest of +them to "dree their weirds," as the Scotch say, for, after all, what was +my finger doing in that very hot stew? Getting burnt, I thought, and +not collecting any stew. + +Yet, looking back on these events, how could I foresee what would be the +end of the madness of Saduko, of the fearful machinations of Mameena, +and of the weakness of Umbelazi when she snared him in the net of her +beauty, thus bringing about his ruin, through the hate of Saduko and the +ambition of Cetewayo? How could I know that, at the back of all these +events, stood the old dwarf, Zikali the Wise, working night and day to +slake the enmity and fulfil the vengeance which long ago he had +conceived and planned against the royal House of Senzangakona and the +Zulu people over whom it ruled? + +Yes, he stood there like a man behind a great stone upon the brow of a +mountain, slowly, remorselessly, with infinite skill, labour, and +patience, pushing that stone to the edge of the cliff, whence at length, +in the appointed hour, it would thunder down upon those who dwelt +beneath, to leave them crushed and no more a people. How could I guess +that we, the actors in this play, were all the while helping him to push +that stone, and that he cared nothing how many of us were carried with +it into the abyss, if only we brought about the triumph of his secret, +unutterable rage and hate? + +Now I see and understand all these things, as it is easy to do, but then +I was blind; nor did the Voices reach my dull ears to warn me, as, how +or why I cannot tell, they did, I believe, reach those of Zikali. + +Oh, what was the sum of it? Just this, I think, and nothing more--that, +as Saduko and the others were Mameena's tools, and as all of them and +their passions were Zikali's tools, so he himself was the tool of some +unseen Power that used him and us to accomplish its design. Which, I +suppose, is fatalism, or, in other words, all these things happened +because they must happen. A poor conclusion to reach after so much +thought and striving, and not complimentary to man and his boasted +powers of free will; still, one to which many of us are often driven, +especially if we have lived among savages, where such dramas work +themselves out openly and swiftly, unhidden from our eyes by the veils +and subterfuges of civilisation. At least, there is this comfort about +it--that, if we are but feathers blown by the wind, how can the +individual feather be blamed because it did not travel against, turn or +keep back the wind? + +Well, let me return from these speculations to the history of the facts +that caused them. + +Just as--a little too late--I had made up my mind that I would go after +my own business, and leave Saduko to manage his, through the fence +gateway appeared the great, tall Umbelazi leading by the hand a woman. +As I saw in a moment, it did not need certain bangles of copper, +ornaments of ivory and of very rare pink beads, called infibinga, which +only those of the royal House were permitted to wear, to proclaim her a +person of rank, for dignity and high blood were apparent in her face, +her carriage, her gestures, and all that had to do with her. + +Nandie the Sweet was not a great beauty, as was Mameena, although her +figure was fine, and her stature like that of all the race of +Senzangakona--considerably above the average. To begin with, she was +darker in hue, and her lips were rather thick, as was her nose; nor were +her eyes large and liquid like those of an antelope. Further, she +lacked the informing mystery of Mameena's face, that at times was broken +and lit up by flashes of alluring light and quick, sympathetic +perception, as a heavy evening sky, that seems to join the dim earth to +the dimmer heavens, is illuminated by pulsings of fire, soft and +many-hued, suggesting, but not revealing, the strength and splendour +that it veils. Nandie had none of these attractions, which, after all, +anywhere upon the earth belong only to a few women in each generation. +She was a simple, honest-natured, kindly, affectionate young woman of +high birth, no more; that is, as these qualities are understood and +expressed among her people. + +Umbelazi led her forward into the presence of the King, to whom she +bowed gracefully enough. Then, after casting a swift, sidelong glance +at Saduko, which I found it difficult to interpret, and another of +inquiry at me, she folded her hands upon her breast and stood silent, +with bent head, waiting to be addressed. + +The address was brief enough, for Panda was still sleepy. + +"My daughter," he said, with a yawn, "there stands your husband," and he +jerked his thumb towards Saduko. "He is a young man and a brave, and +unmarried; also one who should grow great in the shadow of our House, +especially as he is a friend of your brother, Umbelazi. I understand +also that you have seen him and like him. Unless you have anything to +say against it, for as, not being a common father, the King receives no +cattle--at least in this case--I am not prejudiced, but will listen to +your words," and he chuckled in a drowsy fashion. "I propose that the +marriage should take place to-morrow. Now, my daughter, have you +anything to say? For if so, please say it at once, as I am tired. The +eternal wranglings between your brethren, Cetewayo and Umbelazi, have +worn me out." + +Now Nandie looked about her in her open, honest fashion, her gaze +resting first on Saduko, then on Umbelazi, and lastly upon me. + +"My Father," she said at length, in her soft, steady voice, "tell me, I +beseech you, who proposes this marriage? Is it the Chief Saduko, is it +the Prince Umbelazi, or is it the white lord whose true name I do not +know, but who is called Macumazahn, Watcher-by-Night?" + +"I can't remember which of them proposed it," yawned Panda. "Who can +keep on talking about things from night till morning? At any rate, I +propose it, and I will make your husband a big man among our people. +Have you anything to say against it?" + +"I have nothing to say, my Father. I have met Saduko, and like him +well--for the rest, you are the judge. But," she added slowly, "does +Saduko like me? When he speaks my name, does he feel it here?" and she +pointed to her throat. + +"I am sure I do not know what he feels in his throat," Panda replied +testily, "but I feel that mine is dry. Well, as no one says anything, +the matter is settled. To-morrow Saduko shall give the umqoliso [the Ox +of the Girl], that makes marriage--if he has not got one here I will +lend it to him, and you can take the new, big hut that I have built in +the outer kraal to dwell in for the present. There will be a dance, if +you wish it; if not, I do not care, for I have no wish for ceremony just +now, who am too troubled with great matters. Now I am going to sleep." + +Then sinking from his stool on to his knees, Panda crawled through the +doorway of his great hut, which was close to him, and vanished. + +Umbelazi and I departed also through the gateway of the fence, leaving +Saduko and the Princess Nandie alone together, for there were no +attendants present. What happened between them I am sure I do not know, +but I gather that, in one way or another, Saduko made himself +sufficiently agreeable to the princess to persuade her to take him to +husband. Perhaps, being already enamoured of him, she was not difficult +to persuade. At any rate, on the morrow, without any great feasting or +fuss, except the customary dance, the umqoliso, the "Ox of the Girl," +was slaughtered, and Saduko became the husband of a royal maiden of the +House of Senzangakona. + +Certainly, as I remember reflecting, it was a remarkable rise in life +for one who, but a few months before, had been without possessions or a +home. + +I may add that, after our brief talk in the King's kraal, while Panda +was dozing, I had no further words with Saduko on this matter of his +marriage, for between its proposal and the event he avoided me, nor did +I seek him out. On the day of the marriage also, I trekked for Natal, +and for a whole year heard no more of Saduko, Nandie, and Mameena; +although, to be frank, I must admit I thought of the last of these +persons more often, perhaps, than I should have done. + +The truth is that Mameena was one of those women who sticks in a man's +mind even more closely than a "Wait-a-bit" thorn does in his coat. + + + +CHAPTER IX + + + + +ALLAN RETURNS TO ZULULAND + + + + + +A whole year had gone by, in which I did, or tried to do, various things +that have no connection with this story, when once more I found myself +in Zululand--at Umbezi's kraal indeed. Hither I had trekked in +fulfilment of a certain bargain, already alluded to, that was concerned +with ivory and guns, which I had made with the old fellow, or, rather, +with Masapo, his son-in-law, whom he represented in this matter. Into +the exact circumstances of that bargain I do not enter, since at the +moment I cannot recall whether I ever obtained the necessary permit to +import those guns into Zululand, although now that I am older I +earnestly hope that I did so, since it is wrong to sell weapons to +natives that may be put to all sorts of unforeseen uses. + +At any rate, there I was, sitting alone with the Headman in his hut +discussing a dram of "squareface" that I had given to him, for the +"trade" was finished to our mutual satisfaction, and Scowl, my body +servant, with the hunters, had just carried off the ivory--a fine lot of +tusks--to my wagons. + +"Well, Umbezi," I said, "and how has it fared with you since we parted a +year ago? Have you seen anything of Saduko, who, you may remember, left +you in some wrath?" + +"Thanks be to my Spirit, I have seen nothing of that wild man, +Macumazahn," answered Umbezi, shaking his fat old head in a fashion +which showed great anxiety. "Yet I have heard of him, for he sent me a +message the other day to tell me that he had not forgotten what he owed +me." + +"Did he mean the sticks with which he promised to bray you like a green +hide?" I inquired innocently. + +"I think so, Macumazahn--I think so, for certainly he owes me nothing +else. And the worst of it is that, there at Panda's kraal, he has grown +like a pumpkin on a dung heap--great, great!" + +"And therefore is now one who can pay any debt that he owes, Umbezi," I +said, taking a pull at the "squareface" and looking at him over the top +of the pannikin. + +"Doubtless he can, Macumazahn, and, between you and me, that is the real +reason why I--or rather Masapo--was so anxious to get those guns. They +were not for hunting, as he told you by the messenger, or for war, but +to protect us against Saduko, in case he should attack. Well, now I +hope we shall be able to hold our own." + +"You and Masapo must teach your people to use them first, Umbezi. But I +expect Saduko has forgotten all about both of you now that he is the +husband of a princess of the royal blood. Tell me, how goes it with +Mameena?" + +"Oh, well, well, Macumazahn. For is she not the head lady of the +Amasomi? There is nothing wrong with her--nothing at all, except that +as yet she has no child; also that--," and he paused. + +"That what?" I asked. + +"That she hates the very sight of her husband, Masapo, and says that she +would rather be married to a baboon--yes, to a baboon--than to him, +which gives him offence, after he has paid so many cattle for her. But +what of this, Macumazahn? There is always a grain missing upon the +finest head of corn. Nothing is _quite_ perfect in the world, +Macumazahn, and if Mameena does not chance to love her husband--" and he +shrugged his shoulders and drank some "squareface." + +"Of course it does not matter in the least, Umbezi, except to Mameena +and her husband, who no doubt will settle down in time, now that Saduko +is married to a princess of the Zulu House." + +"I hope so, Macumazahn, but, to tell the truth, I wish you had brought +more guns, for I live amongst a terrible lot of people. Masapo, who is +furious with Mameena because she will have none of him, and therefore +with me, as though I could control Mameena; Mameena, who is mad with +Masapo, and therefore with me, because I gave her in marriage to him; +Saduko, who foams at the mouth at the name of Masapo, because he has +married Mameena, whom, it is said, he still loves, and therefore at me, +because I am her father and did my best to settle her in the world. Oh, +give me some more of that fire-water, Macumazahn, for it makes me forget +all these things, and especially that my guardian spirit made me the +father of Mameena, with whom you would not run away when you might have +done so. Oh, Macumazahn, why did you not run away with Mameena, and +turn her into a quiet white woman who ties herself up in sacks, sings +songs to the 'Great-Great' in the sky--[that is, hymns to the Power +above us]--and never thinks of any man who is not her husband?" + +"Because if I had done so, Umbezi, I should have ceased to be a quiet +white man. Yes, yes, my friend, I should have been in some such place +as yours to-day, and that is the last thing that I wish. And now, +Umbezi, you have had quite enough 'squareface,' so I will take the +bottle away with me. Good-night." + + +On the following morning I trekked very early from Umbezi's +kraal--before he was up indeed, for the "squareface" made him sleep +sound. My destination was Nodwengu, Panda's Great Place, where I hoped +to do some trading, but, as I was in no particular hurry, my plan was to +go round by Masapo's, and see for myself how it fared between him and +Mameena. Indeed, I reached the borders of the Amasomi territory, +whereof Masapo was chief, by evening, and camped there. But with the +night came reflection, and reflection told me that I should do well to +keep clear of Mameena and her domestic complications, if she had any. +So I changed my mind, and next morning trekked on to Nodwengu by the +only route that my guides reported to be practicable, one which took me +a long way round. + +That day, owing to the roughness of the road--if road it could be +called--and an accident to one of the wagons, we only covered about +fifteen miles, and as night fell were obliged to outspan at the first +spot where we could find water. When the oxen had been unyoked I looked +about me, and saw that we were in a place that, although I had +approached it from a somewhat different direction, I recognised at once +as the mouth of the Black Kloof, in which, over a year before, I had +interviewed Zikali the Little and Wise. There was no mistaking the +spot; that blasted valley, with the piled-up columns of boulders and the +overhanging cliff at the end of it, have, so far as I am aware, no exact +counterparts in Africa. + +I sat upon the box of the first wagon, eating my food, which consisted +of some biltong and biscuit, for I had not bothered to shoot any game +that day, which was very hot, and wondering whether Zikali were still +alive, also whether I should take the trouble to walk up the kloof and +find out. On the whole I thought that I would not, as the place +repelled me, and I did not particularly wish to hear any more of his +prophecies and fierce, ill-omened talk. So I just sat there studying +the wonderful effect of the red evening light pouring up between those +walls of fantastic rocks. + +Presently I perceived, far away, a single human figure--whether it were +man or woman I could not tell--walking towards me along the path which +ran at the bottom of the cleft. In those gigantic surroundings it +looked extraordinarily small and lonely, although perhaps because of the +intense red light in which it was bathed, or perhaps just because it was +human, a living thing in the midst of all that still, inanimate +grandeur, it caught and focused my attention. I grew greatly interested +in it; I wondered if it were that of man or woman, and what it was doing +here in this haunted valley. + +The figure drew nearer, and now I saw it was slender and tall, like that +of a lad or of a well-grown woman, but to which sex it belonged I could +not see, because it was draped in a cloak of beautiful grey fur. Just +then Scowl came to the other side of the wagon to speak to me about +something, which took off my attention for the next two minutes. When I +looked round again it was to see the figure standing within three yards +of me, its face hidden by a kind of hood which was attached to the fur +cloak. + +"Who are you, and what is your business?" I asked, whereon a gentle +voice answered: + +"Do you not know me, O Macumazana?" + +"How can I know one who is tied up like a gourd in a mat? Yet is it +not--is it not--" + +"Yes, it is Mameena, and I am very pleased that you should remember my +voice, Macumazahn, after we have been separated for such a long, long +time," and, with a sudden movement, she threw back the kaross, hood and +all, revealing herself in all her strange beauty. + +I jumped down off the wagon-box and took her hand. + +"O Macumazana," she said, while I still held it--or, to be accurate, +while she still held mine--"indeed my heart is glad to see a friend +again," and she looked at me with her appealing eyes, which, in the red +light, I could see appeared to float in tears. + +"A friend, Mameena!" I exclaimed. "Why, now you are so rich, and the +wife of a big chief, you must have plenty of friends." + +"Alas! Macumazahn, I am rich in nothing except trouble, for my husband +saves, like the ants for winter. Why, he even grudged me this poor +kaross; and as for friends, he is so jealous that he will not allow me +any." + +"He cannot be jealous of women, Mameena!" + +"Oh, women! Piff! I do not care for women; they are very unkind to me, +because--because--well, perhaps you can guess why, Macumazahn," she +answered, glancing at her own reflection in a little travelling +looking-glass that hung from the woodwork of the wagon, for I had been +using it to brush my hair, and smiled very sweetly. + +"At least you have your husband, Mameena, and I thought that perhaps by +this time--" + +She held up her hand. + +"My husband! Oh, I would that I had him not, for I hate him, +Macumazahn; and as for the rest--never! The truth is that I never cared +for any man except one whose name _you_ may chance to remember, +Macumazahn." + +"I suppose you mean Saduko--" I began. + +"Tell me, Macumazahn," she inquired innocently, "are white people very +stupid? I ask because you do not seem as clever as you used to be. Or +have you perhaps a bad memory?" + +Now I felt myself turning red as the sky behind me, and broke in +hurriedly: + +"If you did not like your husband, Mameena, you should not have married +him. You know you need not unless you wished." + +"When one has only two thorn bushes to sit on, Macumazahn, one chooses +that which seems to have the fewest prickles, to discover sometimes that +they are still there in hundreds, although one did not see them. You +know that at length everyone gets tired of standing." + +"Is that why you have taken to walking, Mameena? I mean, what are you +doing here alone?" + +"I? Oh, I heard that you were passing this way, and came to have a talk +with you. No, from you I cannot hide even the least bit of the truth. +I came to talk with you, but also I came to see Zikali and ask him what +a wife should do who hates her husband." + +"Indeed! And what did he answer you?" + +"He answered that he thought she had better run away with another man, +if there were one whom she did not hate--out of Zululand, of course," +she replied, looking first at me and then at my wagon and the two horses +that were tied to it. + +"Is that all he said, Mameena?" + +"No. Have I not told you that I cannot hide one grain of the truth from +you? He added that the only other thing to be done was to sit still and +drink my sour milk, pretending that it is sweet, until my Spirit gives +me a new cow. He seemed to think that my Spirit would be bountiful in +the matter of new cows--one day." + +"Anything more?" I inquired. + +"One little thing. Have I not told you that you shall have all--all the +truth? Zikali seemed to think also that at last every one of my herd of +cows, old and new, would come to a bad end. He did not tell me to what +end." + +She turned her head aside, and when she looked up again I saw that she +was weeping, really weeping this time, not just making her eyes swim, as +she did before. + +"Of course they will come to a bad end, Macumazahn," she went on in a +soft, thick voice, "for I and all with whom I have to do were 'torn out +of the reeds' [i.e. created] that way. And that's why I won't tempt you +to run away with me any more, as I meant to do when I saw you, because +it is true, Macumazahn you are the only man I ever liked or ever shall +like; and you know I could make you run away with me if I chose, +although I am black and you are white--oh, yes, before to-morrow +morning. But I won't do it; for why should I catch you in my unlucky +web and bring you into all sorts of trouble among my people and your +own? Go you your road, Macumazahn, and I will go mine as the wind blows +me. And now give me a cup of water and let me be away--a cup of water, +no more. Oh, do not be afraid for me, or melt too much, lest I should +melt also. I have an escort waiting over yonder hill. There, thank you +for your water, Macumazahn, and good night. Doubtless we shall meet +again ere long, and-- I forgot; the Little Wise One said he would like +to have a talk with you. Good night, Macumazahn, good night. I trust +that you did a profitable trade with Umbezi my father and Masapo my +husband. I wonder why such men as these should have been chosen to be +my father and my husband. Think it over, Macumazahn, and tell me when +next we meet. Give me that pretty mirror, Macumazahn; when I look in it +I shall see you as well as myself, and that will please me--you don't +know how much. I thank you. Good night." + +In another minute I was watching her solitary little figure, now wrapped +again in the hooded kaross, as it vanished over the brow of the rise +behind us, and really, as she went, I felt a lump rising in my throat. +Notwithstanding all her wickedness--and I suppose she was wicked--there +was something horribly attractive about Mameena. + +When she had gone, taking my only looking-glass with her, and the lump +in my throat had gone also, I began to wonder how much fact there was in +her story. She had protested so earnestly that she told me all the +truth that I felt sure there must be something left behind. Also I +remembered she had said Zikali wanted to see me. Well, the end of it +was I took a moonlight walk up that dreadful gorge, into which not even +Scowl would accompany me, because he declared that the place was well +known to be haunted by imikovu, or spectres who have been raised from +the dead by wizards. + +It was a long and disagreeable walk, and somehow I felt very depressed +and insignificant as I trudged on between those gigantic cliffs, passing +now through patches of bright moonlight and now through deep pools of +shadow, threading my way among clumps of bush or round the bases of tall +pillars of piled-up stones, till at length I came to the overhanging +cliffs at the end, which frowned down on me like the brows of some +titanic demon. + +Well, I got to the end at last, and at the gate of the kraal fence was +met by one of those fierce and huge men who served the dwarf as guards. +Suddenly he emerged from behind a stone, and having scanned me for a +moment in silence, beckoned to me to follow him, as though I were +expected. A minute later I found myself face to face with Zikali, who +was seated in the clear moonlight just outside the shadow of his hut, +and engaged, apparently, in his favourite occupation of carving wood +with a rough native knife of curious shape. + +For a while he took no notice of me; then suddenly looked up, shaking +back his braided grey locks, and broke into one of his great laughs. + +"So it is you, Macumazahn," he said. "Well, I knew you were passing my +way and that Mameena would send you here. But why do you come to see +the 'Thing-that-should-not-have-been-born'? To tell me how you fared +with the buffalo with the split horn, eh?" + +"No, Zikali, for why should I tell you what you know already? Mameena +said you wished to talk with me, that was all." + +"Then Mameena lied," he answered, "as is her nature, in whose throat +live four false words for every one of truth. Still, sit down, +Macumazahn. There is beer made ready for you by that stool; and give me +the knife and a pinch of the white man's snuff that you have brought for +me as a present." + +I produced these articles, though how he knew that I had them with me I +cannot tell, nor did I think it worth while to inquire. The snuff, I +remember, pleased him very much, but of the knife he said that it was a +pretty toy, but he would not know how to use it. Then we fell to +talking. + +"What was Mameena doing here?" I asked boldly. + +"What was she doing at your wagons?" he asked. "Oh, do not stop to tell +me; I know, I know. That is a very good Snake of yours, Macumazahn, +which always just lets you slip through her fingers, when, if she chose +to close her hand-- Well, well, I do not betray the secrets of my +clients; but I say this to you--go on to the kraal of the son of +Senzangakona, and you will see things happen that will make you laugh, +for Mameena will be there, and the mongrel Masapo, her husband. Truly +she hates him well, and, after all, I would rather be loved than hated +by Mameena, though both are dangerous. Poor Mongrel! Soon the jackals +will be chewing his bones." + +"Why do you say that?" I asked. + +"Only because Mameena tells me that he is a great wizard, and the +jackals eat many wizards in Zululand. Also he is an enemy of Panda's +House, is he not?" + +"You have been giving her some bad counsel, Zikali," I said, blurting +out the thought in my mind. + +"Perhaps, perhaps, Macumazahn; only I may call it good counsel. I have +my own road to walk, and if I can find some to clear away the thorns +that would prick my feet, what of it? Also she will get her pay, who +finds life dull up there among the Amasomi, with one she hates for a +hut-fellow. Go you and watch, and afterwards, when you have an hour to +spare, come and tell me what happens--that is, if I do not chance to be +there to see for myself." + +"Is Saduko well?" I asked to change the subject, for I did not wish to +become privy to the plots that filled the air. + +"I am told that his tree grows great, that it overshadows all the royal +kraal. I think that Mameena wishes to sleep in the shade of it. And +now you are weary, and so am I. Go back to your wagons, Macumazahn, for +I have nothing more to say to you to-night. But be sure to return and +tell me what chances at Panda's kraal. Or, as I have said, perhaps I +shall meet you there. Who knows, who knows?" + +Now, it will be observed that there was nothing very remarkable in this +conversation between Zikali and myself. He did not tell me any deep +secrets or make any great prophecy. It may be wondered, indeed, when +there is so much to record, why I set it down at all. + +My answer is, because of the extraordinary impression that it produced +upon me. Although so little was said, I felt all the while that those +few words were a veil hiding terrible events to be. I was sure that +some dreadful scheme had been hatched between the old dwarf and Mameena +whereof the issue would soon become apparent, and that he had sent me +away in a hurry after he learned that she had told me nothing, because +he feared lest I should stumble on its cue and perhaps cause it to fail. + +At any rate, as I walked back to my wagons by moonlight down that +dreadful gorge, the hot, thick air seemed to me to have a physical taste +and smell of blood, and the dank foliage of the tropical trees that grew +there, when now and again a puff of wind stirred them, moaned like the +fabled imikovu, or as men might do in their last faint agony. The +effect upon my nerves was quite strange, for when at last I reached my +wagons I was shaking like a reed, and a cold perspiration, unnatural +enough upon that hot night, poured from my face and body. + +Well, I took a couple of stiff tots of "squareface" to pull myself +together, and at length went to sleep, to awake before dawn with a +headache. Looking out of the wagon, to my surprise I saw Scowl and the +hunters, who should have been snoring, standing in a group and talking +to each other in frightened whispers. I called Scowl to me and asked +what was the matter. + +"Nothing, Baas," he said with a shamefaced air; "only there are so many +spooks about this place. They have been passing in and out of it all +night." + +"Spooks, you idiot!" I answered. "Probably they were people going to +visit the Nyanga, Zikali." + +"Perhaps, Baas; only then we do not know why they should all look like +dead people--princes, some of them, by their dress--and walk upon the +air a man's height from the ground." + +"Pooh!" I replied. "Do you not know the difference between owls in the +mist and dead kings? Make ready, for we trek at once; the air here is +full of fever." + +"Certainly, Baas," he said, springing off to obey; and I do not think I +ever remember two wagons being got under way quicker than they were that +morning. + +I merely mention this nonsense to show that the Black Kloof could affect +other people's nerves as well as my own. + + +In due course I reached Nodwengu without accident, having sent forward +one of my hunters to report my approach to Panda. When my wagons +arrived outside the Great Place they were met by none other than my old +friend, Maputa, he who had brought me back the pills before our attack +upon Bangu. + +"Greeting, Macumazahn," he said. "I am sent by the King to say that you +are welcome and to point you out a good place to outspan; also to give +you permission to trade as much as you will in this town, since he knows +that your dealings are always fair." + +I returned my thanks in the usual fashion, adding that I had brought a +little present for the King which I would deliver when it pleased him to +receive me. Then I invited Maputa, to whom I also offered some trifle +which delighted him very much, to ride with me on the wagon-box till we +came to the selected outspan. + +This, by the way, proved, to be a very good place indeed, a little +valley full of grass for the cattle--for by the King's order it had not +been grazed--with a stream of beautiful water running down it. Moreover +it overlooked a great open space immediately in front of the main gate +of the town, so that I could see everything that went on and all who +arrived or departed. + +"You will be comfortable here, Macumazahn," said Maputa, "during your +stay, which we hope will be long, since, although there will soon be a +mighty crowd at Nodwengu, the King has given orders that none except +your own servants are to enter this valley." + +"I thank the King; but why will there be a crowd, Maputa?" + +"Oh!" he answered with a shrug of the shoulders, "because of a new +thing. All the tribes of the Zulus are to come up to be reviewed. Some +say that Cetewayo has brought this about, and some say that it is +Umbelazi. But I am sure that it is the work of neither of these, but of +Saduko, your old friend, though what his object is I cannot tell you. I +only trust," he added uneasily, "that it will not end in bloodshed +between the Great Brothers." + +"So Saduko has grown tall, Maputa?" + +"Tall as a tree, Macumazahn. His whisper in the King's ear is louder +than the shouts of others. Moreover, he has become a 'self-eater' [that +is a Zulu term which means one who is very haughty]. You will have to +wait on him, Macumazahn; he will not wait on you." + +"Is it so?" I answered. "Well, tall trees are blown down sometimes." + +He nodded his wise old head. "Yes, Macumazahn; I have seen plenty grow +and fall in my time, for at last the swimmer goes with the stream. +Anyhow, you will be able to do a good trade among so many, and, whatever +happens, none will harm you whom all love. And now farewell; I bear +your messages to the King, who sends an ox for you to kill lest you +should grow hungry in his house." + +That same evening I saw Saduko and the others, as I shall tell. I had +been up to visit the King and give him my present, a case of English +table-knives with bone handles, which pleased him greatly, although he +did not in the least know how to use them. Indeed, without their +accompanying forks these are somewhat futile articles. I found the old +fellow very tired and anxious, but as he was surrounded by indunas, I +had no private talk with him. Seeing that he was busy, I took my leave +as soon as I could, and when I walked away whom should I meet but +Saduko. + +I saw him while he was a good way off, advancing towards the inner gate +with a train of attendants like a royal personage, and knew very well +that he saw me. Making up my mind what to do at once, I walked straight +on to him, forcing him to give me the path, which he did not wish to do +before so many people, and brushed past him as though he were a +stranger. As I expected, this treatment had the desired effect, for +after we had passed each other he turned and said: + +"Do you not know me, Macumazahn?" + +"Who calls?" I asked. "Why, friend, your face is familiar to me. How +are you named?" + +"Have you forgotten Saduko?" he said in a pained voice. + +"No, no, of course not," I answered. "I know you now, although you seem +somewhat changed since we went out hunting and fighting together--I +suppose because you are fatter. I trust that you are well, Saduko? +Good-bye. I must be going back to my wagons. If you wish to see me you +will find me there." + +These remarks, I may add, seemed to take Saduko very much aback. At any +rate, he found no reply to them, even when old Maputa, with whom I was +walking, and some others sniggered aloud. There is nothing that Zulus +enjoy so much as seeing one whom they consider an upstart set in his +place. + +Well, a couple of hours afterwards, just as the sun was sinking, who +should walk up to my wagons but Saduko himself, accompanied by a woman +whom I recognised at once as his wife, the Princess Nandie, who carried +a fine baby boy in her arms. Rising, I saluted Nandie and offered her +my camp-stool, which she looked at suspiciously and declined, preferring +to seat herself on the ground after the native fashion. So I took it +back again, and after I had sat down on it, not before, stretched out my +hand to Saduko, who by this time was quite humble and polite. + +Well, we talked away, and by degrees, without seeming too much +interested in them, I was furnished with a list of all the advancements +which it had pleased Panda to heap upon Saduko during the past year. In +their way they were remarkable enough, for it was much as though some +penniless country gentleman in England had been promoted in that short +space of time to be one of the premier peers of the kingdom and endowed +with great offices and estates. When he had finished the count of them +he paused, evidently waiting for me to congratulate him. But all I said +was: + +"By the Heavens above I am sorry for you, Saduko! How many enemies you +must have made! What a long way there will be for you to fall one +night!"--a remark at which the quiet Nandie broke into a low laugh that +I think pleased her husband even less than my sarcasm. "Well," I went +on, "I see that you have got a baby, which is much better than all these +titles. May I look at it, Inkosazana?" + +Of course she was delighted, and we proceeded to inspect the baby, which +evidently she loved more than anything on earth. Whilst we were +examining the child and chatting about it, Saduko sitting by meanwhile +in the sulks, who on earth should appear but Mameena and her fat and +sullen-looking husband, the chief Masapo. + +"Oh, Macumazahn," she said, appearing to notice no one else, "how +pleased I am to see you after a whole long year!" + +I stared at her and my jaw dropped. Then I recovered myself, thinking +she must have made a mistake and meant to say "week." + +"Twelve moons," she went on, "and, Macumazahn, not one of them has gone +by but I have thought of you several times and wondered if we should +ever meet again. Where have you been all this while?" + +"In many places," I answered; "amongst others at the Black Kloof, where +I called upon the dwarf, Zikali, and lost my looking-glass." + +"The Nyanga, Zikali! Oh, how often have I wished to see him. But, of +course, I cannot, for I am told he will not receive any women." + +"I don't know, I am sure," I replied, "but you might try; perhaps he +would make an exception in your favour." + +"I think I will, Macumazahn," she murmured, whereon I collapsed into +silence, feeling that things were getting beyond me. + +When I recovered myself a little it was to hear Mameena greeting Saduko +with much effusion, and complimenting him on his rise in life, which she +said she had always foreseen. This remark seemed to bowl out Saduko +also, for he made no answer to it, although I noticed that he could not +take his eyes off Mameena's beautiful face. Presently, however, he +seemed to become aware of Masapo, and instantly his whole demeanour +changed, for it grew proud and even terrible. Masapo tendered him some +greeting; whereon Saduko turned upon him and said: + +"What, chief of the Amasomi, do you give the good-day to an umfokazana +and a mangy hyena? Why do you do this? Is it because the low +umfokazana has become a noble and the mangy hyena has put on a tiger's +coat?" And he glared at him like a veritable tiger. + +Masapo made no answer that I could catch. Muttering some inaudible +words, he turned to depart, and in doing so--quite innocently, I +think--struck Nandie, knocking her over on to her back and causing the +child to fall out of her arms in such fashion that its tender head +struck against a pebble with sufficient force to cause it to bleed. + +Saduko leapt at him, smiting him across the shoulders with the little +stick that he carried. For a moment Masapo paused, and I thought that +he was going to show fight. If he had any such intention, however, he +changed his mind, for without a word, or showing any resentment at the +insult which he had received, he broke into a heavy run and vanished +among the evening shadows. Mameena, who had observed all, broke into +something else, namely, a laugh. + +"Piff! My husband is big yet not brave," she said, "but I do not think +he meant to hurt you, woman." + +"Do you speak to me, wife of Masapo?" asked Nandie with gentle dignity, +as she gained her feet and picked up the stunned child. "If so, my name +and titles are the Inkosazana Nandie, daughter of the Black One and wife +of the lord Saduko." + +"Your pardon," replied Mameena humbly, for she was cowed at once. "I +did not know who you were, Inkosazana." + +"It is granted, wife of Masapo. Macumazahn, give me water, I pray you, +that I may bathe the head of my child." + +The water was brought, and presently, when the little one seemed all +right again, for it had only received a scratch, Nandie thanked me and +departed to her own huts, saying with a smile to her husband as she +passed that there was no need for him to accompany her, as she had +servants waiting at the kraal gate. So Saduko stayed behind, and +Mameena stayed also. He talked with me for quite a long while, for he +had much to tell me, although all the time I felt that his heart was not +in his talk. His heart was with Mameena, who sat there and smiled +continually in her mysterious way, only putting in a word now and again, +as though to excuse her presence. + +At length she rose and said with a sigh that she must be going back to +where the Amasomi were in camp, as Masapo would need her to see to his +food. By now it was quite dark, although I remember that from time to +time the sky was lit up by sheet lightning, for a storm was brewing. As +I expected, Saduko rose also, saying that he would see me on the morrow, +and went away with Mameena, walking like one who dreams. + +A few minutes later I had occasion to leave the wagons in order to +inspect one of the oxen which was tied up by itself at a distance, +because it had shown signs of some sickness that might or might not be +catching. Moving quietly, as I always do from a hunter's habit, I +walked alone to the place where the beast was tethered behind some +mimosa thorns. Just as I reached these thorns the broad lightning shone +out vividly, and showed me Saduko holding the unresisting shape of +Mameena in his arms and kissing her passionately. + +Then I turned and went back to the wagons even more quietly than I had +come. + +I should add that on the morrow I found out that, after all, there was +nothing serious the matter with my ox. + + + +CHAPTER X + + + + +THE SMELLING-OUT + + + + + +After these events matters went on quietly for some time. I visited +Saduko's huts--very fine huts--about the doors of which sat quite a +number of his tribesmen, who seemed glad to see me again. Here I +learned from the Lady Nandie that her babe, whom she loved dearly, was +none the worse for its little accident. Also I learned from Saduko +himself, who came in before I left, attended like a prince by several +notable men, that he had made up his quarrel with Masapo, and, indeed, +apologised to him, as he found that he had not really meant to insult +the princess, his wife, having only thrust her over by accident. Saduko +added indeed that now they were good friends, which was well for Masapo, +a man whom the King had no cause to like. I said that I was glad to +hear it, and went on to call upon Masapo, who received me with +enthusiasm, as also did Mameena. + +Here I noted with pleasure that this pair seemed to be on much better +terms than I understood had been the case in the past, for Mameena even +addressed her husband on two separate occasions in very affectionate +language, and fetched something that he wanted without waiting to be +asked. Masapo, too, was in excellent spirits, because, as he told me, +the old quarrel between him and Saduko was thoroughly made up, their +reconciliation having been sealed by an interchange of gifts. He added +that he was very glad that this was the case, since Saduko was now one +of the most powerful men in the country, who could harm him much if he +chose, especially as some secret enemy had put it about of late that he, +Masapo, was an enemy of the King's House, and an evil-doer who practised +witchcraft. In proof of his new friendship, however, Saduko had +promised that these slanders should be looked into and their originator +punished, if he or she could be found. + +Well, I congratulated him and took my departure, "thinking furiously," +as the Frenchman says. That there was a tragedy pending I was sure; +this weather was too calm to last; the water ran so still because it was +preparing to leap down some hidden precipice. + +Yet what could I do? Tell Masapo I had seen his wife being embraced by +another man? Surely that was not my business; it was Masapo's business +to attend to her conduct. Also they would both deny it, and I had no +witness. Tell him that Saduko's reconciliation with him was not +sincere, and that he had better look to himself? How did I know it was +not sincere? It might suit Saduko's book to make friends with Masapo, +and if I interfered I should only make enemies and be called a liar who +was working for some secret end. + +Go to Panda and confide my suspicions to him? He was far too anxious +and busy about great matters to listen to me, and if he did, would only +laugh at this tale of a petty flirtation. No, there was nothing to be +done except sit still and wait. Very possibly I was mistaken, after +all, and things would smooth themselves out, as they generally do. + +Meanwhile the "reviewing," or whatever it may have been, was in +progress, and I was busy with my own affairs, making hay while the sun +shone. So great were the crowds of people who came up to Nodwengu that +in a week I had sold everything I had to sell in the two wagons, that +were mostly laden with cloth, beads, knives and so forth. Moreover, the +prices I got were splendid, since the buyers bid against each other, and +before I was cleared out I had collected quite a herd of cattle, also a +quantity of ivory. These I sent on to Natal with one of the wagons, +remaining behind myself with the other, partly because Panda asked me to +do so--for now and again he would seek my advice on sundry +questions--and partly from curiosity. + +There was plenty to be curious about up at Nodwengu just then, since no +one was sure that civil war would not break out between the princes +Cetewayo and Umbelazi, whose factions were present in force. + +It was averted for the time, however, by Umbelazi keeping away from the +great gathering under pretext of being sick, and leaving Saduko and some +others to watch his interests. Also the rival regiments were not +allowed to approach the town at the same time. So that public cloud +passed over, to the enormous relief of everyone, especially of Panda the +King. As to the private cloud whereof this history tells, it was +otherwise. + +As the tribes came up to the Great Place they were reviewed and sent +away, since it was impossible to feed so vast a multitude as would have +collected had they all remained. Thus the Amasomi, a small people who +were amongst the first to arrive, soon left. Only, for some reason +which I never quite understood, Masapo, Mameena and a few of Masapo's +children and headmen were detained there; though perhaps, if she had +chosen, Mameena could have given an explanation. + +Well, things began to happen. Sundry personages were taken ill, and +some of them died suddenly; and soon it was noted that all these people +either lived near to where Masapo's family was lodged or had at some +time or other been on bad terms with him. Thus Saduko himself was taken +ill, or said he was; at any rate, he vanished from public gaze for three +days, and reappeared looking very sorry for himself, though I could not +observe that he had lost strength or weight. These catastrophes I pass +over, however, in order to come to the greatest of them, which is one of +the turning points of this chronicle. + +After recovering from his alleged sickness Saduko gave a kind of +thanksgiving feast, at which several oxen were killed. I was present at +this feast, or rather at the last part of it, for I only put in what may +be called a complimentary appearance, having no taste for such native +gorgings. As it drew near its close Saduko sent for Nandie, who at +first refused to come as there were no women present--I think because he +wished to show his friends that he had a princess of the royal blood for +his wife, who had borne him a son that one day would be great in the +land. For Saduko, as I have said, had become a "self-eater," and this +day his pride was inflamed by the adulation of the company and by the +beer that he had drunk. + +At length Nandie did come, carrying her babe, from which she never would +be parted. In her dignified, ladylike fashion (although it seems an odd +term to apply to a savage, I know none that describes her better) she +greeted first me and then sundry of the other guests, saying a few words +to each of them. At length she came opposite to Masapo, who had dined +not wisely but too well, and to him, out of her natural courtesy, spoke +rather longer than to the others, inquiring after his wife, Mameena, and +others. At the moment it occurred to me that she did this in order to +assure him that she bore no malice because of the accident of a while +before, and was a party to her husband's reconciliation with him. + +Masapo, in a hazy way, tried to reciprocate these kind intentions. +Rising to his feet, his fat, coarse body swaying to and fro because of +the beer that he had drunk, he expressed satisfaction at the feast that +had been prepared in her house. Then, his eyes falling on the child, he +began to declaim about its size and beauty, until he was stopped by the +murmured protests of others, since among natives it is held to be not +fortunate to praise a young child. Indeed, the person who does so is +apt to be called an "umtakati", or bewitcher, who will bring evil upon +its head, a word that I heard murmured by several near to me. Not +satisfied with this serious breach of etiquette, the intoxicated Masapo +snatched the infant from its mother's arms under pretext of looking for +the hurt that had been caused to its brow when it fell to the ground at +my camp, and finding none, proceeded to kiss it with his thick lips. + +Nandie dragged it from him, saying: + +"Would you bring death upon my son, O Chief of the Amasomi?" + +Then, turning, she walked away from the feasters, upon whom there fell a +certain hush. + +Fearing lest something unpleasant should ensue, for I saw Saduko biting +his lips with rage not unmixed with fear, and remembering Masapo's +reputation as a wizard, I took advantage of this pause to bid a general +good night to the company and retire to my camp. + +What happened immediately after I left I do not know, but just before +dawn on the following morning I was awakened from sleep in my wagon by +my servant Scowl, who said that a messenger had come from the huts of +Saduko, begging that I would proceed there at once and bring the white +man's medicines, as his child was very ill. Of course I got up and +went, taking with me some ipecacuanha and a few other remedies that I +thought might be suitable for infantile ailments. + +Outside the huts, which I reached just as the sun began to rise, I was +met by Saduko himself, who was coming to seek me, as I saw at once, in a +state of terrible grief. + +"What is the matter?" I asked. + +"O Macumazana," he answered, "that dog Masapo has bewitched my boy, and +unless you can save him he dies." + +"Nonsense," I said, "why do you utter wind? If the babe is sick, it is +from some natural cause." + +"Wait till you see it," he replied. + +Well, I went into the big hut, and there found Nandie and some other +women, also a native doctor or two. Nandie was seated on the floor +looking like a stone image of grief, for she made no sound, only pointed +with her finger to the infant that lay upon a mat in front of her. + +A single glance showed me that it was dying of some disease of which I +had no knowledge, for its dusky little body was covered with red +blotches and its tiny face twisted all awry. I told the women to heat +water, thinking that possibly this might be a case of convulsions, which +a hot bath would mitigate; but before it was ready the poor babe uttered +a thin wail and died. + +Then, when she saw that her child was gone, Nandie spoke for the first +time. + +"The wizard has done his work well," she said, and flung herself face +downwards on the floor of the hut. + +As I did not know what to answer, I went out, followed by Saduko. + +"What has killed my son, Macumazahn?" he asked in a hollow voice, the +tears running down his handsome face, for he had loved his firstborn. + +"I cannot tell," I replied; "but had he been older I should have thought +he had eaten something poisonous, which seems impossible." + +"Yes, Macumazahn, and the poison that he has eaten came from the breath +of a wizard whom you may chance to have seen kiss him last night. Well, +his life shall be avenged." + +"Saduko," I exclaimed, "do not be unjust. There are many sicknesses +that may have killed your son of which I have no knowledge, who am not a +trained doctor." + +"I will not be unjust, Macumazahn. The babe has died by witchcraft, +like others in this town of late, but the evil-doer may not be he whom I +suspect. That is for the smellers-out to decide," and without more +words he turned and left me. + +Next day Masapo was put upon his trial before a Court of Councillors, +over which the King himself presided, a very unusual thing for him to +do, and one which showed the great interest he took in the case. + +At this court I was summoned to give evidence, and, of course, confined +myself to answering such questions as were put to me. Practically these +were but two. What had passed at my wagons when Masapo had knocked over +Nandie and her child, and Saduko had struck him, and what had I seen at +Saduko's feast when Masapo had kissed the infant? I told them in as few +words as I could, and after some slight cross-examination by Masapo, +made with a view to prove that the upsetting of Nandie was an accident +and that he was drunk at Saduko's feast, to both of which suggestions I +assented, I rose to go. Panda, however, stopped me and bade me describe +the aspect of the child when I was called in to give it medicine. + +I did so as accurately as possible, and could see that my account made a +deep impression on the mind of the court. Then Panda asked me if I had +ever seen any similar case, to which I was obliged to reply: + +"No, I have not." + +After this the Councillors consulted privately, and when we were called +back the King gave his judgment, which was very brief. It was evident, +he said, that there had been events which might have caused enmity to +arise in the mind of Masapo against Saduko, by whom Masapo had been +struck with a stick. Therefore, although a reconciliation had taken +place, there seemed to be a possible motive for revenge. But if Masapo +killed the child, there was no evidence to show how he had done so. +Moreover, that infant, his own grandson, had not died of any known +disease. He had, however, died of a similar disease to that which had +carried off certain others with whom Masapo had been mixed up, whereas +more, including Saduko himself, had been sick and recovered, all of +which seemed to make a strong case against Masapo. + +Still, he and his Councillors wished not to condemn without full proof. +That being so, they had determined to call in the services of some great +witch-doctor, one who lived at a distance and knew nothing of the +circumstances. Who that doctor should be was not yet settled. When it +was and he had arrived, the case would be re-opened, and meanwhile +Masapo would be kept a close prisoner. Finally, he prayed that the +white man, Macumazahn, would remain at his town until the matter was +settled. + +So Masapo was led off, looking very dejected, and, having saluted the +King, we all went away. + +I should add that, except for the remission of the case to the court of +the witch-doctor, which, of course, was an instance of pure Kafir +superstition, this judgment of the King's seemed to me well reasoned and +just, very different indeed from what would have been given by Dingaan +or Chaka, who were wont, on less evidence, to make a clean sweep not +only of the accused, but of all his family and dependents. + +About eight days later, during which time I had heard nothing of the +matter and seen no one connected with it, for the whole thing seemed to +have become Zila--that is, not to be talked about--I received a summons +to attend the "smelling-out," and went, wondering what witch-doctor had +been chosen for that bloody and barbarous ceremony. Indeed, I had not +far to go, since the place selected for the occasion was outside the +fence of the town of Nodwengu, on that great open stretch of ground +which lay at the mouth of the valley where I was camped. Here, as I +approached, I saw a vast multitude of people crowded together, fifty +deep or more, round a little oval space not much larger than the pit of +a theatre. On the inmost edge of this ring were seated many notable +people, male and female, and as I was conducted to the side of it which +was nearest to the gate of the town, I observed among them Saduko, +Masapo, Mameena and others, and mixed up with them a number of soldiers, +who were evidently on duty. + +Scarcely had I seated myself on a camp-stool, carried by my servant +Scowl, when through the gate of the kraal issued Panda and certain of +his Council, whose appearance the multitude greeted with the royal +salute of "Bayete", that came from them in a deep and simultaneous roar +of sound. When its echoes died away, in the midst of a deep silence +Panda spoke, saying: + +"Bring forth the Nyanga [doctor]. Let the umhlahlo [that is, the +witch-trial] begin!" + +There was a long pause, and then in the open gateway appeared a solitary +figure that at first sight seemed to be scarcely human, the figure of a +dwarf with a gigantic head, from which hung long, white hair, plaited +into locks. It was Zikali, no other! + +Quite unattended, and naked save for his moocha, for he had on him none +of the ordinary paraphernalia of the witch-doctor, he waddled forward +with a curious toad-like gait till he had passed through the Councillors +and stood in the open space of the ring. Halting there, he looked about +him slowly with his deep-set eyes, turning as he looked, till at length +his glance fell upon the King. + +"What would you have of me, Son of Senzangakona?" he asked. "Many years +have passed since last we met. Why do you drag me from my hut, I who +have visited the kraal of the King of the Zulus but twice since the +'Black One' [Chaka] sat upon the throne--once when the Boers were killed +by him who went before you, and once when I was brought forth to see all +who were left of my race, shoots of the royal Dwandwe stock, slain +before my eyes. Do you bear me hither that I may follow them into the +darkness, O Child of Senzangakona? If so I am ready; only then I have +words to say that it may not please you to hear." + +His deep, rumbling voice echoed into silence, while the great audience +waited for the King's answer. I could see that they were all afraid of +this man, yes, even Panda was afraid, for he shifted uneasily upon his +stool. At length he spoke, saying: + +"Not so, O Zikali. Who would wish to do hurt to the wisest and most +ancient man in all the land, to him who touches the far past with one +hand and the present with the other, to him who was old before our +grandfathers began to be? Nay, you are safe, you on whom not even the +'Black One' dared to lay a finger, although you were his enemy and he +hated you. As for the reason why you have been brought here, tell it to +us, O Zikali. Who are we that we should instruct you in the ways of +wisdom?" + +When the dwarf heard this he broke into one of his great laughs. + +"So at last the House of Senzangakona acknowledges that I have wisdom. +Then before all is done they will think me wise indeed." + +He laughed again in his ill-omened fashion and went on hurriedly, as +though he feared that he should be called upon to explain his words: + +"Where is the fee? Where is the fee? Is the King so poor that he +expects an old Dwandwe doctor to divine for nothing, just as though he +were working for a private friend?" + +Panda made a motion with his hand, and ten fine heifers were driven into +the circle from some place where they had been kept in waiting. + +"Sorry beasts!" said Zikali contemptuously, "compared to those we used +to breed before the time of Senzangakona"--a remark which caused a loud +"Wow!" of astonishment to be uttered by the multitude that heard it. +"Still, such as they are, let them be taken to my kraal, with a bull, +for I have none." + +The cattle were driven away, and the ancient dwarf squatted himself down +and stared at the ground, looking like a great black toad. For a long +while--quite ten minutes, I should think--he stared thus, till I, for +one, watching him intently, began to feel as though I were mesmerised. + +At length he looked up, tossing back his grey locks, and said: + +"I see many things in the dust. Oh, yes, it is alive, it is alive, and +tells me many things. Show that you are alive, O Dust. Look!" + +As he spoke, throwing his hands upwards, there arose at his very feet +one of those tiny and incomprehensible whirlwinds with which all who +know South Africa will be familiar. It drove the dust together; it +lifted it in a tall, spiral column that rose and rose to a height of +fifty feet or more. Then it died away as suddenly as it had come, so +that the dust fell down again over Zikali, over the King, and over three +of his sons who sat behind him. Those three sons, I remember, were +named Tshonkweni, Dabulesinye, and Mantantashiya. As it chanced, by a +strange coincidence all of these were killed at the great battle of the +Tugela of which I have to tell. + +Now again an exclamation of fear and wonder rose from the audience, who +set down this lifting of the dust at Zikali's very feet not to natural +causes, but to the power of his magic. Moreover, those on whom it had +fallen, including the King, rose hurriedly and shook and brushed it from +their persons with a zeal that was not, I think, inspired by a mere +desire for cleanliness. But Zikali only laughed again in his terrible +fashion and let it lie on his fresh-oiled body, which it turned to the +dull, dead hue of a grey adder. + +He rose and, stepping here and there, examined the new-fallen dust. +Then he put his hand into a pouch he wore and produced from it a dried +human finger, whereof the nail was so pink that I think it must have +been coloured--a sight at which the circle shuddered. + +"Be clever," he said, "O Finger of her I loved best; be clever and write +in the dust as yonder Macumazana can write, and as some of the Dwandwe +used to write before we became slaves and bowed ourselves down before +the Great Heavens." (By this he meant the Zulus, whose name means the +Heavens.) "Be clever, dear Finger which caressed me once, me, the +'Thing-that-should-not-have-been-born,' as more will think before I die, +and write those matters that it pleases the House of Senzangakona to +know this day." + +Then he bent down, and with the dead finger at three separate spots made +certain markings in the fallen dust, which to me seemed to consist of +circles and dots; and a strange and horrid sight it was to see him do +it. + +"I thank you, dear Finger. Now sleep, sleep, your work is done," and +slowly he wrapped the relic up in some soft material and restored it to +his pouch. + +Then he studied the first of the markings and asked: "What am I here +for? What am I here for? Does he who sits upon the Throne desire to +know how long he has to reign?" + +Now, those of the inner circle of the spectators, who at these +"smellings-out" act as a kind of chorus, looked at the King, and, seeing +that he shook his head vigorously, stretched out their right hands, +holding the thumb downwards, and said simultaneously in a cold, low +voice: + +"Izwa!" (That is, "We hear you.") + +Zikali stamped upon this set of markings. + +"It is well," he said. "He who sits upon the Throne does not desire to +know how long he has to reign, and therefore the dust has forgotten and +shows it not to me." + +Then he walked to the next markings and studied them. + +"Does the Child of Senzangakona desire to know which of his sons shall +live and which shall die; aye, and which of them shall sleep in his hut +when he is gone?" + +Now a great roar of "Izwa!" accompanied by the clapping of hands, rose +from all the outer multitude who heard, for there was no information +that the Zulu people desired so earnestly as this at the time of which I +write. + +But again Panda, who, I saw, was thoroughly alarmed at the turn things +were taking, shook his head vigorously, whereon the obedient chorus +negatived the question in the same fashion as before. + +Zikali stamped upon the second set of markings, saying: + +"The people desire to know, but the Great Ones are afraid to learn, and +therefore the dust has forgotten who in the days to come shall sleep in +the hut of the King and who shall sleep in the bellies of the jackals +and the crops of the vultures after they have 'gone beyond' by the +bridge of spears." + +Now, at this awful speech (which, both because of all that it implied of +bloodshed and civil war and of the wild, wailing voice in which it was +spoken, that seemed quite different from Zikali's, caused everyone who +heard it, including myself, I am afraid, to gasp and shiver) the King +sprang from his stool as though to put a stop to such doctoring. Then, +after his fashion, he changed his mind and sat down again. But Zikali, +taking no heed, went to the third set of marks and studied them. + +"It would seem," he said, "that I am awakened from sleep in my Black +House yonder to tell of a very little matter, that might well have been +dealt with by any common Nyanga born but yesterday. Well, I have taken +my fee, and I will earn it, although I thought that I was brought here +to speak of great matters, such as the death of princes and the fortunes +of peoples. Is it desired that my Spirit should speak of wizardries in +this town of Nodwengu?" + +"Izwa!" said the chorus in a loud voice. + +Zikali nodded his great head and seemed to talk with the dust, waiting +now and again for an answer. + +"Good," he said; "they are many, and the dust has told them all to me. +Oh, they are very many"--and he glared around him--"so many that if I +spoke them all the hyenas of the hills would be full to-night--" + +Here the audience began to show signs of great apprehension. + +"But," looking down at the dust and turning his head sideways, "what do +you say, what do you say? Speak more plainly, Little Voices, for you +know I grow deaf. Oh! now I understand. The matter is even smaller +than I thought. Just of one wizard--" + +"Izwa!" (loudly). + +"--just of a few deaths and some sicknesses." + +"Izwa!" + +"Just of one death, one principal death." + +"Izwa!" (very loudly). + +"Ah! So we have it--one death. Now, was it a man?" + +"Izwa!" (very coldly). + +"A woman?" + +"Izwa!" (still more coldly). + +"Then a child? It must be a child, unless indeed it is the death of a +spirit. But what do you people know of spirits? A child! A child! +Ah! you hear me--a child. A male child, I think. Do you not say so, O +Dust?" + +"Izwa!" (emphatically). + +"A common child? A bastard? The son of nobody?" + +"Izwa!" (very low). + +"A well-born child? One who would have been great? O Dust, I hear, I +hear; a royal child, a child in whom ran the blood of the Father of the +Zulus, he who was my friend? The blood of Senzangakona, the blood of +the 'Black One,' the blood of Panda." + +He stopped, while both from the chorus and from the thousands of the +circle gathered around went up one roar of "Izwa!" emphasised by a +mighty movement of outstretched arms and down-pointing thumbs. + +Then silence, during which Zikali stamped upon all the remaining +markings, saying: + +"I thank you, O Dust, though I am sorry to have troubled you for so +small a matter. So, so," he went on presently, "a royal boy-child is +dead, and you think by witchcraft. Let us find out if he died by +witchcraft or as others die, by command of the Heavens that need them. +What! Here is one mark which I have left. Look! It grows red, it is +full of spots! The child died with a twisted face." + +"Izwa! Izwa! Izwa!" (crescendo). + +"This death was not natural. Now, was it witchcraft or was it poison? +Both, I think, both. And whose was the child? Not that of a son of the +King, I think. Oh, yes, you hear me, People, you hear me; but be +silent; I do not need your help. No, not of a son; of a daughter, +then." He turned and, looked about him till his eye fell upon a group of +women, amongst whom sat Nandie, dressed like a common person. "Of a +daughter, a daughter--" He walked to the group of women. "Why, none of +these are royal; they are the children of low people. And yet--and yet +I seem to smell the blood of Senzangakona." + +He sniffed at the air as a dog does, and as he sniffed drew ever nearer +to Nandie, till at last he laughed and pointed to her. + +"_Your_ child, Princess, whose name I do not know. Your firstborn +child, whom you loved more than your own heart." + +She rose. + +"Yes, yes, Nyanga," she cried. "I am the Princess Nandie, and he was my +child, whom I loved more than my own heart." + +"Haha!" said Zikali. "Dust, you did not lie to me. My Spirit, you did +not lie to me. But now, tell me, Dust--and tell me, my Spirit--who +killed this child?" + +He began to waddle round the circle, an extraordinary sight, covered as +he was with grey grime, varied with streaks of black skin where the +perspiration had washed the dust away. + +Presently he came opposite to me, and, to my dismay, paused, sniffing at +me as he had at Nandie. + +"Ah! ah! O Macumazana," he said, "you have something to do with this +matter," a saying at which all that audience pricked their ears. + +Then I rose up in wrath and fear, knowing my position to be one of some +danger. + +"Wizard, or Smeller-out of Wizards, whichever you name yourself," I +called in a loud voice, "if you mean that _I_ killed Nandie's child, you +lie!" + +"No, no, Macumazahn," he answered, "but you tried to save it, and +therefore you had something to do with the matter, had you not? +Moreover, I think that you, who are wise like me, know who did kill it. +Won't you tell me, Macumazahn? No? Then I must find out for myself. +Be at peace. Does not all the land know that your hands are white as +your heart?" + +Then, to my great relief, he passed on, amidst a murmur of approbation, +for, as I have said, the Zulus liked me. Round and round he wandered, +to my surprise passing both Mameena and Masapo without taking any +particular note of them, although he scanned them both, and I thought +that I saw a swift glance of recognition pass between him and Mameena. +It was curious to watch his progress, for as he went those in front of +him swayed in their terror like corn before a puff of wind, and when he +had passed they straightened themselves as the corn does when the wind +has gone by. + +At length he had finished his journey and returned to his +starting-point, to all appearance completely puzzled. + +"You keep so many wizards at your kraal, King," he said, addressing +Panda, "that it is hard to say which of them wrought this deed. It +would have been easier to tell you of greater matters. Yet I have taken +your fee, and I must earn it--I must earn it. Dust, you are dumb. Now, +my Idhlozi, my Spirit, do you speak?" and, holding his head sideways, he +turned his left ear up towards the sky, then said presently, in a +curious, matter-of-fact voice: + +"Ah! I thank you, Spirit. Well, King, your grandchild was killed by the +House of Masapo, your enemy, chief of the Amasomi." + +Now a roar of approbation went up from the audience, among whom Masapo's +guilt was a foregone conclusion. + +When this had died down Panda spoke, saying: + +"The House of Masapo is a large house; I believe that he has several +wives and many children. It is not enough to smell out the House, since +I am not as those who went before me were, nor will I slay the innocent +with the guilty. Tell us, O Opener-of-Roads, who among the House of +Masapo has wrought this deed?" + +"That's just the question," grumbled Zikali in a deep voice. "All that +I know is that it was done by poisoning, and I smell the poison. It is +here." + +Then he walked to where Mameena sat and cried out: + +"Seize that woman and search her hair." + +Executioners who were in waiting sprang forward, but Mameena waved them +away. + +"Friends," she said, with a little laugh, "there is no need to touch +me," and, rising, she stepped forward to the centre of the ring. Here, +with a few swift motions of her hands, she flung off first the cloak she +wore, then the moocha about her middle, and lastly the fillet that bound +her long hair, and stood before that audience in all her naked beauty--a +wondrous and a lovely sight. + +"Now," she said, "let women come and search me and my garments, and see +if there is any poison hid there." + +Two old crones stepped forward--though I do not know who sent them--and +carried out a very thorough examination, finally reporting that they had +found nothing. Thereon Mameena, with a shrug of her shoulders, resumed +such clothes as she wore, and returned to her place. + +Zikali appeared to grow angry. He stamped upon the ground with his big +feet; he shook his braided grey locks and cried out: + +"Is my wisdom to be defeated in such a little matter? One of you tie a +bandage over my eyes." + +Now a man--it was Maputa, the messenger--came out and did so, and I +noted that he tied it well and tight. Zikali whirled round upon his +heels, first one way and then another, and, crying aloud: "Guide me, my +Spirit!" marched forward in a zigzag fashion, as a blindfolded man does, +with his arms stretched out in front of him. First he went to the +right, then to the left, and then straight forward, till at length, to +my astonishment, he came exactly opposite the spot where Masapo sat and, +stretching out his great, groping hands, seized the kaross with which he +was covered and, with a jerk, tore it from him. + +"Search this!" he cried, throwing it on the ground, and a woman +searched. + +Presently she uttered an exclamation, and from among the fur of one of +the tails of the kaross produced a tiny bag that appeared to be made out +of the bladder of a fish. This she handed to Zikali, whose eyes had now +been unbandaged. + +He looked at it, then gave it to Maputa, saying: + +"There is the poison--there is the poison, but who gave it I do not say. +I am weary. Let me go." + +Then, none hindering him, he walked away through the gate of the kraal. + +Soldiers seized upon Masapo, while the multitude roared: "Kill the +wizard!" + +Masapo sprang up, and, running to where the King sat, flung himself upon +his knees, protesting his innocence and praying for mercy. I also, who +had doubts as to all this business, ventured to rise and speak. + +"O King," I said, "as one who has known this man in the past, I plead +with you. How that powder came into his kaross I know not, but +perchance it is not poison, only harmless dust." + +"Yes, it is but wood dust which I use for the cleaning of my nails," +cried Masapo, for he was so terrified I think he knew not what he said. + +"So you own to knowledge of the medicine?" exclaimed Panda. "Therefore +none hid it in your kaross through malice." + +Masapo began to explain, but what he said was lost in a mighty roar of +"Kill the wizard!" + +Panda held up his hand and there was silence. + +"Bring milk in a dish," commanded the King, and it, was brought, and, at +a further word from him, dusted with the powder. + +"Now, O Macumazana," said Panda to me, "if you still think that yonder +man is innocent, will you drink this milk?" + +"I do not like milk, O King," I answered, shaking my head, whereon all +who heard me laughed. + +"Will Mameena, his wife, drink it, then?" asked Panda. + +She also shook her head, saying: + +"O King, I drink no milk that is mixed with dust." + +Just then a lean, white dog, one of those homeless, mangy beasts that +stray about kraals and live upon carrion, wandered into the ring. Panda +made a sign, and a servant, going to where the poor beast stood staring +about it hungrily, set down the wooden dish of milk in front of it. +Instantly the dog lapped it up, for it was starving, and as it finished +the last drop the man slipped a leathern thong about its neck and held +it fast. + +Now all eyes were fixed upon the dog, mine among them. Presently the +beast uttered a long and melancholy howl which thrilled me through, for +I knew it to be Masapo's death warrant, then began to scratch the ground +and foam at the mouth. Guessing what would follow, I rose, bowed to the +King, and walked away to my camp, which, it will be remembered, was set +up in a little kloof commanding this place, at a distance only of a few +hundred yards. So intent was all the multitude upon watching the dog +that I doubt whether anyone saw me go. As for that poor beast, Scowl, +who stayed behind, told me that it did not die for about ten minutes, +since before its end a red rash appeared upon it similar to that which I +had seen upon Saduko's child, and it was seized with convulsions. + +Well, I reached my tent unmolested, and, having lit my pipe, engaged +myself in making business entries in my note-book, in order to divert my +mind as much as I could, when suddenly I heard a most devilish clamour. +Looking up, I saw Masapo running towards me with a speed that I should +have thought impossible in so fat a man, while after him raced the +fierce-faced executioners, and behind came the mob. + +"Kill the evil-doer!" they shouted. + +Masapo reached me. He flung himself on his knees before me, gasping: + +"Save me, Macumazahn! I am innocent. Mameena, the witch! Mameena--" + +He got no farther, for the slayers had leapt on him like hounds upon a +buck and dragged him from me. + +Then I turned and covered up my eyes. + + +Next morning I left Nodwengu without saying good-bye to anyone, for what +had happened there made me desire a change. My servant, Scowl, and one +of my hunters remained, however, to collect some cattle that were still +due to me. + +A month or more later, when they joined me in Natal, bringing the +cattle, they told me that Mameena, the widow of Masapo, had entered the +house of Saduko as his second wife. In answer to a question which I put +to them, they added that it was said that the Princess Nandie did not +approve of this choice of Saduko, which she thought would not be +fortunate for him or bring him happiness. As her husband seemed to be +much enamoured of Mameena, however, she had waived her objections, and +when Panda asked if she gave her consent had told him that, although she +would prefer that Saduko should choose some other woman who had not been +mixed up with the wizard who killed her child, she was prepared to take +Mameena as her sister, and would know how to keep her in her place. + + + +CHAPTER XI + + + + +THE SIN OF UMBELAZI + + + + + +About eighteen months had gone by, and once again, in the autumn of the +year 1856, I found myself at old Umbezi's kraal, where there seemed to +be an extraordinary market for any kind of gas-pipe that could be called +a gun. Well, as a trader who could not afford to neglect profitable +markets, which are hard things to find, there I was. + +Now, in eighteen months many things become a little obscured in one's +memory, especially if they have to do with savages, in whom, after all, +one takes only a philosophical and a business interest. Therefore I may +perhaps be excused if I had more or less forgotten a good many of the +details of what I may call the Mameena affair. These, however, came +back to me very vividly when the first person that I met--at some +distance from the kraal, where I suppose she had been taking a country +walk--was the beautiful Mameena herself. There she was, looking quite +unchanged and as lovely as ever, sitting under the shade of a wild +fig-tree and fanning herself with a handful of its leaves. + +Of course I jumped off my wagon-box and greeted her. + +"Siyakubona [that is, good morrow], Macumazahn," she said. "My heart is +glad to see you." + +"Siyakubona, Mameena," I answered, leaving out all reference to _my_ +heart. Then I added, looking at her: "Is it true that you have a new +husband?" + +"Yes, Macumazahn, an old lover of mine has become a new husband. You +know whom I mean--Saduko. After the death of that evil-doer, Masapo, he +grew very urgent, and the King, also the Inkosazana Nandie, pressed it +on me, and so I yielded. Also, to be honest, Saduko was a good match, +or seemed to be so." + +By now we were walking side by side, for the train of wagons had gone +ahead to the old outspan. So I stopped and looked her in the face. + +"'Seemed to be,'" I repeated. "What do you mean by 'seemed to be'? Are +you not happy this time?" + +"Not altogether, Macumazahn," she answered, with a shrug of her +shoulders. "Saduko is very fond of me--fonder than I like indeed, since +it causes him to neglect Nandie, who, by the way, has another son, and, +although she says little, that makes Nandie cross. In short," she +added, with a burst of truth, "I am the plaything, Nandie is the great +lady, and that place suits me ill." + +"If you love Saduko, you should not mind, Mameena." + +"Love," she said bitterly. "Piff! What is love? But I have asked you +that question once before." + +"Why are you here, Mameena?" I inquired, leaving it unanswered. + +"Because Saduko is here, and, of course, Nandie, for she never leaves +him, and he will not leave me; because the Prince Umbelazi is coming; +because there are plots afoot and the great war draws near--that war in +which so many must die." + +"Between Cetewayo and Umbelazi, Mameena?" + +"Aye, between Cetewayo and Umbelazi. Why do you suppose those wagons of +yours are loaded with guns for which so many cattle must be paid? Not +to shoot game with, I think. Well, this little kraal of my father's is +just now the headquarters of the Umbelazi faction, the Isigqosa, as the +princedom of Gikazi is that of Cetewayo. My poor father!" she added, +with her characteristic shrug, "he thinks himself very great to-day, as +he did after he had shot the elephant--before I nursed you, +Macumazahn--but often I wonder what will be the end of it--for him and +for all of us, Macumazahn, including yourself." + +"I!" I answered. "What have I to do with your Zulu quarrels?" + +"That you will know when you have done with them, Macumazahn. But here +is the kraal, and before we enter it I wish to thank you for trying to +protect that unlucky husband of mine, Masapo." + +"I only did so, Mameena, because I thought him innocent." + +"I know, Macumazahn; and so did I, although, as I always told you, I +hated him, the man with whom my father forced me to marry. But I am +afraid, from what I have learned since, that he was not altogether +innocent. You see, Saduko had struck him, which he could not forget. +Also, he was jealous of Saduko, who had been my suitor, and wished to +injure him. But what I do not understand," she added, with a burst of +confidence, "is why he did not kill Saduko instead of his child." + +"Well, Mameena, you may remember it was said he tried to do so." + +"Yes, Macumazahn; I had forgotten that. I suppose that he did try, and +failed. Oh, now I see things with both eyes. Look, yonder is my +father. I will go away. But come and talk to me sometimes, Macumazahn, +for otherwise Nandie will be careful that I should hear nothing--I who +am the plaything, the beautiful woman of the House, who must sit and +smile, but must not think." + +So she departed, and I went on to meet old Umbezi, who came gambolling +towards me like an obese goat, reflecting that, whatever might be the +truth or otherwise of her story, her advancement in the world did not +seem to have brought Mameena greater happiness and contentment. + +Umbezi, who greeted me warmly, was in high spirits and full of +importance. He informed me that the marriage of Mameena to Saduko, +after the death of the wizard, her husband, whose tribe and cattle had +been given to Saduko in compensation for the loss of his son, was a most +fortunate thing for him. + +I asked why. + +"Because as Saduko grows great so I, his father-in-law, grow great with +him, Macumazahn, especially as he has been liberal to me in the matter +of cattle, passing on to me a share of the herds of Masapo, so that I, +who have been poor so long, am getting rich at last. Moreover, my kraal +is to be honoured with a visit from Umbelazi and some of his brothers +to-morrow, and Saduko has promised to lift me up high when the Prince is +declared heir to the throne." + +"Which prince?" I asked. + +"Umbelazi, Macumazahn. Who else? Umbelazi, who without doubt will +conquer Cetewayo." + +"Why without doubt, Umbezi? Cetewayo has a great following, and if _he_ +should conquer I think that you will only be lifted up in the crops of +the vultures." + +At this rough suggestion Umbezi's fat face fell. + +"O Macumazana," he said, "if I thought that, I would go over to +Cetewayo, although Saduko is my son-in-law. But it is not possible, +since the King loves Umbelazi's mother most of all his wives, and, as I +chance to know, has sworn to her that he favours Umbelazi's cause, since +he is the dearest to him of all his sons, and will do everything that he +can to help him, even to the sending of his own regiment to his +assistance, if there should be need. Also, it is said that Zikali, +Opener-of-Roads, who has all wisdom, has prophesied that Umbelazi will +win more than he ever hoped for." + +"The King!" I said, "a straw blown hither and thither between two great +winds, waiting to be wafted to rest by that which is strongest! The +prophecy of Zikali! It seems to me that it can be read two ways, if, +indeed, he ever made one. Well, Umbezi, I hope that you are right, for, +although it is no affair of mine, who am but a white trader in your +country, I like Umbelazi better than Cetewayo, and think that he has a +kinder heart. Also, as you have chosen his side, I advise you to stick +to it, since traitors to a cause seldom come to any good, whether it +wins or loses. And now, will you take count of the guns and powder +which I have brought with me?" + +Ah! better would it have been for Umbezi if he had listened to my advice +and remained faithful to the leader he had chosen, for then, even if he +had lost his life, at least he would have kept his good name. But of +him presently, as they say in pedigrees. + +Next day I went to pay my respects to Nandie, whom I found engaged in +nursing her new baby and as quiet and stately in her demeanour as ever. +Still, I think that she was very glad to see me, because I had tried to +save the life of her first child, whom she could not forget, if for no +other reason. Whilst I was talking to her of that sad matter, also of +the political state of the country, as to which I think she wished to +say something to me, Mameena entered the hut, without waiting to be +asked, and sat down, whereon Nandie became suddenly silent. + +This, however, did not trouble Mameena, who talked away about anything +and everything, completely ignoring the head-wife. For a while Nandie +bore it with patience, but at length she took advantage of a pause in +the conversation to say in her firm, low voice: + +"This is my hut, daughter of Umbezi, a thing which you remember well +enough when it is a question whether Saduko, our husband, shall visit +you or me. Can you not remember it now when I would speak with the +white chief, Watcher-by-Night, who has been so good as to take the +trouble to come to see me?" + +On hearing these words Mameena leapt up in a rage, and I must say I +never saw her look more lovely. + +"You insult me, daughter of Panda, as you always try to do, because you +are jealous of me." + +"Your pardon, sister," replied Nandie. "Why should I, who am Saduko's +Inkosikazi, and, as you say, daughter of Panda, the King, be jealous of +the widow of the wizard, Masapo, and the daughter of the headman, +Umbezi, whom it has pleased our husband to take into his house to be the +companion of his leisure?" + +"Why? Because you know that Saduko loves my little finger more than he +does your whole body, although you are of the King's blood and have +borne him brats," she answered, looking at the infant with no kindly +eye. + +"It may be so, daughter of Umbezi, for men have their fancies, and +without doubt you are fair. Yet I would ask you one thing--if Saduko +loves you so much, how comes it he trusts you so little that you must +learn any matter of weight by listening at my door, as I found you doing +the other day?" + +"Because you teach him not to do so, O Nandie. Because you are ever +telling him not to consult with me, since she who has betrayed one +husband may betray another. Because you make him believe my place is +that of his toy, not that of his companion, and this although I am +cleverer than you and all your House tied into one bundle, as you may +find out some day." + +"Yes," answered Nandie, quite undisturbed, "I do teach him these things, +and I am glad that in this matter Saduko has a thinking head and listens +to me. Also I agree that it is likely I shall learn many more ill +things through and of you one day, daughter of Umbezi. And now, as it +is not good that we should wrangle before this white lord, again I say +to you that this is my hut, in which I wish to speak alone with my +guest." + +"I go, I go!" gasped Mameena; "but I tell you that Saduko shall hear of +this." + +"Certainly he will hear of it, for I shall tell him when he comes +to-night." + +Another instant and Mameena was gone, having shot out of the hut like a +rabbit from its burrow. + +"I ask your pardon, Macumazahn, for what has happened," said Nandie, +"but it had become necessary that I should teach my sister, Mameena, +upon which stool she ought to sit. I do not trust her, Macumazahn. I +think that she knows more of the death of my child than she chooses to +say, she who wished to be rid of Masapo for a reason you can guess. I +think also she will bring shame and trouble upon Saduko, whom she has +bewitched with her beauty, as she bewitches all men--perhaps even +yourself a little, Macumazahn. And now let us talk of other matters." + +To this proposition I agreed cordially, since, to tell the truth, if I +could have managed to do so with any decent grace, I should have been +out of that hut long before Mameena. So we fell to conversing on the +condition of Zululand and the dangers that lay ahead for all who were +connected with the royal House--a state of affairs which troubled Nandie +much, for she was a clear-headed woman, and one who feared the future. + +"Ah! Macumazahn," she said to me as we parted, "I would that I were the +wife of some man who did not desire to grow great, and that no royal +blood ran in my veins." + +On the next day the Prince Umbelazi arrived, and with him Saduko and a +few other notable men. They came quite quietly and without any +ostensible escort, although Scowl, my servant, told me he heard that the +bush at a little distance was swarming with soldiers of the Isigqosa +party. If I remember rightly, the excuse for the visit was that Umbezi +had some of a certain rare breed of white cattle whereof the prince +wished to secure young bulls and heifers to improve his herd. + +Once inside the kraal, however, Umbelazi, who was a very open-natured +man, threw off all pretence, and, after greeting me heartily enough, +told me with plainness that he was there because this was a convenient +spot on which to arrange the consolidation of his party. + +Almost every hour during the next two weeks messengers--many of whom +were chiefs disguised--came and went. I should have liked to follow +their example--that is, so far as their departure was concerned--for I +felt that I was being drawn into a very dangerous vortex. But, as a +matter of fact, I could not escape, since I was obliged to wait to +receive payment for my stuff, which, as usual, was made in cattle. + +Umbelazi talked with me a good deal at that time, impressing upon me how +friendly he was towards the English white men of Natal, as distinguished +from the Boers, and what good treatment he was prepared to promise to +them, should he ever attain to authority in Zululand. It was during one +of the earliest of these conversations, which, of course, I saw had an +ultimate object, that he met Mameena, I think, for the first time. + +We were walking together in a little natural glade of the bush that +bordered one side of the kraal, when, at the end of it, looking like +some wood nymph of classic fable in the light of the setting sun, +appeared the lovely Mameena, clothed only in her girdle of fur, her +necklace of blue beads and some copper ornaments, and carrying upon her +head a gourd. + +Umbelazi noted her at once, and, ceasing his political talk, of which he +was obviously tired, asked me who that beautiful intombi (that is, girl) +might be. + +"She is not an intombi, Prince," I answered. "She is a widow who is +again a wife, the second wife of your friend and councillor, Saduko, and +the daughter of your host, Umbezi." + +"Is it so, Macumazahn? Oh, then I have heard of her, though, as it +chances, I have never met her before. No wonder that my sister Nandie +is jealous, for she is beautiful indeed." + +"Yes," I answered, "she looks pretty against the red sky, does she not?" + +By now we were drawing near to Mameena, and I greeted her, asking if she +wanted anything. + +"Nothing, Macumazahn," she answered in her delicate, modest way, for +never did I know anyone who could seem quite so modest as Mameena, and +with a swift glance of her shy eyes at the tall and splendid Umbelazi, +"nothing. Only," she added, "I was passing with the milk of one of the +few cows my father gave me, and saw you, and I thought that perhaps, as +the day has been so hot, you might like a drink of it." + +Then, lifting the gourd from her head, she held it out to me. + +I thanked her, drank some--who could do less?--and returned it to her, +whereon she made as though she would hasten to depart. + +"May I not drink also, daughter of Umbezi?" asked Umbelazi, who could +scarcely take his eyes off her. + +"Certainly, sir, if you are a friend of Macumazahn," she replied, +handing him the gourd. + +"I am that, Lady, and more than that, since I am a friend of your +husband, Saduko, also, as you will know when I tell you that my name is +Umbelazi." + +"I thought it must be so," she replied, "because of your--of your +stature. Let the Prince accept the offering of his servant, who one day +hopes to be his subject," and, dropping upon her knee, she held out the +gourd to him. Over it I saw their eyes meet. He drank, and as he +handed back the vessel she said: + +"O Prince, may I be granted a word with you? I have that to tell which +you would perhaps do well to hear, since news sometimes reaches the ears +of humble women that escapes those of the men, our masters." + +He bowed his head in assent, whereon, taking a hint which Mameena gave +me with her eyes, I muttered something about business and made myself +scarce. I may add that Mameena must have had a great deal to tell +Umbelazi. Fully an hour and a half had gone by before, by the light of +the moon, from a point of vantage on my wagon-box, whence, according to +my custom, I was keeping a lookout on things in general, I saw her slip +back to the kraal silently as a snake, followed at a little distance by +the towering form of Umbelazi. + +Apparently Mameena continued to be the recipient of information which +she found it necessary to communicate in private to the prince. At any +rate, on sundry subsequent evenings the dullness of my vigil on the +wagon-box was relieved by the sight of her graceful figure gliding home +from the kloof that Umbelazi seemed to find a very suitable spot for +reflection after sunset. On one of the last of these occasions I +remember that Nandie chanced to be with me, having come to my wagon for +some medicine for her baby. + +"What does it mean, Macumazahn?" she asked, when the pair had gone by, +as they thought unobserved, since we were standing where they could not +see us. + +"I don't know, and I don't want to know," I answered sharply. + +"Neither do I, Macumazahn; but without doubt we shall learn in time. If +the crocodile is patient and silent the buck always drops into its jaws +at last." + +On the day after Nandie made this wise remark Saduko started on a +mission, as I understood, to win over several doubtful chiefs to the +cause of Indhlovu-ene-sihlonti (the Elephant-with-the-tuft-of-hair), as +the Prince Umbelazi was called among the Zulus, though not to his face. +This mission lasted ten days, and before it was concluded an important +event happened at Umbezi's kraal. + +One evening Mameena came to me in a great rage, and said that she could +bear her present life no longer. Presuming on her rank and position as +head-wife, Nandie treated her like a servant--nay, like a little dog, to +be beaten with a stick. She wished that Nandie would die. + +"It will be very unlucky for you if she does," I answered, "for then, +perhaps, Zikali will be summoned to look into the matter, as he was +before." + +What was she to do, she went on, ignoring my remark. + +"Eat the porridge that you have made in your own pot, or break the pot" +(i.e. go away), I suggested. "There was no need for you to marry +Saduko, any more than there was for you to marry Masapo." + +"How can you talk to me like that, Macumazahn," she answered, stamping +her foot, "when you know well it is your fault if I married anyone? +Piff! I hate them all, and, since my father would only beat me if I took +my troubles to him, I will run off, and live in the wilderness alone and +become a witch-doctoress." + +"I am afraid you will find it very dull, Mameena," I began in a +bantering tone, for, to tell the truth, I did not think it wise to show +her too much sympathy while she was so excited. + +Mameena never waited for the end of the sentence, but, sobbing out that +I was false and cruel, she turned and departed swiftly. Oh! little did +I foresee how and where we should meet again. + +Next morning I was awakened shortly after sunrise by Scowl, whom I had +sent out with another man the night before to look for a lost ox. + +"Well, have you found the ox?" I asked. + +"Yes, Baas; but I did not waken you to tell you that. I have a message +for you, Baas, from Mameena, wife of Saduko, whom I met about four hours +ago upon the plain yonder." + +I bade him set it out. + +"These were the words of Mameena, Baas: 'Say to Macumazahn, your master, +that Indhlovu-ene-sihlonti, taking pity on my wrongs and loving me with +his heart, has offered to take me into his House and that I have +accepted his offer, since I think it better to become the Inkosazana of +the Zulus, as I shall one day, than to remain a servant in the house of +Nandie. Say to Macumazahn that when Saduko returns he is to tell him +that this is all his fault, since if he had kept Nandie in her place I +would have died rather than leave him. Let him say to Saduko also that, +although from henceforth we can be no more than friends, my heart is +still tender towards him, and that by day and by night I will strive to +water his greatness, so that it may grow into a tree that shall shade +the land. Let Macumazahn bid him not to be angry with me, since what I +do I do for his good, as he would have found no happiness while Nandie +and I dwelt in one house. Above all, also let him not be angry with the +Prince, who loves him more than any man, and does but travel whither the +wind that I breathe blows him. Bid Macumazahn think of me kindly, as I +shall of him while my eyes are open.'" + +I listened to this amazing message in silence, then asked if Mameena was +alone. + +"No, Baas; Umbelazi and some soldiers were with her, but they did not +hear her words, for she stepped aside to speak with me. Then she +returned to them, and they walked away swiftly, and were swallowed up in +the night." + +"Very good, Sikauli," I said. "Make me some coffee, and make it +strong." + +I dressed and drank several cups of the coffee, all the while "thinking +with my head," as the Zulus say. Then I walked up to the kraal to see +Umbezi, whom I found just coming out of his hut, yawning. + +"Why do you look so black upon this beautiful morning, Macumazahn?" +asked the genial old scamp. "Have you lost your best cow, or what?" + +"No, my friend," I answered; "but you and another have lost your best +cow." And word for word I repeated to him Mameena's message. When I +had finished really I thought that Umbezi was about to faint. + +"Curses be on the head of this Mameena!" he exclaimed. "Surely some +evil spirit must have been her father, not I, and well was she called +Child of Storm.* What shall I do now, Macumazahn? Thanks be to my +Spirit," he added, with an air of relief, "she is too far gone for me to +try to catch her; also, if I did, Umbelazi and his soldiers would kill +me." + +[*--That, if I have not said so already, was the meaning which the Zulus +gave to the word "Mameena", although as I know the language I cannot get +any such interpretation out of the name, I believe that it was given to +her, however, because she was born just before a terrible tempest, when +the wind wailing round the hut made a sound like the word "Ma-mee-na". +--A. Q.] + +"And what will Saduko do if you don't?" I asked. + +"Oh, of course he will be angry, for no doubt he is fond of her. But, +after all, I am used to that. You remember how he went mad when she +married Masapo. At least, he cannot say that I made her run away with +Umbelazi. After all, it is a matter which they must settle between +them." + +"I think it may mean great trouble," I said, "at a time when trouble is +not needed." + +"Oh, why so, Macumazahn? My daughter did not get on with the Princess +Nandie--we could all see that--for they would scarcely speak to each +other. And if Saduko is fond of her--well, after all, there are other +beautiful women in Zululand. I know one or two of them myself whom I +will mention to Saduko--or rather to Nandie. Really, as things were, I +am not sure but that he is well rid of her." + +"But what do you think of the matter as her father?" I asked, for I +wanted to see to what length his accommodating morality would stretch. + +"As her father--well, of course, Macumazahn, as her father I am sorry, +because it will mean talk, will it not, as the Masapo business did? +Still, there is this to be said for Mameena," he added, with a +brightening face, "she always runs away up the tree, not down. When she +got rid of Masapo--I mean when Masapo was killed for his witchcraft--she +married Saduko, who was a bigger man--Saduko, whom she would not marry +when Masapo was the bigger man. And now, when she has got rid of +Saduko, she enters the hut of Umbelazi, who will one day be King of the +Zulus, the biggest man in all the world, which means that she will be +the biggest woman, for remember, Macumazahn, she will walk round and +round that great Umbelazi till whatever way he looks he will see her and +no one else. Oh, she will grow great, and carry up her poor old father +in the blanket on her back. Oh, the sun still shines behind the cloud, +Macumazahn, so let us make the best of the cloud, since we know that it +will break out presently." + +"Yes, Umbezi; but other things besides the sun break out from clouds +sometimes--lightning, for instance; lightning which kills." + +"You speak ill-omened words, Macumazahn; words that take away my +appetite, which is generally excellent at this hour. Well, if Mameena +is bad it is not my fault, for I brought her up to be good. After all," +he added with an outburst of petulance, "why do you scold me when it is +your fault? If you had run away with the girl when you might have done +so, there would have been none of this trouble." + +"Perhaps not," I answered; "only then I am sure I should have been dead +to-day, as I think that all who have to do with her will be ere long. +And now, Umbezi, I wish you a good breakfast." + +On the following morning, Saduko returned and was told the news by +Nandie, whom I had carefully avoided. On this occasion, however, I was +forced to be present, as the person to whom the sinful Mameena had sent +her farewell message. It was a very painful experience, of which I do +not remember all the details. For a while after he learned the truth +Saduko sat still as a stone, staring in front of him, with a face that +seemed to have become suddenly old. Then he turned upon Umbezi, and in +a few terrible words accused him of having arranged the matter in order +to advance his own fortunes at the price of his daughter's dishonour. +Next, without listening to his ex-father-in-law's voluble explanations, +he rose and said that he was going away to kill Umbelazi, the evil-doer +who had robbed him of the wife he loved, with the connivance of all +three of us, and by a sweep of his hand he indicated Umbezi, the +Princess Nandie and myself. + +This was more than I could stand, so I, too, rose and asked him what he +meant, adding in the irritation of the moment that if I had wished to +rob him of his beautiful Mameena, I thought I could have done so long +ago--a remark that staggered him a little. + +Then Nandie rose also, and spoke in her quiet voice. + +"Saduko, my husband," she said, "I, a Princess of the Zulu House, +married you who are not of royal blood because I loved you, and although +Panda the King and Umbelazi the Prince wished it, for no other reason +whatsoever. Well, I have been faithful to you through some trials, even +when you set the widow of a wizard--if, indeed, as I have reason to +suspect, she was not herself the wizard--before me, and although that +wizard had killed our son, lived in her hut rather than in mine. Now +this woman of whom you thought so much has deserted you for your friend +and my brother, the Prince Umbelazi--Umbelazi who is called the +Handsome, and who, if the fortune of war goes with him, as it may or may +not, will succeed to Panda, my father. This she has done because she +alleges that I, your Inkosikazi and the King's daughter, treated her as +a servant, which is a lie. I kept her in her place, no more, who, if +she could have had her will, would have ousted me from mine, perhaps by +death, for the wives of wizards learn their arts. On this pretext she +has left you; but that is not her real reason. She has left you because +the Prince, my brother, whom she has befooled with her tricks and +beauty, as she has befooled others, or tried to"--and she glanced at +me--"is a bigger man than you are. You, Saduko, may become great, as my +heart prays that you will, but my brother may become a king. She does +not love him any more than she loved you, but she does love the place +that may be his, and therefore hers--she who would be the first doe of +the herd. My husband, I think that you are well rid of Mameena, for I +think also that if she had stayed with us there would have been more +deaths in our House; perhaps mine, which would not matter, and perhaps +yours, which would matter much. All this I say to you, not from +jealousy of one who is fairer than I, but because it is the truth. +Therefore my counsel to you is to let this business pass over and keep +silent. Above all, seek not to avenge yourself upon Umbelazi, since I +am sure that he has taken vengeance to dwell with him in his own hut. I +have spoken." + +That this moderate and reasoned speech of Nandie's produced a great +effect upon Saduko I could see, but at the time the only answer he made +to it was: + +"Let the name of Mameena be spoken no more within hearing of my ears. +Mameena is dead." + +So her name was heard no more in the Houses of Saduko and of Umbezi, and +when it was necessary for any reason to refer to her, she was given a +new name, a composite Zulu word, "O-we-Zulu", I think it was, which is +"Storm-child" shortly translated, for "Zulu" means a storm as well as +the sky. + +I do not think that Saduko spoke of her to me again until towards the +climax of this history, and certainly I did not mention her to him. But +from that day forward I noted that he was a changed man. His pride and +open pleasure in his great success, which had caused the Zulus to name +him the "Self-eater," were no longer marked. He became cold and silent, +like a man who is thinking deeply, but who shutters his thoughts lest +some should read them through the windows of his eyes. Moreover, he +paid a visit to Zikali the Little and Wise, as I found out by accident; +but what advice that cunning old dwarf gave to him I did not find +out--then. + +The only other event which happened in connection with this elopement +was that a message came from Umbelazi to Saduko, brought by one of the +princes, a brother of Umbelazi, who was of his party. As I know, for I +heard it delivered, it was a very humble message when the relative +positions of the two men are considered--that of one who knew that he +had done wrong, and, if not repentant, was heartily ashamed of himself. + +"Saduko," it said, "I have stolen a cow of yours, and I hope you will +forgive me, since that cow did not love the pasture in your kraal, but +in mine she grows fat and is content. Moreover, in return I will give +you many other cows. Everything that I have to give, I will give to you +who are my friend and trusted councillor. Send me word, O Saduko, that +this wall which I have built between us is broken down, since ere long +you and I must stand together in war." + +To this message Saduko's answer was: + +"O Prince, you are troubled about a very little thing. That cow which +you have taken was of no worth to me, for who wishes to keep a beast +that is ever tearing and lowing at the gates of the kraal, disturbing +those who would sleep inside with her noise? Had you asked her of me, I +would have given her to you freely. I thank you for your offer, but I +need no more cows, especially if, like this one, they have no calves. +As for a wall between us, there is none, for how can two men who, if the +battle is to be won, must stand shoulder to shoulder, fight if divided +by a wall? O Son of the King, I am dreaming by day and night of the +battle and the victory, and I have forgotten all about the barren cow +that ran away after you, the great bull of the herd. Only do not be +surprised if one day you find that this cow has a sharp horn." + + + +CHAPTER XII + + + + +PANDA'S PRAYER + + + + + +About six weeks later, in the month of November, 1856, I chanced to be +at Nodwengu when the quarrel between the princes came to a head. +Although none of the regiments was actually allowed to enter the +town--that is, as a regiment--the place was full of people, all of them +in a state of great excitement, who came in during the daytime and went +to sleep in the neighbouring military kraals at night. One evening, as +some of these soldiers--about a thousand of them, if I remember +right--were returning to the Ukubaza kraal, a fight occurred between +them, which led to the final outbreak. + +As it happened, at that time there were two separate regiments stationed +at this kraal. I think that they were the Imkulutshana and the Hlaba, +one of which favoured Cetewayo and the other Umbelazi. As certain +companies of each of these regiments marched along together in parallel +lines, two of their captains got into dispute on the eternal subject of +the succession to the throne. From words they came to blows, and the +end of it was that he who favoured Umbelazi killed him who favoured +Cetewayo with his kerry. Thereon the comrades of the slain man, raising +a shout of "Usutu," which became the war-cry of Cetewayo's party, fell +upon the others, and a dreadful combat ensued. Fortunately the soldiers +were only armed with sticks, or the slaughter would have been very +great; but as it was, after an indecisive engagement, about fifty men +were killed and many more injured. + +Now, with my usual bad luck, I, who had gone out to shoot a few birds +for the pot--pauw, or bustard, I think they were--was returning across +this very plain to my old encampment in the kloof where Masapo had been +executed, and so ran into the fight just as it was beginning. I saw the +captain killed and the subsequent engagement. Indeed, as it happened, I +did more. Not knowing where to go or what to do, for I was quite alone, +I pulled up my horse behind a tree and waited till I could escape the +horrors about me; for I can assure anyone who may ever read these words +that it is a very horrible sight to see a thousand men engaged in fierce +and deadly combat. In truth, the fact that they had no spears, and +could only batter each other to death with their heavy kerries, made it +worse, since the duels were more desperate and prolonged. + +Everywhere men were rolling on the ground, hitting at each other's +heads, until at last some blow went home and one of them threw out his +arms and lay still, either dead or senseless. Well, there I sat +watching all this shocking business from the saddle of my trained +shooting pony, which stood like a stone, till presently I became aware +of two great fellows rushing at me with their eyes starting out of their +heads and shouting as they came: + +"Kill Umbelazi's white man! Kill! Kill!" + +Then, seeing that the matter was urgent and that it was a question of my +life or theirs, I came into action. + +In my hand I held a double-barrelled shotgun loaded with what we used to +call "loopers," or B.B. shot, of which but a few went to each charge, +for I had hoped to meet with a small buck on my way to camp. So, as +these soldiers came, I lifted the gun and fired, the right barrel at one +of them and the left barrel at the other, aiming in each case at the +centre of the small dancing shields, which from force of habit they held +stretched out to protect their throats and breasts. At that distance, +of course, the loopers sank through the soft hide of the shields and +deep into the bodies of those who carried them, so that both of them +dropped dead, the left-hand man being so close that he fell against my +pony, his uplifted kerry striking me upon the thigh and bruising me. + +When I saw what I had done, and that my danger was over for the moment, +without waiting to reload I dug the spurs into my horse's sides and +galloped off to Nodwengu, passing between the groups of struggling men. +On arriving unharmed at the town, I went instantly to the royal huts and +demanded to see the King, who sent word that I was to be admitted. On +coming before him I told him exactly what had happened--that I had +killed two of Cetewayo's men in order to save my own life, and on that +account submitted myself to his justice. + +"O Macumazana," said Panda in great distress, "I know well that you are +not to blame, and already I have sent out a regiment to stop this +fighting, with command that those who caused it should be brought before +me to-morrow for judgment. I am glad indeed, Macumazahn, that you have +escaped without harm, but I must tell you that I fear henceforth your +life will be in danger, since all the Usutu party will hold it forfeit +if they can catch you. While you are in my town I can protect you, for +I will set a strong guard about your camp; but here you will have to +stay until these troubles are done with, since if you leave you may be +murdered on the road." + +"I thank you for your kindness, King," I answered; "but all this is very +awkward for me, who hoped to trek for Natal to-morrow." + +"Well, there it is, Macumazahn, you will have to stay here unless you +wish to be killed. He who walks into a storm must put up with the +hailstones." + +So it came about that once again Fate dragged me into the Zulu +maelstrom. + +On the morrow I was summoned to the trial, half as a witness and half as +one of the offenders. Going to the head of the Nodwengu kraal, where +Panda was sitting in state with his Council, I found the whole great +space in front of him crowded with a dense concourse of fierce-faced +partisans, those who favoured Cetewayo--the Usutu--sitting on the right, +and those who favoured Umbelazi--the Isigqosa--sitting on the left. At +the head of the right-hand section sat Cetewayo, his brethren and chief +men. At the head of the left-hand section sat Umbelazi, his brethren +and his chief men, amongst whom I saw Saduko take a place immediately +behind the Prince, so that he could whisper into his ear. + +To myself and my little band of eight hunters, who by Panda's express +permission, came armed with their guns, as I did also, for I was +determined that if the necessity arose we would sell our lives as dearly +as we could, was appointed a place almost in front of the King and +between the two factions. When everyone was seated the trial began, +Panda demanding to know who had caused the tumult of the previous night. + +I cannot set out what followed in all its details, for it would be too +long; also I have forgotten many of them. I remember, however, that +Cetewayo's people said that Umbelazi's men were the aggressors, and that +Umbelazi's people said that Cetewayo's men were the aggressors, and that +each of their parties backed up these statements, which were given at +great length, with loud shouts. + +"How am I to know the truth?" exclaimed Panda at last. "Macumazahn, you +were there; step forward and tell it to me." + +So I stood out and told the King what I had seen, namely that the +captain who favoured Cetewayo had begun the quarrel by striking the +captain who favoured Umbelazi, but that in the end Umbelazi's man had +killed Cetewayo's man, after which the fighting commenced. + +"Then it would seem that the Usutu are to blame," said Panda. + +"Upon what grounds do you say so, my father?" asked Cetewayo, springing +up. "Upon the testimony of this white man, who is well known to be the +friend of Umbelazi and of his henchman Saduko, and who himself killed +two of those who called me chief in the course of the fight?" + +"Yes, Cetewayo," I broke in, "because I thought it better that I should +kill them than that they should kill me, whom they attacked quite +unprovoked." + +"At any rate, you killed them, little White Man," shouted Cetewayo, "for +which cause your blood is forfeit. Say, did Umbelazi give you leave to +appear before the King accompanied by men armed with guns, when we who +are his sons must come with sticks only? If so, let him protect you!" + +"That I will do if there is need!" exclaimed Umbelazi. + +"Thank you, Prince," I said; "but if there is need I will protect myself +as I did yesterday," and, cocking my double-barrelled rifle, I looked +full at Cetewayo. + +"When you leave here, then at least I will come even with you, +Macumazahn!" threatened Cetewayo, spitting through his teeth, as was his +way when mad with passion. + +For he was beside himself, and wished to vent his temper on someone, +although in truth he and I were always good friends. + +"If so I shall stop where I am," I answered coolly, "in the shadow of +the King, your father. Moreover, are you so lost in folly, Cetewayo, +that you should wish to bring the English about your ears? Know that if +I am killed you will be asked to give account of my blood." + +"Aye," interrupted Panda, "and know that if anyone lays a finger on +Macumazana, who is my guest, he shall die, whether he be a common man or +a prince and my son. Also, Cetewayo, I fine you twenty head of cattle, +to be paid to Macumazana because of the unprovoked attack which your men +made upon him when he rightly slew them." + +"The fine shall be paid, my father," said Cetewayo more quietly, for he +saw that in threatening me he had pushed matters too far. + +Then, after some more talk, Panda gave judgment in the cause, which +judgment really amounted to nothing. As it was impossible to decide +which party was most to blame, he fined both an equal number of cattle, +accompanying the fine with a lecture on their ill-behaviour, which was +listened to indifferently. + +After this matter was disposed of the real business of the meeting +began. + +Rising to his feet, Cetewayo addressed Panda. + +"My father," he said, "the land wanders and wanders in darkness, and you +alone can give light for its feet. I and my brother, Umbelazi, are at +variance, and the quarrel is a great one, namely, as to which of us is +to sit in your place when you are 'gone down,' when we call and you do +not answer. Some of the nation favour one of us and some favour the +other, but you, O King, and you alone, have the voice of judgment. +Still, before you speak, I and those who stand with me would bring this +to your mind. My mother, Umqumbazi, is your Inkosikazi, your head-wife, +and therefore, according to our law, I, her eldest son, should be your +heir. Moreover, when you fled to the Boers before the fall of him who +sat in your place before you [Dingaan], did not they, the white Amabunu, +ask you which amongst your sons was your heir, and did you not point me +out to the white men? And thereon did not the Amabunu clothe me in a +dress of honour because I was the King to be? But now of late the +mother of Umbelazi has been whispering in your ear, as have others"--and +he looked at Saduko and some of Umbelazi's brethren--"and your face has +grown cold towards me, so cold that many say that you will point out +Umbelazi to be King after you and stamp on my name. If this is so, my +father, tell me at once, that I may know what to do." + +Having finished this speech, which certainly did not lack force and +dignity, Cetewayo sat down again, awaiting the answer in sullen silence. +But, making none, Panda looked at Umbelazi, who, on rising, was greeted +with a great cheer, for although Cetewayo had the larger following in +the land, especially among the distant chiefs, the Zulus individually +loved Umbelazi more, perhaps because of his stature, beauty and kindly +disposition--physical and moral qualities that naturally appeal to a +savage nation. + +"My father," he said, "like my brother, Cetewayo, I await your word. +Whatever you may have said to the Amabunu in haste or fear, I do not +admit that Cetewayo was ever proclaimed your heir in the hearing of the +Zulu people. I say that my right to the succession is as good as his, +and that it lies with you, and you alone, to declare which of us shall +put on the royal kaross in days that my heart prays may be distant. +Still, to save bloodshed, I am willing to divide the land with Cetewayo" +(here both Panda and Cetewayo shook their heads and the audience roared +"Nay"), "or, if that does not please him, I am willing to meet Cetewayo +man to man and spear to spear and fight till one of us be slain." + +"A safe offer!" sneered Cetewayo, "for is not my brother named +'Elephant,' and the strongest warrior among the Zulus? No, I will not +set the fortunes of those who cling to me on the chance of a single +stab, or on the might of a man's muscles. Decide, O father; say which +of the two of us is to sit at the head of your kraal after you have gone +over to the Spirits and are but an ancestor to be worshipped." + +Now, Panda looked much disturbed, as was not wonderful, since, rushing +out from the fence behind which they had been listening, Umqumbazi, +Cetewayo's mother, whispered into one of his ears, while Umbelazi's +mother whispered into the other. What advice each of them gave I do not +know, although obviously it was not the same advice, since the poor man +rolled his eyes first at one and then at the other, and finally put his +hands over his ears that he might hear no more. + +"Choose, choose, O King!" shouted the audience. "Who is to succeed you, +Cetewayo or Umbelazi?" + +Watching Panda, I saw that he fell into a kind of agony; his fat sides +heaved, and, although the day was cold, sweat ran from his brow. + +"What would the white men do in such a case?" he said to me in a hoarse, +low voice, whereon I answered, looking at the ground and speaking so +that few could hear me: + +"I think, O King, that a white man would do nothing. He would say that +others might settle the matter after he was dead." + +"Would that I could say so, too," muttered Panda; "but it is not +possible." + +Then followed a long pause, during which all were silent, for every man +there felt that the hour was big with doom. At length Panda rose with +difficulty, because of his unwieldy weight, and uttered these fateful +words, that were none the less ominous because of the homely idiom in +which they were couched: + +_"When two young bulls quarrel they must fight it out."_ + +Instantly in one tremendous roar volleyed forth the royal salute of +"Bayete", a signal of the acceptance of the King's word--the word that +meant civil war and the death of many thousands. + +Then Panda turned and, so feebly that I thought he would fall, walked +through the gateway behind him, followed by the rival queens. Each of +these ladies struggled to be first after him in the gate, thinking that +it would be an omen of success for her son. Finally, however, to the +disappointment of the multitude, they only succeeded in passing it side +by side. + +When they had gone the great audience began to break up, the men of each +party marching away together as though by common consent, without +offering any insult or molestation to their adversaries. I think that +this peaceable attitude arose, however, from the knowledge that matters +had now passed from the stage of private quarrel into that of public +war. It was felt that their dispute awaited decision, not with sticks +outside the Nodwengu kraal, but with spears upon some great battlefield, +for which they went to prepare. + +Within two days, except for those regiments which Panda kept to guard +his person, scarcely a soldier was to be seen in the neighbourhood of +Nodwengu. The princes also departed to muster their adherents, Cetewayo +establishing himself among the Mandhlakazi that he commanded, and +Umbelazi returning to the kraal of Umbezi, which happened to stand +almost in the centre of that part of the nation which adhered to him. + +Whether he took Mameena with him there I am not certain. I believe, +however, that, fearing lest her welcome at her birthplace should be +warmer than she wished, she settled herself at some retired and outlying +kraal in the neighbourhood, and there awaited the crisis of her fortune. +At any rate, I saw nothing of her, for she was careful to keep out of +my way. + +With Umbelazi and Saduko, however, I did have an interview. Before they +left Nodwengu they called on me together, apparently on the best of +terms, and said in effect that they hoped for my support in the coming +war. + +I answered that, however well I might like them personally, a Zulu civil +war was no affair of mine, and that, indeed, for every reason, including +the supreme one of my own safety, I had better get out of the way at +once. + +They argued with me for a long while, making great offers and promises +of reward, till at length, when he saw that my determination could not +be shaken, Umbelazi said: + +"Come, Saduko, let us humble ourselves no more before this white man. +After all, he is right; the business is none of his, and why should we +ask him to risk his life in our quarrel, knowing as we do that white men +are not like us; they think a great deal of their lives. Farewell, +Macumazahn. If I conquer and grow great you will always be welcome in +Zululand, whereas if I fail perhaps you will be best over the Tugela +river." + +Now, I felt the hidden taunt in this speech very keenly. Still, being +determined that for once I would be wise and not allow my natural +curiosity and love of adventure to drag me into more risks and trouble, +I replied: + +"The Prince says that I am not brave and love my life, and what he says +is true. I fear fighting, who by nature am a trader with the heart of a +trader, not a warrior with the heart of a warrior, like the great +Indhlovu-ene-Sihlonti"--words at which I saw the grave Saduko smile +faintly. "So farewell to you, Prince, and may good fortune attend you." + +Of course, to call the Prince to his face by this nickname, which +referred to a defect in his person, was something of an insult; but I +had been insulted, and meant to give him "a Roland for his Oliver." +However, he took it in good part. + +"What is good fortune, Macumazahn?" Umbelazi replied as he grasped my +hand. "Sometimes I think that to live and prosper is good fortune, and +sometimes I think that to die and sleep is good fortune, for in sleep +there is neither hunger nor thirst of body or of spirit. In sleep there +come no cares; in sleep ambitions are at rest; nor do those who look no +more upon the sun smart beneath the treacheries of false women or false +friends. Should the battle turn against me, Macumazahn, at least that +good fortune will be mine, for never will I live to be crushed beneath +Cetewayo's heel." + +Then he went. Saduko accompanied him for a little way, but, making some +excuse to the Prince, came back and said to me: + +"Macumazahn, my friend, I dare say that we part for the last time, and +therefore I make a request to you. It is as to one who is dead to me. +Macumazahn, I believe that Umbelazi the thief"--these words broke from +his lips with a hiss--"has given her many cattle and hidden her away +either in the kloof of Zikali the Wise, or near to it, under his care. +Now, if the war should go against Umbelazi and I should be killed in it, +I think evil will fall upon that woman's head, I who have grown sure +that it was she who was the wizard and not Masapo the Boar. Also, as +one connected with Umbelazi, who has helped him in his plots, she will +be killed if she is caught. Macumazahn, hearken to me. I will tell you +the truth. My heart is still on fire for that woman. She has bewitched +me; her eyes haunt my sleep and I hear her voice in the wind. She is +more to me than all the earth and all the sky, and although she has +wronged me I do not wish that harm should come to her. Macumazahn, I +pray you if I die, do your best to befriend her, even though it be only +as a servant in your house, for I think that she cares more for you than +for anyone, who only ran away with him"--and he pointed in the direction +that Umbelazi had taken--"because he is a prince, who, in her folly, she +believes will be a king. At least take her to Natal, Macumazahn, where, +if you wish to be free of her, she can marry whom she will and will live +safe until night comes. Panda loves you much, and, whoever conquers in +the war, will give you her life if you ask it of him." + +Then this strange man drew the back of his hand across his eyes, from +which I saw the tears were running, and, muttering, "If you would have +good fortune remember my prayer," turned and left me before I could +answer a single word. + +As for me, I sat down upon an ant-heap and whistled a whole hymn tune +that my mother had taught me before I could think at all. To be left +the guardian of Mameena! Talk of a "damnosa hereditas," a terrible and +mischievous inheritance--why, this was the worst that ever I heard of. +A servant in my house indeed, knowing what _I_ did about her! Why, I +had sooner share the "good fortune" which Umbelazi anticipated beneath +the sod. However, that was not in the question, and without it the +alternative of acting as her guardian was bad enough, though I comforted +myself with the reflection that the circumstances in which this would +become necessary might never arise. For, alas! I was sure that if they +did arise I should have to live up to them. True, I had made no promise +to Saduko with my lips, but I felt, as I knew he felt, that this promise +had passed from my heart to his. + +"That thief Umbelazi!" Strange words to be uttered by a great vassal of +his lord, and both of them about to enter upon a desperate enterprise. +"A prince whom in her folly she believes will be a king." Stranger +words still. Then Saduko did not believe that he _would_ be a king! +And yet he was about to share the fortunes of his fight for the throne, +he who said that his heart was still on fire for the woman whom +"Umbelazi the thief" had stolen. Well, if I were Umbelazi, thought I to +myself, I would rather that Saduko were not my chief councillor and +general. But, thank Heaven! I was not Umbelazi, or Saduko, or any of +them! And, thank Heaven still more, I was going to begin my trek from +Zululand on the morrow! + +Man proposes but God disposes. I did not trek from Zululand for many a +long day. When I got back to my wagons it was to find that my oxen had +mysteriously disappeared from the veld on which they were accustomed to +graze. They were lost; or perhaps they had felt the urgent need of +trekking from Zululand back to a more peaceful country. I sent all the +hunters I had with me to look for them, only Scowl and I remaining at +the wagons, which in those disturbed times I did not like to leave +unguarded. + +Four days went by, a week went by, and no sign of either hunters or +oxen. Then at last a message, which reached me in some roundabout +fashion, to the effect that the hunters had found the oxen a long way +off, but on trying to return to Nodwengu had been driven by some of the +Usutu--that is, by Cetewayo's party--across the Tugela into Natal, +whence they dared not attempt to return. + +For once in my life I went into a rage and cursed that nondescript kind +of messenger, sent by I know not whom, in language that I think he will +not forget. Then, realising the futility of swearing at a mere tool, I +went up to the Great House and demanded an audience with Panda himself. +Presently the inceku, or household servant, to whom I gave my message, +returned, saying that I was to be admitted at once, and on entering the +enclosure I found the King sitting at the head of the kraal quite alone, +except for a man who was holding a large shield over him in order to +keep off the sun. + +He greeted me warmly, and I told him my trouble about the oxen, whereon +he sent away the shield-holder, leaving us two together. + +"Watcher-by-Night," he said, "why do you blame me for these events, when +you know that I am nobody in my own House? I say that I am a dead man, +whose sons fight for his inheritance. I cannot tell you for certain who +it was that drove away your oxen. Still, I am glad that they are gone, +since I believe that if you had attempted to trek to Natal just now you +would have been killed on the road by the Usutu, who believe you to be a +councillor of Umbelazi." + +"I understand, O King," I answered, "and I dare say that the accident of +the loss of my oxen is fortunate for me. But tell me now, what am I to +do? I wish to follow the example of John Dunn [another white man in the +country who was much mixed up with Zulu politics] and leave the land. +Will you give me more oxen to draw my wagons?" + +"I have none that are broken in, Macumazahn, for, as you know, we Zulus +possess few wagons; and if I had I would not lend them to you, who do +not desire that your blood should be upon my head." + +"You are hiding something from me, O King," I said bluntly. "What is it +that you want me to do? Stay here at Nodwengu?" + +"No, Macumazahn. When the trouble begins I want you to go with a +regiment of my own that I shall send to the assistance of my son, +Umbelazi, so that he may have the benefit of your wisdom. O Macumazana, +I will tell you the truth. My heart loves Umbelazi, and I fear me that +he is overmatched by Cetewayo. If I could I would save his life, but I +know not how to do so, since I must not seem to take sides too openly. +But I can send down a regiment as your escort, if you choose to go to +view the battle as my agent and make report to me. Say, will you not +go?" + +"Why should I go?" I answered, "seeing that whoever wins I may be +killed, and that if Cetewayo wins I shall certainly be killed, and all +for no reward." + +"Nay, Macumazahn; I will give orders that whoever conquers, the man that +dares to lift a spear against you shall die. In this matter, at least, +I shall not be disobeyed. Oh! I pray you, do not desert me in my +trouble. Go down with the regiment that I shall send and breathe your +wisdom into the ear of my son, Umbelazi. As for your reward, I swear to +you by the head of the Black One [Chaka] that it shall be great. I will +see to it that you do not leave Zululand empty-handed, Macumazahn." + +Still I hesitated, for I mistrusted me of this business. + +"O Watcher-by-Night," exclaimed Panda, "you will not desert me, will +you? I am afraid for the son of my heart, Umbelazi, whom I love above +all my children; I am much afraid for Umbelazi," and he burst into tears +before me. + +It was foolish, no doubt, but the sight of the old King weeping for his +best-beloved child, whom he believed to be doomed, moved me so much that +I forgot my caution. + +"If you wish it, O Panda," I said, "I will go down to the battle with +your regiment and stand there by the side of the Prince Umbelazi." + + + +CHAPTER XIII + + + + +UMBELAZI THE FALLEN + + + + + +So I stayed on at Nodwengu, who, indeed, had no choice in the matter, +and was very wretched and ill at ease. The place was almost deserted, +except for a couple of regiments which were quartered there, the Sangqu +and the Amawombe. This latter was the royal regiment, a kind of +Household Guards, to which the Kings Chaka, Dingaan and Panda all +belonged in turn. Most of the headmen had taken one side or the other, +and were away raising forces to fight for Cetewayo or Umbelazi, and even +the greater part of the women and children had gone to hide themselves +in the bush or among the mountains, since none knew what would happen, +or if the conquering army would not fall upon and destroy them. + +A few councillors, however, remained with Panda, among whom was old +Maputa, the general, who had once brought me the "message of the pills." +Several times he visited me at night and told me the rumours that were +flying about. From these I gathered that some skirmishes had taken +place and the battle could not be long delayed; also that Umbelazi had +chosen his fighting ground, a plain near the banks of the Tugela. + +"Why has he done this," I asked, "seeing that then he will have a broad +river behind him, and if he is defeated water can kill as well as +spears?" + +"I know not for certain," answered Maputa; "but it is said because of a +dream that Saduko, his general, has dreamed thrice, which dream declares +that there and there alone Umbelazi will find honour. At any rate, he +has chosen this place; and I am told that all the women and children of +his army, by thousands, are hidden in the bush along the banks of the +river, so that they may fly into Natal if there is need." + +"Have they wings," I asked, "wherewith to fly over the Tugela 'in +wrath,' as it well may be after the rains? Oh, surely his Spirit has +turned from Umbelazi!" + +"Aye, Macumazahn," he answered, "I, too, think that ufulatewe idhlozi +[that is, his own Spirit] has turned its back on him. Also I think that +Saduko is no good councillor. Indeed, were I the prince," added the old +fellow shrewdly, "I would not keep him whose wife I had stolen as the +whisperer in my ear." + +"Nor I, Maputa," I answered as I bade him good-bye. + +Two days later, early in the morning, Maputa came to me again and said +that Panda wished to see me. I went to the head of the kraal, where I +found the King seated and before him the captains of the royal Amawombe +regiment. + +"Watcher-by-Night," he said, "I have news that the great battle between +my sons will take place within a few days. Therefore I am sending down +this, my own royal regiment, under the command of Maputa the skilled in +war to spy out the battle, and I pray that you will go with it, that you +may give to the General Maputa and to the captains the help of your +wisdom. Now these are my orders to you, Maputa, and to you, O +captains--that you take no part in the fight unless you should see that +the Elephant, my son Umbelazi, is fallen into a pit, and that then you +shall drag him out if you can and save him alive. Now repeat my words +to me." + +So they repeated the words, speaking with one voice. + +"Your answer, O Macumazana," he said when they had spoken. + +"O King, I have told you that I will go--though I do not like war--and I +will keep my promise," I replied. + +"Then make ready, Macumazahn, and be back here within an hour, for the +regiment marches ere noon." + +So I went up to my wagons and handed them over to the care of some men +whom Panda had sent to take charge of them. Also Scowl and I saddled +our horses, for this faithful fellow insisted upon accompanying me, +although I advised him to stay behind, and got out our rifles and as +much ammunition as we could possibly need, and with them a few other +necessaries. These things done, we rode back to the gathering-place, +taking farewell of the wagons with a sad heart, since I, for one, never +expected to see them again. + +As we went I saw that the regiment of the Amawombe, picked men every one +of them, all fifty years of age or over, nearly four thousand strong, +was marshalled on the dancing-ground, where they stood company by +company. A magnificent sight they were, with their white +fighting-shields, their gleaming spears, their otter-skin caps, their +kilts and armlets of white bulls' tails, and the snowy egret plumes +which they wore upon their brows. We rode to the head of them, where I +saw Maputa, and as I came they greeted me with a cheer of welcome, for +in those days a white man was a power in the land. Moreover, as I have +said, the Zulus knew and liked me well. Also the fact that I was to +watch, or perchance to fight with them, put a good heart into the +Amawombe. + +There we stood until the lads, several hundreds of them, who bore the +mats and cooking vessels and drove the cattle that were to be our +commissariat, had wended away in a long line. Then suddenly Panda +appeared out of his hut, accompanied by a few servants, and seemed to +utter some kind of prayer, as he did so throwing dust or powdered +medicine towards us, though what this ceremony meant I did not +understand. + +When he had finished Maputa raised a spear, whereon the whole regiment, +in perfect time, shouted out the royal salute, "Bayete", with a sound +like that of thunder. Thrice they repeated this tremendous and +impressive salute, and then were silent. Again Maputa raised his spear, +and all the four thousand voices broke out into the Ingoma, or national +chant, to which deep, awe-inspiring music we began our march. As I do +not think it has ever been written down, I will quote the words. They +ran thus: + +"Ba ya m'zonda, +Ba ya m'loyisa, +Izizwe zonke, +Ba zond', Inkoosi."* + +[*--Literally translated, this famous chant, now, I think, published for +the first time, which, I suppose, will never again pass the lips of a +Zulu impi, means: + +"They [i.e. the enemy] bear him [i.e. the King] hatred, +They call down curses on his head, +All of them throughout this land +Abhor our King." + +The Ingoma when sung by twenty or thirty thousand men rushing down to +battle must, indeed, have been a song to hear. --EDITOR.] + +The spirit of this fierce Ingoma, conveyed by sound, gesture and +inflection of voice, not the exact words, remember, which are very rude +and simple, leaving much to the imagination, may perhaps be rendered +somewhat as follows. An exact translation into English verse is almost +impossible--at any rate, to me: + +"Loud on their lips is lying, + Red are their eyes with hate; +Rebels their King defying. + Lo! where our impis wait +There shall be dead and dying, + Vengeance insatiate!" + +It was early on the morning of the 2nd of December, a cold, miserable +morning that came with wind and driving mist, that I found myself with +the Amawombe at the place known as Endondakusuka, a plain with some +kopjes in it that lies within six miles of the Natal border, from which +it is separated by the Tugela river. + +As the orders of the Amawombe were to keep out of the fray if that were +possible, we had taken up a position about a mile to the right of what +proved to be the actual battlefield, choosing as our camping ground a +rising knoll that looked like a huge tumulus, and was fronted at a +distance of about five hundred yards by another smaller knoll. Behind +us stretched bushland, or rather broken land, where mimosa thorns grew +in scattered groups, sloping down to the banks of the Tugela about four +miles away. + +Shortly after dawn I was roused from the place where I slept, wrapped up +in some blankets, under a mimosa tree--for, of course, we had no +tents--by a messenger, who said that the Prince Umbelazi and the white +man, John Dunn, wished to see me. I rose and tidied myself as best I +could, since, if I can avoid it, I never like to appear before natives +in a dishevelled condition. I remember that I had just finished +brushing my hair when Umbelazi arrived. + +I can see him now, looking a veritable giant in that morning mist. +Indeed, there was something quite unearthly about his appearance as he +arose out of those rolling vapours, such light as there was being +concentrated upon the blade of his big spear, which was well known as +the broadest carried by any warrior in Zululand, and a copper torque he +wore about his throat. + +There he stood, rolling his eyes and hugging his kaross around him +because of the cold, and something in his anxious, indeterminate +expression told me at once that he knew himself to be a man in terrible +danger. Just behind him, dark and brooding, his arms folded on his +breast, his eyes fixed upon the ground, looking, to my moved +imagination, like an evil genius, stood the stately and graceful Saduko. + On his left was a young and sturdy white man carrying a rifle and +smoking a pipe, whom I guessed to be John Dunn, a gentleman whom, as it +chanced, I had never met, while behind were a force of Natal Government +Zulus, clad in some kind of uniform and armed with guns, and with them a +number of natives, also from Natal--"kraal Kafirs," who carried stabbing +assegais. One of these led John Dunn's horse. + +Of those Government men there may have been thirty or forty, and of the +"kraal Kafirs" anything between two and three hundred. + +I shook Umbelazi's hand and gave him good-day. + +"That is an ill day upon which no sun shines, O Macumazana," he +answered--words that struck me as ominous. Then he introduced me to +John Dunn, who seemed glad to meet another white man. Next, not knowing +what to say, I asked the exact object of their visit, whereon Dunn began +to talk. He said that he had been sent over on the previous afternoon +by Captain Walmsley, who was an officer of the Natal Government +stationed across the border, to try to make peace between the Zulu +factions, but that when he spoke of peace one of Umbelazi's brothers--I +think it was Mantantashiya--had mocked at him, saying that they were +quite strong enough to cope with the Usutu--that was Cetewayo's party. +Also, he added, that when he suggested that the thousands of women and +children and the cattle should be got across the Tugela drift during the +previous night into safety in Natal, Mantantashiya would not listen, and +Umbelazi being absent, seeking the aid of the Natal Government, he could +do nothing. + +"Quem Deus vult perdere prius dementat" [whom God wishes to destroy, He +first makes mad], quoted I to myself beneath my breath. This was one of +the Latin tags that my old father, who was a scholar, had taught me, and +at that moment it came back to my mind. But as I suspected that John +Dunn knew no Latin, I only said aloud: + +"What an infernal fool!" (We were talking in English.) "Can't you get +Umbelazi to do it now?" (I meant, to send the women and children across +the river.) + +"I fear it is too late, Mr. Quatermain," he answered. "The Usutu are in +sight. Look for yourself." And he handed me a telescope which he had +with him. + +I climbed on to some rocks and scanned the plain in front of us, from +which just then a puff of wind rolled away the mist. It was black with +advancing men! As yet they were a considerable distance away--quite two +miles, I should think--and coming on very slowly in a great half-moon +with thin horns and a deep breast; but a ray from the sun glittered upon +their countless spears. It seemed to me that there must be quite twenty +or thirty thousand of them in this breast, which was in three divisions, +commanded, as I learned afterwards, by Cetewayo, Uzimela, and by a young +Boer named Groening. + +"There they are, right enough," I said, climbing down from my rocks. +"What are you going to do, Mr. Dunn?" + +"Obey orders and try to make peace, if I can find anyone to make peace +with; and if I can't--well, fight, I suppose. And you, Mr. +Quatermain?" + +"Oh, obey orders and stop here, I suppose. Unless," I added doubtfully, +"these Amawombe take the bit between their teeth and run away with me." + +"They'll do that before nightfall, Mr. Quatermain, if I know anything +of the Zulus. Look here, why don't you get on your horse and come off +with me? This is a queer place for you." + +"Because I promised not to," I answered with a groan, for really, as I +looked at those savages round me, who were already fingering their +spears in a disagreeable fashion, and those other thousands of savages +advancing towards us, I felt such little courage as I possessed sinking +into my boots. + +"Very well, Mr. Quatermain, you know your own business best; but I hope +you will come out of it safely, that is all." + +"Same to you," I replied. + +Then John Dunn turned, and in my hearing asked Umbelazi what he knew of +the movements of the Usutu and of their plan of battle. + +The Prince replied, with a shrug of his shoulders: + +"Nothing at present, Son of Mr. Dunn, but doubtless before the sun is +high I shall know much." + +As he spoke a sudden gust of wind struck us, and tore the nodding +ostrich plume from its fastening on Umbelazi's head-ring. Whilst a +murmur of dismay rose from all who saw what they considered this very +ill-omened accident, away it floated into the air, to fall gently to the +ground at the feet of Saduko. He stooped, picked it up, and reset it in +its place, saying as he did so, with that ready wit for which some +Kafirs are remarkable: + +"So may I live, O Prince, to set the crown upon the head of Panda's +favoured son!" + +This apt speech served to dispel the general gloom caused by the +incident, for those who heard it cheered, while Umbelazi thanked his +captain with a nod and a smile. Only I noted that Saduko did not +mention the name of "Panda's favoured son" upon whose head he hoped to +live to set the crown. Now, Panda had many sons, and that day would +show which of them was favoured. + +A minute or two later John Dunn and his following departed, as he said, +to try to make peace with the advancing Usutu. Umbelazi, Saduko and +their escort departed also towards the main body of the host of the +Isigqosa, which was massed to our left, "sitting on their spears," as +the natives say, and awaiting the attack. As for me, I remained alone +with the Amawombe, drinking some coffee that Scowl had brewed for me, +and forcing myself to swallow food. + +I can say honestly that I do not ever remember partaking of a more +unhappy meal. Not only did I believe that I was looking on the last sun +I should ever see--though by the way, there was uncommonly little of +that orb visible--but what made the matter worse was that, if so, I +should be called upon to die alone among savages, with not a single +white face near to comfort me. Oh, how I wished I had never allowed +myself to be dragged into this dreadful business. Yes, and I was even +mean enough to wish that I had broken my word to Panda and gone off with +John Dunn when he invited me, although now I thank goodness that I did +not yield to that temptation and thereby sacrifice my self-respect. + +Soon, however, things grew so exciting that I forgot these and other +melancholy reflections in watching the development of events from the +summit of our tumulus-like knoll, whence I had a magnificent view of the +whole battle. Here, after seeing that his regiment made a full meal, as +a good general should, old Maputa joined me, whom I asked whether he +thought there would be any fighting for him that day. + +"I think so, I think so," he answered cheerfully. "It seems to me that +the Usutu greatly outnumber Umbelazi and the Isigqosa, and, of course, +as you know, Panda's orders are that if he is in danger we must help +him. Oh, keep a good heart, Macumazahn, for I believe I can promise you +that you will see our spears grow red to-day. You will not go hungry +from this battle to tell the white people that the Amawombe are cowards +whom you could not flog into the fight. No, no, Macumazahn, my Spirit +looks towards me this morning, and I who am old and who thought that I +should die at length like a cow, shall see one more great fight--my +twentieth, Macumazahn; for I fought with this same Amawombe in all the +Black One's big battles, and for Panda against Dingaan also." + +"Perhaps it will be your last," I suggested. + +"I dare say, Macumazahn; but what does that matter if only I and the +royal regiment can make an end that shall be spoken of? Oh, cheer up, +cheer up, Macumazahn; your Spirit, too, looks towards you, as I promise +that we all will do when the shields meet; for know, Macumazahn, that we +poor black soldiers expect that you will show us how to fight this day, +and, if need be, how to fall hidden in a heap of the foe." + +"Oh!" I replied, "so this is what you Zulus mean by the 'giving of +counsel,' is it?--you infernal, bloodthirsty old scoundrel," I added in +English. + +But I think Maputa never heard me. At any rate, he only seized my arm +and pointed in front, a little to the left, where the horn of the great +Usutu army was coming up fast, a long, thin line alive with twinkling +spears; their moving arms and legs causing them to look like spiders, of +which the bodies were formed by the great war shields. + +"See their plan?" he said. "They would close on Umbelazi and gore him +with their horns and then charge with their head. The horn will pass +between us and the right flank of the Isigqosa. Oh! awake, awake, +Elephant! Are you asleep with Mameena in a hut? Unloose your spears, +Child of the King, and at them as they mount the slope. Behold!" he +went on, "it is the Son of Dunn that begins the battle! Did I not tell +you that we must look to the white men to show us the way? Peep through +your tube, Macumazahn, and tell me what passes." + +So I "peeped," and, the telescope which John Dunn had kindly left with +me being good though small, saw everything clearly enough. He rode up +almost to the point of the left horn of the Usutu, waving a white +handkerchief and followed by his small force of police and Natal Kafirs. +Then from somewhere among the Usutu rose a puff of smoke. Dunn had +been fired at. + +He dropped the handkerchief and leapt to the ground. Now he and his +police were firing rapidly in reply, and men fell fast among the Usutu. +They raised their war shout and came on, though slowly, for they feared +the bullets. Step by step John Dunn and his people were thrust back, +fighting gallantly against overwhelming odds. They were level with us, +not a quarter of a mile to our left. They were pushed past us. They +vanished among the bush behind us, and a long while passed before ever I +heard what became of them, for we met no more that day. + +Now, the horns having done their work and wrapped themselves round +Umbelazi's army as the nippers of a wasp close about a fly (why did not +Umbelazi cut off those horns, I wondered), the Usutu bull began his +charge. Twenty or thirty thousand strong, regiment after regiment, +Cetewayo's men rushed up the slope, and there, near the crest of it, +were met by Umbelazi's regiments springing forward to repel the +onslaught and shouting their battle-cry of "Laba! Laba! Laba! Laba!" + +The noise of their meeting shields came to our ears like that of the +roll of thunder, and the sheen of their stabbing-spears shone as shines +the broad summer lightning. They hung and wavered on the slope; then +from the Amawombe ranks rose a roar of + +_"Umbelazi wins!"_ + +Watching intently, we saw the Usutu giving back. Down the slope they +went, leaving the ground in front of them covered with black spots which +we knew to be dead or wounded men. + +"Why does not the Elephant charge home?" said Maputa in a perplexed +voice. "The Usutu bull is on his back! Why does he not trample him?" + +"Because he is afraid, I suppose," I answered, and went on watching. + +There was plenty to see, as it happened. Finding that they were not +pursued, Cetewayo's impi reformed swiftly at the bottom of the slope, in +preparation for another charge. Among that of Umbelazi, above them, +rapid movements took place of which I could not guess the meaning, which +movements were accompanied by much noise of angry shouting. Then +suddenly, from the midst of the Isigqosa army, emerged a great body of +men, thousands strong, which ran swiftly, but in open order, down the +slope towards the Usutu, holding their spears reversed. At first I +thought that they were charging independently, till I saw the Usutu +ranks open to receive them with a shout of welcome. + +"Treachery!" I said. "Who is it?" + +"Saduko, with the Amakoba and Amangwane soldiers and others. I know +them by their head-dresses," answered Maputa in a cold voice. + +"Do you mean that Saduko has gone over to Cetewayo with all his +following?" I asked excitedly. + +"What else, Macumazahn? Saduko is a traitor: Umbelazi is finished," and +he passed his hand swiftly across his mouth--a gesture that has only one +meaning among the Zulus. + +As for me, I sat down upon a stone and groaned, for now I understood +everything. + +Presently the Usutu raised fierce, triumphant shouts, and once again +their impi, swelled with Saduko's power, began to advance up the slope. +Umbelazi, and those of the Isigqosa party who clung to him--now, I +should judge, not more than eight thousand men--never stayed to wait the +onslaught. They broke! They fled in a hideous rout, crashing through +the thin, left horn of the Usutu by mere weight of numbers, and passing +behind us obliquely on their road to the banks of the Tugela. A +messenger rushed up to us, panting. + +"These are the words of Umbelazi," he gasped. "O Watcher-by-Night and O +Maputa, Indhlovu-ene-sihlonti prays that you will hold back the Usutu, +as the King bade you do in case of need, and so give to him and those +who cling to him time to escape with the women and children into Natal. +His general, Saduko, has betrayed him, and gone over with three +regiments to Cetewayo, and therefore we can no longer stand against the +thousands of the Usutu." + +"Go tell the prince that Macumazahn, Maputa, and the Amawombe regiment +will do their best," answered Maputa calmly. "Still, this is our advice +to him, that he should cross the Tugela swiftly with the women and the +children, seeing that we are few and Cetewayo is many." + +The messenger leapt away, but, as I heard afterwards, he never found +Umbelazi, since the poor man was killed within five hundred yards of +where we stood. + +Then Maputa gave an order, and the Amawombe formed themselves into a +triple line, thirteen hundred men in the first line, thirteen hundred +men in the second line, and about a thousand in the third, behind whom +were the carrier boys, three or four hundred of them. The place +assigned to me was in the exact centre of the second line, where, being +mounted on a horse, it was thought, as I gathered, that I should serve +as a convenient rallying-point. + +In this formation we advanced a few hundred yards to our left, evidently +with the object of interposing ourselves between the routed impi and the +pursuing Usutu, or, if the latter should elect to go round us, with that +of threatening their flank. Cetewayo's generals did not leave us long +in doubt as to what they would do. The main body of their army bore +away to the right in pursuit of the flying foe, but three regiments, +each of about two thousand five hundred spears, halted. Five minutes +passed perhaps while they marshalled, with a distance of some six +hundred yards between them. Each regiment was in a triple line like our +own. + +To me that seemed a very long five minutes, but, reflecting that it was +probably my last on earth, I tried to make the best of it in a fashion +that can be guessed. Strange to say, however, I found it impossible to +keep my mind fixed upon those matters with which it ought to have been +filled. My eyes and thoughts would roam. I looked at the ranks of the +veteran Amawombe, and noted that they were still and solemn as men about +to die should be, although they showed no sign of fear. Indeed, I saw +some of those near me passing their snuffboxes to each other. Two +grey-haired men also, who evidently were old friends, shook hands as +people do who are parting before a journey, while two others discussed +in a low voice the possibility of our wiping out most of the Usutu +before we were wiped out ourselves. + +"It depends," said one of them, "whether they attack us regiment by +regiment or all together, as they will do if they are wise." + +Then an officer bade them be silent, and conversation ceased. Maputa +passed through the ranks giving orders to the captains. From a distance +his withered old body, with a fighting shield held in front of it, +looked like that of a huge black ant carrying something in its mouth. +He came to where Scowl and I sat upon our horses. + +"Ah! I see that you are ready, Macumazahn," he said in a cheerful voice. +"I told you that you should not go away hungry, did I not?" + +"Maputa," I said in remonstrance, "what is the use of this? Umbelazi is +defeated, you are not of his impi, why send all these"--and I waved my +hand--"down into the darkness? Why not go to the river and try to save +the women and children?" + +"Because we shall take many of those down into the darkness with us, +Macumazahn," and he pointed to the dense masses of the Usutu. "Yet," he +added, with a touch of compunction, "this is not your quarrel. You and +your servant have horses. Slip out, if you will, and gallop hard to the +lower drift. You may get away with your lives." + +Then my white man's pride came to my aid. + +"Nay," I answered, "I will not run while others stay to fight." + +"I never thought you would, Macumazahn, who, I am sure, do not wish to +earn a new and ugly name. Well, neither will the Amawombe run to become +a mock among their people. The King's orders were that we should try to +help Umbelazi, if the battle went against him. We obey the King's +orders by dying where we stand. Macumazahn, do you think that you could +hit that big fellow who is shouting insults at us there? If so, I +should be obliged to you, as I dislike him very much," and he showed me +a captain who was swaggering about in front of the lines of the first of +the Usutu regiments, about six hundred yards away. + +"I will try," I answered, "but it's a long shot." Dismounting, I +climbed a pile of stones and, resting my rifle on the topmost of them, +took a very full sight, aimed, held my breath, and pressed the trigger. +A second afterwards the shouter of insults threw his arms wide, letting +fall his spear, and pitched forward on to his face. + +A roar of delight rose from the watching Amawombe, while old Maputa +clapped his thin brown hands and grinned from ear to ear. + +"Thank you, Macumazahn. A very good omen! Now I am sure that, whatever +those Isigqosa dogs of Umbelazi's may do, we King's men shall make an +excellent end, which is all that we can hope. Oh, what a beautiful +shot! It will be something to think of when I am an idhlozi, a +spirit-snake, crawling about my own kraal. Farewell, Macumazahn," and +he took my hand and pressed it. "The time has come. I go to lead the +charge. The Amawombe have orders to defend you to the last, for I wish +you to see the finish of this fight. Farewell." + +Then off he hurried, followed by his orderlies and staff-officers. + +I never saw him again alive, though I think that once in after years I +did meet his idhlozi in his kraal under strange circumstances. But that +has nothing to do with this history. + +As for me, having reloaded, I mounted my horse again, being afraid lest, +if I went on shooting, I should miss and spoil my reputation. Besides, +what was the use of killing more men unless I was obliged? There were +plenty ready to do that. + +Another minute, and the regiment in front of us began to move, while the +other two behind it ostentatiously sat themselves down in their ranks, +to show that they did not mean to spoil sport. The fight was to begin +with a duel between about six thousand men. + +"Good!" muttered the warrior who was nearest me. "They are in our bag." + +"Aye," answered another, "those little boys" (used as a term of +contempt) "are going to learn their last lesson." + +For a few seconds there was silence, while the long ranks leant forward +between the hedges of lean and cruel spears. A whisper went down the +line; it sounded like the noise of wind among trees, and was the signal +to prepare. Next a far-off voice shouted some word, which was repeated +again and again by other voices before and behind me. I became aware +that we were moving, quite slowly at first, then more quickly. Being +lifted above the ranks upon my horse I could see the whole advance, and +the general aspect of it was that of a triple black wave, each wave +crowned with foam--the white plumes and shields of the Amawombe were the +foam--and alive with sparkles of light--their broad spears were the +light. + +We were charging now--and oh! the awful and glorious excitement of that +charge! Oh, the rush of the bending plumes and the dull thudding of +eight thousand feet! The Usutu came up the slope to meet us. In +silence we went, and in silence they came. We drew near to each other. +Now we could see their faces peering over the tops of their mottled +shields, and now we could see their fierce and rolling eyes. + +Then a roar--a rolling roar such as at that time I had never heard: the +thunder of the roar of the meeting shields--and a flash--a swift, +simultaneous flash, the flash of the lightning of the stabbing spears. +Up went the cry of: + +_"Kill, Amawombe, kill!"_ answered by another cry of: + +_"Toss, Usutu, toss!"_ + +After that, what happened? Heaven knows alone--or at least I do not. +But in later years Mr. Osborn, afterwards the resident magistrate at +Newcastle, in Natal, who, being young and foolish in those days, had +swum his horse over the Tugela and hidden in a little kopje quite near +to us in order to see the battle, told me that it looked as though some +huge breaker--that breaker being the splendid Amawombe--rolling in +towards the shore with the weight of the ocean behind it, had suddenly +struck a ridge of rock and, rearing itself up, submerged and hidden it. + +At least, within three minutes that Usutu regiment was no more. We had +killed them every one, and from all along our lines rose a fierce +hissing sound of "S'gee, S'gee" ("Zhi" in the Zulu) uttered as the +spears went home in the bodies of the conquered. + +That regiment had gone, taking nearly a third of our number with it, for +in such a battle as this the wounded were as good as dead. Practically +our first line had vanished in a fray that did not last more than a few +minutes. Before it was well over the second Usutu regiment sprang up +and charged. With a yell of victory we rushed down the slope towards +them. Again there was the roar of the meeting shields, but this time +the fight was more prolonged, and, being in the front rank now, I had my +share of it. I remember shooting two Usutu who stabbed at me, after +which my gun was wrenched from my hand. I remember the melee swinging +backwards and forwards, the groans of the wounded, the shouts of victory +and despair, and then Scowl's voice saying: + +"We have beat them, Baas, but here come the others." + + +The third regiment was on our shattered lines. We closed up, we fought +like devils, even the bearer boys rushed into the fray. From all sides +they poured down upon us, for we had made a ring; every minute men died +by hundreds, and, though their numbers grew few, not one of the Amawombe +yielded. I was fighting with a spear now, though how it came into my +hand I cannot remember for certain. I think, however, I wrenched it +from a man who rushed at me and was stabbed before he could strike. I +killed a captain with this spear, for as he fell I recognised his face. +It was that of one of Cetewayo's companions to whom I had sold some +cloth at Nodwengu. The fallen were piled up quite thick around me--we +were using them as a breastwork, friend and foe together. I saw Scowl's +horse rear into the air and fall. He slipped over its tail, and next +instant was fighting at my side, also with a spear, muttering Dutch and +English oaths as he struck. + +"Beetje varm! [a little hot] Beetje varm, Baas!" I heard him say. Then +my horse screamed aloud and something hit me hard upon the head--I +suppose it was a thrown kerry--after which I remember nothing for a +while, except a sensation of passing through the air. + +I came to myself again, and found that I was still on the horse, which +was ambling forward across the veld at a rate of about eight miles an +hour, and that Scowl was clinging to my stirrup leather and running at +my side. He was covered with blood, so was the horse, and so was I. It +may have been our own blood, for all three were more or less wounded, or +it may have been that of others; I am sure I do not know, but we were a +terrible sight. I pulled upon the reins, and the horse stopped among +some thorns. Scowl felt in the saddlebags and found a large flask of +Hollands gin and water--half gin and half water--which he had placed +there before the battle. He uncorked and gave it to me. I took a long +pull at the stuff, that tasted like veritable nectar, then handed it to +him, who did likewise. New life seemed to flow into my veins. Whatever +teetotallers may say, alcohol is good at such a moment. + +"Where are the Amawombe?" I asked. + +"All dead by now, I think, Baas, as we should be had not your horse +bolted. Wow! but they made a great fight--one that will be told of! +They have carried those three regiments away upon their spears." + +"That's good," I said. "But where are we going?" + +"To Natal, I hope, Baas. I have had enough of the Zulus for the +present. The Tugela is not far away, and we will swim it. Come on, +before our hurts grow stiff." + +So we went on, till presently we reached the crest of a rise of ground +overlooking the river, and there saw and heard dreadful things, for +beneath us those devilish Usutu were massacring the fugitives and the +camp-followers. These were being driven by the hundred to the edge of +the water, there to perish on the banks or in the stream, which was +black with drowned or drowning forms. + +And oh! the sounds! Well, these I will not attempt to describe. + +"Keep up stream," I said shortly, and we struggled across a kind of +donga, where only a few wounded men were hidden, into a somewhat denser +patch of bush that had scarcely been entered by the flying Isigqosa, +perhaps because here the banks of the river were very steep and +difficult; also, between them its waters ran swiftly, for this was above +the drift. + +For a while we went on in safety, then suddenly I heard a noise. A +great man plunged past me, breaking through the bush like a buffalo, and +came to a halt upon a rock which overhung the Tugela, for the floods had +eaten away the soil beneath. + +"Umbelazi!" said Scowl, and as he spoke we saw another man following as +a wild dog follows a buck. + +"Saduko!" said Scowl. + +I rode on. I could not help riding on, although I knew it would be +safer to keep away. I reached the edge of that big rock. Saduko and +Umbelazi were fighting there. + +In ordinary circumstances, strong and active as he was, Saduko would +have had no chance against the most powerful Zulu living. But the +prince was utterly exhausted; his sides were going like a blacksmith's +bellows, or those of a fat eland bull that has been galloped to a +standstill. Moreover, he seemed to me to be distraught with grief, and, +lastly, he had no shield left, nothing but an assegai. + +A stab from Saduko's spear, which he partially parried, wounded him +slightly on the head, and cut loose the fillet of his ostrich plume, +that same plume which I had seen blown off in the morning, so that it +fell to the ground. Another stab pierced his right arm, making it +helpless. He snatched the assegai with his left hand, striving to +continue the fight, and just at that moment we came up. + +"What are you doing, Saduko?" I cried. "Does a dog bite his own +master?" + +He turned and stared at me; both of them stared at me. + +"Aye, Macumazahn," he answered in an icy voice, "sometimes when it is +starving and that full-fed master has snatched away its bone. Nay, +stand aside, Macumazahn" (for, although I was quite unarmed, I had +stepped between them), "lest you should share the fate of this +woman-thief." + +"Not I, Saduko," I cried, for this sight made me mad, "unless you murder +me." + +Then Umbelazi spoke in a hollow voice, sobbing out his words: + +"I thank you, White Man, yet do as this snake bids you--this snake that +has lived in my kraal and fed out of my cup. Let him have his fill of +vengeance because of the woman who bewitched me--yes, because of the +sorceress who has brought me and thousands to the dust. Have you heard, +Macumazahn, of the great deed of this son of Matiwane? Have you heard +that all the while he was a traitor in the pay of Cetewayo, and that he +went over, with the regiments of his command, to the Usutu just when the +battle hung upon the turn? Come, Traitor, here is my heart--the heart +that loved and trusted you. Strike--strike hard!" + +"Out of the way, Macumazahn!" hissed Saduko. But I would not stir. + +He sprang at me, and, though I put up the best fight that I could in my +injured state, got his hands about my throat and began to choke me. +Scowl ran to help me, but his wound--for he was hurt--or his utter +exhaustion took effect on him. Or perhaps it was excitement. At any +rate, he fell down in a fit. I thought that all was over, when again I +heard Umbelazi's voice, and felt Saduko's grip loosen at my throat, and +sat up. + +"Dog," said the Prince, "where is your assegai?" And as he spoke he +threw it from him into the river beneath, for he had picked it up while +we struggled, but, as I noted, retained his own. "Now, dog, why do I +not kill you, as would have been easy but now? I will tell you. +Because I will not mix the blood of a traitor with my own. See!" He +set the haft of his broad spear upon the rock and bent forward over the +blade. "You and your witch-wife have brought me to nothing, O Saduko. +My blood, and the blood of all who clung to me, is on your head. Your +name shall stink for ever in the nostrils of all true men, and I whom +you have betrayed--I, the Prince Umbelazi--will haunt you while you +live; yes, my spirit shall enter into you, and when you die--ah! then +we'll meet again. Tell this tale to the white men, Macumazahn, my +friend, on whom be honour and blessings." + +He paused, and I saw the tears gush from his eyes--tears mingled with +blood from the wound in his head. Then suddenly he uttered the +battle-cry of "Laba! Laba!" and let his weight fall upon the point of +the spear. + +It pierced him through and through. He fell on to his hands and knees. +He looked up at us--oh, the piteousness of that look!--and then rolled +sideways from the edge of the rock. + +A heavy splash, and that was the end of Umbelazi the Fallen--Umbelazi, +about whom Mameena had cast her net. + + +A sad story in truth. Although it happened so many years ago I weep as +I write it--I weep as Umbelazi wept. + + + +CHAPTER XIV + + + + +UMBEZI AND THE BLOOD ROYAL + + + + + +After this I think that some of the Usutu came up, for it seemed to me +that I heard Saduko say: + +"Touch not Macumazahn or his servant. They are my prisoners. He who +harms them dies, with all his House." + +So they put me, fainting, on my horse, and Scowl they carried away upon +a shield. + +When I came to I found myself in a little cave, or rather beneath some +overhanging rocks, at the side of a kopje, and with me Scowl, who had +recovered from his fit, but seemed in a very bewildered condition. +Indeed, neither then nor afterwards did he remember anything of the +death of Umbelazi, nor did I ever tell him that tale. Like many others, +he thought that the Prince had been drowned in trying to swim the +Tugela. + +"Are they going to kill us?" I asked of him, since, from the triumphant +shouting without, I knew that we must be in the midst of the victorious +Usutu. + +"I don't know, Baas," he answered. "I hope not; after we have gone +through so much it would be a pity. Better to have died at the +beginning of the battle." + +I nodded my head in assent, and just at that moment a Zulu, who had very +evidently been fighting, entered the place carrying a dish of toasted +lumps of beef and a gourd of water. + +"Cetewayo sends you these, Macumazahn," he said, "and is sorry that +there is no milk or beer. When you have eaten a guard waits without to +escort you to him." And he went. + +"Well," I said to Scowl, "if they were going to kill us, they would +scarcely take the trouble to feed us first. So let us keep up our +hearts and eat." + +"Who knows?" answered poor Scowl, as he crammed a lump of beef into his +big mouth. "Still, it is better to die on a full than on an empty +stomach." + +So we ate and drank, and, as we were suffering more from exhaustion than +from our hurts, which were not really serious, our strength came back to +us. As we finished the last lump of meat, which, although it had been +only half cooked upon the point of an assegai, tasted very good, the +Zulu put his head into the mouth of the shelter and asked if we were +ready. I nodded, and, supporting each other, Scowl and I limped from +the place. Outside were about fifty soldiers, who greeted us with a +shout that, although it was mixed with laughter at our pitiable +appearance, struck me as not altogether unfriendly. Amongst these men +was my horse, which stood with its head hanging down, looking very +depressed. I was helped on to its back, and, Scowl clinging to the +stirrup leather, we were led a distance of about a quarter of a mile to +Cetewayo. + +We found him seated, in the full blaze of the evening sun, on the +eastern slope of one of the land-waves of the veld, with the open plain +in front of him. It was a strange and savage scene. There sat the +victorious prince, surrounded by his captains and indunas, while before +him rushed the triumphant regiments, shouting his titles in the most +extravagant language. Izimbongi also--that is, professional +praisers--were running up and down before him dressed in all sorts of +finery, telling his deeds, calling him "Eater-up-of-the-Earth," and +yelling out the names of those great ones who had been killed in the +battle. + +Meanwhile parties of bearers were coming up continually, carrying dead +men of distinction upon shields and laying them out in rows, as game is +laid out at the end of a day's shooting in England. It seems that +Cetewayo had taken a fancy to see them, and, being too tired to walk +over the field of battle, ordered that this should be done. Among +these, by the way, I saw the body of my old friend, Maputa, the general +of the Amawombe, and noted that it was literally riddled with spear +thrusts, every one of them in front; also that his quaint face still +wore a smile. + +At the head of these lines of corpses were laid six dead, all men of +large size, in whom I recognised the brothers of Umbelazi, who had +fought on his side, and the half-brothers of Cetewayo. Among them were +those three princes upon whom the dust had fallen when Zikali, the +prophet, smelt out Masapo, the husband of Mameena. + +Dismounting from my horse, with the help of Scowl, I limped through and +over the corpses of these fallen royalties, cut in the Zulu fashion to +free their spirits, which otherwise, as they believed, would haunt the +slayers, and stood in front of Cetewayo. + +"Siyakubona, Macumazahn," he said, stretching out his hand to me, which +I took, though I could not find it in my heart to wish _him_ "good day." + +"I hear that you were leading the Amawombe, whom my father, the King, +sent down to help Umbelazi, and I am very glad that you have escaped +alive. Also my heart is proud of the fight that they made, for you +know, Macumazahn, once, next to the King, I was general of that +regiment, though afterwards we quarrelled. Still, I am pleased that +they did so well, and I have given orders that every one of them who +remains alive is to be spared, that they may be officers of a new +Amawombe which I shall raise. Do you know, Macumazahn, that you have +nearly wiped out three whole regiments of the Usutu, killing many more +people than did all my brother's army, the Isigqosa? Oh, you are a +great man. Had it not been for the loyalty"--this word was spoken with +just a tinge of sarcasm--"of Saduko yonder, you would have won the day +for Umbelazi. Well, now that this quarrel is finished, if you will stay +with me I will make you general of a whole division of the King's army, +since henceforth I shall have a voice in affairs." + +"You are mistaken, O Son of Panda," I answered; "the splendour of the +Amawombe's great stand against a multitude is on the name of Maputa, the +King's councillor and the induna of the Black One [Chaka], who is gone. +He lies yonder in his glory," and I pointed to Maputa's pierced body. +"I did but fight as a soldier in his ranks." + +"Oh, yes, we know that, we know all that, Macumazahn; and Maputa was a +clever monkey in his way, but we know also that you taught him how to +jump. Well, he is dead, and nearly all the Amawombe are dead, and of my +three regiments but a handful is left; the vultures have the rest of +them. That is all finished and forgotten, Macumazahn, though by good +fortune the spears went wide of you, who doubtless are a magician, since +otherwise you and your servant and your horse would not have escaped +with a few scratches when everyone else was killed. But you did escape, +as you have done before in Zululand; and now you see here lie certain +men who were born of my father. Yet one is missing--he against whom I +fought, aye, and he whom, although we fought, I loved the best of all of +them. Now, it has been whispered in my ear that you alone know what +became of him, and, Macumazahn, I would learn whether he lives or is +dead; also, if he is dead, by whose hand he died, who would reward that +hand." + +Now, I looked round me, wondering whether I should tell the truth or +hold my tongue, and as I looked my eyes met those of Saduko, who, cold +and unconcerned, was seated among the captains, but at a little distance +from any of them--a man apart; and I remembered that he and I alone knew +the truth of the end of Umbelazi. + +Why, I do not know, but it came into my mind that I would keep the +secret. Why should I tell the triumphant Cetewayo that Umbelazi had +been driven to die by his own hand; why should I lay bare Saduko's +victory and shame? All these matters had passed into the court of a +different tribunal. Who was I that I should reveal them or judge the +actors of this terrible drama? + +"O Cetewayo," I said, "as it chanced I saw the end of Umbelazi. No +enemy killed him. He died of a broken heart upon a rock above the +river; and for the rest of the story go ask the Tugela into which he +fell." + +For a moment Cetewayo hid his eyes with his hand. + +"Is it so?" he said presently. "Wow! I say again that had it not been +for Saduko, the son of Matiwane, yonder, who had some quarrel with +Indhlovu-ene-Sihlonti about a woman and took his chance of vengeance, it +might have been I who died of a broken heart upon a rock above the +river. Oh, Saduko, I owe you a great debt and will pay you well; but +you shall be no friend of mine, lest we also should chance to quarrel +about a woman, and _I_ should find myself dying of a broken heart on a +rock above a river. O my brother Umbelazi, I mourn for you, my brother, +for, after all, we played together when we were little and loved each +other once, who in the end fought for a toy that is called a throne, +since, as our father said, two bulls cannot live in the same yard, my +brother. Well, you are gone and I remain, yet who knows but that at the +last your lot may be happier than mine. You died of a broken heart, +Umbelazi, but of what shall _I_ die, I wonder?"* + +[*--That history of Cetewayo's fall and tragic death and of Zikali's +vengeance I hope to write one day, for in these events also I was +destined to play a part.--A. Q.] + +I have given this interview in detail, since it was because of it that +the saying went abroad that Umbelazi died of a broken heart. + +So in truth he did, for before his spear pierced it his heart was +broken. + +Now, seeing that Cetewayo was in one of his soft moods, and that he +seemed to look upon me kindly, though I had fought against him, I +reflected that this would be a good opportunity to ask his leave to +depart. To tell the truth, my nerves were quite shattered with all I +had gone through, and I longed to be away from the sights and sounds of +that terrible battlefield, on and about which so many thousand people +had perished this fateful day, as I had seldom longed for anything +before. But while I was making up my mind as to the best way to +approach him, something happened which caused me to lose my chance. + +Hearing a noise behind me, I looked round, to see a stout man arrayed in +a very fine war dress, and waving in one hand a gory spear and in the +other a head-plume of ostrich feathers, who was shouting out: + +"Give me audience of the son of the King! I have a song to sing to the +Prince. I have a tale to tell to the conqueror, Cetewayo." + +I stared. I rubbed my eyes. It could not be--yes, it was--Umbezi, +"Eater-up-of-Elephants," the father of Mameena. In a few seconds, +without waiting for leave to approach, he had bounded through the line +of dead princes, stopping to kick one of them on the head and address +his poor clay in some words of shameful insult, and was prancing about +before Cetewayo, shouting his praises. + +"Who is this umfokazana?" [that is, low fellow] growled the Prince. +"Bid him cease his noise and speak, lest he should be silent for ever." + +"O Calf of the Black Cow, I am Umbezi, 'Eater-up-of-Elephants,' chief +captain of Saduko the Cunning, he who won you the battle, father of +Mameena the Beautiful, whom Saduko wed and whom the dead dog, Umbelazi, +stole away from him." + +"Ah!" said Cetewayo, screwing up his eyes in a fashion he had when he +meant mischief, which among the Zulus caused him to be named the +"Bull-who-shuts-his-eyes-to-toss," "and what have you to tell me, +'Eater-up-of-Elephants' and father of Mameena, whom the dead dog, +Umbelazi, took away from your master, Saduko the Cunning?" + +"This, O Mighty One; this, O Shaker of the Earth, that well am I named +'Eater-up-of-Elephants,' who have eaten up Indhlovu-ene-Sihlonti--the +Elephant himself." + +Now Saduko seemed to awake from his brooding and started from his place; +but Cetewayo sharply bade him be silent, whereon Umbezi, the fool, +noting nothing, continued his tale. + +"O Prince, I met Umbelazi in the battle, and when he saw me he fled from +me; yes, his heart grew soft as water at the sight of me, the warrior +whom he had wronged, whose daughter he had stolen." + +"I hear you," said Cetewayo. "Umbelazi's heart turned to water at the +sight of you because he had wronged you--you who until this morning, +when you deserted him with Saduko, were one of his jackals. Well, and +what happened then?" + +"He fled, O Lion with the Black Mane; he fled like the wind, and I, I +flew after him like--a stronger wind. Far into the bush he fled, till +at length he came to a rock above the river and was obliged to stand. +Then there we fought. He thrust at me, but I leapt over his spear +_thus_," and he gambolled into the air. "He thrust at me again, but I +bent myself _thus_," and he ducked his great head. "Then he grew tired +and my time came. He turned and ran round the rock, and I, I ran after +him, stabbing him through the back, _thus_, and _thus_, and _thus_, till +he fell, crying for mercy, and rolled off the rock into the river; and +as he rolled I snatched away his plume. See, is it not the plume of the +dead dog Umbelazi?" + +Cetewayo took the ornament and examined it, showing it to one or two of +the captains near him, who nodded their heads gravely. + +"Yes," he said, "this is the war plume of Umbelazi, beloved of the King, +strong and shining pillar of the Great House; we know it well, that war +plume at the sight of which many a knee has loosened. And so you killed +him, 'Eater-up-of-Elephants,' father of Mameena, you who this morning +were one of the meanest of his jackals. Now, what reward shall I give +you for this mighty deed, O Umbezi?" + +"A great reward, O Terrible One," began Umbezi, but in an awful voice +Cetewayo bade him be silent. + +"Yes," he said, "a great reward. Hearken, Jackal and Traitor. Your own +words bear witness against you. You, _you_ have dared to lift your hand +against the blood-royal, and with your foul tongue to heap lies and +insults upon the name of the mighty dead." + +Now, understanding at last, Umbezi began to babble excuses, yes, and to +declare that all his tale was false. His fat cheeks fell in, he sank to +his knees. + +But Cetewayo only spat towards the man, after his fashion when enraged, +and looked round him till his eye fell upon Saduko. + +"Saduko," he said, "take away this slayer of the Prince, who boasts that +he is red with my own blood, and when he is dead cast him into the river +from that rock on which he says he stabbed Panda's son." + +Saduko looked round him wildly and hesitated. + +"Take him away," thundered Cetewayo, "and return ere dark to make report +to me." + +Then, at a sign from the Prince, soldiers flung themselves upon the +miserable Umbezi and dragged him thence, Saduko going with them; nor was +the poor liar ever seen again. As he passed by me he called to me, for +Mameena's sake, to save him; but I could only shake my head and bethink +me of the warning I had once given to him as to the fate of traitors. + +It may be said that this story comes straight from the history of Saul +and David, but I can only answer that it happened. Circumstances that +were not unlike ended in a similar tragedy, that is all. What David's +exact motives were, naturally I cannot tell; but it is easy to guess +those of Cetewayo, who, although he could make war upon his brother to +secure the throne, did not think it wise to let it go abroad that the +royal blood might be lightly spilt. Also, knowing that I was a witness +of the Prince's death, he was well aware that Umbezi was but a boastful +liar who hoped thus to ingratiate himself with an all-powerful +conqueror. + +Well, this tragic incident had its sequel. It seems--to his honour, be +it said--that Saduko refused to be the executioner of his father-in-law, +Umbezi; so those with him performed this office and brought him back a +prisoner to Cetewayo. + +When the Prince learned that his direct order, spoken in the accustomed +and fearful formula of _"Take him away,"_ had been disobeyed, his rage +was, or seemed to be, great. My own conviction is that he was only +seeking a cause of quarrel against Saduko, who, he thought, was a very +powerful man, who would probably treat him, should opportunity arise, as +he had treated Umbelazi, and perhaps now that the most of Panda's sons +were dead, except himself and the lads M'tonga, Sikota and M'kungo, who +had fled into Natal, might even in future days aspire to the throne as +the husband of the King's daughter. Still, he was afraid or did not +think it politic at once to put out of his path this master of many +legions, who had played so important a part in the battle. Therefore he +ordered him to be kept under guard and taken back to Nodwengu, that the +whole matter might be investigated by Panda the King, who still ruled +the land, though henceforth only in name. Also he refused to allow me +to depart into Natal, saying that I, too, must come to Nodwengu, as +there my testimony might be needed. + +So, having no choice, I went, it being fated that I should see the end +of the drama. + + + +CHAPTER XV + + + + +MAMEENA CLAIMS THE KISS + + + + + +When I reached Nodwengu I was taken ill and laid up in my wagon for +about a fortnight. What my exact sickness was I do not know, for I had +no doctor at hand to tell me, as even the missionaries had fled the +country. Fever resulting from fatigue, exposure and excitement, and +complicated with fearful headache--caused, I presume, by the blow which +I received in the battle--were its principal symptoms. + +When I began to get better, Scowl and some Zulu friends who came to see +me informed me that the whole land was in a fearful state of disorder, +and that Umbelazi's adherents, the Isigqosa, were still being hunted out +and killed. It seems that it was even suggested by some of the Usutu +that I should share their fate, but on this point Panda was firm. +Indeed, he appears to have said publicly that whoever lifted a spear +against me, his friend and guest, lifted it against him, and would be +the cause of a new war. So the Usutu left me alone, perhaps because +they were satisfied with fighting for a while, and thought it wisest to +be content with what they had won. + +Indeed, they had won everything, for Cetewayo was now supreme--by right +of the assegai--and his father but a cipher. Although he remained the +"Head" of the nation, Cetewayo was publicly declared to be its "Feet," +and strength was in these active "Feet," not in the bowed and sleeping +"Head." In fact, so little power was left to Panda that he could not +protect his own household. Thus one day I heard a great tumult and +shouting proceeding apparently from the Isigodhlo, or royal enclosure, +and on inquiring what it was afterwards, was told that Cetewayo had come +from the Amangwe kraal and denounced Nomantshali, the King's wife, as +"umtakati", or a witch. More, in spite of his father's prayers and +tears, he had caused her to be put to death before his eyes--a dreadful +and a savage deed. At this distance of time I cannot remember whether +Nomantshali was the mother of Umbelazi or of one of the other fallen +princes.* + +[*--On re-reading this history it comes back to me that she was the +mother of M'tonga, who was much younger than Umbelazi. --A. Q.] + +A few days later, when I was up and about again, although I had not +ventured into the kraal, Panda sent a messenger to me with a present of +an ox. On his behalf this man congratulated me on my recovery, and told +me that, whatever might have happened to others, I was to have no fear +for my own safety. He added that Cetewayo had sworn to the King that +not a hair of my head should be harmed, in these words: + +"Had I wished to kill Watcher-by-Night because he fought against me, I +could have done so down at Endondakusuka; but then I ought to kill you +also, my father, since you sent him thither against his will with your +own regiment. But I like him well, who is brave and who brought me good +tidings that the Prince, my enemy, was dead of a broken heart. +Moreover, I wish to have no quarrel with the White House [the English] +on account of Macumazahn, so tell him that he may sleep in peace." + +The messenger said further that Saduko, the husband of the King's +daughter, Nandie, and Umbelazi's chief induna, was to be put upon his +trial on the morrow before the King and his council, together with +Mameena, daughter of Umbezi, and that my presence was desired at this +trial. + +I asked what was the charge against them. He replied that, so far as +Saduko was concerned, there were two: first, that he had stirred up +civil war in the land, and, secondly, that having pushed on Umbelazi +into a fight in which many thousands perished, he had played the +traitor, deserting him in the midst of the battle, with all his +following--a very heinous offence in the eyes of Zulus, to whatever +party they may belong. + +Against Mameena there were three counts of indictment. First, that it +was she who had poisoned Saduko's child and others, not Masapo, her +first husband, who had suffered for that crime. Secondly, that she had +deserted Saduko, her second husband, and gone to live with another man, +namely, the late Prince Umbelazi. Thirdly, that she was a witch, who +had enmeshed Umbelazi in the web of her sorceries and thereby caused him +to aspire to the succession to the throne, to which he had no right, and +made the isililo, or cry of mourning for the dead, to be heard in every +kraal in Zululand. + +"With three such pitfalls in her narrow path, Mameena will have to walk +carefully if she would escape them all," I said. + +"Yes, Inkoosi, especially as the pitfalls are dug from side to side of +the path and have a pointed stake set at the bottom of each of them. +Oh, Mameena is already as good as dead, as she deserves to be, who +without doubt is the greatest umtakati north of the Tugela." + +I sighed, for somehow I was sorry for Mameena, though why she should +escape when so many better people had perished because of her I did not +know; and the messenger went on: + +"The Black One [that is, Panda] sent me to tell Saduko that he would be +allowed to see you, Macumazahn, before the trial, if he wished, for he +knew that you had been a friend of his, and thought that you might be +able to give evidence in his favour." + +"And what did Saduko say to that?" I asked. + +"He said that he thanked the King, but that it was not needful for him +to talk with Macumazahn, whose heart was white like his skin, and whose +lips, if they spoke at all, would tell neither more nor less than the +truth. The Princess Nandie, who is with him--for she will not leave him +in his trouble, as all others have done--on hearing these words of +Saduko's, said that they were true, and that for this reason, although +you were her friend, she did not hold it necessary to see you either." + +Upon this intimation I made no comment, but "my head thought," as the +natives say, that Saduko's real reason for not wishing to see me was +that he felt ashamed to do so, and Nandie's that she feared to learn +more about her husband's perfidies than she knew already. + +"With Mameena it is otherwise," went on the messenger, "for as soon as +she was brought here with Zikali the Little and Wise, with whom, it +seems, she has been sheltering, and learned that you, Macumazahn, were +at the kraal, she asked leave to see you--" + +"And is it granted?" I broke in hurriedly, for I did not at all wish for +a private interview with Mameena. + +"Nay, have no fear, Inkoosi," replied the messenger with a smile; "it is +refused, because the King said that if once she saw you she would +bewitch you and bring trouble on you, as she does on all men. It is for +this reason that she is guarded by women only, no man being allowed to +go near to her, for on women her witcheries will not bite. Still, they +say that she is merry, and laughs and sings a great deal, declaring that +her life has been dull up at old Zikali's, and that now she is going to +a place as gay as the veld in spring, after the first warm rain, where +there will be plenty of men to quarrel for her and make her great and +happy. That is what she says, the witch who knows perhaps what the +Place of Spirits is like." + +Then, as I made no remarks or suggestions, the messenger departed, +saying that he would return on the morrow to lead me to the place of +trial. + +Next morning, after the cows had been milked and the cattle loosed from +their kraals, he came accordingly, with a guard of about thirty men, all +of them soldiers who had survived the great fight of the Amawombe. +These warriors, some of whom had wounds that were scarcely healed, +saluted me with loud cries of "Inkoosi!" and "Baba" as I stepped out of +the wagon, where I had spent a wretched night of unpleasant +anticipation, showing me that there were at least some Zulus with whom I +remained popular. Indeed, their delight at seeing me, whom they looked +upon as a comrade and one of the few survivors of the great adventure, +was quite touching. As we went, which we did slowly, their captain told +me of their fears that I had been killed with the others, and how +rejoiced they were when they learned that I was safe. He told me also +that, after the third regiment had attacked them and broken up their +ring, a small body of them, from eighty to a hundred only, managed to +cut a way through and escape, running, not towards the Tugela, where so +many thousands had perished, but up to Nodwengu, where they reported +themselves to Panda as the only survivors of the Amawombe. + +"And are you safe now?" I asked of the captain. + +"Oh, yes," he answered. "You see, we were the King's men, not +Umbelazi's, so Cetewayo bears us no grudge. Indeed, he is obliged to +us, because we gave the Usutu their stomachs full of good fighting, +which is more than did those cows of Umbelazi's. It is towards Saduko +that he bears a grudge, for you know, my father, one should never pull a +drowning man out of the stream--which is what Saduko did, for had it not +been for his treachery, Cetewayo would have sunk beneath the water of +Death--especially if it is only to spite a woman who hates him. Still, +perhaps Saduko will escape with his life, because he is Nandie's +husband, and Cetewayo fears Nandie, his sister, if he does not love her. +But here we are, and those who have to watch the sky all day will be +able to tell of the evening weather" (in other words, those who live +will learn). + +As he spoke we passed into the private enclosure of the isi-gohlo, +outside of which a great many people were gathered, shouting, talking +and quarrelling, for in those days all the usual discipline of the Great +Place was relaxed. Within the fence, however, that was strongly guarded +on its exterior side, were only about a score of councillors, the King, +the Prince Cetewayo, who sat upon his right, the Princess Nandie, +Saduko's wife, a few attendants, two great, silent fellows armed with +clubs, whom I guessed to be executioners, and, seated in the shade in a +corner, that ancient dwarf, Zikali, though how he came to be there I did +not know. + +Obviously the trial was to be quite a private affair, which accounted +for the unusual presence of the two "slayers." Even my Amawombe guard +was left outside the gate, although I was significantly informed that if +I chose to call upon them they would hear me, which was another way of +saying that in such a small gathering I was absolutely safe. + +Walking forward boldly towards Panda, who, though he was as fat as ever, +looked very worn and much older than when I had last seen him, I made my +bow, whereon he took my hand and asked after my health. Then I shook +Cetewayo's hand also, as I saw that it was stretched out to me. He +seized the opportunity to remark that he was told that I had suffered a +knock on the head in some scrimmage down by the Tugela, and he hoped +that I felt no ill effects. I answered: No, though I feared that there +were a few others who had not been so fortunate, especially those who +had stumbled against the Amawombe regiment, with whom I chanced to be +travelling upon a peaceful mission of inquiry. + +It was a bold speech to make, but I was determined to give him a quid +pro quo, and, as a matter of fact, he took it in very good part, +laughing heartily at the joke. + +After this I saluted such of the councillors present as I knew, which +was not many, for most of my old friends were dead, and sat down upon +the stool that was placed for me not very far from the dwarf Zikali, who +stared at me in a stony fashion, as though he had never seen me before. + +There followed a pause. Then, at some sign from Panda, a side gate in +the fence was opened, and through it appeared Saduko, who walked proudly +to the space in front of the King, to whom he gave the salute of +"Bayete," and, at a sign, sat himself down upon the ground. Next, +through the same gate, to which she was conducted by some women, came +Mameena, quite unchanged and, I think, more beautiful than she had ever +been. So lovely did she look, indeed, in her cloak of grey fur, her +necklet of blue beads, and the gleaming rings of copper which she wore +upon her wrists and ankles, that every eye was fixed upon her as she +glided gracefully forward to make her obeisance to Panda. + +This done, she turned and saw Nandie, to whom she also bowed, as she did +so inquiring after the health of her child. Without waiting for an +answer, which she knew would not be vouchsafed, she advanced to me and +grasped my hand, which she pressed warmly, saying how glad she was to +see me safe after going through so many dangers, though she thought I +looked even thinner than I used to be. + +Only of Saduko, who was watching her with his intent and melancholy +eyes, she took no heed whatsoever. Indeed, for a while I thought that +she could not have seen him. Nor did she appear to recognise Cetewayo, +although he stared at her hard enough. But, as her glance fell upon the +two executioners, I thought I saw her shudder like a shaken reed. Then +she sat down in the place appointed to her, and the trial began. + +The case of Saduko was taken first. An officer learned in Zulu +law--which I can assure the reader is a very intricate and +well-established law--I suppose that he might be called a kind of +attorney-general, rose and stated the case against the prisoner. He +told how Saduko, from a nobody, had been lifted to a great place by the +King and given his daughter, the Princess Nandie, in marriage. Then he +alleged that, as would be proved in evidence, the said Saduko had urged +on Umbelazi the Prince, to whose party he had attached himself, to make +war upon Cetewayo. This war having begun, at the great battle of +Endondakusuka, he had treacherously deserted Umbelazi, together with +three regiments under his command, and gone over to Cetewayo, thereby +bringing Umbelazi to defeat and death. + +This brief statement of the case for the prosecution being finished, +Panda asked Saduko whether he pleaded guilty or not guilty. + +"Guilty, O King," he answered, and was silent. + +Then Panda asked him if he had anything to say in excuse of his conduct. + +"Nothing, O King, except that I was Umbelazi's man, and when you, O +King, had given the word that he and the Prince yonder might fight, I, +like many others, some of whom are dead and some alive, worked for him +with all my ten fingers that he might have the victory." + +"Then why did you desert my son the Prince in the battle?" asked Panda. + +"Because I saw that the Prince Cetewayo was the stronger bull and wished +to be on the winning side, as all men do--for no other reason," answered +Saduko calmly. + +Now, everyone present stared, not excepting Cetewayo. Panda, who, like +the rest of us, had heard a very different tale, looked extremely +puzzled, while Zikali, in his corner, set up one of his great laughs. + +After a long pause, at length the King, as supreme judge, began to pass +sentence. At least, I suppose that was his intention, but before three +words had left his lips Nandie rose and said: + +"My Father, ere you speak that which cannot be unspoken, hear me. It is +well known that Saduko, my husband, was my brother Umbelazi's general +and councillor, and if he is to be killed for clinging to the Prince, +then I should be killed also, and countless others in Zululand who still +remain alive because they were not in or escaped the battle. It is well +known also, my Father, that during that battle Saduko went over to my +brother Cetewayo, though whether this brought about the defeat of +Umbelazi I cannot say. Why did he go over? He tells you because he +wished to be on the winning side. It is not true. He went over in +order to be revenged upon Umbelazi, who had taken from him yonder +witch"--and she pointed with her finger at Mameena--"yonder witch, whom +he loved and still loves, and whom even now he would shield, even though +to do so he must make his own name shameful. Saduko sinned; I do not +deny it, my Father, but there sits the real traitress, red with the +blood of Umbelazi and with that of thousands of others who have +'_tshonile'd_' [gone down to keep him company among the ghosts]. +Therefore, O King, I beseech you, spare the life of Saduko, my husband, +or, if he must die, learn that I, your daughter, will die with him. I +have spoken, O King." + +And very proudly and quietly she sat herself down again, waiting for the +fateful words. + +But those words were not spoken, since Panda only said: "Let us try the +case of this woman, Mameena." + +Thereon the law officer rose again and set out the charges against +Mameena, namely, that it was she who had poisoned Saduko's child, and +not Masapo; that, after marrying Saduko, she had deserted him and gone +to live with the Prince Umbelazi; and that finally she had bewitched the +said Umbelazi and caused him to make civil war in the land. + +"The second charge, if proved, namely, that this woman deserted her +husband for another man, is a crime of death," broke in Panda abruptly +as the officer finished speaking; "therefore, what need is there to hear +the first and the third until that is examined. What do you plead to +that charge, woman?" + +Now, understanding that the King did not wish to stir up these other +matters of murder and witchcraft for some reason of his own, we all +turned to hear Mameena's answer. + +"O King," she said in her low, silvery voice, "I cannot deny that I left +Saduko for Umbelazi the Handsome, any more than Saduko can deny that he +left Umbelazi the beaten for Cetewayo the conqueror." + +"Why did you leave Saduko?" asked Panda. + +"O King, perhaps because I loved Umbelazi; for was he not called the +Handsome? Also _you_ know that the Prince, your son, was one to be +loved." Here she paused, looking at poor Panda, who winced. "Or, +perhaps, because I wished to be great; for was he not of the Blood +Royal, and, had it not been for Saduko, would he not one day have been a +king? Or, perhaps, because I could no longer bear the treatment that +the Princess Nandie dealt out to me; she who was cruel to me and +threatened to beat me, because Saduko loved my hut better than her own. +Ask Saduko; he knows more of these matters than I do," and she gazed at +him steadily. Then she went on: "How can a woman tell her reasons, O +King, when she never knows them herself?"--a question at which some of +her hearers smiled. + +Now Saduko rose and said slowly: + +"Hear me, O King, and I will give the reason that Mameena hides. She +left me for Umbelazi because I bade her to do so, for I knew that +Umbelazi desired her, and I wished to tie the cord tighter which bound +me to one who at that time I thought would inherit the Throne. Also, I +was weary of Mameena, who quarrelled night and day with the Princess +Nandie, my Inkosikazi." + +Now Nandie gasped in astonishment (and so did I), but Mameena laughed +and said: + +"Yes, O King, those were the two real reasons that I had forgotten. I +left Saduko because he bade me, as he wished to make a present to the +Prince. Also, he was tired of me; for many days at a time he would +scarcely speak to me, because, however kind she might be, I could not +help quarrelling with the Princess Nandie. Moreover, there was another +reason which I have forgotten: I had no child, and not having any child +I did not think it mattered whether I went or stayed. If Saduko +searches, he will remember that I told him so, and that he agreed with +me." + +Again she looked at Saduko, who said hurriedly: + +"Yes, yes, I told her so; I told her that I wished for no barren cows in +my kraal." + +Now some of the audience laughed outright, but Panda frowned. + +"It seems," he said, "that my ears are being stuffed with lies, though +which of these two tells them I cannot say. Well, if the woman left the +man by his own wish, and that his ends might be furthered, as he says, +he had put her away, and therefore the fault, if any, is his, not hers. +So that charge is ended. Now, woman, what have you to tell us of the +witchcraft which it is said you practised upon the Prince who is gone, +thereby causing him to make war in the land?" + +"Little that you would wish to hear, O King, or that it would be seemly +for me to speak," she answered, drooping her head modestly. "The only +witchcraft that ever I practised upon Umbelazi lies here"--and she +touched her beautiful eyes--"and here"--and she touched her curving +lips--"and in this poor shape of mine which some have thought so fair. +As for the war, what had I to do with war, who never spoke to Umbelazi, +who was so dear to me"--and she looked up with tears running down her +face--"save of love? O King, is there a man among you all who would +fear the witcheries of such a one as I; and because the Heavens made me +beautiful with the beauty that men must follow, am I also to be killed +as a sorceress?" + +Now, to this argument neither Panda nor anyone else seemed to find an +answer, especially as it was well known that Umbelazi had cherished his +ambition to the succession long before he met Mameena. So that charge +was dropped, and the first and greatest of the three proceeded with; +namely, that it was she, Mameena, and not her husband, Masapo, who had +murdered Nandie's child. + +When this accusation was made against her, for the first time I saw a +little shade of trouble flit across Mameena's soft eyes. + +"Surely, O King," she said, "that matter was settled long ago, when the +Ndwande, Zikali, the great Nyanga, smelt out Masapo the wizard, he who +was my husband, and brought him to his death for this crime. Must I +then be tried for it again?" + +"Not so, woman," answered Panda. "All that Zikali smelt out was the +poison that wrought the crime, and as some of that poison was found upon +Masapo, he was killed as a wizard. Yet it may be that it was not he who +used the poison." + +"Then surely the King should have thought of that before he died," +murmured Mameena. "But I forget: It is known that Masapo was always +hostile to the House of Senzangakona." + +To this remark Panda made no answer, perhaps because it was +unanswerable, even in a land where it was customary to kill the supposed +wizard first and inquire as to his actual guilt afterwards, or not at +all. Or perhaps he thought it politic to ignore the suggestion that he +had been inspired by personal enmity. Only, he looked at his daughter, +Nandie, who rose and said: + +"Have I leave to call a witness on this matter of the poison, my +Father?" + +Panda nodded, whereon Nandie said to one of the councillors: + +"Be pleased to summon my woman, Nahana, who waits without." + +The man went, and presently returned with an elderly female who, it +appeared, had been Nandie's nurse, and, never having married, owing to +some physical defect, had always remained in her service, a person well +known and much respected in her humble walk of life. + +"Nahana," said Nandie, "you are brought here that you may repeat to the +King and his council a tale which you told to me as to the coming of a +certain woman into my hut before the death of my first-born son, and +what she did there. Say first, is this woman present here?" + +"Aye, Inkosazana," answered Nahana, "yonder she sits. Who could mistake +her?" and she pointed to Mameena, who was listening to every word +intently, as a dog listens at the mouth of an ant-bear hole when the +beast is stirring beneath. + +"Then what of the woman and her deeds?" asked Panda. + +"Only this, O King. Two nights before the child that is dead was taken +ill, I saw Mameena creep into the hut of the lady Nandie, I who was +asleep alone in a corner of the big hut out of reach of the light of the +fire. At the time the lady Nandie was away from the hut with her son. +Knowing the woman for Mameena, the wife of Masapo, who was on friendly +terms with the Inkosazana, whom I supposed she had come to visit, I did +not declare myself; nor did I take any particular note when I saw her +sprinkle a little mat upon which the babe, Saduko's son, was wont to be +laid, with some medicine, because I had heard her promise to the +Inkosazana a powder which she said would drive away insects. Only, when +I saw her throw some of this powder into the vessel of warm water that +stood by the fire, to be used for the washing of the child, and place +something, muttering certain words that I could not catch, in the straw +of the doorway, I thought it strange, and was about to question her when +she left the hut. As it happened, O King, but a little while +afterwards, before one could count ten tens indeed, a messenger came to +the hut to tell me that my old mother lay dying at her kraal four days' +journey from Nodwengu, and prayed to see me before she died. Then I +forgot all about Mameena and the powder, and, running out to seek the +Princess Nandie, I craved her leave to go with the messenger to my +mother's kraal, which she granted to me, saying that I need not return +until my mother was buried. + +"So I went. But, oh! my mother took long to die. Whole moons passed +before I shut her eyes, and all this while she would not let me go; nor, +indeed, did I wish to leave her whom I loved. At length it was over, +and then came the days of mourning, and after those some more days of +rest, and after them again the days of the division of the cattle, so +that in the end six moons or more had gone by before I returned to the +service of the Princess Nandie, and found that Mameena was now the +second wife of the lord Saduko. Also I found that the child of the lady +Nandie was dead, and that Masapo, the first husband of Mameena, had been +smelt out and killed as the murderer of the child. But as all these +things were over and done with, and as Mameena was very kind to me, +giving me gifts and sparing me tasks, and as I saw that Saduko my lord +loved her much, it never came into my head to say anything of the matter +of the powder that I saw her sprinkle on the mat. + +"After she had run away with the Prince who is dead, however, I did tell +the lady Nandie. Moreover, the lady Nandie, in my presence, searched in +the straw of the doorway of the hut and found there, wrapped in soft +hide, certain medicines such as the Nyangas sell, wherewith those who +consult them can bewitch their enemies, or cause those whom they desire +to love them or to hate their wives or husbands. That is all I know of +the story, O King." + +"Do my ears hear a true tale, Nandie?" asked Panda. "Or is this woman a +liar like others?" + +"I think not, my Father; see, here is the muti [medicine] which Nahana +and I found hid in the doorway of the hut that I have kept unopened till +this day." + +And she laid on the ground a little leather bag, very neatly sewn with +sinews, and fastened round its neck with a fibre string. + +Panda directed one of the councillors to open the bag, which the man did +unwillingly enough, since evidently he feared its evil influence, +pouring out its contents on to the back of a hide shield, which was then +carried round so that we might all look at them. These, so far as I +could see, consisted of some withered roots, a small piece of human +thigh bone, such as might have come from the skeleton of an infant, that +had a little stopper of wood in its orifice, and what I took to be the +fang of a snake. + +Panda looked at them and shrank away, saying: + +"Come hither, Zikali the Old, you who are skilled in magic, and tell us +what is this medicine." + +Then Zikali rose from the corner where he had been sitting so silently, +and waddled heavily across the open space to where the shield lay in +front of the King. As he passed Mameena, she bent down over the dwarf +and began to whisper to him swiftly; but he placed his hands upon his +big head, covering up his ears, as I suppose, that he might not hear her +words. + +"What have I to do with this matter, O King?" he asked. + +"Much, it seems, O Opener-of-Roads," said Panda sternly, "seeing that +you were the doctor who smelt out Masapo, and that it was in your kraal +that yonder woman hid herself while her lover, the Prince, my son, who +is dead, went down to the battle, and that she was brought thence with +you. Tell us, now, the nature of this muti, and, being wise, as you +are, be careful to tell us truly, lest it should be said, O Zikali, that +you are not a Nyanga only, but an umtakati as well. For then," he added +with meaning, and choosing his words carefully, "perchance, O Zikali, I +might be tempted to make trial of whether or no it is true that you +cannot be killed like other men, especially as I have heard of late that +your heart is evil towards me and my House." + +For a moment Zikali hesitated--I think to give his quick brain time to +work, for he saw his great danger. Then he laughed in his dreadful +fashion and said: + +"Oho! the King thinks that the otter is in the trap," and he glanced at +the fence of the isi-gohlo and at the fierce executioners, who stood +watching him sternly. "Well, many times before has this otter seemed to +be in a trap, yes, ere your father saw light, O Son of Senzangakona, and +after it also. Yet here he stands living. Make no trial, O King, of +whether or no I be mortal, lest if Death should come to such a one as I, +he should take many others with him also. Have you not heard the saying +that when the Opener-of-Roads comes to the end of his road there will be +no more a King of the Zulus, as when he began his road there was no King +of the Zulus, since the days of his manhood are the days of _all_ the +Zulu kings?" + +Thus he spoke, glaring at Panda and at Cetewayo, who shrank before his +gaze. + +"Remember," he went on, "that the Black One who is 'gone down' long ago, +the Wild Beast who fathered the Zulu herd, threatened him whom he named +the 'Thing-that-should-not-have-been-born,' aye, and slew those whom he +loved, and afterwards was slain by others, who also are 'gone down,' and +that you alone, O Panda, did not threaten him, and that you alone, O +Panda, have not been slain. Now, if you would make trial of whether I +die as other men die, bid your dogs fall on, for Zikali is ready," and +he folded his arms and waited. + +Indeed, all of us waited breathlessly, for we understood that the +terrible dwarf was matching himself against Panda and Cetewayo and +defying them both. Presently it became obvious that he had won the +game, since Panda only said: + +"Why should I slay one whom I have befriended in the past, and why do +you speak such heavy words of death in my ears, O, Zikali the Wise, +which of late have heard so much of death?" He sighed, adding: "Be +pleased now, to tell us of this medicine, or, if you will not, go, and I +will send for other Nyangas." + +"Why should I not tell you, when you ask me softly and without threats, +O King? See"--and Zikali took up some of the twisted roots--"these are +the roots of a certain poisonous herb that blooms at night on the tops +of mountains, and woe be to the ox that eats thereof. They have been +boiled in gall and blood, and ill will befall the hut in which they are +hidden by one who can speak the words of power. This is the bone of a +babe that has never lived to cut its teeth--I think of a babe that was +left to die alone in the bush because it was hated, or because none +would father it. Such a bone has strength to work ill against other +babes; moreover, it is filled with a charmed medicine. Look!" and, +pulling out the plug of wood, he scattered some grey powder from the +bone, then stopped it up again. "This," he added, picking up the fang, +"is the tooth of a deadly serpent, that, after it has been doctored, is +used by women to change the heart of a man from another to herself. I +have spoken." + +And he turned to go. + +"Stay!" said the King. "Who set these foul charms in the doorway of +Saduko's hut?" + +"How can I tell, O King, unless I make preparation and cast the bones +and smell out the evil-doer? You have heard the story of the woman +Nahana. Accept it or reject it as your heart tells you." + +"If that story be true, O Zikali, how comes it that you yourself smelt +out, not Mameena, the wife of Masapo, but Masapo, her husband, himself, +and caused him to be slain because of the poisoning of the child of +Nandie?" + +"You err, O King. I, Zikali, smelt out the House of Masapo. Then I +smelt out the poison, searching for it first in the hair of Mameena, and +finding it in the kaross of Masapo. I never smelt out that it was +Masapo who gave the poison. That was the judgment of you and of your +Council, O King. Nay, I knew well that there was more in the matter, +and had you paid me another fee and bade me to continue to use my +wisdom, without doubt I should have found this magic stuff hidden in the +hut, and mayhap have learned the name of the hider. But I was weary, +who am very old; and what was it to me if you chose to kill Masapo or +chose to let him go? Masapo, who, being your secret enemy, was a man +who deserved to die--if not for this matter, then for others." + +Now, all this while I had been watching Mameena, who sat, in the Zulu +fashion, listening to this deadly evidence, a slight smile upon her +face, and without attempting any interruption or comment. Only I saw +that while Zikali was examining the medicine, her eyes were seeking the +eyes of Saduko, who remained in his place, also silent, and, to all +appearance, the least interested of anyone present. He tried to avoid +her glance, turning his head uneasily; but at length her eyes caught his +and held them. Then his heart began to beat quickly, his breast heaved, +and on his face there grew a look of dreamy content, even of happiness. +From that moment forward, till the end of the scene, Saduko never took +his eyes off this strange woman, though I think that, with the exception +of the dwarf, Zikali, who saw everything, and of myself, who am trained +to observation, none noted this curious by-play of the drama. + +The King began to speak. "Mameena," he said, "you have heard. Have you +aught to say? For if not it would seem that you are a witch and a +murderess, and one who must die." + +"Yea, a little word, O King," she answered quietly. "Nahana speaks +truth. It is true that I entered the hut of Nandie and set the medicine +there. I say it because by nature I am not one who hides the truth or +would attempt to throw discredit even upon a humble serving-woman," and +she glanced at Nahana. + +"Then from between your own teeth it is finished," said Panda. + +"Not altogether, O King. I have said that I set the medicine in the +hut. I have not said, and I will not say, how and why I set it there. +That tale I call upon Saduko yonder to tell to you, he who was my +husband, that I left for Umbelazi, and who, being a man, must therefore +hate me. By the words he says I will abide. If he declares that I am +guilty, then I am guilty, and prepared to pay the price of guilt. But +if he declares that I am innocent, then, O King and O Prince Cetewayo, +without fear I trust myself to your justness. Now speak, O Saduko; +speak the whole truth, whatever it may be, if that is the King's will." + +"It is my will," said Panda. + +"And mine also," added Cetewayo, who, I could see, like everyone else, +was much interested in this matter. + +Saduko rose to his feet, the same Saduko that I had always known, and +yet so changed. All the life and fire had gone from him; his pride in +himself was no more; none could have known him for that ambitious, +confident man who, in his day of power, the Zulus named the +"Self-Eater." He was a mere mask of the old Saduko, informed by some +new, some alien, spirit. With dull, lack-lustre eyes fixed always upon +the lovely eyes of Mameena, in slow and hesitating tones he began his +tale. + +"It is true, O Lion," he said, "that Mameena spread the poison upon my +child's mat. It is true that she set the deadly charms in the doorway +of Nandie's hut. These things she did, not knowing what she did, and it +was I who instructed her to do them. This is the case. From the +beginning I have always loved Mameena as I have loved no other woman and +as no other woman was ever loved. But while I was away with Macumazahn, +who sits yonder, to destroy Bangu, chief of the Amakoba, he who had +killed my father, Umbezi, the father of Mameena, he whom the Prince +Cetewayo gave to the vultures the other day because he had lied as to +the death of Umbelazi, he, I say, forced Mameena, against her will, to +marry Masapo the Boar, who afterwards was executed for wizardry. Now, +here at your feast, when you reviewed the people of the Zulus, O King, +after you had given me the lady Nandie as wife, Mameena and I met again +and loved each other more than we had ever done before. But, being an +upright woman, Mameena thrust me away from her, saying: + +"'I have a husband, who, if he is not dear to me, still is my husband, +and while he lives to him I will be true.' Then, O King, I took counsel +with the evil in my heart, and made a plot in myself to be rid of the +Boar, Masapo, so that when he was dead I might marry Mameena. This was +the plot that I made--that my son and Princess Nandie's should be +poisoned, and that Masapo should seem to poison him, so that he might be +killed as a wizard and I marry Mameena." + +Now, at this astounding statement, which was something beyond the +experience of the most cunning and cruel savage present there, a gasp of +astonishment went up from the audience; even old Zikali lifted his head +and stared. Nandie, too, shaken out of her usual calm, rose as though +to speak; then, looking first at Saduko and next at Mameena, sat herself +down again and waited. But Saduko went on again in the same cold, +measured voice: + +"I gave Mameena a powder which I had bought for two heifers from a great +doctor who lived beyond the Tugela, but who is now dead, which powder I +told her was desired by Nandie, my Inkosikazi, to destroy the little +beetles than ran about the hut, and directed her where she was to spread +it. Also, I gave her the bag of medicine, telling her to thrust it into +the doorway of the hut, that it might bring a blessing upon my House. +These things she did ignorantly to please me, not knowing that the +powder was poison, not knowing that the medicine was bewitched. So my +child died, as I wished it to die, and, indeed, I myself fell sick +because by accident I touched the powder. + +"Afterwards Masapo was smelt out as a wizard by old Zikali, I having +caused a bag of the poison to be sewn in his kaross in order to deceive +Zikali, and killed by your order, O King, and Mameena was given to me as +a wife, also by your order, O King, which was what I desired. Later on, +as I have told you, I wearied of her, and wishing to please the Prince +who has wandered away, I commanded her to yield herself to him, which +Mameena did out of her love for me and to advance my fortunes, she who +is blameless in all things." + +Saduko finished speaking and sat down again, as an automaton might do +when a wire is pulled, his lack-lustre eyes still fixed upon Mameena's +face. + +"You have heard, O King," said Mameena. "Now pass judgment, knowing +that, if it be your will, I am ready to die for Saduko's sake." + +But Panda sprang up in a rage. + +_"Take him away!"_ he said, pointing to Saduko. "Take away that dog who +is not fit to live, a dog who eats his own child that thereby he may +cause another to be slain unjustly and steal his wife." + +The executioners leapt forward, and, having something to say, for I +could bear this business no longer, I began to rise to my feet. Before +I gained them, however, Zikali was speaking. + +"O King," he said, "it seems that you have killed one man unjustly on +this matter, namely, Masapo. Would you do the same by another?" and he +pointed to Saduko. + +"What do you mean?" asked Panda angrily. "Have you not heard this low +fellow, whom I made great, giving him the rule over tribes and my +daughter in marriage, confess with his own lips that he murdered his +child, the child of my blood, in order that he might eat a fruit which +grew by the roadside for all men to nibble at?" and he glared at +Mameena. + +"Aye, Child of Senzangakona," answered Zikali, "I heard Saduko say this +with his own lips, but the voice that spoke from the lips was not the +voice of Saduko, as, were you a skilled Nyanga like me, you would have +known as well as I do, and as well as does the white man, +Watcher-by-Night, who is a reader of hearts. + +"Hearken now, O King, and you great ones around the King, and I will +tell you a story. Matiwane, the father of Saduko, was my friend, as he +was yours, O King, and when Bangu slew him and his people, by leave of +the Wild Beast [Chaka], I saved the child, his son, aye, and brought him +up in my own House, having learned to love him. Then, when he became a +man, I, the Opener-of-Roads, showed him two roads, down either of which +he might choose to walk--the Road of Wisdom and the Road of War and +Women: the white road that runs through peace to knowledge, and the red +road that runs through blood to death. + +"But already there stood one upon this red road who beckoned him, she +who sits yonder, and he followed after her, as I knew he would. From +the beginning she was false to him, taking a richer man for her husband. +Then, when Saduko grew great, she grew sorry, and came to ask my +counsel as to how she might be rid of Masapo, whom she swore she hated. +I told her that she could leave him for another man, or wait till her +Spirit moved him from her path; but I never put evil into her heart, +seeing that it was there already. + +"Then she and no other, having first made Saduko love her more than +ever, murdered the child of Nandie, his Inkosikazi; and so brought about +the death of Masapo and crept into Saduko's arms. Here she slept a +while, till a new shadow fell upon her, that of the +'Elephant-with-the-tuft-of-hair,' who will walk the woods no more. Him +she beguiled that she might grow great the quicker, and left the house +of Saduko, taking his heart with her, she who was destined to be the +doom of men. + +"Now, into Saduko's breast, where his heart had been, entered an evil +spirit of jealousy and of revenge, and in the battle of Endondakusuka +that spirit rode him as a white man rides a horse. As he had arranged +to do with the Prince Cetewayo yonder--nay, deny it not, O Prince, for +I know all; did you not make a bargain together, on the third night +before the battle, among the bushes, and start apart when the buck leapt +out between you?" (Here Cetewayo, who had been about to speak, threw the +corner of his kaross over his face.) "As he had arranged to do, I say, +he went over with his regiments from the Isigqosa to the Usutu, and so +brought about the fall of Umbelazi and the death of many thousands. +Yes, and this he did for one reason only--because yonder woman had left +him for the Prince, and he cared more for her than for all the world +could give him, for her who had filled him with madness as a bowl is +filled with milk. And now, O King, you have heard this man tell you a +story, you have heard him shout out that he is viler than any man in all +the land; that he murdered his own child, the child he loved so well, to +win this witch; that afterwards he gave her to his friend and lord to +buy more of his favour, and that lastly he deserted that lord because he +thought that there was another lord from whom he could buy more favour. +Is it not so, O King?" + +"It is so," answered Panda, "and therefore must Saduko be thrown out to +the jackals." + +"Wait a while, O King. I say that Saduko has spoken not with his own +voice, but with the voice of Mameena. I say that she is the greatest +witch in all the land, and that she has drugged him with the medicine of +her eyes, so that he knows not what he says, even as she drugged the +Prince who is dead." + +"Then prove it, or he dies!" exclaimed the King. + +Now the dwarf went to Panda and whispered in his ear, whereon Panda +whispered in turn into the ears of two of his councillors. These men, +who were unarmed, rose and made as though to leave the isi-gohlo. But +as they passed Mameena one of them suddenly threw his arms about her, +pinioning her arms, the other tearing off the kaross he wore--for the +weather was cold--flung it over her head and knotted it behind her so +that she was hidden except for her ankles and feet. Then, although she +did not move or struggle, they caught hold of her and stood still. + +Now Zikali hobbled to Saduko and bade him rise, which he did. Then he +looked at him for a long while and made certain movements with his hands +before his face, after which Saduko uttered a great sigh and stared +about him. + +"Saduko," said Zikali, "I pray you tell me, your foster-father, whether +it is true, as men say, that you sold your wife, Mameena, to the Prince +Umbelazi in order that his favour might fall on you like heavy rain?" + +"Wow! Zikali," said Saduko, with a start of rage, "If were you as others +are I would kill you, you toad, who dare to spit slander on my name. +She ran away with the Prince, having beguiled him with the magic of her +beauty." + +"Strike me not, Saduko," went on Zikali, "or at least wait to strike +until you have answered one more question. Is it true, as men say, that +in the battle of Endondakusuka you went over to the Usutu with your +regiments because you thought that Indhlovu-ene-Sihlonti would be +beaten, and wished to be on the side of him who won?" + +"What, Toad! More slander?" cried Saduko. "I went over for one reason +only--to be revenged upon the Prince because he had taken from me her +who was more to me than life or honour. Aye, and when I went over +Umbelazi was winning; it was because I went that he lost and died, as I +meant that he should die, though now," he added sadly, "I would that I +had not brought him to ruin and the dust, who think that, like myself, +he was but wet clay in a woman's fingers. + +"O King," he added, turning to Panda, "kill me, I pray you, who am not +worthy to live, since to him whose hand is red with the blood of his +friend, death alone is left, who, while he breathes, must share his +sleep with ghosts that watch him with their angry eyes." + +Then Nandie sprang up and said: + +"Nay, Father, listen not to him who is mad, and therefore holy.* What +he has done, he has done, who, as he has said, was but a tool in +another's hand. As for our babe, I know well that he would have died +sooner than harm it, for he loved it much, and when it was taken away, +for three whole days and nights he wept and would touch no food. Give +this poor man to me, my Father--to me, his wife, who loves him--and let +us go hence to some other land, where perchance we may forget." + +[*--The Zulus suppose that insane people are inspired.--A. Q.] + +"Be silent, daughter," said the King; "and you, O Zikali, the Nyanga, be +silent also." + +They obeyed, and, after thinking awhile, Panda made a motion with his +hand, whereon the two councillors lifted the kaross from off Mameena, +who looked about her calmly and asked if she were taking part in some +child's game. + +"Aye, woman," answered Panda, "you are taking part in a great game, but +not, I think, such as is played by children--a game of life and death. +Now, have you heard the tale of Zikali the Little and Wise, and the +words of Saduko, who was once your husband, or must they be repeated to +you?" + +"There is no need, O King; my ears are too quick to be muffled by a fur +bag, and I would not waste your time." + +"Then what have you to say, woman?" + +"Not much," she answered with a shrug of her shoulders, "except that I +have lost in this game. You will not believe me, but if you had left me +alone I should have told you so, who did not wish to see that poor fool, +Saduko, killed for deeds he had never done. Still, the tale he told you +was not told because I had bewitched him; it was told for love of me, +whom he desired to save. It was Zikali yonder; Zikali, the enemy of +your House, who in the end will destroy your House, O Son of +Senzangakona, that bewitched him, as he has bewitched you all, and +forced the truth out of his unwilling heart. + +"Now, what more is there to say? Very little, as I think. I did the +things that are laid to my charge, and worse things which have not been +stated. Oh, I played for great stakes, I, who meant to be the +Inkosazana of the Zulus, and, as it chances, by the weight of a hair I +have lost. I thought that I had counted everything, but the hair's +weight which turned the balance against me was the mad jealousy of this +fool, Saduko, upon which I had not reckoned. I see now that when I left +Saduko I should have left him dead. Thrice I had thought of it. Once I +mixed the poison in his drink, and then he came in, weary with his +plottings, and kissed me ere he drank; and my woman's heart grew soft +and I overset the bowl that was at his lips. Do you not remember, +Saduko? + +"So, so! For that folly alone I deserve to die, for she who would +reign"--and her beautiful eyes flashed royally--"must have a tiger's +heart, not that of a woman. Well, because I was too kind I must die; +and, after all is said, it is well to die, who go hence awaited by +thousands upon thousands that I have sent before me, and who shall be +greeted presently by your son, Indhlovu-ene-Sihlonti, and his warriors, +greeted as the Inkosazana of Death, with red, lifted spears and with the +royal salute! + +"Now, I have spoken. Walk your little road, O King and Prince and +Councillors, till you reach the gulf into which I sink, that yawns for +all of you. O King, when you meet me again at the bottom of that gulf, +what a tale you will have to tell me, you who are but the shadow of a +king, you whose heart henceforth must be eaten out by a worm that is +called _Love-of-the-Lost_. O Prince and Conqueror Cetewayo, what a tale +you will have to tell me when I greet you at the bottom of that gulf, +you who will bring your nation to a wreck and at last die as I must +die--only the servant of others and by the will of others. Nay, ask me +not how. Ask old Zikali, my master, who saw the beginning of your House +and will see its end. Oh, yes, as you say, I am a witch, and I know, I +know! Come, I am spent. You men weary me, as men have always done, +being but fools whom it is so easy to make drunk, and who when drunk are +so unpleasing. Piff! I am tired of you sober and cunning, and I am +tired of you drunken and brutal, you who, after all, are but beasts of +the field to whom Mvelingangi, the Creator, has given heads which can +think, but which always think wrong. + +"Now, King, before you unchain your dogs upon me, I ask one moment. I +said that I hated all men, yet, as you know, no woman can tell the +truth--quite. There is a man whom I do not hate, whom I never hated, +whom I think I love because he would not love me. He sits there," and +to my utter dismay, and the intense interest of that company, she +pointed at me, Allan Quatermain! + +"Well, once by my 'magic,' of which you have heard so much, I got the +better of this man against his will and judgment, and, because of that +soft heart of mine, I let him go; yes, I let the rare fish go when he +was on my hook. It is well that I should have let him go, since, had I +kept him, a fine story would have been spoiled and I should have become +nothing but a white hunter's servant, to be thrust away behind the door +when the white Inkosikazi came to eat his meat--I, Mameena, who never +loved to stand out of sight behind a door. Well, when he was at my feet +and I spared him, he made me a promise, a very small promise, which yet +I think he will keep now when we part for a little while. Macumazahn, +did you not promise to kiss me once more upon the lips whenever and +wherever I should ask you?" + +"I did," I answered in a hollow voice, for in truth her eyes held me as +they had held Saduko. + +"Then come now, Macumazahn, and give me that farewell kiss. The King +will permit it, and since I have now no husband, who take Death to +husband, there is none to say you nay." + +I rose. It seemed to me that I could not help myself. I went to her, +this woman surrounded by implacable enemies, this woman who had played +for great stakes and lost them, and who knew so well how to lose. I +stood before her, ashamed and yet not ashamed, for something of her +greatness, evil though it might be, drove out my shame, and I knew that +my foolishness was lost in a vast tragedy. + +Slowly she lifted her languid arm and threw it about my neck; slowly she +bent her red lips to mine and kissed me, once upon the mouth and once +upon the forehead. But between those two kisses she did a thing so +swiftly that my eyes could scarcely follow what she did. It seemed to +me that she brushed her left hand across her lips, and that I saw her +throat rise as though she swallowed something. Then she thrust me from +her, saying: + +"Farewell, O Macumazana, you will never forget this kiss of mine; and +when we meet again we shall have much to talk of, for between now and +then your story will be long. Farewell, Zikali. I pray that all your +plannings may succeed, since those you hate are those I hate, and I bear +you no grudge because you told the truth at last. Farewell, Prince +Cetewayo. You will never be the man your brother would have been, and +your lot is very evil, you who are doomed to pull down a House built by +One who was great. Farewell, Saduko the fool, who threw away your +fortune for a woman's eyes, as though the world were not full of women. +Nandie the Sweet and the Forgiving will nurse you well until your +haunted end. Oh! why does Umbelazi lean over your shoulder, Saduko, and +look at me so strangely? Farewell, Panda the Shadow. Now let loose +your slayers. Oh! let them loose swiftly, lest they should be balked of +my blood!" + +Panda lifted his hand and the executioners leapt forward, but ere ever +they reached her, Mameena shivered, threw wide her arms and fell +back--dead. The poisonous drug she had taken worked well and swiftly. + + +Such was the end of Mameena, Child of Storm. + + +A deep silence followed, a silence of awe and wonderment, till suddenly +it was broken by a sound of dreadful laughter. It came from the lips of +Zikali the Ancient, Zikali, the "Thing-that-should-never-have-been-born." + + + +CHAPTER XVI + + + + +MAMEENA--MAMEENA--MAMEENA! + + + + + +That evening at sunset, just as I was about to trek, for the King had +given me leave to go, and at that time my greatest desire in life seemed +to be to bid good-bye to Zululand and the Zulus--I saw a strange, +beetle-like shape hobbling up the hill towards me, supported by two big +men. It was Zikali. + +He passed me without a word, merely making a motion that I was to follow +him, which I did out of curiosity, I suppose, for Heaven knows I had +seen enough of the old wizard to last me for a lifetime. He reached a +flat stone about a hundred yards above my camp, where there was no bush +in which anyone could hide, and sat himself down, pointing to another +stone in front of him, on which I sat myself down. Then the two men +retired out of earshot, and, indeed, of sight, leaving us quite alone. + +"So you are going away, O Macumazana?" he said. + +"Yes, I am," I answered with energy, "who, if I could have had my will, +would have gone away long ago." + +"Yes, yes, I know that; but it would have been a great pity, would it +not? If you had gone, Macumazahn, you would have missed seeing the end +of a strange little story, and you, who love to study the hearts of men +and women, would not have been so wise as you are to-day." + +"No, nor as sad, Zikali. Oh! the death of that woman!" And I put my +hand before my eyes. + +"Ah! I understand, Macumazahn; you were always fond of her, were you +not, although your white pride would not suffer you to admit that black +fingers were pulling at your heartstrings? She was a wonderful witch, +was Mameena; and there is this comfort for you--that she pulled at other +heartstrings as well. Masapo's, for instance; Saduko's, for instance; +Umbelazi's, for instance, none of whom got any luck from her +pulling--yes, and even at mine." + +Now, as I did not think it worth while to contradict his nonsense so far +as I was concerned personally, I went off on this latter point. + +"If you show affection as you did towards Mameena to-day, Zikali, I pray +my Spirit that you may cherish none for me," I said. + +He shook his great head pityingly as he answered: + +"Did you never love a lamb and kill it afterwards when you were hungry, +or when it grew into a ram and butted you, or when it drove away your +other sheep, so that they fell into the hands of thieves? Now, I am +very hungry for the fall of the House of Senzangakona, and the lamb, +Mameena, having grown big, nearly laid me on my back to-day within the +reach of the slayer's spear. Also, she was hunting my sheep, Saduko, +into an evil net whence he could never have escaped. So, somewhat +against my will, I was driven to tell the truth of that lamb and her +tricks." + +"I daresay," I exclaimed; "but, at any rate, she is done with, so what +is the use of talking about her?" + +"Ah! Macumazahn, she is done with, or so you think, though that is a +strange saying for a white man who believes in much that we do not know; +but at least her work remains, and it has been a great work. Consider +now. Umbelazi and most of the princes, and thousands upon thousands of +the Zulus, whom I, the Dwande, hate, dead, dead! _Mameena's work_, +Macumazahn! Panda's hand grown strengthless with sorrow and his eyes +blind with tears. _Mameena's work_, Macumazahn! Cetewayo, king in all +but name; Cetewayo, who shall bring the House of Senzangakona to the +dust. _Mameena's work_, Macumazahn! Oh! a mighty work. Surely she has +lived a great and worthy life, and she died a great and worthy death! +And how well she did it! Had you eyes to see her take the poison which +I gave her--a good poison, was it not?--between her kisses, Macumazahn?" + +"I believe it was your work, and not hers," I blurted out, ignoring his +mocking questions. "You pulled the strings; you were the wind that +caused the grass to bend till the fire caught it and set the town in +flames--the town of your foes." + +"How clever you are, Macumazahn! If your wits grow so sharp, one day +they will cut your throat, as, indeed, they have nearly done several +times already. Yes, yes, I know how to pull strings till the trap +falls, and to blow grass until the flame catches it, and how to puff at +that flame until it burns the House of Kings. And yet this trap would +have fallen without me, only then it might have snared other rats; and +this grass would have caught fire if I had not blown, only then it might +have burnt another House. I did not make these forces, Macumazahn; I +did but guide them towards a great end, for which the White House [that +is, the English] should thank me one day." He brooded a while, then +went on: "But what need is there to talk to you of these matters, +Macumazahn, seeing that in a time to come you will have your share in +them and see them for yourself? After they are finished, then we will +talk." + +"I do not wish to talk of them," I answered. "I have said so already. +But for what other purpose did you take the trouble to come here?" + +"Oh, to bid you farewell for a little while, Macumazahn. Also to tell +you that Panda, or rather Cetewayo, for now Panda is but his Voice, +since the Head must go where the Feet carry it, has spared Saduko at the +prayer of Nandie and banished him from the land, giving him his cattle +and any people who care to go with him to wherever he may choose to live +from henceforth. At least, Cetewayo says it was at Nandie's prayer, and +at mine and yours, but what he means is that, after all that has +happened, he thought it wise that Saduko should die of himself." + +"Do you mean that he should kill himself, Zikali?" + +"No, no; I mean that his own idhlozi, his Spirit, should be left to kill +him, which it will do in time. You see, Macumazahn, Saduko is now +living with a ghost, which he calls the ghost of Umbelazi, whom he +betrayed." + +"Is that your way of saying he is mad, Zikali?" + +"Oh, yes, he lives with a ghost, or the ghost lives in him, or he is +mad--call it which you will. The mad have a way of living with ghosts, +and ghosts have a way of sharing their food with the mad. Now you +understand everything, do you not?" + +"Of course," I answered; "it is as plain as the sun." + +"Oh! did I not say you were clever, Macumazahn, you who know where +madness ends and ghosts begin, and why they are just the same thing? +Well, the sun is no longer plain. Look, it has sunk; and you would be +on your road who wish to be far from Nodwengu before morning. You will +pass the plain of Endondakusuka, will you not, and cross the Tugela by +the drift? Have a look round, Macumazahn, and see if you can recognise +any old friends. Umbezi, the knave and traitor, for instance; or some +of the princes. If so, I should like to send them a message. What! +You cannot wait? Well, then, here is a little present for you, some of +my own work. Open it when it is light again, Macumazahn; it may serve +to remind you of the strange little tale of Mameena with the Heart of +Fire. I wonder where she is now? Sometimes, sometimes--" And he +rolled his great eyes about him and sniffed at the air like a hound. +"Farewell till we meet again. Farewell, Macumazahn. Oh! if you had +only run away with Mameena, how different things might have been +to-day!" + +I jumped up and fled from that terrible old dwarf, whom I verily +believe-- No; where is the good of my saying what I believe? I fled +from him, leaving him seated on the stone in the shadows, and as I fled, +out of the darkness behind me there arose the sound of his loud and +eerie laughter. + +Next morning I opened the packet which he had given me, after wondering +once or twice whether I should not thrust it down an ant-bear hole as it +was. But this, somehow, I could not find the heart to do, though now I +wish I had. Inside, cut from the black core of the umzimbiti wood, with +just a little of the white sap left on it to mark the eyes, teeth and +nails, was a likeness of Mameena. Of course, it was rudely executed, +but it was--or rather is, for I have it still--a wonderfully good +portrait of her, for whether Zikali was or was not a wizard, he was +certainly a good artist. There she stands, her body a little bent, her +arms outstretched, her head held forward with the lips parted, just as +though she were about to embrace somebody, and in one of her hands, cut +also from the white sap of the umzimbiti, she grasps a human +heart--Saduko's, I presume, or perhaps Umbelazi's. + +Nor was this all, for the figure was wrapped in a woman's hair, which I +knew at once for that of Mameena, this hair being held in place by the +necklet of big blue beads she used to wear about her throat. + +* * * * * + +Some five years had gone by, during which many things had happened to me +that need not be recorded here, when one day I found myself in a rather +remote part of the Umvoti district of Natal, some miles to the east of a +mountain called the Eland's Kopje, whither I had gone to carry out a big +deal in mealies, over which, by the way, I lost a good bit of money. +That has always been my fate when I plunged into commercial ventures. + +One night my wagons, which were overloaded with these confounded +weevilly mealies, got stuck in the drift of a small tributary of the +Tugela that most inopportunely had come down in flood. Just as darkness +fell I managed to get them up the bank in the midst of a pelting rain +that soaked me to the bone. There seemed to be no prospect of lighting +a fire or of obtaining any decent food, so I was about to go to bed +supperless when a flash of lightning showed me a large kraal situated +upon a hillside about half a mile away, and an idea entered my mind. + +"Who is the headman of that kraal?" I asked of one of the Kafirs who had +collected round us in our trouble, as such idle fellows always do. + +"Tshoza, Inkoosi," answered the man. + +"Tshoza! Tshoza!" I said, for the name seemed familiar to me. "Who is +Tshoza?" + +"Ikona [I don't know], Inkoosi. He came from Zululand some years ago +with Saduko the Mad." + +Then, of course, I remembered at once, and my mind flew back to the +night when old Tshoza, the brother of Matiwane, Saduko's father, had cut +out the cattle of the Bangu and we had fought the battle in the pass. + +"Oh!" I said, "is it so? Then lead me to Tshoza, and I will give you a +'Scotchman.'" (That is, a two-shilling piece, so called because some +enterprising emigrant from Scotland passed off a vast number of them +among the simple natives of Natal as substitutes for half-crowns.) + +Tempted by this liberal offer--and it was very liberal, because I was +anxious to get to Tshoza's kraal before its inhabitants went to bed--the +meditative Kafir consented to guide me by a dark and devious path that +ran through bush and dripping fields of corn. At length we arrived--for +if the kraal was only half a mile away, the path to it covered fully two +miles--and glad enough was I when we had waded the last stream and found +ourselves at its gate. + +In response to the usual inquiries, conducted amid a chorus of yapping +dogs, I was informed that Tshoza did not live there, but somewhere else; +that he was too old to see anyone; that he had gone to sleep and could +not be disturbed; that he was dead and had been buried last week, and so +forth. + +"Look here, my friend," I said at last to the fellow who was telling me +all these lies, "you go to Tshoza in his grave and say to him that if he +does not come out alive instantly, Macumazahn will deal with his cattle +as once he dealt with those of Bangu." + +Impressed with the strangeness of this message, the man departed, and +presently, in the dim light of the rain-washed moon, I perceived a +little old man running towards me; for Tshoza, who was pretty ancient at +the beginning of this history, had not been made younger by a severe +wound at the battle of the Tugela and many other troubles. + +"Macumazahn," he said, "is that really you? Why, I heard that you were +dead long ago; yes, and sacrificed an ox for the welfare of your +Spirit." + +"And ate it afterwards, I'll be bound," I answered. + +"Oh! it must be you," he went on, "who cannot be deceived, for it is +true we ate that ox, combining the sacrifice to your Spirit with a +feast; for why should anything be wasted when one is poor? Yes, yes, it +must be you, for who else would come creeping about a man's kraal at +night, except the Watcher-by-Night? Enter, Macumazahn, and be welcome." + +So I entered and ate a good meal while we talked over old times. + +"And now, where is Saduko?" I asked suddenly as I lit my pipe. + +"Saduko?" he answered, his face changing as he spoke. "Oh! of course he +is here. You know I came away with him from Zululand. Why? Well, to +tell the truth, because after the part we had played--against my will, +Macumazahn--at the battle of Endondakusuka, I thought it safer to be +away from a country where those who have worn their karosses inside out +find many enemies and few friends." + +"Quite so," I said. "But about Saduko?" + +"Oh, I told you, did I not? He is in the next hut, and dying!" + +"Dying! What of, Tshoza?" + +"I don't know," he answered mysteriously; "but I think he must be +bewitched. For a long while, a year or more, he has eaten little and +cannot bear to be alone in the dark; indeed, ever since he left Zululand +he has been very strange and moody." + +Now I remembered what old Zikali had said to me years before to the +effect that Saduko was living with a ghost which would kill him. + +"Does he think much about Umbelazi, Tshoza?" I asked. + +"O Macumazana, he thinks of nothing else; the Spirit of Umbelazi is in +him day and night." + +"Indeed," I said. "Can I see him?" + +"I don't know, Macumazahn. I will go and ask the lady Nandie at once, +for, if you can, I believe there is no time to lose." And he left the +hut. + +Ten minutes later he returned with a woman, Nandie the Sweet herself, +the same quiet, dignified Nandie whom I used to know, only now somewhat +worn with trouble and looking older than her years. + +"Greeting, Macumazahn," she said. "I am pleased to see you, although it +is strange, very strange, that you should come here just at this time. +Saduko is leaving us--on a long journey, Macumazahn." + +I answered that I had heard so with grief, and wondered whether he would +like to see me. + +"Yes, very much, Macumazahn; only be prepared to find him different from +the Saduko whom you knew. Be pleased to follow me." + +So we went out of Tshoza's hut, across a courtyard to another large hut, +which we entered. It was lit with a good lamp of European make; also a +bright fire burned upon the hearth, so that the place was as light as +day. At the side of the hut a man lay upon some blankets, watched by a +woman. His eyes were covered with his hand, and he was moaning: + +"Drive him away! Drive him away! Cannot he suffer me to die in peace?" + +"Would you drive away your old friend, Macumazahn, Saduko?" asked Nandie +very gently, "Macumazahn, who has come from far to see you?" + +He sat up, and, the blankets falling off him, showed me that he was +nothing but a living skeleton. Oh! how changed from that lithe and +handsome chief whom I used to know. Moreover, his lips quivered and his +eyes were full of terrors. + +"Is it really you, Macumazahn?" he said in a weak voice. "Come, then, +and stand quite close to me, so that he may not get between us," and he +stretched out his bony hand. + +I took the hand; it was icy cold. + +"Yes, yes, it is I, Saduko," I said in a cheerful voice; "and there is +no man to get between us; only the lady Nandie, your wife, and myself +are in the hut; she who watched you has gone." + +"Oh, no, Macumazahn, there is another in the hut whom you cannot see. +There he stands," and he pointed towards the hearth. "Look! The spear +is through him and his plume lies on the ground!" + +"Through whom, Saduko?" + +"Whom? Why, the Prince Umbelazi, whom I betrayed for Mameena's sake." + +"Why do you talk wind, Saduko?" I asked. "Years ago I saw +Indhlovu-ene-Sihlonti die." + +"Die, Macumazahn! We do not die; it is only our flesh that dies. Yes, +yes, I have learned that since we parted. Do you not remember his last +words: 'I will haunt you while you live, and when you cease to live, ah! +then we shall meet again'? Oh! from that hour to this he _has_ haunted +me, Macumazahn--he and the others; and now, now we are about to meet as +he promised." + +Then once more he hid his eyes and groaned. + +"He is mad," I whispered to Nandie. + +"Perhaps. Who knows?" she answered, shaking her head. + +Saduko uncovered his eyes. + +"Make 'the-thing-that-burns' brighter," he gasped, "for I do not +perceive him so clearly when it is bright. Oh! Macumazahn, he is +looking at you and whispering. To whom is he whispering? I see! to +Mameena, who also looks at you and smiles. They are talking. Be +silent. I must listen." + +Now, I began to wish that I were out of that hut, for really a little of +this uncanny business went a long way. Indeed, I suggested going, but +Nandie would not allow it. + +"Stay with me till the end," she muttered. So I had to stay, wondering +what Saduko heard Umbelazi whispering to Mameena, and on which side of +me he saw her standing. + +He began to wander in his mind. + +"That was a clever pit you dug for Bangu, Macumazahn; but you would not +take your share of the cattle, so the blood of the Amakoba is not on +your head. Ah! what a fight was that which the Amawombe made at +Endondakusuka. You were with them, you remember, Macumazahn; and why +was I not at your side? Oh! then we would have swept away the Usutu as +the wind sweeps ashes. Why was I not at your side to share the glory? +I remember now--because of the Daughter of Storm. She betrayed me for +Umbelazi, and I betrayed Umbelazi for her; and now he haunts me, whose +greatness I brought to the dust; and the Usutu wolf, Cetewayo, curls +himself up in his form and grows fat on his food. And--and, Macumazahn, +it has all been done in vain, for Mameena hates me. Yes, I can read it +in her eyes. She mocks and hates me worse in death than she did in +life, and she says that--that it was not all her fault--because she +loves--because she loves--" + +A look of bewilderment came upon his face--his poor, tormented face; +then suddenly Saduko threw his arms wide, and sobbed in an +ever-weakening voice: + +"All--all done in vain! Oh! _Mameena, Ma--mee--na, Ma--meena!_" and +fell back dead. + + +"Saduko has gone away," said Nandie, as she drew a blanket over his +face. "But I wonder," she added with a little hysterical smile, "oh! +how I wonder who it was the Spirit of Mameena told him that she +loved--Mameena, who was born without a heart?" + + +I made no answer, for at that moment I heard a very curious sound, which +seemed to me to proceed from somewhere above the hut. Of what did it +remind me? Ah! I knew. It was like the sound of the dreadful laughter +of Zikali, Opener-of-Roads--Zikali, the +"Thing-that-should-never-have-been-born." + +Doubtless, however, it was only the cry of some storm-driven night bird. +Or perhaps it was an hyena that laughed--an hyena that scented death. + + + + + +End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of Child of Storm, by H. Rider Haggard + diff --git a/old/cstrm10.zip b/old/cstrm10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bbad721 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/cstrm10.zip |