第7章

“Thesecondmatteris——whatshallchancetotheking？IseehimtossedontheBlackWater；Iseehiminalandfullofhouses，talkingwitharoyalwomanandhercouncillors。There，too，heconquers，fortheyofferhimtributeofmanygifts。Iseehimhere，backhereinZululand，andhearhimgreetedwiththeroyalsalute。LastofallIseehimdead，asmenmustdie，andhearthevoiceofZikaliandthemourningofthewomenofhishouse。

Itisfinished。Farewell，KingCetewayo，IpasstotellPanda，yourfather，howitfareswithyou。WhenlastweparteddidI

notprophesytoyouthatweshouldmeetagainatthebottomofagulf？Wasitthisgulf，thinkyou，oranother？Onedayyoushalllearn。Farewell，orfareill，asitmayhappen！“

Oncemorethesmokespreadoutlikeafan。Whenitthinnedanddrewtogetheragain，theShapewasgone。

NowIthoughtthattheZuluswouldbesoimpressedbythisveryqueerexhibition，thattheywouldseeknomoresupernaturalguidance，butmakeuptheirmindsforwaratonce。This，however，wasjustwhattheydidnotdo。Asithappened，amongtheassembledchiefs，wasonewhohimselfhadagreatreputeasawitch-doctor，andthereforeburnedwithjealousyofZikaliwhoappearedtobeabletodothingsthathehadneverevenattempted。Thismanleaptupanddeclaredthatallwhichtheyhadseemedtohearandseewasbutcunningtrickery，carriedoutafterlongpreparationbyZikaliandhisconfederates。Thevoices，hesaid，camefrompersonsplacedincertainspots，orsometimeswereproducedbyZikalihimself。Asforthevision，itwasnotthatofaspiritbutofarealwoman，inproofofwhichhecalledattentiontocertainanatomicaldetailsofthefigure。

Finally，withmuchsense，hepointedoutthattheCouncilwouldbemadtocometoanydecisionuponsuchevidence，ortogivefaithtoprophecies，whereofthetruthorfalsitycouldonlybeknowninthefuture。

Nowafiercedebatebrokeout，thewarpartymaintainingthatthemanifestationsweregenuine，thepeacepartythattheywereafraud。Intheend，asneithersidewouldgivewayandasZikali，whenappealedto，satsilentasastone，refusinganyexplanation，thekingsaid——

“Mustwesitheretalking，talking，tilldaylight？Thereisbutonemanwhocanknowthetruth，thatisMacumazahn。Lethimdenyitashewill，hewastheloverofthisMameenawhileshewasalive，forwithmyowneyesIsawhimkissherbeforeshekilledherself。Itiscertain，therefore，thatheknowsifthewomanweseemedtoseewasMameenaoranother，sincetherearethingswhichamanneverforgets。Ipropose，therefore，thatweshouldquestionhimandformourownjudgmentofhisanswer。”

Thisadvice，whichseemedtopromisearoadoutofablindally，metwithinstantacceptance。

“Letitbeso。”theycriedwithonevoice，andinanotherminuteIwasoncemoreconductedfrombehindmytreeandsetdownuponthestoolinfrontoftheCouncil，withmybacktothefireandZikali，“thathiseyesmightnotcharmme。”

“Now，Watcher-by-Night。”saidCetewayo，“althoughyouhaveliedtousinacertainmatter，ofthiswedonotthinkmuch，sinceitisoneuponwhichbothmenandwomenalwayslie，aseveryjudgewillknow。Thereforewestillbelieveyoutobeanhonestman，asyourdealingshaveprovedformanyyears。Asanhonestman，therefore，webegyoutogiveusatrueanswertoaplainquestion。WastheShapewesawbeforeusjustnowawomanoraspirit，andifaspirit，wasittheghostofMameena，thebeautifulwitchwhodiednearthisplacenearlythequarterofahundredyearsago，shewhomyouloved，orwholovedyou，whichisjustthesamething，sinceamanalwayslovesawomanwholoveshim，orthinksthathedoes？“

NowafterreflectionIrepliedinthesewordsandasconscientiouslyasIcould——

“KingandCouncillors，Idonotknowifwhatweallsawwasaghostoralivingperson，but，asIdonotbelieveinghosts，oratanyratethattheycomebacktotheworldonsucherrands，I

concludethatitwasalivingperson。Stillitmayhavebeenneither，butonlyamerepictureproducedbeforeusbytheartsofZikali。Somuchforthefirstquestion。Yoursecondis——wasthisspiritorwomanorshadow，thatofherwhomIremembermeetinginZululandmanyyearsago？KingandCouncillors，Icanonlysaythatitwasverylikeher。Stillonehandsomeyoungwomanoftengreatlyresemblesanotherofthesameageandcolouring。Further，themoongivesanuncertainlight，especiallywhenitistemperedbysmokefromafire。Lastly，memoryplaysstrangetrickswithallofus，asyouwillknowifyoutrytothinkofthefaceofanyonewhohasbeendeadformorethantwentyyears。Fortherest，thevoiceseemedsimilar，thebeadsandornamentsseemedsimilar，andthefigurerepeatedtomecertainwordswhichIthoughtIalonehadheardcomefromthelipsofherwhoisdead。Alsoshegavemeastrangemessagefromanotherwhoisdead，referringtoamatterwhichIbelievedwasknownonlytomeandthatother。YetZikaliisverycleverandmayhavelearnedthesethingsinsomewayunguessedbyme，andwhathehaslearned，othersmayhavelearnedalso。KingandCouncillors，IdonotthinkthatwhatwesawwasthespiritofMameena。Ithinkitawomannotunliketoherwhohadbeentaughtherlesson。Ihavenothingmoretosay，andthereforeI

prayyounottoaskmeanyfurtherquestionsaboutMameenaofwhosenameIgrowweary。”

AtthispointZikaliseemedtowakeoutofhisindifference，orhistorpor，forhelookedupandsaiddarkly——

“Itisstrangethatthecleverestarealwaysthosewhofirstfallintothetrap。Theygoalong，gazingatthestarsatnight，andforgetthepitwhichtheythemselveshaveduginthemorning。

O-ho-ho！Oho-ho！“

Nowthewranglingbrokeoutafresh。ThepeacepartypointedtriumphantlytothefactthatI，thewhitemanwhooughttoknow，putnofaithinthisapparition，whichwasthereforewithoutdoubtafraud。ThewarpartyontheotherhanddeclaredthatI

wasdeceivingthemforreasonsofmyown，oneofwhichwouldbethatIdidnotwishtoseetheZuluseatupmypeople。SofiercegrewthedebatethatIthoughtitwouldendinblowsandperhapsinanattackonmyselforZikaliwhoallthewhilesatquitecarelessandunmoved，staringatthemoon。AtlengthCetewayoshoutedforsilence，spitting，aswashishabitwhenangry。

“Makeanend。”hecried，“lestIcausesomeofyoutogrowquietforever。”whereontherecriminationsceased。“OpenerofRoads。”

hewenton，“manyofthosewhoarepresentthinklikeMacumazahnhere，thatyouarebutanoldcheat，thoughwhetherornoIbeoneoftheseIwillnotsay。Theydemandasignofyouthatnonecandispute，andIdemanditalsobeforeIspeakthewordofpeaceorwar。GiveusthenthatsignorbegonetowhenceyoucameandshowyourfacenomoreatUlundi。”

“WhatsigndoestheCouncilrequire，SonofPanda？“askedZikaliquietly。“Letthemagreeononetogetherandtellmenowatonce，forIwhoamoldgrowwearyandwouldsleep。ThenifitcanbegivenIwillgiveit；andifIcannotgiveit，IwillgetmebacktomyownhouseandshowmyfacenomoreatUlundi，whodonotdesiretolistenagaintofoolswhobabblelikecontendingwatersroundastoneandyetneverstirthestonebecausetheyruntwowaysatonce。”

NowtheCouncillorsstaredateachother，fornoneknewwhatsigntoask。AtlengtholdSiganandasaid——

“OKing，itiswellknownthattheBlackOnewhowentbeforeyouhadacertainlittleassegaihandledwiththeroyalredwood，whichdrankthebloodofmany。ItwaswiththisassegaithatMopohisservant，whovanishedfromthelandafterthedeathofDingaan，letoutthelifeoftheBlackOneatthekraalDuguza，butwhatbecameofitafterwardsnonehaveheardforcertain。

SomesaythatitwasburiedwiththeBlackOne，somethatMopostoleit。OthersthatDingaanandUmhlaganaburnedit。StillasayingroselikeawindinthelandthatwhenthatspearshallfallfromheavenatthefeetofthekingwhoreignsintheplaceoftheBlackOne，thentheZulusshallmaketheirlastgreatwarandwinavictoryofwhichalltheworldshallhear。NowlettheOpenerofRoadsgiveusthissignofthefallingoftheBlackOne’sspearandIshallbecontent。”

“Wouldyouknowthespearifitfell？“askedCetewayo。

“Ishouldknowit，OKing，whohaveoftenhelditinmyhand。

Theendofthehaftisgnawed，forwhenhewasangrytheBlackOneusedtobiteit。Alsoathumb’slengthfromthebladeisablackmarkmadewithhotiron。OncetheBlackOnemadeabetwithoneofhiscaptainsthatatadistanceoftenpaceshewouldthrowthespeardeeperintothebodyofachiefwhomhewishedtokill，thanthecaptaincould。Thecaptainthrewfirst，forIsawhimwithmyeyes，andthespearsanktothatplaceontheshaftwherethemarkis，fortheBlackOneburneditthere。ThentheBlackOnethrewandthespearwentthroughthebodyofthechiefwho，ashedied，calledtohimthathetooshouldknowthefeelofitinhisheart，asindeedhedid。”

IthinkthatCetewayowasabouttoassenttothissuggestion，sincehewhodesiredpeacebelieveditimpossiblethatZikalishouldsuddenlycausethisidenticalspeartofallfromheaven。

ButUmnyamana，thePrimeInduna，interposedhurriedly——

“Itisnotenough，OKing。Zikalimayhavestolenthespear，forhewaslivingandatthekraalDuguzaatthattime。AlsohemayhaveputabouttheprophecywhereofSiganandaspeaks，oratleastsomenwouldsay。Lethimgiveusagreatersignthanthisthatallmaybecontent，sothatwhetherwemakewarorpeaceitmaybewithasinglemind。NowitisknownthatweZulushaveaguardianspiritwhowatchesoverusfromtheskies，shewhoiscalledNomkubulwana，orbysometheInkosazana-y-Zulu，thePrincessofHeaven。ItisknownalsothatthisPrincess，whoiswhiteofskinandruddy-haired，appearsalwaysbeforegreatthingshappeninourland。ThussheappearedbeforetheBlackOnedied。AlsosheappearedtoanumberofchildrenbeforethebattleoftheTugela。Itissaid，too，thatbutlatelysheappearedtoawomannearthecoastandwarnedhertocrosstheTugelabecausetherewouldbewar，thoughthiswomancannotnowbefound。LettheOpenerofRoadscalldownNomkubulwanabeforeoureyesfromheavenandwewilladmit，everymanofus，thatthisisasignwhichcannotbequestioned。”

“Andifhedoesthisthing，whichIholdnodoctorintheworldcando，whatshallitsignify？“askedCetewayo。

“OKing。”answeredUmnyamana，“ifhedoesso，itshallsignifywarandvictory。Ifhedoesnotdoso，itshallsignifypeace，andwewillbowourheadsbeforetheAmalungwanabasibodwe“

(i。e。“thelittleEnglish。”usedasatermofderision)。

“Doallagree？“askedCetewayo。

“Weagree。”answeredeveryman，stretchingouthishand。

“Then，OpenerofRoads，itstandsthus：IfyoucancallNomkubulwana，shouldtherebesuchaspirit，toappearbeforeoureyes，theCouncilwilltakeitasasignthattheHeavensdirectustofighttheEnglish。”

SospokeCetewayo，andInotedatoneoftriumphinhisvoice，forhisheartshrankfromthiswar，andhewascertainthatZikalicoulddonothingofthesort。Stilltheopinionofthenation，orratherofthearmy，wassostronginfavourofitthathefearedlesthisrefusalmightbringabouthisdeposition，ifnothisdeath。FromthisdilemmathesupernaturaltestsuggestedbythePrimeMinisterandapprovedbytheCouncilthatrepresentedthevarioustribesofpeople，seemedtoofferapathofescape。SoIreadthesituation，asIthinkrightly。

UponhearingthesewordsforthefirsttimethatnightZikaliseemedtogrowdisturbed。

“Whatdomyearshear？“heexclaimedexcitedly。“AmItheUmkulukulu，theGreat-Great(i。e。God)himself，thatitshouldbeaskedofmetodrawthePrincessofHeavenfrombeyondthestars，shewhocomesandgoeslikethewind，butlikethewindcannotbecommanded？Dotheyhearthatifshewillnotcometomybeckoning，thenthegreatZulupeoplemustputayokeupontheirshouldersandbeasslaves？SurelytheKingmusthavebeenlisteningtothedoctrinesofthoseEnglishteacherswhowearawhiteribbontiedabouttheirnecks，andtellusofagodwhosufferedhimselftobenailedtoacrossofwood，ratherthanmakewaruponhisfoes，onewhomtheycallthePrinceofPeace。

TimeshavechangedindeedsincethedaysoftheBlackOne。Yes，generalshavebecomelikewomen；thecaptainsoftheimpisaresettomilkthecows。Well，whathaveItodowithallthis？

Whatdoesitmattertomewhoamsoveryoldthatonlymyheadremainsabovetheleveloftheearth，therestofmebeingburiedinthegrave，whoamnotevenaZulutoboot，butaDwandwe，oneofthedespisedDwandwewhomtheZulusmockedandconquered？

“Hearkentome，SpiritsoftheHouseofSenzangacona“——hereheaddressedaboutadozenofCetewayo’sancestorsbyname，goingbackformanygenerations。“Hearkentome，OPrincessofHeaven，appointedbytheGreat-GreattobetheguardianoftheZulurace。

Itisaskedthatyoushouldappear，shoulditbeyourwishtosignifytotheseyourchildrenthattheymuststandupontheirfeetandresistthewhitemenwhoalreadygatherupontheirborders。Andshoulditbeyourwishthattheyshouldlaydowntheirspearsandgohometosleepwiththeirwivesandhoethegardenswhilethewhitemencountthecattleandseteachtohisworkupontheroads，thenthatyoushouldnotappear。Dowhatyouwill，OSpiritsoftheHouseofSenzangacona，dowhatyouwill，OPrincessofHeaven。WhatdoesitmattertotheThing-that-never-should-have-been-born，whosoonwillbeasthoughheneverhadbeenborn，whethertheHouseofSenzangaconaandtheZulupeoplestandorfall？

“I，theolddoctor，wassummonedheretogivecounsel。Igavecounsel，butitpassedovertheheadsofthesewiseoneslikeashadowofwhichnonetooknote。Iwasaskedtoprophesyofwhatwouldchanceifwarcame。Icalledthedeadfromtheirgraves；

theycameinvoices，andoneofthemputonthefleshagainandspokefromthelipsofflesh。Thewhitemantowhomshespokedeniedherwhohadbeenhislove，andthewiseonessaidthatshewasacheat，yes，adollthatIhaddresseduptodeceivethem。

Thisspiritthathadputonflesh，toldofwhatwouldchanceinthewar，ifwartherewere，andwhatwouldchancetotheKing，buttheymockattheprophecyandnowtheydemandasign。Comethen。Nomkubulwana，andgivethemthesignifyouwillandlettherebewar。Orstayawayandgivethemnosignifyouwill，andlettherebepeace。Itisnoughttome，noughttotheThing-that-should-never-have-been-born。”

Thusherambledon，asitoccurredtomewhowatchedandlistened，talkingagainsttime。ForIobservedthatwhilehespokeacloudwaspassingoverthefaceofthemoon，andthatwhenheceasedspeakingitwasquiteobscuredbythiscloud，sothattheValeofBoneswasplungedinadeeptwilightthatwasalmostdarkness。Further，inanervouskindofway，hedidsomethingmoretohiswizard’sfirewhichagaincausedittothrowoutafanofsmokethathidhimandtheexecutionrockinfrontofwhichhesat。

Thecloudfloatedbyandthemooncameoutasthoughfromaneclipse；thesmokeofthefire，too，thinnedbydegrees。Asitmeltedandthelightgrewagain，Ibecameawarethatsomethingwasmaterializing，orhadappearedonthepointoftherockaboveus。Afewsecondslater，tomywonderandamazement，Iperceivedthatthissomethingwasthespirit-likeformofawhitewomanwhichstoodquitestillupontheverypointoftherock。Shewascladinsomegarmentofgleamingwhitecutlowuponherbreast，thatmayhavebeenoflinen，butfromthewayitshone，suggestedthatitwasofglitteringfeathers，egrets’forinstance。Herruddyhairwasoutspread，andinit，too，somethingglittered，likemicaorjewels。Herfeetandmilk-huedarmswerebareandpoisedinherrighthandwasalittlespear。

NordidIseealone，sinceamoanoffearandworshipwentupfromtheCouncillors。Thentheygrewsilentstaredandstared。

SuddenlyZikaliliftedhisheadandlookedatthemthroughthethinflameofthefirewhichmadehiseyesshinelikethoseofatigerorofacorneredbaboon。

“Atwhatdoyougazesohard，KingandCouncillors？“heasked。

“Iseenothing。Atwhatthendoyougazesohard？“

“Ontherockaboveyoustandsawhitespiritinherglory。ItistheInkosazanaherself。”mutteredCetewayo。

“Hasshecomethen？“mockedtheoldwizard。“Nay，surelyitisbutadream，oranotherofmytricks；someblackwomanpaintedwhitethatIhavesmuggledhereinmymedicinebag，orrolledupintheblanketonmyback。HowcanIprovetoyouthatthisisnotanothercheatliketothatofthespiritofMameenawhomthewhiteman，herlover，didnotknowagain？Goneartoheryoumustnot，evenifyoucould，seeingthatifbychancesheshould_not_beacheat，youwoulddie，everymanofyou，forwoetohimwhomNomkubulwanatouches。Howthen，how？Ah！Ihaveit。

DoubtlessinhispocketMacumazahnyonderhidesalittlegun，Macumazahnwhowithsuchaguncancutareedintwoatthirtypaces，orshavethehairfromthechinofaman，asiswellknownintheland。Lethimthentakehislittlegunandshootatthatwhichyousaystandsupontherock。Ifitbeablackwomanpaintedwhite，doubtlessshewillfalldowndead，assomanyhavefallenfromthatrock。ButifitbethePrincessofHeaven，thenthebulletwillpassthroughherorturnasideandshewilltakenoharm，thoughwhetherMacumazahnwilltakeanyharmismorethanIcansay。”

Nowwhentheyheardthismanyremainedsilent，butsomeofthepeacepartybegantoclamourthatIshouldbeorderedtoshootattheapparition。AtlengthCetewayoseemedtogivewaytothispressure。Isayseemed，becauseIthinkhewishedtogiveway。

Whetherornotaspiritstoodbeforehim，heknewnomorethantherest，buthedidknowthatunlessthevisionwereprovedtobemortalhewouldbedrivenintowarwiththeEnglish。

Thereforehetooktheonlychancethatremainedtohim。

“Macumazahn。”hesaid，“Iknowyouhaveyourpistolonyou，foronlytheotherdayyoubroughtitintomypresence，andthroughlightanddarknessyounurseitasamotherdoesherfirstborn。

NowsincetheOpenerofRoadsdesiresit，Icommandyoutofireatthatwhichseemstostandaboveus。Ifitbeamortalwoman，sheisacheatanddeservestodie。Ifitbeaspiritfromheavenitcantakenoharm。Norcanyoutakeharmwhoonlydothatwhichyoumust。”

“Womanorspirit，Iwillnotshoot，King。”Ianswered。

“Isitso？What！doyoudefyme，WhiteMan？Dosoifyouwill，butlearnthatthenyourbonesshallwhitenhereinthisValeofBones。Yes，youshallbethefirstoftheEnglishtogobelow。”

andturning，hewhisperedsomethingtotwooftheCouncillors。

NowIsawthatImusteitherobeyordie。Foramomentmymindgrewconfusedinfaceofthisawfulalternative。IdidnotbelievethatIsawaspirit。IbelievedthatwhatstoodabovemewasNombecunninglytrickedoutwithsomenativepigmentswhichatthatdistanceandinthatlightmadeherlooklikeawhitewoman。Foroddlyenoughatthattimethetruthdidnotoccurtome，perhapsbecauseIwastoosurprised。Well，ifitwereNombe，shedeservedtobeshotforplayingsuchatrick，andwhatismoreherdeath，byrevealingthefraudofZikali，wouldperhapsavertagreatwar。ButthenwhydidhemakethesuggestionthatIshouldbecommandedtofireatthisfigure？SlowlyIdrewoutmypistolandbroughtittothefullcock，foritwasloaded。

“Iwillobey，King。”Isaid，“tosavemyselffrombeingmurdered。

Butonyourheadbeallthatmayfollowfromthisdeed。”

ThenitwasforthefirsttimethatanewideastruckmesoclearlythatIbelieveitwasconveyeddirectfromZikali’sbraintomyown。_Imightshoot，buttherewasnoneedformetohit。_

Afterthateverythinggrewplain。

“King。”Isaid，“ifyonderbeamortal，sheisaboutdie。Onlyaspiritcanescapemyaim。Watchnowthecentreofherforehead，fortherethebulletwillstrike！“

Iliftedthepistolandappearedtocoverthefigurewithmuchcare。AsIdidso，evenfromthatdistanceIthoughtIsawalookofterrorinitseyes。ThenIfired，withalittlejerkofthewristsendingtheballagoodyardaboveherhead。

“Sheisunharmed。”criedavoice。“Macumazahnmissedher。”

“Macumazahndoesnotmiss。”Irepliedloftily。“Ifthatatwhichheaimedisunharmed，itisbecauseitcannotbehit。”

“O-ho-o！“laughedZikali，“theWhiteManwhodoesnotknowthetasteofhisownlove’slips，saysthathehasfiredatthatwhichcannotbehit。Lethimtryagain。No，lethimchooseanothertarget。TheSpiritistheSpirit，buthewhosummonedhermaystillbeacheat。Thereisanotherbulletinyourlittlegun，WhiteMan；seeifitcanpiercetheheartofZikali，thattheKingandCouncilmaylearnwhetherhebeatrueprophet，thegreatestofalltheprophetsthateverwas，orwhetherhebebutacommoncheat。”

Nowasuddenragefilledmeagainstthisoldrascal。I

rememberedhowhehadbroughtMameenatoherdeath，whenhethoughtthatitwouldservehim，andsincethenfilledthelandwithstoriesconcerningherandme，whichmetmewhateverwayI

turned。IrememberedthatforyearshehadplottedtobringaboutthedestructionoftheZulus，andtofurtherhisdarkends，wasnowengagedincausingafearfulwarwhichwouldcostthelivesofthousands。IrememberedthathehadtrappedmeintoZululandandthenhandedmeovertoCetewayo，separatingmefrommyfriendswhowereinmycharge，andforaughtIknew，givingthemtodeath。Surelytheworldwouldbewellridofhim。

“Haveyourwill。”Ishoutedandcoveredhimwiththepistol。

Thentherecameintomymindacertainsaying——“Judgenotthatyebenotjudged。”WhoandwhatwasIthatIshoulddaretoarraignandpasssentenceuponthismanwhoafterallhadsufferedmanywrongs？AsIwasabouttofireIcaughtsightofsomebrightobjectflashingtowardsthekingfromabove，andinstantaneouslyshiftedmyaimandpressedthetrigger。Thething，whateveritmightbe，flewintwo。OnepartofitfelluponZikali，theotherparttravelledonandstruckCetewayoupontheknee。

Therefollowedagreatconfusionandacryof“Thekingisstabbed！“IranforwardtolookandsawthebladeofalittleassegailyingonthegroundandonCetewayo’skneeaslightcutfromwhichbloodtrickled。

“Itisnothing。”Isaid，“ascratch，nomore，thoughhadnotthespearbeenstoppedinitscourseitmighthavebeenotherwise。”

“Yes。”criedZikali，“butwhatwasitthatcausedthecut？Takethis，Sigananda，andtellmewhatitmaybe。”andhethrewtowardshimapieceofredwood。

Siganandalookedatit。“ItisthehaftoftheBlackOne’sspear。”heexclaimed，“whichthebulletofMacumazahnhasseveredfromtheblade。”

“Aye。”saidZikali，“andthebladehasdrawnthebloodoftheBlackOne’schild。Readmethisomen，Sigananda；oraskitofherwhostandsaboveyou。”

Nowalllookedtotherock，butitwasempty。Thefigurehadvanished。

“Yourword，King。”saidZikali。“Isitforpeaceorwar？“

Cetewayolookedattheassegai，lookedatthebloodtricklingfromhisknee，lookedatthefacesofthecouncillors。

“Bloodcallsforblood。”hemoaned。“Mywordis——_War！_“

CHAPTERXVII

KAATJEBRINGSNEWS

Zikaliburstintooneofhispealsoflaughter，sounholythatitcausedthebloodinmetoruncold。

“TheKing’swordis_war_。”hecried。“LetNomkubulwanatakethatwordbacktoheaven。LetMacumazahntakeittotheWhiteMen。Letthecaptainscryittotheregimentsandlettheworldgrowred。TheKinghaschosen，thoughmayhap，hadIbeenhe，I

shouldhavechosenotherwise；yetwhatamIbutahollowreedstuckinthegroundupwhichthespiritsspeaktomen？Itisfinished，andI，too，amfinishedforawhile。Farewell，OKing！

Whereshallwemeetagain，Iwonder？Ontheearthorunderit？

Farewell，Macumazahn，Iknowwhereweshallmeet，thoughyoudonot。OKing，Ireturntomyownplace，Iprayyoutocommandthatnonecomenearmeortroublemewithwords，forIamspent。”

“Itiscommanded。”saidCetewayo。

Ashespokethefirewentoutmysteriously，andthewizardroseandhobbledoffatasurprisingpaceroundthecorneroftheprojectingrock。

“Stay！“Icalled，“Iwouldspeakwithyou；“butalthoughIamsureheheardme，hedidnotstoporlookround。

Ispranguptofollowhim，butatsomesignfromCetewayotwoindunasbarredmyway。

“DidyounotheartheKing’scommand，WhiteMan？“oneofthemaskedcoldly，andthetoneofhisquestiontoldmethatwarhavingbeendeclared，Iwasnowlookeduponasafoe。IwasabouttoanswersharplywhenCetewayohimselfaddressedme。

“Macumazahn。”hesaid，“youarenowmyenemy，likeallyourpeople，andfromsunriseto-morrowmorningyoursafe-conducthereends，forifyouarefoundatUlunditwohoursafterthattime，itwillbelawfulforanymantokillyou。Yetasyouarestillmyguest，Iwillgiveyouanescorttothebordersoftheland。

Moreover，youshalltakeamessagefrommetotheQueen’sofficersandcaptains。Itis——thatIwillsendananswertotheirdemandsuponthepointofanassegai。Yetaddthis，thatnotIbuttheEnglish，towhomIhavealwaysbeenafriend，soughtthiswar。IfSompseuhadsufferedmetofighttheBoersasIwishedtodo，itwouldneverhavecomeabout。ButhethrewtheQueen’sblanketovertheTransvaalandstooduponit，andnowhedeclaresthatlandswhichwerealwaysthepropertyoftheZulus，belongtotheBoers。ThereforeItakebackallthepromiseswhichImadetohimwhenhecamehithertocallmeKingintheQueen’sname，andnomoredoIcallhimmyfather。Asforthedisbandingofmyimpis，lettheEnglishdisbandthemiftheycan。Ihavespoken。

“AndIhaveheard。”Ianswered，“andwilldeliveryourwordsfaithfully，thoughIhold，King，thattheycomefromthelipsofonewhomtheHeavenshavemademad。”

AtthisboldspeechsomeoftheCouncillorsstartedupwiththreateninggestures。Cetewayowavedthembackandansweredquietly，“PerhapsitwastheQueenofHeavenwhostoodonyonderrockwhomadememad。Orperhapsshemademewise，asbeingtheSpiritofourpeoplesheshouldsurelydo。Thatisaquestionwhichthefuturewilldecide，andifeverweshouldmeetafteritisdecided，wewilltalkitover。Now，hambagachle！(goinpeace)。”

“IhearthekingandIwillgo，butfirstIwouldspeakwithZikali。”

“Then，WhiteMan，youmustwaittillthiswarisfinishedortillyoumeethimintheLandofSpirits。Goza，leadMacumazahnbacktohishutandsetaguardaboutit。Atthedawnacompanyofsoldierswillbewaitingwithorderstotakehimtotheborder。

Youwillgowithhimandanswerforhissafetywithyourlife。

Lethimbewelltreatedontheroadasmymessenger。”

ThenCetewayoroseandstoodwhileallpresentgavehimtheroyalsalute，afterwhichhewalkedawaydownthekloof。Iremainedforamoment，makingpretencetoexaminethebladeofthelittleassegaithathadbeenthrownbythefigureontherock，whichI

hadpickedfromtheground。ThishistoricalpieceofironwhichIhavenodoubtisthesamethatChakaalwayscarried，wherewith，too，heissaidtohavekilledhismother，Nandie，bythewayI

stillpossess，forIslippeditintomypocketandnonetriedtotakeitfromme。

Really，however，IwaswonderingwhetherIcouldinanywaygainaccesstoZikali，aproblemthatwassettledformebyasharprequesttomoveon，utteredinatonewhichadmittedofnofurtherargument。

Well，ItrudgedbacktomyhutinthecompanyofGoza，whowassoovercomebyallthewondershehadseenthathecouldscarcelyspeak。Indeed，whenIaskedhimwhathethoughtofthefigurethathadappearedupontherock，herepliedpetulantlythatitwasnotgiventohimtoknowwhencespiritscameorofwhatstufftheyweremade，whichshowedmethatheatanyratebelievedinitssupernaturaloriginandthatithadappearedtodirecttheZulustomakewar。ThiswasallIwantedtofindout，soIsaidnothingmore，butgaveupmymindtothoughtofmyownpositionanddifficulties。

HereIwas，orderedonpainofdeathtodepartfromUlundiatthedawn。AndyethowcouldIobeywithoutseeingZikaliandlearningfromhimwhathadhappenedtoAnscombeandHeda，oratanyratewithoutcommunicatingwithhim？OncemoreonlydidI

breaksilence，offeringtogiveGozaagunifhewouldtakeamessagefrommetothegreatwizard。Butwithashakeofhisbighead，heansweredthattodosowouldmeandeath，andgunswereofnogoodtoadeadmansince，asIhadshownmyselfthatnight，theyhadnopowertoshootaspirit。

ThisclosedthebusinessonwhichIneednothavetroubledtoenter，sinceananswertoallmyquestioningswasathand。

WereachedthehutwhereGozagavemeovertotheguardofsoldiers，tellingtheirofficerthatnoneweretobepermittedtoenteritsavemyselfandthatIwasnottobetopermittedtocomeoutofituntilhe，Goza，cametofetchmealittlebeforethedawn。

Theofficeraskedifanyoneelsewastobepermittedtocomeout，aquestionthatsurprisedme，thoughvaguely，forIwasthinkingofotherthings。ThenGozadeparted，remarkingthathehopedIshouldsleepbetterthanhewould，who“feltspiritsinhisbonesanddidnotwishtokissthemasIseemedtoliketodo。”Irepliedfacetiously，thinkingofthebottleofbrandy，thaterelongImeanttofeeltheminmystomach，whereatheshookhisheadagainwiththeairofonewhomnothingconnectedwithmecouldsurprise，andvanished。

Icrawledintothehutandputtheboardoverthebee-hole-likeentrancebehindme。ThenIbegantohuntforthematchesinmypocketandprickedmyfingerwiththepointofChaka’shistoricalassegai。WhileIwassuckingittomyamazementIheardthesoundofsomeonebreathingonthefurthersideofthehut。AtfirstIthoughtofcallingtheguard，butonreflectionfoundthematchesandlitthecandle，whichstoodbytheblanketsthatservedmeasabed。AssoonasitburnedupIlookedtowardsthesound，andtomyhorrorperceivedthefigureofasleepingwoman，whichfrightenedmesomuchthatInearlydroppedthecandle。

Totellthetruth，soobsessedwasIwithZikaliandhisghoststhatforafewmomentsitoccurredtomethatthismightbetheShapewithwhichIhadtalkedanhourortwobefore。Imeanthatwhichhadseemedtoresemblethelong-deadladyMameena，orratherthepersonmadeuptoherlikeness，comeheretocontinueourconversation。AtanyrateIwassure，andrightly，thatherewasmoreofthehandiworkofZikaliwhowishedtoputmeinsomedreadfulpositionforreasonsofhisown。

PullingmyselftogetherIadvanceduponthelady，onlytofindmyselfnowiser，sinceshewastotallycoveredbyakaross。Nowwhatwastobedone？Toescape，ofwhichofcourseIhadthoughtatonce，wasimpossiblesinceitmeantanassegaiinmyribs。Tocalltotheguardforhelpseemedindiscreet，forwhoknewwhatthosefoolsmightsay？Tokickorshakeherwouldundoubtedlyberudeand，ifitchancedtobethepersonwhohadplayedMameena，wouldcertainlyprovokeremarksthatIshouldnotcaretoface。

Thereseemedtobeonlyoneresource，tositdownandwaittillshewokeup。

ThisIdidforquitealongtime，tillatlasttheabsurdityofthepositionand，Iwilladmit，myowncuriosityovercameme，especiallyasIwasverytiredandwantedtogotosleep。Soadvancingmostgingerly，Iturneddownthekarossfromovertheheadofthesleepingwoman，muchwonderingwhomIshouldsee，forwhatmanistherethataveiledwomandoesnotinterest？Indeed，doesnothalftheinterestofwomanlieinthefactthathernatureisveiledfromman，inshortamysterywhichheisalwaysseekingtosolveathisperil，andImightadd，neversucceedsinsolving？

Well，Iturneddownthatkarossandnextinstantsteppedbackamazedand，totellthetruth，somewhatdisappointed，forthere，withhermouthopen，laynowondrousandspiritualMameena，butthestout，earthlyandmostprosaic——Kaatje！

“Confoundthewoman！“thoughtItomyself。“Whatisshedoinghere？“

ThenIrememberedhowwrongitwastogivewaytoasenseofromanticdisappointmentatsuchatime，thoughasamatteroffactitisalwaysinamomentofcrisisorofstrainednervesthatwearemostopentotheinsidiousadvancesofromance。Alsothattherewasnooneonearth，orbeyondit，whomIoughtmoregreatlytohaverejoicedtosee。IhadleftKaatjewithAnscombeandHeda；thereforeKaatjecouldtellmewhathadbecomeofthem。

Andatthisthoughtmyheartsank——whywasshehereinthismostinappropriatemeeting-place，alone？Feelingthatthesewerequestionswhichmustbeansweredatonce，IproddedKaatjeintheribswithmytoeuntil，afteragooddealofprodding，sheawoke，satupandyawned，revealinganexcellentsetofteethinhercavernous，quarter-castmouth。Thenperceivingamansheopenedthatmouthevenwider，asIthoughtwiththeideaofscreamingforhelp。ButhereIwasfirstwithher，forbeforeasoundcouldissueIhadfilleditfullwiththecornerofthekaross，exclaiminginDutchasIdidso——

“Idiotofawoman，doyounotknowtheHeerQuatermainwhenyouseehim？“

“Oh！Baas。”sheanswered，“IthoughtyouweresomewickedZulucometodomeamischief。”ThensheburstintotearsandsobswhichIcouldnotstopforatleastthreeminutes。

“Bequiet，youfatfool！“Icriedexasperated，“andtellme，whereareyourmistressandtheHeerAnscombe？“

“Idon’tknow，Baas，butIhopeinheaven“(KaatjewassomekindofaChristian)，sherepliedbetweenhersobs。

“Inheaven！Whatdoyoumean？“Iasked，horrified。

“Imean，Baas，thatIhopetheyareinheaven，becausewhenlastIsawthemtheywerebothdead，anddeadpeoplemustbeeitherinheavenorhell，andheaven，theysay，isbetterthanhell。”

“_Dead！_Wheredidyouseethemdead？“

“InthatBlackKloof，Baas，somedaysafteryouleftusandwentaway。TheoldbaboonmanwhoiscalledZikaligaveusleavethroughthewitch-girl，Nombe，togoalso。SotheBaasAnscombesettoworktoinspanthehorses，theMissieHedahelpinghim，whileIpackedthethings。WhenIhadnearlyfinishedNombecame，smilinglikeacatthathascaughttwomice，andbeckonedtometofollowher。Iwentandsawthecartinspannedwiththefourhorsesalllookingasthoughtheywereasleep，fortheirheadshungdown。ThenaftershehadstaredatmeforalongwhileNombeledmepastthehorsesintotheshadowoftheoverhangingcliff。ThereIsawmymistressandtheBaasAnscombelyingsidebysidequitedead。”

“Howdoyouknowthattheyweredead？“Igasped。“Whathadkilledthem？“

“Iknowthattheyweredeadbecausethey_were_dead，Baas。

Theirmouthsandeyeswereopenandtheylayupontheirbackswiththeirarmsstretchedout。Thewitch-girl，Nombe，saidsomeKaffirshadcomeandstrangledthemandthengoneawayagain，orsoIunderstoodwhocannotspeakZulusoverywell。WhotheKaffirswereorwhytheycameshedidnotsay。”

“Thenwhatdidyoudo？“Iasked。

Iranbacktothehut，Baas，fearinglestIshouldbestrangledalso，andwepttheretillIgrewhungry。WhenIcameoutofitagaintheyweregone。Nombeshowedmeaplaceunderatreewheretheearthwasdisturbed。Shesaidthattheywereburiedtherebyorderofhermaster，Zikali。Idon’tknowwhatbecameofthehorsesorthecart。”

“Andwhathappenedtoyouafterwards？“

“Baas，Iwaskeptforseveraldays，Icannotrememberhowmany，andonlyallowedoutwithinthefenceroundthehuts。Nombecametoseemeonce，bringingthis。”andsheproducedapackagesewnupinaskin。“ShesaidthatIwastogiveittoyouwithamessagethatthosewhomyoulovedwerequitesafewithOnewhoisgreaterthananyintheland，andthereforethatyoumustnotgrieveforthemwhosetroubleswereover。IthinkitwastwonightsafterthisthatfourZuluscame，twomenandtwowomen，andledmeaway，asIthoughttokillme。Buttheydidnotkillme；indeedtheywereverykindtome，althoughwhenIspoketothemtheypretendednottounderstand。Theytookmealongjourney，travellingforthemostpartinthedarkandsleepingintheday。ThiseveningwhenthesunsettheybroughtmethroughaKaffirtownandthrustmeintothehutwhereIamwithoutspeakingtoanyone。Here，beingverytired，Iwenttosleep，andthatisall。”

Andquiteenoughtoo，thoughtItomyself。ThenIputherthroughacross-examination，butKaatjewasastupidwomanalthoughagoodandfaithfulservant，andallherterribleexperienceshadnotsharpenedherintelligence。Indeed，whenI

pressedhershegrewutterlyconfused，begantocry，therebytakingrefugeinthelastimpregnablefemalefortification，andsnivelledoutthatshecouldnotbeartotalkofherdearmistressanymore。SoIgaveitup，andtwominuteslatershewasliterallysnoring，beingverytired，poorthing。

NowItriedtothinkmattersoutaswellasthisdisturbancewouldallow，fornothinghindersthoughtsomuchassnores。Butwhatwastheuseofthinking？Therewasherstorytotakeortoleave，andevidentlythehonestcreaturebelievedwhatshesaid。

Further，howcouldshebedeceivedonsuchapoint？ShesworethatshehadseenAnscombeandHedadeadandafterwardshadseentheirgraves。

Moreover，therewasconfirmationinNombe’smessagewhichcouldnotwellhavebeeninvented，thatspokeoftheirbeingwellinthechargeofa“GreatOne。”atermbywhichtheZulusdesignateGod，withalltheirtroublesfinished。Thereasonandmanneroftheirendwereleftunrevealed。Zikalimighthavemurderedthemforhisownpurposes，ortheZulusmighthavekilledtheminobediencetotheking’sorderthatnowhitepeopleinthelandweretobeallowedtolive。OrperhapstheBasutosfromSekukuni’scountry，withwhomtheZulushadsomeunderstanding，hadfollowedanddonethemtodeath；indeedthestranglingsoundedmoreBasutothanZulu——iftheywerereallystrangled。

AlmostovercomethoughIwas，Ibethoughtmeofthepackageandopenedit，onlytofindanotherapparentproofoftheirend，foritcontainedHeda’sjewelsasIhadfoundtheminthebaginthesafe；alsoasparegoldwatchbelongingtoAnscombewithhiscoat-of-armsengraveduponit。Thatwhichheworewasofsilverandnodoubtwasburiedwithhim，sinceforsuperstitiousreasonsthenativeswouldnothavetouchedanythingonhispersonafterdeath。Thisseemedtometosettlethematter，presumptivelyatanyrate，sincetoshowthatrobberywasnotthecauseoftheirmurder，theirmostvaluablepossessionswhichwerenotupontheirpersonshadbeensenttome，theirfriend。

Sothiswastheendofallmyeffortstosecurethesafetyandwell-beingofthatmostunluckypair。IweptwhenIthoughtofitthereinthedarknessofthehut，forthecandlehadburnedout，andgoingontomyknees，putupanearnestprayerforthewelfareoftheirsouls；alsothatImightbeforgivenmyfollyinleadingthemintosuchdanger。AndyetIdiditforthebest，tryingtojudgewiselyinthelightofsuchexperienceoftheworldasIpossessed。

Nowalas！whenIamoldIhavecometotheconclusionthatthosethingswhichonetriestodoforthebestonegenerallydoeswrong，becausenearlyalwaysthereissometrickyfateathandtomarthem，whichinthisinstancewasnamedZikali。Thefactis，Isuppose，thatmanwhothinkshimselfafreeagent，canscarcelybethuscalled，atanyratesofarasimmediateresultsareconcerned。ButthatisadangerousdoctrineaboutwhichIwillsaynomore，forIdaresaythatheisengagedinweavingagreatlife-patternofwhichheonlyseesthetiniestpiece。

Onethingcomfortedmealittle。IfthesetwoweredeadIcouldnowleaveZululandwithoutqualms。OfcourseIwasobligedtoleaveinanycase，ordie，butsomehowthatfactwouldnothaveeasedmyconscience。IndeedIthinkthathadIbelievedtheystilllived，inthiswayorinthatIshouldhavetriednottoleave，becauseIshouldhavethoughtitforthebesttostaytohelpthem，wherebyinallhumanprobabilityIshouldhavebroughtaboutmyowndeathwithouthelpingthematall。Well，ithadfallenoutotherwiseandtherewasanend。NowIcouldonlyhopethattheyhadgonetosomeplacewheretherearenomoretroubles，evenif，attheworst，itwereaplaceofresttoodeepfordreams。

MusingthusatlastIdozedoff，forIwassotiredthatIthinkIshouldhavesleptalthoughexecutionawaitedmeatthedawninsteadofanotherjourney。IdidnotsleepwellbecauseofthatsnoringfemaleontheothersideofthehutwhosepresenceoutragedmysenseofproprietyandcausedmetobeinvadedbypropheticdreamsofthetalkthatwouldensueamongthosescandalmongeringZulus。Yes，itwasofthisIdreamed，notofthegreatdangersthatthreatenedmeoroftheterriblelossofmyfriends，perhapsbecausetomanymen，ofwhomIsupposeIamone，thefearofscandalorofbeingtheobjectofpublicnotice，ismorethanthefearofdangerorthesmartofsorrow。

Sothenightworeaway，tillatlengthIwoketoseethegleamofdawnpenetratingthesmoke-holeanddimlyilluminatingtherecumbentformofKaatje，whichtomelookedmostunattractive。

PresentlyIheardadiscreettappingonthedoorboardofthehutwhichIatonceremoved，wrigglingswiftlythroughthehole，carelessinmymiseryastowhetherImetanassegaitheothersideofitornot。Withoutaguardofeightsoldierswasstanding，andwiththemGoza，whoaskedmeifIwerereadytostart。

“Quite。”Ianswered，“assoonasIhavesaddledmyhorse。”whichbythewayhadbeenleduptothehut。

Verysoonthiswasdone，forIbroughtoutmostofmyfewbelongingswithmeandthebagofjewelswasinmypocket。Thenitwasthattheofficeroftheguard，athinandmelancholy-lookingperson，saidinahollowvoice，addressinghimselftoGoza——

“TheordersarethattheWhiteMan’swifeistogowithhim。

Whereisshe？“

“Whereaman’swifeshouldbe，inhishutIsuppose。”answeredGozasleepily。

Ragefilledmeatthewords。SeldomdoIrememberbeingsoangry。

“Yes。”Isaid，“ifyoumeanthatHalf-castwhomsomeonehasthrustuponme，sheisinthere。Soifsheistocomewithus，perhapsyouwillgetherout。”

Thusadjuredthemelancholy-lookingcaptain，whowasnamedIndudu，perhapsbecauseheorhisfatherhadlongedtotheDuduregiment，crawledintothehut，whencepresentlyemergedsoundsnotunlikethosewhichonceIheardwhenaringhalscobrafollowedaharethatIhadwoundedintoahole，amuffledsoundofstrugglingandterror。TheseendedinthesuddenandviolentappearanceofKaatje’sfatanddishevelledform，followedbythatofthesnakelikeIndudu。

SeeingmestandingtherebeforeabevyofarmedZulus，shepromptlyfelluponmyneckwithacryforhelp，forthesillywomanthoughtshewasgoingtobekilledbythem。Grippingmeasanoctopusgripsitsprey，sheproceededtofaint，draggingmetomykneesbeneaththeweightofelevenstoneofsolidflesh。

“Ah！“saidoneoftheZulusnotunkindly，“sheismuchafraidforherhusbandwhomsheloves。”

Well，Idisentangledmyselfsomehow，andseizingwhatItooktobeagourdofwaterinthatdimlight，poureditoverherhead，onlytodiscovertoolatethatitwasnotwaterbutclottedmilk。

Howevertheresultwasthesame，forpresentlyshesatup，madeadreadful-lookingobjectbythisliberalapplicationofcurdsandwhey，whereonIexplainedmatterstohertothebestofmypower。

TheendofitwasthatafterInduduandGozahadwipedherdownwithtuftsofthatchdraggedfromthehutandIhadcollectedhergearwiththerestofmyown，wesetheronthehorsestraddlewise，andstarted，theobjectsofmuchinterestamongsuchZulusaswerealreadyabroad。

Atthegateofthetowntherewasadelaywhichmademenervous，sinceinsuchacaseasminedelaymightalwaysmeanadeath-warrant。IknewthatitwasquitepossibleCetewayohadchanged，orbeenpersuadedtochangehismindandissueacommandthatIshouldbekilledasonewhohadseenandknewtoomuch。

IndeedthisfearwasmyconstantcompanionduringallthelongjourneytotheDriftoftheTugela，causingmetolookaskanceateverymanwemetorwhoovertookus，lestheshouldprovetobeamessengerofdoom。

Norwerethesedoubtsgroundless，forasIlearnedintheafterdays，thePrimeMinister，Umnyamana，andothershadurgedCetewayostronglytokillme，andwhatwewerewaitingforatthegatewerehisfinalordersonthesubject。However，inthismatter，asinmorethatIcouldmention，thekingplayedthepartofamanofhonour，andalthoughheseemedtohesitateforreasonsofpolicy，neverhadanyintentionofallowingmetobeharmed。OnthecontrarythecommandbroughtwasthatanyonewhoharmedMacumazahn，theking’sguestandmessenger，shoulddiewithallhisHouse。

WhilstwetarriedanumberofwomengatheredrounduswhoseconversationIcouldnothelpoverhearing。Oneofthemsaidtoanother——

“Lookatthewhiteman，Watcher-by-Night，whocanknockaflyoffanox’shornwithabulletfromfurtherawaythanwecouldseeit。HeitwaswholovedandwaslovedbythewitchMameena，whosebeautyisstillfamousintheland。Theysayshekilledherselfforhissake，becauseshedeclaredthatshewouldneverlivetogrowoldandugly，sothatheturnedawayfromher。Mymothertoldmeallaboutitonlylastnight。”

Thenyouhavealiarforamother，thoughtItomyself，fortocontradictsuchaoneopenlywouldhavebeenundignified。

“Isitso？“askedoneofherfriends，deeplyinterested。“ThentheladyMameenamusthavehadastrangetasteinmen，forthisoneisanuglylittlefellowwithhairlikethegreyashofstubbleandawrinkledfaceofthecolourofaflayedskinthathaslainunstretchedinthesun。However，Ihavebeentoldthatwitchesalwayslovethosewholookunnatural。”

“Yes。”saidNumberone。”butyouseenowthatheisoldhehastobesatisfiedwithadifferentsortofwife。Sheisnotbeautiful，isshe，althoughshehasdippedherheadinmilktomakeherselflookwhite？“

SoitwentontillatlengtharunnerarrivedandwhisperedsomethingtoInduduwhosaluted，showingmethatitwasaroyalmessage，andorderedustomove。OfthisIwasglad，forhadI

stoppedtheremuchlonger，IthinkIshouldhavepersonallyassaultedthosegossipingfemaleidiots。

OfourjourneythroughZululandthereisnothingparticulartosay。Wesawbutfewpeople，sincemostofthemenhadbeencalleduptothearmy，andmanyofthekraalsseemedtobedesertedbythewomenandchildrenwhoperhapswerehiddenawaywiththecattle。Once，however，wemetanimpiaboutfivethousandstrong，thatseemedtocoverthehillsidelikeaherdofgame。ItconsistedoftheNodwenguandtheNokenkeregiments，bothofwhichafterwardsfoughtatIsandhlwana。Someoftheircaptainswithasmallguardcametoseewhowewere，fine，fierce-lookingmen。Theystaredatmecuriously，andwithoneofthem，whomIknew，Ihadalittletalk。HesaidthatIwasthelastwhitemaninZululandandthatIwasluckytobealive，forsoonthese，andhepointedtothehordesofwarriorswhowerestreamingpast，wouldeatuptheEnglishto“thelastbone。”I

answeredthatthisremainedtobeseen，astheEnglishwerealsogreateaters，whereathelaughed，replying，thatitwastruethatthewhitemenhadalreadytakenthefirstbite——averylittleone，fromwhichIgatheredthatsomesmallengagementhadhappened。

“Well，farewell，Macumazahn。”hesaid，asheturnedtogo，“I

hopethatweshallmeetinthebattle，forIwanttoseeifyoucanrunaswellasyoucanshoot。”

ThisrousedmytemperandIansweredhim——

“Ihopeforyoursakethatweshallnotmeet，forifwedoI

promisethatbeforeIrunIwillshowyouwhatyouneversawbefore，thegatewayoftheworldofSpirits。”

ImentionthisconversationbecausebysomestrangechanceithappenedatIsandhlwanathatIkilledthisman，whowasnamedSimpofu。

Duringallthosedaysoftrudgingthroughhotsunsandthunderstorms，forIhadtogiveupthemaretoKaatjewhowastoofattowalk，orsaidshewas，Iwasliterallyhauntedbythoughtsofmymurderedfriends。HeavenknowshowbitterlyI

reproachedmyselfforhavingbroughtthemintoZululand。Itseemedsoterriblysadthattheseyoungpeoplewholovedeachotherandhadsobrightafuturebeforethem，shouldhaveescapedfromatragicpastmerelytobeoverwhelmedbysuchafate。

AgainandagainIquestionedthatlumpKaatjeastothedetailsoftheirendandofallthatwentbeforeandfollowedafterthemurder。

Butitwasquiteuseless；indeed，astimewentonsheseemedtobecomemorenebulousonthepointasthoughapicturewerefadingfromhermind。Butastoonethingshewasalwaysquiteclear，thatshehadseenthemdeadandhadseentheirnew-madegrave。

Thissheswore“byGodinHeaven。”completingtheoathwithanoutburstoftearsinawaythatwouldhavecarriedconvictiontoanyjury，asitdidtome。

Andafterall，whatwasmorelikelyinthecircumstances？Zikalihadkilledthem，orcausedthemtobekilled；orpossiblytheywerekilledinspiteofhiminobediencetotheexpress，orgeneral，orderoftheking，ifthedeedwasnotdonebytheBasutos。Andyetanideaoccurredtome。HowaboutthewomanontherockthattheZulusthoughtwastheirPrincessoftheHeavens？Obviouslythismustbenonsense，sincenosuchdeityexisted，thereforethepersonmusteitherhavebeenawhitewomanoronepainteduptoresembleawhitewoman；seenfromadistanceinmoonlightitwasimpossibletosaywhich。Now，ifitwereawhitewoman，shemight，fromhershapeandheightandthecolourofherhair，beHedaherself。YetitseemedincrediblethatHeda，whomKaatjehadseendeadsomedaysbefore，couldbemasqueradinginsuchapartandmakenosignofrecognitiontome，evenwhenIcoveredherwithmypistol，whereasthatNombewouldplayitwaslikelyenough。

OnlythenNombemustbesomethingofaquick-changeartistsincebutalittlewhilebeforeshewasbeyonddoubtpersonatingthedeadMameena。IfitwerenotsoImusthavebeensufferingfromillusions，forcertainlyIseemedtoseesomeonewholookedlikeMameena，andonlyZikali，andthroughhimNombe，hadsufficientknowledgetoenablehertofillthatrolewithsuchsuccess。

Perhapsthewholebusinesswasanillusion，thoughifsoZikali’spowersmustbegreatindeed。ButthenhowabouttheassegaithatNomkubulwana，orratherhereffigy，hadseemedtoholdandthrow，whereofthebladewasatpresentinmysaddle-bag。Thatatanyratewastangibleandreal，thoughofcoursetherewasnothingtoprovethatithadreallybeenChaka’sfamousweapon。

AnotherthingthattormentedmewasmyfailuretoseeZikali。I

feltasthoughIhadcommittedacrimeinleavingZululandwithoutdoingthisandhearingfromhisownlips——well，whateverhechosetotellme。IforgetifIsaidthatwhilewewerewaitingatthegatewherethosesillywomentalkedsomuchnonsenseaboutMameenaandKaatje，thatImadeanothereffortthroughGozatogetintotouchwiththewizard，butquitewithoutavail。Gozaonlyansweredwhathesaidbefore，thatifIwishedtodieatonceIhadbettertaketenstepstowardstheValleyofBones，whence，headdedparenthetically，theOpenerofRoadshadalreadydepartedonhishomewardjourney。Thismightormightnotbetrue；atanyrateIcouldfindnopossiblewayofcomingfacetofacewithhim，orevenofgettingamessagetohisear。

No，Iwasnottoblame；IhaddoneallIcould，andyetinmyheartIfeltguilty。Butthen，ascynicswould，say，failureisguilt。

AtlengthwecametothefordoftheTugela，andasfortunatelythewaterwasjustlowenough，badefarewelltoourescortbeforecrossingtotheNatalside。MypartingwithGozawasquitetouching，forwefeltthatitpartookofthenatureofadeathbedadieu，whichindeeditdid。ItoldhimandtheothersthatI

hopedtheirendsbeeasy，andthatwhethertheymetthembybulletsorbybayonetthrusts，thewoundswouldprovequicklymortalsothattheymightnotlingerindiscomfortorpain。

Recognizingmykindthoughtfortheirtruewelfaretheythankedmeforit，thoughwithnoenthusiasm。Indudu，however，filledwiththespiritofrepartee，orratherof“tuquoque“，saidinhismelancholyfashionthatifheandIcamefacetofaceinwar，hewouldbesuretoremembermywordsandtocutmeupinthebeststyle，sincehecouldnotbeartothinkofmelanguishingonabedofsicknesswithoutmywifeKaatjetonurseme(theyknewI

wastouchyaboutKaatje)。Thenweshookhandsandparted。

Kaatje，hungroundwithparaphernalialiketheWhiteKnightin“AlicethroughtheLooking-glass。”clingingtoacooking-potandweepingtearsofterror，facedthefoamingflooduponthemare，whileIgraspeditstail。

WhenwewereasIjudgedoutofassegaishot，Iturned，withthewateruptomyarmpits，andshoutedsomevaledictorywords。

“Tellyourking。”Isaid，“thatheisthegreatestfoolintheworldtofighttheEnglish，sinceitwillbringhiscountrytodestructionandhimselftodisgraceanddeath，asatlast，inthewordsofyourproverb，’theswimmergoesdownwiththestream。’“

Here，asithappened，IslippedoffthestoneonwhichIwasstandingandnearlywentdownwiththestreammyself。

EmergingwithmymouthfullofmuddywaterIwaitedtilltheyhaddonelaughingandcontinued——

“Tellthatoldrogue，Zikali，thatIknowhehasmurderedmyfriendsandthatwhenwemeetagainheandallwhowereintheplotshallpayforitwiththeirlives。”

NowanirritatedZuluflunganassegai，andastherangeprovedtobeshorterthanIthought，foritwentthroughKaatje’sdress，causinghertoscreamwithalarm，Iceasedfromeloquence，andwestruggledontothefurtherbank，whereatlengthweweresafe。

ThusendedthisunluckytripofminetoZululand。

CHAPTERXVIII

ISANDHLWANA

WehadcrossedtheTugelabywhatisknownastheMiddleDrift。

AmileorsoonthefurthersideofitIwaschallengedbyayoungfellowinchargeofsomemountednatives，andfoundthatI

hadstumbledintowhatwasknownasNo。2Column，whichconsistedofarocketbattery，threebattalionsoftheNativeContingentandsometroopsofmountednatives，allunderthecommandofColonelDurnford，R。E……

AfterexplanationsIwastakentothisofficer’shead-quartertent。Hewasatall，nervous-lookingmanwithafair，handsomefaceandlongside-whiskers。Oneofhisarms，Iremember，wassupportedbyasling，IthinkithadbeeninjuredinsomeKaffirfighting。WhenIwasintroducedtohimhewasverybusy，having，Iunderstoodfromsomeoneonhisstaff，justreceivedordersto“operateagainstMatshana。”

LearningthatIhadcomefromZululandandwasacquaintedwiththeZulus，heatoncebegantocross-examinemeaboutMatshana，achiefofwhomheseemedtoknowverylittleindeed。ItoldhimwhatIcould，whichwasnotmuch，andbeforeIcouldgivehimanyinformationofrealimportance，wasshownoutandmosthospitablyentertainedatluncheon，amealofwhichIpartookwithgratitudeinsomegarmentsthatIhadborrowedfromoneoftheofficers，whilemyownweresetinthesuntodry。WellcanIrecallhowmuchIenjoyedthefirstwhiskyandsodathatIhadtastedsinceIleft“theTemple。”andthegoodEnglishfoodbywhichitwasaccompanied。

PresentlyIrememberedKaatje，whomIhadleftoutsidewithsomenativewomen，andwenttoseewhathadhappenedtoher。Ifoundherfinishingaheartymealandengagedinconversationwithayounggentlemanwhowaswritinginanotebook。AfterwardsI

discoveredthathewasanewspapercorrespondent。Whatshetoldhimandwhatheimagined，Idonotknow，butImayaswellstatetheresultsatonce。WithinafewdaysthereappearedinoneoftheNatalpapersand，foraughtIknow，allovertheearth，anannouncementthatMr。AllanQuatermain，awell-knownhunterinZululand，aftermanyadventures，hadescapedfromthatcountry，“togetherwithhisfavouritenativewife，theonlysurvivorofhisextensivedomesticestablishment。”ThenfollowedsomewilddetailsastothemurderofmyotherwivesbyaZuluwizardcalled“RoadMender，orSickAss“(i。e。OpenerofRoads，orZikali)，andsoon。

Iwasfuriousandinterviewedtheeditor，amildandapologeticlittleman，whoassuredmethatthedespatchwasprintedexactlyasithadbeenreceived，asthoughthatbetteredthecase。AfterthisIcommencedanactionforlibel，butasIwasabsentthroughcircumstancesoverwhichIhadnocontrolwhenitcameonfortrial，thecasewasdismissed。Isupposethetruthwasthattheymixedmeupwithacertainwell-knownwhitemaninZululand，whohadalarge“domesticestablishment。”buthoweverthismaybe，itwasalongwhilebeforeIheardthelastofthat“favouritenativewife。”

LaterinthedayIandKaatje，whostucktomelikeaburr，departedfromthecamp。

Therestofourjourneywasuneventful，exceptformoremisunderstandingsaboutKaatje，oneofwhich，whereinaclergymanwasconcerned，wastoopainfultorelate。AtlastwereachedMaritzburg，whereIdepositedKaatjeinaboarding-housekeptbyanotherhalf-cast，andwithasighofreliefbetookmyselftothePloughHotel，whichwasalongwayoffher。

SubsequentlysheobtainedaplaceasacookatHowick，andforawhileIsawhernomore。

AtMaritzburg，asindutybound，IcalleduponvariouspersonsinauthorityanddeliveredCetewayo’smessage，leavingoutallZikali’switchcraftwhichwouldhavesoundedabsurd。Itdidnotproducemuchimpressionas，hostilitieshavingalreadyoccurred，itwassuperfluous。Alsonoonewasinclinedtopayattentiontothewordsofonewhowasneitheranofficialnoramilitaryofficer，butamerehuntersupposedtohavebroughtanativewifeoutofZululand。

Idid，however，reportthemurderofAnscombeandHeda，thoughinsuchtimesthiscausednoexcitement，especiallyastheywerenotknowntotheofficialsconcernedwithsuchmatters。Indeedtheoccurrenceneversomuchasgotintothepapers，anymorethandidthedeathsofRoddandMarnhamonthebordersofSekukuni’scountry。Whenpeopleareexpectingtobemassacredthemselves，theydonottroubleaboutthepastkillingofothersfaraway。

Lastly，IpostedMarnham’swilltothePretoriabank，advisingthemthattheyhadbetterkeepitsafelyuntilsomeclaimarose，anddepositedHeda’sjewelsandvaluablesinanotherbranchofthesamebankinMaritzburgwithasealedstatementastohowtheycameintomypossession。

Thesethingsdone，Ifounditnecessarytoturnmyselftotheeternalproblemofearningmyliving。IamaveryrichmannowasIwritethesereminiscenceshereinYorkshire——KingSolomon’sminesmademethat——butuptothetimeofmyjourneytoKukuanaLandwithmyfriends，CurtisandGood，althoughplentyofmoneypassedthroughmyhandsononeoccasionandanother，littleofiteverseemedtostick。Inthiswayorthatitwaslostormelted；

alsoIwasnotbornonetomakethebestofhisopportunitiesinthewayofacquiringwealth。Perhapsthiswasgoodforme，sinceifIhadgainedthecashearlyIshouldnothavemetwiththeexperiences，andduringourfewtransitoryyears，experienceisofmorerealvaluethancash。Itmayprepareusforotherthingsbeyond，whereasthemerepossessionofabankbalancecanprepareusfornothinginalandwheregoldceasestobeanobjectofworshipasitishere。Yetwealthisourgod，notknowledgeorwisdom，afactwhichshowsthattherealessenceofChristianityhasnotyetpermeatedhumanmorals。Itjustrunsovertheirsurface，nomore，andforeveryeyethatisturnedtowardsthedivineVision，athousandarefixednightanddayuponMammon’sglitteringimage。

NowIownedcertainwagonsandoxen，andjustthenthedemandforthesewaskeen。SoIhiredthemouttothemilitaryauthoritiesforserviceinthewar，andincidentallymyselfwiththem。I

drovewhatIconsideredasplendidbargainwithanofficerwhowroteasmanylettersafterhisnameasaGovernor-General，butwasreallysomethingquitehumble。AtleastIthoughtitsplendiduntiloutsidehistentImetacertaintransportriderofmyacquaintancewhomIhadalwayslookeduponasaperfectfool，whotoldmethatnothalfanhourbeforehehadgottwentypercent。moreforunsaltedoxenandveryricketywagons。

However，itdidnotmattermuchintheendasthewholeoutfitwaslostatIsandhlwana，andowingtothelackofsomeformalitywhichIhadoverlooked，Ineverrecoveredmorethanatitheoftheirvalue。IthinkitwasthatIneglectedtoclaimwithinacertainspecifiedtime。

AtlastmywagonswereladenwithammunitionandotherGovernmentgoodsandItrekkedoverawfulroadstoHelpmakaar，aplaceontheHighlandsnotfarfromRorke’sDriftwhereNo。3Columnwasstationed。Hereweweredelayedawhile，IandmywagonshavingmovedtoafordoftheBuffalo，togetherwithmanyothers。ItwasduringthistimethatIventuredtomakeveryurgentrepresentationstocertainhighlyplacedofficers，Iwillnotmentionwhich，astothenecessityoflaagering，thatis，formingfortifiedcamps，assoonasZululandwasentered，sincefrommyintimateknowledgeofitspeopleIwassurethattheywouldattackinforce。Thesewarningsofminewerereceivedwiththemostperfectpolitenessandoffersofgintodrink，whichalltransportridersweresupposedtolove，butineffectweretreatedwiththecontemptthattheywereheldtodeserve。ThesubjectispainfulandoneonwhichIwillnotdwell。WhyshouldIcomplainwhenIknowthatcautionsfromnotablepersonssuchasSirMelmothOsborn，andJ。J。Uys，amemberofonetheoldDutchfightingfamilies，metwithalikefate。

BythewayitwaswhileIwaswaitingonthebanksoftheriverthatIcameacrossanoldfriendofmine，aZulunamedMagepa，withwhomIhadfoughtatthebattleoftheTugela。Afewdayslaterthismanperformedanextraordinaryfeatinsavinghisgrandchildfromdeathbyhisgreatswiftnessinrunning，whereofIhavepreservedanotesomewhereorother。

UltimatelyonJanuary11wereceivedourmarchingordersandcrossedtheriverbythedrift，thegeneralschemeofthecampaignbeingthatthevariouscolumnsweretoconvergeuponUlundi。Theroads，ifsotheycanbecalled，wereinsuchafearfulstatethatittookustendaystocoverasmanymiles。

Atlengthwetrekkedoverastonynekaboutfivehundredyardsinwidth。Totherightofuswasastonyeminenceandtoourleft，itssheerbrowncliffsofrockrisinglikethewallsofsomecyclopeanfortress，thestrange，abruptmountofIsandhlwana，whichremindedmeofahugelioncrouchingabovethehill-encircledplainbeyond。Atthefootofthisisolatedmount，whereoftheaspectsomehowfilledmewithalarm，wecampedonthenightofJanuary21，takingnoprecautionsagainstattackbywayoflaageringthewagons。Indeedthelastthingthatseemedtooccurtothoseincommandwasthattherewouldbeseriousfighting；menmarchedforwardtotheirdeathsasthoughtheyweregoingonashooting-party，ortoapicnic。Ievensawcricketingbatsandwicketsoccupyingsomeofthescantyspaceuponthewagons。

NowIamnotgoingtosetoutallthemilitarydetailsthatprecededthemassacreofIsandhlwana，forthesearewritteninhistory。ItisenoughtosaythatonthenightofJanuary21，MajorDartnell，whowasincommandoftheNatalMountedPoliceandhadbeensentouttoreconnoitrethecountrybeyondIsandhlwana，reportedastrongforceofZulusinfrontofus。

ThereonLordChelmsford，theGeneral-in-Chief，movedoutfromthecampatdawntohissupport，takingwithhimsixcompaniesofthe24thregiment，togetherwithfourgunsandthemountedinfantry。

Therewereleftinthecamptwogunsandabouteighthundredwhiteandninehundrednativetroops，alsosometransportriderssuchasmyselfandanumberofmiscellaneouscamp-followers。I

sawhimgofrombetweenthecurtainsofoneofmywagonswhereI

hadmademybedonthetopofapileofbaggage。IndeedIhadalreadydressedmyselfatthetime，forthatnightIsleptveryillbecauseIknewourdanger，andmyheartwasheavywithfear。

Aboutteno’clockinthemorningColonelDurnford，whomIhavementionedalready，rodeupwithfivehundredNatalZulus，abouthalfofwhomweremounted，andtworockettubeswhich，ofcourse，wereworkedbywhitemen。ThiswasafterapatrolhadreportedthattheyhadcomeintotouchwithsomeZulusontheleftfront，whoretiredbeforethem。AsamatteroffacttheseZuluswereforaginginthemealiefields，sinceowingtothedroughtfoodwasveryscarceinZululandthatyearandtheregimentswerehungry。IhappenedtoseethemeetingbetweenColonelPulleine，ashort，stoutmanwhowasthenincommandofthecamp，andColonelDurnfordwho，ashisseniorofficer，tookitoverfromhim，andheardColonelPulleinesaythathisorderswere“todefendthecamp。”butwhatelsepassedbetweenthemIdonotknow。

PresentlyColonelDurnfordsawandrecognizedme。

“DoyouthinktheZuluswillattackus，Mr。Quatermain？“hesaid。

“Idon’tthinkso，Sir。”Ianswered，“asitisthedayofthenewmoonwhichtheyholdunlucky。Butto-morrowitmaybedifferent。”

Thenhegavecertainorders，dispatchingCaptainGeorgeShepstonewithabodyofmountednativesalongtheridgetotheleft，wherepresentlytheycameincontactwiththeZulusaboutthreemilesaway，andmakingotherdispositions。Alittlelaterhemovedouttothefrontwithastrongescort，followedbytherocketbattery，whichultimatelyadvancedtoasmallconicalhillontheleftfront，roundwhichitpassed，nevertoreturnagain。

JustbeforehestartedColonelDurnford，seeingmestillstandingthere，askedmeifIwouldliketoaccompanyhim，addingthatasIknewtheZulussowellImightbeuseful。Ianswered，Certainly，andcalledtomyheaddriver，amannamedJan，tobringmemymare，thesamethatIhadriddenoutofZululand，whileIslippedintothewagonand，inadditiontothebeltfulthatIwore，filledallmyavailablepocketswithcartridgesformydouble-barrelledExpressrifle。

AsImountedIgaveJancertaindirectionsaboutthewagonandoxen，towhichhelistened，andthentomyastonishmentheldouthishandtome，saying——

“Good-bye，Baas。YouhavebeenakindmastertomeandIthankyou。”

“Whydoyousaythat？“Iasked。

“Because，Baas，alltheKaffirsdeclarethatthegreatZuluimpiwillbeontousinanhourortwoandeatupeveryman。Ican’ttellhowtheyknowit，butsotheyswear。”

“Nonsense。”Ianswered，“itisthedayofnewmoonwhentheZulusdon’tfight。Stillifanythingofthesortshouldhappen，youandtheotherboyshadbetterslipawaytoNatal，sincetheGovernmentmustpayforthewagonsandoxen。”

ThisIsaidhalfjoking，butitwasaluckyjestforJanandtherestofmyservants，sincetheyinterpreteditinearnestandwiththeexceptionofoneofthemwhowentbacktogetagun，gotoffbeforetheZuluhornclosedroundthecamp，andcrossedtheriverinsafety。

NextmomentIwascanteringawayafterColonelDurnford，whomI

caughtupaboutaquarterofamilefromthecamp。

NowofcourseIdidnotseealloftheterriblebattlethatfollowedandcanonlytellofthatpartofitinwhichIhadashare。ColonelDurnfordrodeoutaboutthreeandahalfmilestotheleftfront，Ireallydon’tquiteknowwhy，foralreadywewerehearingfiringonthetopoftheNqutuHillsalmostbehindus，whereCaptainShepstonewasengagingtheZulus，orsoI

believe。SuddenlywemetatrooperoftheNatalCarabineerswhosenamewasWhitelaw，whohadbeenoutscouting。Hereportedthatanenormousimpiwasjustaheadofusseatedinanumkumbi，orsemi-circle，asisthefashionoftheZulusbeforetheycharge。Atleastsomeofthem，hesaid，weresoseated，butotherswerealreadyadvancing。

Presentlytheseappearedoverthecrestofthehill，tenthousandofthemIshouldsay，andamongstthemIrecognizedtheshieldsoftheNodwengu，theDududu，theNokenkeandtheIngoba-makosiregiments。Nowtherewasnothingtobedoneexceptretreat，fortheimpiwasattackinginearnest。TheGeneralUntshingwayo，togetherwithUndabuko，Cetewayo’sbrother，andthechiefUsibebuwhocommandedthescouts，hadagreednottofightthisdayforthereasonIhavegiven，becauseitwasthatofthenewmoon，butcircumstanceshadforcedtheirhandandtheregimentscouldnolongerberestrained。Sotothenumberoftwentythousandormore，sayone-thirdofthetotalZuluarmy，theyhurledthemselvesuponthelittleEnglishforcethat，owingtolackofgeneralship，wasscatteredhereandthereoverawidefrontandhadnofortifiedbaseuponwhichtowithdraw。

Wefellbacktoadongawhichweheldforalittlewhile，andthenaswesawthatthereweshouldpresentlybeoverwhelmed，withdrewgraduallyforanothertwomilesorso，keepingofftheZulusbyourfire。InsodoingwecameupontheremainsoftherocketbatterynearthefootoftheconicalhillIhavementioned，whichhadbeendestroyedbysomeregimentthatpassedbehindusinitsrushonthecamp。Therelayallthesoldiersdead，assegaiedthroughandthrough，andInoticedthatoneyoungfellowwhohadbeenshotthroughthehead，stillheldarocketinhishands。

Nowsomewhatbehindandperhapshalfamiletotherightofthishillalong，shallowdongarunsacrosstheIsandhlwanaplain。

Thiswegained，andbeingtherereinforcedbyaboutfiftyoftheNatalCarabineersunderCaptainBradstreet，helditforalongwhile，keepingofftheZulusbyourterriblefirewhichcutdownscoresofthemeverytimetheyattemptedtoadvance。AtthisspotIalonekilledfromtwelvetofifteenofthem，forifthebigbulletfrommyExpressriflestruckaman，hedidnotlive。

Messengersweresentbacktothecampformoreammunition，butnonearrived，Heavenknowswhy。Myownbeliefisthatthereservecartridgeswerepackedawayinboxesandcouldnotbegotat。Atlastoursupplybegantorunshort，sotherewasnothingtobedoneexceptretreatuponthecampwhichwasperhapshalfamilebehindus。

TakingadvantageofapauseintheZuluadvancewhichhadlaindownwhilewaitingforreserves，ColonelDurnfordorderedaretirementthatwascarriedoutverywell。Uptothattimewehadlostonlyquiteafewmen，fortheZulufirewaswildandhighandtheyhadnotbeenabletogetatuswiththeassegai。

AswerodetowardsthemountIobservedthatfiringwasgoingoninalldirections，especiallyonthenekthatconnecteditwiththeNquturangewhereCaptainShepstoneandhismountedBasutoswerewipedoutwhiletryingtoholdbacktheZulurighthorn。

Theguns，too，werefiringheavilyanddoinggreatexecution。

Afterthisallgrewconfused。ColonelDurnfordgaveorderstocertainofficerswhocameuptohim，CaptainEssexwasoneandLieutenantCochraneanother。Thenhisforcemadefortheirwagonstogetmoreammunition。IkeptneartotheColonelandawhilelaterfoundmyselfwithhimandalarge，mixedbodyofmenalittletotherightofthenekwhichwehadcrossedinouradvancefromtheriver。Notlongafterwardstherewasacryof“TheZulusaregettingroundus！“andlookingtotheleftIsawthempouringinhundredsacrosstheridgethatjoinsIsandhlwanaMountaintotheNqutuRange。Alsotheywereadvancingstraightontothecamp。

Thentheroutbegan。Alreadythenativeauxiliarieswereslippingawayandnowtheothersfollowed。Ofcoursethisbattlewasbutasmallaffair，yetIthinkthatfewhavebeenmoreterrible，atanyrateinmoderntimes。TheaspectofthoseplumedandshieldedZulusastheycharged，shoutingtheirwar-criesandwavingtheirspears，wasawesome。TheyweremowndowninhundredsbytheMartinifire，butstilltheycameon，andIknewthatthegamewasup。Amaddenedhordeoffugitives，mostlynatives，begantoflowpastusoverthenek，makingforwhatwasafterwardscalledFugitives’Drift，ninemilesaway，andwiththemwentwhitesoldiers，somemounted，someonfoot。

Mingledwithallthesepeople，followingthem，oneithersideofthem，rushedZulus，stabbingastheyran。Othergroupsofsoldiersformedthemselvesintoroughsquares，onwhichthesavagewarriorsbrokelikewateronarock，Bydegreesammunitionranout；onlythebayonetremained。StilltheZuluscouldnotbreakthosesquares。Sotheytookanothercounsel。Withdrawingafewpacesbeyondthereachofthebayonets，theyoverwhelmedthesoldiersbythrowingassegais，thenrushedinandfinishedthem。

Thiswaswhathappenedtous，amongwhomweremenofthe24th，NatalCarabineersandMountedPolice。Somehaddismounted，butI

satonmyhorse，whichstoodquitestill，Ithinkfromfright，andfiredawaysolongasIhadanyammunition。WithmyverylastcartridgeIkilledtheCaptainInduduwhohadbeeninchargeoftheescortthatconductedmetotheTugela。Hehadcaughtsightofmeandcalledout——

“Now，Macumazahn，IwillcutyouupnicelyasIpromised。”