diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'old/2842-h.htm.2016-09-22')
| -rw-r--r-- | old/2842-h.htm.2016-09-22 | 3242 |
1 files changed, 3242 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/old/2842-h.htm.2016-09-22 b/old/2842-h.htm.2016-09-22 new file mode 100644 index 0000000..fe5ec02 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/2842-h.htm.2016-09-22 @@ -0,0 +1,3242 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Black Heart and White Heart, by H. Rider Haggard + </title> +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%; text-align: justify; font-size: 80%; font-style: italic;} + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + .xx-small {font-size: 60%;} + .x-small {font-size: 75%;} + .small {font-size: 85%;} + .large {font-size: 115%;} + .x-large {font-size: 130%;} + .indent5 { margin-left: 5%;} + .indent10 { margin-left: 10%;} + .indent15 { margin-left: 15%;} + .indent20 { margin-left: 20%;} + .indent30 { margin-left: 30%;} + .indent40 { margin-left: 40%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {position: absolute; right: 1%; font-size: 0.6em; + font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; + text-align: right; background-color: #FFFACD; + border: 1px solid; padding: 0.3em;text-indent: 0em;} + .side { float: left; font-size: 75%; width: 15%; padding-left: 0.8em; + border-left: dashed thin; text-align: left; + text-indent: 0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; + font-weight: bold; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: solid 1px;} + .head { float: left; font-size: 90%; width: 98%; padding-left: 0.8em; + border-left: dashed thin; text-align: center; + text-indent: 0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; + font-weight: bold; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: solid 1px;} + p.pfirst, p.noindent {text-indent: 0} + span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 0.8 } + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + --> +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +Project Gutenberg's Black Heart and White Heart, 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: Black Heart and White Heart + +Author: H. Rider Haggard + +Release Date: March 28, 2006 [EBook #2842] +Last Updated: September 22, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACK HEART AND WHITE HEART *** + + + + +Produced by John Bickers; Dagny; David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + BLACK HEART AND WHITE HEART + </h1> + <h2> + by H. Rider Haggard + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <table summary=""> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#2H_4_0001"> DEDICATION </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#2H_4_0002"> AUTHOR’S NOTE </a> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#2H_4_0003"> <big><b>BLACK HEART AND WHITE HEART</b></big> + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI </a> + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + DEDICATION + </h2> + <h3> + To the Memory of the Child<br /> Nada Burnham, + </h3> + <p> + who “bound all to her” and, while her father cut his way through the + hordes of the Ingobo Regiment, perished of the hardships of war at + Buluwayo on 19th May, 1896, I dedicate these tales—and more + particularly the last, that of a Faith which triumphed over savagery and + death. + </p> + <p> + H. Rider Haggard. + </p> + <p> + Ditchingham. + </p> + <p> + <a name="2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + AUTHOR’S NOTE + </h2> + <p> + Of the three stories that comprise this volume[*], one, “The Wizard,” a + tale of victorious faith, first appeared some years ago as a Christmas + Annual. Another, “Elissa,” is an attempt, difficult enough owing to the + scantiness of the material left to us by time, to recreate the life of the + ancient Phoenician Zimbabwe, whose ruins still stand in Rhodesia, and, + with the addition of the necessary love story, to suggest circumstances + such as might have brought about or accompanied its fall at the hands of + the surrounding savage tribes. The third, “Black Heart and White Heart,” + is a story of the courtship, trials and final union of a pair of Zulu + lovers in the time of King Cetywayo. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [*] This text was prepared from a volume published in 1900 + titled “Black Heart and White Heart, and Other Stories.”— + JB. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BLACK HEART AND WHITE HEART + </h2> + <h3> + A ZULU IDYLL + </h3> + <p> + <a name="2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I + </h2> + <h3> + PHILIP HADDEN AND KING CETYWAYO + </h3> + <p> + At the date of our introduction to him, Philip Hadden was a + transport-rider and trader in “the Zulu.” Still on the right side of + forty, in appearance he was singularly handsome; tall, dark, upright, with + keen eyes, short-pointed beard, curling hair and clear-cut features. His + life had been varied, and there were passages in it which he did not + narrate even to his most intimate friends. He was of gentle birth, + however, and it was said that he had received a public school and + university education in England. At any rate he could quote the classics + with aptitude on occasion, an accomplishment which, coupled with his + refined voice and a bearing not altogether common in the wild places of + the world, had earned for him among his rough companions the <i>soubriquet</i> + of “The Prince.” + </p> + <p> + However these things may have been, it is certain that he had emigrated to + Natal under a cloud, and equally certain that his relatives at home were + content to take no further interest in his fortunes. During the fifteen or + sixteen years which he had spent in or about the colony, Hadden followed + many trades, and did no good at any of them. A clever man, of agreeable + and prepossessing manner, he always found it easy to form friendships and + to secure a fresh start in life. But, by degrees, the friends were seized + with a vague distrust of him; and, after a period of more or less + application, he himself would close the opening that he had made by a + sudden disappearance from the locality, leaving behind him a doubtful + reputation and some bad debts. + </p> + <p> + Before the beginning of this story of the most remarkable episodes in his + life, Philip Hadden was engaged for several years in transport-riding—that + is, in carrying goods on ox waggons from Durban or Maritzburg to various + points in the interior. A difficulty such as had more than once confronted + him in the course of his career, led to his temporary abandonment of this + means of earning a livelihood. On arriving at the little frontier town of + Utrecht in the Transvaal, in charge of two waggon loads of mixed goods + consigned to a storekeeper there, it was discovered that out of six cases + of brandy five were missing from his waggon. Hadden explained the matter + by throwing the blame upon his Kaffir “boys,” but the storekeeper, a + rough-tongued man, openly called him a thief and refused to pay the + freight on any of the load. From words the two men came to blows, knives + were drawn, and before anybody could interfere the storekeeper received a + nasty wound in his side. That night, without waiting till the matter could + be inquired into by the landdrost or magistrate, Hadden slipped away, and + trekked back into Natal as quickly as his oxen would travel. Feeling that + even here he was not safe, he left one of his waggons at Newcastle, loaded + up the other with Kaffir goods—such as blankets, calico, and + hardware—and crossed into Zululand, where in those days no sheriff’s + officer would be likely to follow him. + </p> + <p> + Being well acquainted with the language and customs of the natives, he did + good trade with them, and soon found himself possessed of some cash and a + small herd of cattle, which he received in exchange for his wares. + Meanwhile news reached him that the man whom he had injured still vowed + vengeance against him, and was in communication with the authorities in + Natal. These reasons making his return to civilisation undesirable for the + moment, and further business being impossible until he could receive a + fresh supply of trade stuff, Hadden like a wise man turned his thoughts to + pleasure. Sending his cattle and waggon over the border to be left in + charge of a native headman with whom he was friendly, he went on foot to + Ulundi to obtain permission from the king, Cetywayo, to hunt game in his + country. Somewhat to his surprise, the Indunas or headmen, received him + courteously—for Hadden’s visit took place within a few months of the + outbreak of the Zulu war in 1878, when Cetywayo was already showing + unfriendliness to the English traders and others, though why the king did + so they knew not. + </p> + <p> + On the occasion of his first and last interview with Cetywayo, Hadden got + a hint of the reason. It happened thus. On the second morning after his + arrival at the royal kraal, a messenger came to inform him that “the + Elephant whose tread shook the earth” had signified that it was his + pleasure to see him. Accordingly he was led through the thousands of huts + and across the Great Place to the little enclosure where Cetywayo, a + royal-looking Zulu seated on a stool, and wearing a kaross of leopard + skins, was holding an <i>indaba</i>, or conference, surrounded by his + counsellors. The Induna who had conducted him to the august presence went + down upon his hands and knees, and, uttering the royal salute of <i>Bayéte</i>, + crawled forward to announce that the white man was waiting. + </p> + <p> + “Let him wait,” said the king angrily; and, turning, he continued the + discussion with his counsellors. + </p> + <p> + Now, as has been said, Hadden thoroughly understood Zulu; and, when from + time to time the king raised his voice, some of the words he spoke reached + his ear. + </p> + <p> + “What!” Cetywayo said, to a wizened and aged man who seemed to be pleading + with him earnestly; “am I a dog that these white hyenas should hunt me + thus? Is not the land mine, and was it not my father’s before me? Are not + the people mine to save or to slay? I tell you that I will stamp out these + little white men; my <i>impis</i> shall eat them up. I have said!” + </p> + <p> + Again the withered aged man interposed, evidently in the character of a + peacemaker. Hadden could not hear his talk, but he rose and pointed + towards the sea, while from his expressive gestures and sorrowful mien, he + seemed to be prophesying disaster should a certain course of action be + followed. + </p> + <p> + For a while the king listened to him, then he sprang from his seat, his + eyes literally ablaze with rage. + </p> + <p> + “Hearken,” he cried to the counsellor; “I have guessed it for long, and + now I am sure of it. You are a traitor. You are Sompseu’s[*] dog, and the + dog of the Natal Government, and I will not keep another man’s dog to bite + me in my own house. Take him away!” + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [*] Sir Theophilus Shepstone’s. +</pre> + <p> + A slight involuntary murmur rose from the ring of <i>indunas</i>, but the + old man never flinched, not even when the soldiers, who presently would + murder him, came and seized him roughly. For a few seconds, perhaps five, + he covered his face with the corner of the kaross he wore, then he looked + up and spoke to the king in a clear voice. + </p> + <p> + “O King,” he said, “I am a very old man; as a youth I served under Chaka + the Lion, and I heard his dying prophecy of the coming of the white man. + Then the white men came, and I fought for Dingaan at the battle of the + Blood River. They slew Dingaan, and for many years I was the counsellor of + Panda, your father. I stood by you, O King, at the battle of the Tugela, + when its grey waters were turned to red with the blood of Umbulazi your + brother, and of the tens of thousands of his people. Afterwards I became + your counsellor, O King, and I was with you when Sompseu set the crown + upon your head and you made promises to Sompseu—promises that you + have not kept. Now you are weary of me, and it is well; for I am very old, + and doubtless my talk is foolish, as it chances to the old. Yet I think + that the prophecy of Chaka, your great-uncle, will come true, and that the + white men will prevail against you and that through them you shall find + your death. I would that I might have stood in one more battle and fought + for you, O King, since fight you will, but the end which you choose is for + me the best end. Sleep in peace, O King, and farewell. <i>Bayéte!</i>”[*] + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [*] The royal salute of the Zulus. +</pre> + <p> + For a space there was silence, a silence of expectation while men waited + to hear the tyrant reverse his judgment. But it did not please him to be + merciful, or the needs of policy outweighed his pity. + </p> + <p> + “Take him away,” he repeated. Then, with a slow smile on his face and one + word, “Good-night,” upon his lips, supported by the arm of a soldier, the + old warrior and statesman shuffled forth to the place of death. + </p> + <p> + Hadden watched and listened in amazement not unmixed with fear. “If he + treats his own servants like this, what will happen to me?” he reflected. + “We English must have fallen out of favour since I left Natal. I wonder + whether he means to make war on us or what? If so, this isn’t my place.” + </p> + <p> + Just then the king, who had been gazing moodily at the ground, chanced to + look up. “Bring the stranger here,” he said. + </p> + <p> + Hadden heard him, and coming forward offered Cetywayo his hand in as cool + and nonchalant a manner as he could command. + </p> + <p> + Somewhat to his surprise it was accepted. “At least, White Man,” said the + king, glancing at his visitor’s tall spare form and cleanly cut face, “you + are no ‘<i>umfagozan</i>’ (low fellow); you are of the blood of chiefs.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, King,” answered Hadden, with a little sigh, “I am of the blood of + chiefs.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you want in my country, White Man?” + </p> + <p> + “Very little, King. I have been trading here, as I daresay you have heard, + and have sold all my goods. Now I ask your leave to hunt buffalo, and + other big game, for a while before I return to Natal.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot grant it,” answered Cetywayo, “you are a spy sent by Sompseu, or + by the Queen’s Induna in Natal. Get you gone.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed,” said Hadden, with a shrug of his shoulders; “then I hope that + Sompseu, or the Queen’s Induna, or both of them, will pay me when I return + to my own country. Meanwhile I will obey you because I must, but I should + first like to make you a present.” + </p> + <p> + “What present?” asked the king. “I want no presents. We are rich here, + White Man.” + </p> + <p> + “So be it, King. It was nothing worthy of your taking, only a rifle.” + </p> + <p> + “A rifle, White Man? Where is it?” + </p> + <p> + “Without. I would have brought it, but your servants told me that it is + death to come armed before the ‘Elephant who shakes the Earth.’” + </p> + <p> + Cetywayo frowned, for the note of sarcasm did not escape his quick ear. + </p> + <p> + “Let this white man’s offering be brought; I will consider the thing.” + </p> + <p> + Instantly the Induna who had accompanied Hadden darted to the gateway, + running with his body bent so low that it seemed as though at every step + he must fall upon his face. Presently he returned with the weapon in his + hand and presented it to the king, holding it so that the muzzle was + pointed straight at the royal breast. + </p> + <p> + “I crave leave to say, O Elephant,” remarked Hadden in a drawling voice, + “that it might be well to command your servant to lift the mouth of that + gun from your heart.” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” asked the king. + </p> + <p> + “Only because it is loaded, and at full cock, O Elephant, who probably + desires to continue to shake the Earth.” + </p> + <p> + At these words the “Elephant” uttered a sharp exclamation, and rolled from + his stool in a most unkingly manner, whilst the terrified Induna, + springing backwards, contrived to touch the trigger of the rifle and + discharge a bullet through the exact spot that a second before had been + occupied by his monarch’s head. + </p> + <p> + “Let him be taken away,” shouted the incensed king from the ground, but + long before the words had passed his lips the Induna, with a cry that the + gun was bewitched, had cast it down and fled at full speed through the + gate. + </p> + <p> + “He has already taken himself away,” suggested Hadden, while the audience + tittered. “No, King, do not touch it rashly; it is a repeating rifle. Look——” + and lifting the Winchester, he fired the four remaining shots in quick + succession into the air, striking the top of a tree at which he aimed with + every one of them. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Wow</i>, it is wonderful!” said the company in astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “Has the thing finished?” asked the king. + </p> + <p> + “For the present it has,” answered Hadden. “Look at it.” + </p> + <p> + Cetywayo took the repeater in his hand, and examined it with caution, + swinging the muzzle horizontally in an exact line with the stomachs of + some of his most eminent Indunas, who shrank to this side and that as the + barrel was brought to bear on them. + </p> + <p> + “See what cowards they are, White Man,” said the king with indignation; + “they fear lest there should be another bullet in this gun.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered Hadden, “they are cowards indeed. I believe that if they + were seated on stools they would tumble off them just as it chanced to + your Majesty to do just now.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you understand the making of guns, White Man?” asked the king hastily, + while the Indunas one and all turned their heads, and contemplated the + fence behind them. + </p> + <p> + “No, King, I cannot make guns, but I can mend them.” + </p> + <p> + “If I paid you well, White Man, would you stop here at my kraal, and mend + guns for me?” asked Cetywayo anxiously. + </p> + <p> + “It might depend on the pay,” answered Hadden; “but for awhile I am tired + of work, and wish to rest. If the king gives me the permission to hunt for + which I asked, and men to go with me, then when I return perhaps we can + bargain on the matter. If not, I will bid the king farewell, and journey + to Natal.” + </p> + <p> + “In order to make report of what he has seen and learned here,” muttered + Cetywayo. + </p> + <p> + At this moment the talk was interrupted, for the soldiers who had led away + the old Induna returned at speed, and prostrated themselves before the + king. + </p> + <p> + “Is he dead?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “He has travelled the king’s bridge,” they answered grimly; “he died + singing a song of praise of the king.” + </p> + <p> + “Good,” said Cetywayo, “that stone shall hurt my feet no more. Go, tell + the tale of its casting away to Sompseu and to the Queen’s Induna in + Natal,” he added with bitter emphasis. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Baba!</i> Hear our Father speak. Listen to the rumbling of the + Elephant,” said the Indunas taking the point, while one bolder than the + rest added: “Soon we will tell them another tale, the white Talking Ones, + a red tale, a tale of spears, and the regiments shall sing it in their + ears.” + </p> + <p> + At the words an enthusiasm caught hold of the listeners, as the sudden + flame catches hold of dry grass. They sprang up, for the most of them were + seated on their haunches, and stamping their feet upon the ground in + unison, repeated:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + <i>Indaba ibomwu—indaba ye mikonto + Lizo dunyiswa nge impi ndhlebeni yaho.</i> + (A red tale! A red tale! A tale of spears, + And the <i>impis</i> shall sing it in their ears.) +</pre> + <p> + One of them, indeed, a great fierce-faced fellow, drew near to Hadden and + shaking his fist before his eyes—fortunately being in the royal + presence he had no assegai—shouted the sentences at him. + </p> + <p> + The king saw that the fire he had lit was burning too fiercely. + </p> + <p> + “Silence,” he thundered in the deep voice for which he was remarkable, and + instantly each man became as if he were turned to stone, only the echoes + still answered back: “And the <i>impis</i> shall sing it in their ears—in + their ears.” + </p> + <p> + “I am growing certain that this is no place for me,” thought Hadden; “if + that scoundrel had been armed he might have temporarily forgotten himself. + Hullo! who’s this?” + </p> + <p> + Just then there appeared through the gate of the fence a splendid specimen + of the Zulu race. The man, who was about thirty-five years of age, was + arrayed in a full war dress of a captain of the Umcityu regiment. From the + circlet of otter skin on his brow rose his crest of plumes, round his + middle, arms and knees hung the long fringes of black oxtails, and in one + hand he bore a little dancing shield, also black in colour. The other was + empty, since he might not appear before the king bearing arms. In + countenance the man was handsome, and though just now they betrayed some + anxiety, his eyes were genial and honest, and his mouth sensitive. In + height he must have measured six foot two inches, yet he did not strike + the observer as being tall, perhaps because of his width of chest and the + solidity of his limbs, that were in curious contrast to the delicate and + almost womanish hands and feet which so often mark the Zulu of noble + blood. In short the man was what he seemed to be, a savage gentleman of + birth, dignity and courage. + </p> + <p> + In company with him was another man plainly dressed in a moocha and a + blanket, whose grizzled hair showed him to be over fifty years of age. His + face also was pleasant and even refined, but the eyes were timorous, and + the mouth lacked character. + </p> + <p> + “Who are these?” asked the king. + </p> + <p> + The two men fell on their knees before him, and bowed till their foreheads + touched the ground—the while giving him his <i>sibonga</i> or titles + of praise. + </p> + <p> + “Speak,” he said impatiently. + </p> + <p> + “O King,” said the young warrior, seating himself Zulu fashion, “I am + Nahoon, the son of Zomba, a captain of the Umcityu, and this is my uncle + Umgona, the brother of one of my mothers, my father’s youngest wife.” + </p> + <p> + Cetywayo frowned. “What do you here away from your regiment, Nahoon?” + </p> + <p> + “May it please the king, I have leave of absence from the head captains, + and I come to ask a boon of the king’s bounty.” + </p> + <p> + “Be swift, then, Nahoon.” + </p> + <p> + “It is this, O King,” said the captain with some embarrassment: “A while + ago the king was pleased to make a <i>keshla</i> of me because of certain + service that I did out yonder——” and he touched the black ring + which he wore in the hair of his head. “Being now a ringed man and a + captain, I crave the right of a man at the hands of the king—the + right to marry.” + </p> + <p> + “Right? Speak more humbly, son of Zomba; my soldiers and my cattle have no + rights.” + </p> + <p> + Nahoon bit his lip, for he had made a serious mistake. + </p> + <p> + “Pardon, O King. The matter stands thus: My uncle Umgona here has a fair + daughter named Nanea, whom I desire to wife, and who desires me to + husband. Awaiting the king’s leave I am betrothed to her and in earnest of + it I have paid to Umgona a <i>lobola</i> of fifteen head of cattle, cows + and calves together. But Umgona has a powerful neighbour, an old chief + named Maputa, the warden of the Crocodile Drift, who doubtless is known to + the king, and this chief also seeks Nanea in marriage and harries Umgona, + threatening him with many evils if he will not give the girl to him. But + Umgona’s heart is white towards me, and towards Maputa it is black, + therefore together we come to crave this boon of the king.” + </p> + <p> + “It is so; he speaks the truth,” said Umgona. + </p> + <p> + “Cease,” answered Cetywayo angrily. “Is this a time that my soldiers + should seek wives in marriage, wives to turn their hearts to water? Know + that but yesterday for this crime I commanded that twenty girls who had + dared without my leave to marry men of the Undi regiment, should be + strangled and their bodies laid upon the cross-roads and with them the + bodies of their fathers, that all might know their sin and be warned + thereby. Ay, Umgona, it is well for you and for your daughter that you + sought my word before she was given in marriage to this man. Now this is + my award: I refuse your prayer, Nahoon, and since you, Umgona, are + troubled with one whom you would not take as son-in-law, the old chief + Maputa, I will free you from his importunity. The girl, says Nahoon, is + fair—good, I myself will be gracious to her, and she shall be + numbered among the wives of the royal house. Within thirty days from now, + in the week of the next new moon, let her be delivered to the <i>Sigodhla</i>, + the royal house of the women, and with her those cattle, the cows and the + calves together, that Nahoon has given you, of which I fine him because he + has dared to think of marriage without the leave of the king.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II + </h2> + <h3> + THE BEE PROPHESIES + </h3> + <p> + “‘A Daniel come to judgment’ indeed,” reflected Hadden, who had been + watching this savage comedy with interest; “our love-sick friend has got + more than he bargained for. Well, that comes of appealing to Cæsar,” and + he turned to look at the two suppliants. + </p> + <p> + The old man, Umgona, merely started, then began to pour out sentences of + conventional thanks and praise to the king for his goodness and + condescension. Cetywayo listened to his talk in silence, and when he had + done answered by reminding him tersely that if Nanea did not appear at the + date named, both she and he, her father, would in due course certainly + decorate a cross-road in their own immediate neighbourhood. + </p> + <p> + The captain, Nahoon, afforded a more curious study. As the fatal words + crossed the king’s lips, his face took an expression of absolute + astonishment, which was presently replaced by one of fury—the just + fury of a man who suddenly has suffered an unutterable wrong. His whole + frame quivered, the veins stood out in knots on his neck and forehead, and + his fingers closed convulsively as though they were grasping the handle of + a spear. Presently the rage passed away—for as well might a man be + wroth with fate as with a Zulu despot—to be succeeded by a look of + the most hopeless misery. The proud dark eyes grew dull, the + copper-coloured face sank in and turned ashen, the mouth drooped, and down + one corner of it there trickled a little line of blood springing from the + lip bitten through in the effort to keep silence. Lifting his hand in + salute to the king, the great man rose and staggered rather than walked + towards the gate. + </p> + <p> + As he reached it, the voice of Cetywayo commanded him to stop. “Stay,” he + said, “I have a service for you, Nahoon, that shall drive out of your head + these thoughts of wives and marriage. You see this white man here; he is + my guest, and would hunt buffalo and big game in the bush country. I put + him in your charge; take men with you, and see that he comes to no hurt. + So also that you bring him before me within a month, or your life shall + answer for it. Let him be here at my royal kraal in the first week of the + new moon—when Nanea comes—and then I will tell you whether or + no I agree with you that she is fair. Go now, my child, and you, White + Man, go also; those who are to accompany you shall be with you at the + dawn. Farewell, but remember we meet again at the new moon, when we will + settle what pay you shall receive as keeper of my guns. Do not fail me, + White Man, or I shall send after you, and my messengers are sometimes + rough.” + </p> + <p> + “This means that I am a prisoner,” thought Hadden, “but it will go hard if + I cannot manage to give them the slip somehow. I don’t intend to stay in + this country if war is declared, to be pounded into <i>mouti</i> + (medicine), or have my eyes put out, or any little joke of that sort.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Ten days had passed, and one evening Hadden and his escort were encamped + in a wild stretch of mountainous country lying between the Blood and + Unvunyana Rivers, not more than eight miles from that “Place of the Little + Hand” which within a few weeks was to become famous throughout the world + by its native name of Isandhlwana. For three days they had been tracking + the spoor of a small herd of buffalo that still inhabited the district, + but as yet they had not come up with them. The Zulu hunters had suggested + that they should follow the Unvunyana down towards the sea where game was + more plentiful, but this neither Hadden, nor the captain, Nahoon, had been + anxious to do, for reasons which each of them kept secret to himself. + Hadden’s object was to work gradually down to the Buffalo River across + which he hoped to effect a retreat into Natal. That of Nahoon was to + linger in the neighbourhood of the kraal of Umgona, which was situated not + very far from their present camping place, in the vague hope that he might + find an opportunity of speaking with or at least of seeing Nanea, the girl + to whom he was affianced, who within a few weeks must be taken from him, + and given over to the king. + </p> + <p> + A more eerie-looking spot than that where they were encamped Hadden had + never seen. Behind them lay a tract of land—half-swamp and half-bush—in + which the buffalo were supposed to be hiding. Beyond, in lonely grandeur, + rose the mountain of Isandhlwana, while in front was an amphitheatre of + the most gloomy forest, ringed round in the distance by sheer-sided hills. + Into this forest there ran a river which drained the swamp, placidly + enough upon the level. But it was not always level, for within three + hundred yards of them it dashed suddenly over a precipice, of no great + height but very steep, falling into a boiling rock-bound pool that the + light of the sun never seemed to reach. + </p> + <p> + “What is the name of that forest, Nahoon?” asked Hadden. + </p> + <p> + “It is named <i>Emagudu</i>, The Home of the Dead,” the Zulu replied + absently, for he was looking towards the kraal of Nanea, which was + situated at an hour’s walk away over the ridge to the right. + </p> + <p> + “The Home of the Dead! Why?” + </p> + <p> + “Because the dead live there, those whom we name the <i>Esemkofu</i>, the + Speechless Ones, and with them other Spirits, the <i>Amahlosi</i>, from + whom the breath of life has passed away, and who yet live on.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed,” said Hadden, “and have you ever seen these ghosts?” + </p> + <p> + “Am I mad that I should go to look for them, White Man? Only the dead + enter that forest, and it is on the borders of it that our people make + offerings to the dead.” + </p> + <p> + Followed by Nahoon, Hadden walked to the edge of the cliff and looked over + it. To the left lay the deep and dreadful-looking pool, while close to the + bank of it, placed upon a narrow strip of turf between the cliff and the + commencement of the forest, was a hut. + </p> + <p> + “Who lives there?” asked Hadden. + </p> + <p> + “The great <i>Isanusi</i>—she who is named <i>Inyanga</i> or + Doctoress; she who is named Inyosi (the Bee), because she gathers wisdom + from the dead who grow in the forest.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you think that she could gather enough wisdom to tell me whether I am + going to kill any buffalo, Nahoon?” + </p> + <p> + “Mayhap, White Man, but,” he added with a little smile, “those who visit + the Bee’s hive may hear nothing, or they may hear more than they wish for. + The words of that Bee have a sting.” + </p> + <p> + “Good; I will see if she can sting me.” + </p> + <p> + “So be it,” said Nahoon; and turning, he led the way along the cliff till + he reached a native path which zig-zagged down its face. + </p> + <p> + By this path they climbed till they came to the sward at the foot of the + descent, and walked up it to the hut which was surrounded by a low fence + of reeds, enclosing a small court-yard paved with ant-heap earth beaten + hard and polished. In this court-yard sat the Bee, her stool being placed + almost at the mouth of the round opening that served as a doorway to the + hut. At first all that Hadden could see of her, crouched as she was in the + shadow, was a huddled shape wrapped round with a greasy and tattered + catskin kaross, above the edge of which appeared two eyes, fierce and + quick as those of a leopard. At her feet smouldered a little fire, and + ranged around it in a semi-circle were a number of human skulls, placed in + pairs as though they were talking together, whilst other bones, to all + appearance also human, were festooned about the hut and the fence of the + courtyard. + </p> + <p> + “I see that the old lady is set up with the usual properties,” thought + Hadden, but he said nothing. + </p> + <p> + Nor did the witch-doctoress say anything; she only fixed her beady eyes + upon his face. Hadden returned the compliment, staring at her with all his + might, till suddenly he became aware that he was vanquished in this + curious duel. His brain grew confused, and to his fancy it seemed that the + woman before him had shifted shape into the likeness of colossal and + horrid spider sitting at the mouth of her trap, and that these bones were + the relics of her victims. + </p> + <p> + “Why do you not speak, White Man?” she said at last in a slow clear voice. + “Well, there is no need, since I can read your thoughts. You are thinking + that I who am called the Bee should be better named the Spider. Have no + fear; I did not kill these men. What would it profit me when the dead are + so many? I suck the souls of men, not their bodies, White Man. It is their + living hearts I love to look on, for therein I read much and thereby I + grow wise. Now what would you of the Bee, White Man, the Bee that labours + in this Garden of Death, and—what brings <i>you</i> here, son of + Zomba? Why are you not with the Umcityu now that they doctor themselves + for the great war—the last war—the war of the white and the + black—or if you have no stomach for fighting, why are you not at the + side of Nanea the tall, Nanea the fair?” + </p> + <p> + Nahoon made no answer, but Hadden said:— + </p> + <p> + “A small thing, mother. I would know if I shall prosper in my hunting.” + </p> + <p> + “In your hunting, White Man; what hunting? The hunting of game, of money, + or of women? Well, one of them, for a-hunting you must ever be; that is + your nature, to hunt and be hunted. Tell me now, how goes the wound of + that trader who tasted of your steel yonder in the town of the Maboon + (Boers)? No need to answer, White Man, but what fee, Chief, for the poor + witch-doctoress whose skill you seek,” she added in a whining voice. + “Surely you would not that an old woman should work without a fee?” + </p> + <p> + “I have none to offer you, mother, so I will be going,” said Hadden, who + began to feel himself satisfied with this display of the Bee’s powers of + observation and thought-reading. + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” she answered with an unpleasant laugh, “would you ask a question, + and not wait for the answer? I will take no fee from you at present, White + Man; you shall pay me later on when we meet again,” and once more she + laughed. “Let me look in your face, let me look in your face,” she + continued, rising and standing before him. + </p> + <p> + Then of a sudden Hadden felt something cold at the back of his neck, and + the next instant the Bee had sprung from him, holding between her thumb + and finger a curl of dark hair which she had cut from his head. The action + was so instantaneous that he had neither time to avoid nor to resent it, + but stood still staring at her stupidly. + </p> + <p> + “That is all I need,” she cried, “for like my heart my magic is white. + Stay—son of Zomba, give me also of your hair, for those who visit + the Bee must listen to her humming.” + </p> + <p> + Nahoon obeyed, cutting a little lock from his head with the sharp edge of + his assegai, though it was very evident that he did this not because he + wished to do so, but because he feared to refuse. + </p> + <p> + Then the Bee slipped back her kaross, and stood bending over the fire + before them, into which she threw herbs taken from a pouch that was bound + about her middle. She was still a finely-shaped woman, and she wore none + of the abominations which Hadden had been accustomed to see upon the + persons of witch-doctoresses. About her neck, however, was a curious + ornament, a small live snake, red and grey in hue, which her visitors + recognised as one of the most deadly to be found in that part of the + country. It is not unusual for Bantu witch-doctors thus to decorate + themselves with snakes, though whether or not their fangs have first been + extracted no one seems to know. + </p> + <p> + Presently the herbs began to smoulder, and the smoke of them rose up in a + thin, straight stream, that, striking upon the face of the Bee, clung + about her head enveloping it as though with a strange blue veil. Then of a + sudden she stretched out her hands, and let fall the two locks of hair + upon the burning herbs, where they writhed themselves to ashes like things + alive. Next she opened her mouth, and began to draw the fumes of the hair + and herbs into her lungs in great gulps; while the snake, feeling the + influence of the medicine, hissed and, uncoiling itself from about her + neck, crept upwards and took refuge among the black <i>saccaboola</i> + feathers of her head-dress. + </p> + <p> + Soon the vapours began to do their work; she swayed to and fro muttering, + then sank back against the hut, upon the straw of which her head rested. + Now the Bee’s face was turned upwards towards the light, and it was + ghastly to behold, for it had become blue in colour, and the open eyes + were sunken like the eyes of one dead, whilst above her forehead the red + snake wavered and hissed, reminding Hadden of the Uraeus crest on the brow + of statues of Egyptian kings. For ten seconds or more she remained thus, + then she spoke in a hollow and unnatural voice:— + </p> + <p> + “O Black Heart and body that is white and beautiful, I look into your + heart, and it is black as blood, and it shall be black with blood. + Beautiful white body with black heart, you shall find your game and hunt + it, and it shall lead you into the House of the Homeless, into the Home of + the Dead, and it shall be shaped as a bull, it shall be shaped as a tiger, + it shall be shaped as a woman whom kings and waters cannot harm. Beautiful + white body and black heart, you shall be paid your wages, money for money, + and blow for blow. Think of my word when the spotted cat purrs above your + breast; think of it when the battle roars about you; think of it when you + grasp your great reward, and for the last time stand face to face with the + ghost of the dead in the Home of the Dead. + </p> + <p> + “O White Heart and black body, I look into your heart and it is white as + milk, and the milk of innocence shall save it. Fool, why do you strike + that blow? Let him be who is loved of the tiger, and whose love is as the + love of a tiger. Ah! what face is that in the battle? Follow it, follow + it, O swift of foot; but follow warily, for the tongue that has lied will + never plead for mercy, and the hand that can betray is strong in war. + White Heart, what is death? In death life lives, and among the dead you + shall find the life you lost, for there awaits you she whom kings and + waters cannot harm.” + </p> + <p> + As the Bee spoke, by degrees her voice sank lower and lower till it was + almost inaudible. Then it ceased altogether and she seemed to pass from + trance to sleep. Hadden, who had been listening to her with an amused and + cynical smile, now laughed aloud. + </p> + <p> + “Why do you laugh, White Man?” asked Nahoon angrily. + </p> + <p> + “I laugh at my own folly in wasting time listening to the nonsense of that + lying fraud.” + </p> + <p> + “It is no nonsense, White Man.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed? Then will you tell me what it means?” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot tell you what it means yet, but her words have to do with a + woman and a leopard, and with your fate and my fate.” + </p> + <p> + Hadden shrugged his shoulders, not thinking the matter worth further + argument, and at that moment the Bee woke up shivering, drew the red snake + from her head-dress and coiling it about her throat wrapped herself again + in the greasy kaross. + </p> + <p> + “Are you satisfied with my wisdom, <i>Inkoos</i>?” she asked of Hadden. + </p> + <p> + “I am satisfied that you are one of the cleverest cheats in Zululand, + mother,” he answered coolly. “Now, what is there to pay?” + </p> + <p> + The Bee took no offence at this rude speech, though for a second or two + the look in her eyes grew strangely like that which they had seen in those + of the snake when the fumes of the fire made it angry. + </p> + <p> + “If the white lord says I am a cheat, it must be so,” she answered, “for + he of all men should be able to discern a cheat. I have said that I ask no + fee;—yes, give me a little tobacco from your pouch.” + </p> + <p> + Hadden opened the bag of antelope hide and drawing some tobacco from it, + gave it to her. In taking it she clasped his hand and examined the gold + ring that was upon the third finger, a ring fashioned like a snake with + two little rubies set in the head to represent the eyes. + </p> + <p> + “I wear a snake about my neck, and you wear one upon your hand, <i>Inkoos</i>. + I should like to have this ring to wear upon my hand, so that the snake + about my neck may be less lonely there.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I am afraid you will have to wait till I am dead,” said Hadden. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes,” she answered in a pleased voice, “it is a good word. I will + wait till you are dead and then I will take the ring, and none can say + that I have stolen it, for Nahoon there will bear me witness that you gave + me permission to do so.” + </p> + <p> + For the first time Hadden started, since there was something about the + Bee’s tone that jarred upon him. Had she addressed him in her professional + manner, he would have thought nothing of it; but in her cupidity she had + become natural, and it was evident that she spoke from conviction, + believing her own words. + </p> + <p> + She saw him start, and instantly changed her note. + </p> + <p> + “Let the white lord forgive the jest of a poor old witch-doctoress,” she + said in a whining voice. “I have so much to do with Death that his name + leaps to my lips,” and she glanced first at the circle of skulls about + her, then towards the waterfall that fed the gloomy pool upon whose banks + her hut was placed. + </p> + <p> + “Look,” she said simply. + </p> + <p> + Following the line of her outstretched hand Hadden’s eyes fell upon two + withered mimosa trees which grew over the fall almost at right angles to + its rocky edge. These trees were joined together by a rude platform made + of logs of wood lashed down with <i>riems</i> of hide. Upon this platform + stood three figures; notwithstanding the distance and the spray of the + fall, he could see that they were those of two men and a girl, for their + shapes stood out distinctly against the fiery red of the sunset sky. One + instant there were three, the next there were two—for the girl had + gone, and something dark rushing down the face of the fall, struck the + surface of the pool with a heavy thud, while a faint and piteous cry broke + upon his ear. + </p> + <p> + “What is the meaning of that?” he asked, horrified and amazed. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing,” answered the Bee with a laugh. “Do you not know, then, that + this is the place where faithless women, or girls who have loved without + the leave of the king, are brought to meet their death, and with them + their accomplices. Oh! they die here thus each day, and I watch them die + and keep the count of the number of them,” and drawing a tally-stick from + the thatch of the hut, she took a knife and added a notch to the many that + appeared upon it, looking at Nahoon the while with a half-questioning, + half-warning gaze. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes, it is a place of death,” she muttered. “Up yonder the quick die + day by day and down there”—and she pointed along the course of the + river beyond the pool to where the forest began some two hundred yards + from her hut—“the ghosts of them have their home. Listen!” + </p> + <p> + As she spoke, a sound reached their ears that seemed to swell from the dim + skirts of the forests, a peculiar and unholy sound which it is impossible + to define more accurately than by saying that it seemed beastlike, and + almost inarticulate. + </p> + <p> + “Listen,” repeated the Bee, “they are merry yonder.” + </p> + <p> + “Who?” asked Hadden; “the baboons?” + </p> + <p> + “No, <i>Inkoos</i>, the <i>Amatongo</i>—the ghosts that welcome her + who has just become of their number.” + </p> + <p> + “Ghosts,” said Hadden roughly, for he was angry at his own tremors, “I + should like to see those ghosts. Do you think that I have never heard a + troop of monkeys in the bush before, mother? Come, Nahoon, let us be going + while there is light to climb the cliff. Farewell.” + </p> + <p> + “Farewell <i>Inkoos</i>, and doubt not that your wish will be fulfilled. + Go in peace <i>Inkoos</i>—to sleep in peace.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III + </h2> + <h3> + THE END OF THE HUNT + </h3> + <p> + The prayer of the Bee notwithstanding, Philip Hadden slept ill that night. + He felt in the best of health, and his conscience was not troubling him + more than usual, but rest he could not. Whenever he closed his eyes, his + mind conjured up a picture of the grim witch-doctoress, so strangely named + the Bee, and the sound of her evil-omened words as he had heard them that + afternoon. He was neither a superstitious nor a timid man, and any + supernatural beliefs that might linger in his mind were, to say the least + of it, dormant. But do what he might, he could not shake off a certain + eerie sensation of fear, lest there should be some grains of truth in the + prophesyings of this hag. What if it were a fact that he was near his + death, and that the heart which beat so strongly in his breast must soon + be still for ever—no, he would not think of it. This gloomy place, + and the dreadful sight which he saw that day, had upset his nerves. The + domestic customs of these Zulus were not pleasant, and for his part he was + determined to be clear of them so soon as he was able to escape the + country. + </p> + <p> + In fact, if he could in any way manage it, it was his intention to make a + dash for the border on the following night. To do this with a good + prospect of success, however, it was necessary that he should kill a + buffalo, or some other head of game. Then, as he knew well, the hunters + with him would feast upon meat until they could scarcely stir, and that + would be his opportunity. Nahoon, however, might not succumb to this + temptation; therefore he must trust to luck to be rid of him. If it came + to the worst, he could put a bullet through him, which he considered he + would be justified in doing, seeing that in reality the man was his + jailor. Should this necessity arise, he felt indeed that he could face it + without undue compunction, for in truth he disliked Nahoon; at times he + even hated him. Their natures were antagonistic, and he knew that the + great Zulu distrusted and looked down upon him, and to be looked down upon + by a savage “nigger” was more than his pride could stomach. + </p> + <p> + At the first break of dawn Hadden rose and roused his escort, who were + still stretched in sleep around the dying fire, each man wrapped in his + kaross or blanket. Nahoon stood up and shook himself, looking gigantic in + the shadows of the morning. + </p> + <p> + “What is your will, <i>Umlungu</i> (white man), that you are up before the + sun?” + </p> + <p> + “My will, <i>Muntumpofu</i> (yellow man), is to hunt buffalo,” answered + Hadden coolly. It irritated him that this savage should give him no title + of any sort. + </p> + <p> + “Your pardon,” said the Zulu reading his thoughts, “but I cannot call you + <i>Inkoos</i> because you are not my chief, or any man’s; still if the + title ‘white man’ offends you, we will give you a name.” + </p> + <p> + “As you wish,” answered Hadden briefly. + </p> + <p> + Accordingly they gave him a name, <i>Inhlizin-mgama</i>, by which he was + known among them thereafter, but Hadden was not best pleased when he found + that the meaning of those soft-sounding syllables was “Black Heart.” That + was how the <i>inyanga</i> had addressed him—only she used different + words. + </p> + <p> + An hour later, and they were in the swampy bush country that lay behind + the encampment searching for their game. Within a very little while Nahoon + held up his hand, then pointed to the ground. Hadden looked; there, + pressed deep in the marshy soil, and to all appearance not ten minutes + old, was the spoor of a small herd of buffalo. + </p> + <p> + “I knew that we should find game to-day,” whispered Nahoon, “because the + Bee said so.” + </p> + <p> + “Curse the Bee,” answered Hadden below his breath. “Come on.” + </p> + <p> + For a quarter of an hour or more they followed the spoor through thick + reeds, till suddenly Nahoon whistled very softly and touched Hadden’s arm. + He looked up, and there, about two hundred yards away, feeding on some + higher ground among a patch if mimosa trees, were the buffaloes—six + of them—an old bull with a splendid head, three cows, a heifer and a + calf about four months old. Neither the wind nor the nature of the veldt + were favourable for them to stalk the game from their present position, so + they made a detour of half a mile and very carefully crept towards them up + the wind, slipping from trunk to trunk of the mimosas and when these + failed them, crawling on their stomachs under cover of the tall <i>tambuti</i> + grass. At last they were within forty yards, and a further advance seemed + impracticable; for although he could not smell them, it was evident from + his movements that the old bull heard some unusual sound and was growing + suspicious. Nearest to Hadden, who alone of the party had a rifle, stood + the heifer broadside on—a beautiful shot. Remembering that she would + make the best beef, he lifted his Martini, and aiming at her immediately + behind the shoulder, gently squeezed the trigger. The rifle exploded, and + the heifer fell dead, shot through the heart. Strangely enough the other + buffaloes did not at once run away. On the contrary, they seemed puzzled + to account for the sudden noise; and, not being able to wind anything, + lifted their heads and stared round them. + </p> + <p> + The pause gave Hadden space to get in a fresh cartridge and to aim again, + this time at the old bull. The bullet struck him somewhere in the neck or + shoulder, for he came to his knees, but in another second was up and + having caught sight of the cloud of smoke he charged straight at it. + Because of this smoke, or for some other reason, Hadden did not see him + coming, and in consequence would most certainly have been trampled or + gored, had not Nahoon sprung forward, at the imminent risk of his own + life, and dragged him down behind an ant-heap. A moment more and the great + beast had thundered by, taking no further notice of them. + </p> + <p> + “Forward,” said Hadden, and leaving most of the men to cut up the heifer + and carry the best of her meat to camp, they started on the blood spoor. + </p> + <p> + For some hours they followed the bull, till at last they lost the trail on + a patch of stony ground thickly covered with bush, and exhausted by the + heat, sat down to rest and to eat some <i>biltong</i> or sun-dried flesh + which they had with them. They finished their meal, and were preparing to + return to the camp, when one of the four Zulus who were with them went to + drink at a little stream that ran at a distance of not more than ten paces + away. Half a minute later they heard a hideous grunting noise and a + splashing of water, and saw the Zulu fly into the air. All the while that + they were eating, the wounded buffalo had been lying in wait for them + under a thick bush on the banks of the streamlet, knowing—cunning + brute that he was—that sooner or later his turn would come. With a + shout of consternation they rushed forward to see the bull vanish over the + rise before Hadden could get a chance of firing at him, and to find their + companion dying, for the great horn had pierced his lung. + </p> + <p> + “It is not a buffalo, it is a devil,” the poor fellow gasped, and expired. + </p> + <p> + “Devil or not, I mean to kill it,” exclaimed Hadden. So leaving the others + to carry the body of their comrade to camp, he started on accompanied by + Nahoon only. Now the ground was more open and the chase easier, for they + sighted their quarry frequently, though they could not come near enough to + fire. Presently they travelled down a steep cliff. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know where we are?” asked Nahoon, pointing to a belt of forest + opposite. “That is <i>Emagudu</i>, the Home of the Dead—and look, + the bull heads thither.” + </p> + <p> + Hadden glanced round him. It was true; yonder to the left were the Fall, + the Pool of Doom, and the hut of the Bee. + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” he answered; “then we must head for it too.” + </p> + <p> + Nahoon halted. “Surely you would not enter there,” he exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + “Surely I will,” replied Hadden, “but there is no need for you to do so if + you are afraid.” + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid—of ghosts,” said the Zulu, “but I will come.” + </p> + <p> + So they crossed the strip of turf, and entered the haunted wood. It was a + gloomy place indeed; the great wide-topped trees grew thick there shutting + out the sight of the sky; moreover, the air in it which no breeze stirred, + was heavy with the exhalations of rotting foliage. There seemed to be no + life here and no sound—only now and again a loathsome spotted snake + would uncoil itself and glide away, and now and again a heavy rotten bough + fell with a crash. + </p> + <p> + Hadden was too intent upon the buffalo, however, to be much impressed by + his surroundings. He only remarked that the light would be bad for + shooting, and went on. + </p> + <p> + They must have penetrated a mile or more into the forest when the sudden + increase of blood upon the spoor told them that the bull’s wound was + proving fatal to him. + </p> + <p> + “Run now,” said Hadden cheerfully. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, <i>hamba gachle</i>—go softly—” answered Nahoon, “the + devil is dying, but he will try to play us another trick before he dies.” + And he went on peering ahead of him cautiously. + </p> + <p> + “It is all right here, anyway,” said Hadden, pointing to the spoor that + ran straight forward printed deep in the marshy ground. + </p> + <p> + Nahoon did not answer, but stared steadily at the trunks of two trees a + few paces in front of them and to their right. “Look,” he whispered. + </p> + <p> + Hadden did so, and at length made out the outline of something brown that + was crouched behind the trees. + </p> + <p> + “He is dead,” he exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + “No,” answered Nahoon, “he has come back on his own path and is waiting + for us. He knows that we are following his spoor. Now if you stand there, + I think that you can shoot him through the back between the tree trunks.” + </p> + <p> + Hadden knelt down, and aiming very carefully at a point just below the + bull’s spine, he fired. There was an awful bellow, and the next instant + the brute was up and at them. Nahoon flung his broad spear, which sank + deep into its chest, then they fled this way and that. The buffalo stood + still for a moment, its fore legs straddled wide and its head down, + looking first after the one and then the other, till of a sudden it + uttered a low moaning sound and rolled over dead, smashing Nahoon’s + assegai to fragments as it fell. + </p> + <p> + “There! he’s finished,” said Hadden, “and I believe it was your assegai + that killed him. Hullo! what’s that noise?” + </p> + <p> + Nahoon listened. In several quarters of the forest, but from how far away + it was impossible to tell, there rose a curious sound, as of people + calling to each other in fear but in no articulate language. Nahoon + shivered. + </p> + <p> + “It is the <i>Esemkofu</i>,” he said, “the ghosts who have no tongue, and + who can only wail like infants. Let us be going; this place is bad for + mortals.” + </p> + <p> + “And worse for buffaloes,” said Hadden, giving the dead bull a kick, “but + I suppose that we must leave him here for your friends, the <i>Esemkofu</i>, + as we have got meat enough, and can’t carry his head.” + </p> + <p> + So they started back towards the open country. As they threaded their way + slowly through the tree trunks, a new idea came into Hadden’s head. Once + out of this forest, he was within an hour’s run of the Zulu border, and + once over the Zulu border, he would feel a happier man than he did at that + moment. As has been said, he had intended to attempt to escape in the + darkness, but the plan was risky. All the Zulus might not over-eat + themselves and go to sleep, especially after the death of their comrade; + Nahoon, who watched him day and night, certainly would not. This was his + opportunity—there remained the question of Nahoon. + </p> + <p> + Well, if it came to the worst, Nahoon must die: it would be easy—he + had a loaded rifle, and now that his assegai was gone, Nahoon had only a + kerry. He did not wish to kill the man, though it was clear to him, seeing + that his own safety was at stake, that he would be amply justified in so + doing. Why should he not put it to him—and then be guided by + circumstances? + </p> + <p> + Nahoon was walking across a little open space about ten spaces ahead of + him where Hadden could see him very well, whilst he himself was under the + shadow of a large tree with low horizontal branches running out from the + trunk. + </p> + <p> + “Nahoon,” he said. + </p> + <p> + The Zulu turned round, and took a step towards him. + </p> + <p> + “No, do not move, I pray. Stand where you are, or I shall be obliged to + shoot you. Listen now: do not be afraid for I shall not fire without + warning. I am your prisoner, and you are charged to take me back to the + king to be his servant. But I believe that a war is going to break out + between your people and mine; and this being so, you will understand that + I do not wish to go to Cetywayo’s kraal, because I should either come to a + violent death there, or my own brothers will believe that I am a traitor + and treat me accordingly. The Zulu border is not much more than an hour’s + journey away—let us say an hour and a half’s: I mean to be across it + before the moon is up. Now, Nahoon, will you lose me in the forest and + give me this hour and a half’s start—or will you stop here with that + ghost people of whom you talk? Do you understand? No, please do not move.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand you,” answered the Zulu, in a perfectly composed voice, “and + I think that was a good name which we gave you this morning, though, Black + Heart, there is some justice in your words and more wisdom. Your + opportunity is good, and one which a man named as you are should not let + fall.” + </p> + <p> + “I am glad to find that you take this view of the matter, Nahoon. And now + will you be so kind as to lose me, and to promise not to look for me till + the moon is up?” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean, Black Heart?” + </p> + <p> + “What I say. Come, I have no time to spare.” + </p> + <p> + “You are a strange man,” said the Zulu reflectively. “You heard the king’s + order to me: would you have me disobey the order of the king?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, I would. You have no reason to love Cetywayo, and it does not + matter to you whether or no I return to his kraal to mend guns there. If + you think that he will be angry because I am missing, you had better cross + the border also; we can go together.” + </p> + <p> + “And leave my father and all my brethren to his vengeance? Black Heart, + you do not understand. How can you, being so named? I am a soldier, and + the king’s word is the king’s word. I hoped to have died fighting, but I + am the bird in your noose. Come, shoot, or you will not reach the border + before moonrise,” and he opened his arms and smiled. + </p> + <p> + “If it must be, so let it be. Farewell, Nahoon, at least you are a brave + man, but every one of us must cherish his own life,” answered Hadden + calmly. + </p> + <p> + Then with much deliberation he raised his rifle and covered the Zulu’s + breast. + </p> + <p> + Already—whilst his victim stood there still smiling, although a + twitching of his lips betrayed the natural terrors that no bravery can + banish—already his finger was contracting on the trigger, when of a + sudden, as instantly as though he had been struck by lightning, Hadden + went down backwards, and behold! there stood upon him a great spotted + beast that waved its long tail to and fro and glared down into his eyes. + </p> + <p> + It was a leopard—a tiger as they call it in Africa—which, + crouched upon a bough of the tree above, had been unable to resist the + temptation of satisfying its savage appetite on the man below. For a + second or two there was silence, broken only by the purring, or rather the + snoring sound made by the leopard. In those seconds, strangely enough, + there sprang up before Hadden’s mental vision a picture of the <i>inyanga</i> + called <i>Inyosi</i> or the Bee, her death-like head resting against the + thatch of the hut, and her death-like lips muttering “think of my word + when the great cat purrs above your face.” + </p> + <p> + Then the brute put out its strength. The claws of one paw it drove deep + into the muscles of his left thigh, while with another it scratched at his + breast, tearing the clothes from it and furrowing the flesh beneath. The + sight of the white skin seemed to madden it, and in its fierce desire for + blood it drooped its square muzzle and buried its fangs in its victim’s + shoulder. Next moment there was a sound of running feet and of a club + falling heavily. Up reared the leopard with an angry snarl, up till it + stood as high as the attacking Zulu. At him it came, striking out savagely + and tearing the black man as it had torn the white. Again the kerry fell + full on its jaws, and down it went backwards. Before it could rise again, + or rather as it was in the act of rising, the heavy knob-stick struck it + once more, and with fearful force, this time as it chanced, full on the + nape of the neck, and paralysing the brute. It writhed and bit and + twisted, throwing up the earth and leaves, while blow after blow was + rained upon it, till at length with a convulsive struggle and a stifled + roar it lay still—the brains oozing from its shattered skull. + </p> + <p> + Hadden sat up, the blood running from his wounds. + </p> + <p> + “You have saved my life, Nahoon,” he said faintly, “and I thank you.” + </p> + <p> + “Do not thank me, Black Heart,” answered the Zulu, “it was the king’s word + that I should keep you safely. Still this tiger has been hardly dealt + with, for certainly <i>he</i> has saved <i>my</i> life,” and lifting the + Martini he unloaded the rifle. + </p> + <p> + At this juncture Hadden swooned away. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Twenty-four hours had gone by when, after what seemed to him to be but a + little time of troubled and dreamful sleep, through which he could hear + voices without understanding what they said, and feel himself borne he + knew not whither, Hadden awoke to find himself lying upon a kaross in a + large and beautifully clean Kaffir hut with a bundle of furs for a pillow. + There was a bowl of milk at his side and tortured as he was by thirst, he + tried to stretch out his arm to lift it to his lips, only to find to his + astonishment that his hand fell back to his side like that of a dead man. + Looking round the hut impatiently, he found that there was nobody in it to + assist him, so he did the only thing which remained for him to do—he + lay still. He did not fall asleep, but his eyes closed, and a kind of + gentle torpor crept over him, half obscuring his recovered senses. + Presently he heard a soft voice speaking; it seemed far away, but he could + clearly distinguish the words. + </p> + <p> + “Black Heart still sleeps,” the voice said, “but there is colour in his + face; I think that he will wake soon, and find his thoughts again.” + </p> + <p> + “Have no fear, Nanea, he will surely wake, his hurts are not dangerous,” + answered another voice, that of Nahoon. “He fell heavily with the weight + of the tiger on top of him, and that is why his senses have been shaken + for so long. He went near to death, but certainly he will not die.” + </p> + <p> + “It would have been a pity if he had died,” answered the soft voice, “he + is so beautiful; never have I seen a white man who was so beautiful.” + </p> + <p> + “I did not think him beautiful when he stood with his rifle pointed at my + heart,” answered Nahoon sulkily. + </p> + <p> + “Well, there is this to be said,” she replied, “he wished to escape from + Cetywayo, and that is not to be wondered at,” and she sighed. “Moreover he + asked you to come with him, and it might have been well if you had done + so, that is, if you would have taken me with you!” + </p> + <p> + “How could I have done it, girl?” he asked angrily. “Would you have me set + at nothing the order of the king?” + </p> + <p> + “The king!” she replied raising her voice. “What do you owe to this king? + You have served him faithfully, and your reward is that within a few days + he will take me from you—me, who should have been your wife, and I + must—I must——” And she began to weep softly, adding + between her sobs, “if you loved me truly, you would think more of me and + of yourself, and less of the Black One and his orders. Oh! let us fly, + Nahoon, let us fly to Natal before this spear pierces me.” + </p> + <p> + “Weep not, Nanea,” he said; “why do you tear my heart in two between my + duty and my love? You know that I am a soldier, and that I must walk the + path whereon the king has set my feet. Soon I think I shall be dead, for I + seek death, and then it will matter nothing.” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing to you, Nahoon, who are at peace, but to me? Yet, you are right, + and I know it, therefore forgive me, who am no warrior, but a woman who + must also obey—the will of the king.” And she cast her arms about + his neck, sobbing her fill upon his breast. + </p> + <p> + <a name="2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV + </h2> + <h3> + NANEA + </h3> + <p> + Presently, muttering something that the listener could not catch, Nahoon + left Nanea, and crept out of the hut by its bee-hole entrance. Then Hadden + opened his eyes and looked round him. The sun was sinking and a ray of its + red light streaming through the little opening filled the place with a + soft and crimson glow. In the centre of the hut—supporting it—stood + a thorn-wood roof-tree coloured black by the smoke of the fire; and + against this, the rich light falling full upon her, leaned the girl Nanea—a + very picture of gentle despair. + </p> + <p> + As is occasionally the case among Zulu women, she was beautiful—so + beautiful that the sight of her went straight to the white man’s heart, + for a moment causing the breath to catch in his throat. Her dress was very + simple. On her shoulders, hanging open in front, lay a mantle of soft + white stuff edged with blue beads, about her middle was a buck-skin + moocha, also embroidered with blue beads, while round her forehead and + left knee were strips of grey fur, and on her right wrist a shining bangle + of copper. Her naked bronze-hued figure was tall and perfect in its + proportions; while her face had little in common with that of the ordinary + native girl, showing as it did strong traces of the ancestral Arabian or + Semitic blood. It was oval in shape, with delicate aquiline features, + arched eyebrows, a full mouth, that drooped a little at the corners, tiny + ears, behind which the wavy coal-black hair hung down to the shoulders, + and the very loveliest pair of dark and liquid eyes that it is possible to + imagine. + </p> + <p> + For a minute or more Nanea stood thus, her sweet face bathed in the + sunbeam, while Hadden feasted his eyes upon its beauty. Then sighing + heavily, she turned, and seeing that he was awake, started, drew her + mantle over her breast and came, or rather glided, towards him. + </p> + <p> + “The chief is awake,” she said in her soft Zulu accents. “Does he need + aught?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Lady,” he answered; “I need to drink, but alas! I am too weak.” + </p> + <p> + She knelt down beside him, and supporting him with her left arm, with her + right held the gourd to his lips. + </p> + <p> + How it came about Hadden never knew, but before that draught was finished + a change passed over him. Whether it was the savage girl’s touch, or her + strange and fawn-like loveliness, or the tender pity in her eyes, matters + not—the issue was the same. She struck some cord in his turbulent + uncurbed nature, and of a sudden it was filled full with passion for her—a + passion which if, not elevated, at least was real. He did not for a moment + mistake the significance of the flood of feeling that surged through his + veins. Hadden never shirked facts. + </p> + <p> + “By Heaven!” he said to himself, “I have fallen in love with a black + beauty at first sight—more in love than I have ever been before. + It’s awkward, but there will be compensations. So much the worse for + Nahoon, or for Cetywayo, or for both of them. After all, I can always get + rid of her if she becomes a nuisance.” + </p> + <p> + Then, in a fit of renewed weakness, brought about by the turmoil of his + blood, he lay back upon the pillow of furs, watching Nanea’s face while + with a native salve of pounded leaves she busied herself dressing the + wounds that the leopard had made. + </p> + <p> + It almost seemed as though something of what was passing in his mind + communicated itself to that of the girl. At least, her hand shook a little + at her task, and getting done with it as quickly as she could, she rose + from her knees with a courteous “It is finished, <i>Inkoos</i>,” and once + more took up her position by the roof-tree. + </p> + <p> + “I thank you, Lady,” he said; “your hand is kind.” + </p> + <p> + “You must not call me lady, <i>Inkoos</i>,” she answered, “I am no + chieftainess, but only the daughter of a headman, Umgona.” + </p> + <p> + “And named Nanea,” he said. “Nay, do not be surprised, I have heard of + you. Well, Nanea, perhaps you will soon become a chieftainess—up at + the king’s kraal yonder.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas! and alas!” she said, covering her face with her hands. + </p> + <p> + “Do not grieve, Nanea, a hedge is never so tall and thick but that it + cannot be climbed or crept through.” + </p> + <p> + She let fall her hands and looked at him eagerly, but he did not pursue + the subject. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me, how did I come here, Nanea?” + </p> + <p> + “Nahoon and his companions carried you, <i>Inkoos</i>.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, I begin to be thankful to the leopard that struck me down. Well, + Nahoon is a brave man, and he has done me a great service. I trust that I + may be able to repay it—to you, Nanea.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + This was the first meeting of Nanea and Hadden; but, although she did not + seek them, the necessities of his sickness and of the situation brought + about many another. Never for a moment did the white man waver in his + determination to get into his keeping the native girl who had captivated + him, and to attain his end he brought to bear all his powers and charm to + detach her from Nahoon, and win her affections for himself. He was no + rough wooer, however, but proceeded warily, weaving her about with a web + of flattery and attention that must, he thought, produce the desired + effect upon her mind. Without a doubt, indeed, it would have done so—for + she was but a woman, and an untutored one—had it not been for a + simple fact which dominated her whole nature. She loved Nahoon, and there + was no room in her heart for any other man, white or black. To Hadden she + was courteous and kindly but no more, nor did she appear to notice any of + the subtle advances by which he attempted to win a foothold in her heart. + For a while this puzzled him, but he remembered that the Zulu women do not + usually permit themselves to show feeling towards an undeclared suitor. + Therefore it became necessary that he should speak out. + </p> + <p> + His mind once made up, he had not to wait long for an opportunity. He was + now quite recovered from his hurts, and accustomed to walk in the + neighbourhood of the kraal. About two hundred yards from Umgona’s huts + rose a spring, and thither it was Nanea’s habit to resort in the evening + to bring back drinking-water for the use of her father’s household. The + path between this spring and the kraal ran through a patch of bush, where + on a certain afternoon towards sundown Hadden took his seat under a tree, + having first seen Nanea go down to the little stream as was her custom. A + quarter of an hour later she reappeared carrying a large gourd upon her + head. She wore no garment now except her moocha, for she had but one + mantle and was afraid lest the water should splash it. He watched her + advancing along the path, her hands resting on her hips, her splendid + naked figure outlined against the westering sun, and wondered what excuse + he could make to talk with her. As it chanced fortune favoured him, for + when she was near him a snake glided across the path in front of the + girl’s feet, causing her to spring backwards in alarm and overset the + gourd of water. He came forward, and picked it up. + </p> + <p> + “Wait here,” he said laughing; “I will bring it to you full.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, <i>Inkoos</i>,” she remonstrated, “that is a woman’s work.” + </p> + <p> + “Among my people,” he said, “the men love to work for the women,” and he + started for the spring, leaving her wondering. + </p> + <p> + Before he reached her again, he regretted his gallantry, for it was + necessary to carry the handleless gourd upon his shoulder, and the + contents of it spilling over the edge soaked him. Of this, however, he + said nothing to Nanea. + </p> + <p> + “There is your water, Nanea, shall I carry it for you to the kraal?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, <i>Inkoos</i>, I thank you, but give it to me, you are weary with + its weight.” + </p> + <p> + “Stay awhile, and I will accompany you. Ah! Nanea, I am still weak, and + had it not been for you I think that I should be dead.” + </p> + <p> + “It was Nahoon who saved you—not I, <i>Inkoos</i>.” + </p> + <p> + “Nahoon saved my body, but you, Nanea, you alone can save my heart.” + </p> + <p> + “You talk darkly, <i>Inkoos</i>.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I must make my meaning clear, Nanea. I love you.” + </p> + <p> + She opened her brown eyes wide. + </p> + <p> + “You, a white lord, love me, a Zulu girl? How can that be?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not know, Nanea, but it is so, and were you not blind you would have + seen it. I love you, and I wish to take you to wife.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, <i>Inkoos</i>, it is impossible. I am already betrothed.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay,” he answered, “betrothed to the king.” + </p> + <p> + “No, betrothed to Nahoon.” + </p> + <p> + “But it is the king who will take you within a week; is it not so? And + would you not rather that I should take you than the king?” + </p> + <p> + “It seems to be so, <i>Inkoos</i>, and I would rather go with you than + with the king, but most of all I desire to marry Nahoon. It may be that I + shall not be able to marry him, but if that is so, at least I will never + become one of the king’s women.” + </p> + <p> + “How will you prevent it, Nanea?” + </p> + <p> + “There are waters in which a maid may drown, and trees upon which she can + hang,” she answered with a quick setting of the mouth. + </p> + <p> + “That were a pity, Nanea, you are too fair to die.” + </p> + <p> + “Fair or foul, yet I die, <i>Inkoos</i>.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, come with me—I will find a way—and be my wife,” and + he put her arm about her waist, and strove to draw her to him. + </p> + <p> + Without any violence of movement, and with the most perfect dignity, the + girl disengaged herself from his embrace. + </p> + <p> + “You have honoured me, and I thank you, <i>Inkoos</i>,” she said quietly, + “but you do not understand. I am the wife of Nahoon—I belong to + Nahoon; therefore, I cannot look on any other man while Nahoon lives. It + is not our custom, <i>Inkoos</i>, for we are not as the white women, but + ignorant and simple, and when we vow ourselves to a man, we abide by that + vow till death.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed,” said Hadden; “and so now you go to tell Nahoon that I have + offered to make you my wife.” + </p> + <p> + “No, <i>Inkoos</i>, why should I tell Nahoon your secrets? I have said + ‘nay’ to you, not ‘yea,’ therefore he has no right to know,” and she + stooped to lift the gourd of water. + </p> + <p> + Hadden considered the situation rapidly, for his repulse only made him the + more determined to succeed. Of a sudden under the emergency he conceived a + scheme, or rather its rough outline. It was not a nice scheme, and some + men might have shrunk from it, but as he had no intention of suffering + himself to be defeated by a Zulu girl, he decided—with regret, it is + true—that having failed to attain his ends by means which he + considered fair, he must resort to others of more doubtful character. + </p> + <p> + “Nanea,” he said, “you are a good and honest woman, and I respect you. As + I have told you, I love you also, but if you refuse to listen to me there + is nothing more to be said, and after all, perhaps it would be better that + you should marry one of your own people. But, Nanea, you will never marry + him, for the king will take you; and, if he does not give you to some + other man, either you will become one of his ‘sisters,’ or to be free of + him, as you say, you will die. Now hear me, for it is because I love you + and wish your welfare that I speak thus. Why do you not escape into Natal, + taking Nahoon with you, for there as you know you may live in peace out of + reach of the arm of Cetywayo?” + </p> + <p> + “That is my desire, <i>Inkoos</i>, but Nahoon will not consent. He says + that there is to be war between us and you white men, and he will not + break the command of the king and desert from his army.” + </p> + <p> + “Then he cannot love you much, Nahoon, and at least you have to think of + yourself. Whisper into the ear of your father and fly together, for be + sure that Nahoon will soon follow you. Ay! and I myself with fly with you, + for I too believe that there must be war, and then a white man in this + country will be as a lamb among the eagles.” + </p> + <p> + “If Nahoon will come, I will go, <i>Inkoos</i>, but I cannot fly without + Nahoon; it is better I should stay here and kill myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Surely then being so fair and loving him so well, you can teach him to + forget his folly and to escape with you. In four days’ time we must start + for the king’s kraal, and if you win over Nahoon, it will be easy for us + to turn our faces southwards and across the river that lies between the + land of the Amazulu and Natal. For the sake of all of us, but most of all + for your own sake, try to do this, Nanea, whom I have loved and whom I now + would save. See him and plead with him as you know how, but as yet do not + tell him that I dream of flight, for then I should be watched.” + </p> + <p> + “In truth, I will, <i>Inkoos</i>,” she answered earnestly, “and oh! I + thank you for your goodness. Fear not that I will betray you—first + would I die. Farewell.” + </p> + <p> + “Farewell, Nanea,” and taking her hand he raised it to his lips. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Late that night, just as Hadden was beginning to prepare himself for + sleep, he heard a gentle tapping at the board which closed the entrance to + his hut. + </p> + <p> + “Enter,” he said, unfastening the door, and presently by the light of the + little lantern that he had with him, he saw Nanea creep into the hut, + followed by the great form of Nahoon. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Inkoos</i>,” she said in a whisper when the door was closed again, “I + have pleaded with Nahoon, and he has consented to fly; moreover, my father + will come also.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it so, Nahoon?” asked Hadden. + </p> + <p> + “It is so,” answered the Zulu, looking down shamefacedly; “to save this + girl from the king, and because the love of her eats out my heart, I have + bartered away my honour. But I tell you, Nanea, and you, White Man, as I + told Umgona just now, that I think no good will come of this flight, and + if we are caught or betrayed, we shall be killed every one of us.” + </p> + <p> + “Caught we can scarcely be,” broke in Nanea anxiously, “for who could + betray us, except the <i>Inkoos</i> here——” + </p> + <p> + “Which he is not likely to do,” said Hadden quietly, “seeing that he + desires to escape with you, and that his life is also at stake.” + </p> + <p> + “That is so, Black Heart,” said Nahoon, “otherwise I tell you that I + should not have trusted you.” + </p> + <p> + Hadden took no notice of this outspoken saying, but until very late that + night they sat there together making their plans. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + On the following morning Hadden was awakened by sounds of violent + altercation. Going out of his hut he found that the disputants were Umgona + and a fat and evil-looking Kaffir chief who had arrived at the kraal on a + pony. This chief, he soon discovered, was named Maputa, being none other + than the man who had sought Nanea in marriage and brought about Nahoon’s + and Umgona’s unfortunate appeal to the king. At present he was engaged in + abusing Umgona furiously, charging him with having stolen certain of his + oxen and bewitched his cows so that they would not give milk. The alleged + theft it was comparatively easy to disprove, but the wizardry remained a + matter of argument. + </p> + <p> + “You are a dog, and a son of a dog,” shouted Maputa, shaking his fat fist + in the face of the trembling but indignant Umgona. “You promised me your + daughter in marriage, then having vowed her to that <i>umfagozan</i>—that + low lout of a soldier, Nahoon, the son of Zomba—you went, the two of + you, and poisoned the king’s ear against me, bringing me into trouble with + the king, and now you have bewitched my cattle. Well, wait, I will be even + with you, Wizard; wait till you wake up in the cold morning to find your + fence red with fire, and the slayers standing outside your gates to eat up + you and yours with spears——” + </p> + <p> + At this juncture Nahoon, who till now had been listening in silence, + intervened with effect. + </p> + <p> + “Good,” he said, “we will wait, but not in your company, Chief Maputa. <i>Hamba!</i> + (go)——” and seizing the fat old ruffian by the scruff of his + neck, he flung him backwards with such violence that he rolled over and + over down the little slope. + </p> + <p> + Hadden laughed, and passed on towards the stream where he proposed to + bathe. Just as he reached it, he caught sight of Maputa riding along the + footpath, his head-ring covered with mud, his lips purple and his black + face livid with rage. + </p> + <p> + “There goes an angry man,” he said to himself. “Now, how would it be——” + and he looked upwards like one seeking an inspiration. It seemed to come; + perhaps the devil finding it open whispered in his ear, at any rate—in + a few seconds his plan was formed, and he was walking through the bush to + meet Maputa. + </p> + <p> + “Go in peace, Chief,” he said; “they seem to have treated you roughly up + yonder. Having no power to interfere, I came away for I could not bear the + sight. It is indeed shameful that an old and venerable man of rank should + be struck into the dirt, and beaten by a soldier drunk with beer.” + </p> + <p> + “Shameful, White Man!” gasped Maputa; “your words are true indeed. But + wait a while. I, Maputa, will roll that stone over, I will throw that bull + upon its back. When next the harvest ripens, this I promise, that neither + Nahoon nor Umgona, nor any of his kraal shall be left to gather it.” + </p> + <p> + “And how will you manage that, Maputa?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not know, but I will find a way. Oh! I tell you, a way shall be + found.” + </p> + <p> + Hadden patted the pony’s neck meditatively, then leaning forward, he + looked the chief in the eyes and said:— + </p> + <p> + “What will you give me, Maputa, if I show you that way, a sure and certain + one, whereby you may be avenged to the death upon Nahoon, whose violence I + also have seen, and upon Umgona, whose witchcraft brought sore sickness + upon me?” + </p> + <p> + “What reward do you seek, White Man?” asked Maputa eagerly. + </p> + <p> + “A little thing, Chief, a thing of no account, only the girl Nanea, to + whom as it chances I have taken a fancy.” + </p> + <p> + “I wanted her for myself, White Man, but he who sits at Ulundi has laid + his hand upon her.” + </p> + <p> + “That is nothing, Chief; I can arrange with him who ‘sits at Ulundi.’ It + is with you who are great here that I wish to come to terms. Listen: if + you grant my desire, not only will I fulfil yours upon your foes, but when + the girl is delivered into my hands I will give you this rifle and a + hundred rounds of cartridges.” + </p> + <p> + Maputa looked at the sporting Martini, and his eyes glistened. + </p> + <p> + “It is good,” he said; “it is very good. Often have I wished for such a + gun that will enable me to shoot game, and to talk with my enemies from + far away. Promise it to me, White Man, and you shall take the girl if I + can give her to you.” + </p> + <p> + “You swear it, Maputa?” + </p> + <p> + “I swear it by the head of Chaka, and the spirits of my fathers.” + </p> + <p> + “Good. At dawn on the fourth day from now it is the purpose of Umgona, his + daughter Nanea, and Nahoon, to cross the river into Natal by the drift + that is called Crocodile Drift, taking their cattle with them and flying + from the king. I also shall be of their company, for they know that I have + learned their secret, and would murder me if I tried to leave them. Now + you who are chief of the border and guardian of that drift, must hide at + night with some men among the rocks in the shallows of the drift and await + our coming. First Nanea will cross driving the cows and calves, for so it + is arranged, and I shall help her; then will follow Umgona and Nahoon with + the oxen and heifers. On these two you must fall, killing them and + capturing the cattle, and afterwards I will give you the rifle.” + </p> + <p> + “What if the king should ask for the girl, White Man?” + </p> + <p> + “Then you shall answer that in the uncertain light you did not recognise + her and so she slipped away from you; moreover, that at first you feared + to seize the girl lest her cries should alarm the men and they should + escape you.” + </p> + <p> + “Good, but how can I be sure that you will give me the gun once you are + across the river?” + </p> + <p> + “Thus: before I enter the ford I will lay the rifle and cartridges upon a + stone by the bank, telling Nanea that I shall return to fetch them when I + have driven over the cattle.” + </p> + <p> + “It is well, White Man; I will not fail you.” + </p> + <p> + So the plot was made, and after some further conversation upon points of + detail, the two conspirators shook hands and parted. + </p> + <p> + “That ought to come off all right,” reflected Hadden to himself as he + plunged and floated in the waters of the stream, “but somehow I don’t + quite trust our friend Maputa. It would have been better if I could have + relied upon myself to get rid of Nahoon and his respected uncle—a + couple of shots would do it in the water. But then that would be murder + and murder is unpleasant; whereas the other thing is only the delivery to + justice of two base deserters, a laudable action in a military country. + Also personal interference upon my part might turn the girl against me; + while after Umgona and Nahoon have been wiped out by Maputa, she <i>must</i> + accept my escort. Of course there is a risk, but in every walk of life the + most cautious have to take risks at times.” + </p> + <p> + As it chanced, Philip Hadden was correct in his suspicions of his + coadjutor, Maputa. Even before that worthy chief reached his own kraal, he + had come to the conclusion that the white man’s plan, though attractive in + some ways, was too dangerous, since it was certain that if the girl Nanea + escaped, the king would be indignant. Moreover, the men he took with him + to do the killing in the drift would suspect something and talk. On the + other hand he would earn much credit with his majesty by revealing the + plot, saying that he had learned it from the lips of the white hunter, + whom Umgona and Nahoon had forced to participate in it, and of whose + coveted rifle he must trust to chance to possess himself. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + An hour later two discreet messengers were bounding across the plains, + bearing words from the Chief Maputa, the Warden of the Border, to the + “great Black Elephant” at Ulundi. + </p> + <p> + <a name="2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V + </h2> + <h3> + THE DOOM POOL + </h3> + <p> + Fortune showed itself strangely favourable to the plans of Nahoon and + Nanea. One of the Zulu captain’s perplexities was as to how he should lull + the suspicions and evade the vigilance of his own companions, who together + with himself had been detailed by the king to assist Hadden in his hunting + and to guard against his escape. As it chanced, however, on the day after + the incident of the visit of Maputa, a messenger arrived from no less a + person than the great military Induna, Tvingwayo ka Marolo, who afterwards + commanded the Zulu army at Isandhlwana, ordering these men to return to + their regiment, the Umcityu Corps, which was to be placed upon full war + footing. Accordingly Nahoon sent them, saying that he himself would follow + with Black Heart in the course of a few days, as at present the white man + was not sufficiently recovered from his hurts to allow of his travelling + fast and far. So the soldiers went, doubting nothing. + </p> + <p> + Then Umgona gave it out that in obedience to the command of the king he + was about to start for Ulundi, taking with him his daughter Nanea to be + delivered over into the <i>Sigodhla</i>, and also those fifteen head of + cattle that had been <i>lobola’d</i> by Nahoon in consideration of his + forthcoming marriage, whereof he had been fined by Cetywayo. Under + pretence that they required a change of veldt, the rest of his cattle he + sent away in charge of a Basuto herd who knew nothing of their plans, + telling him to keep them by the Crocodile Drift, as there the grass was + good and sweet. + </p> + <p> + All preparations being completed, on the third day the party started, + heading straight for Ulundi. After they had travelled some miles, however, + they left the road and turning sharp to the right, passed unobserved of + any through a great stretch of uninhabited bush. Their path now lay not + far from the Pool of Doom, which, indeed, was close to Umgona’s kraal, and + the forest that was called Home of the Dead, but out of sight of these. It + was their plan to travel by night, reaching the broken country near the + Crocodile Drift on the following morning. Here they proposed to lie hid + that day and through the night; then, having first collected the cattle + which had preceded them, to cross the river at the break of dawn and + escape into Natal. At least this was the plan of his companions; but, as + we know, Hadden had another programme, whereon after one last appearance + two of the party would play no part. + </p> + <p> + During that long afternoon’s journey Umgona, who knew every inch of the + country, walked ahead driving the fifteen cattle and carrying in his hand + a long travelling stick of black and white <i>umzimbeet</i> wood, for in + truth the old man was in a hurry to reach his journey’s end. Next came + Nahoon, armed with a broad assegai, but naked except for his moocha and + necklet of baboon’s teeth, and with him Nanea in her white bead-bordered + mantle. Hadden, who brought up the rear, noticed that the girl seemed to + be under the spell of an imminent apprehension, for from time to time she + clasped her lover’s arm, and looking up into his face, addressed him with + vehemence, almost with passion. + </p> + <p> + Curiously enough, the sight touched Hadden, and once or twice he was + shaken by so sharp a pang of remorse at the thought of his share in this + tragedy, that he cast about in his mind seeking a means to unravel the web + of death which he himself had woven. But ever that evil voice was + whispering at his ear. It reminded him that he, the white <i>Inkoos</i>, + had been refused by this dusky beauty, and that if he found a way to save + him, within some few hours she would be the wife of the savage gentleman + at her side, the man who had named him Black Heart and who despised him, + the man whom he had meant to murder and who immediately repaid his + treachery by rescuing him from the jaws of the leopard at the risk of his + own life. Moreover, it was a law of Hadden’s existence never to deny + himself of anything that he desired if it lay within his power to take it—a + law which had led him always deeper into sin. In other respects, indeed, + it had not carried him far, for in the past he had not desired much, and + he had won little; but this particular flower was to his hand, and he + would pluck it. If Nahoon stood between him and the flower, so much the + worse for Nahoon, and if it should wither in his grasp, so much the worse + for the flower; it could always be thrown away. Thus it came about that, + not for the first time in his life, Philip Hadden discarded the somewhat + spasmodic prickings of conscience and listened to that evil whispering at + his ear. + </p> + <p> + About half-past five o’clock in the afternoon the four refugees passed the + stream that a mile or so down fell over the little precipice into the Doom + Pool; and, entering a patch of thorn trees on the further side, walked + straight into the midst of two-and-twenty soldiers, who were beguiling the + tedium of expectancy by the taking of snuff and the smoking of <i>dakka</i> + or native hemp. With these soldiers, seated on his pony, for he was too + fat to walk, waited the Chief Maputa. + </p> + <p> + Observing that their expected guests had arrived, the men knocked out the + <i>dakka</i> pipe, replaced the snuff boxes in the slits made in the lobes + of their ears, and secured the four of them. + </p> + <p> + “What is the meaning of this, O King’s soldiers?” asked Umgona in a + quavering voice. “We journey to the kraal of U’Cetywayo; why do you molest + us?” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed. Wherefore then are your faces set towards the south. Does the + Black One live in the south? Well, you will journey to another kraal + presently,” answered the jovial-looking captain of the party with a + callous laugh. + </p> + <p> + “I do not understand,” stammered Umgona. + </p> + <p> + “Then I will explain while you rest,” said the captain. “The Chief Maputa + yonder sent word to the Black One at Ulundi that he had learned of your + intended flight to Natal from the lips of this white man, who had warned + him of it. The Black One was angry, and despatched us to catch you and + make an end of you. That is all. Come on now, quietly, and let us finish + the matter. As the Doom Pool is near, your deaths will be easy.” + </p> + <p> + Nahoon heard the words, and sprang straight at the throat of Hadden; but + he did not reach it, for the soldiers pulled him down. Nanea heard them + also, and turning, looked the traitor in the eyes; she said nothing, she + only looked, but he could never forget that look. The white man for his + part was filled with a fiery indignation against Maputa. + </p> + <p> + “You wicked villain,” he gasped, whereat the chief smiled in a sickly + fashion, and turned away. + </p> + <p> + Then they were marched along the banks of the stream till they reached the + waterfall that fell into the Pool of Doom. + </p> + <p> + Hadden was a brave man after his fashion, but his heart quailed as he + gazed into that abyss. + </p> + <p> + “Are you going to throw me in there?” he asked of the Zulu captain in a + thick voice. + </p> + <p> + “You, White Man?” replied the soldier unconcernedly. “No, our orders are + to take you to the king, but what he will do with you I do not know. There + is to be war between your people and ours, so perhaps he means to pound + you into medicine for the use of the witch-doctors, or to peg you over an + ant-heap as a warning to other white men.” + </p> + <p> + Hadden received this information in silence, but its effect upon his brain + was bracing, for instantly he began to search out some means of escape. + </p> + <p> + By now the party had halted near the two thorn trees that hung over the + waters of the pool. + </p> + <p> + “Who dives first,” asked the captain of the Chief Maputa. + </p> + <p> + “The old wizard,” he replied, nodding at Umgona; “then his daughter after + him, and last of all this fellow,” and he struck Nahoon in the face with + his open hand. + </p> + <p> + “Come on, Wizard,” said the captain, grasping Umgona by the arm, “and let + us see how you can swim.” + </p> + <p> + At the words of doom Umgona seemed to recover his self-command, after the + fashion of his race. + </p> + <p> + “No need to lead me, soldier,” he said, shaking himself loose, “who am old + and ready to die.” Then he kissed his daughter at his side, wrung Nahoon + by the hand, and turning from Hadden with a gesture of contempt walked out + upon the platform that joined the two thorn trunks. Here he stood for a + moment looking at the setting sun, then suddenly, and without a sound, he + hurled himself into the abyss below and vanished. + </p> + <p> + “That was a brave one,” said the captain with admiration. “Can you spring + too, girl, or must we throw you?” + </p> + <p> + “I can walk my father’s path,” Nanea answered faintly, “but first I crave + leave to say one word. It is true that we were escaping from the king, and + therefore by the law we must die; but it was Black Heart here who made the + plot, and he who has betrayed us. Would you know why he has betrayed us? + Because he sought my favour, and I refused him, and this is the vengeance + that he takes—a white man’s vengeance.” + </p> + <p> + “<i>Wow!</i>” broke in the chief Maputa, “this pretty one speaks truth, + for the white man would have made a bargain with me under which Umgona, + the wizard, and Nahoon, the soldier, were to be killed at the Crocodile + Drift, and he himself suffered to escape with the girl. I spoke him softly + and said ‘yes,’ and then like a loyal man I reported to the king.” + </p> + <p> + “You hear,” sighed Nanea. “Nahoon, fare you well, though presently perhaps + we shall be together again. It was I who tempted you from your duty. For + my sake you forgot your honour, and I am repaid. Farewell, my husband, it + is better to die with you than to enter the house of the king’s women,” + and Nanea stepped on to the platform. + </p> + <p> + Here, holding to a bough of one of the thorn trees, she turned and + addressed Hadden, saying:— + </p> + <p> + “Black Heart, you seem to have won the day, but me at least you lose and—the + sun is not yet set. After sunset comes the night, Black Heart, and in that + night I pray that you may wander eternally, and be given to drink of my + blood and the blood of Umgona my father, and the blood of Nahoon my + husband, who saved your life, and whom you have murdered. Perchance, Black + Heart, we may yet meet yonder—in the House of the Dead.” + </p> + <p> + Then uttering a low cry Nanea clasped her hands and sprang upwards and + outwards from the platform. The watchers bent their heads forward to look. + They saw her rush headlong down the face of the fall to strike the water + fifty feet below. A few seconds, and for the last time, they caught sight + of her white garment glimmering on the surface of the gloomy pool. Then + the shadows and mist-wreaths hid it, and she was gone. + </p> + <p> + “Now, husband,” cried the cheerful voice of the captain, “yonder is your + marriage bed, so be swift to follow a bride who is so ready to lead the + way. <i>Wow!</i> but you are good people to kill; never have I had to do + with any who gave less trouble. You——” and he stopped, for + mental agony had done its work, and suddenly Nahoon went mad before his + eyes. + </p> + <p> + With a roar like that of a lion the great man cast off those who held him + and seizing one of them round the waist and thigh, he put out all his + terrible strength. Lifting him as though he had been an infant, he hurled + him over the edge of the cliff to find his death on the rocks of the Pool + of Doom. Then crying:— + </p> + <p> + “Black Heart! your turn, Black Heart the traitor!” he rushed at Hadden, + his eyes rolling and foam flying from his lips, as he passed striking the + chief Maputa from his horse with a backward blow of his hand. Ill would it + have gone with the white man if Nahoon had caught him. But he could not + come at him, for the soldiers sprang upon him and notwithstanding his + fearful struggles they pulled him to the ground, as at certain festivals + the Zulu regiments with their naked hands pull down a bull in the presence + of the king. + </p> + <p> + “Cast him over before he can work more mischief,” said a voice. But the + captain cried out, “Nay, nay, he is sacred; the fire from Heaven has + fallen on his brain, and we may not harm him, else evil would overtake us + all. Bind him hand and foot, and bear him tenderly to where he can be + cared for. Surely I thought that these evil-doers were giving us too + little trouble, and thus it has proved.” + </p> + <p> + So they set themselves to make fast Nahoon’s hands and wrists, using as + much gentleness as they might, for among the Zulus a lunatic is accounted + holy. It was no easy task, and it took time. + </p> + <p> + Hadden glanced around him, and saw his opportunity. On the ground close + beside him lay his rifle, where one of the soldiers had placed it, and + about a dozen yards away Maputa’s pony was grazing. With a swift movement, + he seized the Martini and five seconds later he was on the back of the + pony, heading for the Crocodile Drift at a gallop. So quickly indeed did + he execute this masterly retreat, that occupied as they all were in + binding Nahoon, for half a minute or more none of the soldiers noticed + what had happened. Then Maputa chanced to see, and waddled after him to + the top of the rise, screaming:— + </p> + <p> + “The white thief, he has stolen my horse, and the gun too, the gun that he + promised to give me.” + </p> + <p> + Hadden, who by this time was a hundred yards away, heard him clearly, and + a rage filled his heart. This man had made an open murderer of him; more, + he had been the means of robbing him of the girl for whose sake he had + dipped his hands in these iniquities. He glanced over his shoulder; Maputa + was still running, and alone. Yes, there was time; at any rate he would + risk it. + </p> + <p> + Pulling up the pony with a jerk, he leapt from its back, slipping his arm + through the rein with an almost simultaneous movement. As it chanced, and + as he had hoped would be the case, the animal was a trained shooting + horse, and stood still. Hadden planted his feet firmly on the ground and + drawing a deep breath, he cocked the rifle and covered the advancing + chief. Now Maputa saw his purpose and with a yell of terror turned to fly. + Hadden waited a second to get the sight fair on his broad back, then just + as the soldiers appeared above the rise he pressed the trigger. He was a + noted shot, and in this instance his skill did not fail him; for, before + he heard the bullet tell, Maputa flung his arms wide and plunged to the + ground dead. + </p> + <p> + Three seconds more, and with a savage curse, Hadden had remounted the pony + and was riding for his life towards the river, which a while later he + crossed in safety. + </p> + <p> + <a name="2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI + </h2> + <h3> + THE GHOST OF THE DEAD + </h3> + <p> + When Nanea leapt from the dizzy platform that overhung the Pool of Doom, a + strange fortune befell her. Close in to the precipice were many jagged + rocks, and on these the waters of the fall fell and thundered, bounding + from them in spouts of spray into the troubled depths of the foss beyond. + It was on these stones that the life was dashed out from the bodies of the + wretched victims who were hurled from above. But Nanea, it will be + remembered, had not waited to be treated thus, and as it chanced the + strong spring with which she had leapt to death carried her clear of the + rocks. By a very little she missed the edge of them and striking the deep + water head first like some practised diver, she sank down and down till + she thought that she would never rise again. Yet she did rise, at the end + of the pool in the mouth of the rapid, along which she sped swiftly, + carried down by the rush of the water. Fortunately there were no rocks + here; and, since she was a skilful swimmer, she escaped the danger of + being thrown against the banks. + </p> + <p> + For a long distance she was borne thus till at length she saw that she was + in a forest, for trees cut off the light from the water, and their + drooping branches swept its surface. One of these Nanea caught with her + hand, and by the help of it she dragged herself from the River of Death + whence none had escaped before. Now she stood upon the bank gasping but + quite unharmed; there was not a scratch on her body; even her white + garment was still fast about her neck. + </p> + <p> + But though she had suffered no hurt in her terrible voyage, so exhausted + was Nanea that she could scarcely stand. Here the gloom was that of night, + and shivering with cold she looked helplessly to find some refuge. Close + to the water’s edge grew an enormous yellow-wood tree, and to this she + staggered—thinking to climb it, and seek shelter in its boughs + where, as she hoped, she would be safe from wild beasts. Again fortune + befriended her, for at a distance of a few feet from the ground there was + a great hole in the tree which, she discovered, was hollow. Into this hole + she crept, taking her chance of its being the home of snakes or other evil + creatures, to find that the interior was wide and warm. It was dry also, + for at the bottom of the cavity lay a foot or more of rotten tinder and + moss brought there by rats or birds. Upon this tinder she lay down, and + covering herself with the moss and leaves soon sank into sleep or stupor. + </p> + <p> + How long Nanea slept she did not know, but at length she was awakened by a + sound as of guttural human voices talking in a language that she could not + understand. Rising to her knees she peered out of the hole in the tree. It + was night, but the stars shone brilliantly, and their light fell upon an + open circle of ground close by the edge of the river. In this circle there + burned a great fire, and at a little distance from the fire were gathered + eight or ten horrible-looking beings, who appeared to be rejoicing over + something that lay upon the ground. They were small in stature, men and + women together, but no children, and all of them were nearly naked. Their + hair was long and thin, growing down almost to the eyes, their jaws and + teeth protruded and the girth of their black bodies was out of all + proportion to their height. In their hands they held sticks with sharp + stones lashed on to them, or rude hatchet-like knives of the same + material. + </p> + <p> + Now Nanea’s heart shrank within her, and she nearly fainted with fear, for + she knew that she was in the haunted forest, and without a doubt these + were the <i>Esemkofu</i>, the evil ghosts that dwelt therein. Yes, that + was what they were, and yet she could not take her eyes off them—the + sight of them held her with a horrible fascination. But if they were + ghosts, why did they sing and dance like men? Why did they wave those + sharp stones aloft, and quarrel and strike each other? And why did they + make a fire as men do when they wish to cook food? More, what was it that + they rejoiced over, that long dark thing which lay so quiet upon the + ground? It did not look like a head of game, and it could scarcely be a + crocodile, yet clearly it was food of some sort, for they were sharpening + the stone knives in order to cut it up. + </p> + <p> + While she wondered thus, one of the dreadful-looking little creatures + advanced to the fire, and taking from it a burning bough, held it over the + thing that lay upon the ground, to give light to a companion who was about + to do something to it with the stone knife. Next instant Nanea drew back + her head from the hole, a stifled shriek upon her lips. She saw what it + was now—it was the body of a man. Yes, and these were no ghosts; + they were cannibals of whom when she was little, her mother had told her + tales to keep her from wandering away from home. + </p> + <p> + But who was the man they were about to eat? It could not be one of + themselves, for his stature was much greater. Oh! now she knew; it must be + Nahoon, who had been killed up yonder, and whose dead body the waters had + brought down to the haunted forest as they had brought her alive. Yes, it + must be Nahoon, and she would be forced to see her husband devoured before + her eyes. The thought of it overwhelmed her. That he should die by order + of the king was natural, but that he should be buried thus! Yet what could + she do to prevent it? Well, if it cost her her life, it should be + prevented. At the worst they could only kill and eat her also, and now + that Nahoon and her father were gone, being untroubled by any religious or + spiritual hopes and fears, she was not greatly concerned to keep her own + breath in her. + </p> + <p> + Slipping through the hole in the tree, Nanea walked quietly towards the + cannibals—not knowing in the least what she should do when she + reached them. As she arrived in line with the fire this lack of programme + came home to her mind forcibly, and she paused to reflect. Just then one + of the cannibals looked up to see a tall and stately figure wrapped in a + white garment which, as the flame-light flickered on it, seemed now to + advance from the dense background of shadow, and now to recede into it. + The poor savage wretch was holding a stone knife in his teeth when he + beheld her, but it did not remain there long, for opening his great jaws + he uttered the most terrified and piercing yell that Nanea had ever heard. + Then the others saw her also, and presently the forest was ringing with + shrieks of fear. For a few seconds the outcasts stood and gazed, then they + were gone this way and that, bursting their path through the undergrowth + like startled jackals. The <i>Esemkofu</i> of Zulu tradition had been + routed in their own haunted home by what they took to be a spirit. + </p> + <p> + Poor <i>Esemkofu!</i> they were but miserable and starving bushmen who, + driven into that place of ill omen many years ago, had adopted this means, + the only one open to them, to keep the life in their wretched bodies. Here + at least they were unmolested, and as there was little other food to be + found amid that wilderness of trees, they took what the river brought + them. When executions were few in the Pool of Doom, times were hard for + them indeed—for then they were driven to eat each other. That is why + there were no children. + </p> + <p> + As their inarticulate outcry died away in the distance, Nanea ran forward + to look at the body that lay on the ground, and staggered back with a sigh + of relief. It was not Nahoon, but she recognised the face for that of one + of the party of executioners. How did he come here? Had Nahoon killed him? + Had Nahoon escaped? She could not tell, and at the best it was improbable, + but still the sight of this dead soldier lit her heart with a faint ray of + hope, for how did he come to be dead if Nahoon had no hand in his death? + She could not bear to leave him lying so near her hiding-place, however; + therefore, with no small toil, she rolled the corpse back into the water, + which carried it swiftly away. Then she returned to the tree, having first + replenished the fire, and awaited the light. + </p> + <p> + At last it came—so much of it as ever penetrated this darksome den—and + Nanea, becoming aware that she was hungry, descended from the tree to + search for food. All day long she searched, finding nothing, till towards + sunset she remembered that on the outskirts of the forest there was a flat + rock where it was the custom of those who had been in any way afflicted, + or who considered themselves or their belongings to be bewitched, to place + propitiatory offerings of food wherewith the <i>Esemkofu</i> and <i>Amalhosi</i> + were supposed to satisfy their spiritual cravings. Urged by the pinch of + starvation, to this spot Nanea journeyed rapidly, and found to her joy + that some neighbouring kraal had evidently been in recent trouble, for the + Rock of Offering was laden with cobs of corn, gourds of milk, porridge and + even meat. Helping herself to as much as she could carry, she returned to + her lair, where she drank of the milk and cooked meat and mealies at the + fire. Then she crept back into the tree, and slept. + </p> + <p> + For nearly two months Nanea lived thus in the forest, since she could not + venture out of it—fearing lest she should be seized, and for a + second time taste of the judgment of the king. In the forest at least she + was safe, for none dared enter there, nor did the <i>Esemkofu</i> give her + further trouble. Once or twice she saw them, but on each occasion they + fled from her presence—seeking some distant retreat, where they hid + themselves or perished. Nor did food fail her, for finding that it was + taken, the pious givers brought it in plenty to the Rock of Offering. + </p> + <p> + But, oh! the life was dreadful, and the gloom and loneliness coupled with + her sorrows at times drove her almost to insanity. Still she lived on, + though often she desired to die, for if her father was dead, the corpse + she had found was not the corpse of Nahoon, and in her heart there still + shone that spark of home. Yet what she hoped for she could not tell. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + When Philip Hadden reached civilised regions, he found that war was about + to be declared between the Queen and Cetywayo, King of the Amazulu; also + that in the prevailing excitement his little adventure with the Utrecht + store-keeper had been overlooked or forgotten. He was the owner of two + good buck-waggons with spans of salted oxen, and at that time vehicles + were much in request to carry military stores for the columns which were + to advance into Zululand; indeed the transport authorities were glad to + pay £90 a month for the hire of each waggon and to guarantee the owners + against all loss of cattle. Although he was not desirous of returning to + Zululand, this bait proved too much for Hadden, who accordingly leased out + his waggons to the Commissariat, together with his own services as + conductor and interpreter. + </p> + <p> + He was attached to No. 3 column of the invading force, which it may be + remembered was under the immediate command of Lord Chelmsford, and on the + 20th of January, 1879, he marched with it by the road that runs from + Rorke’s Drift to the Indeni forest, and encamped that night beneath the + shadow of the steep and desolate mountain known as Isandhlwana. + </p> + <p> + That day also a great army of King Cetywayo’s, numbering twenty thousand + men and more, moved down from the Upindo Hill and camped upon the stony + plain that lies a mile and a half to the east of Isandhlwana. No fires + were lit, and it lay there in utter silence, for the warriors were + “sleeping on their spears.” + </p> + <p> + With that <i>impi</i> was the Umcityu regiment, three thousand five + hundred strong. At the first break of dawn the Induna in command of the + Umcityu looked up from beneath the shelter of the black shield with which + he had covered his body, and through the thick mist he saw a great man + standing before him, clothed only in a moocha, a gaunt wild-eyed man who + held a rough club in his hand. When he was spoken to, the man made no + answer; he only leaned upon his club looking from left to right along the + dense array of innumerable shields. + </p> + <p> + “Who is this <i>Silwana</i> (wild creature)?” asked the Induna of his + captains wondering. + </p> + <p> + The captains stared at the wanderer, and one of them replied, “This is + Nahoon-ka-Zomba, it is the son of Zomba who not long ago held rank in this + regiment of the Umcityu. His betrothed, Nanea, daughter of Umgona, was + killed together with her father by order of the Black One, and Nahoon went + mad with grief at the sight of it, for the fire of Heaven entered his + brain, and mad he has wandered ever since.” + </p> + <p> + “What would you here, Nahoon-ka-Zomba?” asked the Induna. + </p> + <p> + Then Nahoon spoke slowly. “My regiment goes down to war against the white + men; give me a shield and a spear, O Captain of the king, that I may fight + with my regiment, for I seek a face in the battle.” + </p> + <p> + So they gave him a shield and a spear, for they dared not turn away one + whose brain was alight with the fire of Heaven. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + When the sun was high that day, bullets began to fall among the ranks of + the Umcityu. Then the black-shielded, black-plumed Umcityu arose, company + by company, and after them arose the whole vast Zulu army, breast and + horns together, and swept down in silence upon the doomed British camp, a + moving sheen of spears. The bullets pattered on the shields, the shells + tore long lines through their array, but they never halted or wavered. + Forward on either side shot out the horns of armed men, clasping the camp + in an embrace of steel. Then as these began to close, out burst the war + cry of the Zulus, and with the roar of a torrent and the rush of a storm, + with a sound like the humming of a billion bees, wave after wave the deep + breast of the <i>impi</i> rolled down upon the white men. With it went the + black-shielded Umcityu and with them went Nahoon, the son of Zomba. A + bullet struck him in the side, glancing from his ribs, he did not heed; a + white man fell from his horse before him, he did not stab, for he sought + but one face in the battle. + </p> + <p> + He sought—and at last he found. There, among the waggons where the + spears were busiest, there standing by his horse and firing rapidly was + Black Heart, he who had given Nanea his betrothed to death. Three soldiers + stood between them, one of them Nahoon stabbed, and two he brushed aside; + then he rushed straight at Hadden. + </p> + <p> + But the white man saw him come, and even through the mask of his madness + he knew Nahoon again, and terror took hold of him. Throwing away his empty + rifle, for his ammunition was spent, he leaped upon his horse and drove + his spurs into its flanks. Away it went among the carnage, springing over + the dead and bursting through the lines of shields, and after it came + Nahoon, running long and low with head stretched forward and trailing + spear, running as a hound runs when the buck is at view. + </p> + <p> + Hadden’s first plan was to head for Rorke’s Drift, but a glance to the + left showed him that the masses of the Undi barred that way, so he fled + straight on, leaving his path to fortune. In five minutes he was over a + ridge, and there was nothing of the battle to be seen, in ten all sounds + of it had died away, for few guns were fired in the dread race to + Fugitive’s Drift, and the assegai makes no noise. In some strange fashion, + even at this moment, the contrast between the dreadful scene of blood and + turmoil that he had left, and the peaceful face of Nature over which he + was passing, came home to his brain vividly. Here birds sang and cattle + grazed; here the sun shone undimmed by the smoke of cannon, only high up + in the blue and silent air long streams of vultures could be seen winging + their way to the Plain of Isandhlwana. + </p> + <p> + The ground was very rough, and Hadden’s horse began to tire. He looked + over his shoulder—there some two hundred yards behind came the Zulu, + grim as Death, unswerving as Fate. He examined the pistol in his belt; + there was but one undischarged cartridge left, all the rest had been fired + and the pouch was empty. Well, one bullet should be enough for one savage: + the question was should he stop and use it now? No, he might miss or fail + to kill the man; he was on horseback and his foe on foot, surely he could + tire him out. + </p> + <p> + A while passed, and they dashed through a little stream. It seemed + familiar to Hadden. Yes, that was the pool where he used to bathe when he + was the guest of Umgona, the father of Nanea; and there on the knoll to + his right were the huts, or rather the remains of them, for they had been + burnt with fire. What chance had brought him to this place, he wondered; + then again he looked behind him at Nahoon, who seemed to read his + thoughts, for he shook his spear and pointed to the ruined kraal. + </p> + <p> + On he went at speed for here the land was level, and to his joy he lost + sight of his pursuer. But presently there came a mile of rocky ground, and + when it was past, glancing back he saw that Nahoon was once more in his + old place. His horse’s strength was almost spent, but Hadden spurred it + forward blindly, whither he knew not. Now he was travelling along a strip + of turf and ahead of him he heard the music of a river, while to his left + rose a high bank. Presently the turf bent inwards and there, not twenty + yards away from him, was a Kaffir hut standing on the brink of a river. He + looked at it, yes, it was the hut of that accursed <i>inyanga</i>, the + Bee, and standing by the fence of it was none other than the Bee herself. + At the sight of her the exhausted horse swerved violently, stumbled and + came to the ground, where it lay panting. Hadden was thrown from the + saddle but sprang to his feet unhurt. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! Black Heart, is it you? What news of the battle, Black Heart?” cried + the Bee in a mocking voice. + </p> + <p> + “Help me, mother, I am pursued,” he gasped. + </p> + <p> + “What of it, Black Heart, it is but by one tired man. Stand then and face + him, for now Black Heart and White Heart are together again. You will not? + Then away to the forest and seek shelter among the dead who await you + there. Tell me, tell me, was it the face of Nanea that I saw beneath the + waters a while ago? Good! bear my greetings to her when you two meet in + the House of the Dead.” + </p> + <p> + Hadden looked at the stream; it was in flood. He could not swim it, so + followed by the evil laugh of the prophetess, he sped towards the forest. + After him came Nahoon, his tongue hanging from his jaws like the tongue of + a wolf. + </p> + <p> + Now he was in the shadow of the forest, but still he sped on following the + course of the river, till at length his breath failed, and he halted on + the further side of a little glade, beyond which a great tree grew. Nahoon + was more than a spear’s throw behind him; therefore he had time to draw + his pistol and make ready. + </p> + <p> + “Halt, Nahoon,” he cried, as once before he had cried; “I would speak with + you.” + </p> + <p> + The Zulu heard his voice, and obeyed. + </p> + <p> + “Listen,” said Hadden. “We have run a long race and fought a long fight, + you and I, and we are still alive both of us. Very soon, if you come on, + one of us must be dead, and it will be you, Nahoon, for I am armed and as + you know I can shoot straight. What do you say?” + </p> + <p> + Nahoon made no answer, but stood still at the edge of the glade, his wild + and glowering eyes fixed on the white man’s face and his breath coming in + short gasps. + </p> + <p> + “Will you let me go, if <i>I</i> let <i>you</i> go?” Hadden asked once + more. “I know why you hate me, but the past cannot be undone, nor can the + dead be brought to earth again.” + </p> + <p> + Still Nahoon made no answer, and his silence seemed more fateful and more + crushing than any speech; no spoken accusation would have been so terrible + in Hadden’s ear. He made no answer, but lifting his assegai he stalked + grimly toward his foe. + </p> + <p> + When he was within five paces Hadden covered him and fired. Nahoon sprang + aside, but the bullet struck him somewhere, for his right arm dropped, and + the stabbing spear that he held was jerked from it harmlessly over the + white man’s head. But still making no sound, the Zulu came on and gripped + him by the throat with his left hand. For a space they struggled terribly, + swaying to and fro, but Hadden was unhurt and fought with the fury of + despair, while Nahoon had been twice wounded, and there remained to him + but one sound arm wherewith to strike. Presently forced to earth by the + white man’s iron strength, the soldier was down, nor could he rise again. + </p> + <p> + “Now we will make an end,” muttered Hadden savagely, and he turned to seek + the assegai, then staggered slowly back with starting eyes and reeling + gait. For there before him, still clad in her white robe, a spear in her + hand, stood the spirit of Nanea! + </p> + <p> + “Think of it,” he said to himself, dimly remembering the words of the <i>inyanga</i>, + “when you stand face to face with the ghost of the dead in the Home of the + Dead.” + </p> + <p> + There was a cry and a flash of steel; the broad spear leapt towards him to + bury itself in his breast. He swayed, he fell, and presently Black Heart + clasped that great reward which the word of the Bee had promised Him. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + “Nahoon! Nahoon!” murmured a soft voice, “awake, it is no ghost, but I—Nanea—I, + your living wife, to whom my <i>Ehlose</i>[*] has given it me to save + you.” + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [*] Guardian Spirit. +</pre> + <p> + Nahoon heard and opened his eyes to look and his madness left him. + </p> + <p> + “Welcome, wife,” he said faintly, “now I will live since Death has brought + you back to me in the House of the Dead.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + To-day Nahoon is one of the Indunas of the English Government in Zululand, + and there are children about his kraal. It was from the lips of none other + than Nanea his wife that the teller of this tale heard its substance. + </p> + <p> + The Bee also lives and practises as much magic as she dares under the + white man’s rule. On her black hand shines a golden ring shaped like a + snake with ruby eyes, and of this trinket the Bee is very proud. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg’s Black Heart and White Heart, by H. Rider Haggard + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACK HEART AND WHITE HEART *** + +***** This file should be named 2842-h.htm or 2842-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/8/4/2842/ + +Produced by John Bickers; Dagny; David Widger + +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. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project +Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the Foundation” + or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the phrase “Project +Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +“Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, “Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.” + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +“Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right +of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’ WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm’s +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws. + +The Foundation’s principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation’s web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + </body> +</html> |