第4章

“Wherearetheoxen？“Iasked。

“Oh！Baas。”heanswered，“theBasutoshavegotthem。WeheardfromanoldblackwomanthatSekukunihadanimpiout，sowewaitedonthetopofthathillaboutanhour’srideawaytoseeifitwastrue。ThensuddenlythedoctorBaasappearedriding，andIranoutandaskedhimifitweresafetogoon。Heknewmeagainandanswered——

“’Yes，quitesafe，forhaveInotjustriddenthisroadwithoutmeetingsomuchasablackchild。Goon，man；yourmasterswillbegladtohavetheiroxen，astheywishtotrek，orwillbynightfall。’Thenhelaughedandrodeaway。

“Sowewenton，drivingtheoxen。Butwhenwecametothebeltofthornsatthebottomofthehill，wefoundthatthedoctorBaashadeitherliedtousorhehadnotseen。Fortheresuddenlythetallgrassoneithersideofthepathgrewspears；

yes，everywherewerespears。Inaminutethetwovoorlooperswereassegaied。Asforme，Iranforward，notback，sincetheKaffirswerebehindme，acrossthepath，Baas，drivingofftheoxen。Theysprangatme，butIjumpedthiswayandthatwayandavoidedthem。Thentheythrewassegais——see，oneofthemcutmycheek，buttherestmissed。Theyhadgunsintheirhandsalso，butnoneshot。Ithinktheydidnotwishtomakeanoise。Onlyoneofthemshoutedafterme——

“’TellMacumazahnthatwearegoingtocallonhimtonightwhenhecannotseetoshoot。WehaveamessageforhimfromourbrotherswhomhekilledatthedriftoftheOliphant’sRiver。’

“ThenIranonherewithoutstopping，butIsawnomoreKaffirs。

Thatisall，Baas。”

NowIdidnotdelaytocross-examinethemanortosiftthetruefromthefalseinhisstory，sinceitwascleartomethathehadrunintoacompanyofBasutos，orratherbeenbeguiledtheretobyRodd，andlostourcattle，alsohiscompanions，whowereeitherkilledashesaid，orhadescapedsomeotherway。

“Listen，man。”Isaid。“Iamgoingtofetchsomehorses。DoyoustayhereandhelptheMissietopackthecartandmaketheharnessready。Ifyoudisobeymeorrunaway，thenIwillfindyouandyouwillneverrunagain。Doyouunderstand？“

Hevowedthathedidandwenttogetsomewater，whileI

explainedeverythingtoAnscombeandHeda，pointingoutthatalltheinformationwecouldgatherseemedtoshowthatnoattackwastobemadeuponthehousebeforenightfall，andthatthereforewehadthedaybeforeus。AsthiswassoIproposedtogotolookforthehorsesmyself，sinceotherwiseIwassureweshouldneverfindthem。MeanwhileHedamustpackandmakereadythecartwiththehelpofFootsack，Anscombesuperintendingeverything，ashecouldverywelldosincehewasnowabletowalkleaningonastick。

Ofcourseneitherofthemlikedmyleavingthem，butinviewofournecessitiestheyraisednoobjection。SooffIwent，takingtheboywithme。Hedidnotwanttogo，being，asIhavesaid，halfdazedwithgrieforfear，orboth，butwhenIhadpointedouttohimclearlythatIwasquitepreparedtoshoothimifheplayedtricks，hechangedhismind。Havingsaddledmymarethatwasnowfreshandfat，westarted，theboyguidingmetoacertainkloofatthefootofwhichtherewasasmallplainofgoodgrasswherehesaidthehorseswereaccustomedtograze。

Heresureenoughwefoundtwoofthem，andastheyhadbeenturnedoutwiththeirheadstallson，wereabletotiethemtotreeswiththeriemswhichwereattachedtotheheadstalls。Buttheotherswerenotthere，andastwohorsescouldnotdragaheavyCapecart，Iwasobligedtocontinuethesearch。Oh！whatahuntthosebeastsgaveme。Findingthemselvesfree，forasRodd’sobjectwasthattheyshouldstray，hehadorderedthestable-boynottokneel-halterthem，afterfillingthemselveswithgrasstheyhadstartedoffforthefarmwheretheywerebred，which，itseemed，wasaboutfiftymilesaway，grazingastheywent。OfcourseIdidnotknowthisatthetime，soforseveralhoursIrodeupanddowntheneighbouringkloofs，asthegroundwastoohardformetohopetofollowthembytheirspoor。

Itoccurredtometoasktheboywherethehorsescamefrom，aquestionthathehappenedtobeabletoanswer，ashehadbroughtthemhomewhentheywereboughttheyearbefore。HavinglearnedinwhatdirectiontheplacelayIrodeforitatanangle，orratherforthepaththatledtoit，makingtheboyrunalongside，holdingtomystirrupleather。Aboutthreeo’clockintheafternoonIstruckthispath，orrathertrack，atapointtenortwelvemilesawayfromtheTemple，andthere，justmountingarise，metthetwohorsesquietlywalkingtowardsme。HadIbeenaquarterofanhourlatertheywouldhavepassedandvanishedintoaseaofthorn-veld。Wecaughtthemwithouttroubleandoncemoreheadedhomewards，leadingthembytheirriems。

Reachingthegladewheretheothertwoweretiedup，wecollectedthemalsoandreturnedtothehouse，wherewearrivedatfiveo’clock。AseverythingseemedquietIputmymareintothestable，slippeditsbitandgaveitsomeforage。ThenIwentroundthehouse，andtomygreatjoyfoundAnscombeandHedawaitinganxiously，butwithnothingtoreport，andwiththemFootsack。VeryhastilyIswallowedsomefood，whileFootsackinspannedthehorses。Inaquarterofanhourallwasready。

Thensuddenly，inaninconsequentfemalefashion，Hedadevelopedadisliketoleavingherfatherunburied。

“Mydearyounglady。”Isaid，“itseemsthatyoumustchoosebetweenthatandourallstoppingtobeburiedwithhim。”

Shesawthepointandcompromiseduponpayinghimavisitoffarewell，whichIlefthertodoinAnscombe’scompany，whileI

fetchedmymare。TotellthetruthIfeltasthoughIhadseenenoughoftheunhappyMarnham，andnotfor#50wouldIhaveenteredthatroomagain。Aslpassedthedoorofthehospital，leadingmyhorse，IheardtheoldKaffirscreamingwithinandsenttheboywhowaswithmetofindoutwhatwasthematterwithhim。ThatwasthelastIsawofeitherofthem，orevershallseethissideofkingdomcome。Iwonderwhatbecameofthem？

WhenIgotbacktothefrontofthehouseIfoundthecartstandingreadyatthegate，FootsackattheheadofthehorsesandHedawithAnscombeatherside。IthadbeenneatlypackedduringthedaybyHedawithsuchofherandourbelongingsasitwouldhold，includingourarmsandammunition。Therest，ofcourse，wewereobligedtoabandon。Alsothereweretwobasketsfulloffood，somebottlesofbrandyandagoodsupplyofovercoatsandwraps。ItoldFootsacktotakethereins，asI

knewhimtobeagooddriver，andhelpedAnscombetoaseatathisside，whileHedaandthemaidKaatjegotinbehindinordertobalancethevehicle。Ideterminedtoride，atanyrateforthepresent。

“Whichway，Baas？“askedFootsack。

“DowntotheGraniteStreamwherethewagonstands。”Ianswered。

“ThatwillbethroughtheYellow-woodSwamp。Can’twetaketheotherroadtoPilgrim’sRestandLydenburg，ortoBarberton？“

askedAnscombeinavagueway，andasIthought，rathernervously。

“No。”Ianswered，“thatisunlessyouwishtomeetthoseBasutoswhostoletheoxenandDr。Roddreturning，ifhemeanstoreturn。”

“Oh！letusgothroughtheYellow-wood。”exclaimedHeda，who，I

think，wouldratherhavemetthedevilthanDr。Rodd。

“Ah！ifIhadbutknownthatwewereheadingstraightforthatperson，soonerwouldIhavefacedtheBasutostwiceover。ButI

didwhatseemedwisest，thinkingthathewouldbesuretoreturnwithanotherdoctororamagistratebytheshorterandeasierpathwhichhehadfollowedinthemorning。Itjustshowsoncemorehowuselessareallourcareandforesight，orhowstrongisFate，haveitwhichwayyouwill。

Sowestarteddowntheslope，andI，ridingbehind，notedpoorHedastaringatthemarblehouse，whichgrewevermorebeautifulasitrecededandtheroughnessofitsbuildingdisappeared，especiallyatthatpartofitwhichhidthebodyofheroldscampofafatherwhomstillsheloved。Wecamedowntotheglenandoncemoresawthebonesofthebluewildebeestethatwehadshot——oh！yearsandyearsago，orsoitseemed。ThenwestruckoutfortheGraniteStream。

BeforewereachedthepatchofYellow-woodforestwhereIknewthatthecartmusttravelveryslowlybecauseofthetreesandtheswampynatureoftheground，Ipushedonaheadtoreconnoitre，fearinglesttheremightbeBasutoshiddeninthiscover。RidingstraightthroughitIwentasfarasthedesertedwagonatasharpcanter，seeingnothingone。Onceindeed，towardstheendofthewoodwhereitwasmoredense，IthoughtthatIheardamancoughandpeeredaboutmethroughthegloom，forheretheraysofthesun，whichwasgettinglowintheheavens，scarcelypenetrated。AsIcouldperceivenooneIcametotheconclusionthatImusthavebeendeceivedbymyfancy。Orperhapsitwassomebaboonthatcoughed，thoughitwasstrangethatababoonshouldhavecometosuchalow-lyingspotwheretherewasnothingforittoeat。

Theplacewaseerie，somuchsothatIbethoughtmeoftalesoftheghostswherebyitwassupposedtobehaunted。Also，oddlyenough，ofAnscombe’spresentimentwhichhehadfulfilledbykillingaBasuto。Look！Therelayhisgrinningskullwithsomepatchesofhairstillonit，draggedawayfromtherestofthebonesbyahyena。Icanteredondowntheslopebeyondthewoodandthroughthescatteredthornstothestreamonthebanksofwhichthewagonshouldbe。Ithadgone，andbythefreshnessofthetrail，withinanhourortwo。Amoment’sreflectiontoldmewhathadhappened。HavingstolenouroxentheBasutosdrovethemtothewagon，inspannedthemanddepartedwiththeirloot。OnthewholeIwasgladtoseethis，sinceitsuggestedthattheyhadretiredtowardstheirowncountry，leavingourroadopen。

TurningmyhorseIrodebackagaintomeetthecart。AsI

reachedtheedgeofthewoodatthetopoftheslopeIheardawhistleblown，averyshrillwhistle，ofwhichthesoundwouldtravelforamileortwoonthatstillair。AlsoIheardthesoundofmen’svoicesinaltercationandcaughtwords，suchas——“Letgo，orbyHeaven——！“thenafuriouslaughandotherwordswhichseemedtobe——“InfiveminutestheKaffirswillbehere。Intenyouwillbedead。CanIhelpitiftheykillyouafterIhavewarnedyoutoturnback？“Thenawoman’sscream。

Rodd’svoice，Anscombe’svoiceandKaatje’sscream——notHeda’sbutKaatje’s！

ThenasIrodefuriouslyroundthelastpatchofinterveningtreesthesoundofapistolshot。Iwasoutofthemnowandsaweverything。Therewasthecartonthefurthersideofaswamp。

Thehorseswerestandingstillandsnorting。HoldingthereinofoneoftheleaderswasRodd，whosehorsealsostoodcloseby。HewasrockingonhisfeetandasIleaptfrommymareandranup，I

sawhisface。itwashorrible，fullofpainanddevilishrage。

WithhisdisengagedhandhepointedtoAnscombesittinginthecartandgraspingapistolthatstillsmoked。

“You’vekilledme。”hesaidinahoarse，chokingvoice，forhewasshotthroughthelung，“together。”andhewavedhishandtowardsHedawhowaspeeringathimbetweentheheadsofthetwomen。“Youareamurderer，asherfatherwas，andasDavidwasbeforeyou。Well，Ihopeyouwon’tkeepherlong。Ihopeyou’lldieasIdoandbreakherfalseheart，youdamnedthief。”

Allofthishesaidinaslowvoice，pausingbetweenthewordsandspeakingevermorethicklyasthebloodfromhiswoundchokedhim。Thenofasuddenitburstinastreamfromhislips，andstillpointingwithanaccusingfingeratAnscombe，hefellbackwardsintotheslimypoolbehindhimandtherevanishedwithoutastruggle。

Sohorriblewasthesightthatthedriver，Footsack，leaptfromthecart，utteringakindoflowhowl，rantoRodd’shorse，scrambledintothesaddleandgallopedoff，strikingitwithhisfist，wheretoIdonotknow。Anscombeputhishandbeforehiseyes，Hedasankdownontheseatinaheap，andthecolouredwoman，Kaatje，beatherbreastandsaidsomethinginDutchaboutbeingaccursedorbewitched。LuckilyIkeptmywitsandwenttothehorses’heads，fearinglesttheyshouldstartanddragthetrapintothepool。“Wakeup。”Isaid。“Thatfellowhasonlygotwhathedeserved，andyouwerequiterighttoshoothim。”

“Iamgladyouthinkso。”answeredAnscombeabsently。“Itwassolikemurder。Don’tyourememberItoldyouIshouldkillamaninthisplaceandaboutawoman？“

“Iremembernothing。”Iansweredboldly，“exceptthatifwestopheremuchlongerweshallhavethoseBasutosonus。Thatbrutewaswhistlingtothemandholdingthehorsestilltheycametokillus。Pullyourselftogether，takethereinsandfollowme。”

Heobeyed，beingaskilfulwhipenoughwho，asheinformedmeafterwards，hadbeenaccustomedtodriveafour-in-handathome。

Mountingmyhorse，whichstoodby，Iguidedthecartoutofthewoodanddowntheslopebeyond，tillatlengthwecametoouroldoutspanwhereIproposedtoturnontothewagontrackwhichrantoPilgrim’sRest。Isayproposed，forwhenIlookedupitI

perceivedaboutfivehundredyardsawayanumberofarmedBasutosrunningtowardsus，theredlightofthesunsetshiningontheirspears。EvidentlythescoutorspytowhomRoddwhistled，hadcalledthemoutoftheirambushwhichtheyhadsetforusonthePilgrim’sRestroadinorderthattheymightcatchusifwetriedtoescapethatway。

Nowtherewasonlyonethingtobedone。Atthisspotanativetrackranacrossthelittlestreamandupasteepishslopebeyond。OnthefirstoccasionofouroutspanninghereIhadthecuriositytomountthisslope，reflectingasIdidsothatalthoughroughitwouldbequitepracticableforawagon。AtthetopofitIfoundawideflatplain，almosthigh-veld，forthebusheswereveryfew，acrosswhichthetrackranon。OnsubsequentinquiryIdiscoveredthatitwasoneusedbytheSwazisandothernativeswhentheymadetheirraidsupontheBasutos，orwhenbodiesofthemwenttoworkinthemines。

“Followme。”Ishoutedandcrossedthestreamwhichwasshallowbetweenthelittlepools，thenledthewayupthestonyslope。

ThefourhorsesnegotiateditverywellandtheCapecart，beingsplendidlybuilt，tooknoharm。AtthetopIlookedbackandsawthattheBasutoswerefollowingus。

“Flogthehorses！“IcriedtoAnscombe，andoffwewentatahandgallopalongthenativetrack，thecartswayingandbumpingupontheroughveld。Thesunwassettingnow，inhalfanhouritwouldbequitedark。

Couldwekeepaheadofthemforthathalfhour？

CHAPTERIX

FLIGHT

Thesunsankinablazeofglory。LookingbackbythelightofitslastraysIsawasinglenativesilhouettedagainsttheredsky。Hewasstandingonamoundthatwehadpassedamileormorebehindus，doubtlesswaitingforhiscompanionswhomhehadoutrun。Sotheyhadnotgivenupthechase。Whatwastobedone？Onceitwascompletelydarkwecouldnotgoon。Weshouldloseourway；thehorseswouldgetintoant-bearholesandbreaktheirlegs。Perhapswemightbecomeboggedinsomehollow，thereforewemustwaittillthemoonrose，whichwouldnotbeforacoupleofhours。

MeanwhilethoseaccursedBasutoswouldbefollowinguseveninthedark。Thiswouldhamperthem，nodoubt，buttheywouldkeepthepath，withwhichtheywereprobablyfamiliar，beneaththeirfeet，andwhatismore，thegroundbeingsoftwithrecentrain，theycouldfeelthewheelspoorwiththeirfingers。Ilookedaboutme。Justhereanothertrackstartedoffinanor’-westerlydirectionfromthatwhichwewerefollowing。PerhapsitrantoLydenburg；Idonotknow。Toourleft，notmorethanahundredyardsorsoaway，thehigherveldcametoanendandslopedinaneasterlydirectiondowntobush-landbelow。

ShouldItakethewesterlyroadwhichranoveragreatplain？

No，forthenwemightbeseenformilesandcutoff。Moreover，evenifweescapedthenatives，wasitdesirableshouldplungeintocivilizationjustnowandtellallourstory，asinthatcasewemustdo。Rodd’sdeathwasquitejustified，butithadhappenedonTransvaalterritoryandwouldrequireadealofexplanation。Fortunatelytherewasnowitnessofit，exceptourselves。Yes，therewasthough——thedriverFootsack，ifhehadgotaway，which，beingmounted，wouldseemprobable，amanwho，formypart，Iwouldnottrustforamoment。ItwouldbeanuglythingtoseeAnscombeinthedockchargedwithmurderandpossiblymyself，withFootsackgivingevidenceagainstusbeforeaBoerjurywhomightbehardonEnglishmen。Alsotherewasthebodywithabulletinit。

SuddenlytherecameintomymindarecollectionoftheveryvividdreamofZikaliwhichhadvisitedme，andIreflectedthatinZululandtherewouldbelittleneedtotroubleaboutthedeathofRodd。ButZululandwasalongwayoff，andifweweretoavoidtheTransvaal，therewasonlyonewayofgoingthere，namelythroughSwaziland。Well，amongtheSwazisweshouldbequitesafefromtheBasutos，sincethetwopeopleswereatfierceenmity。MoreoverIknewtheSwazichiefsandkingverywell，havingtradedthere，andcouldexplainthatIcametocollectdebtsowingtome。

Therewasanotherdifficulty。IhadheardthatthetroublebetweentheEnglishGovernmentandCetewayo，theZuluking，wascomingtoahead，andthattheHighCommissioner，SirBartleFrere，talkedofpresentinghimwithanultimatum。Itwouldbeawkwardifthisarrivedwhilewewereinthecountry，thoughevenso，beingonsuchfriendlytermswiththeZulusofallclasses，I

didnotthinkthatI，oranywithme，wouldrungreatrisks。

AllthesethoughtsrushedthroughmybrainwhileIconsideredwhattodo。Atthemomentitwasuselesstoasktheopinionoftheotherswhowerebutchildreninnativematters。IandI

alonemusttaketheresponsibilityandact，prayingthatImightdosoaright。AnothermomentandIhadmadeupmymind。

SigningtoAnscombetofollowme，Irodeaboutahundredyardsormoredownthenor’-westerlypath。ThenIturnedsharplyalongaratherstonyridgeofground，thecartfollowingmeallthetime，andcamebackacrossourowntrack，ourmyobjectbeingofcoursetopuzzleanyKaffirswhomightspoorus。Nowwewereontheedgeofthegentleslopethatleddowntothebush-veld。OverthisIrodetowardsadesertedcattlekraalbuiltofstones，intherichsoilofwhichgrewsundrytrees；doubtlessoneofthosewhichhadbeenabandonedwhenMosilikatzesweptallthiscountryonhiswaynorthabouttheyear1838。Thewaytoitwaseasy，sincethesurroundingstoneshadbeencollectedtobuildthekraalgenerationsbefore。Aswepassedovertheedgeoftheslopeinthegatheringgloom，Hedacried——

“Look！“andpointedinthedirectionwhencewecame。Farawayasheetofflameshotupwards。

“Thehouseisburning。”sheexclaimed。

“Yes。”Isaid，“itcanbenothingelse；“addingtomyself，“agoodjobtoo，fornowtherewillbenopostmortemonoldMarnham。”

WhofiredtheplaceIneverlearnt。ItmayhavebeentheBasutos，orMarnham’sbody-servant，orFootsack，orasparkfromthekitchenfire。Atanyrateitblazedmerrilyenoughnotwithstandingthemarblewalls，asawood-linedandthatchedbuildingofcoursewoulddo。OnthewholeIsuspectedtheboy，whomayverywellhavefearedlestheshouldbeaccusedofhavinghadahandinhismaster’sdeath。Atleastitwasgone，andwatchingthedistantflamesIbethoughtmethatwithitwentallHeda’spast。Twenty-fourhoursbeforeherfatherwasalive，thebondservantofRoddandacriminal。NowhewasashesandRoddwasdead，whilesheandthemanshelovedwerefree，withalltheworldbeforethem。IwishedthatIcouldhaveaddedthattheyweresafe。Afterwardsshetoldmethatmuchthesameideaspassedthroughherownmind。

DismountingIledthehorsesintotheoldkraalthroughthegapinthewallwhichoncehadbeenthegateway。Itwasalargekraalthatprobablyinbygonedayshadheldthecattleofsomeforgottenheadchiefwhosetownwouldhavestoodonthebrowoftherise；solargethatnotwithstandingthetreesIhavementioned，therewasplentyofroomforthecartandhorsesinitscentre。Moreover，onsuchsoilthegrassgrewsorichlythatafterwehadslippedtheirbits，thehorseswereabletofillthemselveswithoutbeingunharnessed。Alsoalittlestreamfromaspringonthebrowranwithinafewyardswhence，withthehelpofKaatje，astrongwoman，Iwateredthemwiththebucketwhichhungunderneaththecart。Nextwedrankourselvesandatesomefoodinthedarknessthatwasnowcomplete。ThenleavingKaatjetostandattheheadofthehorsesincasetheyshouldattemptanysuddenmovement，Iclimbedintothecart，andwediscussedthingsinlowwhispers。

Itwasacuriousdebateinthatintensegloomwhich，closeasourfacesweretogether，preventedusfromseeinganythingofeachother，exceptoncewhenasuddenflareofsummerlightningrevealedthem，whiteandunnaturalasthoseofghosts。OnourpresentdangersIdidnotdwell，puttingthemasidelightly，thoughIknewtheywerenotlight。ButofthealternativeastowhetherweshouldtrytoescapetoLydenburgandcivilization，ortoZululandandsavagery，Ifeltittobemydutytospeak。

“Toputitplainly。”saidAnscombeinhisslowwaywhenIhadfinished，“youmeanthatintheTransvaalImightbetriedasamurdererandperhapsconvicted，whereasifwevanishintoZululandtheprobabilityisthatthiswouldnothappen。”

“Imean。”Iwhisperedback，“thatwemightbothbetriedand，ifFootsackshouldchancetoappearandgiveevidence，findourselvesinanawkwardposition。Alsothereisanotherwitness——Kaatje，andforthematterofthat，Hedaherself。Ofcourseherevidencewouldbeinourfavour，buttomakeitunderstoodbyajuryshewouldhavetoexplainagreatdealofwhichshemightprefernottospeak。Further，atthebest，thewholebusinesswouldgetintotheEnglishpapers，whichyouandyourrelativesmightthinkdisagreeable，especiallyinviewofthefactthat，asIunderstand，youandHedaintendtomarry。”

“StillIthinkthatIwouldratherfaceitout。”hesaidinhisoutspokenway，“evenifitshouldmeanthatIcouldneverreturntoEngland。Afterall，ofwhathaveItobeafraid？IshotthisscoundrelbecauseIwasobligedtodoso。”

“Yes，butitisofthisthatyoumayhavetoconvinceajurywhomightpossiblyfindamotiveinRodd’spast，andyourpresent，relationshiptothesamelady。Butwhathasshetosay？“

“Ihavetosay。”whisperedHeda，“thatformyselfIcarenothing，butthatIcouldneverbeartoseeallthesestoriesaboutmypoorfatherrakedup。AlsothereisMauricetobeconsidered。

Itwouldbeterribleiftheyputhiminprison——orworse。LetusgotoZululand，Mr。Quatermain，andafterwardsgetoutofAfrica。

Don’tyouagree，Maurice？“

“WhatdoesMr。Quatermainthinkhimself？“heanswered。“HeistheoldestandbyfarthewisestofusandIwillbeguidedbyhim。”

NowIconsideredandsaid——

“Thereissuchathingasflyingfrompresenttroublestoothersthatmaybeworse，the’illsweknownotof。’Zululandisdisturbed。Ifwarbrokeouttherewemightallbekilled。Ontheotherhandwemightnot，anditoughttobepossibleforyoutoworkuptoDelagoaBayandtheregetsomeshiphome，thatisifyouwishtokeepclearofBritishlaw。Icannotdoso，asI

muststayinAfrica。NorcanItaketheresponsibilityofsettlingwhatyouaretodo，sinceifthingswentwrong，itwouldbeonmyhead。However，ifyoudecidefortheTransvaalorNatalandweescape，ImusttellyouthatIshallgotothefirstmagistratewefindandmakeafulldepositionofallthathashappened。Itisnotpossibleformetolivewiththechargeofhavingbeenconcernedintheshootingofawhitemanhangingovermethatmightbebroughtupatanytime，perhapswhennoonewasleftinthecountrytogiveevidenceonmybehalf，forthen，evenifIwereacquittedmynamewouldalwaysbetarnished。InZululand，ontheotherhand，therearenomagistratesbeforewhomIcoulddepose，andifthisbusinessshouldcomeout，IcanalwayssaythatwewenttheretoescapefromtheBasutos。NowI

amgoingtogetdowntoseeifthehorsesareallright。Doyoutwotalkthethingoverandmakeupyourminds。Whateveryouagreeon，Ishallacceptanddomybesttocarrythrough。”Then，withoutwaitingforananswer，Islippedfromthecart。

Havingexaminedthehorses，whowerecroppingallthegrasswithinreachofthem，Icrepttothewallofthekraalsoastobequiteoutofearshot。Thenightwasnowpitchdark，darkasitonlyknowshowtobeinAfrica。More，athunderstormwascomingupofwhichthatflashofsheetlightninghadbeenapresage。Theairwaselectric。Fromthevastbush-cladvalleybeneathuscameawild，moaningsoundcaused，Isuppose，bywindamongthetrees，thoughhereIfeltnone；farawayasuddenspearoflightningstabbedthesky。Thebroodingtroubleofnaturespreadtomyownheart。Iwasafraid，andnotofourpresentdangers，thoughthesewererealenough，sorealthatinafewhourswemightallbedead。

TodangersIwasaccustomed；foryearstheyhadbeenmydailyfoodbydayandbynight，and，asIthinkIhavesaidelsewhere，Iamafatalist，onewhoknowsfullwellthatwhenGodwantsmeHewilltakeme；thatisifHecanwantsuchapoor，erringcreature。NothingthatIdidorleftundonecouldpostponeorhastenHissummonsforamoment，thoughofcourseIknewittobemydutytofightagainstdeathandtoavoiditforaslongasI

might，becausethatIshoulddosowasaportionofHisplan。

Forweareallpartofagreatpattern，andthecontinuanceorcessationofourlivesre-actsuponotherlives，andthereforelifeisatrust。

No，itwasofgreaterthingsthatIfeltafraid，thingsterribleandimminentwhichIcouldnotgraspandmuchlessunderstand。I

understandthemnow，butwhowouldhaveguessedthatontheissueofthatwhisperedcolloquyinthecartbehindme，dependedthefateofapeopleandmanythousandsoflives？AsIwastolearnindaystocome，ifAnscombeandHedahaddetermineduponheadingfortheTransvaal，therewould，asIbelieve，havebeennoZuluwar，whichinitsturnmeantthattherewouldhavebeennoBoerRebellionandthatthemysteriouscourseofhistorywouldhavebeenchanged。

Ishookmyselftogetherandreturnedtothecart。

“Well。”Iwhispered，buttherewasnoanswer。Amomentlatertherecameanotherflashoflightning。

“There。”saidHeda，“howmanydoyoumakeit？

“Ninety-eight。”heanswered。

“Icountedninety-nine。”shesaid，“butanywayitwaswithinthehundred。Mr。Quatermain，wewillgotoZululand，ifyouplease，ifyouwillshowusthewaythere。”

“Right。”Ianswered，“butmightIaskwhatthathastodowithyourbothcountingahundred？“

“Onlythis。”shesaid，“wecouldnotmakeupourminds。MauricewasfortheTransvaal，IwasforZululand。Soyouseeweagreedthatifanotherflashcamebeforewecountedahundred，wewouldgotoZululand，andifitdidn’t，toPretoria。Averygoodwayofsettling，wasn’tit？“

“Excellent！“Ireplied，“quiteexcellentforthosewhocouldthinkofsuchathing。”

AsamatteroffactIdon’tknowwhichofthemthoughtofitbecauseIneverinquired。ButIdidrememberafterwardshowAnscombehadtossedwithaluckypennywhenitwasaquestionwhetherweshouldorshouldnotrunforthewagonduringourdifficultybytheOliphant’sRiver；alsowhenIaskedhimthereasonforthisstrangeproceedingheansweredthatProvidencemightinhabitapennyaswellasanythingelse，andthathewishedtogiveit——ImeanProvidence——achance。Howmuchmorethen，hemayhaveargued，coulditinhabitaflashoflightningwhichhasalwaysbeenconsideredadivinemanifestationfromthetimeoftheRomanJove，andnodoubtfarbeforehim。

Fortyorfiftygenerationsago，whichisnotlong，ourancestorssetgreatstorebythebehaviouroflightningandthunder，anddoubtlesstheinstinctisstillinourblood，inthesamewaythatallourexistingsuperstitionsaboutthemooncomedowntousfromthetimewhenourforefathersworshippedher。Theydidthisfortensofhundredsorthousandsofyears，andcanweexpectafewcoatingsoftheveneerthatwepolitelycallcivilization，whichafterallisonlyoneofourconventionsthatvanishinanyhumanstresssuchaswar，tokilloutthehumanimpulseitseemstohide？Idonotknow，thoughIhavemyownopinion，andprobablytheseyoungpeopleneverreasonedthematterout。Theyjustactedonanintuitionasancientasthatwhichhadattractedthemtoeachother，namelyadesiretoconsulttherulingfatesbyomensorsymbols。OrperhapsAnscombethoughtthatashisexperiencewiththepennyhadprovedsosuccessful，hewouldgiveProvidenceanother“chance。”Ifsoittookitandnomistake。Confoundit！Idon’tknowwhathethought；IonlydwellonthematterbecauseofthegreatresultswhichfollowedthisconsultationoftheSybillinebooksofheaven。

Asithappenedmyspeculations，ifIreallyindulgedinanyatthattime，weresuddenlyextinguishedbytheburstingofthestorm。Itwasoftheusualcharacter，shortbutveryviolent。

Ofasuddentheskybecamealivewithlightningsandtheatmospherewiththeroarofwinds。Oneflashstruckatreequitenearthekraal，andIsawthattreeseemtomeltinitsfieryembrace，whileaboutwhereithadbeen，roseacolumnofdustfromthegroundbeneath。Thehorsesweresofrightenedthatluckilytheystoodquitequiet，asIhaveoftenknownanimalstodoinsuchcircumstances。Thencametherain，atorrentialrainasI，whowasoutinitholdingthehorses，becamepainfullyaware。Itthinnedafterawhile，however，asthestormrolledaway。

SuddenlyinasilencebetweenthetremendousechoesofthepassingthunderIthoughtthatIheardvoicessomewhereonthebrowoftheslope，andasthehorseswerenowquitecalm，IcreptthroughthetreestothatpartoftheenclosurewhichIjudgedtobenearesttothem。

Voicestheyweresureenough，andoftheBasutoswhowerepursuingus。Whatwasmore，theywerecomingdowntheslope。

Thetopoftheoldwallreachedalmosttomychin。TakingoffmyhatIthrustmyheadforwardbetweentwoloosestones，thatI

mighthearthebetter。

ThemenweretalkingtogetherinSisutu。One，whomItooktobetheircaptain，saidtotheothers——

“Thatwhite-headedoldjackal，Macumazahn，hasgivenustheslipagain。Hedoubledonhistracksanddrovethehorsesdownthehillsidetothelowerpathinthevalley。Icouldfeelwherethewheelswentovertheedge。”

“Itisso，Father。”answeredanothervoice，“butweshallcatchhimandtheothersatthebottomifwegettherebeforethemoonrises，sincetheycannothavemovedfarinthisrainanddarkness。LetmegofirstandguideyouwhoknoweverytreeandstoneuponthisslopewhereIusedtoherdcattlewhenIwasachild。”

“Doso。”saidthecaptain。“Icanseenothingnowthelightninghasgone，andwereitnotthatIhavesworntodipmyspearinthebloodofMacumazahnwhohasfooledusagain，Iwouldgiveupthehunt。”

“Ithinkitwouldbebettertogiveitupinanycase。”saidathirdvoice，“sinceitisknownthroughoutthelandthatnoluckhasevercometothosewhotriedtotraptheWatcher-by-Night。

Oh！heisaleopardwhospringsandisgoneagain。Howmanyarethethroatsinwhichhisfangshavemet。Leavehimalone，Isay，lestourfateshouldbethatofthewhitedoctorintheYellow-woodSwamp，hewhosetusonthishunt。Wehavehiswagonandhiscattle；letusbesatisfied。”

“Iwillleavehimalonewhenhesleepsforthelasttime，andnotbefore。”answeredthecaptain，“hewhoshotmybrotherinthedrifttheotherday。WhatwouldSekukunisayifwelethimescapetobringtheSwazisonus？Moreover，wewantthatwhitemaidenforahostageincasetheEnglishshouldattackusagain。

Come，youwhoknowtheroad，andleadus。”

Therewassomedisturbanceasthismanpassedtothefront。ThenIheardthelinemoveforward。Presentlytheyweregoingbythewallwithinafootortwoofme。Indeedbyill-luckjustaswewereoppositetoeachotherthecaptainstumbledandfellagainstthewall。

“Thereisanoldcattlekraalhere。”hesaid。“Whatifthosewhiteratshavehiddeninit？“

ItrembledasIheardthewords。Ifahorseshouldneighormakeanynoisethatcouldbeheardabovethehissoftherain！IdidnotdaretomoveforfearlestIshouldbetraymyself。ThereI

stoodsoclosetotheKaffirsthatIcouldsmellthemandheartherainpatteringontheirbodies。OnlyverystealthilyIdrewmyhuntingknifewithmyrighthand。Atthatmomentthelightning，whichIthoughthadquitegoneby，flashedagainforthelasttime，revealingthefatfaceoftheBasutocaptainwithinafootofmyown，forhewasturnedtowardsthewallonwhichoneofhishandsrested。Moreover，theblueandghastlylightrevealedminetohimthrustforwardbetweenthetwostones，myeyesglaringathim。

“Theheadofadeadmanissetuponthewall！“hecriedinterror。“Itistheghostof——“

Hegotnofurther，forasthelastwordpassedhislipsIdrovetheknifeathimwithallmystrengthdeepintohisthroat。Hefellbackintothearmsofhisfollowers，andnextinstantI

heardthesoundofmanyfeetrushinginterrordownthehill。

WhatbecameofhimIdonotknow，butifhestilllives，probablyheagreeswithhistribesmanthatMacumazahn——Watcher-by-Night，orhisghost“isaleopardwhospringsandkillsandisgoneagain“；also，thatthosewhotrytotraphimmeetwithnoluck。

Isay，orhisghost——becauseIamsurehethoughtthatIwasaspiritofthedead；doubtlessImusthavelookedlikeonewithmywhite，rain-drownedfaceappearingtherebetweenthestonesandmadeghastlyandlividbythelightning。

Well，theyhadgone，thewholebandofthem，notlessthanthirtyorfortymen，soIwentalso，backtothecartwhereIfoundtheothersverycomfortableindeedbeneaththerainprooftilt。

Sayingnothingofwhathadhappened，ofwhichtheywereasinnocentasbabes，Itookastifftotofbrandy，forIwaschilledthroughbythewet，andwhilewaitingforthemoontorise，busiedmyselfwithgettingthebitsbackintothehorses’

mouths——anawkwardjobinthedark。Atlengthitappearedinaclearsky，forthestormhadquitedepartedandtherainceased。

AssoonastherewaslightenoughItookthenearleaderbythebridleandledthecarttothebrowofthehill，whichwasnoteasyundertheconditions，makingKaatjefollowwithmyhorse。

Then，astherewerenosignsofanyBasutos，westartedonagain，Iridingaboutahundredyardsahead，keepingasharplook-outforapossibleambush。Fortunately，however，theveldwasbareandopen，consistingoflongwavesofground。OnestartIdidget，thinkingthatIsawmen’sheadsjustonthecrestofawave，whichturnedouttobeonlyaherdofspringbuckfeedingamongthetussocksofgrass。Iwasverygladtoseethem，sincetheirpresenceassuredmethatnohumanbeinghadrecentlypassedthatway。

Allnightlongwetrekked，followingtheKaffirpathforascouldseeit，andafterthatgoingbymycompass。IknewwhereaboutsthedriftoftheCrocodileRivershouldbe，asIhadcrossedittwicebeforeinmylife，andkeptmyeyesopenforacertaintallkoppiewhichstoodwithinhalfamileitontheSwazisideoftheriver。UltimatelytomyjoyIcaughtsightofthishillfaintlyoutlinedagainsttheskyandheadedforit。HalfamilefurtheronIstruckawagon-trackmadebyBoerstrekkingintoSwazi-Landtotradeorshoot。ThenIknewthatthedriftwasstraightaheadofus，andcalledtoAnscombetoflogupthewearyhorses。

Wereachedtheriverjustbeforethedawn。Tomyhorroritwasveryfull，sofullthatthedriftlookeddangerous，forithadbeenswollenbythethunder-rainofthepreviousnight。IndeedsomewanderingSwazisonthefurtherbankshoutedtousthatweshouldbedrownedifwetriedtocross。

“Whichmeansthattheonlythingtodoistostayuntilthewaterrunsdown。”IsaidtoAnscombe，forthetwowomen，tiredout，wereasleep。

“Isupposeso。”heanswered，“unlessthoseBasutos——“

Ilookedbackupthelongslopedownwhichwehadcomeandsawnoone。ThenIraisedmyselfinmystirrupsandlookedalonganothertrackthatjoinedtheroadjusthere，leadingfromthebush-veld，asoursledfromthehigh-veld。Thesunwasrisingnow，dispersingthemistthathungaboutthetreesafterthewet。

Searchingamongthesewithmyeyes，presentlyIperceivedthelightgleaminguponwhatIknewmustbethepointsofspearsprojectingabovethelevelofthegroundvapour。

“Thosedevilsareafterusbythelowerroad。”IsaidtoAnscombe，adding，“Iheardthempasstheoldcattlekraallastnight。Theyfollowedourspoorovertheedgeofthehill，butinthedarklostitamongthestones。”

Hewhistledandaskedwhatwastobedone。

“Thatisforyoutodecide。”Ianswered。“FormypartI’dratherrisktheriverthantheBasutos。”andIlookedattheslumberingHeda。

“Canweboltbackthewaywecame，Allan？“

“ThehorsesareveryspentandwemightmeetmoreBasutos。”andagainIlookedatHeda。

“Ahardchoice，Allan。Itiswonderfulhowwomencomplicateeverythinginlife，becausetheyarelife，Isuppose。”Hethoughtamomentandwenton，“Let’strytheriver。Ifwefail，itwillbesoonover，anditisbettertodrownthanbespeared。”

“Orbekeptalivebysavageswhohateus。”Iexclaimed，withmyeyesstillfixeduponHeda。

ThenIgottobusiness。Therewerehideriemsonthebridlesoftheleaders。Iundidtheseandknottedtheirlooseendsfirmlytogether。TothemImadefasttheriemofmyownmare，slippingaloopItiedinit，overmyrighthandandsaying——

“NowIwillgofirst，leadingthehorses。Doyoudriveaftermeforallyouareworth，eveniftheyaresweptofftheirfeet。I

cantrustmybeasttoswimstraight，andbeingamare，Ihopethatthehorseswillfollowherastheyhavedoneallnight。

WakeupHedaandKaatje。”

Henodded，andlookingverypale，said——

“Hedamydear，Iamsorrytodisturbyou，butwehavetogetoverariverwitharoughbottom，soyouandKaatjemusthangonandsittight。Don’tbefrightened，youareassafeasachurch。”

“Godforgivehimforthatlie。”thoughtItomyselfas，havingtightenedthegirths，Imountedmymare。ThengrippingtheriemIkickedthebeasttoacanter，Anscombeflogginguptheteamasweswungdownthebanktotheedgeofthefoamingtorrent，onthefurthersideofwhichtheSwazisshoutedandgesticulatedtoustogoback。

Wewereinitnow，for，asIhadhoped，thehorsesfollowedthemarewithouthesitation。Forthefirsttwentyyardsorsoallwentwell，Iheadingupthestream。ThensuddenlyIfeltthatthemarewasswimming。

“Flogthehorsesanddon’tletthemturn。”IshoutedtoAnscombe。

TenmoreyardsandIglancedovermyshoulder。Theteamwasswimmingalso，andbehindthemthecartrockedandbobbedlikeaboatswinginginaheavysea。Therecameastrainontheriem；

theleadersweretryingtoturn！Ipulledhardandencouragedthemwithmyvoice，whileAnscombe，whodrovesplendidly，kepttheirheadsasstraightashecould。Mercifullytheycameroundagainandstruckoutforthefurthershore，thewater-loggedcartfloatingafterthem。Woulditturnover？Thatwasthequestioninmymind。Fiveseconds；tensecondsanditwasstillupright。

Oh！itwasgoing。No，afiercebackeddycaughtitandsetitstraightagain。Mymaretouchedbottomandtherewashope。Itstruggledforward，beingsweptdownthestreamallthetime。Nowthehorsesinthecartalsofoundtheirfootingandweweresaved。

No，thewethadcausedtheknotofoneoftheriemstoslipbeneaththestrain，orperhapsitbroke——Idon’tknow。Feelingthepullslackentheleaderswhippedroundontothewheelers。

Theretheyallstoodinaheap，theirheadsandpartoftheirnecksabovewater，whilethecartfloatedbehindthemonitsside。KaatjescreamedandAnscombeflogged。Ileaptfrommymareandstruggledtotheleaders，thewateruptomychin。

GraspingtheirbitsImanagedtokeepthemfromturningfurther。

ButIcoulddonomoreanddeathcameveryneartous。HaditnotbeenforsomeofthosebraveSwazisonthebankitwouldhavefoundus，everyone。Buttheyplungedin，eightofthem，holdingeachother’shands，andhalf-swimming，half-wading，reachedus。

Theygotthehorsesbytheheadandstraightenedthemout，whileAnscombepliedhiswhip。Adashforwardandthewheelswereonthebottomagain。

Threeminuteslaterweweresafeonthefurtherbank，whichmymarehadalreadyreached，whereIlaygaspingonmyface，ejaculatingprayersofthankfulnessandspittingoutmuddywater。

CHAPTERX

NOMBE

TheSwazis，shivering，forallthesepeoplehatecold，andshakingthemselveslikeadogwhenhecomestoshore，gatheredround，examiningme。

“Why！“saidoneofthem，anelderlymanwhoseemedtobetheirleader，“thisisnoneotherthanMacumazahn，Watcher-by-Night，theoldfriendofallusblackpeople。SurelythespiritsofourfathershavebeenwithuswhomighthaveriskedourlivestosaveaBoerorahalf-breed。”(TheSwazis，Imayexplain，didnotliketheBoersforreasonstheyconsideredsound。)

“Yes。”Isaid，sittingup，“itisI，Macumazahn。”

“Thenwhy。”askedtheman，“didyou，whomallknowtobewise，showyourselftohavesuddenlybecomeafool？“andhepointedtotheragingriver。

“Andwhy。”Iasked，“doyoushowyourselfafoolbysupposingthatI，whomyouknowtobenone，amafool？Lookacrossthewaterforyouranswer。”

HelookedandsawtheBasutos，fiftyormoreofthem，arriving，justtoolate。

“Whoarethese？“heasked。

“TheyarethepeopleofSekukuniwhomyoushouldknowwellenough。Theyhavehuntedusallnight，yes，andbefore，seekingtomurderus；alsotheyhavestolenouroxen，thirty-twofineoxenwhichIgivetoyourkingifhecantakethemback。NowperhapsyouunderstandwhywedaredtheCrocodileRiverinitsrage。”

AtthenameofSekukunitheman，whoitseemedwasthecaptainofsomeborderguards，stiffenedalloverlikeaterrierwhichperceivesarat。“What！“heexclaimed，“dothesedirtyBasutodogsdaretocarryspearssonearourcountry？Havetheynotyetlearnedtheirlesson？“

Thenherushedintothewater，shakinganassegaihehadsnatchedup，andshouted，“Bideawhile，youfleasfromthekarossofSekukuni，tillIcancomeacrossandcrackyoubetweenmythumbandfinger。OrattheleastwaituntilMacumazahnhastimetogethisrifle。No，putdownthosegunsofyours；foreveryshotyoufireIswearthatI

willcuttenBasutothroatswhenwecometostormyourkoppies，asweshalldoerelong。”

“Besilent。”Isaid，“andletmespeak。”

ThenI，too，calledacrosstheriver，askingwherewasthatfatcaptainoftheirs，asIwouldtalkwithhim。Oneofthemenshoutedbackthathehadstoppedbehind，verysick，becauseofaghostthathehadseen。

“Ah！“Ianswered，“aghostwhoprickedhiminthethroat。Well，Iwasthatghost，andsucharethethingsthathappentothosewhowouldharmMacumazahnandhisfriends。Didyounotsaylastnightthatheisaleopardwholeapsoutinthedark，bitesandisgoneagain？“

“Yes。”themanshoutedback，“anditistrue，thoughhadweknown，OMacumazahn，thatyouweretheghosthidinginthosestones，youshouldneverhaveleaptagain。Oh！thatwhitemedicine-manwhoisdeadhassentusonamaderrand。”

“SoyouwillthinkwhenIcometovisityouamongyourkoppies。

GohomeandtakeamessagefromMacumazahntoSekukuni，whobelievesthattheEnglishhaverunawayfromhim。TellhimthattheywillreturnagainandtheseSwaziswiththem，andthatthenhewillceasetoliveandhistownwillbeburntandhistribewillnomorebeatribe。Awaynow，moreswiftlythanyoucame，sincethewaterbywhichyouthoughttotrapusisfalling，andaSwaziimpigatherstomakeanendofeveryoneofyou。”

Themanattemptednoanswer，nordidhispeoplesomuchasfireonus。Theyturnedtailandcreptofflikeapackoffrightenedjackals——pursuedbythemockingoftheSwazis。

Stillinawaytheyhadthelaughofus，seeingthattheygaveusaterriblefrightandstoleourwagonandthirty-twooxen。Well，ayearortwolaterIhelpedtopaythembackforthatfrightandevenrecoveredsomeoftheoxen。

WhentheyhadgonetheSwazisledustoakraalabouttwomilesfromtheriver，sendingonarunnerwithorderstomakehutsandfoodreadyforus。Itwasjustasmuchaswecoulddotoreachit，forwewereallutterlywornout，aswerethehorses。Stillwedidgetthereatlast，thehotsunwarmingusaswewent。

ArrivedatthekraalIhelpedHedaandKaatjefromthecart——theformercouldscarcelywalk，poordear——andintotheguesthutwhichseemedclean，wherefoodofasortandfurkarosseswerebroughttotheminwhichtowrapthemselveswhiletheirclothesdried。

Leavingtheminchargeoftwooldwomen，IwenttoseetoAnscombe，whoasyetcouldnotdomuchforhimself，alsototheoutspanningofthehorseswhichwereputintoacattlekraal，wheretheylaydownatoncewithoutattemptingtoeatthegreenforagewhichwasgiventothem。AfterthisIgaveourgoodsintothechargeofthekraal-head，aniceoldfellowwhomIhadnevermetbefore，andheledAnscombetoanotherhutclosetothatwherethewomenwere。Herewedranksomemaas，thatiscurdledmilk，atealittlemutton，thoughweweretoofatiguedtobeveryhungry，andstrippingoffourwetclothes，threwthemoutintothesuntodry。

“Thatwasacloseshave。”saidAnscombeashewrappedupinthekaross。

“Very。”Ianswered。“SoclosethatIthinkyoumusthavebeenstartedinlifewithanextrastrongguardianangelwellaccustomedtonativeways。”

“Yes。”hereplied，“and，oldfellow，IbelievethatonearthhegoesbythenameofAllanQuatermain。”

AfterthisIremembernomore，forIwenttosleep，andsoremainedforabouttwenty-fourhours。Thiswasnotwonderful，seeingthatfortwodaysandnightspracticallyIhadnotrested，duringwhichtimeIwentthroughmuchfatigueandmanyemotions。

WhenatlengthIdidwakeup，thefirstthingIsawwasAnscombealreadydressed，engagedincleaningmyclotheswithabrushfromhistoiletcase。Irememberthinkinghowsmartandincongruousthatdressing-bag，madeappropriatelyenoughofcrocodilehide，lookedinthisKaffirhutwithitssilver-toppedbottlesanditsivory-handledrazors。

“Timetogetup，Sir。Bathready，Sir。”hesaidinhisjolly，drawlingvoice，pointingtoacalabashfullofhotwater。“HopeyousleptaswellasIdid，Sir。”

“Youappeartohaverecoveredyourspirits。”IremarkedasIroseandbegantowashmyself。

“Yes，Sir，andwhynot？Hedaisquitewell，forIhaveseenher。

TheseSwazisareverygoodpeople，andasKaatjeunderstandstheirlanguage，bringusallwewant。Ourtroublesseemtobedonewith。OldMarnhamisdead，anddoubtlesscremated；Roddisdeadand，letushope，inheaven；theBasutoshavemeltedaway，themorningisfineandwarmandawholekidiscookingforbreakfast。”

“Iwishthereweretwo，forIamravenous。”Iremarked。

“Thehorsesaregettingrestedandfeedingwell，thoughsomeoftheirlegshavefilled，andthetrapislittletheworse，forI

havewalkedtolookatthem，orratherhopped，leaningontheshoulderofaverysniffySwaziboy。Doyouknow，oldfellow，I

believethereneverwereanyBasutos；alsothatthevenerableMarnhamandtheluridToddhadnorealexistence，thattheywerebutillusions，aprolongednightmare——nomore。Hereisyourshirt。IamsorrythatIhavenothadtimetowashit，butithascookedwellinthesun，which，beingflannel，isalmostasgood。”

“AtanyrateHedaremains。”Iremarked，cuttinghisnonsenseshort，“andIsupposesheisnotanightmareoradelusion。”

“Yes，thankGod！sheremains。”herepliedwithearnestness。“Oh！

Allan，Ithoughtshemustdrowninthatriver，andifIhadlosther，IthinkIshouldhavegonemad。Indeed，atthemomentI

feltmyselfgoingmadwhileIdraggedandfloggedatthosehorses。”

“Well，youdidn’tloseher，andifshehaddrowned，youwouldhavedrownedalso。Sodon’ttalkanymoreaboutit。Sheissafe，andnowwehavegottokeepherso，foryouarenotmarriedyet，myboy，andtherearegenerallymoretreesinawoodthanonecansee。Stillwearealiveandwell，whichismorethanwehadanyrighttoexpect，and，asyousay，letusthankGodforthat。”

ThenIputonmycoatandmybootswhichAnscombehadgreasedashehadnoblacking，andcreptfromthehut。

There，onlyafewyardsaway，engagedinsettingthebreakfastintheshadowofanotherhutonatannedhidethatservedforatableclothwhileKaatjesawtothecookingcloseby，IfoundHeda，stillalittlepaleandsorrowfulbutotherwisequitewellandrested。Moreover，shehadmanagedtodressherselfverynicely，Isupposebyhelpofspareclothesinthecart，andthereforelookedascharmingasshealwaysdid。Ithinkthatherperfectmannerswereoneofhergreatestattractions。ThusonthismorningherfirstthoughtwastothankmeverysweetlyforallshewasgoodenoughtosayIhaddoneforherandAnscombe，thereby，assheputit，savingtheirlivesseveraltimesover。

“Mydearyounglady。”IansweredasroughlyasIcould，“don’tflatteryourselfonthatpoint；itwasmyownlifeofwhichIwasthinking。”

Butsheonlysmiledand，shakingherheadinafascinatingwaythatwaspeculiartoher，remarkedthatIcouldnotdeceiveherasIdidtheKaffirs。AfterthisthesolidKaatjebroughtthefoodandwebreakfastedveryheartily，oratleastIdid。

NowIamnotgoingtosetoutallthedetailsofourjourneythroughSwazi-Land，forthoughinsomewaysitwasinterestingenough，alsoascomfortableasastayamongsavagescanbe，foreverywherewewerekindlyreceived，todosowouldbetoolong，andImustgetonwithmystory。Attheking’skraal，whichwedidnotreachforsomedaysastheabsenceofroadsandthefloodedstateoftherivers，alsotheneedofsparingourhorses，causedustotravelveryslowly，ImetaBoerwhoIthinkwasconcessionhunting。

HetoldmethatthingswerereallyseriousinZululand，soseriousthathethoughttherewasaprobabilityofimmediatewarbetweentheEnglishandtheZulus。HesaidalsothatCetewayo，theZuluking，hadsentmessengerstostiruptheBasutosandothertribesagainstthewhitemen，withtheresultthatSekukunihadalreadymadearaidtowardsPilgrim’sRestandLydenburg。

Iexpressedsurpriseandaskedinnocentlyifhehaddoneanyharm。TheBoerrepliedheunderstoodthattheyhadstolensomecattle，killedtwowhitemen，ifnotmore，andburnttheirhouse。

Headded，however，thathewasnotsurewhetherthewhitemenhadbeenkilledbytheKaffirsorbyotherwhitemenwithwhomtheyhadquarrelled。Therewasarumourtothiseffect，andheunderstoodthatthemagistrateofBarbertonhadgonewithsomemountedpoliceandarmednativestoinvestigatethematter。

Thenweparted，as，havinggothisconcessiontowhichthekingUmbandinehadputhismarkwhenhewasdrunkonbrandythattheBoerhimselfhadbroughtwithhimasapresent，hewasanxioustobegonebeforehegrewsoberandrevokedit。Indeed，hewasinsogreatahurrythatheneverstoppedtoinquirewhatIwasdoinginSwazi-Land，nordoIthinkherealizedthatIwasnotalone。CertainlyhewasquiteunawarethatIhadbeenmixedupintheseBasutotroubles。StillhisstoryastotheinvestigationconcerningthedeathsofMarnhamandRoddmademeuneasy，sinceIfearedlestheshouldhearsomethingonhisjourneyandputtwoandtwotogether，thoughasamatteroffactIdon’tthinkheeverdideitherofthesethings。

TheSwazistoldmemuchthesamestoryastothebrewingZulustorm。InfactanoldIndunaorcouncillor，whomIknew，informedmethatCetewayohadsentmessengerstothem，askingfortheirhelpifitshouldcometofightingwiththewhitemen，butthatthekingandcouncillorsansweredthattheyhadalwaysbeentheQueen’schildren(whichwasnotstrictlytrue，astheywereneverunderEnglishrule)anddidnotwishto“biteherfeetifsheshouldhavetofightwithherhands。”IrepliedthatIhopedtheywouldalwaysactuptothesefinewords，andchangedthesubject。

NowoncemorethequestionaroseastowhetherweshouldmakeforNatalorpressontoZululand。Therumourofcomingwarsuggestedthatthefirstwouldbeourbettercourse，whiletheBoer’sstoryastotheinvestigationofRodd’sdeathpointedtheotherway。ReallyIdidnotknowwhichtodo，andasusualAnscombeandHedaseemedinclinedtoleavethedecisiontome。I

thinkthatafterallNatalwouldhavegainedthedayhaditnotbeenforasingularcircumstance，notaflashoflightningthistime。Indeed，IhadalmostmadeupmymindtorisktroubleandinquiryastoRodd’sdeath，rememberingthatinNatalthesetwoyoungpeoplecouldgetmarried，which，beinginlocoparentis，I

thoughtitdesirabletheyshoulddoassoonaspossible，ifonlytoeasemeofmyresponsibilities。AlsothenceIcouldattendtothematterofHeda’sinheritanceandridmyselfofherfather’swillthatalreadyhadbeensomewhatdamagedintheCrocodileRiver，thoughnotasmuchasitmighthavebeensinceIhadtakentheprecautiontoencloseitinAnscombe’sspongebagbeforeweleftthehouse。

Thecircumstancewasthis：Onemergingfromthecartonemorning，whereIslepttokeepaneyeuponthevaluables，foritwillberememberedthatwehadaconsiderablesumingoldwithus，alsoHeda’sjewels，aSwaziinformedmethatamessengerwishedtoseeme。Iaskedwhatmessengerandwhencedidhecome。Herepliedthatthemessengerwasawitch-doctoressnamedNombe，andthatshecamefromZululandandsaidthatIknewherfather。

Ibadethemanbringhertome，wonderingwhoonearthshecouldbe，foritisnotusualfortheZulustosendwomenasmessengers，andfromwhomshecame。However，Iknewexactlywhatshewouldbelike，somehideousoldhagsmellinghorriblyofgreaseandotherabominations，withawornsnakeskinandsomehumanbonestiedabouther。

Presentlyshecame，escortedbytheSwaziwhowasgrinning，forI

thinkheguessedwhatIexpectedtosee。Istaredandrubbedmyeyes，thinkingthatImuststillbeasleep，forinsteadofafatoldIsanusithereappearedatallandgracefulyoungwoman，ratherlight-coloured，withdeepandquieteyesandabynomeansill-favouredface，remarkableforafixedandsomewhatmysterioussmile。Shewasawitch-doctoresssureenough，forsheworeinherhairtheregulationbladdersandaboutherneckthecircletofbaboon’steeth，alsoroundhermiddleagirdlefromwhichhunglittlebagsofmedicines。

ShecontemplatedmegravelyandIcontemplatedher，waitingtillsheshouldchoosetospeak。Atlength，havingexaminedmeinchbyinch，shesalutedbyraisingherroundedarmandtaperinghand，andremarkedinasoft，fullvoice——

“Allisasthepicturetold。IperceivebeforemethelordMacumazahn。”

Ithoughtthisastrangesaying，seeingthatIcouldnotrecollecthavinggivenmyphotographtoanyoneinZululand。

“Youneednomagictotellyouthat，doctoress。”Iremarked，“butwheredidyouseemypicture？“

“Inthedustfaraway。”shereplied。

“Andwhoshowedittoyou？“

“Onewhoknewyou，OMacumazahn，intheyearsbeforeIcameoutoftheDarkness，onenamedOpenerofRoads，andwithhimanotherwhoalsoknewyouinthoseyears，onewhohasgonedowntotheDarkness。”

NowforsomeoccultreasonIshrankfromaskingthenameofthis“onewhohadgonedowntotheDarkness，’althoughIwassurethatshewaswaitingforthequestion。SoImerelyremarked，withoutshowingsurprise——

“SoZikalistilllives，doeshe？Heshouldhavebeendeadlongago。”

“Youknowwellthathelives，Macumazahn，forhowcouldhedietillhisworkwasaccomplished？Moreover，youwillrememberthathespoketoyouwhenlastmoonwasbutjustpastherfull——inadream，Macumazahn。Ibroughtthatdream，althoughyoudidnotseeme。”

“Pish！“Iexclaimed。“Havedonewithyourtalkofdreams。Whothinksanythingofdreams？“

“Youdo。”sherepliedevenmoreplacidlythanbefore，“youwhomthatdreamhasbroughthither——withothers。”

“Youlie。”Isaidrudely。“TheBasutosbroughtmehere。”

“TheWatcher-by-NightispleasedtosaythatIlie，sodoubtlessIdolie。”sheanswered，herfixedsmiledeepeningalittle。

Thenshefoldedherarmsacrossherbreastandremainedsilent。

“Youareamessenger，Oseerofpicturesinthedustandbearerofthecupofdreams。”Isaidwithsarcasm。“Whosendsamessagebyyourlipsforme，andwhatarethewordsofthemessage？“

“MyLordstheSpiritsspokethemessagebythemouthofthemasterZikali。Hesendsitontoyoubythelipsofyourservant，thedoctoressNombe。”

“Areyouindeedadoctoress，beingsoyoung？“Iasked，forsomehowIwishedtopostponethehearingofthatmessage。

“OMacumazahn，Ihaveheardthecall，Ihavefeltthepaininmyback，Ihavedrunkoftheblackmedicineandofthewhitemedicine，yes，forawholeyear。IhavebeenvisitedbythemultitudeofSpiritsandseentheshadesofthosewholiveandofthosewhoaredead。Ihavedivedintotheriveranddrawnmysnakefromitsmud；see，itsskinisaboutmenow。”andopeningthemantlesheworesheshowedwhatlookedliketheskinofablackmamba，fastenedroundherslenderbody。“Ihavedweltinthewildernessaloneandlistenedtoitsvoices。Ihavesatatthefeetofmymaster，theOpenerofRoads，andlookeddowntheroadanddrunkofhiswisdom。Yes，Iamintruthadoctoress。”

“Well，afterallthis，youshouldbeaswiseasyouarepretty。”

“Oncebefore，Macumazahn，youtoldamaidofmypeoplethatshewasprettyandshecametonogoodend；thoughtoonethatwasgreat。ThereforedonotsaytomethatIampretty，thoughIamgladthatyoushouldthinksowhocancomparemewithsomanywhomyouhaveknown。”andshedroppedhereyes，lookingalittleshy。

ItwasthefirsthumantouchIhadseenabouther，andIwasgladtohavefoundaweakspotinherarmour。Moreover，fromthatmomentshewasalwaysmyfriend。

“Asyouwill，Nombe。Nowforyourmessage。”

“MyLordstheSpirits，speakingthroughZikaliasonewhomakesmusicspeakthroughapipeofreeds，say——“

“Nevermindwhatthespiritssay。TellmewhatZikalisays。”I

interrupted。

“Sobeit，Macumazahn。ThesearethewordsofZikali：’O

Watcher-by-Night，thetimedrawsonwhentheThing-who-should-never-have-been-bornwillbeasthoughheneverhadbeenborn，whereatherejoices。Butfirstthereismuchforhimtodo，andashetoldyounearlythreehundredmoonsago，inwhatmustbedoneyouwillhaveyourpart。Ofthathewillspeaktoyouafterwards。Macumazahn，youdreamedadream，didyounot，lyingasleepinthehousethatwasbuiltofwhitestonewhichnowisblackwithfire？I，Zikali，sentyouthatdreamthroughtheartsofachildofminewhoisnamedNombe，shetowhomIhavegivenaSpirittoguideherfeet。Youdidwelltofollowit，Macumazahn，forhadyoutriedtheotherpath，whichwouldhaveledyoubacktothetownsofthewhitemen，youandthosewithyoumusthavebeenkilled，howitdoesnotmatter。NowbythemouthofNombeIsaytoyou，donotfollowthethoughtthatisinyourmindasshespeakstoyouandgotoNatal，sinceifyoudoso，youandthosewithyouwillcometomuchshameandtroublethattoyouwouldbeworsethandeath，overthematterofthekillingofacertainwhitedoctorinaswampwheregrowyellow-woodtrees。ForthereinNatalyouwillbetaken，allofyou，andsentbacktotheTransvaaltobetriedbeforeamanwhowearsuponhisheadhorse’shairstainedwhite。ButifyoucometoZululandthisshadowshallpassawayfromyou，sincegreatthingsareabouttohappenwhichwillcausesosmallamattertobeforgot。Moreover，IZikali，whodonotlie，promisethis：

ThathowevergreatmaybetheirdangershereinZululand，thosehalf-fledgedoneswhomyou，theoldnight-hawk，coverwithyourwings，shallintheendsuffernoharm；thoseofwhomIspoketoyouinyourdream，thewhitelord，Mauriti，andthewhitelady，Heddana，whostretchouttheirarmsonetoanother。Iwaittowelcomeyou，hereattheBlackKloof，whithermydaughterNombewillguideyou。Cetewayo，theking，alsowillwelcomeyou，andsowillanotherwhosenameIdonotutter。Nowchoose。Ihavespoken。’“

HavingdeliveredhermessageNombestoodquitestill，smilingasbefore，andapparentlyindifferentastoitseffect。

“HowdoIknowthatyoucomefromZikali？“Iasked。“Youmaybebutthebaitsetuponatrap。”

Fromsomewherewithinherrobesheproducedaknifeandhandedittome，remarking——

“TheMastersaysyouwillrememberthis，andbyitknowthatthemessagecomesfromhim。HebademeaddthatwithitwascarvedacertainimagethatoncehegavetoyouatPanda’skraal，wrappedroundwithawoman’shair，whichimageyoustillhave。”

Ilookedattheknifeanddidrememberit，foritwasoneofthoseofSwedishmakewithawoodenhandle，thefirstthatIhadeverseeninAfrica。IhadmadeapresentofittoZikaliwhenI

returnedtoZululandbeforethewarbetweenthePrinces。Theimage，too，Istillpossessed。ItwasthatofthewomancalledMameenawhobroughtaboutthewar，andthewrappingwhichcovereditwasofthehairthatoncegrewuponherhead。

“ThewordsareZikali’s。”Isaid，returninghertheknife，“butwhydoyoucallyourselfthechildofonewhoistoooldtobeafather？“

“TheMastersaysthatmygreat-grandmotherwashisdaughterandthatthereforeIamhischild。Now，Macumazahn，Igotoeatwithmypeople，forIhaveservantswithme。ThenImustspeakwiththeSwaziking，forwhomIalsohaveamessage，whichIcannotdoatpresentbecauseheisstilldrunkwiththewhiteman’sliquor。

AfterthatIshallbereadytoreturnwithyoutoZululand。”

“IneversaidthatIwasgoingtoZululand，Nombe。”

“Yetyourhearthasgonetherealready，Macumazahn，andyoumustfollowyourheart。Doesnottheimagewhichwascarvedwiththeknifeyougave，holdawhiteheartinitshand，andalthoughitseemstobebutabitofUmzimbeetewood，isitnotaliveandbewitched，whichperhapsiswhyyoucouldnevermakeupyourmindtoburnit，Macumazahn？“

“IwishIhad。”Irepliedangrily；buthavingthrownthislastspear，withaflashofherunholyeyesNombehadturnedandgone。

Acleverwomanandthoroughlycoached，thoughtI。Well，Zikaliwasneveronetosufferfools，anddoubtlesssheisanotherofthepawnswhomheusesonhisboardofpolicy。Oh！she，orratherhewasright；myheartwasinZululand，thoughnotinthewayhethought，andIlongedtoseetheendofthatgreatgameplayedbyawizardagainstadespotandhishosts。

SowewenttoZululandbecauseaftertalkingitoverweallcametotheconclusionthatthiswasthebestthingtodo，especiallyasthereweseemedtobesureofawelcome。ForlaterinthedayNomberepeatedtoAnscombeandHedatheinvitationwhichshehaddeliveredtome，assuringthemalsothatinZululandtheywouldcometonoharm。

ItwascurioustowatchthemeetingbetweenHedaandNombe。Thedoctoressappearedjustaswehadrisenfrombreakfast，andHeda，turninground，camefacetofacewithher。

Isthisyourwitch，Mr。Quatermain？“sheaskedmeinhervivaciousway。“Why，sheisdifferentfromwhatIexpected，quitegood-lookingand，yes，impressive。Iamnotsurethatshedoesnotfrightenmealittle。”

“WhatdoestheInkosikaasi(i。e。，thechieftainess)sayconcerningme，Macumazahn？“askedNombe。

“OnlywhatIsaid，thatyouareyoungwhoshethoughtwouldbeold，andprettywhoshethoughtwouldbeugly。”

“Togrowoldwemustfirstbeyoung，Macumazahn，andindueseasonallofuswillbecomeugly，eventheInkosikaasi。ButI

thoughtshesaidalsothatshefearedme。”

“DoyouknowEnglish，Nombe？“

“Nay，butIknowhowtoreadeyes，andtheInkosikaasihaseyesthattalk。Tellherthatshehasnoreasontofearmewhowouldbeherfriend，thoughIthinkthatshewillbringmelittleluck。”

Itwasscarcelynecessary，sofarasHedawasconcerned，butI

translated，leavingoutthelastsentence。

“SaytoherthatIamgratefulwhohavefewfriends，andthatI

willfearhernomore。”saidHeda。

AgainItranslated，whereonNombestretchedoutherhand，saying——

“Lethernotscorntotakeit，itisclean。Ithasbroughtnomantohisdeath——“HereshelookedatHedameaningly。

“Moreover，thoughsheiswhiteandIamblack，Ilikeherselfamofhighbloodandcomeofaraceofwarriorswhodidnothingsmall，andlastly，weareofanage，andifsheisbeautiful，I

amwiseandhavegiftsgreatasherown。”

OncemoreIinterpretedforthebenefitofAnscombe，forHedaunderstoodZuluwellenough，althoughshehadpretendednottodoso，afterwhichthetwoshookhands，toAnscombe’samusementandmywonder。ForIfeltthisscenetobestrainedandonethathid，orpresaged，somethingIdidnotcomprehend。

“ThisistheChiefsheloves？“saidNombetome，studyingAnscombewithhersteadyeyesafterHedahadgone。“Well，heisnocommonmanandbrave，ifidle；one，too，whomaygrowtallintheworld，shouldhelive，whenhehaslearnedtothink。But，Macumazahn，ifshemetyoubothatthesametimewhydidshenotchooseyou？“

“Justnowyousaidyouwerewise，Nombe。”Irepliedlaughing，“butnowIseethat，likemostofyourtrade，youarebutavainboaster。Isthereahatuponmyheadthatyoucannotseethecolourofmyhair，andisitnaturalthatyouthshouldturntoage？“

“Sometimesifthemindisold，Macumazahn，whichiswhyIlovetheSpiritsonlywhoaremoreancientthanthemountains，andwiththemZikalitheirservant，whowasyoungbeforetheZuluswereapeople，orsohesays，andstillyearbyyeargatherswisdomasthebeegathershoney。Inspanyourhorses，Macumazahn，forIhavedonemybusinessandamreadytostart。”

CHAPTERXI

ZIKALI

TendayshadgonebywhenoncemoreIfoundmyselfdrawingneartothemouthoftheBlackKloofwheredweltZikalitheWizard。

OurjourneyinZululandhadbeentediousanduneventful。Itseemedtomethatwemetextraordinarilyfewpeople；itwasasthoughtheplacehadsuddenlybecomedepopulated，andIevenpassedgreatkraalswheretherewasnoonetobeseen。IaskedNombewhatwasthemeaningofthis，forsheandthreesilentmenshehadwithherwereactingasourguides。Oncesheansweredthatthepeoplehadmovedbecauseoflackoffood，astheseasonhadbeenoneofgreatscarcityowingtodrought，andoncethattheyhadbeensummonedtoagatheringattheking’skraalnearUlundi。Atanyratetheywerenotthere，andthefewwhodidappearstaredatusstrangely。

Moreover，Inoticedthattheywerenotallowedtospeaktous。

AlsoHedawaskeptinthecartandNombeinsistedthattherearcanvascurtainshouldbeclosedandablanketfastenedbehindAnscombewhodrove，evidentlywiththeobjectthatsheshouldnotbeseen。Further，onthepleaofweariness，fromthetimethatweenteredZuluterritoryNombeaskedtobeallowedtorideinthecartwithKaatjeandHeda，herrealreason，asIwassure，beingthatshemightkeepawatchonthem。Lastlywetravelledbylittle-frequentedtracks，haltingatnightinout-of-the-wayplaces，where，however，wealwaysfoundfoodawaitingus，doubtlessbyarrangement。

WithonemanwhomIhadknowninpastdaysandwhorecognizedme，Ididmanagetohaveashorttalk。HeaskedmewhatIwasdoinginZululandatthattime。IrepliedthatIwasonavisittoZikali，whereonhesaidIshouldbesaferwithhimthanwithanyoneelse。

Ourconversationwentnofurther，forjustthenoneofNombe’sservantsappearedandmadesomeremarktothemanofwhichI

couldnotcatchthemeaning，whereonhepromptlyturnedanddeported，leavingmewonderinganduneasy。

Evidentlywewerebeingisolated，butwhenIremonstratedwithNombesheonlyansweredwithhermostunfathomablesmile——

“OMacumazahn，youmustaskZikaliofallthesethings。Iamnooneandknownothing，whoonlydowhattheMastertellsmeisforyourgood。”

“IammindedtoturnanddepartfromZululand。”Isaidangrily，“forinthislowveldwhitheryouhaveledusthereisfeverandthehorseswillcatchsicknessorbebittenbythetsetseflyandperish。”

“Icannotsay，Macumazahn，whoonlytravelbytheroadtheMasterpointedout。Yetifyouwillbeguidedbyme，youwillnottrytoleaveZululand。”

“YoumeanthatIaminatrap，Nombe。”

“Imeanthatthecountryisfullofsoldiersandthatallwhitemenhavefledfromit。Therefore，evenifyouwereallowedtopassbecausetheZulusloveyou，Macumazahn，itmightwellhappenthatthosewithyouwouldstaybehind，soundasleep，Macumazahn，forwhich，likeyou，Ishouldbesorry。”