第9章

Herehepausedtotakesomemoresnuff，watchingmeoverthespoonashedrewituphisgreatnostrils，butasIsaidnothing，wenton——

“NowafterMameenawasdeadIbethoughtmethatIwouldrearupawomanwhocouldstilllovebutshouldneverloveamanandthereforeneverbecomemadorfoolish，becauseIbelievedthatitwasonlymanwhointakingherheartfromwoman，wouldtakeherwitsalso。Thischild，Nombe，cametomyhand，andasIthought，soIdid。NevermindhowIdidit，bymedicineperhaps，bymagicperhaps，bywateringherprideandmakingitgrowtallperhaps，orbyallthree。Atleastitwasdone，andthisIknowofNombe，shewillnevercareforanymanexceptasawomanmaycareforabrother。

“Butnowseewhathappens。She，thewise，theinstructed，theman-despiser，meetsawomanofanotherracewhoissweetandgood，andlearnstoloveher，notasmaidsandmotherslove，butasonelovestheSpiritthatsheworships。Yes，yes，tohersheisagoddesstobeworshipped，onewhomshedesirestoservewithallherheartandstrength，tobowdownbefore，makingofferings，andattheendtofollowintodeath。SoitcomesaboutthatthisNombe，whosemindIthoughttomakeasthewingsofabirdfloatingontheairwhileitsearchesforitsprey，hasbecomeevenmadderthanotherwomen。Itisadisappointmenttome，Macumazahn。”

“Itmaybeadisappointmenttoyou，Zikali，andallthatyousayisveryinteresting。Buttousitisadanger。Tellme，willyoucommandNombetoceasefromherfolly？“

“WillIforbidthemisttorise，orthewindtoblow，orthelightningtostrike？Assheis，sheis。HerheartisfilledwithblackjealousyofMauritiandofyou，asabutcher’sgourdisfilledwithblood，forsheisnotonewhodesiresthathergoddessshouldhaveotherworshippers；shewouldkeepherforherselfalone。”

“Theninthiswayorinthatthegourdmustbeemptied，Zikali，lestweshouldbeforcedtodrinkfromitandthatblackbloodshouldpoisonus。”

“How，unlessitbebroken，Macumazahn？IfHeddanadepartsandleavesher，shewillgomad，andaccompanyhershecannot，forherSpiritdwellshere。”andhetappedhisownbreast。“Itwouldpullherbackagainandshewouldbecomeagreattroubletome，forthenthatSpiritofherswouldnotsuffermetosleep，withitscontinualstartingsinsearchofwhatithadlost，anditsreturningsempty-handed。Well，havenofear，forattheworstthebowlcanbebrokenandthebloodpouredupontheearth，asI

havebrokenfinerbowlsthanthisbefore；hadIallthebitsofthemtheywouldmakeaheapsohigh，Macumazahn！“andheheldouthishandonalevelwithhishead，agesturethatmademybackcreep。“Iwilltellherthisanditmaykeepherquietforawhile。Ofpoisonyouneednotbeafraid，sinceunlikemine，herSpirithatesit。Poisonisnotoneofitsweaponsasitiswithmine。Butofspells，beware，forherSpirithassomewhichareverypowerful。”

NowIjumpedup，filledwithindignation，saying——

“IdonotbelieveinNombe’sspells，andinanycasehowamItoguardagainstthem？“

“Ifyoudonotbelievethereisnoneedtoguard，andifyoudobelieve，thenitisforyoutofindouthowtoguard，Macumazahn。

Oh！Icouldtellyouthestoryofawhiteteacherwhodidnotbelieveandwouldnotguard——butnevermind，nevermind。

Good-bye，Macumazahn，IwillspeakwithNombe。Askherforalockofherhairtowearuponyourheartaftershehasenchantedit。Thecharmisgoodagainstspells。O-ho——Oho-o！Whatfoolsweare，whiteandblacktogether！ThatiswhatCetewayoisthinkingto-day。”

AfterthisNombebecamemuchmoreagreeable。Thatistosayshewasverypolite，hersmilewasmorefixedandhereyesmoreunfathomablethanever。EvidentlyZikalihadspokentoherandshehadlistened。Yettotellthetruthmydistrustofthishandsomeyoungwomangrewdeeperdaybyday。Irecognizedthattherewasagreatgulfbetweenherandthenormal，thatshewasacreaturefashionedbyZikaliwhohadtrainedherasagardenertrainsatree，nay，whohaddonemore，whohadgraftedsomeforeigngrowthofexoticandunnaturalspiritualismontoherprimitivenature。Thenatureremainedthesame，butthegraftorgraftsborestrangeflowersandfruit，unholyflowersandpoisonousfruit。Thereforeshewasnottoblame——sometimesI

wonderwhetherinthiscuriousworld，couldoneseetheirpastandtheirfuture，anybodyistoblameforanything——butthisdidnotmakeherthelessdangerous。

SometalksIhadwithheronlyincreasedmyapprehensions，forI

foundthatinawayshehadnoconscience。Life，shetoldme，wasbutadream，andallitslawsasevolvedbymanwerebutillusions。Thereallifewaselsewhere。Therewasthedistantlakeonwhichtheflowerofourtrueexistencefloated。Withoutthisunseenlakeofsupernaturalwatertheflowercouldnotfloat；indeedtherewouldbenoflower。Moreover，theflowerdidnotmatter；sometimesitwouldhavethisshapeandcolour，sometimesthat。Itwasbutathingdestinedtogrowandbloomandrot，andduringitsdaytobeuglyortobebeautiful，tosmellsweetorill，asitmightchance，andultimatelytobeabsorbedbackintothegeneralwaterofLife。

Ipointedouttoherthatallflowershadrootswhichgrewinsoil。Lookingatanorchid-likeplantthatcreptalongtheboughofatree，sheansweredthatthiswasnottrueassomegrewuponair。Buthoweverthismightbe，thesoil，orthemoistureintheair，wasdistilledfromthousandsofotherflowerlivesthathadflourishedintheirdayandbeenforgotten。Itdidnotmatterwhentheydiedorhowmanyotherflowerstheychokedthattheymightlive。Yeteachflowerhaditsownspiritwhichalwayshadbeenandalwayswouldbe。

Iaskedheroftheendandtheobjectofthatspirit。Sheanswereddarklythatshedidnotknowandifshedid，wouldnotsay，butthatthesewereverydreadful。

SuchweresomeofhervagueandfigurativeassertionswhichI

onlyrecordtoindicatetheiruncomfortableandindeedbuthalfhumannature。Iforgottoaddthatshedeclaredthateveryflowerorlifehadatwinflowerorlife，whichineachsuccessivegrowthitwasboundtofindandbloombeside，orwithertotherootandspringagainandthatultimatelythesetwowouldbecomeone，andasoneflourisheternally。OfallofwhichIunderstoodandunderstandlittle，exceptthatshehadgraspedtheelementsofsometruthwhichshecouldnotexpressinclearanddefinitelanguage。

OnedayIwasseatedinZikali’shutwhitherbypermissionIhadcometoaskthelatestnews，whensuddenlyNombeappearedandcroucheddownbeforehim。

“Whogaveyouleavetoenterhere，andwhatisyourbusiness？“heaskedangrily。

“HomeofSpirits。”sherepliedinahumblevoice，“benotangrywithyourservant。Necessitygavemeleave，andmybusinessistotellyouthatstrangersapproach。”

“WhoaretheythatdaretoentertheBlackKloofunannounced？“

“CetewayotheKingisoneofthem，theothersIdonotknow，buttheyaremany，armedallofthem。Theyapproachyourgate；

beforeamancancounttwohundredtheywillbehere。”

“WherearethewhitechiefandtheladyHeddana？“askedZikali。

“Bygoodfortunetheyhavegonebythesecretpathtothetablelandandwillnotbebacktillsunset。Theywishedtobealone，soIdidnotaccompanythem，andMacumazahnheresaidthathewastoowearytodoso。”(Thiswastrue。AlsolikeNombeI

thoughtthattheywishedtobealone。)

“Good。Go，tellthekingthatIknewofhiscomingandamawaitinghim。Bidmyservantskilltheoxwhichisinthekraal，thefatoxthattheythoughtissickandthereforefitfoodforasickking。”headdedbitterly。

Sheglidedawaylikeastartledsnake。ThenZikaliturnedtomeandsaidswiftly——

“Macumazahn，youareingreatdanger。Ifyouarefoundhereyouwillbekilled，andsowilltheotherswhomIwillsendtowarnnottoreturntillthiskinghasgoneaway。Goatoncetojointhem。No，itistoolate，IheartheZuluscome。Takethatkaross，coveryourselfwithitandlieamongthebasketsandbeerpotshereneartheentranceofthehutinthedeepestoftheshadows，sothatifanyenter，perchanceyouwillnotbefound。

Itooamindangerwhoshallbeheldtoaccountforallthathashappened。Perhapstheywillkillme，ifIcanbekilled。Ifso，getawaywiththeothersasbestyoucan。Nombewilltellyouwhereyourhorsesarehidden。InthatcaseletHeddanatakeNombewithher，forwhenIamdeadshewillgo，andshakeheroffinNatalifshetroublesher。Whateverchances，remember，Macumazahn，thatIhavedonemybesttokeepmywordtoyouandtoprotectyouandyourfriends。NowIgotolookonthisprickedbladderwhowasonceaking。”

Hescrambledfromthehutwithslow，toad-likemotions，whileI

withmotionsthatwereanythingbutslow，grabbedthegreycatskinkarossandensconcedmyselfamongthebeerpotsandmatsinsuchapositionthatmyhead，overwhichIsetathree-leggedcarvedstoolofZikali’sowncutting，wasbutafewinchestotheleftofthedoor-holeandthereforeinthedeepestoftheshadows。Thencebystretchingoutmyneckalittle，Icouldseethroughthehole，alsohearallthatpassedoutside。UnlessadeliberatesearchofthehutshouldbemadeIwasfairlysafefromobservation，evenifitwereenteredbystrangers。OnefearIhad，however，itwaslestthedogLostshouldgetintotheplaceandsmellmeout。Ihadlefthimtiedtothecentrepoleinmyownhut，becausehehatedZikaliandalwaysgrowledathim。

Butsupposehegnawedthroughthecord，oranyonelethimloose！

ScarcelyhadZikaliseatedhimselfinhisaccustomedplacebeforethehut，thanthegateoftheouterfenceopenedandapproachingthroughitIsawfortyorfiftyfierceandway-wornmen。Infrontofthem，ridingonatiredhorsethatwasledbyaservant，wasCetewayohimself。Hewasassistedtodismount，orratherthrewhisgreatbulkintothearmsthatwerewaitingtoreceivehim。

ThenaftersomewordswithhisfollowingandwithoneofZikali’speople，followedbythreeorfourindunasandleaningonthearmofUmnyamana，thePrimeMinister，heenteredtheenclosure，therestremainingwithout。Zikali，whosatasthoughasleep，suddenlyappearedtowakeupandperceivehim。StrugglingtohisfeetheliftedhisrightarmandgavetheroyalsaluteofBayete，andwithittitlesofpraise，suchas“BlackOne！““Elephant！“

“Earth-Shaker！““Conqueror！““Eater-upoftheWhitemen！““ChildoftheWildBeast(Chaka)whoseteetharesharperthantheWildBeast’severwere！“andsoon，untilCetewayo，growingimpatient，criedout——

“Besilent，Wizard。Isthisatimeforfinewords？Doyounotknowmycasethatyouoffendmyearswiththem？Giveusfoodtoeatifyouhaveit，afterwhichIwouldspeakwithyoualone。Beswiftalso；hereImaynotstayforlong，sincethewhitedogsareatmyheels。”

“Iknewthatyouwerecoming，OKing，tohonourmypoorhousewithavisit。”saidZikalislowly，“andthereforetheoxisalreadykilledandthemeatwillsoonbeonthefire。Meanwhiledrinkasupofbeer，andrest。”

Heclappedhishands，whereonNombeandsomeservantsappearedwithpotsofbeer，ofwhich，afterZikalihadtastedittoshowthatitwasnotpoisoned，thekingandhispeopledrankthirstily。Thenitwastakentothoseoutside。

“Whatisthisthatmyearshear？“askedZikaliwhenNombeandtheothershadgone，“thattheWhiteDogsareonthespooroftheBlackBull？“

Cetewayonoddedheavily，andanswered——

“MyimpiswerebrokentopiecesontheplainofUlundi；thecowardsranfromthebulletsaschildrenrunfrombees。MykraalsareburntandI，theKing，withbutafaithfulremnantflyformylife。TheprophecyoftheBlackOnehascometrue。ThepeopleoftheZulusarestampedflatbeneaththefeetofthegreatWhitePeople。”

“Irememberthatprophecy，OKing。MopotoldittomewithinanhourofthedeathoftheBlackOnewhenhegavemethelittlered-handledassegaithathesnatchedfromtheBlackOne’shandtodothedeed。Itmakesmealmostyoungagaintothinkofit，althougheventhenIwasold。”repliedZikaliinadreamyvoicelikeonewhospeakstohimself。

HearinghimfromundermykarossIbethoughtmethathehadreallygrownoldatlast，whoforthemomentevidentlyforgotthepartwhichthisveryassegaihadplayedafewmonthsbeforeintheValeofBones。Well，eventhegreatestmastersmakesuchslipsattimeswhentheirmindsarefullofotherthings。ButifZikaliforgot，Cetewayoandhiscouncillorsremembered，asI

couldseebythelookofquickintelligencethatflashedfromfacetoface。

“So！Mopothemurderer，hewhovanishedfromthelandafterthedeathofmyuncleDingaan，gaveyouthelittleredassegai，didhe，OpenerofRoads！Andbutafewmonthsagothatassegai，whicholdSiganandaknewagain，thrownbythehandoftheInkosazana-y-Zulu，drewbloodfrommybodyafterthewhiteman，Macumazahn，hadsevereditsshaftwithhisbullet。Nowtellme，OpenerofRoads，howdiditpassfromyourkeepingintothatofthespiritNomkubulwana？“

AtthisquestionIdistinctlysawashivershaketheframeofZikaliwhorealizedtoolatetheterriblemistakehehadmade。

Yetasonlythegreatcando，heretrievedandeventriumphedoverhiserror。

“Oho-ho！“helaughed，“whoamIthatIcantellhowsuchthingshappen？Doyounotknow，OKing，thattheSpiritsleavewhattheywillandtakewhattheywill，whetheritbebutabladeofgrass，orthelifeofaman“——herehelookedatCetewayo——“orevenofapeople？Sometimestheytaketheshadowandsometimesthesubstance，sincespiritormatter，allistheirs。Asforthelittleassegai，Ilostityearsago。IrememberthatthelasttimeIsawitwasinthehandsofawomannamedMameenatowhomI

showeditasastrangeandbloodything。AfterherdeathIfoundthatitwasgone，sodoubtlessshetookitwithhertotheUnder-worldandtheregaveittotheQueenNomkubulwana，withwhomyoumayrememberthisMameenareturnedfromthatUnder-worldyonderintheBones。”

“Itmaybeso。”saidCetewayosullenly，“yetitwasnospiritironthatcutmythigh，butwhatdoIknowofthewaysofSpirits？Wizard，Iwouldspeakwithyouinyourhutalonewherenoearcanhearus。”

“MyhutistheKing’s。”answeredZikali，“yetlettheKingrememberthatthoseSpiritsofwhichhedoesnotknowtheways，canalwayshear，yes，eventhethoughtsofmen，andonthemdojudgment。”

“Fearnot。”saidCetewayo，“amongstmanyotherthingsIrememberthisalso。”

ThenZikaliturnedandcreptintothehut，whisperingashepassedme——

“Liesilentforyourlife。”AndCetewayohavingbiddenhisretinuetodepartoutsidethefenceandawaithimthere，followedafterhim。

Theysatthemdownoneithersideofthesmoulderingfireandstaredateachotherthroughthethinsmokethereinthegloomofthehut。Byturningmyheadthatthefootofthekinghadbrushedashepassed，Icouldwatchthemboth。Cetewayospokethefirstinahoarse，slowvoice，saying——

“Wizard，IamindangerofmylifeandIhavecometoyouwhoknowallthesecretsofthisland，thatyoumaytellmeinwhatplaceImayhidewherethewhitemencannotfindme。Itmustbetoldintomyearalone，sinceIdarenottrustthemattertoanyother，atanyrateuntilImust。Theyaretraitorseverymanofthem，yes，eventhosewhoseemtobemostfaithful。Thefallenmanhasnofriends，leastofallifhechancestobeaking。

Onlythedeadwillkeephiscounsel。TellmeoftheplaceI

need。”

“Dingaan，whowasbeforeyou，onceaskedthissamethingofme，O

King，whenhewasflyingfromPandayourfather，andtheBoers。

Igavehimadvicethathedidnottake，butsoughtarefugeofhisownuponacertainGhost-mountain。WhathappenedtohimtherethatMopo，ofwhomyouspokeawhileago，cantellyouifhestilllives。”*

[*——See_NadatheLily。_——EDITOR。]

“Surelyyouareanill-omenednight-birdwhothuscroaktomecontinuallyofthedeathofkings。”brokeinCetewayowithsuppressedrage。Thencalminghimselfwithaneffortadded，“Tellmenow，whereshallIhide？“

“Wouldyouknow，King？Thenhearken。OnthesouthslopeoftheIngomeRangewestoftheIbululwanaRiver，ontheoutskirtsofthegreatforest，thereisakloofwhereoftheentrance，whichonlyonemancanpassatatime，iscoveredbyathicketofthornsandmarkedbyablackrockshapedlikeagreattoadwithanopenmouth，or，assomesay，likemyself，“The-Thing-that-should-never-have-been-born。”Neartothisrockdwellsanoldwoman，blindofoneeyeandlackingahand，whichtheBlackOnecutoffshortlybeforehisdeath，becausewhenhekilledherfather，shesawthefutureandprophesiedalikedeathtohim，althoughthenshewasbutachild。Thiswomanisofourcompany，beingawitch-doctoress。IwillsendaSpirittoher，ifyousowillit，towarnhertowatchforyouandyourcompany，OKing，andshowyouthemouthofthekloof，wherearesomeoldhutsandwater。Thereyouwillneverbefoundunlessyouarebetrayed。”

“WhocanbetraymewhennoneknowwhitherIamgoing？“askedCetewayo。“SendtheSpirit，senditatonce，thatthisone-armedwitchmaymakeready。”

“Whatisthehurry，King，seeingthattheforestisfaraway？

Yetbeitasyouwill。Keepsilencenow，lestevilshouldbefallyou。”

ThenofasuddenZikaliseemedtogooffintooneofhistrances。

Hisformgrewrigid，hiseyesclosed，hisfacebecamefixedasthoughindeath，andfoamappeareduponhislips。Hewasadreadfulsighttolookon，thereinthegloomyhut。

Cetewayowatchedhimandshivered。ThenheopenedhisblanketandIperceivedthatfastenedabouthimbyaloopofhideinsuchafashionthatitcouldbedrawnoutinamoment，wasthebladeofabroadassegai，theshaftofwhichwasshortenedtoaboutsixinches。Hishandgraspedthisshaft，andIunderstoodthathewascontemplatingthemurderofZikali。Thenitseemedtomethathechangedhismindandthathislipsshapedthewords——“Notyet。”thoughwhetherhereallyspokethemIdonotknow。Atleasthewithdrewhishandandclosedtheblanket。

SlowlyZikaliopenedhiseyes，staringattheroofofthehut，whencecameacurioussoundasofsqueakingbats。Helookedlikeadeadmancomingtolifeagain。Forafewmomentsheturneduphisearasthoughhelistenedtothesquealing，thensaid——

“Itiswell。TheSpiritthatIsummonedhasvisitedherofourcompanywhoisnamedOne-handandreturnedwiththeanswer。Didyounothearitspeakinginthethatch，OKing？“

“Iheardsomething，Wizard。”answeredCetewayoinanawedvoice。

“Ithoughtitwasabat。”

“Abatitis，OKing，onewithwidewingsandswift。Thisbatsaysthatmysister，One-hand，willmeetyouonthethirddayfromnowatthishouronthefurthersideofthefordoftheIbululwana，wherethreemilk-treesgrowtogetheronaknoll。Shewillbesittingunderthecentremilk-treeandwillwaitfortwohours，nomore，toshowyouthesecretentrancetothekloof。”

“Theroadisroughandlong，Ishallhavetohurrywhenwornoutwithtravelling。”saidCetewayo。

“Thatisso，OKing。Thereforemycounselisthatyoubeginthejourneyassoonaspossible，especiallyasIseemtohearthebayingofthewhitedogsnotfaraway。”

“ByChaka’shead！Iwillnot。”growledCetewayo，“whothoughttosleephereinpeacethisnight。”

“AstheKingwills。AllthatIhaveistheKing’s。OnlythenOne-handwillnotbewaitingandsomeotherplaceofhidingmustbefound，sincethisisknowntomeonlyandtoher；alsothatSpiritwhichIsentwillmakenosecondjourney，norcanItraveltoshowittotheKing。”

“Yes，Wizard，itisknowntoyouandtomyself。Methinksitwouldbebetterwereitknowntomealone。Ihaveaspoonfulofsnufftoshare(i。e。abonetopick)withyou，Wizard。ItwouldseemthatyousetmyfeetandthoseoftheZulupeopleuponafalseroad，yonderintheValeofBones，causingmetodeclarewaruponthewhitemenandtherebybringingusalltoruin。”

“Mayhapmymemorygrowsbad，OKing，forIdonotrememberthatI

didthesethings。IrememberthatthespiritofacertainMameenawhomIcalledupfromthedead，prophesiedvictorytotheKing，whichvictoryhasbeenhis。AlsoitprophesiedothervictoriestotheKinginafarlandacrossthewater，whichvictoriesdoubtlessshallbehisindueseason；formyselfIgaveno’counseltotheKingortohisindunasandgenerals。’“

“Youlie，Wizard。”exclaimedCetewayohoarsely。“DidyounotsummontheshapeofthePrincessofHeaventobethesignofwar，anddidshenotholdinherhandthatassegaioftheBlackOnewhichyouhavetoldmewasinyourkeeping？Howdiditpassfromyourkeepingintothehandofaspirit？“

“AstothatmatterIhavespoken，OKing。Fortherest，isNomkubulwanamyservanttocomeandgoatmybidding？“

“Ithinkso。”saidCetewayocoldly。“IthinkalsothatyouwhoknowtheplacewhereIpurposetohide，woulddowelltoforgetit。Surelyyouhavelivedtoolong，OOpenerofRoads，anddoneenougheviltotheHouseofSenzangacona，whichyoueverhated。”

Sohespoke，andoncemoreIsawhishandstealtowardsthespearheadwhichwashiddenbeneaththeblanketthathewore。

Zikalisawitalsoandlaughed。“Oho！“helaughed，“forgettingallmywarnings，andthatthedayofmydeathwillbehisown，theKingthinkstokillmebecauseIamoldandfeebleandaloneandunarmed。HethinkstokillmeastheBlackOnethought，asDingaanthought，asevenPandathought，yetIliveontothisday。Well，IbearnomalicesinceitisnaturalthattheKingshouldwishtokillonewhoknowsthesecretofwherehewouldhidehimselfforhisownlife’ssake。ThatspearheadwhichtheKingisfingeringissharp，sosharpthatmybarebreastcannotturnitsedge。Imustfindmeashield！Imustfindmeashield！Fire，youarenotyetdead。Awake，makesmoketobemyshield！“andhewavedhislong，monkey-likearmsovertheembers，fromwhichinstantlytheresprangupareekofthinwhitesmokethatappearedtotakeavagueandindefiniteshapewhichsuggestedtheshadowofaman；fortomeitseemedanebulousandwaveringshadow，nomore。

“Whatareyoustaringat，OKing？“wentonZikaliinafierceandthrillingvoice。“Whoisitthatyousee？Whohasthefiresenttobemyshield？GhostsaresothickherethatIdonotknow。I

cannottelloneofthemfromtheother。Whoisit？Who，whoofallthatyouhaveslainandwhothereforeareyourfoes？“

“Umbelazi，mybrother。”groanedCetewayo。“MybrotherUmbelazistandsbeforemewithspearraised；hewhomIbroughttohisdeathatthebattleoftheTugela。Hiseyesflameuponme，hisspearisraisedtostrike。HespeakswordsIcannotunderstand。

Protectme，OWizard！LordofSpirits，protectmefromthespiritofUmbelazi。”

Zikalilaughedwildlyandcontinuedtowavehisarmsabovethefirefromwhichsmokepouredevermoredensely，tillthehutwasfullofit。

WhenitclearedawayagainCetewayowasgone！

“Sawyoueverthelikeofthat？“saidZikali，addressingthekarossunderwhichIwassweltering。“Tellme，Macumazahn。”

“Yes。”Ianswered，thrustingoutmyheadasatortoisedoes，“wheninthisveryhutyouseemedtoproducetheshape，alsooutofsmoke，Ithink，ofonewhomIusedtoknow。Say，howdoyoudoit，Zikali？“

“Doit。Whoknows？PerchanceIdonothing。PerchanceIthinkandyoufoolssee，nomore。Orperchancethespiritsofthedeadwhoaresoneartous，comeatmycallandtakethemselvesbodiesoutofthecharmedsmokeofmyfire。Youwhitemenarewise，answeryourownquestion，Macumazahn。Atleastthatsmokeorthatghostsavedmefromaspearthrustintheheart，wherewithCetewayowasmindedtopaymeforshowinghimahiding-placewhichhedesiredshouldbesecrettohimselfalone。Well，well，IcanpayaswellasCetewayoandmycountislonger。Nowlieyoustill，Macumazahn，forIgoouttowatch。Hewillnotbidelonginthisplacewhichhedeemshauntedandill-omened。Hewillbegoneeresunset，thatiswithinanhour，andsleepelsewhere。”

Thenhecreptfromthehutandpresently，thoughIcouldseenothing，fornowthegateofthefencewasshut，IheardvoicesdebatingandfinallythatofCetewayosayangrily——

“Havedone！Itismywill。Youcaneatyourfoodoutsideofthisplacewhichisbewitched；thegirlwillshowuswherearethehutsofwhichthewizardspeaks。”

AfewminuteslaterZikalicreptbackintothehut，laughingtohimself。

“Allissafe。”hesaid，“andyoucancomeoutofyourhole，oldjackal。Hewhocallshimselfakingisgone，takingwithhimthosewhomhethinksfaithful，mostofwhomarebutwaitingachancetobetrayhim。WhatdidIsay，aking？Nay，inallAfricathereisnoslavesohumbleorsowretchedasthisbrokenman。Oh！featherbyfeatherIhavepluckedmyfowlandbyandbyIshallcuthisthroat。Youwillbethere，Macumazahn，youwillbethere。”

“Itrustnot。”IansweredasImoppedmybrow。“Wehavebeennearenoughtothroat-cuttingthisafternoontolastmealongwhile。Wherehasthekinggone？“

“Notfar，Macumazahn。IhavesentNombetoguidehimtothehutsinthelittledipfivespearthrowstotherightofthemouthofthekloofwherelivetheoldherdsmanandhispeoplewhoguardmycattle。HeandalltherestareawaywiththecattlethatarehiddenintheCezaForestoutofreachofthewhitemen，sothehutsareempty。Oh！nowIreadwhatyouarethinking。Idonotmeanthatheshouldbetakenthere。Itistoonearmyhouseandthekingstillhasfriends。”

“WhydidyousendNombe？“Iasked。

“Becausehewouldhavenootherguide，whodoesnottrustmymen。

Hemeanstokeepherwithhimforsomedaysandthenlethergo，andthusshewillbeoutofmischief。Meanwhileyouandyourfriendscandepartuntroubledbyherfancies，andjointhewhitemenwhoarenear。Tomorrowyoushallstart。”

“Thatisgood。”Isaidwithasighofrelief。ThenanideastruckmeandIadded，“IsupposenoharmwillcometoNombe，whomightbethoughttoknowtoomuch？“

“Ihopenot。”herepliedindifferently，“butthatisamatterforherSpirittodecide。Nowgo，Macumazahn，forIamweary。”

Ialsowaswearyaftermyprolongedseclusionunderthatveryhotskinrug。ForbeitrememberedIwasnotyetstrongagain，andalthoughthiswasnottherealreasonwhyIhadstoppedbehindwhentheotherswenttotheplateau，Istillgreweasilytired。

MyrealreasonwasthatofNombe——thatIthoughttheypreferredtobealone。IlookedaboutmeandsawwithreliefthatCetewayoandeverymanofhisretinuewerereallygone。Theyhadnotevenwaitedtoeattheoxthathadbeenkilledforthem，buthadcarriedoffthemeatwithotherprovisionstotheirsleeping-placeoutsidethekloof。HavingmadesureofthisI

wenttomyhutandloosedLostthatfortunatelyenoughhadbeenunabletognawthroughthethickbuffalo-hiderienwithwhichI

hadfastenedhimtothepole。

Hegreetedmewithraptureasthoughwehadbeenpartedforyears。HadhebelongedtoUlysseshimselfhecouldnothavebeenmorejoyful。Whenoneisdespondentandlonesome，howgratefulisthewhole-heartedwelcomeofadogwhich，wearesometimestemptedtothink，istheonlycreaturethatreallycaresforusintheworld。Everyotherlivingthinghassideinterestsofitsown，butthatofadogiscentredinitsmaster，thoughitistruethatitalsodreamsaffectionatelyofdinnerandrabbits。

ThenwithLostatmyfeetIsatoutsidethehutsmokingandwaitingforthereturnofAnscombeandHeda。PresentlyIcaughtsightoftheminthegloaming。Theirarmswerearoundoneanother，andinsomeremarkablewaytheyhadmanagedtodisposetheirheads，forgettingthattheskywasstilllightbehindthem，insuchfashionthatitwasdifficulttotellonefromtheother。

Ireflectedthatitwasagoodthingthatatlastwewereescapingfromthisconfoundedkloofandcountryforonewheretheycouldmarryandmakeanend，andbecameafflictedwithasneezingfit。

HedaaskedwhereNombewasandwhysupperwasnotready，forNombeplayedthepartofcookandparlourmaidcombined。Itoldhersomethingofwhathadhappened，whereonHeda，whodidnotappreciateitsimportanceintheleast，remarkedthatshe，Nombe，mightaswellhaveputonthepotbeforeshewentanddonesundryotherthingswhichIforget。Ultimatelywegotsomethingtoeatandturnedin，Hedagrumblingalittlebecauseshemustsleepalone，forshehadgrownusedtothecompanyoftheever-watchfulNombe，whomadeherbedacrossthedoor-holeofthehut。

Anscombewassoonlostindreams，ifhediddream，butIcouldnotsleepwellthatnight。IwasfearfulofIknewnotwhat，andso，Ithink，wasLost，forhefidgetedandkeptpokingmewithhisnose。Atlast，Ithinkitmusthavebeenabouttwohoursaftermidnight，hebegantogrowl。Icouldhearnothing，althoughmyearsaresharp，butashewentongrowlingIcrepttothedoor-holeanddrewasidetheboard。Lostslippedoutandvanished，whileIwaited，listening。PresentlyIthoughtIheardasoftfoot-fallandawhisper，alsothatIsawtheshapeofawomanwhichremindedmeofNombe，shownfaintlybythestarlight。

ItvanishedinamomentandLostreturnedwagginghistail，ashemightwellhavedoneifitwereNombewhowasattachedtothedog。AsnothingfurtherhappenedIwentbacktobed，reflectingthatIwasprobablymistaken，sinceNombehadbeensentawayforsomedaysbyZikaliandwouldscarcelydaretoreturnatonce，evenifshecoulddoso。

ShortlybeforedaylightLostbegantogrowlagaininasubduedandthunderousfashion。ThistimeIgotupanddressedmyselfmoreorless。ThenIwentout。ThedawnwasjustbreakingandbyitslightIsawastrangescene。Aboutfiftyyardsawayinthenarrownekthatranoversomeboulderstothesiteofourhuts，stoodwhatseemedtobethegoddessNomkubulwanaasIhadseenheronthepointofrockintheValeofBones。Sheworethesameradiantdressandinthedimglowhadalltheappearanceofawhitewoman。Istoodamazed，thinkingthatIdreamt，whenfromroundthebendemergedanumberofZulus，creepingforwardstealthilywithraisedspears。

Theycaughtsightofthesupernaturalfigurewhichbarredtheirroad，haltedandwhisperedtoeachother。Thentheyturnedtofly，butbeforetheywentoneofthem，asitseemedtomethroughsheerterror，hurledhisassegaiatthefigurewhichremainedstillandunmoved。

Inthirtysecondstheyweregone；insixtytheirfootstepshaddiedaway。ThenthefigurewheeledslowlyroundandbythestrengtheninglightIperceivedthataspeartransfixeditsbreast。

AsitsanktothegroundIranuptoit。ItwasNombewithherfaceandarmswhitenedandherlife-bloodrunningdowntheglitteringfeatherrobe。

CHAPTERXXII

THEMADNESSOFNOMBE

ThedogreachedNombefirstandbegantolickherface，itstongueremovingpatchesofthewhitewhichhadnothadtimetodry。Shewaslying，herbacksupportedbyoneoftheboulders。

Withherlefthandshepattedthedog’sheadfeeblyandwithherrightdrewouttheassegaifromherbody，lettingitfallupontheground。Recognizingmeshesmiledinherusualmysteriousfashionandsaid——

“Alliswell，Macumazahn，allisverywell。IhavedeservedtodieandIdonotdieinvain。”

“Don’ttalk，letmeseeyourwound。”Iexclaimed。

Sheopenedherrobeandpointed；itwasquiteasmallgashbeneaththebreastfromwhichbloodebbedslowly。

“Letitbe，Macumazahn。”shesaid。“Iambleedinginsideanditismortal。ButIshallnotdieyet。ListentomewhileIhavemymind。YesterdaywhenMauritiandHeddanawentuptotheplainIwishedtogowiththembecauseIhadnewsthatZuluswerewanderingeverywhereandthoughtthatImightbeabletoprotectmymistressfromdanger。Mauritispoketomeroughly，tellingmethatIwasnotwanted。OfthatIthoughtlittle，fortosuchwordsIamaccustomedfromhim；moreover，theyaretobeforgiventoamaninlove。Butitdidnotendthere，formyladyHeddanaalsopiercedmewithhertongue，whichhurtmorethanthisspearthrustdoes，Macumazahn，forIcouldseethatherspeechhadbeenpreparedandthatshetookthischancetothrowitatme。ShesaidthatIdidnotknowwhereIshouldsit；thatIwasathornbeneathhernail，andthatwhenevershewishedtotalkwithMauriti，orwithyou，Macumazahn，Iwasevertherewithmyearopenlikethemouthofagourd。ShecommandedmeinfuturetocomeonlywhenIwascalled；allofwhichthingsIamsureMauritihadtaughther，whoinherselfistoogentleeventothinkthem——unlessyoutaughther，Macumazahn。”

Ishookmyheadandshewenton——

“No，itwasnotyouwhoalsoaretoogentle，andhavingsufferedyourself，canfeelforthosewhosuffer，whichMauritiwhohasneversufferedcannotdo。Still，youtoothoughtmeatrouble，onethatsticksinthefleshlikeahookedthorn，oratickfromthegrass，andcannotbeunfastened。YouspoketotheMasteraboutitandhespoketome。”

ThistimeInoddedinassent。

“Idonotblameyou，Macumazahn；indeednowIseethatyouwerewise，forwhatrighthasapoorblackdoctoresstoseekthelove，oreventolookuponthefaceofthegreatwhiteladywhomforalittlewhileFatehascausedtowalkuponthesamepathwithher？

ButyesterdayIforgotthat，Macumazahn，foryouseeweareallofus，notoneself，butmanyselves，andeachselfhasitstimesofrule。Nombealiveandwellwasonewoman，Nombedyingisanother，anddoubtlessNombedeadwillbeathird，unless，assheprays，sheshouldsleepforever。

“Macumazahn，thosewordsofHeddana’sweretomewhatgallistosweetmilk。Mybloodclottedandmyheartturnedsour。ItwasnotagainstherthatIwasangry，becausethatcanneverhappen，butagainstMauritiandagainstyou。MySpiritwhisperedinmyear。Itsaid，’IfMauritiandMacumazahnweredeadtheladyHeddanawouldbeleftaloneinastrangeland。Thenshewouldlearntorestuponyouasuponastick，andlearntolovethestickonwhichsherested，thoughitbesoroughandhomely。’

ButhowcanIkillthem，IaskedofmySpirit，andmyselfescapedeath？

“’Poisonisforbiddentoyoubythepactbetweenus，’answeredmySpirit，’yetIwillshowyouaway，whoamboundtoserveyouinallthingsgoodorill。’

“Thenwenoddedtoeachotherinmybreast，Macumazahn，andI

waitedforwhatshouldhappenwhoknewthatmySpiritwouldnotlie。Yes，Iwaitedforachancetokillyouboth，forgetting，asthewickedforgetintheirmadness，thatevenifIwerenotfoundout，soonorlateHeddanawouldguessthetruthandthen，evenifshehadlearnedtolovemeathousandtimesmorethansheevercould，wouldcometohatemeasamotherhatesasnakethathasslainherchild。Orevenifsheneverlearnedorguessedinlife，afterdeathshewouldlearnandhuntmeandspitonmefromworldtoworldasatraitoressandamurderer，onewhohassinnedpastpardon。”

HeresheseemedtogrowfaintandIturnedtoseekforhelp。Butshecaughtholdofmycoatandsaid——

“Hearmeout，Macumazahn，orIwillrunafteryoutillIfallanddie。”

Sothinkingitbest，Istayedandshewenton——

“MySpirit，whichmustbeanevilonesinceZikaligaveitmewhenIwasmadeadoctoress，dealttrulywithme，forpresentlythekingandhispeoplecame。Moreover，mySpiritbroughtitaboutthatthekingwouldhavenootherguidebutmetoleadhimtothekraalwherehesleptlastnight，andIwentasthoughunwillingly。Atthekraalthekingsentformeandquestionedmeinadarkhut，pretendingtobealone，butIwhoamadoctoressknewthattwoothermenwereinthathut，takingnoteofallmywords。HeaskedmeoftheInkosazana-y-ZuluwhoappearedintheValeofBonesandofthelittleassegaisheheldinherhand，andofthemagicoftheOpenerofRoads，andmanyotherthings。I

saidthatIknewnothingoftheInkosazana，butthatwithoutdoubtmyMasterwasagreatmagician。Hedidnotbelieveme。HethreatenedthatIshouldbetorturedveryhorriblyandwasabouttocallhisservantstotormentmetillItoldthetruth。ThenmySpiritspokeinmyheartsaying，’Nowthedoorisopentoyou，as，Ipromised。TellthekingofthetwowhitemenwhomtheMasterhides，andhewillsendtokillthem，leavingtheladyHeddanaandyoualonetogether。’SoIpretendedtobeafraidandtoldhim，whereonhelaughedandanswered——

“’ForyoursakeIamglad，girl，thatyouhavespokenthetruth；

besidesitisuselesstotortureawitch，sincethenthespiritinheronlyvomitslies。’

“Nexthecalledaloudandamancame，whoitwasIcouldnotseeinthedark。Thekingcommandedhimtotakemetooneoftheotherhutsandtiemeuptheretotheroof-pole。Themanobeyed，buthedidnottiemeup；heonlyblockedthehutwiththedoor-board，andsatwithmethereinthedarkalone。

“NowIgrewcunningandbegantotalkwithhim，spreadinganetofsweetwords，asthefowlerspreadsanetforcranesfromwhichhewouldtearthecrests。SoonbyhistalkIfoundoutthatthekingandhispeopleknewmorethanIguessed。Macumazahn，theyhadseenthecartwhichstillstandsundertheoverhangingrockbythemouthofthecave。Iaskedhimifthatwereall，pretendingthatthecartbelongedtomyMaster，towhomithadbeenbroughtfromthefieldofIsandhlwana，thathemightbedrawnaboutinit，whowastooweaktowalk。

“ThemansaidthatifIwouldkisshimhewouldtellmeeverything。Ibadehimtellmefirst，swearingthatthenIwouldkisshim。Yes，Macumazahn，I，whomnoman’slipshaveevertouched，fellaslowasthis。Sohegrewfoolishandtoldme。

Hetoldmethattheyhadalsoseenakappjesuchaswhitewomenwear，hangingonthehutfence，andIrememberedthatafterwashingtheheaddressofmymistressIhadsetittheretodryinthesun。HetoldmealsothattheKingsuspectedthatshewhoworethatkappjewasshewhohadplayedthepartoftheInkosazanaintheValeofBones。Iaskedhimwhatthekingwoulddoaboutthematter，atthesametimedenyingthattherewasanywhitewomanintheBlackKloof。Hesaidthatatdawnthekingwouldsendandkilltheseforeignrats，whomtheOpenerofRoadskeptinthethatchofhishut。Nowhedrewnearandaskedhispay。Igaveittohim——withaknife-point，Macumazahn。Oh！thatwasagoodthrust。Heneverspokeagain。ThenIslippedaway，foralltheotherswereasleep，andwasherealittleaftermidnight。”

“IthoughtIsawyou，Nombe。”Isaid，“butwasnotsure，soIdidnothing。”

Shesmiledandanswered——

“Ah！IwasafraidthattheWatcher-by-Nightwouldbewatchingbynight；alsothedogranuptome，butheknewmeandIsenthimbackagain。NowwhileIwascominghome，thoughtsenteredmyheart。Isaw，asoneseesbyalightningflash，allthatIhaddone。ThekingandhispeoplewerenotsurethattheMasterwashidingwhitefolkhereandwouldneverhavesentbacktokillthemonthechance。Ihadmadethemsure，asindeed，beingmad，Imeanttodo。Moreover，inthrowingspearsatthekitesIhadkilledmyowndove，sinceitwasonthefalseInkosazanawhohadcausedthemtodeclarewarandbroughtthelandtoruin，thattheywishedtobeavenged，andperchanceonhimwhotaughtherherpart，notononeortwowanderingwhitemen。IsawthatwhenCetewayo’speoplecame，andthereweremanymoreofthemoutside，severalhundredsIthink，theywouldshavethewholeheadandburnthewholetree。Everyoneinthekloofwouldbekilled。

“HowcouldIundotheknotthatIhadtiedandstampoutthefirethatIhadlit？Thatwasthequestion。Ibethoughtmeofcomingtoyou，butwithoutarmshowcouldyouhelp？IbethoughtmeofgoingtotheMaster，butIwasashamed。Also，whatcouldhedowithbutafewservants，forthemostofhispeopleareawaywiththecattle？Heistooweaktoclimbthesteeppathtotheplainabove，norwastheretimetogatherfolktocarryhim。Lastly，evenifthereweretimewhichtherewasnot，andwewentthithertheywouldtrackusoutandkillus。FortherestIdidnotcare，norformyself，butthattheladyHeddanashouldbebutcheredwhowasmoretomethanahundredlives，andthroughmytreachery——ah！forthatIcared。

IcalledonmySpirittohelpme，butitwouldnotcome。MySpiritwasdeadinmebecausenowIwoulddogoodandnotill。

YetanotherSpiritcame，thatofoneMameenawhomonceyouknew。

Shecameangrily，likeastorm，andIshrankbeforeher。Shesaid，’Vilewitch，youhaveplottedtomurderMacumazahn，andforthatyoushallanswertomebeforeanothersunhassetoverthisearthofyours。Nowyouseekawayofescapefromyourownwickedness。Well，itcanbehad，butataprice。’

“’Whatprice，OLadyofDeath？’Iasked。

“’Thepriceofyourownlife，Witch。’

“Ilaughedintothatghostfaceofhersandsaid——

“’Isthisall？Beswiftandshowmetheway，OLadyofDeath，andafterwardswewillbalanceouraccount。’

“Thenshewhisperedintotheearofmyheartandwasgone。Iranon，forthedawnwasnear。Iwhitenedmyselfwithlime，Iputontheglitteringcloakandpowderedmyhairwiththesparklingearth。ItookalittlestickinmyhandsinceIcouldfindnospearandhadnotimetosearch，andjustasdaybegantobreak，Icreptoutandstoodinthebendofthepath。Theslayerscame，twelveorsoofthem，butbehindweremanymore。TheysawtheInkosazana-y-Zulubarringtheirwayandweremuchafraid。Theyfled，butoutofhisfrightoneofthemthrewaspearwhichwenthome，asIknewitwould。HewatchedtoseeifIshouldfall，butIwouldnotfall。Thenhefledfasterthantherest，knowinghimselfaccursedwhohadliftedsteelagainsttheQueenofHeaven，andoh！Iamglad，Iamglad！“

Sheceased，exhausted，yetwithagreatexultationinherbeautifuleyes；indeedatthatmomentshelookedamosttriumphantcreature。Istaredather，thrilledthroughandthrough。Shehadbeenwicked，nodoubt，buthowsplendidwasherend；and，thankHeaven！shewastroubledwithnothoughtofwhatmightbefallherafterthatend，althoughIwassureshebelievedthatshewouldliveagaintofaceMameena。

Iknewnotwhattodo。Ididnotliketoleaveher，especiallyasnoearthlypowercouldhelphercase，sinceslowlybutquitesurelyshewasbleedingtodeathfromaninternalwound。BynowthesunwasupandZikali’speoplewereabout。Oneofthemappearedsuddenlyandsaw，thenwithahowlofterrorturnedtoflyaway。

“Fool！Fool！“Icried，“gosummontheladyHeddanaandtheInkosiMauriti。BidthemcomeswiftlyiftheywouldseethedoctoressNombebeforeshedies。”

Themanleaptofflikeabuck，andwithinafewminutesIsawHedaandAnscomberunningtowardsus，halfdressed，andwenttomeetthem。

“Whatisit？“shegasped。

“Ihaveonlytimetotellyouthis。”Ianswered。“Nombeisdying。Shegaveherlifetosaveyou，howIwillexplainafterwards。Theassegaithatpiercedherwasmeantforyourheart。Go，thankher，andbidherfarewell。Anscombe，stopbackwithme。”

Westoodstillandwatchedfromalittledistance。HedakneltdownandputherarmsaboutNombe。Theywhisperedtogetherintoeachother’sears。Thentheykissed。

ItwasatthismomentthatZikaliappeared，leaningontwoofhisservants。Bysomeoccultartorinstinctheseemedtoknowallthathadhappened，andoh！helookedterrible。Hecroucheddowninfrontofthedyingwomanand，toadlike，spathisvenomather。

“YoulostyourSpirit，didyou？“hesaid。“Well，itcamebacktomeladenwiththeblackhoneyofyourtreachery，tome，itshome，asabeecomestoitshive。Ithastoldmeeverything，andwellforyou，Witch，itisthatyouaredying。Butthinknotthatyoushallescapemethereintheworldbelow，forthitherIwillfollowyou。Cursesonyou，traitress，whowouldhavebetrayedmeandbroughtallmyplanstonaught。Ow！inadaytocomeIwillpayyoubackafullharvestforthisseedofshamethatyouhavesown。”

Sheopenedhereyesandlookedathim，thenansweredquitesoftly——

“Ithinkyourchainisbroken，OZikali，nomore，mymaster。I

thinkthatlovehascutyourchainintwoandIfearyounevermore。Keepthespirityoulenttome；itisyours，buttherestofmeismyown，andinthehouseofmyheartanothercomestodwell。”

ThenoncemoreshestretchedoutherarmstowardsHedaandmurmuring，“Sister，forgetmenot，Sister，whowillawaityouforathousandyears。”shepassedaway。

Itwasagoodendingtoabadbusiness，andIconfessIfeltgladwhenitwasfinished。OnlyafterwardsIregrettedverymuchthatIhadnotfoundanopportunitytoaskherwhetherornoshehadmasqueradedasMameenaintheValleyofBones。Nowitistoolate。

WeburiedpoorNombedecentlyinherownlittlehutwheresheusedtopractiseherincantations。Zikaliandhispeoplewishedapparentlytothrowhertothevulturesforsomesecretreasonthathadtodowiththeirsuperstitions。ButHeda，who，nowthatNombewasdead，developedagreataffectionforhernotunmixedwithacertainamountofcompunctionforwhichreallyshehadnocause，withstoodhimtohisfaceandinsisteduponadecentinterment。Soshewaslaidtoearthstillplasteredwiththewhitepigmentandwrappedinthebloodstainedfeatherrobe。I

mayaddthatonthefollowingmorningoneofZikali’sservantsinformedmesolemnlythatbecauseofthisshehadbeenseenduringthenightridingupanddowntherocksonababoonasZuluumtagatiaresupposedtodo。Ihavesmalldoubtthatassoonasweweregonetheydugherupagainandthrewhertothevulturesandthejackalsaccordingtotheirfirstintention。

OnthisdayweatlengthescapedfromtheBlackKloof，andinourowncart，forduringthenightourhorsesarrivedmysteriouslyfromsomewhere，ingoodconditionthoughratherwild。Iwenttosaygood-byetoZikali，whosaidlittle，exceptthatweshouldmeetoncemoreaftermanymoons。AnscombeandHedahewouldnotseeatall，butonlysentthemamessage，totheeffectthathehopedtheywouldthinkkindlyofhimthroughthelongyearstocome，sincehehadkepthispromiseandpreservedthemsafethroughmanydangers。Imighthaveansweredthathehadfirstofallputthemintothedangers，butconsidereditwisetoholdmytongue。Ithink，however，thatheguessedmythought，ifonecantalkofguessinginconnectionwithZikali，forhesaidthattheyhadnoreasontothankhim，sinceifhehadservedtheirturntheyhadservedhis，adding——

“ItwillbestrangeinthetimestobefortheladyHeddanatorememberthatitwassheandnootherwhocrumpleduptheZuluslikeafrostbittenwinterreed，sincehadshenotappearedupontherockintheValleyofBones，therewouldhavebeennowar。”

“Shedidnotdothis，youdidit，Zikali。”Isaid，“makingheryourtoolthroughloveandfear。”

“Nay，Macumazahn，Ididnotdoit；itwasdonebywhatyoucallGodandIcallFateinwhosehandIamthetool。Well，saytotheladyHeddanathatinpaymentIwillholdbacktheghostofNombefromhauntingher，ifIcan。SayalsothatifIhadnotbroughtherandherlovertoZululandtheywouldhavebeenkilled。”

SowewentfromthathatefulkloofwhichIhaveneverseensinceandhopeIshallneverseeagain，twoofZikali’smenescortingusuntilwegotintotouchwithwhitepeople。Tothesewesaidaslittleaspossible。IthinktheybelievedthatwewereonlyprematuretouristswhohadmadeadashintoZululandtovisitsomeofthebattlefields。Indeednoneofuseverreportedourstrangeadventures，andaftermyexperiencewithKaatjewewereparticularlycarefultosaynothinginthehearingofanygentlemanconnectedwiththePress。Butasamatteroffactthereweresomanypeoplemovingaboutandsuchacontinualcomingandgoingofsoldiersandtheirbelongings，thatafterwehadmanagedtobuysomedecentclothes，whichwedidatthelittletownofNewcastle，nobodypaidanyattentiontous。

OnourwaytoMaritzburgoneamusingthingdidhappen。WemetKaatje！ItwasaboutsunsetthatweweredrivingupasteephillnotfarfromHowick。AtleastIwasdriving，butAnscombeandHedawerewalkingaboutahundredyardsaheadofthecart，whensuddenlyKaatjeappearedoverariseandcamefacetofacewiththemwhiletakinganeveningstroll，orasIconcludedafterwards，makingsomejourney。Shesaw，shestared，sheutteredonewildyell，andsuddenlybundledovertheedgeoftheroad。NeverwouldIhavebelievedthatsuchafatwomancouldhaverunsofast。Inaminuteshewasdowntheslopeandhadvanishedintoadensekloofwhere，asnightwasclosinginandwewereverytired，itwasimpossibleforustofollowher。NordidsubsequentinquiryinHowicktelluswhereshewaslivingorwhenceshecame，forsomemonthsbeforeshehadlefttheplaceshehadtakenthereasacook。

SuchwastheendofKaatjesofaraswewereconcerned。

Doubtlesstoherdyingdaysheremained，orwillremain，afirmbelieveringhosts。

AnscombeandHedaweremarriedatMaritzburgassoonasthenecessaryformalitieshadbeencompleted。Icouldnotattendtheceremony，whichwasadisappointmenttomeandIhopetothem，butunfortunatelyIhadareturnofmyillnessandwaslaidupforaweek。PerhapsthiswasowingtothehotsunthatstruckmeontheneckoneafternooncomingdowntheTownHillwhereIwasobligedtohangontotherearofthecartbecausethebrakeshadgivenout。HoweverIwasabletosendHedaaweddinggiftintheshapeofherjewelsandmoneythatIrecoveredfromthebank，whichshehadneverexpectedtoseeagain；alsotoarrangeeverythingaboutherproperty。

TheywentdowntoDurbanfortheirhoneymoonand，someconvenientopportunityarising，sailedthenceforEngland。Ireceivedanaffectionateletterfromthemboth，whichIstilltreasure，thankingmeverymuchforallIhaddoneforthem，thatafterallwaslittleenough。AlsoAnscombeenclosedablankcheque，beggingmetofillitinforwhateversumIconsideredhewasindebtedtomeonthebalanceofaccount。Ithoughtthisverykindofhimandagreatmarkofconfidence，butthechequeremainedblank。

Ineversaweitherofthemagain，andthoughIbelievethattheyarebothliving，forthemostpartabroad——inHungaryIthink——I

donotsupposethatIevershall。WhenIcametoEnglandsomeyearslaterafterKingSolomon’smineshadmademerich，IwroteAnscombealetter。Heneveransweredit，whichhurtmeatthetime。AfterwardsIrememberedthatintheirfinepositionitwasverynaturalthattheyshouldnotwishtorenewacquaintancewithanindividualwhohadsointimateaknowledgeofcertainincidentsthattheyprobablyregardedashateful，suchasthedeathsofMarnhamandDr。Rodd，andallthesurroundingcircumstances。Ifso，Idaresaythattheywerewise，butofcourseitmayhavebeenonlycarelessness。itissoeasyforbusyandfashionablefolknottoanswerarathertroublesomeletter，ortoforgettoputthatanswerinthepost。Or，indeed，thelettermayneverhavereachedthem——suchthingsoftengoastray，especiallywhenpeopleliveabroad。Atanyrate，perhapsthroughmyownfault，wehavedriftedapart。IdaresaytheybelievethatIamdead，ornottobefoundsomewhereinAfrica。

However，Ialwaysthinkofthemwithaffection，forAnscombewasoneofthebesttravellingcompanionsIeverhad，andhiswifeamostcharminggirl，andwonderwhetherZikali’sprophecyabouttheirchildrenwillcometrue。Goodluckgowiththem！

Asitchances，sincethenIpassedtheplacewheretheTemplestood，thoughatalittledistance。Ihadthecuriosity，however，atsomeinconvenience，torideroundandexaminethespot。IsupposethatHedahadsoldtheproperty，foraback-veldBoer，whowasabsentatthetime，hadturnedwhatusedtobeRodd’shospitalintohishouse。Closeby，grimandgaunt，stoodtheburnt-outmarblewallsoftheTemple。Theverandahwasstillroofedover，andstandingonthespotwhenceIhadshotthepistoloutofRodd’shand，Iwasfilledwithmanymemories。

IcouldtracethewholeplanofthebuildingandvisitedthatpartofitwhichhadbeenMarnham’sroom。Theironsafethatstoodinthecornerhadbeentakenaway，butthelegsofthebedsteadremained。Alsonotfarfromit，overgrownwithrunningplants，wasalittleheapwhichItooktobetheashesofhisdesk，forbitsofburntwoodprotruded。Igrubbedamongthemwithmyfootandridingcropandpresentlycameacrosstheremainsofacharredhumanskull。ThenIdepartedinahurry。

MywaytookmethroughtheYellow-woodgrove，pastthehornsofthebluewildebeestewhichstilllaythere，pastthatmud-holealsointowhichRoddhadfallendead。Here，however，Imadenomoresearch，whohadseenenoughofbones。TothisdayIdonotknowwhetherhestillliesbeneaththeslimyooze，orwasremovedandburied。

AlsoIsawthesiteofourwagoncampwheretheBasutosattackedus。ButIwillhavedonewiththesereminiscenceswhichinducemelancholy，thoughreallythereisnoreasonwhytheyshould。

Toutlasse，toutcasse，toutpasse——everythingwearsout，everythingcrumbles，everythingvanishes——inthewordsoftheFrenchproverbthatmyfriendSirHenryCurtisissofondofquoting，thatatlastIwroteitdowninmypocket-book，onlytorememberafterwardsthatwhenIwasaboyIhadhearditfromthelipsofanoldscampofaFrenchman，ofthenameofLeblanc，whooncegavemeandanotherlessonsintheGallictongue。ButofhimIhavealreadywrittenin_Marie，_whichisthefirstchapterintheBookofthefalloftheZulus。Thatheaded_ChildofStorm_isthesecond。Thesepagesformthethirdandlast。

Ah！indeed，toutlasse，toutcasse，toutpasse！

CHAPTERXXIII

THEKRAALJAZI

NowIshallpassoveralltheZulurecordofthenextfouryears，sinceafterallithasnothingtodowithmytaleandIdonotpretendtobewritingahistory。

SirGarnetWolseleysetuphisKilkennycatGovernmentinZululand，ortheHomeGovernmentdiditforhim，Idonotknowwhich。Inplaceofoneking，thirteenchiefswereerectedwhogottoworktocutthethroatsofeachotherandofthepeople。

AsIexpectedwouldbethecase，Zikaliinformedthemilitaryauthoritiesofthesecrethiding-placeintheIngomeForestwherehesuggestedtoCetewayothatheshouldrefuge。Theex-kingwasdulycapturedthereandtakenfirsttotheCapeandthentoEngland，where，afterthedisgraceofpoorSirBartleFrere，anagitationhadbeensetonfootonhisbehalf。HerehesawtheQueenandherministers，oncemoreconquering，asithadbeenprophesiedthathewouldbyherwhoworetheshapeofMameenaatthememorablesceneintheValleyofBoneswhenIwaspresent。

OftenIhavethoughtofhimdressedinablackcoatandseatedinthatvillainMelburyRoadinthesuburbofLondonwhichI

understandispopulatedbyartists。AstrangecontrasttrulytothesavageprincereceivingthesaluteoftriumphaftertheBattleoftheTugelainwhichhewonthekingship，ortotheroyalmonarchtowhosepresenceIhadbeensummonedatUlundi。

However，hewasbroughtbacktoZululandagainbyaBritishman-of-war，re-installedtoalimitedchieftainshipbySirTheophilusShepstone，andfreedfromthestranglingembraceoftheblackcoat。

Thenofcoursetherewasmorefighting，aseveryoneknewwouldhappen，excepttheBritishColonialOffice；indeedallZululandranwithblood。ForinEnglandCetewayoandhisrights，orwrongs，had，liketheBoersandtheirrights，orwrongs，becomeamatterofPartypoliticstowhicheverythingelsemustgiveway。

OftenIwonderwhetherPartypoliticswillnotintheendprovetheruinoftheBritishEmpire。Well，thankHeaven，Ishallnotlivetolearn。

SoCetewayocamebackandfoughtandwasdefeatedbythosewhooncehadbeenhissubjects。Nowforthelastscene，thatisallwithwhichIneedconcernmyself。

AtthebeginningofFebruary，1884，businesstookmetoZululand；

ithadtodowithadealincattleandblankets。AsIwasreturningtowardstheTugelawhoshouldImeetbutfriendGoza，hewhohadescortedmefromtheBlackKlooftoUlundibeforetheoutbreakofwar，andwhoafterwardsescortedmeandthatunutterablenuisance，Kaatje，outofthecountry。AtfirstI

thoughtthatwecametogetherbyaccident，orperhapsthathehadjourneyedalittlewaytothankmefortheblanketswhichIhadsenttohim，rememberingmyancientpromise，butafterwardsI

changedmyopiniononthispoint。

Well，wetalkedovermanymatters，thewar，thedisastersthathadbefallenZululand，andsoforth。EspeciallydidwetalkofthatnightintheValleyofBonesandthethingswehadseentheresidebyside。IaskedhimifthepeoplestillbelievedintheInkosazana-y-Zuluwhothenappearedinthemoonlightontherock。Heansweredthatsomedidandsomedidnot。Forhispart，headded，lookingatmefixedly，hedidnot，sinceitwasrumouredthatZikalihaddressedupawhitewomantoplaythepartoftheSpirit。Yethecouldnotbesureofthematter，sinceitwasalsosaidthatwhensomeofCetewayo’speoplewenttokillthiswhitewomanintheBlackKloof，Nomkubulwana，thePrincessofHeavenherself，rosebeforethemandfrightenedthemaway。

Iremarkedthatthiswasverystrange，andthenquitecasuallyaskedhimwhomZikalihaddresseduptoplaythepartofthedeadMameenauponthatsameoccasion，sincethiswasapointuponwhichIalwaysthirstedfordefiniteintelligence。HestaredatmeandrepliedthatIoughttobeabletoanswermyownquestion，sinceIhadbeenmuchnearertoherwholookedlikeMameenathananyoneelse，sonearindeedthatallpresentdistinctlysawherkissme，asitwaswellknownshehadlikedtodowhilestillalive。Irepliedindignantlythattheysawwrongandrepeatedmyquestion。Thenheansweredstraightout——

“OMacumazahn，weZulusbelievethatwhatwesawonthatnightwasnotNombeoranotherdressedup，butthespiritofthewitchMameenaitself。WebelieveitbecausewecouldseethelightofZikali’sfirethroughher，notalways，butsometimes；alsobecauseallthatshesaidhascometrue，thougheverythingisnotyetfinished。”

Icouldgetnomoreoutofhimaboutthematter，forwhenItriedtospeakofitagain，heturnedthesubject，tellingmeofhiswonderfulescapesduringthewar。Presentlyherosetogoandsaidcasually——

“SurelyIgrowoldinthesetimesoftrouble，Macumazahn，forthoughtsslipthroughmyheadlikewaterthroughthefingers。

AlmostIhadforgottenwhatIwishedtosaytoyou。TheotherdayImetZikali，theOpenerofRoads。HetoldmethatyouwereinZululandandthatIshouldmeetyou——hedidnotsaywhere，onlythatwhenIdidmeetyou，Iwastogiveyouamessage。Thiswasthemessage——thatwhenonyourwaytoNatalyoucametothekraalJazi，youwouldfindhimthere；alsoanotherwhomyouusedtoknow，andmustbesurenottogoawaywithoutseeinghim，sincethatwasabouttohappeninwhichyoumusttakeyourpart。”

“Zikali！“Iexclaimed。“Ihaveheardnothingofhimsincethewar。Ithoughtthatbynowhewascertainlydead。”

“Oh！no，Macumazahn，heiscertainlynotdead，butjustthesameasever。Indeeditisbelievedthatheandnootherhaskeptallthisbrothoftroubleontheboil，somesayforCetewayo’ssake，andsomesaybecausehewishestodestroyCetewayo。ButwhatdoIknowofsuchmatterswhoonlydesiretoliveinpeaceunderwhateverchieftheEnglishQueensendstous，asshehasarighttodohavingconqueredusinwar？WhenyoumeettheOpenerofRoadsatthekraalJazi，askhim，Macumazahn。”

“WherethedevilisthekraalJazi？“Iinquiredwithirritation。

“Ineverheardofsuchaplace。”

“NordidI，thereforeIcannottellyou，Macumazahn。ForaughtI

cansayitmaybedownbeneathwheredeadmengo。ButwhereveritistherecertainlyyouwillmeettheOpenerofRoads。Nowfarewell，Macumazahn。Ifitshouldchancethatweneverlookintoeachother’seyesagain，Iamsureyouwillthinkofmesometimes，asIshallofyou，andofallthatwehaveseentogether，especiallyonthatnightintheValeofBoneswhentheghostofthewitchMameenaprophesiedtousandkissedyoubeforeusall。Shemusthavebeenverybeautiful，Macumazahn，asindeedIhaveheardfromthosewhorememberher，andIdon’twonderthatyoulovedhersomuch。Stillformypartlhadratherbekissedbyalivingwomanthanbyonewhoisdead，thoughdoubtlessitisbesttobekissedbynoneatall。Again，farewell，andbesuretotelltheOpenerofRoadsthatIgaveyouhismessage，lestheshouldlaysomeevilcharmuponme，whohaveseenenougheviloflate。”

ThustalkingGozadeparted。Ineversawhimagain，anddonotknowifheisdeadoralive。Well，hewasakindlyoldfellow，ifnohero。

IhadalmostforgottentheincidentofthismeetingwhenawhilelaterIfoundmyselfintheneighbourhoodofthebeautifulbutsemi-tropicalplacecalledEshowe，whichsincethosedayshasbecometheofficialhomeoftheBritishResidentinZululand。

Indeed，althoughthehousewasnotthenfinished，ifithadbeenbegun，SirMelmothOsbornalreadyhadanofficethere。Iwishedtoseehiminordertogivehimsomeratherimportantinformation，butwhenIreachedakraalofaboutfiftyhutssomefivehundredyardsfromthesiteofthepresentResidency，mywagonstuckfastintheboggyground。Whilelwastryingtogetitoutaquiet-facedZulu，whosename，Iremember，wasUmnikwa，informedmethatMalimati，thatisSirMelmothOsborn’snativename，wassomewhereatalittledistancefromEshowe，toofarawayformetogettohimthatnight。Ianswered，Verywell，I

wouldsleepwhereIwas，andaskedthenameofthekraal。

Hereplied，Jazi，atwhichlstarted，butonlysaidthatitwasastrangename，seeingthatitmeant“Finished。”or“Finishedwithjoy。”Umnikwaanswered，Yes，butthatithadbeensocalledbecausethechiefUmfokaki，orTheStranger，whomarriedasisteroftheking，waskilledatthiskraalbyhisbrother，Gundane，ortheBat。Iremarkedthatitwasanill-omenedkindofname，towhichthemanreplied，Yes，andlikelytobecomemoreso，sincetheKingCetewayowhohadbeenshelteringthere“beneaththearmpit“ofMalimati，thewhitelord，forsomemonths，layinitdying。Iaskedhimofwhathewasdying，andherepliedthathedidnotknow，butthatdoubtlessthefatherofthewitch-doctors，namedZikali，theOpenerofRoads，wouldbeabletotellme，ashewasattendingonCetewayo。

“Hehassentmetobidyoutocomeatonce，OMacumazahn。”headdedcasually，“havinghadnewsthatyouwerearrivinghere。”

Showingnosurprise，IansweredthatIwouldcome，althoughgoodnessknowsIwassurprisedenough，andleavingmyservantstogetmywagonoutofthebog，Iwalkedintothekraalwiththemessenger。Hetookmetoalargehutplacedwithinafenceaboutthegateofwhichsomewomenweregathered，whoalllookedveryanxiousanddisturbed。AmongthemIsawDabukotheking’sbrother，whomIknewslightly。HegreetedmeandtoldmethatCetewayowasatthepointofdeathwithinthehut，butlikeUmnikwa，professedignoranceofthecauseofhisillness。

Foralongwhile，overanhourIshouldthink，Isatthereoutsidethehut，orwalkedtoandfro。UntildarknesscameI

couldoccupymyselfwithcontemplatingthesceneryoftheencirclinghills，whichisamongthemostbeautifulinZululandwithitsswellingcontoursandrichcolouring。Butafterithadsetinonlymythoughtsremained，andtheseIfounddepressing。

AtlengthImadeupmymindthatIwouldgoaway，forafterallwhathadItodowiththisbusinessofthedeathofCetewayo，ifintruthhewasdying？IwishedtoseenomoreofCetewayoofwhomallmyrecollectionswereterrificorsorrowful。Irosetodepart，whensuddenlyawomanemergedfromthehut。Icouldnotseewhoshewasorevenwhatshewaslike，becauseofthegloom；

alsoforthereasonthatshehadthecornerofherblanketthrownoverherfaceasthoughshewishedtokeepithidden。Foramomentshestoppedoppositetomeandsaid——

“Thekingwhoissickdesirestoseeyou，Macumazahn。”Thenshepointedtothedoor-holeofthehutandvanished，shuttingthegateofthefencebehindher。CuriosityovercamemeandI

crawledintothehut，pushingasidethedoor-boardinordertodosoandsettingitupagainwhenIwasthrough。

Insideburnedasinglecandlefixedintheneckofabottle，faintlyilluminatingthatbigandgloomyplace。ByitsfeeblelightIsawalowbedsteadontheleftoftheentranceandlyingonitamanhalfcoveredbyablanketinwhomIrecognizedCetewayo。Hisfacewasshrunkenanddistortedwithpain，andhisgreatbulkseemedless，butstillwithoutdoubtitwasCetewayo。

“Greeting，Macumazahn。”hesaidfeebly，“youfindmeinevilcase，butIheardthatyouwerehereandthoughtthatIshouldliketoseeyoubeforeIdie，becauseIknowthatyouarehonestandwillreportmywordsfaithfully。Iwishyoutotellthewhitementhatmyheartneverreallywasagainstthem；theyhavealwaysbeenthefriendsofmyheart，butothersforcedmedownaroadIdidnotwishtotravel，ofwhichnowIhavecometotheend。”

“Whatisthematterwithyou，King？“Iasked。

“Idonotknow，Macumazahn，butIhavebeensickforsomedays。

TheOpenerofRoadswhocametodoctorme，becausemywivesbelievedthosewhitemedicine-menwishedmedead，saysthatI

havebeenpoisonedandmustdie。Ifyouhadbeenhereatfirstyoumightperhapshavegivenmesomemedicine。Butnowitistoolate。”headdedwithagroan。

“Whothenpoisonedyou，King？“

“Icannottellyou，Macumazahn。Perhapsmyenemies，perhapsmybrothers，perhapsmywives。Allwishtohavedonewithme，andtheGreatOne，whoisnolongerwanted，issoondead。Bethankful，Macumazahn，thatyouneverwereaking，forsadisthelotofkings。”

“Where，then，istheOpenerofRoads？“Iasked。

“Hewasherealittlewhileago。PerhapshehasgoneouttotaketheKing’shead“(i。e。，toannouncehisdeath)“toMalimatiandthewhitemen。”heansweredinafaintvoice。

JustthenIheardashufflingnoiseproceedingfromthatpartofthehutwheretheshadowwasdeepest，andlooking，sawanemaciatedarmprojectedintothecircleofthelight。Itwasfollowedbyanotherarm，thenbyavastheadcoveredwithlongwhitehairthattrailedupontheground，thenbyabig，mishapenbody，sowastedthatitlookedlikeaskeletoncoveredwithcorrugatedblackskin。Slowly，likeachameleonclimbingabough，thethingcreptforward，andIknewitforZikali。Hereachedthesideofthebedandsquatteddowninhistoad-likefashion，then，againlikeachameleon，withoutmovinghisheadturnedhisdeepandglowingeyestowardsme。

“Hail，OMacumazahn。”hesaidinhislowvoice。“Didlnotpromiseyoulongagothatyoushouldbewithmeatthelast，andareyounotwithmeandanother？“

“Itseemsso，Zikali。”Ianswered。“Butwhydoyounotsendforthewhitedoctorstocuretheking？“

“Allthedoctors，whiteandblack，inthewholeworldcannotcurehim，Macumazahn。TheSpiritscallhimandhedies。AthiscallIcamefastandfar，butevenIcannotcurehim——althoughbecauseofhimImyselfmustdie。”

“Why？“Iasked。

“Lookatme，Macumazahn，andsayifIamonewhoshouldtravel。

Well，allcometotheirendatlast，eventhe’Thing-that-should-never-have-been-born。’“

Cetewayoliftedhisheadandlookedathim，thensaidheavily——

“PerchanceitwouldhavebeenbetterforourHouseifthatendhadbeensooner。NowthatIliedyingmanysayingsconcerningyoucomeintomymindthatIhadforgotten。Moreover，OpenerofRoads，Ineversentforyou，whoevermayhavedoneso，anditwasnotuntilafteryoucameherethatthegreatpainseizedme。Howdidithappen。”hewentonwithgatheringforce，“thatthewhitemencaughtmeinthesecretplacewhereyoutoldmeIshouldhide？Whopointedoutthathiddenholetothewhitemen？Butwhatdoesitmatternow？“

“Nothingatall，OSonofPanda。”answeredZikali，“evenlessthanitmattershowIescapedthespear-headhiddeninyourrobe，yonderinmyhutintheBlackKloofwhere，haditnotbeenforacertainspiritthatstoodbetweenyouandme，youwouldhavemurderedme。Tellme，SonofPanda，duringtheselastthreedayshaveyouthoughtatallofyourbrotherUmbelazi，andofcertainotherbrethrenofyourswhomyoukilledatthebattleoftheTugela，whenthewhitemanhereledthechargeoftheAmawombeagainstyourregimentsandateupthreeofthem？“

Cetewayogroanedbutsaidnothing。Ithinkhehadbecometoofainttospeak。

“Listen，SonofPanda。”wentonZikaliinanintenseandhissingvoice。“Many，manyyearsago，beforeSenzangacona，yourgrandfather，sawthelight——whoknowshowlongbefore——amanwasbornofhighbloodintheDwandwetribe，whichmanwasadwarf。

ChakatheBlackOneconqueredtheDwandwe，butthismanofhighbloodwassparedbecausehewasadwarf，anabortion，towhomChakagavethenameofthe’Thing-that-never-should-have-been-born，’keepinghimabouthimtobeamockintimesofpeaceandsafety，andbecausehewaswiseandlearnedinmagic，tobeacounsellorintimesoftrouble。Moreover，Chakakilledthisman’swivesandchildrenforhissport，saveonewhomhekepttobehis’sister。’

“Thereforeforthesakeofhispeopleandhisbutcheredwivesandchildren，thiswizardsworeanoathofvengeanceagainstChakaandallhisHouse。Workingbeneaththegroundlikearat，heunderminedthethroneofChakaandbroughthimtohisdeathbythespearsofhisbrethrenandofMopohisservant，whomChakahadwronged。Stillworkinginthedarklikearat，hecausedDingaan，whostabbedChaka，tomurdertheBoerRetiefandhispeople，andthuscalleddownuponhisheadthevengeanceoftheWhites，andafterwardsbroughtDingaantohisdeath。ThenPanda，yourfather，arose，andhislifethis’Thing-that-never-should-have-been-born’sparedbecauseoncePandahaddonehimakindness。OnlythroughthewitchMameenahebroughtsorrowonhim，causingwartoarisebetweenhischildren，oneofwhomwasnamedCetewayo。

“ThenthisCetewayoruled，firstwithhisfatherPandaandafterwardsinhisplace，andtroublearosebetweenhimandtheEnglish。SonofPanda，youwillrememberthatthisCetewayowasindoubtwhethertofighttheEnglishanddemandedasignoftheThing-that-never-should-have-been-born。Hegavethesign，causingtheInkosazana-y-Zulu，thePrincessofHeaven，toappearbeforehimandtherebyliftingthespearofWar。SonofPanda，youknowhowthatwarwent，howthisCetewayowasdefeatedandcametothe’Thing-that-never-should-have-been-born’likeahuntedhyena，tolearnofaholewherehemighthide。Youknow，too，howhestrovetomurderthepoorolddoctorwhoshowedhimsuchahole；howhewastakenprisonerandsentacrossthewaterandafterwardssetupagaininthelandthathadlearnedtohatehim，tobringitschildrentodeathbythousands。Andyouknowhowatlasthetookrefugebeneaththewingofthewhitechief，hereinthekraalJazi，andlived，spatupon，anoutcast，untilatlengthhefellsick，assuchmenareapttodo，andtheThing-that-never-should-have-been-bornwassentfortodoctorhim。Andyouknowalsohowheliesdying，withinhimanagonyasthoughhehadswallowedaredhotspear，andbeforehimagreatblacknesspeopledbytheghostsofthosewhomhehasslain，andofhisforefatherswhoseHousehehaspulleddownandburned。”

Zikaliceased，andthrustinghishideousheadtowithinaninchortwoofthatofthedyingman，hegloweredathimwithhisfierceandfieryeves。Thenhebegantowhisperintotheking’sear，whoquiveredathiswords，asthevictimquiversbeneaththetorturer’slooks。

Atthatmomenttheendofthecandlefellintothebottlewhichwasofclearwhiteglass，andthereburnedforalittlewhiledullybeforeitwentout。NevershallIforgetthesceneilluminedbyitsblueandghastlylight。Thedyingmanlyingonthelowcouch，rockinghisheadtoandfro；thewizardbendingoverhimlikesomegreyvampirebatsuckingthelife-bloodfromhishelplessthroat。Theterrorintheeyesoftheone，theinsatiablehateintheeyesoftheother。Oh！itwasawful！

“Macumazahn。”gaspedCetewayoinarattlingwhisper，“helpme，Macumazahn。IsaythatIampoisonedbythisZikali，whohatesme。Oh！driveawaytheghosts！Drivethemaway！“

Ilookedathimandathistormentorsquattedbyhimlikeamockingfiend，andasIlookedthecandlewentout。

Thenmynervebroke，thecoldsweatpouredfrommyfaceandI

fledfromthehutasamanmightfromasceneinhell，followedbythelowmockinglaughofZikali。

Outsidethewomenandothersweregatheredinthegloom。Itoldthemtogototheking，whowasdying，andblundereduptheslopetosearchforsomewhiteman。Noonewastobefound，butaKaffirmessengerbytheofficetoldmethatMalimatiwasstillawayandhadbeensentfor。SoIreturnedtomywagonandlaydowninitexhausted，forwhatmorecouldIdo？

Itwasaroughnight。Thundermutteredandrainfellindrivinggusts。Idozedoff，onlytobeawakenedbyasoundofwailing。

ThenIknewthatthekingwasdead，forthiswastheIsililo，thecryofmourning。Iwonderedwhetherthemurderers——forthathewaspoisonedIhadnodoubt——wereamongthosewhowailed。

Towardsdawnthestormrolledoffandthenightgrewsereneandclear，forawaningmoonwasshininginthesky。Theheatofthatstiffingplaceoppressedme；mybloodseemedtobeafire。I

knewthattherewasastreaminagorgeabouthalfamileaway，forithadbeenpointedouttome。Ilongedforaswimincoolwater，who，totelltruth，hadfoundnoneforsomedays，andbethoughtmethatIwouldbatheinthisstreambeforeItrekkedfromthathatefulspot，fortomeithadbecomehateful。Callingmydriver，whowasawakeandtalkingwiththevoorloopers，fortheyknewwhatwaspassingatthekraalandwerealarmed，ItoldthemtogettheoxenreadytostartasIwouldbebackpresently。

ThenIsetoffforthestreamand，afteralongishwalk，scrambleddownasteepravinetoitsbanks，followingapathmadebyKaffirwomengoingtodrawwater。ArrivedthereatlastI

foundthatitwasinfloodandrisingrapidly，atleastsoI

judgedfromthesound，forinthatdeep，tree-hungplacethelightwastoofainttoallowmetoseeanything。SoIsatdownwaitingforthedawnandwishingthatIhadnotcomebecauseofthemosquitoes。

Atlengthitbrokeandthemistslifted，showingthatthespotwasoneofgreatbeauty。Oppositetomewasawaterfalltwentyorthirtyfeethigh，overwhichthetorrentrushedintoablackpoolbelow。Everywheregrewtallfernsandbeyondthesegracefultrees，fromwhoseleaveshungraindrops。Inthecentreofthestreamontheedgeofthefallwasarocknotadozenfeetawayfromme，roundwhichthewaterfoamed。Somethingwassquattedonthisrock，atfirstIcouldnotseewhatbecauseofthemist，butthoughtthatitwasagrey-headedbaboon，orsomeotheranimal，andregrettedthatIhadnotbroughtagunwithme。PresentlyI

becameawarethatitmustbeaman，for，inachantingvoice，itbegantospeakorprayinZulu，andhiddenbehindafloweringbush，Icouldhearthewords。Theyweretothiseffect——

“OmySpirit，herewherethoufoundestmewhenIwasyoung，hundredsofyearsago“(hesaidhundreds，butIsupposehemeanttens)，“Icomebacktothee。InthispoolIdivedandbeneaththewatersfoundthee，mySnake，andthoudidstwindthyselfaboutmybodyandaboutmyheart“(hereIunderstoodthatthespeakerwasalludingtohisinitiationasawitch-doctorwhichgenerallyincludes，orusedtoinclude，thefindingofasnakeinariverthatcoilsitselfabouttheneophyte)。“Aboutmybodyandinmyheartthouhastdweltfromthatsuntothis，givingmewisdomandgoodandevilcounsel，andthatwhichthouhastcounselled，Ihavedone。NowIreturntheewhencethoucamest，theretoawaitmeinthenewbirth。

“OSpiritsofmyfathers，toilingthroughmanyyearsIhaveavengedyouontheHouseofSenzangacona，andneveragainwilltherebeakingoftheZulus，forthelastofthemliesdeadbymyhand。Omymurderedwivesandmychildren，Ihaveoffereduptoyouamightysacrifice，asacrificeofthousandsuponthousands。

“OUmkulu-kulu，GreatOneoftheheavens，whosentestmetoearth，Ihavedonethyworkupontheearthandbringbacktotheethyharvestoftheseedthatthouhastsown，ablood-redharvest，OUmkulu-kulu。Bestill，bestill，mySnake，thesunarises，andsoon，soonshaltthourestinthewaterthatwastthinefromthebeginningoftheworld！“

Thevoiceceased，andpresentlyaspearoflightpiercingthemists，lituponthespeaker。ItwasZikaliandabouthimwaswoundagreatyellow-belliedsnake，ofwhichtheblackheadwithflickeringtonguewavedabovehisheadandseemedfromtimetotimetolickhimonthebrow。(Isupposeithadcometohimfromthewater，foritsskinglitteredasthoughwithwet。)Hestoodupontotteringfeet，staringattheredeyeoftherisingsun，thencrying，_“Finished，finishedwithjoy！“_withaloudanddreadfullaughter，heplungedintothefoamingpoolbeneath。

SuchwastheendofZikalitheWizard，OpenerofRoads，the“Thing-that-should-never-have-been-born。”andsuchwasthevengeancethatheworkeduponthegreatHouseofSenzangacona，bringingittonaughtandwithitthenationoftheZulus。

End