第8章

Hegotnofurtherinhisspeech，foratthatmomentIsentanExpressbulletthroughhimandhistall，melancholyfiguredoubledupandcollapsed。

AllthiswhileColonelDurnfordhadbeenbehavingasaBritishofficershoulddo。Scorningtoattemptflight，wheneverIlookedroundIcaughtsightofhistallform，easytorecognizebythelongfairmoustachesandhisarminasling，movingtoandfroencouragingustostandfirmanddielikemen。ThensuddenlyI

sawaKaffir，whocarriedabigoldsmooth-boregun，aimathimfromadistanceofabouttwentyyards，andfire。Hewentdown，asIbelievedead，andthatwastheendofaverygallantofficerandgentlemanwhosemilitarymemoryhasinmyopinionbeenmostunjustlyattacked。TherealblameforthatdisasterdoesnotrestupontheshouldersofeitherColonelDurnfordorColonelPulleine。

Afterthisthingsgrewveryawful。Somefled，butthemoststoodanddiedwheretheywere。OddlyenoughduringallthistimeI

wasnevertouched。Menfelltomyrightandleftandinfrontofme；bulletsandassegaiswhizzedpastme，yetIremainedquiteunhurt。ItwasasthoughsomePowerprotectedme，whichnodoubtitdid。

AtlengthwhennearlyallhadfallenandIhadnothinglefttodefendmyselfwithexceptmyrevolver，Imadeupmymindthatitwastimetogo。Myfirstimpulsewastoridefortheriverninemilesaway。LookingbehindmeIsawthattheroughroadwasfullofZulushuntingdownthosewhotriedtoescape。StillIthoughtIwouldtryit，whensuddenlythereflashedacrossmybrainthesayingofwhoeveritwasthatpersonatedMameenaintheValleyofBones，totheeffectthatinthegreatroutofthebattleIwasnottojointheflyingbuttosetmyfacetowardsUlundiandthatifIdidsoIshouldbeprotectedandnoharmwouldcometome。

Iknewthatallthisprophecywasbutavainthingfondlyimagined，althoughitwastruethatthebattleandtherouthadcome。AndyetIactedonit——whyHeavenknowsalone。

SettingthespurstomyhorseIgallopedoffpastIsandhlwanaMount，onthesouthernslopesofwhichabodyofthe24thwerestillfightingtheirlastfight，andheadingfortheNqutuRange。

TheplainwasfullofZulus，reservesrunningup；alsototherightofmetheUlundiandGikazidivisionswerestreamingforward。These，orsomeofthem，formedthelefthornoftheimpi，butowingtotheunpreparednatureoftheZulubattle，foritmustalwaysberememberedthattheydidnotmeantofightthatday，theiradvancehadbeendelayeduntilitwastoolateforthementirelytoenclosethecamp。Thustheroad，ifitcansobecalled，toFugitives’Driftwasleftopenforawhile，andbyitsomeeffectedtheirescape。Itwasthishorn，orpartofit，thatafterwardsmovedonandattackedRorke’sDrift，withresultsdisastroustoitself。

ForsomehundredsofyardsIrodeonthusrecklessly，becauserecklessnessseemedmyonlychance。ThriceImetbodiesofZulus，butoneachoccasiontheyscatteredbeforeme，callingoutwordsthatIcouldnotcatch。Itwasasthoughtheywerefrightenedofsomethingtheysawaboutme。PerhapstheythoughtthatIwasmadtoridethusamongthem。IndeedImusthavelookedmad，orperhapstherewassomethingelse。AtanyrateI

believedthatIwasgoingtowinrightthroughthemwhenanaccidenthappened。

Abulletstruckmymaresomewhereintheback。Idon’tknowwhereitcamefrom，butasIsawnoZulushoot，Ithinkitmusthavebeenonefiredbyasoldierwhowasstillfightingontheslopesofthemount。Theeffectofitwastomakethepoorbeastquiteungovernable。Roundshewheeledandgallopedatheadlongspeedbacktowardsthepeak，leapingoverdeadanddyingandbreakingthroughthelivingasshewent。Intwominuteswewererushingupitsnorthernflank，whichseemedtobequiteuntenanted，towardsthesheerbrowncliffwhichroseaboveit，forthefightingwasinprogressontheotherside。Suddenlyatthefootofthiscliffthemarestopped，shiveredandsankdowndead，probablyfrominternalbleeding。

Ilookedaboutmedesperately。Toattempttheplainonfootmeantdeath。WhatthenwasItodo？GlancingatthecliffIsawthattherewasagullyinitwornbythousandsofyearsofrainfall，inwhichgrewscantybushes。IntothisIran，andfindingitpracticablethoughdifficult，begantoclimbupwards，quiteunnoticedbytheZuluswhowereallemployeduponthefurtherside。TheendofitwasthatIreachedtheverycrestofthemount，apatchofbare，brownrock，exceptatonespotonitssouthernfrontwheretherewasalittlehollowinwhichatthisrainyseasonoftheyearherbageandfernsgrewintheaccumulatedsoil，alsoafewstunted，aloe-likeplants。

IntothispatchIcrept，havingfirstslakedmythirstfromalittlepoolofrainwaterthatlayinacup-likedepressionoftherock，whichtastedmoredeliciousthananynectar，andseemedtogivemenewlife。ThencoveringmyselfaswellasIcouldwithgrassesanddriedleavesfromthealoeplants，Ilaystill。

NowIwasrightonthebrinkofthecliffandhadthebestviewoftheIsandhlwanaplainandthesurroundingcountrythatcanbeimagined。Frommyloftyeyriesomehundredsoffeetintheair，Icouldseeeverythingthathappenedbeneath。ThusIwitnessedthedestructionofthelastofthesoldiersontheslopesbelow。

Theymadeagallantend，sogallantthatIwasproudtobeofthesamebloodwiththem。Onefineyoungfellowescapedupthepeakandreachedaplateauaboutfiftyfeetbeneathme。HewasfollowedbyanumberofZulus，buttookrefugeinalittlecavewhenceheshotthreeorfourofthem；thenhiscartridgeswereexhaustedandIheardthesavagesspeakinginpraiseofhim——dead。IthinkhewasthelasttodieonthefieldofIsandhlwana。

Thelootingofthecampbegan；itwasaterriblescene。Theoxenandthoseofthehorsesthatcouldbecaughtweredrivenaway，exceptcertainoftheformerwhichwereharnessedtothegunsandsomeofthewagonsand，asIafterwardslearned，takentoUlundiinproofofvictory。ThentheslainwerestrippedandKaffirsappearedwearingtheredcoatsofthesoldiersandcarryingtheirrifles。Thestoreswerebrokenintoandallthespiritsdrunk。

Eventhemedicaldrugswereswallowedbytheseignorantmen，withtheresultthatIsawsomeofthemreelingaboutinagonyandothersfalldownandgotosleep。

AnhourortwolateranofficerwhocamefromthedirectioninwhichtheGeneralhadmarched，canteredrightintothecampwherethetentswerestillstandingandeventheflagwasflying。I

longedtobeabletowarnhim，butcouldnot。Herodeuptotheheadquartersmarquee，whencesuddenlyissuedaZuluwavingagreatspear。Isawtheofficerpulluphishorse，remainforamomentasthoughindecisive，thenturnandgallopmadlyaway，quiteunharmed，thoughoneortwoassegaiswerethrownandmanyshotsfiredathim。AfterthisconsiderablemovementsoftheZuluswenton，ofwhichthenetresultwas，thattheyevacuatedtheplace。

NowIhopedthatImightescape，butitwasnottobe，sinceoneverysidenumbersofthemcreptupIsandhlwanaMountainandhidbehindrocksoramongthetallgrasses，evidentlyforpurposesofobservation。Moreoversomecaptainsarrivedonthelittleplateauwherewasthecaveinwhichthesoldierhadbeenkilled，andcampedthere。Atleastatsundowntheyunrolledtheirmatsandate，thoughtheylightednofire。

Thedarknessfellandinitescapeformefromthatguardedplacewasimpossible，sinceIcouldnotseewheretosetmyfeetandonefalsesteponthesteeprockwouldhavemeantmydeath。FromthedirectionofRorke’sDriftIcouldhearcontinuousfiring；

evidentlysomegreatfightwasgoingonthere，Iwonderedvaguely——withwhatresult。AlittlelateralsoIheardthedistanttrampofhorsesandtherollofgunwheels。ThecaptainsbelowheardittooandsaidonetoanotherthatitwastheEnglishsoldiersreturning，whohadmarchedoutofthecampatdawn。Theydebatedonewithanotherwhetheritwouldbepossibletocollectaforcetofalluponthem，butabandonedtheideabecausetheregimentswhohadfoughtthatdaywerenowatadistanceandtootired，andtheothershadrushedforwardwithorderstoattackthewhitemenonandbeyondtheriver。

Sotheylaystillandlistened，andItoolaystillandlistened，foronthatcloudy，moonlessnightIcouldseenothing。Iheardsmotheredwordsofcommand。Iheardtheforcehaltbecauseitcouldnottravelfurtherinthegloom。Thentheylaydown，thelivingamongthedead，wonderingdoubtlessiftheythemselveswouldnotsoonbedead，asofcoursemusthavehappenedhadtheZulugeneralshipbeenbetter，forifevenfivethousandmenhadbeenavailabletoattackatdawnnotoneofthemcouldhaveescaped。ButProvidenceordaineditotherwise。Someweretakenandtheothersleft。

Aboutanhourbeforedaylightlheardthemstirringagain，andwhenitsfirstgleamscameallofthemhadvanishedoverthenekofslaughter，withwhatthoughtsintheirhearts，Iwondered，andtowhatfate。Thecaptainsontheplateaubeneathhadgonealso，andsohadthecircleofguardsupontheslopesofthemount，forIsawthesedepartthroughthegreymist。Asthelightgathered，however，Iobservedbodiesofmencollectingonthenek，orratheronbothneks，whichmadeitimpossibleformetodowhatI

hadhoped，andruntoovertaketheEnglishtroops。FromtheseI

wasutterlycutoff。NorcouldIremainlongerwithoutfoodonmypointofrock，especiallyasIwassurethatsoonsomeZuluswouldclimbtheretouseitasanoutlookpost。SowhileIwasstillmoreorlesshiddenbythemistandmorningshadows，I

climbeddownitbythesameroadthatIhadclimbedup，andthusreachedtheplain。Notalivingman，whiteorblack，wastobeseen，onlythedead，onlythedead。lwasthelastEnglishmantostandupontheplainofIsandhlwanaforweeksorrathermonthstocome。

Ofallmyexperiencesthiswas，Ithink，thestrangest，afterthatnightofhell，tofindmyselfaloneuponthisfieldofdeath，staringeverywhereatthedistortedfaceswhichonthepreviousmornIhadseensofulloflife。Yetmyphysicalneedsassertedthemselves。Iwasveryhungry，whofortwenty-fourhourshadeatennothing，faintwithhungerindeed。IpassedaprovisionwagonthathadbeenlootedbytheZulus。Tinsofbullybeeflayabout，also，amongawreckofbrokenglass，somebottlesofBass’sbeerwhichhadescapedtheirnotice。Ifoundanassegai，cleaneditinthegroundwhichitneeded，andopeningoneofthetins，laydowninatuftofgrassbyadeadman，orratherbetweenhimandsomeZuluswhomhehadkilled，anddevoureditscontents。AlsoIknockedthetopsoffacoupleofthebeerbottlesanddrankmyfill。WhileIwasdoingthisalargeroughdogwithasilver-mountedcollaronitsneck，IthinkofthesortthatiscalledanAiredaleterrier，cameuptomewhining。AtfirstIthoughtitwasanhyena，butdiscoveringmymistake，threwitsomebitsofmeatwhichitategreedily。

Doubtlessithadbelongedtosomedeadofficer，thoughtherewasnonameonthecollar。Thepoorbeast，whichInamedLost，atonceattacheditselftome，andhereImaysaythatIkeptittillitsdeath，whichoccurredofjaundiceatDurbannotlongbeforeIstartedonmyjourneytoKingSolomon’sMines。Nomaneverhadamorefaithfulfriendandcompanion。

WhenIhadeatenanddrunkIlookedaboutme，wonderingwhatI

shoulddo。FiftyyardsawayIsawastoutBasutoponystillsaddledandbridled，althoughthesaddlewastwistedoutofitsproperposition，whichwascroppingthegrassaswellasitcouldwiththebitinitsmouth。AdvancinggentlyIcaughtitwithouttrouble，andleditbacktotheplunderedwagon。EvidentlyfromthemarksuponthesaddleryithadbelongedtoCaptainShepstone’sforceofmountednatives。

HereIfilledthelargesaddlebagsmadeofbuckskinwithtinsofbeef，acouplemorebottlesofbeerandapacketoftandstickormatcheswhichIwasfortunateenoughtofind。AlsoItooktheMartiniriflefromadeadsoldier，togetherwithascoreorsoofcartridgesthatremainedinhisbelt，forapparentlyhemusthavebeenkilledratherearlyinthefight。

ThusequippedImountedtheponyandoncemorebethoughtmeofescapingtoNatal。Alooktowardsthenekcuredmeofthatidea，forcomingoveritIsawtheplumedheadsofawholehordeofwarriors。DoubtlessthesewerereturningfromtheunsuccessfulattackonRorke’sDrift，thoughofthatIknewnothingatthetime。SowhistlingtothedogIboretotheleftfortheNqutuHills，ridingasfastastheroughgroundwouldallow，andinhalfanhourwasoutofsightofthataccursedplain。

OnemorethingtooIdid。OnitsconfinesIcameacrossagroupofdeadZuluswhoappearedtohavebeenkilledbyashell。

DismountingItooktheheaddressofoneofthemandputiton，forIforgottosaythatIhadlostmyhat。Itwasmadeofabandofotterskinfromwhichroselargetuftsoftheblackfeathersofthefinchwhichthenativescall“sakabula。”AlsoI

tiedhiskiltofwhiteoxtailsaboutmymiddle，precautionstowhichIhavelittledoubtIowemylife，sincefromadistancetheymademelooklikeaKaffirmountedonacapturedpony。

ThenIstartedonagain，whitherIknewnot。

CHAPTERXIX

ALLANAWAKES

NowIhavenointentionofsettingdownallthedetailsofthatdreadfuljourneythroughZululand，evenifIcouldrecallthem，which，forareasontobestated，Icannotdo。IrememberthatatfirstIthoughtofproceedingtoUlundiwithsomewildideaofthrowingmyselfonthemercyofCetewayounderpretencethatI

broughthimamessagefromNatal。Withinacoupleofhours，however，fromthetopofahillIsawaheadofmeanimpiandwithitcapturedwagons，whichwasevidentlyheadingfortheking’skraal。SoasIknewwhatkindofagreetingthesewarriorswouldgiveme，Iboreawayinanotherdirectionwiththehopeofreachingtheborderbyacircuitousroute。InthistooI

hadnoluck，sincepresentlyIcaughtsightofoutpostsstationeduponrocks，whichdoubtlessbelongedtoanotherimpiorregiment。

Indeedonesoldier，thinkingfrommydressthatIalsowasaZulu，calledtomefornewsfromabouthalfamileaway，inthatpeculiarcarryingvoicewhichKaffirscancommand。Ishoutedbacksomethingaboutvictoryandthatthewhitemenwerewipedout，thenputanendtotheconversationbyvanishingintoapatchofdensebush。

ItisafactthatafterthisIhaveonlythedimmestrecollectionofwhathappened。Irememberoff-saddlingatnightonseveraloccasions。Irememberbeingveryhungrybecauseallthefoodwaseatenandthedog，Lost，catchingabushbuckfawn，someofwhichIpartiallycookedonafireofdeadwood，anddevoured。NextI

remember——Isupposethiswasadayortwolater——ridingatnightinathunderstormandaparticularlybrilliantflashoflightningwhichrevealedscenerythatseemedtobefamiliartome，afterwhichcameashockandtotalunconsciousness。

Atlengthmymindreturnedtome。Itwasrebornveryslowlyandwithhorribleconvulsions，outofthewombofdeathandterror。

Isawbloodflowingroundmeinrivers，Iheardthecriesoftriumphandofagony。Isawmyselfstanding，thesolesurvivor，onagreyfieldofdeath，andtheutterlonelinessofitateintomysoul，sothatwithallitsstrengthitprayedthatitmightbenumberedinthisharvest。Butoh！itwassostrong，thatsoulwhichcouldnot，wouldnotdieorflyaway。Sostrong，thatthen，forthefirsttime，Iunderstooditsimmortalityandthatitcould_never_die。Thiseverlastingthingstillclungforawhiletothebodyofitshumiliation，themassofclayandnervesandappetiteswhichitwasdoomedtoanimate，andyetknewitsownseparatenessandeternalindividuality。Strivingtobefreeofearth，stillitseemedtowalktheearth，aspiritandashadow，awareofthehatefulnessofthattowhichitwaschained，aswemightimaginesomelovelybutterflytobethatisfatedbynaturetosuckitsstrengthfromcarrion，andremainsunabletosoarawayintothecleanairofheaven。

SomethingtouchedmyhandandIreflecteddreamilythatifIhadbeenstillalive，forinawayIbelievedthatIwasdead，I

shouldhavethoughtitwasadog’stongue。WithagreateffortI

liftedmyarm，openedmyeyesandlookedatthehandagainstthelight，fortherewaslight，toseeitwassothinthatthislightshonethroughbetweenthebones。ThenIletitfallagain，andlo！itrestedontheheadofadogwhichwentonlickingit。

Adog！Whatdog？NowIremembered；onethatIhadfoundonthefieldofIsandhlwana。ThenImustbestillalive。Thethoughtmademecry，forIcouldfeelthetearsrundownmycheeks，notwithjoybutwithsorrow。Ididnotwishtogoonliving。Lifewastoofullofstruggleandofbloodshedandbereavementandfearandallhorriblethings。Iwaspreparedtoexchangemypartinitjustforrest，fortheblessingofdeep，unendingsleepinwhichnomoredreamscouldcome，nomorecupsofjoycouldbeheldtothirstinglips，onlytobesnatchedaway。

Iheardsomethingshufflingtowardsmeatwhichthedoggrowled，thenseemedtoslinkawayasthoughitwereafraid。Iopenedmyeyesagain，looked，andclosedthemoncemoreinterror，forwhatIsawsuggestedthatperhapsIwasdeadafterallandhadreachedthathellwhichacertainclassofearnestChristianpromisestousastherewardofthefailingsthatNatureandthosewhobegatushavehandedontousasabirthdoom。Itwassomethingunnatural，grey-headed，terrific——doubtlessadevilcometotormentmeintheinquisitionvaultsofHades。YetIhadknownthelikewhenIwasalive。Howhaditbeencalled？I

remembered，“The-thing-that-never-should-have-been-born。”Hark！

Itwasspeakinginthatfulldeepvoicewhichwasunliketoanyother。

“Greeting，Macumazahn。”itsaid。“Iseethatyouhavecomebackfromamongthedeadwithwhomyouhavebeendwellingforamoonandmore。Itisnotwiseofyou，Macumazahn，yetIamgladwhohavematchedmyskillagainstDeathandwon，fornowyouwillhavemuchtotellmeabouthiskingdom。”

SoitwasZikali——Zikaliwhohadbutcheredmyfriends。

“Awayfromme，murderer！“Isaidfaintly，“andletmedie，orkillmeasyoudidtheothers。”

Helaughed，butverysoftly，notinhisusualterrificfashion，repeatingtheword“murderer“twoorthreetimes。Thenwithhisgreathandheliftedmyheadgentlyasawomanmight，saying——

“Lookbeforeyou，Macumazahn。”

IlookedandsawthatIwasinsomekindofacave。OutsidethesunwassettingandagainstitsbrightnessIperceivedtwofigures，awhitemanandawhitewomanwhowerewalkinghandinhandandgazingintoeachother’seyes。TheywereAnscombeandHedapassingthemouthofthecave。

“Beholdthemurdered，OMacumazahn，dealerofhardwords。”

“Itisonlyatrick。”Imurmured。“Kaatjesawthemdeadandburied。”

“Yes，yes，Iforgot。Thefatfool-womansawthemdeadandburied。Well，sometimesthedeadcometolifeagainandforgoodpurpose，asyoushouldknow，Macumazahn，whofollowedthecounselofacertainMameenaandwanderedhereinsteadofrushingontotheZuluspears。”

Itriedtothinkthethingoutandcouldnot，soonlyasked——

“HowdidIcome？Whathappenedtome？“

“Ithinkthesunsmoteyoufirstwhohadnocoveringonyourheadandthelightningsmoteyouafterwards。Yetallthewhilethatreasonhadleftyou，OneledyourhorseandaftertheHeavenshadtriedtokillyouandfailed，perhapsbecausemymagicwastoostrongforthem，Onesentthatbeastwhichyoufound，yes，sentitheretoleadustowhereyoulay。Thereyouwerediscoveredandbroughthither。NowsleeplestyoushouldgofurtherthanevenIcanfetchyoubackagain。”

Heheldhishandsabovemyhead，seemingtogrowinstaturetillhiswhitehairtouchedtheroofofthecave，andinaninstantI

fanciedthatIwasfallingaway，deep，deepintoagulfofnothingness。

Therefollowedanotherperiodofdreaming，inwhichdreamsI

seemedtomeetallsortsofpeople，deadandliving，especiallyLadyRagnall，afriendofminewithwhomIhadbeenconcernedinaverystrangeadventureamongtheKendahpeople*andwithwhomindaystocomeIwasdestinedtobeconcernedagain，althoughofcourseIknewnothingofthis，inastillstrangeradventureofwhatImaycallaspiritualorder，whichImayormaynottrytoreducetowriting。ItseemedtomethatIwasconstantlydiningwithhertete-a-teteandthatshetoldmeallsortsofqueerthingsbetweenthecourses。DoubtlesstheseillusionsoccurredwhenIwasfed。

[*——Seethebookcalled_TheIvoryChild。_——EDITOR。]

AtlengthIwokeupagain，feelingmuchstronger，andsawthedog，Lost，watchingmewithitsgreattendereyes——oh！theytalkoftheeyesofwomen，butaretheyeverasbeautifulasthoseofalovingdog？Itlaybymylowbed-stead，aroughaffairfashionedofpolesandstrungwithrimpisorstringsofrawhide，andbyit，strokingitshead，satthewitch-doctoress，Nombe。I

rememberhowpleasingshelooked，aperfecttypeoftheeternalfemininewithhergraceful，roundedshapeandhercontinual，mysterioussmilewhichsuggestedsomuchmorethananymortalwomanhastogive。

“Good-daytoyou，Macumazahn。”shesaidinhergentlevoice，“youhavegonethroughmuchsincelastwemetonthenightbeforeGozatookyouawaytoUlundi。”

Nowrememberingall，Iwasfilledwithindignationagainstthislittlehumbug。

“Thelasttimewemet，Nombe。”Isaid，“waswhenyouplayedthepartofawomanwhoisdeadintheValeofBonesbytheking’skraal。”

Sheregardedmewithakindlycommiseration，andanswered，shakingherhead——

“Youhavebeenveryill，Macumazahn，andyourspiritstilltricksyou。Iplayedthepartofnowomaninanyvalleybytheking’skraal，norweremyeyesrejoicedwiththesightofyouthereorelsewheretilltheybroughtyoutothisplace，sochangedthatI

shouldscarcelyhaveknownyou。”

“Youlittleliar！“Isaidrudely。

“Dothewhitepeoplealwaysnamethoseliarswhotellthemtruethingstheycannotunderstand？“sheinquiredwithasweetinnocence。Thenwithoutwaitingforananswer，shepattedmyhandasthoughIwereafretfulchildandgavemesomesoupinagourd，saying，“Drinkit，itisgood。TheladyHeddanamadeitherselfinthewhiteman’sfashion。”

Idrankthesoup，whichwasverygood，andasIhandedbackthegourd，answered——

“KaatjehastoldmethattheladyHeddanaisdead。Canthedeadmakesoup？“

Sheconsideredthepointwhileshethrewsomebitsofmeatoutofthebottomofthegourdtothedog，Lost，thenreplied——

“Idonotknow，Macumazahn，orindeedwhetherthedeadeataswedo。NexttimemySpiritvisitsmeIwillmakeinquiryandtellyoutheanswer。ButIdoknowthatitisverystrangethatyou，whoalwaysturnyourbackuponthetruth，aresoreadytoacceptfalsehoods。WhyshouldyoubelievethattheladyHeddanaisdeadjustbecauseKaatjetoldyouso，whenIwhoamstillalivehadsworntoyouthatIwouldprotectherwithmylife？Nay，speaknomorenow。To-morrowifyouarewellenoughyoushallseeandjudgeforyourself。”

Shedrewupthekarossoverme，againpattedmyhandinhermotherlyfashionanddeparted，stillsmiling，afterwhichIwenttosleepagain，sodreamlesslythatIthinktherewassomenativesoporificinthatsoup。

OnthefollowingdaytwoofZikali’sservantswhodidtherougherworkofmysickroom，ifImaysocallit，arrivedandsaidthattheyweregoingtocarrymeoutofthecaveforawhile，ifthatweremywill。Iwholongedtobreathethefreshairagain，saidthatitwasverymuchmywill，whereontheygraspedtheroughbedsteadwhichIhavedescribedbyeitherendandverycarefullyboremedownthecaveandthroughitsnarrowentrance，wheretheysetthebedsteadintheshadowoftheoverhangingrockwithout。

WhenIhadrecoveredalittle，foreventhatshortjourneytiredme，IlookedaboutmeandperceivedthatasIhadexpected，IwasintheBlackKloof，forthereinfrontofmeweretheveryhutswhichwehadoccupiedonourarrivalfromSwazi-Land。

Ilayawhiledrawinginthesweetairwhichtomewaslikeadraughtofnectar，andwonderingwhetherIwerenotstillinadream。Forinstance，IwonderedifIhadtrulyseenthefiguresofAnscombeandHedapassthemouthofthecave，onthatdaywhenIawoke，orifthesewerebutanotherofZikali’sillusionsimprintedonmyweakenedmindbyhiswillpower。ForofwhatheandNombetoldmeIbelievednothing。ThusmarvellingIfellintoadozeandinmydozeheardwhisperings。Iopenedmyeyesandlo！therebeforemestoodAnscombeandHeda。Itwasshewhospokethefirst，forIwastongue-tied；Icouldnotopenmylips。

“DearMr。Quatermain，dearMr。Quatermain！“shemurmuredinhersweetvoice，thenpaused。

Nowatlastwordscametome。“Ithoughtyouwerebothdead。”I

said。“Tellme，areyoureallyalive？“

Shebentdownandkissedmybrow，whileAnscombetookmyhand。

“Nowyouknow。”sheanswered。“Wearebothofusaliveandwell。”

“ThankGod！“Iexclaimed。“Kaatjesworethatshesawyoudeadandburied。”

“OneseesstrangethingsintheBlackKloof。”repliedAnscombespeakingforthefirsttime，“andmuchhashappenedtoussincewewereparted，towhichyouarenotstrongenoughtolistennow。

Whenyouarebetter，thenwewilltellyouall。Sogrowwellassoonasyoucan。”

AfterthisIthinkIfainted，forwhenIcametomyselfagainI

wasbackinthecave。

AnothertendaysorsowentbybeforeIcouldevenleavemybed，formyrecoverywasveryslow。IndeedforweeksIcouldscarcelywalkatall，andsixwholemonthspassedbeforeIreallygotmystrengthagainandbecameasIusedtobe。DuringthosedaysI

oftensawAnscombeandHeda，butonlyforafewminutesatatime。AlsooccasionallyZikaliwouldvisitme，speakingalittle，generallyaboutpasthistory，orsomethingofthesort，butneverofthewar，andgoaway。Atlengthonedayhesaidtome——

“Macumazahn，nowIamsureyouaregoingtolive，amatterastowhichIwasdoubtful，evenafteryouseemedtorecover。For，Macumazahn，youhaveenduredthreeshocks，ofwhichto-dayIamnotafraidtotalktoyou。FirsttherewasthatofthebattleofIsandhlwanawhereyouwerethelastwhitemanleftalive。”

“Howdoyouknowthat，Zikali？“Iasked。

“Itdoesnotmatter。Idoknow。DidyounotridethroughtheZuluswhopartedthiswayandthatbeforeyou，shoutingwhatyoucouldnotunderstand？Oneofthemyoumayrememberevensalutedwithhisspear。”

“Idid，Zikali。Tellme，whydidtheybehavethus，andwhatdidtheyshout？“

“Ishallnottellyou，Macumazahn。Thinkoveritfortherestofyourlifeandconcludewhatyouchoose；itwillnotbesowonderfulasthetruth。Atleasttheydidso，asacertaindollIdressedupyonderintheValeofBonestoldyoutheywould，shewhoseadviceyoufollowedinridingtowardsUlundiinsteadofbacktotheriverwhereyouwouldhavemetyourdeath，likesomanyothersofthewhitepeople。”

“Whowasthatdoll，Zikali？“

“Nay，askmenot。PerhapsitwasNombe，perhapsanother。Ihaveforgotten。Iamveryoldandmymemorybeginstoplaymestrangetricks。StillIrecollectthatshewasagooddoll，solikeadeadwomancalledMameenathatIcouldscarcelyhaveknownthemapart。Ah！thatwasagreatgameIplayedintheValeofBones，wasitnot，Macumazahn？“

“Yes，Zikali，yetIdonotunderstandwhyitwasplayed。”

“Beingsoyoungyoustillhavetheimpatienceofyouth，Macumazahn，althoughyourhairgrowswhite。Waitawhileandyouwillunderstandall。Well，youlaythatnightonthetopmostrockofIsandhlwana，andthereyousawandheardstrangethings。

Youheardtherestofthewhitesoldierscomeandliedowntorestamongtheirdeadbrothers，anddepartagainunharmed。Oh！

whatfoolsaretheseZulugeneralsnowadays。Theysendoutanimpitoattackmenbehindwalls，spearsagainstrifles，andaredefeated。HadtheykeptthatimpitofallontherestoftheEnglishwhentheywalkedintothetrap，notamanofyourpeoplewouldhavebeenleftalive。WouldthathavehappenedinthetimeofChaka？“

“Ithinknot，Zikali。StillIamgladthatitdidhappen。”

“Ithinknottoo，Macumazahn，butsmallmen，smallwit。AlsolikeyouIamgladthatitdidnothappen，sinceitistheZulusIhate，nottheEnglishwhohavenowlearnedalessonandwillnotbecaughtagain。Oh！manyacaptaininZululandisto-dayflatasaprickedbladder，andeventheirvictory，astheycallit，costthemdear。For，mindyou，Macumazahn，foreverywhitemantheykilledtwoofthemdied。So，so！Inthemorningyouleftthehill——donotlookastonished，Macumazahn。Perhapsthosecaptainsontherockbeneathyouletyougofortheirownpurposes，orbecausetheywerecommanded，forthoughweakIcanstillliftastoneortwo，Macumazahn，andafterwardstoldmeallaboutit。Thenyoufoundyourselfaloneamongthedead，likethelastmanintheworld，Macumazahn，andthatdogatyourside，alsoahorsecametoyou。PerhapsIsentthem，perhapsitwasachance。Whoknows？NotImyself，forasIhavesaid，mymemoryhasgrownsobad。Thatwasyourfirstshock，Macumazahn，theshockofstandingaloneamongthedeadlikethelastmanintheworld。Youfeltit，didyounot？“

“AsIhopeIshallneverfeelanythingagain。Itnearlydrovememad。”Ianswered。

“Verynearlyindeed，thoughIhavefeltworsethingsandonlylaughed，asIwouldtellyou，hadIthetime。Well，thenthesunstruckyou，foratthisseasonoftheyearitisveryhotinthosevalleysforawhitemanwithnocoveringtohishead，andyouwentquitemad，thoughfortunatelythedogandthehorseremainedasHeavenhadmadethem。Thatwasthesecondshock。

Thenthestormburstandthelightningfell。Itrandowntheriflethatyoustillcarried，Macumazahn。Iwillshowittoyouandyouwillseethatitsstockisshattered。PerhapsIturnedtheflashaside，forIamagreatthunder-herd，orperhapsitwasOnemightierthanI。Thatwasthethirdshock，Macumazahn。Thenyonwerefound，stillliving——how，thewhiteman，yourfriend，willtellyou。Butyoushouldcherishthatdogofyours，Macumazahn，formanyamanmighthaveservedyouworse。Andbeingstrong，thoughsmall，orperhapsbecauseyoustillhaveworklefttodointheworldbeforeyouleaveitforawhile，youhavelivedthroughallthesethingsandwillintimerecover，thoughnotyet。”

“Ihopeso，Zikali，thoughonthewholeIamnotsurethatIwishtorecover。”

“Yes，youdo，Macumazahn，becausethereligionofyouwhitemenmakesyoufeardeathandwhatmaycomeafterit。Youthinkofwhatyoucallyoursinsandareafraidlestyoushouldbetorturedbecauseofthem，notunderstandingthatthespiritmustbejudgednotbywhatthefleshhasdonebutbywhatthespiritdesiredtodo，by_will_notby_deed，_Macumazahn。Theevilmanishewhowishestodoevil，nothewhowishestodogoodandfallsnowandagainintoevil。Oh！IhavehearkenedtoyourwhiteteachersandIknow，Iknow。”

“Thenbyyourownstandardyouareevil，Zikali，sinceyouwishedtobringaboutwar，andnotinvain。”

“Oho！Macumazahn，youthinkthat，doyou，whocannotunderstandthatwhatseemstobeevilisoftengood。Iwishedtobringaboutwarandbroughtitabout，andmaybewhatbredthewishwasallthatIhavesufferedinthepast。Butsayyou，whohaveseenwhattheZuluPowermeans，whohaveseenmen，womenandchildrenkilledbythethousandtofeedthatPower，andwhohaveseen，too，whattheEnglishPowermeans，isitevilthatIshouldwishtodestroytheHouseoftheZulukingsthattheEnglishHousemaytakeitsplaceandthatinatimetocometheBlackpeoplemaybefree？“

“Youareclever，Zikali，butitisofyourownwrongsthatyouthink。HowaboutthatskullwhichyoukissedintheValeofBones？“

“Mayhap，Macumazahn，butmywrongsarethewrongsofanation，thereforeIthinkofthenation，andatleastIdonotfeardeathlikeyouwhitemen。Nowhearken。Presentlyyourfriendswilltellyouastory。TheladyHeddanawilltellyouhowImadeuseofherforacertainpurpose，forwhichpurposeindeedIdrewthethreeofyouintoZululand，becausewithoutherIcouldnothavebroughtaboutthiswarintowhichCetewayodidnotwishtoenter。

Whenyouhaveheardthatstory，donotjudgemetoohardly，Macumazahn，whohadagreatendtogain。”

“Yetwhateverthestorymaybe，Idojudgeyouhardly，Zikali，whotormentedmewithafalsetale，causingthewomanKaatjetolietomeandswearthatshesawthesetwodeadbeforeher——howI

knownot。”

“Shedidnotlietoyou，Macumazahn。HasnotsuchaoneasIthepowertomakeafatfoolthinkthatshesawwhatshedidnotsee？

Astohow！HowdidImakeyouthinkinyonderhutofminethatyousawwhatyoudidnotsee——perhaps。”

“Butwhydidyoumockmeinthisfashion，Zikali？“

“Truly，Macumazahn，youareblindasabatinsunlight。Whenyourfriendshavetoldyouthestory，youwillunderstandwhy。

YetIadmittoyouthatthingswentwrong。Youshouldhaveheardthattale_before_CetewayobroughtyoutotheValeofBones。

Butthefool-womandelayedandblundered，andwhenshereachedUlundithegateswereshutagainstherasaspy，andnotopenedtilltoolate，sothatyouonlyfoundherwhenyoureturnedfromtheCouncil。Iknewthis，andthatwaswhyIdaredtobidyoufireatthatwhichstoodupontherock。HadyouheardKaatje’staleyoumighthaveaimedstraight，asalsoyouwouldhavecertainlyshotstraightatme，outofrevengeforthedeathsofthoseyouloved，Macumazahn，thoughwhetheryoucouldhavekilledmebeforeallthegameisplayedisanothermatter。Asitwas，I

wassurethatyouwouldnotpiercetheheartofonewho_might_

beacertainwhitewoman，surealsothatyouwouldnotpiercemyheartwhosedeath_might_bringaboutherdeathandthatofanother。”

“Youareverysubtle，Zikali。”Isaidinastonishment。

“SoyouholdbecauseIamverysimple，whounderstandthespiritofman——andsomeotherthings。Fortherest，hadyounotbelievedthatthesetwoweredead，youwouldneverhaveleftZululand。Youwouldhavetriedtoescapetogettothemandhavebeenkilled。Isitnotso？“

“Yes，IthinkIshouldhavetried，Zikali。Butwhydidyoukeepthemprisoner？“

“ForthesamereasonthatIstillkeepthem——andyou——toholdthembackawhilefromtheworldofghosts。HadIsentthemawayafterthatnightofthedeclarationofwar，theywouldhavebeenkilledbeforetheyhadgoneanhour’sjourney。Oh！Iamnotsobadasyouthink，Macumazahn，andIneverbreakmyword。NowI

havedone。”

“Howgoesthewar？“Iaskedasheshuffledtohisfeet。

“Asitmustgo，veryillfortheZulus。TheyhavedrivenbackthewhitemenwhogatherstrengthfromovertheBlackWaterandwillcomeonpresentlyandwipethemout。UmnyamanawouldhavehadCetewayoinvadeNatalandsweepitclean，asofcourseheshouldhavedone。ButIsenthimwordthatifhedidsoNomkubulwana，yes，sheandnoother，hadtoldmethatallthespiritswouldbeagainsthim，andhehearkened。Whennextyouthinkmewicked，rememberthat，Macumazahn。Nowitisbutamatteroftime，andhereyoumustbidetillallisfinished。

Thatwillbegoodforyouwhoneedrest，thoughtheothertwofinditwearisome。Stillforthemitisgoodalsotowatchthefruitripenontheirtreeoflove。Itwillbethesweeterwhentheyeatit，Macumazahn，andteachthemhowtolivetogether。

Oho！Oho-ho！“andheshambledoff。

CHAPTERXX

HEDA’STALE

ThateveningwhenIwaslyingonmybedoutsidethecave，IheardthetaleofAnscombeandHeda。Uptoacertainpointhetoldit，thenshewentonwiththestory。

“Onthemorningafterourarrivalatthisplace，Allan。”saidAnscombe，“Iwokeuptofindyougonefromthehut。AsyoudidnotcomebackIconcludedthatyouwerewithZikali，andwalkedaboutlookingforyou。ThenfoodwasbroughttousandHedaandIbreakfastedtogether，afterwhichwewenttowhereweheardthehorsesneighingandfoundthatyourswasgone。Returning，muchfrightened，wemetNombe，whogavemeyournotewhichexplainedeverything，andweinquiredofherwhythishadbeendoneandwhatwastobecomeofus。ShesmiledandansweredthatwehadbetteraskthefirstquestionofthekingandthesecondofhermasterZikali，andinthemeanwhilebeatpeacesincewewerequitesafe。

“ItriedtoseeZikalibutcouldnot。ThenIwenttoinspanthehorseswiththeideaoffollowingyou，onlytofindthattheyweregone。IndeedIhavenotseenthemfromthatdaytothis。

Nextwethoughtofstartingonfoot，forwewerequitedesperate。

ButNombeintervenedandtoldusthatifweventuredoutoftheBlackKloofweshouldbekilled。Inshortwewereprisoners。

“Thiswentonforsomedays，duringwhichwewerewelltreatedbutcouldnotsucceedinseeingZikali。Atlengthonemorninghesentforusandweweretakentotheenclosureinfrontofhishut，Kaatjecomingwithusasinterpreter。Forawhilehesatstill，lookingverygrimandterrible。Thenhesaid——

“’WhiteChiefandLady，youthinkillofmebecauseMacumazahnhasgoneandyouarekeptprisonershere，andbeforeallisdoneyouwillthinkworse。YetIcounselyoutotrustmesinceeverythingthathappensisforyourgood。’

“AtthispointHeda，who，asyouknow，talkedZulufairlywell，thoughnotsowellasshedoesnow，brokein，andsaidsomeveryangrythingstohim。”

“Yes。”interruptedHeda。“ItoldhimthathewasaliarandI

believedthathehadmurderedyouandmeanttomurderus。”

“Helistenedstonily。”continuedAnscombe，“andanswered，’I

perceive，LadyHeddana，thatyouunderstandenoughofourtonguetoenablemetotalktoyou；thereforeIwillsendawaythishalf-breedwoman，sincewhatIhavetosayissecret。’

“ThenhecalledservantsbyclappinghishandsandorderedthemtoremoveKaatje，whichwasdone。

“’Now，LadyHeddana，’hesaid，speakingveryslowlysothatHedamightinterprettomeandrepeatinghiswordswhenevershedidnotunderstand，’Ihaveaproposaltomaketoyou。FormyownendsitisnecessarythatyoushouldplayapartandappearbeforethekingandtheCouncilasthegoddessofthislandwhoiscalledtheChieftainessofHeaven，whichgoddessisalwaysseenasawhitewoman。ThereforeyoumusttravelwithmetoUlundiandtheredothosethingswhichIshalltellyou。’

“’AndifIrefusetoplaythistrick，’saidHeda，’whatthen？’

“’Then，LadyHeddana，thiswhitelordwhomyouloveandwhoistobeyourhusbandwill——die——andafterheisdeadyoumuststilldowhatIdesireofyou，or——diealso。’

“’WouldhecomewithmetoUlundi？’askedHeda。

“’Notso，Lady。Hewouldstayhereunderguard，butquitesafe，andyouwillbebroughtbacktohim，safe。Choosenow，withdeathontheonehandandsafetyontheother。Iwouldsleepalittle。Talkthematteroverinyourowntongueandwhenitissettledawakenmeagain，’andheshuthiseyesandappearedtogotosleep。

“Sowediscussedthesituation，ifyoucancallitdiscussionwhenwewerebothnearlymad。Hedawishedtogo。Ibeggedhertoletmebekilledratherthantrustherselfintothehandsofthisoldvillain。ShepointedoutthatevenifIwerekilled，whichsheadmittedmightnothappen，shewouldstillbeinhishandswhenceshecouldonlyescapebyherowndeath，whereasifshewenttherewasachancethatwemightbothcontinuetolive，andthatafteralldeathwaseasytofind。SointheendIgavewayandwewokeupZikaliandtoldhimso。

“Heseemedpleasedandspoketousgently，saying，’Iwassurethatwisdomdweltbehindthosebrighteyesofyours，Lady，andagainIpromiseyouthatneitheryounorthelordyourlovershallcometoanyharm。AlsothatinpaymentIandmychild，Nombe，willprotectyouevenwithourlives，andfurther，thatI

willbringbackyourfriend，Macumazahn，toyou，thoughnotyet。

Nowgoandbehappytogether。NombewilltelltheladyHeddanawhensheistostart。OfallthissaynothingonyourperiltothewomanKaatje，sinceifyoudo，itwillbenecessarythatsheshouldbemadesilent。Indeed，lestsheshouldlearnsomething，to-morrowIshallsendherontoawaityouatUlundi，thereforebenotsurprisedifyouseehergo，andtakenoheedofaughtshemaysayingoing。Nombe，mychild，willfillherplaceasservanttotheladyHeddanaandsleepwithheratnightthatshemaynotbelonelyorafraid。’

“Thenheclappedhishandsagainandservantscameandconductedusbacktothehuts。Andnow，Allan，Hedawillgoonwiththestory。”

“Well，Mr。Quatermain。”shesaid，“nothingmorehappenedthatdaywhichwespentwithburstinghearts。Kaatjedidnotquestionusastowhatthewitch-doctorhadsaidaftershewassentaway。

IndeedInoticedthatshewasgrowingverystupidanddrowsy，likeapersonwhohasbeendrugged，asIdaresayshewas，andwouldinsistuponbeginningtopackupthethingsinafoolishkindofway，mutteringsomethingaboutourtrekkingonthefollowingday。Thenightpassedasusual，Kaatjesleepingveryheavilybymysideandsnoringsomuch“(hereIgroanedsympathetically)“thatIcouldgetlittlerest。Onthenextmorningafterbreakfastasthehutswereveryhot，Nombesuggestedthatweshouldsitundertheshadowoftheoverhangingrock，justwherewearenow。Accordinglywewent，andbeingtiredoutwithallourtroublesandbadnights，Ifellintoadoze，andso，Ithink，didMaurice，Nombesittingneartousandsingingallthewhile，averyqueerkindofsong。

“Presently，throughmydozeasitwere，IsawKaatjeapproaching。

Nombewenttomeether，stillsinging，andtakingherhand，ledhertothecart，wheretheyseemedtotalktothehorses，whichsurprisedmeastherewerenohorses。Thenshebroughtherroundthecartandpointedtous，stillsinging。NowKaatjebegantoweepandthrowherhandsabout，whileNombepattedherontheshoulder。Itriedtospeaktoherbutcouldnot。Mytonguewastied，whyIdon’tknow，butIsupposebecauseIwasreallyasleep，andMauricealsowasasleepanddidnotwakeatall。”

“Yes。”saidAnscombe，“Iremembernothingofallthisbusiness。”

“AfterawhileKaatjewentaway，stillweeping，andthenIfellasleepinearnestanddidnotwakeuntilthesunwasgoingdown，whenIrousedMauriceandwebothwentbacktothehut，whereI

foundthatNombehadcookedoureveningmeal。IlookedforKaatje，butcouldnotfindher。AlsoinsearchingthroughmythingsImissedthebagofjewels。IcalledtoNombeandaskedwhereKaatjewas，whereonshesmiledandsaidthatshehadgoneaway，takingthebagwithher。Thispainedme，forIhadalwaysfoundKaatjequitehonest——“

“Whichsheis。”Iremarked，“forthosejewelsarenowinabankatMaritzburg。”

Hedanoddedandwenton，“Iamgladtohearit；indeed，rememberingwhatZikalihadsaid，Ineverreallysuspectedherofbeingathief，butthoughtitwasallpartofsomeplan。Afterthisthingswentonasbefore，exceptthatNombetookKaatje’splaceandwaswithmedayandnight。OfKaatje’sdisappearanceshewouldsaynothing。Zikaliwedidnotsee。

“OnthethirdeveningafterthevanishingofKaatje，NombecameandsaidthatImustmakereadyforajourney，andwhileshespokemenarrivedwithalitterthathadgrassmatshungroundit。Nombebroughtoutmylongcapeandputitoverme，alsoakindofveilofwhitestuffwhichshethrewovermyhead，soastohidemyface。Ithinkitwasmadeoutofoneofourtravellingmosquitonets。ThenshesaidImustsaygood-byetoMauriceforawhile。Therewasasceneasyoumayimagine。Hegrewangryandsaidthathewouldcomewithme，whereonarmedmenappeared，sixofthem，andpushedhimawaywiththehandlesoftheirspears。InanotherminuteIwasliftedintothelitterwhichNombeenteredwithme，andsowewereparted，wonderingifweshouldeverseeeachothermore。AtthemouthofthekloofI

sawanotherlittersurroundedbyanumberofZulus，whichNombesaidcontainedZikali。

“Wetravelledallthatnightandtwosucceedingnights，restingduringthedayindesertedkraalsthatappearedtohavebeenmadereadyforus。Itwasastrangejourney，foralthoughthearmedmenflittedaboutus，neithertheynorthebearerseverspoke，nordidIseeZikali，orindeedanyoneelse。OnlyNombecomfortedmefromtimetotime，tellingmetherewasnothingtofear。TowardsdawnonthethirdnightwetravelledoversomehillsandIwasputintoanewhutandtoldthatmyjourneywasdoneaswehadreachedaplacenearUlundi。

“Isleptmostofthefollowingday，butafterIhadeatentowardsevening，Zikalicreptintothehut，justasagreattoadmightdo，andsquatteddowninfrontofme。

“’Lady，’hesaid，’listen。To-night，perhapsonehouraftersundown，perhapstwo，perhapsthree，Nombewillleadyou，dressedinacertainfashion，fromthishut。Seenow，outsideofitthereisatongueofrockupwhichyoumayclimbunnotedbythelittlepaththatrunsbetweenthosebigstones。Look，’andheshowedmetheplacethroughthedoor-hole。’Thepathendsonaflatboulderattheendoftherock。Thereyouwilltakeyourstand，holdinginyourrighthandalittleassegaiwhichwillbegiventoyou。Nombewillnotaccompanyyoutotherock，butshewillcrouchbetweenthestonesattheheadofthepathandperhapsfromtimetotimewhispertoyouwhattodo。Thuswhenshetellsyou，youmustthrowthelittlespearintotheair，sothatitfallsamonganumberofmengatheredindebatewhowillbeseatedabouttwentypacesfromtherock。Fortherestyouaretostandquitestill，sayingnothingandshowingnoalarmwhateveryoumayhearorsee。Amongthemenbeforeyoumaybeyourfriend，Macumazahn，butyoumustnotappeartorecognizehim，andifhespeakstoyou，youmustmakenoanswer。Evenifheshouldseemtoshootatyou，donotbeafraid。Doyouunderstand？Ifso，repeatwhatIhavetoldyou。’IobeyedhimandaskedwhatwouldhappenifIdidnotdothesethings，orsomeofthem。

“Heanswered，’Youwillbekilled，Nombewillbekilled，thelordMauritiyourloverwillbekilled，andyourfriendMacumazahnwillbekilled。PerhapsevenIshallbekilledandwewilltalkthematteroverinthelandofghosts。’

“OnhearingthisIsaidIwoulddomybesttocarryouthisorders，andaftermakingmerepeatthemoncemore，hewentaway。

Later，Nombedressedmeupasyousawme，Mr。Quatermain，putsomeglitteringpowderintomyhairandtouchedmebeneaththeeyeswithadarkkindofpigment。Alsoshegavemethelittlespearandmademepractisestandingquitestillwithitraisedinmyrighthand，tellingmethatwhenIheardhersaytheword’Throw，’Iwastocastitintotheair。Thenthemoonroseandweheardmentalkingatadistance。AtlastsomeonecametothehutandwhisperedtoNombe，wholedmeouttothelittlepathbetweentherocks。

“ThismusthavebeennearlytwohoursafterIheardthemenbegintotalk——“

“Excuseme。”Iinterrupted，“butwherewasNombeallthosetwohours？“

“Withme。Sheneverleftmyside，Mr。Quatermain，andwhileI

wasontherockshewascrouchedwithinthreepacesofmebetweentwobigstonesatthemouthofthepath。”

“Indeed。”Irepliedfaintly，“thisisveryinteresting。Pleasecontinue——butoneword，howwasNombedressed？Didshewearanecklaceofbluebeads？“

“Justasshealwaysis，orratherlessso，forshehadnothingonexcepthermoocha，andcertainlynobluebeads。Butwhydoyouask？“

“Fromcuriositymerely。Imean，Iwilltellyouafterwards，praygoon。”

“Well，Isteppedforwardontotherockandatfirstsawnothing，becauseatthatmomentthemoonwashidbyacloud；indeedNombehadwaitedforthecloudtopassoveritsface，beforeshethrustmeforward。Alsosomesmokefromafirebelowwasrisingstraightinfrontofme。Presentlythecloudpassed，thesmokethinned，andIsawthecircleofthosesavagemenseatedbeneath，andintheircentreagreatchiefwearingaleopard’sskincloakwhoIguessedwastheking。YouIdidnotsee，Mr。Quatermain，becauseyouwerebehindatree，yetIfeltthatyouwerethere，afriendamongallthosefoes。Istoodstill，asIhadbeentaughttodo，andheardthemurmurofastonishmentandcaughtthegleamofthemoonlightfromthewhitefeathersthatweresewnuponmyrobe。

“ThenIheardalsothevoiceofZikalispeakingfrombeneath。Hecalledonyoutocomeouttoshootatme，andthemanwhomItooktobetheking，orderedyoutoobey。Youappearedfrombehindthetree，andIwascertainfromthelookuponyourfacethatatthatdistanceyoudidnotknowwhoIwasinmystrangeandglitteringraiment。YouliftedthepistolandIwasterriblyafraid，forIhadseenyoushootwithitbeforeontheverandahoftheTempleandknewwellthatyoudonotmiss。VerynearlyI

screamedouttoyou，butrememberedandwassilent，thinkingthatafterallitdidnotmuchmatterifIdied，exceptforthesakeofMauricehere。AlsobynowIguessedthatIwasbeingusedtodeceivethosemenbeforemeintosometerribleact，andthatifI

died，atleasttheywouldbeundeceived。

“IthoughtthatanagepassedbetweenthetimeyoupointedthepistolandIsawtheflashforwhichIwaswaiting。”

“Youneednothavewaited，Heda。”Iinterposed，“forifIhadreallyaimedatyouyouwouldneverhaveseenthatflash，atleastsoitissaid。Itooguessedenoughtoshootaboveyou，althoughatthetimeIdidnotknowthatitwasyouontherock；

indeedIthoughtitwasNombepaintedup。”

“Yes，Iheardthebulletsingoverme。ThenIheardthevoiceofZikalichallengingyoutoshoothim，andtotellthetruth，hopedthatyouwoulddoso。Justbeforeyoufiredforthesecondtime，Nombewhisperedtome——’Throw’andIthrewthelittlered-handledspearintotheair。ThenasthepistolwentoffNombewhispered——’Come。’Islippedawaydownthepathandbackwithherintothehut，whereshekissedmeandsaidthatIhaddonewellindeed，afterwhichshetookoffmystrangerobeandhelpedmetoputonmyowndress。

“ThatisallIknow，exceptthatsomehourslaterIwasawakenedfromsleepandputintothelitterwhereIwenttosleepagain，forwhatIhadgonethroughtiredmeverymuch。Ineednottroubleyouwiththerest，forwejourneyedhereinthesamewaythatwehadjourneyedtoUlundi——bynight。IdidnotseeZikali，butinanswertomyquestions，NombetoldmethattheZulushaddeclaredwaragainsttheEnglish。WhatpartinthebusinessI

hadplayed，shewouldnottellme，andIdonotknowtothishour，butIamsurethatitwasagreatone。

“SowecamebacktotheBlackKloof，whereIfoundMauricequitewell，andnowhehadbettergoonwiththetale，forifIbegintotellyouofourmeetingIshallbecomefoolish。”

“Thereisn’tmuchmoretotell。”saidAnscombe，“exceptaboutyourself。WhileHedawasawayIwaskeptaprisonerandwatcheddayandnightbyZikali’speoplewhowouldnotletmestirayard，butotherwisetreatedmekindly。Thenonedayatsunrise，orshortlyafterit，Hedare-appearedandtoldmeallthisstory，fortheendofwhich，asyoumayimagine，IthankedGod。

“Afterthatwejustlivedonhere，happilyenoughsinceweweretogether，untilonedayNombetoldusthattherehadbeenagreatbattleinwhichtheZulushadwipedouttheEnglish，killinghundredsandhundredsofthem，althoughforeverysoldierthattheykilled，theyhadlosttwo。Ofcoursethismadeusverysad，especiallyaswewereafraidyoumightbewithourtroops。WeaskedNombeifyouwerepresentatthebattle。SheansweredthatshewouldinquireofherSpiritandwentthroughsomeverystrangeperformanceswithashesandknucklebones，afterwhichsheannouncedthatyouhadbeeninthebattlebutwerealiveandcomingthiswaywithadogthathadsilveronit。Welaughedather，sayingthatshecouldnotpossiblyknowanythingofthesort，alsothatdogsasaruledidnotcarrysilver。Whereonsheonlysmiledandsaid——’Wait。’

“IthinkitwasthreedayslaterthatonenighttowardsdawnI

wasawakenedbyhearingadogbarkingoutsidemyhut，asthoughitwishedtocallattentiontoitspresence。ItbarkedsopersistentlyandinawaysounlikeaKaffirdog，thatatlengthaboutdawnIwentoutofthehuttoseewhatwasthematter。

There，standingafewyardsawaysurroundedbysomeofZikali’speople，IsawLostandknewatoncethatitwasanEnglishAiredale，forIhavehadseveralofthebreed。Itlookedverytiredandfrightened，andwhileIwaswonderingwhenceonearthitcouldhavecome，Inoticedthatithadasilver-mountedcollarandrememberedNombeandhertalkaboutyouandadogthatcarriedsilveronit。Fromthatmoment，Allan，Iwascertainthatyouweresomewherenear，especiallyasthebeastranuptome——itwouldtakenonoticeoftheKaffirs——andkeptlookingtowardsthemouthofthekloof，asthoughitwishedmetofollowit。JustthenNombearrived，andonseeingthedoglookedatmeoddly。

“’Ihaveamessageforyoufrommymaster，Mauriti，’shesaidtomethroughHeda，whobynowhadarriveduponthescene，havingalsobeenarousedbyLost’sbarking。’Itisthatifyouwishtotakeawalkwithastrangedogyoucandoso，andbringbackanythingyoumayfind。’“

“TheendofitwasthatafterwehadfedLostwithmilkandmeat，IandsixofZikali’smenstarteddownthekloof，Lostgoingaheadofusandnowandagainrunningbackandwhining。Atthemouthofthekloofitledusoverahillanddownintoabush-veldvalleywherethethornsgrewverythick。Whenwehadgonealongthevalleyforabouttwomiles，oneoftheKaffirssawaBasutoponystillsaddled，andcaughtit。Thedogwentonpasttheponytoatreethathadbeenshatteredbylightning，andtherewithinafewyardsofthetreewefoundyoulyingsenseless，Allan，or，asIthoughtatfirst，dead，andbyyoursideaMartinirifleofwhichthestockalsoseemedtohavebeenbrokenbylightning。

“Well，weputyouonashieldandcarriedyouhere，meetingnoone，andthatisallthestory，Allan。”

Hestoppedandwestaredateachother。ThenIcalledLostandpatteditshead，andthedearbeastlickedmyhandasthoughitunderstoodthatitwasbeingthanked。

“Astrangetale。”Isaid，“butGodAlmightyhasputmuchwisdomintoHiscreaturesofwhichweknownothing。LetusthankHim。”

andinourheartswedid。

ThuswasIrescuedfromdeathbytheintelligenceandfidelityofafour-footedcreature。Doubtlessinmysemi-consciousstatethatresultedfromshock，wearinessandsun-stroke，Ihadallthewhileheadedsub-consciouslyandwithoutanydefiniteobjectfortheBlackKloof。WhenIwaswithinafewmilesofitIwasstunnedbythelightningwhichrandowntherifletotheground，thoughnotactuallystruck。Thenthedog，whichhadescaped，playeditspart，wanderingaboutthecountrytofindhelpforme，andsoIwassaved。

NowofthelongmonthsthatfollowedIhavelittletotell。Theywerenotunhappyintheirway，forweekbyweekIfeltmyselfgrowingstronger，thoughveryslowly。Therewasapath，steep，difficultandsecret，whichcouldbegainedthroughoneofthecavesintheprecipice，notthatinwhichIslept。Thispathranupawater-cutkloofthroughapatchofthornstoaflattablelandthatwaspartoftheCezastronghold。Byit，whenI

hadgainedsufficientstrength，sometimesweusedtoclimbtotheplateau，andtheretakeexercise，ItwasanagreeablechangefromthestiflingatmosphereoftheBlackKloof。Thedayswereverydull，forwewereasmuchoutoftheworldasthoughwehadbeenmaroonedonadesertisland。StillfromtimetotimeweheardoftheprogressofthewarthroughNombe，forZikaliIsawbutseldom。

ShetoldofdisasterstotheEnglish，ofthedeathofagreatyoungChiefwhowasdesertedbyhiscompanionsanddiedfightingbravely——afterwardsIdiscoveredthatthiswasthePrinceImperialofFrance——oftheadvanceofourarmies，ofdefeatsinflicteduponCetewayo’simpis，andfinallyofthedestructionoftheZulusonthebattlefieldofUlundi，wheretheyhurledthemselvesbythousandsupontheBritishsquare，tobesweptawaybycase-shotandthehailofbullets。Thisbattle，bytheway，theZuluscall，notUlundiorNodwengu，foritwasfoughtinfrontofPanda’soldkraalofthatname，butOcwecweni，whichmeans——“thefightofthesheet-ironfortress。”Isupposetheygiveitthisnamebecausethehedgeofbayonets，flashinginthesunlight，remindedthemofsheet-iron。Oritmaybebecausetheseprovedasimpenetrableaswouldhavedonewallsofiron。

Atanyratetheydashedtheirnakedbodiesagainstthestormofleadandfellinheaps，onlyaboutadozenofourmenbeingkilled，asthelittlegraveyardinthecentreofthesquareentrenchment，aboutwhichstilllietheemptycartridgecases，recordsto-day。

There，then，onthatplainperishedtheZulukingdomwhichwasbuiltupbyChaka。

NowitwasafterthiseventthatIsawZikaliandbeggedhimtoletusgo。Ifoundhimtriumphantandyetstrangelydisturbedand，asIthought，moreapprehensivethanIhadeverseenhim。

“So，Zikali。”Isaid，“ifwhatIhearistrue，youhavehadyourwayanddestroyedtheZulupeople。Nowyoushouldbehappy。”

“Ismaneverhappy，Macumazahn，whenhehasgainedthatwhichhesoughtforyears？Thetwoouttheresighandaresadbecausetheycannotbemarriedaftertheirownwhitefashion，thoughwhatthereistokeepthemapartIdonotknow。Well，intimetheywillbemarried，onlytofindthattheyarenotsohappyastheythoughttheywouldbe。Oh！adaywillcomewhentheywilltalktoeachotherandsay——’ThosemoonswhichwespentwaitingtogetherintheBlackKloofwerethetruemoonsofsweetness，forthenwehadsomethingtogain；nowwehavegainedall——andwhatisit？’

“Soitiswithme，Macumazahn。SincetheZulusunderChakakilledoutmypeople，theNdwandwe，yearbyyearIhaveplottedandwaitedtoseethemweddedtotheassegai。Nowithascomeabout。YouwhitemenhavestampedthemflatupontheplainofUlundi；theyarenomoreanation。AndyetIamnothappy，forafterallitwastheHouseofSenzangaconaandnotthepeopleoftheZulus，thatharmedmeandmine，andCetewayostilllives。

Whilethequeenbeeremainstheremaybeahiveagain。Whileanemberstillglowsinthedeadashes，theforestmayvetbefired。

PerhapswhenCetewayoisdead，thenIshallbehappy。OnlyhisdeathandminearesetbyFateasclosetogetherastwosistergrainsofcornuponthecob。”

Iturnedthesubject，againaskinghisleavetodeparttoNatalortojointheEnglisharmy。

“Youcannotgoyet。”heansweredsternly，“sotroublemenomore。

ThelandisfullofwanderingbandsofZuluswhowouldkillyouandyourbloodwouldbeonmyhead。Moreover，iftheysawawhitewomanwhohadshelteredwithme，mighttheynotguesssomething？TodressadollforthepartoftheInkosazana-y-Zuluisthegreatestcrimeintheworld，Macumazahn，andwhatwouldhappentotheOpenerofRoadsandallhisHouseifitwereevenbreathedthathehaddressedthatdollandthusbroughtaboutthewarwhichruinedthem？WhenCetewayoiskilledandthedeadareburiedandpeacefallsupontheland，thepeaceofdeath，thenyoushallgo，Macumazahn，andnotbefore。”

“Atleast，Zikali，sendamessagetothecaptainsoftheEnglisharmyandtellthemthatwearehere。”

“Sendamessagetothehyenasandtellthemwherethecarcaseis；

sendamessagetothehuntersandtellthemwherethebuckZikalicrouchesonitsform！Hearken，Macumazahn，ifyoudothis，orevenurgemeagaintodoit，neitheryounoryourfriendsshalleverleavetheBlackKloof。Ihavespoken。”

Thenunderstandingthatthecasewashopeless，Ilefthimandhegloweredafterme，forfearhadmadehimcruel。Hehadwonthelonggameandsuccesshadturnedtoashesinhismouth。Orrather，hehadnotwon——yet——sincehiswarwasagainsttheHouseofSenzangaconafromwhichheandhistribehadsufferedcruelwrong。TopullitdownhemustpulldowntheZulunation；itwaslikeburningacitytodestroyacompromisingletter。Hehadburntthecity，buttheletterstillremainedintactandmightbeproducedinevidenceagainsthim。InotherwordsCetewayoyetlived。Thereforehisvengeanceremainedquiteunslakedandhisdangerwasasgreat，orperhapsgreaterthanithadeverbeenbefore。ForwashenottheprophetwhobyproducingthePrincessofHeaven，thetraditionalgoddessoftheZulus，beforetheeyesofthekingandCouncil，hadcausedthemtodecideforwar？Andsupposingitweresomuchasbreathedthatthisspiritwhichtheyseemedtosee，hadbeenbutatrickandafraud，whatthen？Hewouldbetorturedtodeathifhisdupeshadtime，ortornlimbfromlimbiftheyhadnot，thatisifhecoulddielikeothermen——amatterastowhichpersonallyIhadnodoubts。

ShortlyafterIleftZikaliHedaandIateoureveningmealtogether。Anscombe，asitchanced，hadgonebythesecretpathtothetablelandofwhichIhavespoken，whereheamusedhimself，asofcoursewewerenotallowedtofireagun，bycatchingpartridges，withthehelpofaningenioussystemofgrassnetswhichhehadinvented。Therewerespringsonthistablelandthatformedlittlepoolsofwater，atwhichthepartridges，alsooccasionallyguineafowlandbushpheasants，cametodrinkatsunriseandsunset。Hereitwasthathesethisnetsandretiredtoworkthematthosehoursbymeansofstringsthathepulledfromhiding-places。SoHedaandIwerealone。

ItoldherofmyillsuccesswithZikali，atwhichshewasmuchdisappointed。ThenbyanafterthoughtIsuggestedthatperhapsshemighttrytodosomethinginthewayofgettingamessagethroughtotheEnglishcampatUlundi，orelsewhere，byhelpofthewitch-doctoress，Nombe，addingthatIwouldspeaktohermyselfhadInotobservethatIseemedtobeoutoffavourwithheroflate。Hedashookherheadandansweredthatshethoughtitwouldbeuselesstotry，alsotoodangerous。RememberingZikali’sthreat，onreflectionIagreedwithher。

“Tellme，Mr。Quatermain。”sheadded，“isitpossibleforonewomantobeinlovewithanother？“

IstaredatherandrepliedthatIdidnotunderstandwhatshemeant，sincewomen，sofarasIhadobservedthem，weregenerallyinloveeitherwithamanorwiththemselves，perhapsmoreoftenwiththelatterthantheformer。RatheracheapjokeIadmit，withjustenoughtruthinittomakeitacceptable——intheBlackKloof。

“SoIthought。”sheanswered，“butreallyNombebehavesinamostpeculiarway。Asyouknowshetookafancytomefromthebeginning，perhapsbecauseshehadneverhadanyotherwomanwithwhomtoassociate，having，sofarasIcanmakeout，beenbroughtuphereamongmenfromachild。Indeed，herstoryisthatshewasoneoftwinsandthereforeastheyounger，wasexposedtodieaccordingtotheZulusuperstition。Zikali，however，oraservantofhiswhoknewwhatwashappening，rescuedandrearedher，sopracticallyIamtheonlyfemalewithwhomshehaseverbeenintimate。Atanyrateheraffectionformehasgrownandgrownuntil，althoughitseemsungratefultosayso，ithasbecomesomethingofanuisance。Shehastoldmeagainandagainthatshewoulddietoprotectme，andthatifbychanceanythinghappenedtome，shewouldkillherselfandfollowmeintoanotherworld。Sheiscontinuallymakingdivinationsaboutmyfuture，andasthese，inwhichsheentirelybelieves，alwaysshowmeaslivingwithouther，sheismuchdistressedandattimesburstsintotears。”

“Hysteria！ItisverycommonamongtheZuluwomen，andespeciallythoseofthemwhopractisemagicarts。”Ianswered。

“Perhaps，butasitresultsinthemostintensejealousy，Nombe’shysteriaisawkward。Forinstance，sheishorriblyjealousofMaurice。”

“Theinstinctsofachaperonedevelopedearly。”Isuggestedagain。

“Thatwon’tquitedo，Mr。Quatermain。”answeredHedawithalaugh，“sincesheisevenmorejealousofyou。WithreferencetoMaurice，sheexplainsfranklythatifwemarryshemight，assheputsit，’continuetositoutsidethehut，’butthatinyourcaseyoulive’inmyhead，’whereshecannotcomebetweenyouandme。”

“Mad。”Iremarked，“quitemad。Stillmadnesshastobedealtwithinthisworldlikeotherthings，andNombe，beinganabnormalperson，maysufferfromabnormalideas。Itjustamountstothis；shehasconceivedapassionatedevotiontoyou，atwhichIamsureneitherMauricenorIcanwonder。”

“Arethosethekindofcomplimentsyouusedtopayinyouryouth，Mr。Quatermain？Iexpectso，andnowthatyouareoldyoucannotstopthem。Well，Ithankyouallthesame，becauseperhapsyoumeanwhatyousay。ButwhatistobedoneaboutNombe？Hush！

hereshecomes。Iwillleaveyoutoreasonwithher，ifyougetthechance。”andshedepartedinahurry。

Nombearrived，andsomethinginheraspecttoldmethatIwasgoingtogetthechance。Hereternalsmilewasalmostgoneandherdark，beautifuleyesflashedominously。StillshebeganbyaskinginamildvoicewhethertheladyHeddanahadeatenhersupperwithappetite。ItwillbeobservedthatshewasnotinterestedinmyappetiteorwhetherenoughwasleftforAnscombewhenhereturned。IrepliedthatsofarasInotedshehadconsumedabouthalfapartridge，withotherthings。

“Iamglad。”saidNombe，“sinceIwasnotheretoattenduponher，havingbeensummonedtospeakwiththeMaster。”

Thenshesatdownandlookedatmelikeathunderstorm。

“Inursedyouwhenyou，weresoill，Macumazahn。”shebegan，“butnowIlearnthatforthemilkwithwhichIfedyou，youwouldforcemetodrinkbitterwaterthatwillpoisonme。”

IrepliedIwaswellawarethatwithouthernursingIshouldlongagohavebeendead，whichwaswhatcausedmetoloveherlikemyowndaughter。Butwouldshekindlyexplain？Thisshedidatonce。

“YouhavebeenplottingtotakeawayfrommetheladyHeddanawhotomeisasmotherandsisterandchild。Itisuselesstolietome，fortheMasterhastoldmeall；moreover，Iknewitformyself，boththroughmySpiritandbecauseIhadwatchedyou。”

“Ihavenointentionoflyingtoyou，Nombe，aboutthisoranyothermatter，thoughIthinkthatsometimesinthepastyouhaveliedtome。Tellme，doyouexpecttheInkosiMauriti，theladyHeddanaandmyselftopasstherestofourlivesintheBlackKloof，whentheywishtogetmarriedandgoacrosstheBlackWatertowheretheirhomewillbe，andIwishtoattendtomyaffairs？“

“IdonotknowwhatIexpect，Macumazahn，butIdoknowthatneverwhileIlivewillIbepartedfromtheladyHeddana。AtlastIhavefoundsomeonetolove，andyouandtheotherwouldstealherawayfromme。”

Istudiedherforawhile，thenasked——

“Whydoyounotmarry，Nombe，andhaveahusband，andchildrentolove？“

“Marry？“shereplied。“IammarriedtomySpiritwhichdoesnotdwellbeneaththesun，andmychildrenarenotofearth；

moreover，allmenarehatefultome。”andhereyesadded，“especiallyyou。”

“Thatisacalfwithadog’shead。”Irepliedinthewordsofthenativeproverb，meaningthatshesaidwhatwasnotnatural。

“Well，Nombe，ifyouaresofondoftheladyHeddana，youhadbetterarrangewithherandtheInkosiMaurititogoawaywiththem。”

“YouknowwellIcannot，Macumazahn。IamtiedtomyMasterbyropesthatarestrongerthaniron，andifIattemptedtobreakthemmySpiritwouldwitherandIshouldwitherwithit。”

“Dearme！whatadreadfulbusiness。Thatiswhatcomesoftakingtomagic。Well，Nombe，IamafraidIhavenothingtosuggest，nor，totellyouthetruth，canIseewhatIhavetodowiththematter。”

Thenshesprangupinarage，saying——

“Iunderstandthatnotonlywillyougivemenohelp，butthatyoualsomockatme，Macumazahn。Moreover，asitiswithyou，soitiswithMauriti，whopretendstolovemyladysomuch，thoughIlovehermorewithmylittlefingerthanhedoeswithallhisbodyandwhathecallshissoul。Yes，hetoomocksatme。Nowifyouwerebothdead。”sheaddedwithsuddenvenom，“myladywouldnotwishtogoaway。Becarefullestaspellshouldfalluponyou，Macumazahn。”andwithoutmorewordssheturnedandwent。

AtfirstIwasinclinedtolaugh；thewholethingseemedsoabsurd。Onreflection，however，Iperceivedthatinrealityitwasveryserioustopeoplesituatedaswewere。Thiswomanwasasavage；more，amysticsavageofconsiderablepowersofmind——aformidablecombination。Alsotherewerenorestraintsuponher，sincepublicopinionhadaslittleauthorityintheBlackKloofastheQueen’sWrit。Lastly，itwasnotunknownforwomentoconceivetheseviolentaffectionswhich，ifthwarted，filledthemwithsomethinglikemadness。ThusIrememberedaveryterribleoccurrenceofmyyouthwhichresultedinthedeathofonewhowasmostdeartome。Iwillnotdwellonit，butthis，too，wastheworkofapassionatecreature，womanIcanscarcelycallher，whothoughtshewasbeingrobbedofonewhomsheadored。

TheendofitwasthatIdidnotenjoymypipethatnight，thoughluckilyAnscombereturnedafterasuccessfulevening’snetting，aboutwhichhewassofulloftalkthattherewasnoneedformetosaymuch。SoIputoffanydiscussionoftheproblemuntilthemorrow。

CHAPTERXXI

THEKINGVISITSZIKALI

Nextmorning，asaresultofmycogitations，IwenttoseeZikali。Iwasadmittedafteragooddealoftroubleanddelay，foralthoughhisretinuewaslimitedand，withtheexceptionofNombe，entirelymale，thisoldprophetkeptakindofsemi-stateandwasaboutasdifficulttoapproachasaEuropeanmonarch。I

foundhimcrouchingoverafireinhishut，sinceatthisseasonoftheyeareveninthathotplacetheairwaschillyuntilmidday。

“Whatisit，Macumazahn？“heasked。“Astoyourgoingaway，havepatience。IlearnthathewhowasKingoftheZulusisinfullflight，withthewhitementrackinghimlikeawoundedbuck。

Whenthebuckiscaughtandkilled，thenyoucango。”

“ItisaboutNombe。”Ianswered，andtoldhimallthestory，whichdidnotseemtosurprisehimatall。

“Nowsee，Macumazahn。”hesaid，takingsomesnuff，“howharditistodamupthestreamofnature。Thischild，Nombe，isofmyblood，onewhomIsavedfromdeathinastrangeway，notbecauseshewasofmybloodbutthatImightmakeanexperimentwithher。

Women，asyouwhoarewiseandhaveseenmuchwillknow，areintruthsuperiortomen，though，becausetheyareweakerinbody，menhavetheupperhandofthemandthinkthemselvestheirmasters，astatetheyareforcedtoacceptbecausetheymustliveandcannotdefendthemselves。Yettheirbrainsarekeener，asanassegaiiskeenerthanahoe；theyaremoreintouchwiththehiddenthingsthatshapeoutfateforpeopleandfornations；

theyaremorefaithfulandmorepatient，andbyinstinctifnotbyreason，morefar-seeing，oratleastthebestofthemareso，andbytheirbest，likemen，theyshouldbejudged。Yetthisistheholeintheirshield。Whentheylovetheybecometheslavesoflove，andforlove’ssakeallelseisbroughttonaught，andforthisreasontheycannotbetrusted。Withmen，asyouknow，thisisotherwise。They，too，love，byNature’slaw，butalwaysbehindthereissomethinggreaterthanlove，althoughoftentheydonotunderstandwhatthatmaybe。Tobepowerful，therefore，awomanmustbeonewhodoesnotlovetoomuch。Ifshecannotloveatall，thensheishatedandhasnopower，butshemustnotlovetoomuch。

OnceIthoughtthatIhadfoundsuchawoman；shewasnamedMameena，whomallmenworshippedandwhoplayedwithallmen，asIplayedwithher。Butwhatwastheendofit？Justasthingsweregoingverywellshelearnedtolovetoomuchsomemanofstrangenotions，whowouldhavethwartedmeandbroughteverythingtonothing，andthereforeIhadtokillher，forwhichIwassorry。”