第6章

“Isthatall，OKing？“Iasked。

“No。TheQueen’smansaysIkillmypeoplewithouttrial，whichisalietoldhimbythemissionaries，andthatgirlshavebeenkilledalsowhorefusedtomarrythosetowhomtheyweregivenandranawaywithothermen。Alsothatwizardsaresmeltoutandslain，whichhappensbutrarelynow；allofthiscontrarytothepromisesImadetoSompseuwhenhecametorecognizemeaskinguponmyfather’sdeath，andsomeothersuchsmallmatters。”

“Whatisdemandedifyouwouldavoidwar，OKing？“

“Nothinglessthanthis，Macumazahn：ThattheZuluarmyshouldbeabolishedandthesoldiersallowedtomarrywhomandwhentheyplease，because，saystheQueen’sman，hefearslestitshouldbeusedtoattacktheEnglish，asthoughIwholovetheEnglish，asthosehavedonewhowentbeforeme，desiretolayafingeronthem。AlsothatanotherQueen’smanshouldbesenttodwellhereinmycountry，tobetheeyesandearsoftheEnglishGovernmentandhavepowerwithmeintheland；yes，andmoredemandswhichwoulddestroytheZulusasapeopleandmakeme，theirking，butapettykraal-head。”

“AndwhatwilltheKinganswer？“Iasked。

“Iknownotwhattoanswer。ThefineoftwothousandcattleI

willpayforthekillingofthewomen。Ifitmaybe，IwishnoquarrelwiththeEnglish，thoughgladlyIwouldhavefoughttheDutchhadnotSompseustretchedouthisarmovertheirland。ButhowcanIdisbandthearmyandmakeanendoftheregimentsthathaveconqueredinsomanywars？Macumazahn，ItellyouthatifI

didthis，inamoonIshouldbedead。Oh！youwhitepeoplethinkthereisbutonewillinZululand，thatoftheking。Butitisnotso，forheisbutasinglemanamongtenthousandthousand，wholivestoworkthepeople’swish。Ifhebeatsthemwithtoothickastick，orifhebringsthemtoshameordoeswhatthemostofthemdonotwish，thenwhereistheking？Then，Isay，hegoesaroadthatwastroddenbyChakaandDingaanwhowerebeforeme，yes，theredroadoftheassegai。Thereforetoday，I

standlikeamanbetweentwofallingcliffs。IfIruntowardstheEnglishtheZuluclifffallsuponme。IfIruntowardsmyownpeople，theEnglishclifffallsuponme，andineithercaseI

amcrushedandnomoreseen。Tellmethen，Macumazahn，youwhoseheartishonest，whatmustIdo？“

Sohespoke，wringinghishands，withtearsstartingtohiseyes，anduponmyword，althoughIneverlikedCetewayoasIhadlikedhisfather，Panda，perhapsbecauseIlovedhisbrother，Umbelazi，whomhekilled，andhadknownhimdomanycrueldeeds，myheartbledforhim。

“Icannottellyou，King。”Ianswered，thinkingthatImustsaysomething，“butIprayyoudonotmakewaragainstthequeen，forsheisthemostmightyOneinthewholeearth，andthoughherfoot，ofwhichyouseebutthelittletoehereinAfrica，seemssmalltoyou，yetifsheisangered，itwillstamptheZulusflat，sothattheyceasetobe。”

“Manyhavetoldmethis，Macumazahn。Yes，evenUhamu，thesonofmyuncleUnzibe，or，assomesay，thesonofhisspirit，towhichhismotherwasmarriedafterUnzibewasdead，andothersthroughouttheland，andintruthIthinkitmyself。Butwhocanholdthearmywhichshoutsforwar？Ow！theCouncilmustdecide，which，meansperhapsthatZikaliwilldecide，fornowallhanguponhislips。

“ThenIamsorry。”Iexclaimed。

Helookedatmeshrewdly。

“Areyou？SoamI。Yethiscounselmustbeasked，andbetterthatitshouldbehereinmypresencethanyondersecretlyattheBlackKloof。IwouldkillhimifIdared，butIdarenot，whoamsure——whyImaynotsay——thatthesamesunwillseehisdeathandmine。”

Hewavedhishandtoshowthatthetalkonthismatterwasended，thenadded——

“Macumazahn，youaremyprisonerforawhile，butgivemeyourwordthatyouwillnottrytoescapeandyoumaygowhereyouwillwithinanhour’srideofUlundi。Iwouldpayyouwelltostopherewithme，butthisIknowyouwouldneverdoshouldtherebetroublebetweenusandyourpeople。ThereforeIpromiseyouthatifwarbreaksoutIwillsendyousafelytoNatal，orperhapssooner，asmymessenger，whencedoubtlessyouwillreturntofightagainstme。KnowthatIhavegivenordersthateveryotherwhitemanorwomanwhoisfoundinZululandshallbekilledasaspy。EvenJohnDunnhasfledorisflying，orsoIhear，JohnDunnwhohasfedoutofmyhandandgrownrichonmygifts。

YouyourselfwouldhavebeenkilledasyoucamefromSwazi-Landinyourcart，hadnotcommandbeensenttothosechiefsthroughwhoselandsyoupassedthatneithertheynortheirpeopleweresomuchastolookatyou。”

NowforoneintensemomentIthought，ashardaseverIhaddoneinmylife。Itwasevident——unlesshedealingverycunninglywithme，whichIdidnotbelieve——thatCetewayoknewnothingofAnscombeandHeda，butthoughtthatIhadcomeintoZululandalone。ShouldIorshouldInottellhimandbeghisprotectionforthem？IfIdidsohemightrefuseorbeunabletogiveittothemfarawayinthemidstofasavagepopulationaflamewiththelustofwar。Astheincidentofthemorningshowed，itwarasmuchashecoulddotoprotectmyself，althoughtheZulusknewmefortheirfriend。OntheotherhandnoonewhodweltunderZikali’sblanket，tousetheKaffiridiom，wouldbetouched，becausehewaslookedonashalfdivineandthereforeeverythingunderitdowntotheratinhisthatchwassacred。NowZikalibyimplicationandNombewithemphasis，hadpromisedtosafeguardthesetwo。Surely，therefore，theywouldrunlessriskintheBlackKloofthanhereatUlundi，ifevertheygotsofar。

Allthiswentthroughmybraininaninstant，withtheresultthatImadeupmymindtosaynothing。Astheissueproved，thiswasaterriblemistake，butwhocanalwaysjudgerightly？HadI

spokenoutitseemstomeprobablethatCetewayowouldhavegrantedmyprayerandorderedthatthesetwoshouldbeescortedoutofZululandbeforehostilitiesbegan，althoughofcoursetheymighthavebeenmurderedontheway。Also，forareasonthatwillbecomeevidentlater，itispossiblethattherewouldneverhavebeenanyhostilities。AllIcanpleadis，thatIactedforthebestandFatewouldhaveitso。Anothermomentandthechancewasgone。

Thegateopenedandabody-servantappearedannouncingthatoneofthegreatcaptainswithsomeofhisofficerswaitedtoseetheking。Cetewayomadeasign，whereontheservantcalledoutsomething，andtheyentered，threeorfourofthem，salutingloudly。Seeingmetheystoppedandstared，whereonCetewayoshortly，butwithmuchclearness，repeatedtothemandtoanindunawhoaccompaniedthem，whathehadalreadysaidtome，namelythatIwashisguest，sentforbyhimthathemightusemeasamessengerifhethoughtfit。Headdedthatthemanwhodaredtospeakawordagainstme，oreventolookatmeaskance，shouldpaythepricewithhislife，howeverhighhisstation，andhecommandedthattheheraldsshouldproclaimthishisdecreethroughoutUlundiandtheneighbouringkraals。Thenheheldouthishandtomeintokenoffriendship，biddingmeto“gosoftly“

andcometoseehimwheneverIwished，anddismissedmeinchargeoftheinduna，oneofthecaptainsandsomesoldiers。

WithinfiveminutesofreachingmyhutIheardaloud-voicedcrierproclaimingtheorderofthekingandknewthatIhadnomoretofear。

CHAPTERXIV

THEVALLEYOFBONES

TheweekthatfollowedmyinterviewwithCetewayowasindeedamiserabletimeforme。Formyself，asIhavesaid，Ihadnofear，fortheking’sorderswerestrictlyobeyed。Moreover，thetaleofwhathadhappenedtothebrutewhowishedtohuntmedowninthecattle-kraalhadtravelledfarandwideandnonesoughttosharehisfate。Myhutwasinviolateandwellsuppliedwithnecessaryfood，aswasmymare，andIcouldwanderwhereIlikedandtalkwithwhomIwould。Icouldevenridetoexercisethehorse，thoughthisIdidverysparinglyandonlyintheimmediateneighbourhoodofthetownforfearofexcitingsuspicionormeetingZuluswhomtheking’swordhadnotreached。IndeedontheseoccasionsIwasalwaysaccompaniedbyaguardofswift-footedandarmedsoldierssent“toprotectme。”ormoreprobablytokillmeifIdidanythingthatseemedsuspicious。

InthecourseofmyramblesImetsundrynativeswhomIhadknownintheolddays，someofthemalongwhileago。Theyallseemedgladtoseemeandwerequitereadytotalkofpasttimes，butofthepresenttheywouldsaylittleornothing，exceptthattheywerecertaintherewouldbewar。OfAnscombeandHedaIcouldhearnothing，andindeeddidnotdaretomakeanydirectinquiriesconcerningthem，butseveralreliablemenassuredmethatthelastmissionariesandtradershavingdeparted，therewasnotawhiteman，womanorchildleftinZululandexceptmyself。

Itwas“allblack“theysaid，referringtothecolouroftheirpeople，asithadbeenbeforethetimeofChaka。SoIwasforcedtoeatoutmyheartwithanxietyinsilence，hopingandprayingthatZikalihadplayedanhonestpartandsentthemawaysafely。

Whyshouldhenothavedoneso，seeingthatitwasmypresencehehaddesired，nottheirs？Theywereonlytaken，orrathersnared，becausetheywerewithmeandcouldnotbeseparated，orsoI

believedatthetime。

OnerayofcomfortIdidget。AboutthefifthdayaftermyinterviewIsawGoza，whotoldmethattheking’smessengerswerebackfromtheBlackKloofandhadbrought“aword“formefromZikalihimself。Thewordwas——

“BidGozasaytoMacumazahnthatIwassorrynottoseehimtosaygood-bye，becausethatmorningIsleptheavily。BidhimsaythatIamgladhehasseentheking，sinceforthispurposeI

soughthispresenceinZululand。Bidhimsaythatheistofearnothing，andthatifhisheartisheavyaboutotherswhomheloves，heshouldmakeitlightagain，sincetheSpiritshavethemintheirkeepingastheyhavehim，andneverweretheyorhemoresafethantheyareto-day。”

NowIlookedatGozaandaskedifIcouldseethismessenger。Hereplied，No，ashehadalreadybeendespatcheduponanothererrand。ThenIaskedhimifthemessengerhadsaidanythingelse。Heanswered，Yes，onethingthathehadforgotten，namelythatthewritingaboutblanketsshouldnowbeinNatal。ThensuddenlyhechangedthesubjectandaskedmeifIwouldliketoaccompanyhimtotheValleyofBoneswherehewasorderedtoinspectthehutswhichwerebeingbuiltforZikaliandhispeople。OfcourseIsaidIshould，hoping，quitewithoutresult，thatImightgetsomethingmoreoutofhimontheroad。

NowthistownofCetewayo’sstands，orratherstood，forithaslongbeenburnt，ontheslopeofthehillstothenorth-eastoftheplainsofUlundi。Aboveitthesehillsgrowsteeper，anddeepintherecessesofoneofthemistheValleyofBones。

Thereisnothingparticularlyimposingabouttheplace；notoweringcliffsorpillarsofpiledgranite，asattheBlackKloof。Itisjustavalecutoutbywater，borderedbysteepslopesoneitherside，andastillsteeperslopestrownwithlargerocksatitsend。Dottedhereandthereontheseslopesgrewtallaloesthatfromalittledistancelookedlikescatteredmen，whereofthelowerleaveswereshrivelledandblackenedbyveldfires。Alsotherewereafeweuphorbias，grey，naked-lookingthingsthatendinpointslikefingersonahand，andamongthemsomesparsethorntrees，strugglingtoliveinaninhospitablesoil。

Theplacehasonepeculiarity。Juttingintoitfromthehillsideisaridgeorspur，sixtyorseventyyardsinlengthbyperhapstwentybroad，thatendsinaflatpointofrockwhichstandsaboutfortyfeetabovetheleveloftherestofthelittlevalley。Onthisridgealsogrewtallaloesuntilnearitsextremitythesoilceased，orhadbeenwashedawayfromthewater-worncoreofrock。

Itwas，andnodoubtstillis，adesolate-lookingspot，atanyrateformostofthedaywhenowingtotheshadowofthesurroundinghills，itreceivesbutlittlesun。Everythingaboutit，especiallywhenIwasthereinatimeofrain，seemeddankandmiserable，althoughtheflatfloorofthekloofwasclothedwithagrowthoftall，coarsegrass，andweedsthatboreanevil-smellingflower。PerhapssomesenseofappropriatenesshadcausedtheZulukingstochoosethislonesome，deathly-lookinggorgeasoneoftheirexecutiongrounds。Atanyratemanyhadbeenslainhere，forskullsandthelargerhumanbones，someofthemblackwithage，layallaboutamongthegrass，astheyhadbeenscatteredbyhyenasandjackals。Theywereparticularlythickbeneathandaroundthetable-likerockthatIhavementioned。

GozatoldmethatthiswasbecausetheKing’sSlayersmadeacustomofdraggingthevictimalongtheprojectingtonguetotheedgeofthisrockandhurlinghim，eitherdeadorliving，tothegroundbeneath；or，inthecaseofwitches；drivingthemoveraftertheyhadbeenblinded。

SuchwasthespotthatZikalihadselectedtoabideinduringhisvisittoUlundi。Certainlywhereprivacywasanobjectitwaswellchosen，for，asCetewayohadsaidandasGozaemphasizedtome，ithadthereputeofbeingthemostthoroughlyhauntedplaceinallZululand，withthesoleexception，perhaps，oftheridgeoppositetoDingaan’soldkraalwhereonceIshotthevulturesformylifeandthoseofmycompanions。*Eveninthedaytimepeoplegaveitawideberth，andatnightnothingwouldinducethemtoapproachit，atanyratealone。

[*——Seethebookcalled_Marie，_byH。RiderHaggard。]

HeretoonesideofandneartherootofthetongueoflandofwhichIhavespoken，thehutsthatZikalihaddemandedforhimselfandhiscompanywerebeingrapidlybuilt，closetoaspringofwater，byalargebodyofmenwholabouredasthoughtheywishedtobedonewiththeirtask。Alsoabouthalfwayupthedonga，forreallyitwasnothingmore，atadistanceofperhapsfiveandtwentypacesfromitsflatpointwhencethecondemnedwerehurled，acircularspaceofgroundhadbeenclearedandlevelledwhichwaslargeenoughtoaccommodatefiftyorsixtymen。Onthisspace，Gozatoldme，theKingandtheCouncilweretositwhentheycametoseeklightfromZikali。

InmyheartIreflectedthatthelighttheywerelikelytogetfromhimwouldbesuchasmaybesupposedtobethrownbyhellfire。ForbeitrememberedIknewwhatthesepeopleneverseemedtounderstand，thatZikaliwasthemostbitteroftheirenemies。

Tobeginwith，hewasofUndwandweblood，oneofthepeoplewhomthegreatkingChakahaddestroyed。ThenthissameChakahadrobbedhimofhiswivesandmurderedhischildren，inrevengeforwhichhehadplottedtheslayingofChaka，ashedidthatofhisbrothers，UmhlanganaandDingaan，thelatterofwhomheinvolvedinaquarrelwiththeBoers。SubsequentlyhebroughtaboutthewarbetweentheprincesCetewayoandUmbelazi，inwhichIplayedapart。

NowIwascertainthatheintendedtobringaboutanotherwarbetweentheEnglishandtheZulus，knowingwellthatintheendthelatterwouldbedestroyed，andwiththemtheroyalHouseofSenzangaconawhichhehadsworntolevelwiththedust。Hadhenottoldmeasmuchyearsago，andwasheonetogobackuponhisword？HadhenotusedMameenawithherbeautyandambitionsashistool，andwhenshewasofnofurtherservicetohim，givenhertodeath，ashehadusedscoresofothersandindueseasongiventhemtodeath？WasInotmyselfperhapsoneofthosetoolsdestinedtobethrownintothepitofdoomwhenmyturncame，thoughinwhatwayIcouldhelphisplotswasmorethanIcouldsee，sinceheknewwellthatIshoulddomybesttoopposehim？

Oh！IhadhalfamindtogotoCetewayoandtellhimallIknewaboutZikali，evenifitinvolvedthebreakingofconfidences。

Butstay！EvenifIwerebelieved，thisfar-seeingwizardheldhostagesformygoodbehaviour，andifIbetrayedhimwhatwouldhappentothosehostages？Hesentmemessagessayingthattheyweresafe，suggestingthattheyhadescapedtoNatal。HowwasI

toknowthattheseweretrue？Iwasutterlybewildered；IcouldnotguesswhyIhadbeenbeguiledintoZululand，andIdarednotstepeitherthiswayorthatforfearlestIshouldfallintosomepitdugbyhiscunninghandsand，whatwasworse，dragdownotherswithme。

Moreover，wasthismanquitehuman，orperhapsanemissaryofSatanuponearthwhohadknowledgedeniedtoothermenandacertainmasteryoverthePowersofIll？AgainIcouldnotsay。

Histermoflifeseemedtobeextraordinarilyprolonged，thoughnoneknewhowoldexactlyhemightbe。Alsohehadawonderfulknowledgeofwhatwaspassinginthemindsofothers，andbyhisarts，asIhadexperiencedonlytheotherday，couldsummonupapparitionsorillusionsbeforetheireyes。Further，hewasawareofeventswhichhadhappenedatadistanceandcouldsendorreaddreams，sinceotherwisehowdidNombeknowwhatIhaddreamtatMarnham’shouse？Lastlyhecouldforetellthefuture，asoncehehaddoneinmyowncase，prophecyingthatIshouldbeinjuredbyabuffalowithasplithorn。

Yetallofthismightbenothingmorethanamixtureofkeenobservation，cleverspying，trickeryandmesmerism。Icouldnotsaywhichitwas，norcanIwithcertaintytothishour。

SuchwerethethoughtsthatpassedthroughmymindasIwalkedbackfromtheValeofBonesbythesideofthebig-paunchedGoza，whomIcaughteyeingmefromtimetotimeasacuriouscroweyesanyobjectthathasattractedhisattention。

“Goza。”Isaidatlast，“dotheZulusreallymeantofighttheEnglish？“

Heturnedandpointedtoaspotwherethehillsrandownintothegreatplain。Heretworegimentsweremanoeuvring。Oneoftheseheldtheslopesofthehillandtheotherwasattackingthemfromtheplain，sofiercelythatatadistancetheironslaughtlookedlikethatofactualwarfare。

“Thatlookslikefighting，doesitnot，Macumazahn？“hereplied。

“Yes，Goza，yetitmaybebutplay。”

“Quiteso，Macumazahn。Itmaybefightingoritmaybebutplay。

AmIaprophetthatIshouldbeabletosaywhichitis？OfthatthereisbutonemaninZululandwhoknowsthetruth。Itisheforwhomthenewhutsarebeingbuiltupyonder。”

“Youthinkhereallyknows，Goza？“

“No，Macumazahn，Idonotthink，Iamsure。Heisthegreatestofallwizards，ashewaswhenmyfatherheldontohismother’sapron。HepullsthestringsandtheGreat-onesofthecountrydance。Ifhewisheswar，therewillbewar。Ifhewishespeace，therewillbepeace。”

“Andwhichdoeshewish，Goza？“

“Ithoughtperhapsyoucouldtellmethat，Macumazahn，who，hesays，aresuchanoldfriendofhis；alsowhyhechoosestosojourninadarkholeamongthedeadinsteadofinthesunshineamongtheliving，hereatUlundi。”

“Well，Icannot，Goza，sincetheOpenerofRoadsdoesnotopenhishearttomebutkeepshissecretstohimself。Fortherest，thosewhotalkwiththedeadmayprefertodwellamongthedead。”

“Nowasalwaysyouspeaktruth，Macumazahn。”saidGoza，lookingatmeinawaywhichsuggestedtomethathebelievedIspokeanythingbutthetruth。

IndeedIamconvincedhethoughtthatIwasinthecouncilofZikaliandacquaintedwithhisplans。AlsoIamsureheknewthatIhadnotcometoZululandalone，theincidentoftheblankets，whichIhadpromisedtohimabribetokeepsilence，showedit，andsuspectedthatmycompanionswerepartiestosomeplottogetherwithmyself。AndyetatthetimeIcouldnotbequitesure，andthereforedarednotaskanythingconcerningthemlestthusIshouldrevealtheirexistenceandbringthemtodeath。

AsamatteroffactIneednothavebeenanxiousonthispoint，sinceifGoza，whoImaystate，wasakindofsecretserviceofficeraswellasaheadmessenger，knew，asIthinkprobable，hehadbeencommandedbyZikalitoholdhistongueunderpenaltyofacurse。PerhapsthesamewastrueofthesoldierswhohadcomewithhimtotakemetoUlundi。ThehintofZikaliwasaspowerfulasthewordoftheking，sincethey，likethousandsofothers，believedthatwhereasCetewayocouldkillthem，Zikali，likeSatan，couldblasttheirspiritsaswellastheirbodies。

ButhowwasItoguessallthesethingsatthattime？

Duringthenexttwodaysnothinghappened，thoughIheardthattherehadbeenoneifnottwomeetingsoftheCouncilattheKing’sHouseduringwhichthepositionofaffairswasdiscussed。

CetewayoIdidnotsee，althoughtwicehesentmessengerstomebringinggiftsoffood，whowerechargedtoinquirewhetherIwaswellandhappyandifanyhadofferedmehurtorinsult。TotheseIansweredthatIwaswellandunmolestedbutnothappy，whogrewlonesome，beingbutasolitarywhitemanamongsomanythousandsoftheZulus。

Onthethirdmorning，thatofthedayofthefullmoon，GozacameandinformedmethatZikalihadarrivedattheValleyofBonesbeforedawn。Iaskedhimhowhe，whowassooldandfeeble，hadwalkedsofar。Heansweredthathehadnotwalked，orsoheunderstood，buthadbeencarriedinalitter，orratherintwolitters，oneforhimselfandoneforhis“spirit。”ThisstaggeredmeevenwhereZikaliwasconcerned，andIinquiredwhatonearthGozameant。

“Macumazahn，howcanItellyouwhoonlyknowwhatImyselfamtold？“heexclaimed。“SuchisthereportthattheOpenerofRoadshasmadehimselfbymessengerstotheking。Nonehaveseenhim，forhejourneysonlyinthenight。Moreover，whenZikalipassesallmenareblindandevenwomen’stonguesgrowdumb。

Perchanceby’hisspirit’hemeanshismedicineorthewitch-doctoress，Nombe，whomfolkssayhecreated，sincenonehaveseenherfatherorhermother，orheardwhobegather；orperchancehissnakeishidbehindthematsofthesecondlitter，ifintruththerewasone。”

“Itmaybeso。”Isaid，feelingthatitwasuselesstopursuethematter。“Now，Goza，IwouldseeZikaliandatonce。”

“Thatcannotbe，Macumazahn，sincehehasgivenoutthathewillseenoone，whorestsafterhisjourney，andthekinghasissuedordersthatanywhoattempttoapproachtheValleyofBonesshalldie，eveniftheybeoftheroyalblood。Yes，ifsomuchasadogdarestodrawnearthatplace，itmustdie。Thesoldierswhoringitroundhavekilledonealready，sostrictaretheorders，alsoaboywhowenttowardsitsearchingforacalf，whichI

thinkabadomen。”

“ThenIwillsendamessagetohim。”Ipersisted。

“Doso。”mockedGoza。“Look，yondersailsavulture。Askittotakeyourmessage，fornothingelsewill。Benotfoolish，Macumazahn，buthavepatience，forto-nightyoushallseetheOpenerofRoadswhenheattendstheCouncilofthekingintheValleyofBones。Thisistheorderoftheking——thatattherisingofthemoonIleadyouthither，sothatyoumaybepresentattheCouncilincasehewishestoaskyouanyquestionsabouttheWhitePeopleortogiveyouanymessagetotheGovernmentinNatal。ThereforeatsunsetIwillcomeforyou。Tillthen，farewell。Ihavebusinessthatcannotwait。”

“CanIseetheking？“Icried。

“Notso，Macumazahn。Allto-dayhemakessacrificetothespiritsofhisancestorsandmustnotbeapproached。”Gozacalledbackashedeparted。

AvailingmyselfofthepermissionofthekingtogowhereI

would，alittlelaterinthedayIwalkedoutofthetowntowardstheValleyofBonesinordertoascertainformyselfwhetherwhatGozahadtoldmewastrue。Soitproved，foraboutthreehundredyardsfromthemouthofthevalley，whichatthatdistancelookedlikeablackholeinthehills，Ifoundsoldiersstationedabouttenpacesapartinagreatcirclewhichranrightupthehillsideandvanishedoverthecrest。Strollinguptooneofthese，whosefaceIthoughtIknew，Iaskedhimifhewouldletmepasstoseemyfriend，theOpenerofRoads。

Theman，whowassomethingofahumouristreplied——

“Certainlyifyouwish，Macumazahn。Thatistosay，Iwillletyourspiritpass，buttodothis，ifyoucomeonestepnearerI

mustfirstmakeaholeinyouwithmyspearoutofwhichitcanfly。”

Ithankedhimforhisinformationandgavehimsomesnuff，whichhetookgratefully，beingboredbyhislongvigil。ThenIaskedhimhowmanypeoplethegreatwitch-doctorhadwithhim。Hesaidhedidnotknow，buthehadseenanumberoftallmencometothemouthofthedongatofetchfoodthathadbeenplacedthere。

AgainIinquiredifhehadseenanywomen，whereonherepliednone，Zikalibeing，heunderstood，toooldtotroublehimselfabouttheothersex。Justthenanofficer，makinghisrounds，cameupandlookedatmesosternlythatIthoughtitwelltoretreat。Evidentlytherewasnochanceofgettingthroughthatline。

OnmywaybackIwalkedasnearthefenceoftheKing’sHouseasIdared，andsawwitch-doctorspassinginandoutintheirhideousofficialpanoply。ThistoldmethatherealsoGozahadspokenthetruth——thekingwasperformingmagicalceremonies，whichmeantthatitwouldbeimpossibletoapproachhim。IneverydirectionImetwithfailure。TheFateswereagainstme；

itlayovermelikeaspell。IndeedIgrewsuperstitiousandbegantothinkthatZikalihadbewitchedme，ashewassaidtohavethepowertodo。Well，perhapshehad，forthemerefactoffindingmyselfopposedbythispersistentwallofdifficultiesandsilenceconvincedmethattherewassomethingbehindittobelearned。

Iwentbackverydejectedtomyhutandtalkedtomymarewhichwhinniedandrubbeditsnoseagainstme，foralthoughitwaswellfedandlookedafter，thepoorbeastseemedaslonelyasIwasmyself。Nowonder，sincelikemyselfitwasseparatedfromallitskindandwearyofinaction。AfterthisIateandsmokedandfinallydozed，nomore，forwheneverItriedtogotosleepI

thoughtthatIheardZikalilaughingatme，asmayhaphewasdoingyonderinhishut。

Atlengththatwearisomedaydrewtowardsitsend。Thesunbegantosink，ahugeredballoffire，nowandagainveiledbyclouds，fortheskywasstormy。Itsfiercerays，strikinguponotherclouds，peopledtheenormousheavenswithfantasticshapesoflightwhichwerethickestoverthehillswhereinwastheValleyofBones。Tomystrainedmindthesecloudslookedlikebattlingarmies，figuresofflamewarringagainstfiguresofdarkness。

Thedarknesswon；no，thelightbrokeoutagainandconqueredit。

Andsee，thereabovethembothsquattedastrangeblackpresencecrownedwithfire。ItmighthavebeenthatofZikalimagnifiedtenthousandtimes，andhark！itlaughedwiththelowreverberatingvoiceofdistantthunder。

SuddenlyIfeltthatIwasnolongeraloneandlookinground，sawGozaatmyside。

“Whatdoyouseeupthere，Macumazahn，thatyoustaresohard？“

heasked，pointingattheskywithhisstick。

“Impisfighting。”Iansweredbriefly。

“Thenyoumustbea’heaven-doctor，’Macumazahn，forIonlyseeblackandredclouds。Well，itistimetogotolearnwhetherornotheimpiswillfight，forZikaliawaitsusandtheCouncilhasstartedalready。Bytheway，thekingsaysthatyouwilldowelltoputyourpistolinyourpocketincaseanyshouldseektoharmyouinthedark。”

“Itisthere。But，Goza，Iprayyoutoprotectme，sinceinthedarkbulletsflywide，andifIbegantoshoot，onemighthityou，Goza。”

Hesmiled，makingnoanswer，butInoticedthatduringtherestofthatnighthewascarefultokeepbehindmeasmuchaspossible。

Ourwayledusthroughthetownwhereeverybodyseemedtobestandingaboutdoingnothingandspeakingverylittle。Therewasacuriousairofexpectancyupontheirfaces。Theyknewthatthecrisiswasathand，thattheirnation’sfatehunguponthescales，andtheywatchedmyeverylookandmovementasthoughinthemtheyexpectedtoreadanomen。Itoowatchedthemoutofthecornersofmyeyes，wonderingwhetherIshouldescapefromtheirsavagecompanyalive。Ifoncethebloodlustbrokeoutamongthem，itseemedtomethatIshouldhaveaboutasmuchchanceasachoppedfoxamongapackofhungryhounds。

OnceoutofthetownwesawnooneuntilwecametothecircleofguardswhichIhavealreadymentioned，whostoodtherelikeanendlesslineofblackstatues。InanswertotheirchallengeGozagavesomecomplicatedpasswordinwhichmynameoccurred，whereontheyopenedoutandletusthrough。Thenwemarchedontothemouthofthekloof。Theplacewasverydark，fornowthesunwasdowninthewestandthemoonintheeastwascutofffromusbythehillsandwouldnotbevisiblehereforhalfanhourormore。

PresentlyIsawaspotoflight。ItwasasmallfireburningnearthetongueofrockwhichIhavedescribed。

Atadistance，infrontofthefireonthepatchofpreparedground，squattedanumberofmen，betweentwentyandthirtyofthem，inasemicircle。Theywerewrappedupinkarossesandblankets，andintheircentresatalargefigureonachairofwood。

“TheKingandtheGreatCouncil。”whisperedGoza。

Oneofthemlookedroundandsawus。Atsomesignfromthekingherose，andagainstthefireIsawthathewasthePrimeMinister，Umnyamana。Hecametomeand，withanodofrecognition，conductedmesomepacestotherightwhereaeuphorbiatreegrewamongtherankherbage。HereIfoundastoolplacedreadyonwhichIsatdown，Goza，whoofcoursewasnotoftheCouncil，squattingatmysideinthegrass。

NowIfoundthatIwassosituatedthatIcouldnotwellbeseenfromthefire，orevenfromtherockaboveit，whileI，bymovingmyheadalittle，couldseebothquiteclearly。Afterthisasthelastreflectionfromthesunksunfaded，thedarknessincreaseduntilnothingremainedvisibleexceptthefireandthemassiveoutlineoftherockbehind。Thesilencewascomplete，fornoneoftheCouncilspoke。Theyweresostillthattheymighthavebeendead，sostillthatabeetlesuddenlyboomingpastmemademestartasthoughithadbeenabullet。Thegeneralimpressionwasalmostmesmeric。IfeltasthoughIweregoingtosleepandyetmymindremainedpainfullyawake，sothatIwasabletothinkthingsout。

Iunderstoodclearlythatthebodyofmentomylefthadcometogethertodecidewhetherthereshouldbepeaceorwar；thatthereweredivisionsofopinionamongthem；thatthekingwasreadytofollowthepartywhichshouldproveitselfthestrongest，butthattherealvoiceofdecisionwouldspeakfrombehindthatfire。ItwasthecaseoftheDelphicOracleoveragainwithapriestinsteadofapriestess，andwhatapriest！

ItwasevidenttomealsothatZikali，whoknewhumannature，andespeciallysavagehumannature，hadarrangedallthiswithaviewtoscenicandindeedsupernaturaleffect。Moreover，hehaddoneitverywell，sinceIknewmyselfthatinthisplaceandhourwordsandoccurrenceswouldaffectmedeeplyatwhichIshouldhavelaughedinthesunlightandopenplain。AlreadytheZuluswereaffected，forIcouldheartheteethofsomeofthemchattering，andGozabegantoshiveratmyside。Hemutteredthatitwascold，andliedforthedongawasextremelyhotandstuffy。

Atlengththesilverradianceofthemoonspreaditselfonthehighcurtainofthedark。Thentheedgeofherorbappearedabovethehillandanarrowofwhitelightfellintothelittlevalley。Itstruckuponandaboutthejuttingrock，revealingamisshapen，white-headedfiguresquattedbetweenitsbaseandthefire，thefigureofZikali。

CHAPTERXV

THEGREATCOUNCIL

Nonehadseenorheardhimcome，andthoughdoubtlesshehadbutcreptroundtherockandtakenhisplaceinthedarkness，thereappearedtobesomethingmysteriousaboutthissuddenappearanceofZikali。SotheZulunoblesthoughtatanyrate，fortheyutteredalow“Ow！“offearandwonder。

Therehesatlikeahugeapestaringatthesky，forthefirelightshoneonhisdeepandburningeyes。Themoonlightincreased，butnowandagainitwasbrokenbylittlecloudswhichcausedstrangeshadowstoappearabouttherock。Someoftheseshadowslookedasthoughveiledfigureswereapproachingthewizard，bendingoverhimanddepartingagain，aftergivinghimtheirmessageorcounsel。

“HisSpiritsvisithim。”whisperedGoza，butImadenoanswer。

Thiswentonforquitealongtime，untilthefullroundofthemoonappearedabovethehillindeed，and，forthewhile，thecloudshadclearedaway。StillZikalisatsilentandI，whowasacquaintedwiththehabitsofthispeople，knewthatIwaswitnessingaconflictbetweentwotheyconsideredtoberespectivelyaspiritualandanearthlyking。Itismybeliefthatunlesshewerefirstaddressed，Zikaliwouldhavesatallnightwithoutopeninghislips。PossiblyCetewayowouldhavedonethesameiftheimpatienceofpublicopinionhadallowedhim。Atanywasrateitwashewhogaveway。

“Makosi，masterofmanySpirits，onbehalfoftheCouncilandthePeopleoftheZulusI，theKing，greetyouhereintheplacethatyouhavechosen。”saidCetewayo。

Zikalimadenoanswer。

Thesilencewentonasbefore，tillatlength，afterapauseandsomewhispering，Cetewayorepeatedhissalutation，adding——

“Hasagemadeyoudeaf，OOpenerofRoads，thatyoucannothearthevoiceoftheKing？“

ThenatlastZikaliansweredinhislowvoicethatyetseemedtofillallthekloof——

“Nay，ChildofSenzangacona，agehasnotmademedeaf，butmyspiritintheselatterdaysfloatsfarfrommybody。Itislikeabladderfilledwithairthatachildholdsbyastring，andbeforeIcanspeakImustdrawitfromtheheavenstoearthagain。WhatdidyousayabouttheplacethatIhavechosen？

Well，whatbetterplacecouldIchoose，seeingthatitwashereinthisveryValeofBonesthatImetthefirstkingoftheZulus，ChakatheWildBeast，whowasyouruncle？WhythenshouldInotchooseittomeetthelastkingoftheZulus？“

NowI，listening，knewatoncethatthissayingmightbeunderstoodintwoways，namelythatCetewayowasthereigningking，orthathewasthelastkingwhowouldeverreign。ButtheCouncilinterpreteditinthelatterandworsesense，forIsawaquiveroffeargothroughthem。

“WhyshouldInotchooseit。”wentonZikali，“seeingalsothatthisplaceisholytome？Hereitwas，OSonofPanda，thatChakabroughtmychildrentobekilledandforcedme，sittingwhereyousit，towatchtheirdeaths。Thereontherockabovemetheywerekilled，fourofthem，threesonsandadaughter，andtheslayers——theycametoanevilend，thoseslayers，asdidChaka——laughedandcastthemdownfromtherockbeforeme。Yes，andChakalaughed，andItoolaughed，forhadnotthekingtherighttokillmychildrenandtostealtheirmothers，andwasI

notgladthattheyshouldbetakenfromtheworldandgatheredtothatofSpiritswhencetheyalwaystalktome，yes，evennow？

ThatiswhyIdidnothearyouatfirst，King，becausetheyweretalkingtome。”

Hepaused，turningoneearupwards，thencontinuedinanewandtendervoice，“Whatisityousaytome，Noma，mydearlittleNoma？Oh！Ihearyou，Ihearyou。”

Nowheshiftedhimselfalongthegroundonhishaunchessomepacestotheright，andbegantosearchabout，gropingwithhislongfingers。“Where，where？“hemuttered。“Oh，Iunderstand，furtherundertheroot，ajackalburiedit，didit？Pah！howhardisthissoil。Ah！Ihaveit，butlook，Noma，astonehascutmyfinger。Ihaveit，Ihaveit。”andfrombeneaththerootofsomefallentreehedrewouttheskullofachildand，holdingitinhisrighthand，softlyrubbedthemouldoffitwithhisleft。

“Yes，Noma，itmightbeyours，itisoftherightsize，buthowcanIbesure？Whatisityousay？Theteeth？Ah！nowI

remember。OnlythedaybeforeyouweretakenIpulledoutthatfronttooth，didInot，andbeneathitwasanotherthatwasstrangelysplitintwo。Ifthisskullwasyours，itwillbethere。Cometothefire，Noma，andletuslook；themoonlightisfaint，isitnot？“

Backtothefireheshiftedhimself，andbendingtowardstheblaze，madeanexamination。

“True，Noma，true！Hereisthesplittooth，whiteaswhenIsawitallthoseyearsago。Oh！dearchildofmybody，dearchildofmyspirit，forwedonotbegetwiththebodyalone，Noma，asyouknowbetterthanIdoto-day，Igreetyou。”andpressingtheskulltohislips，hekissedit，thensetitdowninfrontofhimbetweenhimselfandthefirewiththefacepartpointingtotheking，andburstintooneofhiseerieandterriblelaughs。

Alowmoanwentupfromhisaudience，andIfelttheskinofGoza，whohadshrunkagainstme，breakintoaprofusesweat。

ThensuddenlyZikali’svoicechangedonemoreandbecamehardandbusinesslike，ifImaycallitso，similartothatofotherprofessionaldoctors。

“Youhavesentforme，OKing，asthosewhowentbeforeyouhavesentwhengreatthingswereabouttohappen。Whatisthematteronwhichyouwouldspeaktome？“

“Youknowwell，OpenerofRoads。”answeredCetewayo，rathershakilyIthought。“Thematterisoneofpeaceorwar。TheEnglishthreatenmeandmypeopleandmakegreatdemandsonme；

amongstothersthatthearmyshouldbedisbanded。Icansetthemalloutifyouwill。IfIrefusetodoastheybidme，thenwithinafewdaystheywillinvadeZululand；indeedtheirsoldiersarealreadygatheredatthedrifts。”

“Itisnotneedful，King。”answeredZikali，“sinceIknowwhatallknow，neithermorenorless。Thewindswhisperthedemandsofthewhitemen，thebirdssingthem，thehyenashowlthematnight。Letusseehowthematterstands。WhenyourfatherdiedSompseu(SirT。Shepstone)，thegreatwhitechief，camefromtheEnglishGovernmenttonameyouking。Thishecouldnotdoaccordingtoourlaw，sincehowcanastrangernametheKingoftheZulus？ThereforetheCounciloftheNationandthedoctors——I

wasnotamongthem，King——movedthespiritofChakatheLionintothebodyofSompseuandmadehimasChakawasandgavehimpowertonameyoutoruleovertheZulus。SoitcameaboutthattotheEnglishQueenthroughthespiritofChakayousworecertainthings；thatslayingforwitchcraftshouldbeabolished；thatnomanshoulddiewithoutfairandopentrial，andothermatters。”

Hepausedawhile，thenwenton，“Theseoathsyouhavebroken，O

King，asbeingofthebloodyouareandwhatyouare，youmustdo。”

HeretherewasdisturbanceamongtheCouncilandCetewayohalfrosefromhisseat，thensatdownagain。Zikali，gazingatthesky，waitedtillithaddiedaway，thenwenton——

“Doanyquestionmywords？Ifso，thenletthemaskofthewhitemenwhethertheybetrueorno。Letthemaskalsoofthespiritsofthosewhohavediedforwitchcraft，andofthespiritsofthewomenwhohavebeenslainandwhosebodieswerelaidatthecross-roadsbecausetheymarriedthementheychoseandnotthesoldierstowhomthekinggavethem。”

“HowcanIaskthewhitemenwhoarefaraway？“brokeoutCetewayo，ignoringtherest。

“Arethewhitemensofaraway，King？ItistruethatIseenoneandhearnone，yetIseemtosmelloneofthemcloseathand。”

Herehetookuptheskullwhichhehadlaiddownandwhisperedtoit。“Ah！Ithankyou，mychild。Itseems，King，thatthereisawhitemanherehiddeninthiskloof，hewhoisnamedMacumazahn，agoodmanandatruthful，knowntomanyofusfromofold，whocantellyouwhathispeoplethink，thoughheisnotoneoftheirindunas。Ifyouquestionmywords，askhim。”

“Weknowwhatthewhitementhink。”saidCetewayo，“sothereisnoneedtoaskMacumazahntosingusanoldsong。Thequestionis——whatmusttheZulusdo？Musttheyswallowtheirspearsand，ceasingtobeanation，becomeservants，ormusttheystrikewiththemanddrivetheEnglishintothesea，andafterthemtheBoers？“

“Tellmefirst，King，whodwellfarawayandalone，knowinglittleofwhatpassesinthelandofLife，whattheZulusdesiretodo。BeforemesitstheGreatCounciloftheNation。Letitspeak。”

ThenonebyonethemembersoftheCouncilutteredtheiropinionsinorderofrankorseniority。Idonotrememberthenamesofallwhowerepresent，orwhateachofthemsaid。Irecall，however，thatSigananda，averyoldchief——hemusthavebeenoverninety——spokethefirst。HetoldthemthathehadbeenfriendofChakaandoneofhiscaptains，andhadfoughtinmostofhisbattles。ThatafterwardshehadbeenageneralofDingaan’suntilthatkingkilledtheBoersunderRetief，whenhelefthimandfinallysidedwithPandainthecivilwarinwhichDingaanwaskilledwiththehelpoftheBoers。ThathehadbeenpresentatthebattleoftheTugela，thoughhetooknoactualpartinthefighting，andafterwardsbecameacouncillorofPanda’sandthenofCetewayohisson。ItwasalongandinterestinghistoricalrecitalcoveringthewholeperiodoftheZulumonarchywhichendedsuddenlywiththesewords——

“Ihavenoted，OKingandCouncillors，thatwhenevertheblackvultureoftheZuluswascontenttoattackbirdsofhisownfeather，hehasconquered。Butwhenithasmetthegreyeaglesofthewhitemen，whichcomefromoverthesea，hehasbeenconquered，andmyhearttellsmethatasitwasinthepast，soitshallbeinthefuture。ChakawasafriendoftheEnglish，sowasPanda，andsohasCetewayobeenuntilthishour。Isay，therefore，letnottheKingtearthehandwhichfedhimbecauseitseemsweak，lestitshouldgrowstrongandclutchhimbythethroatandchokehim。”

NextspokeUndabuko，DabulamanziandMagwenga，brothersoftheking，whoallfavouredwar，thoughthetwolastwereguardedintheirspeech。AfterthesecameUhamu，theking’suncle——hewhowassaidtobethesonofaSpirit——whowasstrongforpeace，urgingthatthekingshouldsubmittothedemandsoftheEnglish，makingthebesttermshecould，thathe“shouldbendlikeareedbeforethestorm，sothatafterthestormhadsweptby，hemightstandupstraightagain，andwithhimalltheotherreedsofthepeopleoftheZulus。”

So，too，saidSeketwayo，chiefoftheUmdhlalosi，andmorewhomI

cannotrecall，sixorsevenofthem。ButUsibebuandtheindunaUntshingwayo，whoafterwardscommandedatIsandhlwana，wereforfighting，aswereSirayo，thehusbandofthetwowomenwhohadbeentakenonEnglishterritoryandkilled，andUmbilini，thechiefofSwazibloodwhosesurrenderwasdemandedbySirBartleFrereandwhoafterwardscommandedtheZulusinthebattleatIhlobane。LastofallspokethePrimeMinister，Umnyamana，whodeclaredfiercelythatiftheZulubuffalohiditselfintheswamplikeatimidcalfwhenthewhitebullchallengeditonthehills，thespiritsofChakaandallhisforefatherswouldthrustitsheadintothemudandchokeit。

WhenallhadfinishedCetewayospoke，saying——

“Thatisabadcouncilwhichhastwovoices，fortowhichofthemmusttheCaptainlistenwhentheimpisofthefoegatherinfrontofhim？HereIhavesatwhilethemoonclimbshighandcounted，andwhatdoIfind？Thatonehalfofyou，menofwisdomandrenown，sayYes，andthattheotherhalfofyou，menofwisdomandrenown，sayNo。Whichthenisittobe，YesorNo？ArewetofighttheEnglish，orarewetositstill？“

“Thatisforthekingtodecide。”saidavoice。

“Seewhatitistobeaking。”wentonCetewayowithpassion。

“IfIdeclareforwarandwewin，shallIbegreaterthanIam？

Ifvictorygivesmemoreland，moresubjects，morewivesandmorecattle，whatistheuseofthesethingstomewhoalreadyhaveenoughofallofthem？Andifdefeatshouldtakeeverythingfromme，evenmylifeperhaps，thenwhatshallIhavegained？Iwilltellyou——thecurseoftheZulusuponmynamefromfathertosonforever。Theywillsay，’Cetewayo，sonofPanda，pulleddownaHousethatoncewasgreat。BecauseofsomesmallmatterhequarrelledwiththeEnglishwhowerealwaysthefriendsofourpeople，andbroughttheZulustothedust。’Sintwangu，mymessenger，whobroughtheavywordsfromtheQueen’sindunawhichwemustanswerwithotherwordsorwithspears，saysthattheEnglishsoldiersinNatalarefew，sofewthatweZuluscanswallowthemlikebitsofmeatandstillbehungry。ButaretheseallthesoldiersoftheEnglish？Iamnotsure。Youareoneofthatpeople，Macumazahn。”headded，turninghismassiveshapetowardsme，“tellusnow，howmanysoldiershasyourQueen？“

“King。”Ianswered，“Idonotknowforcertain。ButiftheZuluscanmusterfiftythousandspears，theQueen，iftherebeneed，cansendagainstthemtentimesfiftythousand，andifshegrowsangry，anothertentimesfifty，everyonearmedwithariflethatwillfirefivebulletsaminute，andtoaccompanythesoldiers，hundredsofcannonwhereofasingleshotwouldgiveUlunditotheflames。Outoftheseatheywillcome，shiploadaftershipload，whitemenfromwherethesunsetsandblackmenfromwherethesunrises，somanythatZululandwouldnotholdthem。”

Nowatthesewords，whichIdeliveredasgrandlyasIcould，somethinglikeagroanburstfromtheCouncil，thoughonemancried——

“Donotlistentothewhitetraitor，OKing，whoissentheretoturnourheartstowaterwithhislies。”

“Macumazahnmaylietous。”wentonCetewayo，“thoughinthepastnoneinthelandhaveeverknownhimtolie，buthewasnotsenttodoso，forIbroughthimhere。FormypartIdonotbelievethathelies。IbelievethattheseEnglishareasmanyasthepebblesinariverbed，andthattothemNatal，yes，andalltheCapeisbutasasingle，outlyingcattlekraal，onecattlekraaloutofahundred。DidnotSompseuoncetellusthattheywerecountless，onthatdaywhenhecamemanyyearsagoafterthebattleoftheTugelatonamemetosucceedmyfatherPanda，thedaywhenmyfaction，theUsutu，roaredroundhimforhourslikeariverinflood，andhesatstilllikearockinthecentreofariver？AlsoIammindedofthewordsthatChakasaidwhenDingaanandUmbopahadstabbedhimandhelaydyingatthekraalDuguza，thatalthoughthedogsofhisownHousewhomhishandfed，hadeatenhimup，heheardthesoundoftherunningofthefeetofagreatwhitepeoplethatshouldstampthemandtheZulusflat。”

Hepaused；andthesilencewassointensethatthecracklingofZikali’sfire，whichkeptonburningbrightlyalthoughIsawnofueladdedtoit，soundedquiteloud。Presentlyitwasbroken，firstbyadognearathand，howlinghorriblyatthemoon，andnextbythehootingofagreatowlthatflittedacrossthedonga，theshadowofitswidewingsfallingforamomentontheking。

“Listen！“exclaimedCetewayo，“adogthathowls！MethinksthatitstandsupontheroofoftheHouseofSenzangacona。Andanowlthathoots。MethinksthatowlhasitsnestintheworldofSpirits！Arethesegoodomens，Councillors？Itrownot。IsaythatIwillnotdecidethismatterofpeaceorwar。Ifthereisoneofmyownbloodherewhowilldoso，come，lethimtakemyplaceandletmegoawaytomyownlordshipofGikazithatIhadwhenIwasaprincebeforethewitchMameenawhoplayedwithallmenandlovedbutone“——hereeverybodyturnedandstaredtowardsme，yes，evenZikaliwhomnothingelsehadseemedtomove，tillI

wishedthatthegroundwouldswallowmeup——“causedthewarbetweenmeandmybrotherUmbelaziwhosebloodearthwillnotswallownorsunsdry——“

“Howcanthatbe，OKing？“brokeinUmnyamanathePrimeMinister。

“Howcananyofyourracesitinyourseatwhileyoustilllive？

Thenindeedtherewouldbewar，warbetweentribeandtribeandZuluandZulutillnonewereleft，andthewhitehyenasfromNatalwouldcomeandchewourbonesandwiththemtheBoersthathavepassedtheVaal。Seenow。WhyisthisNyanga(i。e。

witch-doctor)here？“andhepointedtoZikalibeyondthefire。

“WhyhastheOpenerofRoadsbeenbroughtfromtheBlackKloofwhichhehasnotleftforyears？Isitnotthathemaygiveuscounselinourneedandshowusasignthathiscounselisgood，whetheritbeforwarorpeace？Thenwhenhehasmadedivinationandgiventhecounselandshownthesign，then，OKing，doyouspeakthewordofwarorpeace，andsendittotheQueenbyyonderwhiteman，andbythatwordwe，thepeople，willabide。”

Atthissuggestion，whichIhadnodoubtwasmadebysomesecretagreementbetweenUmnyamanaandZikali，Cetewayoseemedtograsp。

Perhapsthiswasbecauseitpostponedforalittlewhilethedreadfulmomentofdecision，orperhapsbecausehehopedthatintheeyesofthenationitwouldshifttheresponsibilityfromhisshoulderstothoseoftheSpiritsspeakingthroughthelipsoftheirprophet。Atanyratehenoddedandanswered——

“Itisso。LettheOpenerofRoadsopenusaroadthroughtheforestsandtheswampsandtherocksofdoubt，dangerandfear。

Lethimgiveusasignthatitisagoodroadonwhichwemaysafelytravel，andlethimtelluswhetherIshalllivetowalkthatroadandwhatIshallmeetthereon。IpromisehiminreturnthegreatestfeethateveryetwaspaidtoadoctorinZululand。”

NowZikaliliftedhisbighead，shookhisgreylocks，andopeninghiswidemouthasthoughheexpectedmannatofallintoitfromthesky，helaughedoutloud。

“O-ho-ho。”helaughed，“Oho-ho-ho-o，itisworthwhiletohavelivedsolongwhenlifehasbroughtmetosuchanhourasthis。

Whatisitthatmyearshear？ThatI，theIndwandedwarf，IwhomChakanamed’The-Thing-that-never-should-have-been-born，’I，oneoftheraceconqueredanddespisedbytheZulus，amheretospeakawordwhichtheZulusdarenotutter，whichtheKingoftheZulusdaresnotutter。O-ho-ho-ho！AndwhatdoestheKingoffertome？Afee，agreatfeeforthewordthatshallpainttheZulusredwithbloodorwhitewiththeslimeofshame。Nay，I

takenofeethatisthepriceofbloodorshame。BeforeIspeakthatwordunknown——forasyetmyhearthasnotheardit，andwhatthehearthasnotheardthelipscannotshape——Iaskbutonething。Itisanoaththatwhateverfollowsontheword，whilethereisaZululeftlivingintheworld，I，theVoiceoftheSpirits，shallbesafefromhurtorfromreproach，IandthoseofmyHouseandthoseoverwhomIthrowmyblanket，betheyblackorbetheywhite。Thatismyfee，withoutwhichIamsilent。”

“Izwa！Wehearyou。Weswearitonbehalfofthepeople。”saideverycouncillorinthesemi-circleinfrontofhim；yes，andthekingsaiditalso，stretchingouthishand。

“Good。”saidZikali，“itisanoath，itisanoath，swornhereuponthebonesofthedead。Evil-doersyoucallthem，butIsaytoyouthatmanyofthosewhositbeforemehavemoreevilintheirheartsthanhadthosedead。Well，letitbeproclaimed，O

King，andwithitthis——thatillshallitgowithhimwhobreakstheoath，withhisfamily，withhiskraalandallwithwhomhehastodo。

“Nowwhatisityouaskofme？Firstofall，counselastowhetheryoushouldfighttheEnglishQueen，amatteronwhichyou，theGreatOnes，areevenlydividedinopinion，asisthenationbehindyou。OKing，Indunas，andCaptains，whoamIthatIshouldjudgeofsuchamatterwhichisbeyondmytrade，amatteroftheworldaboveandofmen’sbodies，notoftheworldbelowandofmen’sspirits？YettherewasonewhomadetheZulupeopleoutofnothing，asapotterfashionsavesselfromclay，asasmithfashionsanassegaioutoftheoreofthehills，yes，andtempersitwithhumanblood。*ChakatheLion，theWildBeast，theKingamongKings，theConqueror。IknewChakaasI

knewhisfather，yes，and_his_father。Othersstilllivingknewhimalso，sayyou，Siganandathereforinstance。”andhepointedtotheoldchiefwhohadspokenfirst。“Yes，Siganandaknewhimasaboyknowsagreatman，asasoldierknowsageneral。ButI

knewhisheart，aye，Ishapedhisheart，Iwasitsthought。Haditnotbeenformehewouldneverhavebeengreat。Thenhewrongedme“——hereZikalitookuptheskullwhichhesaidwasthatofhisdaughter，andstrokedit——“andIlefthim。

[*——TheoldZulusmithsdippedtheirchoicestbladesinthebloodofmen——A。Q。]

“Hewasnotwise，heshouldhavekilledonewhomhehadwronged，butperhapsheknewthatIcouldnotbekilled；perhapshehadtriedandfoundthathewasbutthrowingspearsatthemoonwhichfellbackonhisownhead。Iforget。Itissolongago，andwhatdoesitmatter？AtleastItookawayfromhimthepropofmywisdom，andhefell——torisenomore。Andsoithasbeenwithothers。Soithasbeenwithothers。YetwhilehewasgreatI

knewhisheartwholivedinhisheart，andthereforeIaskmyself，hadhebeensittingwheretheKingsitsto-day，whatwouldChakahavedone？Iwilltellyou。IfnotonlytheEnglishbuttheBoersalsoandwiththemthePondos，theBasutosandallthetribesofAfricahadthreatenedhim，hewouldhavefoughtthem——yes，andsethisheelupontheirnecks。Therefore，althoughIgivenocounseluponsuchamatter，IsaytoyouthatthecounselofChakais——fight——andconquer。Hearkentoitorpassitby——Icarenotwhich。”

Hepausedandaloud“Ow“ofwonderandadmirationrosefromhisaudience。MyselfInearlyjoinedinit，forIthoughtthisoneofthecleverestbitsofstatecraftthateverIhadheardoforseen。Theoldwizardhadtakennoresponsibilityandgivennoanswertothedemandforadvice。Allthishehadthrustontotheshouldersofadeadman，andthatmanonewhosenamewasmagicaltoeveryZulu，thekingwhosememorytheyadored，thegreatGeneralwhohadgorgedthemwithvictoryandpower。

SpeakingasChaka，afteralongperiodofpeace，heurgedthemoncemoretolifttheirspearsandknowthejoysoftriumph，therebymakingthemselvesthegreatestnationinSouthernAfrica。

FromthemomentIheardthiscunningappeal，Iknowwhattheendwouldbe；alltherestwasbutofminorandsemi-personalinterest。IknewalsoforthefirsttimehowtrulygreatwasZikaliandwonderedwhathemighthavebecomehadFortunesethimindifferentcircumstancesamongacivilizedpeople。

Nowhewasspeakingagain，andquicklybeforetheimpressiondiedaway。

“SuchisthewordofChakaspokenbymewhowashissecretcouncillor，theCouncillorwhowasseldomseen，andneverheard。

DoesnotSiganandayonderknowthevoicewhichamongstallthosepresentechoesinhisearsalone？“

“Iknowit。”criedtheoldchief。Thenwithhiseyesstartingalmostfromhishead，Siganandaleaptupandraisinghishand，gavetheroyalsalute，theBayete，tothespiritofChaka，asthoughthedeadkingstoodbeforehim。

Ithinkthatmostofthosetherethoughtthatitdidstandbeforehim，forsomeofthemalsogavetheBayeteandevenCetewayoraisedhisarm。

SiganandasquatteddownagainandZikaliwenton。

“Youhaveheard。ThiscaptainoftheLionknowshisvoice。So，thatisdonewith。Nowyouaskofmesomethingelse——thatIwhoamadoctor，theoldestofallthedoctorsand，itisthought——I

knownot——thewisest，shouldbeabletoanswer。Youaskofme——Howshallthiswarprosper，ifitismade——andwhatshallchancetotheKingduringandafterthewar，andlastlyyouaskofmeasign。WhatItelltoyouistrue，isitnotso？“

“Itistrue。”answeredtheCouncil。

“Askingiseasy。”continuedZikaliinagrumblingvoice，“butansweringisanothermatter。HowcanIanswerwithoutpreparation，withouttheneedfulmedicinesalsothatIhavenotwithme，whodidnotknowwhatwouldbesoughtofme，whothoughtthatmyopinionwasdesiredandnomore？GoawaynowandreturnonthesixthnightandIwilltellyouwhatIcando。”

“Notso。”criedtheking。“Werefusetogo，forthematterisimmediate。Speakatonce，OpenerofRoads，lestitshouldbesaidinthelandthatafterallyouarebutanancientcheat，astickthatsnapsintwowhenitisleanton。”

“Ancientcheat！IrememberthatiswhatMacumazahnyonderoncetoldmeIam，thoughafterwards——Perhapshewasright，forwhoinhisheartknowswhetherornothebeacheat，acheatwhodeceiveshimselfandthroughhimselfothers。Astickthatsnapsintwowhenitisleanton！Somehavethoughtmesoandsomehavethoughtotherwise。Well，youwouldhaveanswerswhichI

knownothowtogive，beingwithoutmedicineandinfaceofthosewhoarequiteignorantandthereforecannotlendmetheirthoughts，asitsometimeshappensthatmendowhenworkersofevilaresoughtoutinthecommonfashion。Forthen，asyoumayhaveguessed，itistheevil-doerwhohimselftellsthedoctorofhiscrime，thoughhemaynotknowthatheistellingit。YetthereisanotherstonethatIalonecanthrow，anotherplanthatIalonecanpractise，andthatnotalways。ButofthisIwouldnotmakeusesinceitisterribleandmightfrightenyouorevensendyoubacktoyourhutsravingsothatyourwives，yes，andtheverydogsfled，fromyou。”

Hestoppedandforthefirsttimedidsomethingtohisfire，forIsawhishandsgoingbackwardsandforwards，asthoughhewarmedthemattheflames。

Atlengthanawedvoice，IthinkitwasthatofDabulamanzi，asked——

“Whatisthisplan，Inyanga？Letushearthatwemayjudge。”

“Theplanofcallingonefromthedeadandhearkeningtothevoiceofthedead。IsityourdesirethatIshoulddrawwaterfromthisfountofwisdom，OKingandCouncillors？“

CHAPTERXVI

WAR

NowmenbegantowhispertogetherandGozagroanedatmyside。

“RatherwouldIlookdownalivelion’sthroatthanseethedead。”hemurmured。ButI，whowasanxioustolearnhowfarZikaliwouldcarryhistricks，contemptuouslytoldhimtobesilent。

Presentlythekingcalledmetohimandsaid——

“Macumazahn，youwhitemenarereportedtoknowallthings。Tellmenow，isitpossibleforthedeadtoappear？“

“Iamnotsure。”Ianswereddoubtfully；“somesaythatitisandsomesaythatitisnotpossible。”

“Well。”saidtheking。“Haveyoueverseenoneyouknewinlifeafterdeath？“

“No。”Ireplied，“thatis——yes。Thatis——Idonotknow。Whenyouwilltellme，King，wherewakingendsandsleepbegins，thenIwillanswer。”

“Macumazahn。”heexclaimed，“justnowIannouncedthatyouwerenoliar，whoperceivethatafterallyouarealiar，forhowcanyoubothhaveseen，andnotseen，thedead？IndeedIrememberthatyouliedlongago，whenyougaveitoutthatthewitchMameenawasnotyourlover，andafterwardsshowedthatshewasbykissingherbeforeallmen，forwhokissesawomanwhoisnothislover，orhismother？Return，sinceyouwillnottellmethetruth。”

SoIwentbacktomystool，feelingverysmallandyetindignant，forhowwasitpossibletobedefiniteaboutghosts，ortoexplaintheexactfactsoftheMameenamythwhichclungtomelikeaWait-a-bitthorn。

ThenafteralittleconsultationCetewayosaid——

“Itisourdesire，OOpenerofRoads，thatyoushoulddrawwisdomfromthefountofDeath，ifindeedyoucandoso。Nowletanywhoareafraiddepartandwaitforuswhoarenotafraid，aloneandinsilenceatthemouthofthekloof。”

Atthissomeoftheaudiencerose，butafterhesitatingalittle，satdownagain。OnlyGozaactuallytookastepforward，butonmyremarkingthathewouldprobablymeetthedeadcomingupthatway，collapsed，mutteringsomethingaboutmypistol，forthefoolseemedtothinkIcouldshootaspirit。

“IfindeedIcandoso。”repeatedZikaliinacarelessfashion。

“Thatistobeproved，isitnot？Perhaps，too，itmaybebetterforeveryoneofyouifIfailthanifIsucceed。OfonethingI

warnyou，shouldthedeadappearstirnot，andabovealltouchnot，forhewhodoeseitherofthesethingswill，Ithink，neverlivetolookuponthesunagain。Butfirstletmetryaneasierfashion。”

Thenonceagainhetookuptheskullthathesaidhadbeenhisdaughter’s，andwhisperedtoit，onlytolayitdownpresently。

“Itwillnotserve。”hesaidwithasighandshakinghislocks。

“Nomatellsmethatshediedachild，onewhohadnoknowledgeofwarormattersofpolicy，andthatinallthesethingsoftheworldshestillremainsachild。ShesaysthatImustseeksomeonewhothoughtmuchofthem；one，toowhostilllivesintheheartofamanwhoispresenthere，ifthatbepossible，sincefromsuchaheartalonecanthestrengthbedrawntoenablethedeadtoappearandspeak。Nowlettherebesilence——Lettherebesilence，andwoetohimthatbreaksit。”

Silencetherewasindeed，andinitZikalicrouchedhimselfdowntillhisheadalmostrestedonhisknee，andseemedtogotosleep。HeawokeagainandchantedforhalfaminuteorsoinsomelanguageIcouldnotunderstand。Thenvoicesbegantoanswerhim，asitseemedtomefromalloverthekloof，alsofromtheskyorrockabove。Whethertheeffectwasproducedbyventriloquismorwhetherhehadconfederatespostedatvariouspoints，Idonotknow。

Atanyratethislordof“multitudesofspirits“seemedtobeengagedinconversationwithsomeofthem。Whatismore，thethingwasextremelywelldone，sinceeachvoicedifferedfromtheother；alsoIseemedtorecognizesomeofthem，Dingaan’sforinstance，andPanda’s，yes，andthatofUmbelazitheHandsome，thebrotherofthekingwhosedeathIwitnesseddownbytheTugela。

Youwillaskmewhattheysaid。Idonotknow。Eitherthewordswereconfusedortheeventsthatfollowedhaveblottedthemfrommybrain。AllIrememberisthateachofthemseemedtobespeakingoftheZulusandtheirfateandtobeveryanxioustoreferfurtherdiscussionofthemattertosomeoneelse。Inshorttheyseemedtotalkunderprotest，orthatwasmyimpression，althoughGoza，theonlypersonwithwhomIhadanysubsequentdebateuponthesubject，appearedtohavegatheredonethatwasdifferent，thoughwhatitwasIdonotrecall。Theonlywordsthatremainedcleartomemust，Ithought，havecomefromthespiritofChaka，orratherfromZikalioroneofhismyrmidonsassumingthatcharacter。Theywereutteredinadeepfullvoice，spicedwithmockery，andreceivedbythewizardwith“Sibonga。”ortitlesofpraise，whichIwhoamversedinZuluhistoryandidiomknewhadonlybeengiventothegreatking，andindeedsincehisdeathhadbecomeunlawful，nottobeused。Thewordswere——

“What，Thing-that-should-never-have-been-born，doyouthinkyourselfaThing-that-should-never-die，thatyoustillsitbeneaththemoonandweavewitchcraftsasofold？OftenhaveI

huntedforyouintheUnder-worldwhohaveanaccounttosettlewithyou，asyouhaveanaccounttosettlewithme。So，so，whatdoesitmattersincewemustmeetatlast，evenifyouhideyourselfatthebackofthefurtheststar？WhydoyoubringmeuptothisplacewhereIseesomewhomIwouldforget？Yes，theybuildboneonboneandtakingtheredearth，moulditintofleshandstandbeforemeaslastIsawthemnewlydead。Oh！yourmagicisgood，Spell-weaver，andyourhateisdeepandyourvengeanceiskeen。No，Ihavenothingtotellyouto-day，whoruleagreaterpeoplethantheZulusinanotherland。Whoaretheselittlemenwhositbeforeyou？OneofthemhasalookofDingaan，mybrotherwhoslewme，yes，andwearshisarmlet。Ishetheking？Answernot，forIdonotcaretoknow。SurelyyonderwitheredthingisSigananda。IknowhiseyeandtheIziquonhisbreast。Yes，IgaveittohimafterthegreatbattlewithZweedeinwhichhekilledfivemen。Doesherememberit，I

wonder？Greeting，Sigananda；oldasyouareyouhavestilltwentyandoneyearstolive，andthanwewilltalkofthebattlewithZweede。Letmebegone，thisplaceburnsmyspirit，andinitthereisastenchofmortalblood。Farewell，OConqueror！“

ThesewerethewordsthatIthoughtIheardChakasay，thoughI

daresaythatIdreamtthem。Indeedhaditbeenotherwise，ImeanhadtheyreallybeenspokenbyZikali，therewouldsurelyhavebeenmoreinthem，somethingthatmighthaveservedhispurpose，notmeretalkwhichhadalltheinconsequenceofadream。Alsonooneelseseemedtopayanyparticularattentiontothem，thoughthismayhavebeenbecausesomanyvoicesweresoundingfromdifferentplacesatonce，forasIhavesaid，Zikaliarrangedhisperformanceverywell，aswellasanymediumcouldhavedoneonapreparedstageinLondon。

Inamoment，asthoughatasignal，thevoicesdiedaway。Thenotherthingshappened。TobeginwithIfeltveryfaint，asthoughallthestrengthwerebeingtakenoutofme。Somequeerfancygotaholdofme。Idon’tquiteknowwhatitwas，butithadtodowiththeBiblestoryofAdamwhenhefellasleepandaribwasremovedfromhimandmadeintoawoman。IreflectedthatIfeltasAdammusthavedonewhenhecameoutofhistranceafterthisterrificoperation，veryweakandempty。Also，asitchanced，presentlyIsawEve——orratherawoman。Lookingatthefireinakindofdisembodiedway，Iperceivedthatdensesmokewasrisingfromit，whichsmokespreaditselfoutlikeafan。Itthinnedbydegrees，andthroughtheveilofsmokeIperceivedsomethingelse，namely，awomanverylikeonewhomonceIhadknown。Thereshestood，lightlycladenough，herfingersplayingwiththebluebeadsofhernecklace，aninscrutablesmileuponherfaceandherlargeeyesfixedonnothingness。

Oh！Heaven，Iknewher，orratherthoughtIdidatthemoment，fornowIamalmostsurethatitwasNombedressed，orundressed，forthepart。Thatknowledgecamewithreflection，butthenI

couldhavesworn，beingdeceivedbytheuncertainlight，thatthelongdeadMameenastoodbeforeusasshehadseemedtostandbeforemeinthehutofZikali，radiatingakindofsupernaturallifeandbeauty。

Alittlewindarose，shakingthedryleavesofthealoesinthekloof；lthoughtitwhispered——_Hail，Mameena！_Someoftheoldermen，too，amongthemafewwhohadseenherdie，intremblingvoicesmurmured，“ItisMameena！“whereonZikaliscowledatthemandtheygrewsilent。

Asforthefigureitstoodtherepatientandunmoved，likeonewhohasalltimeatitsdisposal，playingwiththebluebeads。I

heardthemtinkleagainsteachother，whichprovesthatitwashuman，forhowcouldawraithcausebeadstotinkle，althoughitistruethatChristmas-storyghostsaresaidtoclanktheirchains。Hereyesrovedidlyandwithoutinterestoverthesemi-circleofterrifiedmenbeforeher。ThenbydegreestheyfixedthemselvesuponthetreebehindwhichIwascrouching，whereonGozasankparalyzedtotheground。Shecontemplatedthistreeforawhilethatseemedtomeinterminable；itremindedmeofasetterpointinggameitwindedbutcouldnotsee，forherwholeframegrewintentandalert。Sheceasedplayingwiththebeadsandstretchedoutherslenderhandtowardsme。Herlipsmoved。Shespokeinasweet，slowvoice，saying——

“OWatcher-by-Night，isitthusyougreethertowhomyouhavegivenstrengthtostandoncemorebeneaththemoon？Comehitherandtellme，haveyounokissforonefromwhomyoupartedwithakiss？“

Iheard。WithoutdoubtthevoicewastheveryvoiceofMameena(sowellhadNombebeeninstructed)。StillIdeterminednottoobeyit，whowouldnotbemadeapubliclaughing-stockforasecondtimeinmylife。AlsoIconfessthisjestingwiththedeadseemedtomesomewhatunholy，andnotonanyaccountwouldI

takeapartinit。

Allthecompanyturnedandstaredatme，evenGozaliftedhisheadandstared，butIsatstillandcontemplatedthebeautiesofthenight。

“IfitisthespiritofMameena，hewillcome。”whisperedCetewayotoUmnyamana。

“Yes，yes。”answeredthePrimeMinister，“fortheropeofhislovewilldrawhim。HewhohasoncekissedMameena，_must_kissheragainwhensheasks。”

HearingthisIgrewfuriouslyindignantandwasabouttobreakintoexplanations，whentomyhorrorIfoundmyselfrisingfromthatstool。Itriedtoclingtoit，but，asitonlycameintotheairwithme，letitgo。

“Holdme，Goza。”Imuttered，andhelikeagoodfellowclutchedmebytheankle，whereonIpromptlykickedhiminthemouth，atleastmyfootkickedhim，notmywill。NowIwaswalkingtowardsthatShape——shadoworwoman——likeamaninhissleep，andasI

cameshestretchedoutherarmsandsmiledoh！assweetlyasanangel，thoughIfeltquitesurethatshewasnothingofthesort。

NowIstoodoppositetoheralongsidethefireofwhichthesmokesmeltlikerosesatthedawn，andsheseemedtobendtowardsme。

WithshameandhumiliationIperceivedthatinanothermomentthosearmswouldbeaboutme。Butsomehowtheynevertouchedme；

Ilostsightofthemintherose-scentedsmoke，onlythesweet，slowvoicewhichIcouldhaveswornwasthatofMameena，murmuredinmyear——well，wordsknowntoherandmealonethatIhadneverbreathedtoanylivingbeing，thoughofcourseIamawarenowthattheymustalsohavebeenknowntosomebodyelse。

“Doyoudoubtmeanylonger？“wentonthemurmuring。“Say，amI

Nombenow？Or——oramIintruththatMameena，whosekissthrillsyourlipsandsoul？Hearken，Macumazahn，forthetimeisshort。

Intheroutofthegreatbattlethatshallbe，donotflywiththewhitemen，butsetyourfacetowardsUlundi。Onewhowasyourfriendwillguardyou，andwhoeverdies，noharmshallcometoyounowthatthefirewhichburnsinmyhearthassetallZululandaflame。Hearkenoncemore。Hans，thelittleyellowmanwhowasnamedLight-in-Darkness，hewhodiedamongtheKendahpeople，sendsyousalutationsandgivesyoupraise。Hebidsmetellyouthatnowofhisownaccordherenderstome，Mameena，theroyalsalute，becauseroyalImusteverbe；becausealsoheandIwhoaresofarapartareyetoneinthelovethatisourlife。”

Thesmokeblewintomyface，causingmetoreelback。Cetewayocaughtmebythearm，saying——

“Tellus，arethelipsofthedeadwitchwarmorcold？“

“Idonotknow。”Igroaned，“forInevertouchedher。”

“Howhelies！Oh！howheliesevenaboutwhatoureyessaw。”

saidCetewayoreflectivelyasIblunderedpasthimbacktomyseat，onwhichIsankhalfswooning。WhenIgotmywitsagainthefigurethatpretendedtobeMameenawasspeaking，IsupposeinanswertosomequestionofZikali’swhichIhadnotheard。Itsaid——

“OLordoftheSpirits，youhavecalledmefromthelandofSpiritstomakereplyastotwomatterswhichhavenotyethappenedupontheearth。TheserepliesIwillgivebutnoothers，sincethemortalstrengththatIhaveborrowedreturnswhenceitcame。Thefirstmatteris，iftherebewarbetweentheWhiteandBlack，whatwillhappeninthatwar？Iseeaplainringedroundwithhillsandonitastrange-shapedmount。Iseeagreatbattle；Iseethewhitemengodownlikecornbeforeatempest；Iseethespearsoftheimpisredden；Iseethewhitesoldierslielikeleavescutfromatreebyfrost。Theyaredead，alldead，saveahandfulthathavefledaway。IheartheingomaofvictorysunghereatUlundi。Itisfinished。