第5章

AfterthisIsaidnomore，forIknewthatshemeanttowarnme。

Wehadenteredonthisbusinessandmustseeitthroughtoitsend，sweetorbitter。

AsforAnscombeandHedatheirhappinessseemedtobecomplete。

Thenoveltyofthelifecharmedthem，andofitsdangerstheytooknothought，beingcontenttoleaveme，inwhomtheyhadablindfaith，tomanageeverything。Moreover，Heda，whointhejoyofherlovewasbeginningtoforgetthesorrowofherfather’sdeathandtheothertragiceventsthroughwhichshehadjustpassed，tookagreatfancytotheyoungwitch-doctoresswhoconversedwithherinZulu，alanguageofwhich，havinglivedsolonginNatal，Hedaknewmuchalready。Indeed，whenIsuggestedtoherthattobeover-trustingwasnotwise，shefiredupandrepliedthatshehadbeenaccustomedtonativesallherlifeandcouldjudgethem，addingthatshehadeveryconfidenceinNombe。

AfterthisIheldmytongueandsaidnomoreofmydoubts。WhatwastheusesinceHedawouldnotlistentothem，andatthattimeAnscombewasnothingbutherecho？

Sothis，forme，verydulljourneycontinued，tillatlength，afterbeingheldupforacoupleofdaysbyafloodedriverwheretherewasnothingtodobutsitandsmoke，asNomberequestedmenottomakeanoisebyshootingatthebiggamethatabounded，webegantoemergefromthebush-veldontothelovelyuplandsintheneighbourhoodofNongoma。LeavingtheseonourrightweheadedforaplacecalledCeza，anaturalstrongholdconsistingofaflatplainonthetopofamountain，whichplainissurroundedbybush。ItisatthefootofthisstrongholdthattheBlackKlooflies，beingoneoftheravinesthatrunupintothemountain。

Sothitherwecameatlast。Itwasdrawingtowardssunset，atremendousandstormysunset，asweapproachedtheplace，andlo！

itlookedexactlyasithaddonewhenfirstIsawitmorethanascoreofyearsbefore，forbiddingasthemouthofhell，vastandlonesome。Therestoodthecolumnsofbouldersfantasticallypiledoneuponanother；theregrewthesparsetreesuponitssteepsides，mingledwithaloesthatlookedliketheshapesofmen；therewasthegranitebottomsweptalmostcleanbyfloodsinsomedimage，andthelittlestreamthatflowedalongit。There，too，wasthespotwhereonceIhadoutspannedmywagonsonthenightwhenmyservantssworethattheysawtheImikovu，orwizard-raisedspectres，floatingpastthemontheairintheshapesofthePrincesandotherswhoweresoontofallatthebattleoftheTugela。Upitwewent，IridingandNombe，whohaddescendedfromthecartthatfollowed，walkingbymysideandwatchingme。

“Youseemsad，Macumazahn。”shesaidatlength。

“Yes，Nombe，Iamsad。Thisplacemakesmeso。”

“Isittheplace，Macumazahn，orisitthethoughtofonewhomonceyoumetintheplace，onewhoisdead？“

Ilookedather，pretendingnottounderstand，andshewenton——

“Ihavethegiftofvision，Macumazahn，whichcomesattimestothoseofmytrade，andnowandagain，amongstothers，Ihaveseemedtoseethespiritofacertainwomanhauntingthiskloofasthoughshewerewaitingforsomeone。”

“Indeed，andwhatmaythatwomanbelike？“Iinquiredcarelessly。

AsitchancesIcanseehernowglidingbackwardsinfrontofyoujustthere，andthereforeamabletoansweryourquestion，Macumazahn。Sheistallandslender，beautifullymade，andlight-colouredforoneofusblackpeople。Shehaslargeeyeslikeabuck，andthoseeyesarefulloffirethatdoesnotcomefromthesunbutfromwithin。Herfaceistenderyetproud，oh！

soproudthatshemakesmeafraid。Shewearsacloakofgreyfur，andaboutherneckthereisacircletofbigbluebeadswithwhichherfingersplay。Athoughtcomesfromhertome。Thesearethewordsofthethought：’Ihavewaitedlonginthisdarkplace，watchingbydayandnighttillyou，theWatcher-by-Night，returntomeetmehere。Atlengthyouhavecome，andinthisenchantedplacemyhungryspiritcanfeeduponyourspiritforawhile。Ithankyouforcoming，whonowamnomorelonely。Fearnothing，Macumazahn，forbyacertainkissIsweartoyouthattilltheappointedhourwhenyoubecomeasIam，Iwillbeashielduponyourarmandaspearinyourhand。’Sucharethewordsofherthought，Macumazahn，butshehasgoneawayandI

hearnomore。Itwasasthoughyourhorserodeoverherandshepassedthroughyou。”

Then，likeonewhowishedtoanswernoquestions，Nombeturnedandwentbacktothecart，whereshebegantotalkindifferentlywithHeda，forassoonasweenteredthekloofherservantshaddrawnbackthecurtainsandletfalltheblanket。Asforme，I

groaned，forofcourseIknewthatZikali，whowaswellacquaintedwiththeappearanceofMameena，hadinstructedNombetosayallthistomeinordertoimpressmymindforsomereasonofhisown。Yethehaddoneitcleverly，forsuchwordsasthoseMameenamightwellhaveutteredcouldhergreatspirithaveneedtowalktheearthagain。Wassuchathingpossible，Iwondered？

No，itwasnotpossible，yetitwastruethatheratmosphereseemedtoclingaboutthisplaceandthatmyimagination，excitedbymemoryandNombe’ssuggestions，seemedtoapprehendherpresence。

AsIreflectedthehorseadvancedroundthelittlebendintheever-narrowingcliffs，andthereinfrontofme，underthegiganticmassofoverhangingrock，appearedthekraalofZikalisurroundedbyitsreedfence，Thegateofthefencewasopen，andbeyondit，onhisstoolinfrontofthelargehut，satZikali。

Evenatthatdistanceitwasimpossibletomistakehisfigure，whichwaslikenootherthatIhadknownintheworld。A

broad-shouldereddwarfwithahugehead，deep，sunkeneyesandsnowyhairthathunguponhisshoulders；thewholeframeandfacepervadedwithanairofgreatantiquity，andyetowingtotheplumpnessofthefleshandthatfreshnessofskinwhichissometimesseenintheaged，comparativelyyoung-looking。

SuchwasthegreatwizardZikali，knownthroughoutthelandforlongerthananylivingmancouldrememberas“OpenerofRoads。”atitlethatreferredtohispowersofspiritualvision，alsoasthe“Thing-that-should-never-have-been-born。”anamegiventohimbyChaka，thefirstandgreatestoftheZulukings，becauseofhisdeformity。

Therehesatsilent，impassive，staringopen-eyedattheredballofthesettingsun，lookingmorelikesomeunshapelystatuethanaman。Hissilent，fierce-facedservantsappeared。TometheylookedlikethesamemenwhomIhadseenherethreeandtwentyyearsbefore，onlygrownolder。Indeed，Ithinktheywere，fortheygreetedmebynameandsalutedbyraisingtheirbroadspears。IdismountedandwaitedwhileAnscombe，whosefootwasnowquitewellagain，helpedHedafromthecartwhichwasledawaybytheservants。Anscombe，whoseemedalittleoppressed，remarkedthatthiswasastrangeplace。

“Yes。”saidHeda，“butitismagnificent。Ilikeit。”

ThenhereyefelluponZikaliseatedbeforethehutandsheturnedpale。

“Oh！whataterrible-lookingman。”shemurmured，“ifheisaman。”

ThemaidKaatjesawhimalsoandutteredalittlecry。

“Don’tbefrightened，dear。”saidAnscombe，“heisonlyanolddwarf。”

“Isupposeso。”sheexclaimeddoubtfully，“buttomeheislikethedevil。”

Nombeslidpastus。Shethrewoffthekarosssheworeandforthefirsttimeappearednakedexceptforthemuchaabouthermiddleandherornaments。DownshewentonherhandsandkneesandinthishumbleposturecrepttowardsZikali。Arrivinginfrontofhimshetouchedthegroundwithherforehead，thenliftingherrightarm，gavethesaluteofMakosi，towhichasagreatwizardhewasentitled，beingsupposedtobethehomeofmanyspirits。SofarasIcouldseehetooknonoticeofher。

Presentlyshemovedandsquattedherselfdownonhisrighthand，whiletwoofhisattendantsappearedfrombehindthehutandtooktheirstandbetweenhimanditsdoorway，holdingtheirspearsraised。AboutaminutelaterNombebeckonedtoustoapproach，andwewentforwardacrossthecourtyard，Ialittleaheadoftheothers。AswedrewnearZikaliopenedhismouthandutteredaloudandterrifyinglaugh。HowwellIrememberedthatlaughwhichIhadfirstheardatDingaan’skraalasaboyafterthemurderofRetiefandtheBoers。*

[Seethebookcalled_Marie，_byH。RiderHaggard。]

“Ibegintothinkthatyouarerightandthatthisoldgentlemanmustbethedevil。”saidAnscombetoHeda，thenlapsedintosilence。

AsIwasdeterminednottospeakfirstItooktheopportunitytofillmypipe。Zikali，whowaswatchingme，althoughallthewhileheseemedtobestaringatthesettingsun，madeasign。

Oneoftheservantsdashedawayandimmediatelyreturned，bearingaflamingbrandwhichprofferedtomeasapipe-lighter。Thenhedepartedagaintobringthreecarvedstoolsofredwoodwhichheplacedforus。Ilookedatmineandknewitagainbythecarvings。ItwasthesameonwhichIhadsatwhenfirstImetZikali。Atlengthhespokeinhisdeep，slowvoice。

“Manyyearshavegoneby，Macumazahn，sinceyoumadeuseofthatstool。Theyarecutinnotchesuponthelegyouholdandyoumaycountthemifyouwill。”

Iexaminedtheleg。Therewerethenotches，twenty-twoorthreeofthem。Ontheotherlegsweremorenotchestoonumeroustoreckon。

“Donotlookatthose，Macumazahn，fortheyhavenothingtodowithyou。TheytelltheyearssincethefirstoftheHouseofSenzangaconasatuponthatstool，sinceChakasatuponit，sinceDingaanandotherssatuponit，oneMameenaamongthem。Well，muchhashappenedsinceitservedyouforarest。Youhavewanderedfarandseenstrangethingsandlivedwhereotherswouldhavediedbecauseitwasyourlottolive，ofallofwhichwewilltalkafterwards。Andnowwhenyouaregreyyouhavecomebackhere，astheOpenerofRoadstoldyouyouwoulddo，bringingwithyounewcompanions，youwhohavetheartofmakingfriendsevenwhenyouareold，whichisonegiventofewmen。Wherearethosewithwhomyouusedtocompany，Macumazahn？WhereareSadukoandMameenaandtherest？AllgoneexcepttheThing-who-should-never-have-been-born。”andagainhelaughedloudly。

“Andwhoitseemshasneverlearnedwhentodie。”Iremarked，speakingforthefirsttime。

“Justso，Macumazahn，becauseIcannotdieuntilmyworkisfinished。ButthanksbetothespiritsofmyfathersandtomyownthatIliveontoglutwithvengeance，theenddrawsnearatlast，andasIpromisedyouinthedeaddays，youshallhaveyourshareinit，Macumazahn。”

Hepaused，thencontinued，stillstaringatthesinkingsun，whichmadehisremarksaboutus，whomhedidnotseemtosee，uncanny——

“Thatwhitemanwithyouisbraveandwell-born，onewholovesfighting，Ithink，andthemaidenisfairandsweet，withahighspirit。SheisthinkingtoherselfthatIamanoldwizardwhom，ifshewerenotafraidofme，shewouldasktotellherherfortune。See，sheunderstandsandstarts。Well，perhapsIwilloneday。Meanwhile，hereisalittlebitofit。Shewillhavefivechildren，ofwhomtwowilldieandonewillgivehersomuchtroublethatshewillwishithaddiedalso。ButwhotheirfatherwillbeIdonotsay。Nombemychild，leadawaythisWhiteOneandherwomantothehutthathasbeenmadereadyforher，forsheiswearyandwouldrest。See，too，thatshelacksfornothingwhichwecangiveherwhoisourguest。Letthewhitelord，Mauriti，accompanyhertothehutandbeshownthatnexttoitinwhichheandMacumazahnwillsleep，sothathemaybesurethatsheissafe，andattendtothehorsesifhewills。

Thereisaplacetotetherthembehindthehuts，andthemenwhotravelledwithyouwillhelphim。Afterwards，whenIhavespokenwithhim，Macumazahncanjointhemthattheymayeatbeforetheysleep。

ThesedirectionsItranslatedtoAnscombe，whowentgladlyenoughwithHeda，forIthinktheywerebothafraidoftheterribleolddwarfanddidnotdesirehiscompanyinthegatheringgloom。

“Thesunsinksoncemore，Macumazahn。”hesaidwhentheyweregone，“andtheairgrowschill。Comewithmenowintomyhutwherethefireburns，forIamagedandthecoldstrikesthroughme。Alsotherewecanbealone。”

Sospeakingheturnedandcrawledintothehut，lookinglikeagiganticwhite-headedbeetleashedidso，acreature，I

remembered，towhichIhadoncecomparedhiminthepast。I

followed，carryingthehistoricstool，andwhenhehadseatedhimselfonhiskarossonthefurthersideofthefire，tookupmypositionoppositetohim。Thisfirewasfedwithsomekindofrootorwoodthatgaveathinclearflamewithlittleornosmoke。Overithecrouched，socloselythathisgreatheadseemedtobealmostintheflameatwhichhestaredwithunblinkingeyesashehaddoneatthesun，circumstanceswhichaddedtohisterrifyingappearanceandmademethinkofacertainregionanditsinhabitants。

“Whydoyoucomehere，Macumazahn？“heaskedafterstudyingmeforawhilethroughthatwindowoffire。

“Becauseyoubroughtme，Zikali，partlythroughyourmessenger，Nombe，andpartlybymeansofadreamwhichshesaysyousent。”

“DidI，Macumazahn？Ifso，Ihaveforgottenit。Dreamsareasmanyasgnatsbythewater；theybiteuswhilewesleep，butwhenwewakeupweforgetthem。Alsoitisfoolishnesstosaythatonemancansendadreamtoanother。”

“Thenyourmessengerlied，Zikali，especiallyassheaddedthatshebroughtit。”

“Ofcourseshelied，Macumazahn。IsshenotmypupilwhomIhavetrainedfromachild？Moreover，sheliedwell，itwouldseem，whoguessedwhatsortofadreamyouwouldhavewhenyouthoughtofturningyourstepstoZululand。”

“Whydoyouplayatsticks(i。e。fence)withme，Zikali，seeingthatneitherofusarechildren？“

“OMacumazahn，thatiswhereyouaremistaken，seeingthatbothofus，oldthoughwebeandcunningthoughwethinkourselves，arenothingbutbabesinthearmsofFate。Well，well，Iwilltellyouthetruth，sinceitwouldbefoolishtotrytothrowdustintosucheyesasyours。IknewthatyouweredowninSekukuni’scountryandIwaswatchingyou——throughmyspies。YouhavebeennowhereduringalltheseyearsthatIwasnotwatchingyou——throughmyspies。Forinstance，thatArab-lookingmannamedHarut，whomfirstyoumetatabigkraalinafarcountry，wasaspyofmine。Hehasvisitedmelatelyandtoldmemuchofyourdoings。No，don’taskmeofhimnowwhowouldtalktoyouofothermatters——“

“DoesHarutstilllivethen，andhashefoundanewgodinplaceoftheIvoryChild？“Iinterrupted。

“Macumazahn，ifhedidnotlive，howcouldhevisitandspeakwithme？Well，IwatchedyoutherebytheOliphant’sRiverwhereyoufoughtSekukuni’speople，andafterwardsinthemarblehutwhereyoufoundtheoldwhitemandeadinhischairandgotthewritingsthatyouhaveinyourpocketwhichconcernthemaidenHeddana；alsoafterwardswhenthewhiteman，yourfriend，killedthedoctorwhofellintoamudholeandtheBasutosstolehiscattleandwagon。”

“Howdoyouknowallthesethings，Zikali？“

“HaveInottoldyou——throughmyspies。Wastherenotahalf-breeddrivercalledFootsack，anddonottheBasutoscomeandgobetweentheBlackKloofandSekukuni’stown，bearingmetidings？“

“Yes，Zikali，andsodoesthewindandsodothebirds。”

“True！OMacumazahn，IseethatyouareonewhohaswatchedNatureanditswaysascloselyasmyspieswatchyou。SoI

learnedthesemattersandknewthatyouwereintroubleoverthedeathofthesewhitemen，andyourfriendslikewise，andasyouwerealwaysdeartome，IsentthatchildNombetobringyoutome，thinkingfromwhatIknewofyouthatyouwouldbemorelikelytofollowawomanwhoisbothwiseandgoodtolookat，thanamanwhomightbeneither。ItoldhertosaytoyouthatyouandtheotherswouldbesaferherethaninNatalatpresent。

Itseemsthatyouhearkenedandcame。Thatisall。”

“Yes，Ihearkenedandcame。But，Zikali，thatisnotall，foryouknowwellthatyousentformeforyourownsake，notformine。”

“OMacumazahn，whocanpreventaneedlefrompiercingclothwhenitispushedbyafingerlikeyours？Yourwitsaretoosharpforme，Macumazahn；youreyesreadthroughtheblanketofcunningwithwhichIwouldhidemythought。Youspeaktruly。Ididsendforyouformyownsakeaswellasforyours。IsentforyoubecauseIwantedyourcounsel，Macumazahn，andbecauseCetewayothekingalsowantsyourcounsel，andIwishedtoseeyoubeforeyousawCetewayo。Nowyouhavethewholetruth。”

“Whatdoyouwantmycounselabout，Zikali？“

Heleanedforwardtillhiswhitelocksalmostseemedtominglewiththethinflame，throughwhichheglaredatmewitheyesthatwerefiercerthanthefire。

“Macumazahn，yourememberthestorythatItoldyoulongago，doyounot？“

“Verywell，Zikali。ItwasthatyouhatetheHouseofSenzangaconawhichhasgivenallitskingstoZululand。First，becauseyouareoneoftheDwandwetribewhomtheZuluscrushedandmockedat。Secondly，becauseChakatheLionnamedyouthe“Thing-that-should-never-have-been-born“andkilledyourwives，forwhichcrimeyoubroughtaboutthedeathofChaka。Thirdly，becauseyouhavematchedyoursinglewitformanyyearsagainstallthepoweroftheroyalHouseandyetkeptyourlifeinyou，notablywhenPandathreatenedyouinmypresenceatthetrialofonewhohas’gonedown，’andyoutoldhimtokillyouifhedared。NowyouwouldprovethatyouwererightbycausingyourcunningtotriumphovertheroyalHouse。”

“True，quitetrue，OMacumazahn。Youhaveagoodmemory，Macumazahn，especiallyforanythingthathastodowiththatwomanwhohas’gonedown。’Isentherdown，buthowwasshenamed，Macumazahn？Iforget，Iforget，whosemindbeingold，fallssuddenlyintoblackpitsofdarkness——likeherwhowentdown。

Hepausedandwestaredateachotherthroughtheveiloffire。

ThenasImadenoanswer，hewenton——

“Oh！Iremembernow，shewascalledMameena，wasshenot，anametakenfromthewailingofthewind？Hark！Itiswailingnow。”

Ilistened；itwas，andIshiveredtohearit，sincebutaminutebeforethenighthadbeenquitestill。Yes，thewindmoanedandwailedabouttherocksoftheBlackKloof。

“Well，enoughofher。Whytroubleaboutthedeadwhentherearesomanytobesenttojointhem？Macumazahn，thehourisathand。ThefoolCetewayohasquarrelledwithyourpeople，theEnglish，andonmycounsel。Hehassentandkilledwomen，orallowedotherstodoso，acrosstheriverinNatal。Hismessengerscametomeaskingwhatheshoulddo。Ianswered，’ShallakingofthebloodofChakafeartoallowhisownwickedonestobeslainbecausetheyhavesteppedacrossastripofwater，andstillcallhimselfkingoftheZulus？’Sothosewomenweredraggedbackacrossthewaterandkilled；andnowtheQueen’smanfromtheCapeasksmanythings，greatfinesofcattle，thegivingupoftheslayers，andthatanendshouldbemadeoftheZuluarmy，whichistolaydownitsspearsandsettohoeingliketheoldwomeninthekraals。”

“Andifthekingrefuses，whatthen，Zikali？“

“Then，Macumazahn，theQueen’smanwilldeclarewarontheZulus；

alreadyhegathershissoldiersforthewar。”

“WillCetewayorefuse，Zikali？“

“Idonotknow。Hismindswingsthiswayandthat，likeapolebalancedonarock。Theendsofthepoleareweightedwithmuchcounsel，andithangssoeventhatifagrasshopperlitononeendortheother，itwouldturnthescale。”

“Anddoyouwishmetobethatgrasshopper，Zikali？“

“Whoelse？ThatiswhyIbroughtyoutoZululand。”

“SoyouwishmetocounselCetewayotoliedowninthebedthattheEnglishhavemadeforhim。IfheseeksmyadviceIwilldosogladly，forsoIamsurehewillsleepwell。”

“Whydoyoumockme，Macumazahn？IwishyoutocounselCetewayotothrowbackhiswordintotheteethoftheQueen’smanandtofighttheEnglish。”

“AndthusbringdestructionontheZulusanddeathtothousandsofthemandofmyownpeople，andinreturngainnothingbutremorse。Doyouthinkmemadorwicked，orboth，thatIshoulddothisthing？“

“Nay，Macumazahn，youwouldgainmuch。Icouldshowyouwheretheking’scattlearehidden。TheEnglishwillneverfindthem，andafterthewaryoumighttakeasmanyasyouchose。Butitwouldbeuseless，forknowingyouwell，IamsurethatyouwouldonlyhandthemovertotheBritishGovernment，asonceyouhandedoverthecattleofBangu，beingfashionedthatwaybytheGreat-Great，Macumazahn。”

“PerhapsImight，butthenwhatshouldIgain，Zikali？“

“This：youwouldsobringthingsaboutthat，beingbrokenbywar，theZulupowercouldneveragainmenacethewhitemen，whichwouldbeagreatandgooddeed，Macumazahn。”

“Mayhap——Iamnotsure。ButofthisIamsure，thatIwillnorthrustmyfaceintoyournestofwasps，thattheEnglishhornetsmaystealthehoneywhentheyaredisturbed。IleavesuchmatterstotheQueenandthosewhoruleunderher。Sohavedonewithsuchtalk，foryoudobutwasteyourbreath，Zikali。”

“ItisasIguesseditwouldbe。”heanswered，shakinghisgreathead。“Youaretoohonesttoprosperintheworld，Macumazahn。

Well，ImustfindothermeanstobringtheHouseofCetewayototheendthathedeserves，whohasbeenanevilandacruelking。”

Allthishesaid，showingneithersurprisenorresentment，whichconvincedmeofwhatIhadsuspectedthroughout，thatneverforaninstantdidhebelievethatIshouldfallinwithhissuggestionsandtrytoinfluencetheZulustodeclarewar。No，thistalkofhiswasbutablind；therewassomedeeperschemeatworkinhiscunningoldbrainwhichhewashidingfromme。WhyexactlyhadhebeguiledmetoZululand？Icouldnotdivine，andtoaskhimwouldbeworsethanuseless，butthenandthereImadeupmymindthatIwouldgetawayfromtheBlackKloofearlyonthefollowingmorning，ifthatwerepossible。

Hebegantospeakofothermattersinalow，droningvoice，likeamanwhoconverseswithhimself。Sad，allofthem，suchasthehaunteddeathofSadukowhohadbetrayedhislord，thePrinceUmbelazi，becauseofawoman，everycircumstanceofwhichseemedtobefamiliartohim。

Imadenoanswer，whowaswaitingforanopportunitytoleavethehut，anddidnotcaretodwellontheseevents。Heceasedandbroodedforawhile，thensaidsuddenly——

“Youarehungryandwouldeat，Macumazahn，andIwhoeatlittlewouldsleep，forinsleepthemultitudesofSpiritsvisitme，bringingtidingsfromafar。Well，wehavespokentogetherandofthatIamglad，forwhoknowswhenthechancewillcomeagain，thoughIthinkthatsoonweshallmeetatUlundi，UlundiwhereFatespreadsitsnet。WhatwasitIhadtosaytoyou？Ah！I

remember。Thereisonewhoisalwaysinyourthoughtsandwhomyouwishtosee，onetoowhowishestoseeyou。Youshall，youshallinpaymentforthetroubleyouhavetakenincomingsofartovisitapooroldZuludoctorwhom，asyoutoldmelongago，youknowtobenothingbutacheat。”

Hepausedand，whyIcouldnottell，IgrewweakwithfearofI

knewnotwhat，andbethoughtmeofflight。

“Itiscoldinthishut，isitnot？“hewenton。“Burnup，fire，burnup！“andplunginghishandintoacatskinbagofmedicineswhichhewore，hedrewoutsomepowderwhichhethrewupontheembersthatinstantlyburstintobrightflame。

“Looknow，Macumazahn。”hesaid，“looktoyourright。”

IlookedandohHeaven！therebeforemewithoutstretchedarmsandinfiniteyearningonherface，stoodMameena，MameenaasI

hadlastseenherafterIgaveherthepromisedkissthatsheusedtocoverhertakingofthepoison。Forfiveseconds，mayhap，shestoodthus，living，wonderful，butstillasdeath，thefiercelightshowingall。Thentheflamedieddownagainandshewasgone。

Iturnedandnextinstantwasoutofthehut，pursuedbytheterriblelaughterofZikali。

CHAPTERXII

TRAPPED

OutsideinthecoolnightairIrecoveredmyself，sufficientlyatanyratetobeabletothink，andsawatoncethatthethingwasanillusionforwhichZikalihadpreparedmymindverycarefullybymeansoftheyoungwitch-doctoress，Nombe。Heknewwellenoughthatthisremarkablewoman，Mameena，hadmadeadeepimpressiononmenearlyaquarterofacenturybefore，asshehaddoneuponothermenwithwhomshehadbeenassociated。Thereforeitwasprobablethatshewouldalwaysbepresenttomythought，sincewhateveramanforgets，heremembersthewomenwhohaveshownhimfavour，trueorfalse，forNaturehasdecreeditthus。

Moreover，thiswasonetoberememberedforherself，sinceshewasbeautifulandmostattractiveinherwildway。Alsoshehadbroughtaboutagreatwar，causingthedeathofthousands，andlastlyherendmightfairlybecalledmajestic。AlltheseimpressionsZikalihadinstructedNombetorevivifybyhercontinualallusionstoMameena，andlastlybyherpretencethatshesawherwalkinginfrontofme。ThenwhenIwastiredandhungry，inthatplacewhichformewassocloselyconnectedwiththiswoman，andinhisownuncannycompany，eitherbymesmerismorthroughtheactionofthedrughethrewuponthefire，hehadsucceededincallinguptheillusionofherpresencetomycharmedsight。Allthiswasclearenough，whatremainedobscurewashisobject。

Possiblyhehadnonebeyondanimpishdesiretofrightenme，whichiscommonenoughamongpractitionersofmagicinalllands。

Well，foralittlewhilehehadsucceeded，althoughtospeaktruthIremaineduncertainwhetherinasenseIwasnotmorethrilledandrejoicedthanfrightened。Mameenahadneverbeensoilltolookupon，andIknewthatdeadorlivingIhadnothingtofearfromherwhowouldhavewalkedthroughhellfireformysake，wouldhavedoneanything，exceptperhapssacrificeherambition。No，evenifthiswereherghostIshouldhavebeengladtoseeheragain。

Butitwasnotaghost；itwasonlyafancyreproducedexactlyasmymindhadphotographedher，almostasmyeyeslastsawher，whenherkisswasstillwarmuponmylips。

SuchweremythoughtsasIstoodoutsidethathutwiththecoldperspirationrunningdownmyface，fortotellthetruthmynerveswereupset，althoughwithoutreason。Soupsetweretheythatwhensuddenlyasilent-footedmanappearedoutofthedarknessIjumpedashighasthoughIhadsetmyfootonapuff-adder，anduntilIrecognizedhimbyhisvoiceasoneofNombe’sservantswhohadaccompaniedusfromSwazi-Land，feltquitealarmed。Asamatteroffacthehadonlycometotellmethatourmealwasreadyandthattheother“highWhiteOnes“werewaitingforme。

HeledmeroundthefencethatencircledZikali’sdwelling-place，totwohutsthatstoodnearlybehindit，almostagainstthefaceoftherockwhich，overhanginginacurve，formedakindofnaturalroofabovethem。IthoughttheymusthavebeenbuiltsinceIvisitedtheplace，asI，whohaveagoodmemoryforsuchthings，didnotrememberthem。Indeed，onsubsequentexaminationIfoundthattheywerequitenew，forthepolesthatformedtheiruprightswerestillgreenandthegrassofthethatchwasscarcelydry。Itlookedtomeasiftheyhadbeenspeciallyconstructedforouraccommodation。

Inoneofthesehuts，thattotherightwhichwasallottedtoAnscombeandmyself，Ifoundtheotherswaitingforme，alsothefood。Itwasgoodofitssortandwellcooked，andweateitbythelightofsomecandlesthatwehadwithus，Kaatjeservingus。

Yet，althoughalittlewhilebeforeIhadbeendesperatelyhungry，nowmyappetiteseemedtohaveleftmeandImadebutapoormeal。HedaandAnscombealsoseemedoppressedandatesparingly。WedidnottalkmuchuntilKaatjehadtakenawaythetinplatesandgonetoeatherownsupperbyafirethatburnedoutsidethehut。ThenHedabrokeout，sayingthatshewasterrifiedofthisplaceandespeciallyofitsmaster，theolddwarf，andfeltsurethatsomethingterriblewasgoingtohappentoher。Anscombedidhisbesttocalmher，andIalsotoldhershehadnothingtofear。

“Ifthereisnothingtofear，Mr。Quatermain。”sheanswered，turningonme，“whydoyoulooksofrightenedyourself？Byyourfaceyoumighthaveseenaghost。”

Thissuddenandsingularlyaccuratethrust，forafterallIhadseensomethingthatlookedverylikeaghost，startledme，andbeforeIcouldinventanysoothingandappropriatefib，Nombeappeared，sayingthatshehadcometoleadHedatohersleeping-place。Afterthisfurtherconversationwasimpossiblesince，althoughNombeknewbutfewwordsofEnglish，shewasagreatthought-readerandIfearedtospeakofanythingsecretinherpresence。Soweallwentoutofthehut，NombeandIdrawingbackalittletothefirewhiletheloverssaidgood-nighttoeachother。

“Nombe。”Isaid，“theInkosikaziHeddanaisafraid。Therocksofthisklooflieheavyonherheart；thefaceoftheOpenerofRoadsisfearfultoherandhislaughtergratesuponherears。

Doyouunderstand？“

“Iunderstand，Macumazahn，anditisasIexpected。Whenyouyourselfarefrighteneditisnaturalthatshe，anuntriedmaiden，shouldbefrightenedalsointhishomeofspirits。”

“Itismenwefear，notspirits，nowwhenallZululandisboilinglikeapot。”Irepliedangrily。

“Haveitasyouwill，Macumazahn。”shesaid，andatthatmomentherquiet，searchingeyesandfixedsmilewerehatefultome。

“Atleastyouadmitthatyoudofear。Well，fortheladyHeddanafearnothing。Isleepacrossthedoorofherhut，andwhileI

whohavelearnedtoloveher，live，Isay——forherfearnothing，whatevermaychanceorwhateveryoumayseeorhear。”

“Ibelieveyou，but，Nombe，youmightdie。”

“Yes，Imaydie，butbesureofthis，thatwhenIdieshewillbesafe，andhewholovesheralso。Sleepwell，Macumazahn，anddonotdreamtoomuchofwhatyouheardandsawinZikali’shouse。”

ThenbeforeIcouldspeaksheturnedandleftme。

Idid_not_sleepwell；Isleptverybadly。Tobeginwith，MauriceAnscombe，generallythemostcheerfulandnonchalantofmortalswithajestforeverywoe，wasinamostdepressedcondition，andinformedmeofitseveraltimes，whileIwasgettingreadytoturnin。Hesaidhethoughttheplacehatefulandfeltasifpeoplehecouldnotseewerelookingathim(Ihadthesamesensationbutdidnotmentionthefacttohim)。WhenI

toldhimhewastalkingstuff，heonlyrepliedthathecouldnothelpit，andpointedoutthatitwasnothisgeneralhabittobedowncastinanydanger，whichwasquitetrue。Now，headded，hewasenjoyingmuchthesamesensationsashedidwhenfirsthesawtheYellow-woodSwampandgottheideaintohisheadthathewouldkillsomeonethere，whichhappenedinduecourse。

“Doyoumeanthatyouthinkyouaregoingtokillsomebodyelse？“

Iaskedanxiously。

“No。”heanswered，“IthinkIamgoingtobekilled，orsomethinglikeit，probablybythataccursedoldvillainofawitch-doctor，whoIdon’tbelieveisaltogetherhuman。”

“Othershavethoughtthatbeforenow，Anscombe，andtobeplain，Idon’tknowthatheis。Helivestoomuchwiththedeadtobelikeotherpeople。”

“AndwithSatan，towhomIexpecthemakessacrifices。ThetruthisI’mafraidofhisplayingsomeofhistrickswithHeda。ItisforherIfear，notformyself，Allan。Oh！whyonearthdidyoucomehere？“

“Becauseyouwisheditanditseemedthesafestthingtodo。

Lookhere，myboy，asusualthetroublecomesthroughawoman。

Whenaman’ssingle——youknowtherest。Youusedtobeabletolaughatanything，butnowthatyouarepracticallydoubleyoucan’tlaughanymore。Well，that’sthecommonlotofmanandyou’vegottoputupwithit。AdamwasprettyjollyinhisgardenuntilEvewasstarted，butyouknowwhathappenedafterwards。Therestofhislifewasacompoundoftemptation，anxiety，familytroubles，remorse，hardlabourwithprimitiveinstruments，andaflamingswordbehindhim。IfyouhadleftyourEvealoneyouwouldhaveescapedallthis。Butyouseeyoudidn’t，andasamatteroffact，nobodyeverdoeswhoisworthhissalt，forNaturehasarrangeditso。”

“Youappeartotalkwithexperience，Allan。”heretortedblandly。

“Bytheway，thatgirlNombe，whensheisn’tstar-gazingormutteringincantations，isalwaystryingtoexplaintoHedasometaleaboutyouandaladycalledMameena。Igatherthatyouwereintroducedtoherinthisneighbourhoodwhere，Nombesays，youwereinthehabitofkissingherinpublic，whichsoundsanoddkindofathingtodo；allofwhichhappenedbeforeshe，Nombe，wasborn。Sheadds，accordingtoKaatje’sinterpretation，thatyoumetheragainthisafternoon，which，asIunderstandtheyoungwomanhasbeenlongdead，seemssoincomprehensiblethatI

wishyouwouldexplain。”

“WithreferencetoHeda。”Isaid，ignoringtherestasunworthyofnotice，“Ithinkyoumaymakeyourmindeasy。ZikaliknowsthatsheisinmychargeandIdon’tbelievethathewantstoquarrelwithme。Still，asyouareuncomfortablehere，thebestthingtodowillbetogetawayasearlyaspossibleto-morrowmorning，wheretowecandecideafterwards。AndnowIamgoingtosleep，sopleasestoparguing。”

AsIhavealreadyhinted，myattemptsinthesleeplineprovedafailure，forwheneverIdiddropoffIwaspursuedbybaddreams，whichresultedfromlyingdownsosoonaftersupper。Iheardthecriesofdesperatemenintheirmortalagony。Isawarain-swollenriver；itswaterswereredwithblood。IbeheldavisionofonewhoIknewbyhisdresstobeaZuluking，althoughIcouldnotseehisface。Hewasflyingandstaggeringwithwearinessashefled。Agreathoundfollowedhim。Itlifteditsheadfromthespoor；itwasthatofZikalisetuponthehound’sbody，Zikaliwholaughedinsteadofbaying。Thenonewhosecopperornamentstinkledasshewalked，enteredbesideme，whisperingintomyear。“Aquarterofahundredyearshavegonebysincewetalkedtogetherinthishauntedkloof。”sheseemedtowhisper，“andbeforewetalkagainfacetofacethereremaintopassofyears“——

Heresheceased，thoughnaturallyIshouldhavelikedtohearthenumber。Butthatisjustwheredreamsbreakdown。Theytellusonlyofwhatweknow，orcanevolvetherefrom。Ofwhatitisimpossibleforustoknowtheytellusnothing——atleastasageneralrule。

Iwokeupwithastart，andfeelingstifledinthathotplaceandaggravatedbythesoundofAnscombe’speacefulbreathing，threwacoataboutmeand，removingthedoor-board，creptintotheair。

Thenightwasstill，thestarsshone，andatalittledistancetheembersofthefirestillglowed。Byitwasseatedafigurewrappedinakaross。Theendofapieceofwoodthatthefirehadeatenthroughfellontotheredashesandflamedupbrightly。ByitslightIsawthatthefigurewasNombe’s。Theeternalsmilewasstilluponherface，thesmilewhichsuggestedaknowledgeofhiddenthingsthatfrommomenttomomentamusedhersoul。Herlipsmovedasthoughsheweretalkingtoaninvisiblecompanion，andfromtimetotime，likeonewhoactsupondirections，shetookapinchofashesandblewthem，eithertowardsHeda’shutorours。Yes，shedidthiswhenalldecentyoungwomenshouldhavebeenasleep，likeonewhokeepssomeunholy，midnightassignation。

Talkingwithhermaster，Zikali，ortryingtocastspellsuponus，confoundher，IthoughtItomyself，andverysilentlycreptbackintothehut。Afterwardsitoccurredtomethatshemighthavehadanothermotive，namelyofwatchingtoseethatnoneofusleftthehuts。

Therestofthenightwentbysomehow。Once，listeningwithallmyears，IthoughtthatIcaughtthesoundofanumberofmentrampingandofsomelowwordofcommand，butasIheardnomore，concludedthatfancyhaddeceivedme。ThereIlay，puzzlingoverthesituationtillmyheadached，andwonderinghowweweretogetclearoftheBlackKloofandZikali，andoutofZululandwhichIgatheredwasnoplaceforwhitepeopleatthemomentItseemedtomethattheonlythingwastomakestartforDundeeontheNatalborder，andfortheresttotrusttofortune。IfwegotintotroubleoverthedeathofRodd，unpleasantasthiswouldbe，themattermustbefacedout，thatwasall。Forevenifanywitnessappearedagainstus，themanhadbeenkilledinself-defencewhilsttryingtobringaboutourdeathsatthehandsofBasutos。IcouldseenowthatIwasfoolishnottohavetakenthislinefromthefirst，butasIthinkIhavealreadyexplained，whatweighedwithmewastheterrorofinvolvingtheseyoungpeopleinascandalwhichmightshadowalltheirfuturelives。AlsosomefateinchbyinchhaddraggedmeintoZululand。

Fortunatelyinlifetherearefewmistakes，andevenworsethanmistakesthatcannotberepaired，ifthewishtowardsreparationisrealandearnest。Wereitotherwisenotmanyofuswouldescapedestructioninoneformoranother。

ThusIreflecteduntilatlengthlightflowingfaintlythroughthesmoke-holeofthehuttoldmethatdawnwasathand。SeeingitIrosequietly，forIdidnotwishtowakeAnscombe，dressedandleftthehut。MyobjectwastofindNombe，whoIhopedwouldbestillsittingbythefire，andsendhertoZikaliwithamessagethatIwishedtospeakwithhimatonce。GlancingroundmeinthegreydawnIsawthatshewasgoneandthatasyetnooneseemedtobestirring。Hearingahorsesnortatalittledistance，Imademywaytowardsthesoundandinalittlebayoftheoverhangingcliffdiscoveredthecartandnearbyourbeaststiedupwithaplentifulsupplyofforage。SincesofarasI

couldjudgeinthatuncertainlight，nothingseemedtobewrongwiththemexceptweariness，forthreeofthemwerestilllyingdown，IwalkedontothegateofthefencewhichsurroundedZikali’sbighut，proposingtowaitthereuntilsomeoneappearedbywhomIcouldsendmymessage。

IreachedthegatewhichItriedandfoundtobefastenedonitsinnerside。ThenIsatdown，litmypipeandwaited。Itwasextraordinarilylonesomeinthatplace；atleastthiswasthefeelingthatcameoverme。NodoubtthesunwasupbehindtheCezaStrongholdthatIhavementioned，whichtoweredhighbehindme，fortheskyabovegrewlightwiththeredraysofitsrising。

ButallthevastBlackKloofwithitshugefantasticrockswasstillplungedingloom，whereoftheshadowsseemedtooppressmyheart，wearyasIwaswithmywakefulnightandmanyanxieties。

Iwashorriblynervousalsoand，asitproved，notwithoutreason。PresentlyIheardrustlingsonthefurthersideofthefenceasofpeoplecreepingaboutcautiously，andthesoundofwhispering。ThenofasuddenthegatewasthrownopenandthroughitemergedaboutadozenZuluwarriors，allofthemringedmen，whoinstantlysurroundedme，seatedthereupontheground。

Ilookedatthemandtheylookedatmeforquitealongwhile，sincefollowingmyusualrule，Ideterminednottobethefirsttospeak。Moreover，iftheymeanttokillmetherewasnouseinspeaking。Atlengththeirleader，anelderlymanwiththinlegs，alargestomachandaratherpleasantcountenance，salutedpolitely，saying——

“Goodmorning，OMacumazahn。”

“Goodmorning，OCaptain，whosenameandbusinessIdonotknow。”

Ianswered。

Thewindsknowthemountainonwhichtheyblow，butthemountaindoesnotknowthewindswhichitcannotsee。”heremarkedwithpoeticalcourtesy；aZuluwayofsayingthatmorepeopleareacquaintedwithTomFoolthanTomFoolisawareof。

“Perhaps，Captain；yetthemountaincanfeelthewinds。”andI

mighthaveadded，smellthem，fortheKloofwascloseandtheseKaffirshadnotrecentlybathed。

“IamnamedGozaandcomeonanerrandfromtheking，O

Macumazahn。”

“Indeed，Goza，andisyourerrandtocutmythroat？“

“Notatpresent，Macumazahn，thatis，unlessyourefusetodowhatthekingwishes。”

“Andwhatdoesthekingwish，Goza？“

“Hewishes，Macumazahn，thatyou，hisfriend，shouldvisithim。”

“WhichisjustwhatIwasonmywaytodo，Goza。”(Thiswasnottrue，butitdidn’tmatter，for，ifalie，inthewordsoftheschoolgirl’sdefinition，isanabominationtotheLord，itisaverypresenthelpintimeoftrouble。)“AfterwehaveeatenI

andmyfriendswillaccompanyyoutotheking’skraalatUlundi。”

“Notso，Macumazahn。Thekingsaidnothingaboutyourfriends，ofwhomIdonotthinkhehaseverheardanymorethanwehave。

Moreover，ifyourfriendsarewhite，youwilldowellnottomentionthem，sincetheorderisthatallwhitepeopleinZululandwhohavenotcomeherebytheking’sdesire，aretobekilledatonce，exceptyourself，Macumazahn。”

“Isitso，Goza？Well，asyouwillhaveunderstood，Iamquitealonehereandhavenofriends。OnlyIdidnotwishtotravelsoearly。”

“Ofcourseweunderstandthatyouarequitealoneandhavenofriends，isitnotso，mybrothers？“

“Yes，yes，weunderstand。”theyexclaimedinchorus，oneofthemadding，“andshallsoreporttotheKing。”

“Whatkindofblanketsdoyoulike；theplaingreyonesorthewhiteoneswiththebluestripes？“Iasked，desiringtoconfirmtheminthisdetermination。

“Thegreyonesarewarmer，Macumazahn，anddonotshowdirtsomuch。”answeredGozathoughtfully。

“Good，IwillrememberwhenIhavethechance。”

“ThepromiseofMacumazahnisknownfromofoldtobeasatreethatelephantscannotpulldownandwhiteantswillnoteat。”

saidthesententiousGoza，therebyintimatinghisbeliefthatsometimeorothertheywouldreceivethoseblankets。Asamatteroffactthesurvivorsofthepartyandthefamiliesoftheothersdidreceivethemafterthewar，forindealingwithnativesIhavealwaysmadeapointoftryingtofulfilanypromiseorengagementmadeforvaluereceived。

“Andnow。”wentonGoza，“willtheInkosibepleasedtostart，aswehavetotravelfarto-day？“

“Impossible。”Ireplied。“BeforeIleaveImusteat，forwhocanjourneyuponyesterday’sfood？AlsoImustsaddlemyhorse，collectwhatbelongstome，andbidfarewelltomyhost，Zikali。”

“Ofmeatwehaveplentywithus，Macumazahn，andthereforeyouwillnothungerontheway。Yourhorseandeverythingthatisyoursshallbebroughtafteryou；sincewereyoumountedonthatswiftbeastandmindedtoescape，howcouldwecatchyouwithourfeet，anddidyoupleasetoshootuswithyourrifle，howcouldwewhohaveonlyspears，saveourselvesfromdying？AsfortheOpenerofRoads，hisservantshavetoldusthathemeanstosleepallto-daythathemaytalkwithspiritsinhisdreams，andthereforeitisuselessforyoutowaittobidhimfarewell。

Moreover，theordersofthekingarethatweshouldbringyoutohimatonce。”

Afterthisforatimetherewassilence，whileIsatimmovablerevolvingthesituation，andtheZulusregardedmewithabenignantinterest。Gozatookhissnuff-boxfromhisear，shookoutsomeintothepalmofhishandand，afterofferingittomeinvain，inhaledithimself。

“Theordersofthekingare(sneeze)thatweshouldbringyoutohimaliveifpossible，andifnot(sneeze)dead。Choosewhichyouwill，Macumazahn。PerhapsyoumayprefertogotoUlundidead，whichwould——ah！howstrongisthissnuff，itmakesmeweeplikeawoman——saveyouthetroubleofwalking。Butifyoupreferthatweshouldcarryyou，besogood，Macumazahn，firsttowritethewordswhichwillcausethegreyblanketstobedeliveredtous，forweknowwellthatevenyourboneswoulddesiretokeepyourpromise。IsitnotaproverbinthelandfromthetimeoftheslayingofBanguwhenyougavethecattleyouhadearnedtoSaduko’swanderers？“

Ilistenedandanideaoccurredtome，asperhapsithadtoGoza。

“Ihearyou，Goza。”Isaid，“andIwillstartforUlundionmyfeet——tosave_you_thetroubleofcarryingme。Butasthetimesareroughandaccidentsmayalwayshappen；as，too，Iwishtomakesurethatyoushouldgetthoseblankets，anditmaychancethatIshallarrivethereonmyback，firstIwillwritewordswhich，iftheyaredeliveredtothewitch-doctoressNombe，will，soonerorlater，turnintoblankets。”

“Writethewordsquickly，Macumazahn，andtheywillbedelivered。”saidGoza。

SoIdrewoutmypocket-bookandwrote——

“DEARANSCOMBE，——

“ThereistreacheryafootandIthinkthatZikaliisatthebottomofit。IambeingcarriedofftoCetewayoatUlundi，byapartyofarmedZuluswhowillnotallowmetocommunicatewithyou，probablybyZikali’sorders。YoumustdothebestyoucanforHedaandyourself。EscapetoNatalifyouareable。OfcourseIwillhelpifIgetthechance，butifwarisabouttobreakoutCetewayomaykillme。IthinkthatyoucantrustNombe；alsothatZikalidoesnotwishtoworkyouanyillunlessheisobliged，thoughIhavenodoubtthathehastrappedushereforsomedarkpurposeofhisown。TellhimthroughNombethatifharmcomestoyouIwillkillhimifIlive，andthatifIdie，I

willsettlethescorewithhimafterwards。Godsaveandblessyouboth。Keepupyourcourageanduseyourwits。

“Yourfriend，“A。Q。”

Itoreoutthesheet，folded，addresseditandpresentedittoGoza，remarkingthatalthoughitseemedtobebutpaper，itreallywasfourteenblankets——ifgivenatoncetoNombe。

Henoddedandhandedittooneofhismen，whodepartedinthedirectionofourhuts。So，thoughtItomyself，Nombeknowsallaboutthisbusiness，whichmeansthatitisbeingworkedbyZikali。Thatiswhyshespoketomeasshedidlastnight。

“Itistimetostart，Macumazahn，andIthinkyoutoldusthatyouwouldprefertodosoonyourfeet。”saidGoza，lookingsuggestivelyathisspear。

“Iamready。”Isaid，risingbecauseImust。ForamomentI

contemplatedthedoorinthekraalfence，wonderingwhetheritwouldbesafetoboltthroughitandtakerefugewithZikali。

No，itwasnotsafe，sinceZikalisatthereinhishutpullingthestringsandprobablymightrefusetoseeme。Moreover，itwaslikelyenoughthatbeforeIcouldfindhimoneofthosebroadspearswouldfindmyheart。Therewasnothingtobedoneexceptsubmit。StillIdidcalloutinaloudvoice——

“Farewell，Zikali。IleaveyouwithoutapresentagainstmywillwhoambeingtakenbysoldierstovisitthekingatUlundi。WhenwemeetagainIwilltalkallthismatteroverwithyou。”

Therewasnoanswer，andasGozatooktheopportunitytosaythathedislikedthenoiseofshoutingextremely，whichsometimesmadehimdothingsthatheafterwardsregretted，Ibecamesilent。

Thenwedeparted，IintheexactcentreofthatguardofZulus，heavy-heartedandfilledwithfearsbothformyselfandthoseI

leftbehindme。

DowntheBlackKloofwetramped，emergingonthesunlitplainbeyondwithoutmeetinganyone。AcoupleofmilesfurtheronwecametoasmallstreamwhereGozaannouncedwewouldhalttoeat。

Soweateofcoldtoastedmeatwhichoneofthemenproducedfromabaskethecarried，unpalatablefoodbutbetterthannothing。

JustaswehadfinishedIlookedupandsawthesoldiertowhommynotehadbeengiven。Hewasleadingmymarethathadbeensaddled。Onitweremylargesaddle-bagspackedwithmybelongings，alsomythickovercoat，mackintosh，waterbottle，andotherarticlesdowntoabagoftobacco，asparepipeandaboxofwaxmatches。Moreover，themancarriedmydouble-barrelledExpressrifleandashot-gunthatcouldbeusedforball，togetherwithtwobagsofcartridges。Practicallynothingbelongingtomehadbeenforgotten。

Iaskedhimwhohadcollectedthethings。HerepliedthedoctressNombehaddonesoandhadbroughthimthehorsesaddledtocarrythem。HedidnotknowwhosaddledthehorseashehadseennoonebutNombetowhomhehadgiventhewritingwhichshehidaway。Inanswertofurtherquestions，hesaidthatNombehadsentmeamessage。Itwas——

“IbidfarewelltoMacumazahnforalittlewhileandwishhimgoodfortunetillwemeetagain。Lethimnotbeafraidinthebattle，forevenifheishurtitwillnotbetodeath，sincethosegowithhimwhomhecannotsee，andprotecthimwiththeirshields。SaytoMacumazahnthatI，Nombe，rememberinthemorningwhatIsaidinthenightandthatwhatseemstobequitelostisofttimesfoundagain。WishhimgoodfortuneandtellhimIamsorrythatIhadnottimetocausehissparegarmentstobecleansedwithwater，butthatIhavebeencarefultofindhislittleboxwiththewhiteman’smedicines。”

Icouldextractnothingmorefromthissoldier，whowaseitherverystupid，orchosetoappearso；norindeeddidIdaretoputdirectquestionsaboutthecartandthosewhotravelledinit。

Soonwemarchedagain，forGozawouldnotallowmetoridethehorse，fearingthatIshouldescapeonit。NorwouldheletmecarryeitherofthegunslestIshouldmakeuseofthem。Alldaywetravelled，reachingtheNongomaheightsinthelateafternoon。

Onthisbeautifulspotwefoundakraalsituatedwhereafterwardsamagistracywasbuiltwhenweconqueredthecountry，whencethereisoneofthefinestviewsinZululand。TherewasnooneinthekraalexcepttwooldwomenwhoappearedtobedeafanddumbforallIcouldgetoutofthem。Theseageddames，however，orotherswhowerehidden，hadmadereadyforourarrival，sinceacalflayskinnedandpreparedforcooking，andbyitbiggourdsfilledwithKaffirbeerand“maas“orcurdledmilk。

Induecourseweateoftheseprovisions，andafterwehadfinishedIgaveGozaastifftotofbrandy，ofwhichNombe，orperhapsAnscombe，hadthoughtfullysentabottlewithmyotherbaggage。Thestrongliquormadetheoldfellowtalkativeandenabledmetogetagooddealofinformationoutofhim。ThusI

learnedthatcertaindemands，astowhichhewasrathervague，hadbeenmadeuponCetewayobytheEnglishGovernment，andthattheKingwasnowconsideringwhetherheshouldaccedetothemorfight。TheGreatCouncilofthenationwassummonedtoattendatUlundiwithinafewdays，whenthematterwouldbedecided。

Meanwhilealltheregimentswerebeinggathered，or，asweshouldsay，mobilized；anarmy，saidGoza，greaterthananythatChakahadeverled。

IaskedhimwhatIhadtodowiththisbusiness，thatI，apeacefultravellerandanoldfriendoftheZulus，shouldbemadeprisoneranddraggedofftoUlundi。HerepliedhedidnotknowwhowasnotinthecounciloftheHighOnes，buthethoughtthatCetewayothekingwishedtoseemebecauseIwastheirfriend，perhapsthathemightsendmeasamessengertothewhitepeople。

IaskedhimhowthekingknewthatIwasinthecountry，towhichherepliedthatZikalihadtoldhimIwascoming，hedidnotknowhow，whereonhe，Goza，wassentatoncetofetchme。Icouldgetnomoreoutofhim。

Iwonderedifitwouldbeworthwhiletomakehimquitedrunkandthenattempttoescapeonthehorse，butgaveuptheidea。Tobeginwith，hismenwereathandandtherewasnotenoughbrandytomakethemalldrunk。AlsoevenifIsucceededinwinningawayhereintheheartofZululand，itwouldnothelpAnscombeorHedaandIshouldprobablybecutoffandkilledbeforeIcouldgetoutofthecountry。SoIabandonedtheplanandwenttosleepinstead。

NextmorningweleftNongomaearlyinthehopeofreachingUlundithateveningiftheIvunaandBlackUmfoloziRiversprovedfordable。Asitchanced，althoughtheywerehigh，wewereabletocrossthem，IseatedonthehorsewhichtwooftheZulusled。

NextwetrampedformilesthroughtheterribleBekameeziValley，ahotanddesolateplacewhichtheZulusswearishaunted。Sounhealthyisthisvalley，whichisthehomeoflargegame，thatwholekraalsfullofpeoplewhohavetriedtocultivatetherichland，havediedinitoffever，orfledawayleavingtheircropsunreaped。Nownomandwellsthere。AfterthisweclimbedaterriblemounttothehighlandofMahlabatini，andhavingeaten，pushedononcemore。

Atlengthwesightedthegreathill-encircledplainofUlundiwhichmaybecalledthecradleoftheZuluraceas，politicallyspeaking，itwasdestinedtobeitscoffin。OntheridgetothewestoncestoodtheNobambakraalwheredweltSenzangacona，thefatherofChakatheLion。NearertotheWhiteUmfoloziwasPanda’sdwelling-place，Nodwengu，whichonceIknewsowell，whileontheslopeofthehillsofthenorth-eaststoodthetownofUlundiinwhichCetewayodwelt，bathedinthelightsofsunset。

Indeeditandallthevastplainwereredasthoughwithblood，redastheyweredestinedtobeonthecomingdayofthelastbattleoftheZulus。

CHAPTERXIII

CETEWAYO

ItwasdarkwhenatlastwereachedtheUlundikraal，forthegrowingmoonwasobscuredbyclouds。ThereforeIcouldseenothingandwasonlyaware，bythesoundofvoicesandthecontinualchallenging，thatwewerepassingthroughgreatnumbersofmen。AtlengthwewereadmittedattheeasterngateandIwastakentoahutwhereIatonceflungmyselfdowntosleep，beingsowearythatIcouldnotattempttoeat。NextmorningasIwasfinishingmybreakfastinthelittlefencedcourtyardofthisguest-hut，Gozaappearedandsaidthatthekingcommandedmetobebroughttohimatonce，addingthatImust“speaksoftly“tohim，ashewas“veryangry。”

Sooffwewentacrossthegreatcattlekraalwherearegimentofyoungmen，twothousandstrongorso，weredrillingwithafierceintensitywhichshowedtheyknewthattheywereoutformorethanexercise。Aboutthesidesofthekraalalsostoodhundredsofsoldiers，allofthemtalkingand，itseemedtome，excited，fortheystampeduponthegroundandevenjumpedintotheairtogivepointtotheirarguments。Suddenlysomeofthemcaughtsightofme，whereonatall，truculentfellowcalledout——

“WhatdoesawhitemanatUlundiatsuchatime，whenevenJohnDunndarenotcome？LetuskillhimandsendhisheadasapresenttotheEnglishgeneralacrosstheTugela。Thatwillsettlethislongtalkaboutpeaceorwar。”

Othersofalikemindechoedthiskindproposal，withtheresultthatpresentlyascoreorsoofthemmadearushatme，brandishingtheirsticks，sincetheymightnotcarryarmsintheroyalkraal。Gozadidhisbesttokeepthemoff，butwassweptasidelikeafeather，orratherknockedover，forIsawhimonhisbackwithhisthinlegsintheair。

“Youmustclimboutofthispitbyyourself。”hebegan，addressingmeinhispompousandfigurativeway。Thensomebodystampedonhisface，andfixinghisteethinhisassailant’sheel，hegrewsilentforawhile。

Thetruculentblackguard，whowasaboutsixfeetthreehighandhadamouthlikeawolf’sthroat，arrivedinfront，ofmeand，bendingdown，roaredout——

“Wearegoingtokillyou，WhiteMan。”

Ihadapistolinmypocketandcouldperfectlywellhavekilledhim，asIwasmuchtemptedtodo。Asecond’sreflectionshowedme，however，thatthiswouldbeuseless，andinasenseputmeinthewrong，thoughwhenthemattercameonforargumentitwouldinterestmenomore。SoIjustfoldedmyarmsand，lookingupathim，said——

“Why，BlackMan？“

“Becauseyourfaceiswhite。”heroared。

“No。”Ianswered，“becauseyourheartisblackandyoureyesaresofullofbloodthatyoudonotknowMacumazahnwhenyouseehim。”

“Wow！“saidone，“itisWatcher-by-Nightwhomourfathersknewbeforeus。Leavehimalone。”

“No。”shoutedthegreatfellow，“Iwillsendhimtowatchwhereitisalwaysnight，Iwhokeepaclubforwhiterats。”andhebrandishedhisstickoverme。

Nowmytemperrose。Watchingmyopportunity，Istretchedoutmyrightfootandhookedhimroundtheankle，atthesametimestrikingupwithallmyforce。Myfistcaughthimbeneaththechinandoverhewentbackwardssprawlingontheground。

“Sonofadog！“Isaid，“ifasinglesticktouchesme，atleastyoushallgofirst。”andwhippingoutmyrevolver，Ipointeditathim。

Helayquietenough，buthowthematterwouldhaveendedIdonotknow，forpassionwasrunninghigh，hadnotGozaatthismomentrisenwithableedingnoseandcalledout——

“OFools，wouldyoukilltheking’sguesttowhomthekinghimselfhasgivensafe-conduct。Surelyyouarepotsfullofbeer，notmen。”

“Whynot？“answeredone。“ThisisthePlaceofSoldiers。Theking’shouseisyonder。Givetheoldjackalastartofalengthoftenassegais。Ifhereachesitfirst，hecanshakehandswithhisfriend，theking。Ifnotwewillmakehimintomedicine。”

“Yes，yes，runforit，Jackal。”clamouredtheothers，knockingtheirshieldswiththeirsticks，asmendowhowouldfrightenabuck，andopeningouttomakearoadforme。

Nowwhileallthiswasgoingon，withsomekindofsixthsenseI

hadnotedabigmanwhosefacewasshroudedbyablanketthrownoverhishead，whoveryquietlyhadjoinedthesedrunkenrioters，andvaguelywonderedwhohemightbe。

“Iwillnotrun。”Isaidslowly，“thatImaybesavedbytheking。Nay，Iwilldiehere，thoughsomeofyoushalldiefirst。

Gototheking，Goza，andtellhimhowhisservantshaveservedhisguest。”andIliftedmypistol，waitingtillthefirststicktouchedmetoputabulletthroughthebullyontheground。

“Thereisnoneed。”saidadeepvoicethatproceededfromthedrapedmanofwhomIhavespoken，“forthekinghascometoseeforhimself。”

Thentheblanketwasthrownback，revealingCetewayogrownfatandmuchagedsincelastIsawhim，butundoubtedlyCetewayo。

“Bayete！“roaredthemobinsalute，whilesomeofthosewhohadbeenmostactiveinthetumulttriedtoslipaway。

“Letnomanstir。”saidCetewayo，andtheystoodasthoughtheywererootedtotheground，whileIslippedmypistolbackintomypocket。

“Whoareyou，WhiteMan？“heasked，lookingatme，“andwhatdoyouhere？“

“TheKingshouldknowMacumazahn。”Ianswered，liftingmyhat，“whomDingaanknew，whomPandaknewwell，andwhomtheKingknewbeforehewasaking。”

“Yes，Iknowyou。”heanswered，“althoughsincewespoketogetheryouhaveshrunklikeanoxhideinthesun，andtimehasstainedyourheardwhite。”

“AndtheKinghasgrownfatliketheoxonsummergrass。AsforwhatIdohere，didnottheKingsendformebyGoza，andwasI

notbroughtlikeababyinablanket。”

“Thelasttimewemet。”hewenton，takingnoheedofmywords，“wasyonderatNodwenguwhenthewitchMameenawastriedforsorcery，shewhomademybrothermadandbroughtaboutthegreatbattle，inwhichyoufoughtforhimwiththeAmawomberegiment。

Doyounotrememberhowshekissedyou，Macumazahn，andtookpoisonbetweenthekisses，andhowbeforeshegrewsilentshespokeevilwordstome，sayingthatIwasdoomedtopulldownmyownHouseandtodieasshedied，wordsthathavehauntedmeeversinceandnowhauntmemostofall？Iwishtospeaktoyouconcerningthem，Macumazahn，foritissaidinthelandthatthisbeautifulwitchlovedyoualoneandthatyouonlyknewhermind。”

Imadenoreply，whowasheartilytiredofthissubjectofMameenawhomnooneseemedabletoforget。

“Well。”hewenton，“wewilltalkofthatmatteralone，sinceitisnotnaturalthatyoushouldwishtospeakofyourdeaddarlingsbeforetheworld。”andwithawaveofthehandheputthematteraside。Thensuddenlyhisattitudechanged。Hisface，thathadbeenthoughtfulandalmostsoft，becamefierce，hisformseemedtoswellandhegrewterrible。

“Whatwasthatdogdoing？“heaskedofGoza，pointingtothebrutewhomIhadknockeddownandwhostilllayprostrateonhisback，afraidtostir。

“OKing。”answeredGoza，“hewastryingtokillMacumazahnbecauseheisawhiteman，althoughItoldhimthathewasyourguest，beingbroughttoyoubytheroyalcommand。Hewastryingtokillhimbygivinghimastartoftenspears’lengthandmakinghimruntotheisigodhlo(theking’shouse)andbeatinghimtodeathwiththesticksofthesemeniftheycaughthim，which，asheisoldandtheyareyoung，theymusthavedone。

OnlytheWatcher-by-Nightwouldnotrun；no，althoughheissosmallheknockedhimtotheearthwithhisfist，andtherehelies。Thatisall，OKing。”

“Rise，dog。”saidCetewayo，andthemanrosetremblingwithfear，and，beingbidden，gavehisname，whichIforget。

“Listen，dog。”wentonthekinginthesamecoldvoice。“WhatGozasaysistrue，forIsawandhearditallwithmyeyesandears。Youwouldhavemadeyourselfastheking。Youdaredtotrytokilltheking’sguesttowhomhehadgivensafe-conduct，andtostaintheking’sdoorpostswithhisblood，therebydefilinghishouseandshowinghimtothewhitepeopleasamurdererofoneofthemwhomhehadpromisedtoprotect。

Macumazahn，do_you_sayhowheshalldie，andIwillhaveitdone。”

“Idonotwishhimtodie。”Ianswered，“Ithinkthatheandthosewithhimweredrunk。Lethimgo，OKing。”

“Aye，Macumazahn，Iwilllethimgo。Seenow，weareinthecentreofthecattle-kraal，andtotheeasterngateisasfarastotheisigodhlo。Letthismanhaveastartoftenspears’

lengthandruntotheeasterngate，ashewouldhavemadeMacumazahnruntotheking’shouse，andlethiscompanions，thosewhowouldhavehuntedMacumazahn，hunthim。

“IfhewinsthroughtothegatehecangoontotheGovernmentinNatalandtellthemofthecrueltyoftheZulus。Onlythen，letthosewhohuntedhimbebroughtbeforemefortrialandperhapsweshallseehow_they_canrun。”

Nowthepoorwretchcaughtholdofmyhand，beggingmetointercedeforhim，butsoldierswhohadcomeupdraggedhimawayand，havingmeasuredthedistanceallowedhim，sethimonamarkmadeupontheground。Presentlyatawordoffhespedlikeanarrow，andafterhimwenthisfriends，tenormoreofthem。I

thinktheycaughthimjustbythegatedoublinglikeahare，orsotheshoutsoflaughterfromthewatchingregimenttoldme，formyselfIwouldnotlook。

“Thatdogatehisownstomach。”saidCetewayogrimly，therebyindicatinginnativefashionthatthebiterhadbeenbitortheengineerhoistwithhispetard。“Itislongsincetherehasbeenawarintheland，andsomeoftheseyoungsoldierswhohaveneverusedanassegaisavetoskinanoxorcuttheheadfromachicken，shouttooloudandleaptoohigh。Nowtheywillbequieter，andwhileyoustayhereyoumaywalkwhereyouwillinsafety，Macumazahn。”headdedthoughtfully。

Thendismissingthematterfromhismind，aswewhitepeopledismissanytrivialincidentinamorningstroll，hetalkedforafewminutestothecommandingofficeroftheregimentthatwasdrilling，whoranuptomakesomereporttohim，andwalkedbacktowardstheisigodhlo，beckoningmetofollowwithGoza。

Afterwaitingforalittlewhileoutsidethegateinthesurroundingfence，abody-servantorderedustoenter，whichwedidtofindthekingseatedontheshadysideofhisbighutquitealone。AtasignIalsosatmyselfdownuponastoolthathadbeensetforme，whileGoza，whosenosewasstillbleeding，squattedatmyside。

“Yourmannersarenotsogoodastheywereonce，Macumazahn。”

saidCetewayopresently，“orperhapsyouhavebeensolongawayfromtheroyalkraalthatyouhaveforgottenitscustoms。”

Istaredathim，wonderingwhathecouldmean，whereonheaddedwithalaugh——

“Whatisthatinyourpocket？Isitnotaloadedpistol，anddoyounotrememberthatitisdeathtoappearbeforethekingarmed？NowImightkillyouandhavenoblame，althoughyouaremyguest，forwhoknowsthatyouarenotsentbytheEnglishQueentoshootme？“

“IasktheKing’spardon。”Isaidhumblyenough。“Ididnotthinkaboutthepistol。Letyourservantstakeitaway。”

“Perhapsitissaferinyourpocket，whereIsawyouplaceitinthecattle-kraal，Macumazahn，thanintheirhands，whichdonotknowhowtoholdsuchthings。Moreover，Iknowthatyouarenotonewhostabsinthedark，evenwhenourpeoplesgrowlroundeachotherliketwodogsabouttofight，andifyouwere，inthisplaceyourlifewouldhavetopayformine。Thereisbeerbyyourside；drinkandfearnothing。DidyouseetheOpenerofRoads，Goza，andifso，whatishisanswertomymessage？“

“OKing，Isawhim。”answeredGoza。“TheFatherofthedoctors，thefriendandmasteroftheSpirits，sayshehasheardtheKing’sword，yes，thathehearditasitpassedtheKing’slips，andthatalthoughheisveryold，hewilltraveltoUlundiandbepresentattheGreatCouncilofthenationwhichistobesummonedontheeighthdayfromthis，thatofthefullmoon。YethemakesaprayeroftheKing。Itisthataplacemaybepreparedforhim，forhispeopleandforhisservantswhocarryhim，awayfromthistownofUlundi，wherehemaysojournquitealone，adecreeofdeathbeingpronouncedagainstanywhoattempttobreakinuponhisprivacy，eitherwherehedwellsoruponhisjourney。Thesearehisverywords，OKing：

“’I，whoamthemostancientmaninZululand，dwellwiththespiritsofmyfathers，whowillnotsufferstrangerstocomenighthemandwho，iftheyareoffended，willbringgreatwoesupontheland。Moreover，IhaveswornthatwhilethereisakinginZululandandIdrawthebreathoflife，neveragainwillIsetfootinaroyalkraal，becausewhenlastIdidsoattheslayingofthewitch，Mameena，thekingwhoisdeadthoughtitwelltoutterthreatsagainstme，andnevermorewillI，theOpenerofRoads，bethreatenedbyamortal。ThereforeiftheKingandhisCouncilseektodrinkofthewaterofmywisdom，itmustbeintheplaceandhourofmyownchoosing。Ifthiscannotbe，letmeabidehereinmyhouseandlettheKingseeklightfromotherdoctors，sincemineshallremainasalamptomyownheart。’“

NowIsawthatthesewordsgreatlydisturbedCetewayowhofearedZikali，asindeeddidalltheland。

“Whatdoestheoldwizardmean？“heaskedangrily。“Helivesalonelikeabatinacaveandforyearshasbeenseenofnone。

Yetasabatfliesforthatnight，rangingfarandwideinsearchofprey，sodoeshisspiritseemtoflythroughZululand。

EverywhereIhearthesameword。Itis——’WhatsaystheOpenerofRoads？’Itis——’HowcanaughtbedoneunlesstheOpenerofRoadshasdeclaredthatitshallbedone，hewhowasherebeforetheBlackOne(Chaka)wasborn，hewhoitissaidwasthefriendofInkosiUmkulu，thefatheroftheZuluswhodiedbeforeourgreat-grandfatherscouldremember；hewhohasallknowledgeandisalmostaspirit，ifindeedhebenotaspirit？’Iaskyou，Macumazahn，whoarehisfriend，whatdoeshemean，andwhyshouldInotkillhimandbedone？“

“OKing。”Ianswered，“inthedaysofyouruncleDingaan，whenDingaanslewtheBoerswhowerehisguests，andthusbeganthewarbetweentheWhiteandtheBlack，I，whowasalad，heardthelaughterofZikaliforthefirsttimeyonderatthekraalUngungundhlovu，IwhorodewithRetiefandescapedtheslaughter，buthisfaceIdidnotsee。Manyyearslater，inthedaysofPandayourfather，Isawhisfaceandthereforeyounamemehisfriend。Yetthisfriendwhodrewmetovisithim，perhapsbyyourwill，OKing，hasnowcausedmetobebroughtheretoUlundidoubtlessbyyourwill，OKing，butagainstmyown，forwhowishestocometoatownwhereheiswell-nighslainbythefirstbrawlerhemeetsinthecattlekraal？“

“Yetyouwerenotslain，Macumazahn，andperhapsyoudonotknowallthestoryofthatbrawler。”repliedCetewayoalmosthumbly，likeonewhobegspardon，thoughtherestofwhatlhadsaidheignored。“ButstillyouareZikali’sfriend，forbetweenyouandhimthereisaropewhichenabledhimtodrawyoutoZululand，whichropeIhaveheardcalledbyawoman’sname。Thereforebythespiritofthatwoman，whichstillcandrawyoulikearope，I

chargeyou，tellme——whatdoesthisoldwizardmean，andwhyshouldInotkillhimandberidofonewhohauntsmyheartlikeanevilvisionofthenightand，asIsometimesthink，isan，umtakati，anevil-doer，whowouldworkilltomeandallmyHouse，yes，andtoallmypeople？“

“HowshouldIknowwhathemeans，OKing？“Iansweredwithindignation，thoughinfactIcouldguesswellenough。“Asforkillinghim，cannottheKingkillwhomhewill？YetIrememberthatonceIheardyoufatheraskmuchthesamequestionandofZikalihimself，sayingthathewasmindedtofindoutwhetherornoheweremortallikeothermen。IrememberalsoZikaliansweredthattherewasasayingthatwhentheOpenerofRoadscametotheendofhisroad，therewouldbenomoreakingofZululand，astherewasnonewhenfirsthesetfootuponhisroad。

NowIhavespoken，whoamawhitemananddonotunderstandyoursayings。”

“Irememberitalso，Macumazahn，whowaspresentatthetime。”herepliedheavily。“MyfatherfearedthisZikaliandhisfatherfearedhim，andIhaveheardthattheBlackOnehimself，whofearednothing，fearedhimalso。AndI，too，fearhim，somuchthatIdarenotmakeupmyminduponagreatmatterwithoutWscounsel，lestheshouldbewitchmeandthenationandbringustonothing。”

Hepaused，thenturningtoGoza，asked，“DidtheOpenerofRoadstellyouwherehewishedtodwellwhenhecomestovisitmehereatUlundi？“

“OKing。”answeredGoza，“yonderinthehills，notfurtherawaythananagedmancanwalkinthehalfofanhour，isaplacecalledtheValleyofBones，becausethereinthedaysofthosewhowentbeforetheKing，andevenintheKing’sday，manyevildoershavebeenledtodie。ZikaliwoulddwellinthisValleyofBones，andthereandnowhereelsewouldmeettheKingandtheGreatCouncil，notinthedaylightbutaftersunsetwhenthemoonhasrisen。”

“Why。”saidCetewayo，starting，“theplaceisill-omenedand，theysay，haunted，onethatnomandarestoapproachafterthefallofdarknessforfearlesttheghostsofthedeadshouldleapuponhimgibbering。”

“SuchwerethewordsoftheOpenerofRoads，OKing。”repliedGoza。“ThereandnowhereelsewillhemeettheKing，andtherehedemandsthatthreehutsshouldbebuilttoshelterhimandhisfolkandstoredwithallthingsneedful。Ifthisbenotgrantedtohim，thenherefusestovisittheKingortogivecounseltothenation。”

“Sobeitthen。”saidCetewayo。“SendmessengerstotheOpenerofRoads，Goza，sayingthatwhathedesiresshallbedone。Letmycommandgooutthatunderpainofdeathnonespyuponhimwhilehejourneyshitherorreturns。Letthehutsbebuiltforthwith，andwhenitisknownthatheiscoming，letfoodinplentybeplacedinthemandafterwardsmorningbymorningtakentothemouthofthevalley。Bidhimannouncehisarrivalandthehourhechoosesforourmeetingbymessenger。Begone。”

Gozaleaptup，gavetheroyalsalute，andretreatedbackwardsfromthepresenceoftheking，leavingusalone。Ialsorosetodepart，butCetewayomotionedtometobeseated。

“Macumazahn。”hesaid，“theGreatQueen’smanwhohascometoNatal(SirBartleFrere)threatensmewithwarbecausetwoevil-doingwomenweretakenontheNatalsideoftheTugelaandbroughtbacktoZululandandkilledbyMehlokazulu，beingthewivesofhisfather，Sirayo，whichwasdonewithoutmyknowledge。

AlsotwowhitemenweredrivenawayfromanislandintheTugelaRiverbysomeofmysoldiers。”