AfterthisIsaidnomore，forIknewthatshemeanttowarnme。
　　Wehadenteredonthisbusinessandmustseeitthroughtoitsend，sweetorbitter。
　　AsforAnscombeandHedatheirhappinessseemedtobecomplete。
　　Thenoveltyofthelifecharmedthem，andofitsdangerstheytooknothought，beingcontenttoleaveme，inwhomtheyhadablindfaith，tomanageeverything。Moreover，Heda，whointhejoyofherlovewasbeginningtoforgetthesorrowofherfather’sdeathandtheothertragiceventsthroughwhichshehadjustpassed，tookagreatfancytotheyoungwitch-doctoresswhoconversedwithherinZulu，alanguageofwhich，havinglivedsolonginNatal，Hedaknewmuchalready。Indeed，whenIsuggestedtoherthattobeover-trustingwasnotwise，shefiredupandrepliedthatshehadbeenaccustomedtonativesallherlifeandcouldjudgethem，addingthatshehadeveryconfidenceinNombe。
　　AfterthisIheldmytongueandsaidnomoreofmydoubts。WhatwastheusesinceHedawouldnotlistentothem，andatthattimeAnscombewasnothingbutherecho？
　　Sothis，forme，verydulljourneycontinued，tillatlength，afterbeingheldupforacoupleofdaysbyafloodedriverwheretherewasnothingtodobutsitandsmoke，asNomberequestedmenottomakeanoisebyshootingatthebiggamethatabounded，webegantoemergefromthebush-veldontothelovelyuplandsintheneighbourhoodofNongoma。LeavingtheseonourrightweheadedforaplacecalledCeza，anaturalstrongholdconsistingofaflatplainonthetopofamountain，whichplainissurroundedbybush。ItisatthefootofthisstrongholdthattheBlackKlooflies，beingoneoftheravinesthatrunupintothemountain。
　　Sothitherwecameatlast。Itwasdrawingtowardssunset，atremendousandstormysunset，asweapproachedtheplace，andlo！
　　itlookedexactlyasithaddonewhenfirstIsawitmorethanascoreofyearsbefore，forbiddingasthemouthofhell，vastandlonesome。Therestoodthecolumnsofbouldersfantasticallypiledoneuponanother；theregrewthesparsetreesuponitssteepsides，mingledwithaloesthatlookedliketheshapesofmen；therewasthegranitebottomsweptalmostcleanbyfloodsinsomedimage，andthelittlestreamthatflowedalongit。There，too，wasthespotwhereonceIhadoutspannedmywagonsonthenightwhenmyservantssworethattheysawtheImikovu，orwizard-raisedspectres，floatingpastthemontheairintheshapesofthePrincesandotherswhoweresoontofallatthebattleoftheTugela。Upitwewent，IridingandNombe，whohaddescendedfromthecartthatfollowed，walkingbymysideandwatchingme。
　　“Youseemsad，Macumazahn。”shesaidatlength。
　　“Yes，Nombe，Iamsad。Thisplacemakesmeso。”
　　“Isittheplace，Macumazahn，orisitthethoughtofonewhomonceyoumetintheplace，onewhoisdead？“
　　Ilookedather，pretendingnottounderstand，andshewenton——
　　“Ihavethegiftofvision，Macumazahn，whichcomesattimestothoseofmytrade，andnowandagain，amongstothers，Ihaveseemedtoseethespiritofacertainwomanhauntingthiskloofasthoughshewerewaitingforsomeone。”
　　“Indeed，andwhatmaythatwomanbelike？“Iinquiredcarelessly。
　　AsitchancesIcanseehernowglidingbackwardsinfrontofyoujustthere，andthereforeamabletoansweryourquestion，Macumazahn。Sheistallandslender，beautifullymade，andlight-colouredforoneofusblackpeople。Shehaslargeeyeslikeabuck，andthoseeyesarefulloffirethatdoesnotcomefromthesunbutfromwithin。Herfaceistenderyetproud，oh！
　　soproudthatshemakesmeafraid。Shewearsacloakofgreyfur，andaboutherneckthereisacircletofbigbluebeadswithwhichherfingersplay。Athoughtcomesfromhertome。Thesearethewordsofthethought：’Ihavewaitedlonginthisdarkplace，watchingbydayandnighttillyou，theWatcher-by-Night，returntomeetmehere。Atlengthyouhavecome，andinthisenchantedplacemyhungryspiritcanfeeduponyourspiritforawhile。Ithankyouforcoming，whonowamnomorelonely。Fearnothing，Macumazahn，forbyacertainkissIsweartoyouthattilltheappointedhourwhenyoubecomeasIam，Iwillbeashielduponyourarmandaspearinyourhand。’Sucharethewordsofherthought，Macumazahn，butshehasgoneawayandI
　　hearnomore。Itwasasthoughyourhorserodeoverherandshepassedthroughyou。”
　　Then，likeonewhowishedtoanswernoquestions，Nombeturnedandwentbacktothecart，whereshebegantotalkindifferentlywithHeda，forassoonasweenteredthekloofherservantshaddrawnbackthecurtainsandletfalltheblanket。Asforme，I
　　groaned，forofcourseIknewthatZikali，whowaswellacquaintedwiththeappearanceofMameena，hadinstructedNombetosayallthistomeinordertoimpressmymindforsomereasonofhisown。Yethehaddoneitcleverly，forsuchwordsasthoseMameenamightwellhaveutteredcouldhergreatspirithaveneedtowalktheearthagain。Wassuchathingpossible，Iwondered？
　　No，itwasnotpossible，yetitwastruethatheratmosphereseemedtoclingaboutthisplaceandthatmyimagination，excitedbymemoryandNombe’ssuggestions，seemedtoapprehendherpresence。
　　AsIreflectedthehorseadvancedroundthelittlebendintheever-narrowingcliffs，andthereinfrontofme，underthegiganticmassofoverhangingrock，appearedthekraalofZikalisurroundedbyitsreedfence，Thegateofthefencewasopen，andbeyondit，onhisstoolinfrontofthelargehut，satZikali。
　　Evenatthatdistanceitwasimpossibletomistakehisfigure，whichwaslikenootherthatIhadknownintheworld。A
　　broad-shouldereddwarfwithahugehead，deep，sunkeneyesandsnowyhairthathunguponhisshoulders；thewholeframeandfacepervadedwithanairofgreatantiquity，andyetowingtotheplumpnessofthefleshandthatfreshnessofskinwhichissometimesseenintheaged，comparativelyyoung-looking。
　　SuchwasthegreatwizardZikali，knownthroughoutthelandforlongerthananylivingmancouldrememberas“OpenerofRoads。”atitlethatreferredtohispowersofspiritualvision，alsoasthe“Thing-that-should-never-have-been-born。”anamegiventohimbyChaka，thefirstandgreatestoftheZulukings，becauseofhisdeformity。
　　Therehesatsilent，impassive，staringopen-eyedattheredballofthesettingsun，lookingmorelikesomeunshapelystatuethanaman。Hissilent，fierce-facedservantsappeared。TometheylookedlikethesamemenwhomIhadseenherethreeandtwentyyearsbefore，onlygrownolder。Indeed，Ithinktheywere，fortheygreetedmebynameandsalutedbyraisingtheirbroadspears。IdismountedandwaitedwhileAnscombe，whosefootwasnowquitewellagain，helpedHedafromthecartwhichwasledawaybytheservants。Anscombe，whoseemedalittleoppressed，remarkedthatthiswasastrangeplace。
　　“Yes。”saidHeda，“butitismagnificent。Ilikeit。”
　　ThenhereyefelluponZikaliseatedbeforethehutandsheturnedpale。
　　“Oh！whataterrible-lookingman。”shemurmured，“ifheisaman。”
　　ThemaidKaatjesawhimalsoandutteredalittlecry。
　　“Don’tbefrightened，dear。”saidAnscombe，“heisonlyanolddwarf。”
　　“Isupposeso。”sheexclaimeddoubtfully，“buttomeheislikethedevil。”
　　Nombeslidpastus。Shethrewoffthekarosssheworeandforthefirsttimeappearednakedexceptforthemuchaabouthermiddleandherornaments。DownshewentonherhandsandkneesandinthishumbleposturecrepttowardsZikali。Arrivinginfrontofhimshetouchedthegroundwithherforehead，thenliftingherrightarm，gavethesaluteofMakosi，towhichasagreatwizardhewasentitled，beingsupposedtobethehomeofmanyspirits。SofarasIcouldseehetooknonoticeofher。
　　Presentlyshemovedandsquattedherselfdownonhisrighthand，whiletwoofhisattendantsappearedfrombehindthehutandtooktheirstandbetweenhimanditsdoorway，holdingtheirspearsraised。AboutaminutelaterNombebeckonedtoustoapproach，andwewentforwardacrossthecourtyard，Ialittleaheadoftheothers。AswedrewnearZikaliopenedhismouthandutteredaloudandterrifyinglaugh。HowwellIrememberedthatlaughwhichIhadfirstheardatDingaan’skraalasaboyafterthemurderofRetiefandtheBoers。*
　　[Seethebookcalled_Marie，_byH。RiderHaggard。]
　　“Ibegintothinkthatyouarerightandthatthisoldgentlemanmustbethedevil。”saidAnscombetoHeda，thenlapsedintosilence。
　　AsIwasdeterminednottospeakfirstItooktheopportunitytofillmypipe。Zikali，whowaswatchingme，althoughallthewhileheseemedtobestaringatthesettingsun，madeasign。
　　Oneoftheservantsdashedawayandimmediatelyreturned，bearingaflamingbrandwhichprofferedtomeasapipe-lighter。Thenhedepartedagaintobringthreecarvedstoolsofredwoodwhichheplacedforus。Ilookedatmineandknewitagainbythecarvings。ItwasthesameonwhichIhadsatwhenfirstImetZikali。Atlengthhespokeinhisdeep，slowvoice。
　　“Manyyearshavegoneby，Macumazahn，sinceyoumadeuseofthatstool。Theyarecutinnotchesuponthelegyouholdandyoumaycountthemifyouwill。”
　　Iexaminedtheleg。Therewerethenotches，twenty-twoorthreeofthem。Ontheotherlegsweremorenotchestoonumeroustoreckon。
　　“Donotlookatthose，Macumazahn，fortheyhavenothingtodowithyou。TheytelltheyearssincethefirstoftheHouseofSenzangaconasatuponthatstool，sinceChakasatuponit，sinceDingaanandotherssatuponit，oneMameenaamongthem。Well，muchhashappenedsinceitservedyouforarest。Youhavewanderedfarandseenstrangethingsandlivedwhereotherswouldhavediedbecauseitwasyourlottolive，ofallofwhichwewilltalkafterwards。Andnowwhenyouaregreyyouhavecomebackhere，astheOpenerofRoadstoldyouyouwoulddo，bringingwithyounewcompanions，youwhohavetheartofmakingfriendsevenwhenyouareold，whichisonegiventofewmen。Wherearethosewithwhomyouusedtocompany，Macumazahn？WhereareSadukoandMameenaandtherest？AllgoneexcepttheThing-who-should-never-have-been-born。”andagainhelaughedloudly。
　　“Andwhoitseemshasneverlearnedwhentodie。”Iremarked，speakingforthefirsttime。
　　“Justso，Macumazahn，becauseIcannotdieuntilmyworkisfinished。ButthanksbetothespiritsofmyfathersandtomyownthatIliveontoglutwithvengeance，theenddrawsnearatlast，andasIpromisedyouinthedeaddays，youshallhaveyourshareinit，Macumazahn。”
　　Hepaused，thencontinued，stillstaringatthesinkingsun，whichmadehisremarksaboutus，whomhedidnotseemtosee，uncanny——
　　“Thatwhitemanwithyouisbraveandwell-born，onewholovesfighting，Ithink，andthemaidenisfairandsweet，withahighspirit。SheisthinkingtoherselfthatIamanoldwizardwhom，ifshewerenotafraidofme，shewouldasktotellherherfortune。See，sheunderstandsandstarts。Well，perhapsIwilloneday。Meanwhile，hereisalittlebitofit。Shewillhavefivechildren，ofwhomtwowilldieandonewillgivehersomuchtroublethatshewillwishithaddiedalso。ButwhotheirfatherwillbeIdonotsay。Nombemychild，leadawaythisWhiteOneandherwomantothehutthathasbeenmadereadyforher，forsheiswearyandwouldrest。See，too，thatshelacksfornothingwhichwecangiveherwhoisourguest。Letthewhitelord，Mauriti，accompanyhertothehutandbeshownthatnexttoitinwhichheandMacumazahnwillsleep，sothathemaybesurethatsheissafe，andattendtothehorsesifhewills。
　　Thereisaplacetotetherthembehindthehuts，andthemenwhotravelledwithyouwillhelphim。Afterwards，whenIhavespokenwithhim，Macumazahncanjointhemthattheymayeatbeforetheysleep。
　　ThesedirectionsItranslatedtoAnscombe，whowentgladlyenoughwithHeda，forIthinktheywerebothafraidoftheterribleolddwarfanddidnotdesirehiscompanyinthegatheringgloom。
　　“Thesunsinksoncemore，Macumazahn。”hesaidwhentheyweregone，“andtheairgrowschill。Comewithmenowintomyhutwherethefireburns，forIamagedandthecoldstrikesthroughme。Alsotherewecanbealone。”
　　Sospeakingheturnedandcrawledintothehut，lookinglikeagiganticwhite-headedbeetleashedidso，acreature，I
　　remembered，towhichIhadoncecomparedhiminthepast。I
　　followed，carryingthehistoricstool，andwhenhehadseatedhimselfonhiskarossonthefurthersideofthefire，tookupmypositionoppositetohim。Thisfirewasfedwithsomekindofrootorwoodthatgaveathinclearflamewithlittleornosmoke。Overithecrouched，socloselythathisgreatheadseemedtobealmostintheflameatwhichhestaredwithunblinkingeyesashehaddoneatthesun，circumstanceswhichaddedtohisterrifyingappearanceandmademethinkofacertainregionanditsinhabitants。
　　“Whydoyoucomehere，Macumazahn？“heaskedafterstudyingmeforawhilethroughthatwindowoffire。
　　“Becauseyoubroughtme，Zikali，partlythroughyourmessenger，Nombe，andpartlybymeansofadreamwhichshesaysyousent。”
　　“DidI，Macumazahn？Ifso，Ihaveforgottenit。Dreamsareasmanyasgnatsbythewater；theybiteuswhilewesleep，butwhenwewakeupweforgetthem。Alsoitisfoolishnesstosaythatonemancansendadreamtoanother。”
　　“Thenyourmessengerlied，Zikali，especiallyassheaddedthatshebroughtit。”
　　“Ofcourseshelied，Macumazahn。IsshenotmypupilwhomIhavetrainedfromachild？Moreover，sheliedwell，itwouldseem，whoguessedwhatsortofadreamyouwouldhavewhenyouthoughtofturningyourstepstoZululand。”
　　“Whydoyouplayatsticksi。e。fencewithme，Zikali，seeingthatneitherofusarechildren？“
　　“OMacumazahn，thatiswhereyouaremistaken，seeingthatbothofus，oldthoughwebeandcunningthoughwethinkourselves，arenothingbutbabesinthearmsofFate。Well，well，Iwilltellyouthetruth，sinceitwouldbefoolishtotrytothrowdustintosucheyesasyours。IknewthatyouweredowninSekukuni’scountryandIwaswatchingyou——throughmyspies。YouhavebeennowhereduringalltheseyearsthatIwasnotwatchingyou——throughmyspies。Forinstance，thatArab-lookingmannamedHarut，whomfirstyoumetatabigkraalinafarcountry，wasaspyofmine。Hehasvisitedmelatelyandtoldmemuchofyourdoings。No，don’taskmeofhimnowwhowouldtalktoyouofothermatters——“
　　“DoesHarutstilllivethen，andhashefoundanewgodinplaceoftheIvoryChild？“Iinterrupted。
　　“Macumazahn，ifhedidnotlive，howcouldhevisitandspeakwithme？Well，IwatchedyoutherebytheOliphant’sRiverwhereyoufoughtSekukuni’speople，andafterwardsinthemarblehutwhereyoufoundtheoldwhitemandeadinhischairandgotthewritingsthatyouhaveinyourpocketwhichconcernthemaidenHeddana；alsoafterwardswhenthewhiteman，yourfriend，killedthedoctorwhofellintoamudholeandtheBasutosstolehiscattleandwagon。”
　　“Howdoyouknowallthesethings，Zikali？“
　　“HaveInottoldyou——throughmyspies。Wastherenotahalf-breeddrivercalledFootsack，anddonottheBasutoscomeandgobetweentheBlackKloofandSekukuni’stown，bearingmetidings？“
　　“Yes，Zikali，andsodoesthewindandsodothebirds。”
　　“True！OMacumazahn，IseethatyouareonewhohaswatchedNatureanditswaysascloselyasmyspieswatchyou。SoI
　　learnedthesemattersandknewthatyouwereintroubleoverthedeathofthesewhitemen，andyourfriendslikewise，andasyouwerealwaysdeartome，IsentthatchildNombetobringyoutome，thinkingfromwhatIknewofyouthatyouwouldbemorelikelytofollowawomanwhoisbothwiseandgoodtolookat，thanamanwhomightbeneither。ItoldhertosaytoyouthatyouandtheotherswouldbesaferherethaninNatalatpresent。
　　Itseemsthatyouhearkenedandcame。Thatisall。”
　　“Yes，Ihearkenedandcame。But，Zikali，thatisnotall，foryouknowwellthatyousentformeforyourownsake，notformine。”
　　“OMacumazahn，whocanpreventaneedlefrompiercingclothwhenitispushedbyafingerlikeyours？Yourwitsaretoosharpforme，Macumazahn；youreyesreadthroughtheblanketofcunningwithwhichIwouldhidemythought。Youspeaktruly。Ididsendforyouformyownsakeaswellasforyours。IsentforyoubecauseIwantedyourcounsel，Macumazahn，andbecauseCetewayothekingalsowantsyourcounsel，andIwishedtoseeyoubeforeyousawCetewayo。Nowyouhavethewholetruth。”
　　“Whatdoyouwantmycounselabout，Zikali？“
　　Heleanedforwardtillhiswhitelocksalmostseemedtominglewiththethinflame，throughwhichheglaredatmewitheyesthatwerefiercerthanthefire。
　　“Macumazahn，yourememberthestorythatItoldyoulongago，doyounot？“
　　“Verywell，Zikali。ItwasthatyouhatetheHouseofSenzangaconawhichhasgivenallitskingstoZululand。First，becauseyouareoneoftheDwandwetribewhomtheZuluscrushedandmockedat。Secondly，becauseChakatheLionnamedyouthe“Thing-that-should-never-have-been-born“andkilledyourwives，forwhichcrimeyoubroughtaboutthedeathofChaka。Thirdly，becauseyouhavematchedyoursinglewitformanyyearsagainstallthepoweroftheroyalHouseandyetkeptyourlifeinyou，notablywhenPandathreatenedyouinmypresenceatthetrialofonewhohas’gonedown，’andyoutoldhimtokillyouifhedared。NowyouwouldprovethatyouwererightbycausingyourcunningtotriumphovertheroyalHouse。”
　　“True，quitetrue，OMacumazahn。Youhaveagoodmemory，Macumazahn，especiallyforanythingthathastodowiththatwomanwhohas’gonedown。’Isentherdown，buthowwasshenamed，Macumazahn？Iforget，Iforget，whosemindbeingold，fallssuddenlyintoblackpitsofdarkness——likeherwhowentdown。
　　Hepausedandwestaredateachotherthroughtheveiloffire。
　　ThenasImadenoanswer，hewenton——
　　“Oh！Iremembernow，shewascalledMameena，wasshenot，anametakenfromthewailingofthewind？Hark！Itiswailingnow。”
　　Ilistened；itwas，andIshiveredtohearit，sincebutaminutebeforethenighthadbeenquitestill。Yes，thewindmoanedandwailedabouttherocksoftheBlackKloof。
　　“Well，enoughofher。Whytroubleaboutthedeadwhentherearesomanytobesenttojointhem？Macumazahn，thehourisathand。ThefoolCetewayohasquarrelledwithyourpeople，theEnglish，andonmycounsel。Hehassentandkilledwomen，orallowedotherstodoso，acrosstheriverinNatal。Hismessengerscametomeaskingwhatheshoulddo。Ianswered，’ShallakingofthebloodofChakafeartoallowhisownwickedonestobeslainbecausetheyhavesteppedacrossastripofwater，andstillcallhimselfkingoftheZulus？’Sothosewomenweredraggedbackacrossthewaterandkilled；andnowtheQueen’smanfromtheCapeasksmanythings，greatfinesofcattle，thegivingupoftheslayers，andthatanendshouldbemadeoftheZuluarmy，whichistolaydownitsspearsandsettohoeingliketheoldwomeninthekraals。”
　　“Andifthekingrefuses，whatthen，Zikali？“
　　“Then，Macumazahn，theQueen’smanwilldeclarewarontheZulus；
　　alreadyhegathershissoldiersforthewar。”
　　“WillCetewayorefuse，Zikali？“
　　“Idonotknow。Hismindswingsthiswayandthat，likeapolebalancedonarock。Theendsofthepoleareweightedwithmuchcounsel，andithangssoeventhatifagrasshopperlitononeendortheother，itwouldturnthescale。”
　　“Anddoyouwishmetobethatgrasshopper，Zikali？“
　　“Whoelse？ThatiswhyIbroughtyoutoZululand。”
　　“SoyouwishmetocounselCetewayotoliedowninthebedthattheEnglishhavemadeforhim。IfheseeksmyadviceIwilldosogladly，forsoIamsurehewillsleepwell。”
　　“Whydoyoumockme，Macumazahn？IwishyoutocounselCetewayotothrowbackhiswordintotheteethoftheQueen’smanandtofighttheEnglish。”
　　“AndthusbringdestructionontheZulusanddeathtothousandsofthemandofmyownpeople，andinreturngainnothingbutremorse。Doyouthinkmemadorwicked，orboth，thatIshoulddothisthing？“
　　“Nay，Macumazahn，youwouldgainmuch。Icouldshowyouwheretheking’scattlearehidden。TheEnglishwillneverfindthem，andafterthewaryoumighttakeasmanyasyouchose。Butitwouldbeuseless，forknowingyouwell，IamsurethatyouwouldonlyhandthemovertotheBritishGovernment，asonceyouhandedoverthecattleofBangu，beingfashionedthatwaybytheGreat-Great，Macumazahn。”
　　“PerhapsImight，butthenwhatshouldIgain，Zikali？“
　　“This：youwouldsobringthingsaboutthat，beingbrokenbywar，theZulupowercouldneveragainmenacethewhitemen，whichwouldbeagreatandgooddeed，Macumazahn。”
　　“Mayhap——Iamnotsure。ButofthisIamsure，thatIwillnorthrustmyfaceintoyournestofwasps，thattheEnglishhornetsmaystealthehoneywhentheyaredisturbed。IleavesuchmatterstotheQueenandthosewhoruleunderher。Sohavedonewithsuchtalk，foryoudobutwasteyourbreath，Zikali。”
　　“ItisasIguesseditwouldbe。”heanswered，shakinghisgreathead。“Youaretoohonesttoprosperintheworld，Macumazahn。
　　Well，ImustfindothermeanstobringtheHouseofCetewayototheendthathedeserves，whohasbeenanevilandacruelking。”
　　Allthishesaid，showingneithersurprisenorresentment，whichconvincedmeofwhatIhadsuspectedthroughout，thatneverforaninstantdidhebelievethatIshouldfallinwithhissuggestionsandtrytoinfluencetheZulustodeclarewar。No，thistalkofhiswasbutablind；therewassomedeeperschemeatworkinhiscunningoldbrainwhichhewashidingfromme。WhyexactlyhadhebeguiledmetoZululand？Icouldnotdivine，andtoaskhimwouldbeworsethanuseless，butthenandthereImadeupmymindthatIwouldgetawayfromtheBlackKloofearlyonthefollowingmorning，ifthatwerepossible。
　　Hebegantospeakofothermattersinalow，droningvoice，likeamanwhoconverseswithhimself。Sad，allofthem，suchasthehaunteddeathofSadukowhohadbetrayedhislord，thePrinceUmbelazi，becauseofawoman，everycircumstanceofwhichseemedtobefamiliartohim。
　　Imadenoanswer，whowaswaitingforanopportunitytoleavethehut，anddidnotcaretodwellontheseevents。Heceasedandbroodedforawhile，thensaidsuddenly——
　　“Youarehungryandwouldeat，Macumazahn，andIwhoeatlittlewouldsleep，forinsleepthemultitudesofSpiritsvisitme，bringingtidingsfromafar。Well，wehavespokentogetherandofthatIamglad，forwhoknowswhenthechancewillcomeagain，thoughIthinkthatsoonweshallmeetatUlundi，UlundiwhereFatespreadsitsnet。WhatwasitIhadtosaytoyou？Ah！I
　　remember。Thereisonewhoisalwaysinyourthoughtsandwhomyouwishtosee，onetoowhowishestoseeyou。Youshall，youshallinpaymentforthetroubleyouhavetakenincomingsofartovisitapooroldZuludoctorwhom，asyoutoldmelongago，youknowtobenothingbutacheat。”
　　Hepausedand，whyIcouldnottell，IgrewweakwithfearofI
　　knewnotwhat，andbethoughtmeofflight。
　　“Itiscoldinthishut，isitnot？“hewenton。“Burnup，fire，burnup！“andplunginghishandintoacatskinbagofmedicineswhichhewore，hedrewoutsomepowderwhichhethrewupontheembersthatinstantlyburstintobrightflame。
　　“Looknow，Macumazahn。”hesaid，“looktoyourright。”
　　IlookedandohHeaven！therebeforemewithoutstretchedarmsandinfiniteyearningonherface，stoodMameena，MameenaasI
　　hadlastseenherafterIgaveherthepromisedkissthatsheusedtocoverhertakingofthepoison。Forfiveseconds，mayhap，shestoodthus，living，wonderful，butstillasdeath，thefiercelightshowingall。Thentheflamedieddownagainandshewasgone。
　　Iturnedandnextinstantwasoutofthehut，pursuedbytheterriblelaughterofZikali。
　　CHAPTERXII
　　TRAPPED
　　OutsideinthecoolnightairIrecoveredmyself，sufficientlyatanyratetobeabletothink，andsawatoncethatthethingwasanillusionforwhichZikalihadpreparedmymindverycarefullybymeansoftheyoungwitch-doctoress，Nombe。Heknewwellenoughthatthisremarkablewoman，Mameena，hadmadeadeepimpressiononmenearlyaquarterofacenturybefore，asshehaddoneuponothermenwithwhomshehadbeenassociated。Thereforeitwasprobablethatshewouldalwaysbepresenttomythought，sincewhateveramanforgets，heremembersthewomenwhohaveshownhimfavour，trueorfalse，forNaturehasdecreeditthus。
　　Moreover，thiswasonetoberememberedforherself，sinceshewasbeautifulandmostattractiveinherwildway。Alsoshehadbroughtaboutagreatwar，causingthedeathofthousands，andlastlyherendmightfairlybecalledmajestic。AlltheseimpressionsZikalihadinstructedNombetorevivifybyhercontinualallusionstoMameena，andlastlybyherpretencethatshesawherwalkinginfrontofme。ThenwhenIwastiredandhungry，inthatplacewhichformewassocloselyconnectedwiththiswoman，andinhisownuncannycompany，eitherbymesmerismorthroughtheactionofthedrughethrewuponthefire，hehadsucceededincallinguptheillusionofherpresencetomycharmedsight。Allthiswasclearenough，whatremainedobscurewashisobject。
　　Possiblyhehadnonebeyondanimpishdesiretofrightenme，whichiscommonenoughamongpractitionersofmagicinalllands。
　　Well，foralittlewhilehehadsucceeded，althoughtospeaktruthIremaineduncertainwhetherinasenseIwasnotmorethrilledandrejoicedthanfrightened。Mameenahadneverbeensoilltolookupon，andIknewthatdeadorlivingIhadnothingtofearfromherwhowouldhavewalkedthroughhellfireformysake，wouldhavedoneanything，exceptperhapssacrificeherambition。No，evenifthiswereherghostIshouldhavebeengladtoseeheragain。
　　Butitwasnotaghost；itwasonlyafancyreproducedexactlyasmymindhadphotographedher，almostasmyeyeslastsawher，whenherkisswasstillwarmuponmylips。
　　SuchweremythoughtsasIstoodoutsidethathutwiththecoldperspirationrunningdownmyface，fortotellthetruthmynerveswereupset，althoughwithoutreason。Soupsetweretheythatwhensuddenlyasilent-footedmanappearedoutofthedarknessIjumpedashighasthoughIhadsetmyfootonapuff-adder，anduntilIrecognizedhimbyhisvoiceasoneofNombe’sservantswhohadaccompaniedusfromSwazi-Land，feltquitealarmed。Asamatteroffacthehadonlycometotellmethatourmealwasreadyandthattheother“highWhiteOnes“werewaitingforme。
　　HeledmeroundthefencethatencircledZikali’sdwelling-place，totwohutsthatstoodnearlybehindit，almostagainstthefaceoftherockwhich，overhanginginacurve，formedakindofnaturalroofabovethem。IthoughttheymusthavebeenbuiltsinceIvisitedtheplace，asI，whohaveagoodmemoryforsuchthings，didnotrememberthem。Indeed，onsubsequentexaminationIfoundthattheywerequitenew，forthepolesthatformedtheiruprightswerestillgreenandthegrassofthethatchwasscarcelydry。Itlookedtomeasiftheyhadbeenspeciallyconstructedforouraccommodation。
　　Inoneofthesehuts，thattotherightwhichwasallottedtoAnscombeandmyself，Ifoundtheotherswaitingforme，alsothefood。Itwasgoodofitssortandwellcooked，andweateitbythelightofsomecandlesthatwehadwithus，Kaatjeservingus。
　　Yet，althoughalittlewhilebeforeIhadbeendesperatelyhungry，nowmyappetiteseemedtohaveleftmeandImadebutapoormeal。HedaandAnscombealsoseemedoppressedandatesparingly。WedidnottalkmuchuntilKaatjehadtakenawaythetinplatesandgonetoeatherownsupperbyafirethatburnedoutsidethehut。ThenHedabrokeout，sayingthatshewasterrifiedofthisplaceandespeciallyofitsmaster，theolddwarf，andfeltsurethatsomethingterriblewasgoingtohappentoher。Anscombedidhisbesttocalmher，andIalsotoldhershehadnothingtofear。
　　“Ifthereisnothingtofear，Mr。Quatermain。”sheanswered，turningonme，“whydoyoulooksofrightenedyourself？Byyourfaceyoumighthaveseenaghost。”
　　Thissuddenandsingularlyaccuratethrust，forafterallIhadseensomethingthatlookedverylikeaghost，startledme，andbeforeIcouldinventanysoothingandappropriatefib，Nombeappeared，sayingthatshehadcometoleadHedatohersleeping-place。Afterthisfurtherconversationwasimpossiblesince，althoughNombeknewbutfewwordsofEnglish，shewasagreatthought-readerandIfearedtospeakofanythingsecretinherpresence。Soweallwentoutofthehut，NombeandIdrawingbackalittletothefirewhiletheloverssaidgood-nighttoeachother。
　　“Nombe。”Isaid，“theInkosikaziHeddanaisafraid。Therocksofthisklooflieheavyonherheart；thefaceoftheOpenerofRoadsisfearfultoherandhislaughtergratesuponherears。
　　Doyouunderstand？“
　　“Iunderstand，Macumazahn，anditisasIexpected。Whenyouyourselfarefrighteneditisnaturalthatshe，anuntriedmaiden，shouldbefrightenedalsointhishomeofspirits。”
　　“Itismenwefear，notspirits，nowwhenallZululandisboilinglikeapot。”Irepliedangrily。
　　“Haveitasyouwill，Macumazahn。”shesaid，andatthatmomentherquiet，searchingeyesandfixedsmilewerehatefultome。
　　“Atleastyouadmitthatyoudofear。Well，fortheladyHeddanafearnothing。Isleepacrossthedoorofherhut，andwhileI
　　whohavelearnedtoloveher，live，Isay——forherfearnothing，whatevermaychanceorwhateveryoumayseeorhear。”
　　“Ibelieveyou，but，Nombe，youmightdie。”
　　“Yes，Imaydie，butbesureofthis，thatwhenIdieshewillbesafe，andhewholovesheralso。Sleepwell，Macumazahn，anddonotdreamtoomuchofwhatyouheardandsawinZikali’shouse。”
　　ThenbeforeIcouldspeaksheturnedandleftme。
　　Idid_not_sleepwell；Isleptverybadly。Tobeginwith，MauriceAnscombe，generallythemostcheerfulandnonchalantofmortalswithajestforeverywoe，wasinamostdepressedcondition，andinformedmeofitseveraltimes，whileIwasgettingreadytoturnin。HesaidhethoughttheplacehatefulandfeltasifpeoplehecouldnotseewerelookingathimIhadthesamesensationbutdidnotmentionthefacttohim。WhenI
　　toldhimhewastalkingstuff，heonlyrepliedthathecouldnothelpit，andpointedoutthatitwasnothisgeneralhabittobedowncastinanydanger，whichwasquitetrue。Now，headded，hewasenjoyingmuchthesamesensationsashedidwhenfirsthesawtheYellow-woodSwampandgottheideaintohisheadthathewouldkillsomeonethere，whichhappenedinduecourse。
　　“Doyoumeanthatyouthinkyouaregoingtokillsomebodyelse？“
　　Iaskedanxiously。
　　“No。”heanswered，“IthinkIamgoingtobekilled，orsomethinglikeit，probablybythataccursedoldvillainofawitch-doctor，whoIdon’tbelieveisaltogetherhuman。”
　　“Othershavethoughtthatbeforenow，Anscombe，andtobeplain，Idon’tknowthatheis。Helivestoomuchwiththedeadtobelikeotherpeople。”
　　“AndwithSatan，towhomIexpecthemakessacrifices。ThetruthisI’mafraidofhisplayingsomeofhistrickswithHeda。ItisforherIfear，notformyself，Allan。Oh！whyonearthdidyoucomehere？“
　　“Becauseyouwisheditanditseemedthesafestthingtodo。
　　Lookhere，myboy，asusualthetroublecomesthroughawoman。
　　Whenaman’ssingle——youknowtherest。Youusedtobeabletolaughatanything，butnowthatyouarepracticallydoubleyoucan’tlaughanymore。Well，that’sthecommonlotofmanandyou’vegottoputupwithit。AdamwasprettyjollyinhisgardenuntilEvewasstarted，butyouknowwhathappenedafterwards。Therestofhislifewasacompoundoftemptation，anxiety，familytroubles，remorse，hardlabourwithprimitiveinstruments，andaflamingswordbehindhim。IfyouhadleftyourEvealoneyouwouldhaveescapedallthis。Butyouseeyoudidn’t，andasamatteroffact，nobodyeverdoeswhoisworthhissalt，forNaturehasarrangeditso。”
　　“Youappeartotalkwithexperience，Allan。”heretortedblandly。
　　“Bytheway，thatgirlNombe，whensheisn’tstar-gazingormutteringincantations，isalwaystryingtoexplaintoHedasometaleaboutyouandaladycalledMameena。Igatherthatyouwereintroducedtoherinthisneighbourhoodwhere，Nombesays，youwereinthehabitofkissingherinpublic，whichsoundsanoddkindofathingtodo；allofwhichhappenedbeforeshe，Nombe，wasborn。Sheadds，accordingtoKaatje’sinterpretation，thatyoumetheragainthisafternoon，which，asIunderstandtheyoungwomanhasbeenlongdead，seemssoincomprehensiblethatI
　　wishyouwouldexplain。”
　　“WithreferencetoHeda。”Isaid，ignoringtherestasunworthyofnotice，“Ithinkyoumaymakeyourmindeasy。ZikaliknowsthatsheisinmychargeandIdon’tbelievethathewantstoquarrelwithme。Still，asyouareuncomfortablehere，thebestthingtodowillbetogetawayasearlyaspossibleto-morrowmorning，wheretowecandecideafterwards。AndnowIamgoingtosleep，sopleasestoparguing。”
　　AsIhavealreadyhinted，myattemptsinthesleeplineprovedafailure，forwheneverIdiddropoffIwaspursuedbybaddreams，whichresultedfromlyingdownsosoonaftersupper。Iheardthecriesofdesperatemenintheirmortalagony。Isawarain-swollenriver；itswaterswereredwithblood。IbeheldavisionofonewhoIknewbyhisdresstobeaZuluking，althoughIcouldnotseehisface。Hewasflyingandstaggeringwithwearinessashefled。Agreathoundfollowedhim。Itlifteditsheadfromthespoor；itwasthatofZikalisetuponthehound’sbody，Zikaliwholaughedinsteadofbaying。Thenonewhosecopperornamentstinkledasshewalked，enteredbesideme，whisperingintomyear。“Aquarterofahundredyearshavegonebysincewetalkedtogetherinthishauntedkloof。”sheseemedtowhisper，“andbeforewetalkagainfacetofacethereremaintopassofyears“——
　　Heresheceased，thoughnaturallyIshouldhavelikedtohearthenumber。Butthatisjustwheredreamsbreakdown。Theytellusonlyofwhatweknow，orcanevolvetherefrom。Ofwhatitisimpossibleforustoknowtheytellusnothing——atleastasageneralrule。
　　Iwokeupwithastart，andfeelingstifledinthathotplaceandaggravatedbythesoundofAnscombe’speacefulbreathing，threwacoataboutmeand，removingthedoor-board，creptintotheair。
　　Thenightwasstill，thestarsshone，andatalittledistancetheembersofthefirestillglowed。Byitwasseatedafigurewrappedinakaross。Theendofapieceofwoodthatthefirehadeatenthroughfellontotheredashesandflamedupbrightly。ByitslightIsawthatthefigurewasNombe’s。Theeternalsmilewasstilluponherface，thesmilewhichsuggestedaknowledgeofhiddenthingsthatfrommomenttomomentamusedhersoul。Herlipsmovedasthoughsheweretalkingtoaninvisiblecompanion，andfromtimetotime，likeonewhoactsupondirections，shetookapinchofashesandblewthem，eithertowardsHeda’shutorours。Yes，shedidthiswhenalldecentyoungwomenshouldhavebeenasleep，likeonewhokeepssomeunholy，midnightassignation。
　　Talkingwithhermaster，Zikali，ortryingtocastspellsuponus，confoundher，IthoughtItomyself，andverysilentlycreptbackintothehut。Afterwardsitoccurredtomethatshemighthavehadanothermotive，namelyofwatchingtoseethatnoneofusleftthehuts。
　　Therestofthenightwentbysomehow。Once，listeningwithallmyears，IthoughtthatIcaughtthesoundofanumberofmentrampingandofsomelowwordofcommand，butasIheardnomore，concludedthatfancyhaddeceivedme。ThereIlay，puzzlingoverthesituationtillmyheadached，andwonderinghowweweretogetclearoftheBlackKloofandZikali，andoutofZululandwhichIgatheredwasnoplaceforwhitepeopleatthemomentItseemedtomethattheonlythingwastomakestartforDundeeontheNatalborder，andfortheresttotrusttofortune。IfwegotintotroubleoverthedeathofRodd，unpleasantasthiswouldbe，themattermustbefacedout，thatwasall。Forevenifanywitnessappearedagainstus，themanhadbeenkilledinself-defencewhilsttryingtobringaboutourdeathsatthehandsofBasutos。IcouldseenowthatIwasfoolishnottohavetakenthislinefromthefirst，butasIthinkIhavealreadyexplained，whatweighedwithmewastheterrorofinvolvingtheseyoungpeopleinascandalwhichmightshadowalltheirfuturelives。AlsosomefateinchbyinchhaddraggedmeintoZululand。
　　Fortunatelyinlifetherearefewmistakes，andevenworsethanmistakesthatcannotberepaired，ifthewishtowardsreparationisrealandearnest。Wereitotherwisenotmanyofuswouldescapedestructioninoneformoranother。
　　ThusIreflecteduntilatlengthlightflowingfaintlythroughthesmoke-holeofthehuttoldmethatdawnwasathand。SeeingitIrosequietly，forIdidnotwishtowakeAnscombe，dressedandleftthehut。MyobjectwastofindNombe，whoIhopedwouldbestillsittingbythefire，andsendhertoZikaliwithamessagethatIwishedtospeakwithhimatonce。GlancingroundmeinthegreydawnIsawthatshewasgoneandthatasyetnooneseemedtobestirring。Hearingahorsesnortatalittledistance，Imademywaytowardsthesoundandinalittlebayoftheoverhangingcliffdiscoveredthecartandnearbyourbeaststiedupwithaplentifulsupplyofforage。SincesofarasI
　　couldjudgeinthatuncertainlight，nothingseemedtobewrongwiththemexceptweariness，forthreeofthemwerestilllyingdown，IwalkedontothegateofthefencewhichsurroundedZikali’sbighut，proposingtowaitthereuntilsomeoneappearedbywhomIcouldsendmymessage。
　　IreachedthegatewhichItriedandfoundtobefastenedonitsinnerside。ThenIsatdown，litmypipeandwaited。Itwasextraordinarilylonesomeinthatplace；atleastthiswasthefeelingthatcameoverme。NodoubtthesunwasupbehindtheCezaStrongholdthatIhavementioned，whichtoweredhighbehindme，fortheskyabovegrewlightwiththeredraysofitsrising。
　　ButallthevastBlackKloofwithitshugefantasticrockswasstillplungedingloom，whereoftheshadowsseemedtooppressmyheart，wearyasIwaswithmywakefulnightandmanyanxieties。
　　Iwashorriblynervousalsoand，asitproved，notwithoutreason。PresentlyIheardrustlingsonthefurthersideofthefenceasofpeoplecreepingaboutcautiously，andthesoundofwhispering。ThenofasuddenthegatewasthrownopenandthroughitemergedaboutadozenZuluwarriors，allofthemringedmen，whoinstantlysurroundedme，seatedthereupontheground。
　　Ilookedatthemandtheylookedatmeforquitealongwhile，sincefollowingmyusualrule，Ideterminednottobethefirsttospeak。Moreover，iftheymeanttokillmetherewasnouseinspeaking。Atlengththeirleader，anelderlymanwiththinlegs，alargestomachandaratherpleasantcountenance，salutedpolitely，saying——
　　“Goodmorning，OMacumazahn。”
　　“Goodmorning，OCaptain，whosenameandbusinessIdonotknow。”
　　Ianswered。
　　Thewindsknowthemountainonwhichtheyblow，butthemountaindoesnotknowthewindswhichitcannotsee。”heremarkedwithpoeticalcourtesy；aZuluwayofsayingthatmorepeopleareacquaintedwithTomFoolthanTomFoolisawareof。
　　“Perhaps，Captain；yetthemountaincanfeelthewinds。”andI
　　mighthaveadded，smellthem，fortheKloofwascloseandtheseKaffirshadnotrecentlybathed。
　　“IamnamedGozaandcomeonanerrandfromtheking，O
　　Macumazahn。”
　　“Indeed，Goza，andisyourerrandtocutmythroat？“
　　“Notatpresent，Macumazahn，thatis，unlessyourefusetodowhatthekingwishes。”
　　“Andwhatdoesthekingwish，Goza？“
　　“Hewishes，Macumazahn，thatyou，hisfriend，shouldvisithim。”
　　“WhichisjustwhatIwasonmywaytodo，Goza。”Thiswasnottrue，butitdidn’tmatter，for，ifalie，inthewordsoftheschoolgirl’sdefinition，isanabominationtotheLord，itisaverypresenthelpintimeoftrouble。“AfterwehaveeatenI
　　andmyfriendswillaccompanyyoutotheking’skraalatUlundi。”
　　“Notso，Macumazahn。Thekingsaidnothingaboutyourfriends，ofwhomIdonotthinkhehaseverheardanymorethanwehave。
　　Moreover，ifyourfriendsarewhite，youwilldowellnottomentionthem，sincetheorderisthatallwhitepeopleinZululandwhohavenotcomeherebytheking’sdesire，aretobekilledatonce，exceptyourself，Macumazahn。”
　　“Isitso，Goza？Well，asyouwillhaveunderstood，Iamquitealonehereandhavenofriends。OnlyIdidnotwishtotravelsoearly。”
　　“Ofcourseweunderstandthatyouarequitealoneandhavenofriends，isitnotso，mybrothers？“
　　“Yes，yes，weunderstand。”theyexclaimedinchorus，oneofthemadding，“andshallsoreporttotheKing。”
　　“Whatkindofblanketsdoyoulike；theplaingreyonesorthewhiteoneswiththebluestripes？“Iasked，desiringtoconfirmtheminthisdetermination。
　　“Thegreyonesarewarmer，Macumazahn，anddonotshowdirtsomuch。”answeredGozathoughtfully。
　　“Good，IwillrememberwhenIhavethechance。”
　　“ThepromiseofMacumazahnisknownfromofoldtobeasatreethatelephantscannotpulldownandwhiteantswillnoteat。”
　　saidthesententiousGoza，therebyintimatinghisbeliefthatsometimeorothertheywouldreceivethoseblankets。Asamatteroffactthesurvivorsofthepartyandthefamiliesoftheothersdidreceivethemafterthewar，forindealingwithnativesIhavealwaysmadeapointoftryingtofulfilanypromiseorengagementmadeforvaluereceived。
　　“Andnow。”wentonGoza，“willtheInkosibepleasedtostart，aswehavetotravelfarto-day？“
　　“Impossible。”Ireplied。“BeforeIleaveImusteat，forwhocanjourneyuponyesterday’sfood？AlsoImustsaddlemyhorse，collectwhatbelongstome，andbidfarewelltomyhost，Zikali。”
　　“Ofmeatwehaveplentywithus，Macumazahn，andthereforeyouwillnothungerontheway。Yourhorseandeverythingthatisyoursshallbebroughtafteryou；sincewereyoumountedonthatswiftbeastandmindedtoescape，howcouldwecatchyouwithourfeet，anddidyoupleasetoshootuswithyourrifle，howcouldwewhohaveonlyspears，saveourselvesfromdying？AsfortheOpenerofRoads，hisservantshavetoldusthathemeanstosleepallto-daythathemaytalkwithspiritsinhisdreams，andthereforeitisuselessforyoutowaittobidhimfarewell。
　　Moreover，theordersofthekingarethatweshouldbringyoutohimatonce。”
　　Afterthisforatimetherewassilence，whileIsatimmovablerevolvingthesituation，andtheZulusregardedmewithabenignantinterest。Gozatookhissnuff-boxfromhisear，shookoutsomeintothepalmofhishandand，afterofferingittomeinvain，inhaledithimself。
　　“Theordersofthekingaresneezethatweshouldbringyoutohimaliveifpossible，andifnotsneezedead。Choosewhichyouwill，Macumazahn。PerhapsyoumayprefertogotoUlundidead，whichwould——ah！howstrongisthissnuff，itmakesmeweeplikeawoman——saveyouthetroubleofwalking。Butifyoupreferthatweshouldcarryyou，besogood，Macumazahn，firsttowritethewordswhichwillcausethegreyblanketstobedeliveredtous，forweknowwellthatevenyourboneswoulddesiretokeepyourpromise。IsitnotaproverbinthelandfromthetimeoftheslayingofBanguwhenyougavethecattleyouhadearnedtoSaduko’swanderers？“
　　Ilistenedandanideaoccurredtome，asperhapsithadtoGoza。
　　“Ihearyou，Goza。”Isaid，“andIwillstartforUlundionmyfeet——tosave_you_thetroubleofcarryingme。Butasthetimesareroughandaccidentsmayalwayshappen；as，too，Iwishtomakesurethatyoushouldgetthoseblankets，anditmaychancethatIshallarrivethereonmyback，firstIwillwritewordswhich，iftheyaredeliveredtothewitch-doctoressNombe，will，soonerorlater，turnintoblankets。”
　　“Writethewordsquickly，Macumazahn，andtheywillbedelivered。”saidGoza。
　　SoIdrewoutmypocket-bookandwrote——
　　“DEARANSCOMBE，——
　　“ThereistreacheryafootandIthinkthatZikaliisatthebottomofit。IambeingcarriedofftoCetewayoatUlundi，byapartyofarmedZuluswhowillnotallowmetocommunicatewithyou，probablybyZikali’sorders。YoumustdothebestyoucanforHedaandyourself。EscapetoNatalifyouareable。OfcourseIwillhelpifIgetthechance，butifwarisabouttobreakoutCetewayomaykillme。IthinkthatyoucantrustNombe；alsothatZikalidoesnotwishtoworkyouanyillunlessheisobliged，thoughIhavenodoubtthathehastrappedushereforsomedarkpurposeofhisown。TellhimthroughNombethatifharmcomestoyouIwillkillhimifIlive，andthatifIdie，I
　　willsettlethescorewithhimafterwards。Godsaveandblessyouboth。Keepupyourcourageanduseyourwits。
　　“Yourfriend，“A。Q。”
　　Itoreoutthesheet，folded，addresseditandpresentedittoGoza，remarkingthatalthoughitseemedtobebutpaper，itreallywasfourteenblankets——ifgivenatoncetoNombe。
　　Henoddedandhandedittooneofhismen，whodepartedinthedirectionofourhuts。So，thoughtItomyself，Nombeknowsallaboutthisbusiness，whichmeansthatitisbeingworkedbyZikali。Thatiswhyshespoketomeasshedidlastnight。
　　“Itistimetostart，Macumazahn，andIthinkyoutoldusthatyouwouldprefertodosoonyourfeet。”saidGoza，lookingsuggestivelyathisspear。
　　“Iamready。”Isaid，risingbecauseImust。ForamomentI
　　contemplatedthedoorinthekraalfence，wonderingwhetheritwouldbesafetoboltthroughitandtakerefugewithZikali。
　　No，itwasnotsafe，sinceZikalisatthereinhishutpullingthestringsandprobablymightrefusetoseeme。Moreover，itwaslikelyenoughthatbeforeIcouldfindhimoneofthosebroadspearswouldfindmyheart。Therewasnothingtobedoneexceptsubmit。StillIdidcalloutinaloudvoice——
　　“Farewell，Zikali。IleaveyouwithoutapresentagainstmywillwhoambeingtakenbysoldierstovisitthekingatUlundi。WhenwemeetagainIwilltalkallthismatteroverwithyou。”
　　Therewasnoanswer，andasGozatooktheopportunitytosaythathedislikedthenoiseofshoutingextremely，whichsometimesmadehimdothingsthatheafterwardsregretted，Ibecamesilent。
　　Thenwedeparted，IintheexactcentreofthatguardofZulus，heavy-heartedandfilledwithfearsbothformyselfandthoseI
　　leftbehindme。
　　DowntheBlackKloofwetramped，emergingonthesunlitplainbeyondwithoutmeetinganyone。AcoupleofmilesfurtheronwecametoasmallstreamwhereGozaannouncedwewouldhalttoeat。
　　Soweateofcoldtoastedmeatwhichoneofthemenproducedfromabaskethecarried，unpalatablefoodbutbetterthannothing。
　　JustaswehadfinishedIlookedupandsawthesoldiertowhommynotehadbeengiven。Hewasleadingmymarethathadbeensaddled。Onitweremylargesaddle-bagspackedwithmybelongings，alsomythickovercoat，mackintosh，waterbottle，andotherarticlesdowntoabagoftobacco，asparepipeandaboxofwaxmatches。Moreover，themancarriedmydouble-barrelledExpressrifleandashot-gunthatcouldbeusedforball，togetherwithtwobagsofcartridges。Practicallynothingbelongingtomehadbeenforgotten。
　　Iaskedhimwhohadcollectedthethings。HerepliedthedoctressNombehaddonesoandhadbroughthimthehorsesaddledtocarrythem。HedidnotknowwhosaddledthehorseashehadseennoonebutNombetowhomhehadgiventhewritingwhichshehidaway。Inanswertofurtherquestions，hesaidthatNombehadsentmeamessage。Itwas——
　　“IbidfarewelltoMacumazahnforalittlewhileandwishhimgoodfortunetillwemeetagain。Lethimnotbeafraidinthebattle，forevenifheishurtitwillnotbetodeath，sincethosegowithhimwhomhecannotsee，andprotecthimwiththeirshields。SaytoMacumazahnthatI，Nombe，rememberinthemorningwhatIsaidinthenightandthatwhatseemstobequitelostisofttimesfoundagain。WishhimgoodfortuneandtellhimIamsorrythatIhadnottimetocausehissparegarmentstobecleansedwithwater，butthatIhavebeencarefultofindhislittleboxwiththewhiteman’smedicines。”
　　Icouldextractnothingmorefromthissoldier，whowaseitherverystupid，orchosetoappearso；norindeeddidIdaretoputdirectquestionsaboutthecartandthosewhotravelledinit。
　　Soonwemarchedagain，forGozawouldnotallowmetoridethehorse，fearingthatIshouldescapeonit。NorwouldheletmecarryeitherofthegunslestIshouldmakeuseofthem。Alldaywetravelled，reachingtheNongomaheightsinthelateafternoon。
　　Onthisbeautifulspotwefoundakraalsituatedwhereafterwardsamagistracywasbuiltwhenweconqueredthecountry，whencethereisoneofthefinestviewsinZululand。TherewasnooneinthekraalexcepttwooldwomenwhoappearedtobedeafanddumbforallIcouldgetoutofthem。Theseageddames，however，orotherswhowerehidden，hadmadereadyforourarrival，sinceacalflayskinnedandpreparedforcooking，andbyitbiggourdsfilledwithKaffirbeerand“maas“orcurdledmilk。
　　Induecourseweateoftheseprovisions，andafterwehadfinishedIgaveGozaastifftotofbrandy，ofwhichNombe，orperhapsAnscombe，hadthoughtfullysentabottlewithmyotherbaggage。Thestrongliquormadetheoldfellowtalkativeandenabledmetogetagooddealofinformationoutofhim。ThusI
　　learnedthatcertaindemands，astowhichhewasrathervague，hadbeenmadeuponCetewayobytheEnglishGovernment，andthattheKingwasnowconsideringwhetherheshouldaccedetothemorfight。TheGreatCouncilofthenationwassummonedtoattendatUlundiwithinafewdays，whenthematterwouldbedecided。
　　Meanwhilealltheregimentswerebeinggathered，or，asweshouldsay，mobilized；anarmy，saidGoza，greaterthananythatChakahadeverled。
　　IaskedhimwhatIhadtodowiththisbusiness，thatI，apeacefultravellerandanoldfriendoftheZulus，shouldbemadeprisoneranddraggedofftoUlundi。HerepliedhedidnotknowwhowasnotinthecounciloftheHighOnes，buthethoughtthatCetewayothekingwishedtoseemebecauseIwastheirfriend，perhapsthathemightsendmeasamessengertothewhitepeople。
　　IaskedhimhowthekingknewthatIwasinthecountry，towhichherepliedthatZikalihadtoldhimIwascoming，hedidnotknowhow，whereonhe，Goza，wassentatoncetofetchme。Icouldgetnomoreoutofhim。
　　Iwonderedifitwouldbeworthwhiletomakehimquitedrunkandthenattempttoescapeonthehorse，butgaveuptheidea。Tobeginwith，hismenwereathandandtherewasnotenoughbrandytomakethemalldrunk。AlsoevenifIsucceededinwinningawayhereintheheartofZululand，itwouldnothelpAnscombeorHedaandIshouldprobablybecutoffandkilledbeforeIcouldgetoutofthecountry。SoIabandonedtheplanandwenttosleepinstead。
　　NextmorningweleftNongomaearlyinthehopeofreachingUlundithateveningiftheIvunaandBlackUmfoloziRiversprovedfordable。Asitchanced，althoughtheywerehigh，wewereabletocrossthem，IseatedonthehorsewhichtwooftheZulusled。
　　NextwetrampedformilesthroughtheterribleBekameeziValley，ahotanddesolateplacewhichtheZulusswearishaunted。Sounhealthyisthisvalley，whichisthehomeoflargegame，thatwholekraalsfullofpeoplewhohavetriedtocultivatetherichland，havediedinitoffever，orfledawayleavingtheircropsunreaped。Nownomandwellsthere。AfterthisweclimbedaterriblemounttothehighlandofMahlabatini，andhavingeaten，pushedononcemore。
　　Atlengthwesightedthegreathill-encircledplainofUlundiwhichmaybecalledthecradleoftheZuluraceas，politicallyspeaking，itwasdestinedtobeitscoffin。OntheridgetothewestoncestoodtheNobambakraalwheredweltSenzangacona，thefatherofChakatheLion。NearertotheWhiteUmfoloziwasPanda’sdwelling-place，Nodwengu，whichonceIknewsowell，whileontheslopeofthehillsofthenorth-eaststoodthetownofUlundiinwhichCetewayodwelt，bathedinthelightsofsunset。
　　Indeeditandallthevastplainwereredasthoughwithblood，redastheyweredestinedtobeonthecomingdayofthelastbattleoftheZulus。
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　CETEWAYO
　　ItwasdarkwhenatlastwereachedtheUlundikraal，forthegrowingmoonwasobscuredbyclouds。ThereforeIcouldseenothingandwasonlyaware，bythesoundofvoicesandthecontinualchallenging，thatwewerepassingthroughgreatnumbersofmen。AtlengthwewereadmittedattheeasterngateandIwastakentoahutwhereIatonceflungmyselfdowntosleep，beingsowearythatIcouldnotattempttoeat。NextmorningasIwasfinishingmybreakfastinthelittlefencedcourtyardofthisguest-hut，Gozaappearedandsaidthatthekingcommandedmetobebroughttohimatonce，addingthatImust“speaksoftly“tohim，ashewas“veryangry。”
　　Sooffwewentacrossthegreatcattlekraalwherearegimentofyoungmen，twothousandstrongorso，weredrillingwithafierceintensitywhichshowedtheyknewthattheywereoutformorethanexercise。Aboutthesidesofthekraalalsostoodhundredsofsoldiers，allofthemtalkingand，itseemedtome，excited，fortheystampeduponthegroundandevenjumpedintotheairtogivepointtotheirarguments。Suddenlysomeofthemcaughtsightofme，whereonatall，truculentfellowcalledout——
　　“WhatdoesawhitemanatUlundiatsuchatime，whenevenJohnDunndarenotcome？LetuskillhimandsendhisheadasapresenttotheEnglishgeneralacrosstheTugela。Thatwillsettlethislongtalkaboutpeaceorwar。”
　　Othersofalikemindechoedthiskindproposal，withtheresultthatpresentlyascoreorsoofthemmadearushatme，brandishingtheirsticks，sincetheymightnotcarryarmsintheroyalkraal。Gozadidhisbesttokeepthemoff，butwassweptasidelikeafeather，orratherknockedover，forIsawhimonhisbackwithhisthinlegsintheair。
　　“Youmustclimboutofthispitbyyourself。”hebegan，addressingmeinhispompousandfigurativeway。Thensomebodystampedonhisface，andfixinghisteethinhisassailant’sheel，hegrewsilentforawhile。
　　Thetruculentblackguard，whowasaboutsixfeetthreehighandhadamouthlikeawolf’sthroat，arrivedinfront，ofmeand，bendingdown，roaredout——
　　“Wearegoingtokillyou，WhiteMan。”
　　Ihadapistolinmypocketandcouldperfectlywellhavekilledhim，asIwasmuchtemptedtodo。Asecond’sreflectionshowedme，however，thatthiswouldbeuseless，andinasenseputmeinthewrong，thoughwhenthemattercameonforargumentitwouldinterestmenomore。SoIjustfoldedmyarmsand，lookingupathim，said——
　　“Why，BlackMan？“
　　“Becauseyourfaceiswhite。”heroared。
　　“No。”Ianswered，“becauseyourheartisblackandyoureyesaresofullofbloodthatyoudonotknowMacumazahnwhenyouseehim。”
　　“Wow！“saidone，“itisWatcher-by-Nightwhomourfathersknewbeforeus。Leavehimalone。”
　　“No。”shoutedthegreatfellow，“Iwillsendhimtowatchwhereitisalwaysnight，Iwhokeepaclubforwhiterats。”andhebrandishedhisstickoverme。
　　Nowmytemperrose。Watchingmyopportunity，Istretchedoutmyrightfootandhookedhimroundtheankle，atthesametimestrikingupwithallmyforce。Myfistcaughthimbeneaththechinandoverhewentbackwardssprawlingontheground。
　　“Sonofadog！“Isaid，“ifasinglesticktouchesme，atleastyoushallgofirst。”andwhippingoutmyrevolver，Ipointeditathim。
　　Helayquietenough，buthowthematterwouldhaveendedIdonotknow，forpassionwasrunninghigh，hadnotGozaatthismomentrisenwithableedingnoseandcalledout——
　　“OFools，wouldyoukilltheking’sguesttowhomthekinghimselfhasgivensafe-conduct。Surelyyouarepotsfullofbeer，notmen。”
　　“Whynot？“answeredone。“ThisisthePlaceofSoldiers。Theking’shouseisyonder。Givetheoldjackalastartofalengthoftenassegais。Ifhereachesitfirst，hecanshakehandswithhisfriend，theking。Ifnotwewillmakehimintomedicine。”
　　“Yes，yes，runforit，Jackal。”clamouredtheothers，knockingtheirshieldswiththeirsticks，asmendowhowouldfrightenabuck，andopeningouttomakearoadforme。
　　Nowwhileallthiswasgoingon，withsomekindofsixthsenseI
　　hadnotedabigmanwhosefacewasshroudedbyablanketthrownoverhishead，whoveryquietlyhadjoinedthesedrunkenrioters，andvaguelywonderedwhohemightbe。
　　“Iwillnotrun。”Isaidslowly，“thatImaybesavedbytheking。Nay，Iwilldiehere，thoughsomeofyoushalldiefirst。
　　Gototheking，Goza，andtellhimhowhisservantshaveservedhisguest。”andIliftedmypistol，waitingtillthefirststicktouchedmetoputabulletthroughthebullyontheground。
　　“Thereisnoneed。”saidadeepvoicethatproceededfromthedrapedmanofwhomIhavespoken，“forthekinghascometoseeforhimself。”
　　Thentheblanketwasthrownback，revealingCetewayogrownfatandmuchagedsincelastIsawhim，butundoubtedlyCetewayo。
　　“Bayete！“roaredthemobinsalute，whilesomeofthosewhohadbeenmostactiveinthetumulttriedtoslipaway。
　　“Letnomanstir。”saidCetewayo，andtheystoodasthoughtheywererootedtotheground，whileIslippedmypistolbackintomypocket。
　　“Whoareyou，WhiteMan？“heasked，lookingatme，“andwhatdoyouhere？“
　　“TheKingshouldknowMacumazahn。”Ianswered，liftingmyhat，“whomDingaanknew，whomPandaknewwell，andwhomtheKingknewbeforehewasaking。”
　　“Yes，Iknowyou。”heanswered，“althoughsincewespoketogetheryouhaveshrunklikeanoxhideinthesun，andtimehasstainedyourheardwhite。”
　　“AndtheKinghasgrownfatliketheoxonsummergrass。AsforwhatIdohere，didnottheKingsendformebyGoza，andwasI
　　notbroughtlikeababyinablanket。”
　　“Thelasttimewemet。”hewenton，takingnoheedofmywords，“wasyonderatNodwenguwhenthewitchMameenawastriedforsorcery，shewhomademybrothermadandbroughtaboutthegreatbattle，inwhichyoufoughtforhimwiththeAmawomberegiment。
　　Doyounotrememberhowshekissedyou，Macumazahn，andtookpoisonbetweenthekisses，andhowbeforeshegrewsilentshespokeevilwordstome，sayingthatIwasdoomedtopulldownmyownHouseandtodieasshedied，wordsthathavehauntedmeeversinceandnowhauntmemostofall？Iwishtospeaktoyouconcerningthem，Macumazahn，foritissaidinthelandthatthisbeautifulwitchlovedyoualoneandthatyouonlyknewhermind。”
　　Imadenoreply，whowasheartilytiredofthissubjectofMameenawhomnooneseemedabletoforget。
　　“Well。”hewenton，“wewilltalkofthatmatteralone，sinceitisnotnaturalthatyoushouldwishtospeakofyourdeaddarlingsbeforetheworld。”andwithawaveofthehandheputthematteraside。Thensuddenlyhisattitudechanged。Hisface，thathadbeenthoughtfulandalmostsoft，becamefierce，hisformseemedtoswellandhegrewterrible。
　　“Whatwasthatdogdoing？“heaskedofGoza，pointingtothebrutewhomIhadknockeddownandwhostilllayprostrateonhisback，afraidtostir。
　　“OKing。”answeredGoza，“hewastryingtokillMacumazahnbecauseheisawhiteman，althoughItoldhimthathewasyourguest，beingbroughttoyoubytheroyalcommand。Hewastryingtokillhimbygivinghimastartoftenspears’lengthandmakinghimruntotheisigodhlotheking’shouseandbeatinghimtodeathwiththesticksofthesemeniftheycaughthim，which，asheisoldandtheyareyoung，theymusthavedone。
　　OnlytheWatcher-by-Nightwouldnotrun；no，althoughheissosmallheknockedhimtotheearthwithhisfist，andtherehelies。Thatisall，OKing。”
　　“Rise，dog。”saidCetewayo，andthemanrosetremblingwithfear，and，beingbidden，gavehisname，whichIforget。
　　“Listen，dog。”wentonthekinginthesamecoldvoice。“WhatGozasaysistrue，forIsawandhearditallwithmyeyesandears。Youwouldhavemadeyourselfastheking。Youdaredtotrytokilltheking’sguesttowhomhehadgivensafe-conduct，andtostaintheking’sdoorpostswithhisblood，therebydefilinghishouseandshowinghimtothewhitepeopleasamurdererofoneofthemwhomhehadpromisedtoprotect。
　　Macumazahn，do_you_sayhowheshalldie，andIwillhaveitdone。”
　　“Idonotwishhimtodie。”Ianswered，“Ithinkthatheandthosewithhimweredrunk。Lethimgo，OKing。”
　　“Aye，Macumazahn，Iwilllethimgo。Seenow，weareinthecentreofthecattle-kraal，andtotheeasterngateisasfarastotheisigodhlo。Letthismanhaveastartoftenspears’
　　lengthandruntotheeasterngate，ashewouldhavemadeMacumazahnruntotheking’shouse，andlethiscompanions，thosewhowouldhavehuntedMacumazahn，hunthim。
　　“IfhewinsthroughtothegatehecangoontotheGovernmentinNatalandtellthemofthecrueltyoftheZulus。Onlythen，letthosewhohuntedhimbebroughtbeforemefortrialandperhapsweshallseehow_they_canrun。”
　　Nowthepoorwretchcaughtholdofmyhand，beggingmetointercedeforhim，butsoldierswhohadcomeupdraggedhimawayand，havingmeasuredthedistanceallowedhim，sethimonamarkmadeupontheground。Presentlyatawordoffhespedlikeanarrow，andafterhimwenthisfriends，tenormoreofthem。I
　　thinktheycaughthimjustbythegatedoublinglikeahare，orsotheshoutsoflaughterfromthewatchingregimenttoldme，formyselfIwouldnotlook。
　　“Thatdogatehisownstomach。”saidCetewayogrimly，therebyindicatinginnativefashionthatthebiterhadbeenbitortheengineerhoistwithhispetard。“Itislongsincetherehasbeenawarintheland，andsomeoftheseyoungsoldierswhohaveneverusedanassegaisavetoskinanoxorcuttheheadfromachicken，shouttooloudandleaptoohigh。Nowtheywillbequieter，andwhileyoustayhereyoumaywalkwhereyouwillinsafety，Macumazahn。”headdedthoughtfully。
　　Thendismissingthematterfromhismind，aswewhitepeopledismissanytrivialincidentinamorningstroll，hetalkedforafewminutestothecommandingofficeroftheregimentthatwasdrilling，whoranuptomakesomereporttohim，andwalkedbacktowardstheisigodhlo，beckoningmetofollowwithGoza。
　　Afterwaitingforalittlewhileoutsidethegateinthesurroundingfence，abody-servantorderedustoenter，whichwedidtofindthekingseatedontheshadysideofhisbighutquitealone。AtasignIalsosatmyselfdownuponastoolthathadbeensetforme，whileGoza，whosenosewasstillbleeding，squattedatmyside。
　　“Yourmannersarenotsogoodastheywereonce，Macumazahn。”
　　saidCetewayopresently，“orperhapsyouhavebeensolongawayfromtheroyalkraalthatyouhaveforgottenitscustoms。”
　　Istaredathim，wonderingwhathecouldmean，whereonheaddedwithalaugh——
　　“Whatisthatinyourpocket？Isitnotaloadedpistol，anddoyounotrememberthatitisdeathtoappearbeforethekingarmed？NowImightkillyouandhavenoblame，althoughyouaremyguest，forwhoknowsthatyouarenotsentbytheEnglishQueentoshootme？“
　　“IasktheKing’spardon。”Isaidhumblyenough。“Ididnotthinkaboutthepistol。Letyourservantstakeitaway。”
　　“Perhapsitissaferinyourpocket，whereIsawyouplaceitinthecattle-kraal，Macumazahn，thanintheirhands，whichdonotknowhowtoholdsuchthings。Moreover，Iknowthatyouarenotonewhostabsinthedark，evenwhenourpeoplesgrowlroundeachotherliketwodogsabouttofight，andifyouwere，inthisplaceyourlifewouldhavetopayformine。Thereisbeerbyyourside；drinkandfearnothing。DidyouseetheOpenerofRoads，Goza，andifso，whatishisanswertomymessage？“
　　“OKing，Isawhim。”answeredGoza。“TheFatherofthedoctors，thefriendandmasteroftheSpirits，sayshehasheardtheKing’sword，yes，thathehearditasitpassedtheKing’slips，andthatalthoughheisveryold，hewilltraveltoUlundiandbepresentattheGreatCouncilofthenationwhichistobesummonedontheeighthdayfromthis，thatofthefullmoon。YethemakesaprayeroftheKing。Itisthataplacemaybepreparedforhim，forhispeopleandforhisservantswhocarryhim，awayfromthistownofUlundi，wherehemaysojournquitealone，adecreeofdeathbeingpronouncedagainstanywhoattempttobreakinuponhisprivacy，eitherwherehedwellsoruponhisjourney。Thesearehisverywords，OKing：
　　“’I，whoamthemostancientmaninZululand，dwellwiththespiritsofmyfathers，whowillnotsufferstrangerstocomenighthemandwho，iftheyareoffended，willbringgreatwoesupontheland。Moreover，IhaveswornthatwhilethereisakinginZululandandIdrawthebreathoflife，neveragainwillIsetfootinaroyalkraal，becausewhenlastIdidsoattheslayingofthewitch，Mameena，thekingwhoisdeadthoughtitwelltoutterthreatsagainstme，andnevermorewillI，theOpenerofRoads，bethreatenedbyamortal。ThereforeiftheKingandhisCouncilseektodrinkofthewaterofmywisdom，itmustbeintheplaceandhourofmyownchoosing。Ifthiscannotbe，letmeabidehereinmyhouseandlettheKingseeklightfromotherdoctors，sincemineshallremainasalamptomyownheart。’“
　　NowIsawthatthesewordsgreatlydisturbedCetewayowhofearedZikali，asindeeddidalltheland。
　　“Whatdoestheoldwizardmean？“heaskedangrily。“Helivesalonelikeabatinacaveandforyearshasbeenseenofnone。
　　Yetasabatfliesforthatnight，rangingfarandwideinsearchofprey，sodoeshisspiritseemtoflythroughZululand。
　　EverywhereIhearthesameword。Itis——’WhatsaystheOpenerofRoads？’Itis——’HowcanaughtbedoneunlesstheOpenerofRoadshasdeclaredthatitshallbedone，hewhowasherebeforetheBlackOneChakawasborn，hewhoitissaidwasthefriendofInkosiUmkulu，thefatheroftheZuluswhodiedbeforeourgreat-grandfatherscouldremember；hewhohasallknowledgeandisalmostaspirit，ifindeedhebenotaspirit？’Iaskyou，Macumazahn，whoarehisfriend，whatdoeshemean，andwhyshouldInotkillhimandbedone？“
　　“OKing。”Ianswered，“inthedaysofyouruncleDingaan，whenDingaanslewtheBoerswhowerehisguests，andthusbeganthewarbetweentheWhiteandtheBlack，I，whowasalad，heardthelaughterofZikaliforthefirsttimeyonderatthekraalUngungundhlovu，IwhorodewithRetiefandescapedtheslaughter，buthisfaceIdidnotsee。Manyyearslater，inthedaysofPandayourfather，Isawhisfaceandthereforeyounamemehisfriend。Yetthisfriendwhodrewmetovisithim，perhapsbyyourwill，OKing，hasnowcausedmetobebroughtheretoUlundidoubtlessbyyourwill，OKing，butagainstmyown，forwhowishestocometoatownwhereheiswell-nighslainbythefirstbrawlerhemeetsinthecattlekraal？“
　　“Yetyouwerenotslain，Macumazahn，andperhapsyoudonotknowallthestoryofthatbrawler。”repliedCetewayoalmosthumbly，likeonewhobegspardon，thoughtherestofwhatlhadsaidheignored。“ButstillyouareZikali’sfriend，forbetweenyouandhimthereisaropewhichenabledhimtodrawyoutoZululand，whichropeIhaveheardcalledbyawoman’sname。Thereforebythespiritofthatwoman，whichstillcandrawyoulikearope，I
　　chargeyou，tellme——whatdoesthisoldwizardmean，andwhyshouldInotkillhimandberidofonewhohauntsmyheartlikeanevilvisionofthenightand，asIsometimesthink，isan，umtakati，anevil-doer，whowouldworkilltomeandallmyHouse，yes，andtoallmypeople？“
　　“HowshouldIknowwhathemeans，OKing？“Iansweredwithindignation，thoughinfactIcouldguesswellenough。“Asforkillinghim，cannottheKingkillwhomhewill？YetIrememberthatonceIheardyoufatheraskmuchthesamequestionandofZikalihimself，sayingthathewasmindedtofindoutwhetherornoheweremortallikeothermen。IrememberalsoZikaliansweredthattherewasasayingthatwhentheOpenerofRoadscametotheendofhisroad，therewouldbenomoreakingofZululand，astherewasnonewhenfirsthesetfootuponhisroad。
　　NowIhavespoken，whoamawhitemananddonotunderstandyoursayings。”
　　“Irememberitalso，Macumazahn，whowaspresentatthetime。”herepliedheavily。“MyfatherfearedthisZikaliandhisfatherfearedhim，andIhaveheardthattheBlackOnehimself，whofearednothing，fearedhimalso。AndI，too，fearhim，somuchthatIdarenotmakeupmyminduponagreatmatterwithoutWscounsel，lestheshouldbewitchmeandthenationandbringustonothing。”
　　Hepaused，thenturningtoGoza，asked，“DidtheOpenerofRoadstellyouwherehewishedtodwellwhenhecomestovisitmehereatUlundi？“
　　“OKing。”answeredGoza，“yonderinthehills，notfurtherawaythananagedmancanwalkinthehalfofanhour，isaplacecalledtheValleyofBones，becausethereinthedaysofthosewhowentbeforetheKing，andevenintheKing’sday，manyevildoershavebeenledtodie。ZikaliwoulddwellinthisValleyofBones，andthereandnowhereelsewouldmeettheKingandtheGreatCouncil，notinthedaylightbutaftersunsetwhenthemoonhasrisen。”
　　“Why。”saidCetewayo，starting，“theplaceisill-omenedand，theysay，haunted，onethatnomandarestoapproachafterthefallofdarknessforfearlesttheghostsofthedeadshouldleapuponhimgibbering。”
　　“SuchwerethewordsoftheOpenerofRoads，OKing。”repliedGoza。“ThereandnowhereelsewillhemeettheKing，andtherehedemandsthatthreehutsshouldbebuilttoshelterhimandhisfolkandstoredwithallthingsneedful。Ifthisbenotgrantedtohim，thenherefusestovisittheKingortogivecounseltothenation。”
　　“Sobeitthen。”saidCetewayo。“SendmessengerstotheOpenerofRoads，Goza，sayingthatwhathedesiresshallbedone。Letmycommandgooutthatunderpainofdeathnonespyuponhimwhilehejourneyshitherorreturns。Letthehutsbebuiltforthwith，andwhenitisknownthatheiscoming，letfoodinplentybeplacedinthemandafterwardsmorningbymorningtakentothemouthofthevalley。Bidhimannouncehisarrivalandthehourhechoosesforourmeetingbymessenger。Begone。”
　　Gozaleaptup，gavetheroyalsalute，andretreatedbackwardsfromthepresenceoftheking，leavingusalone。Ialsorosetodepart，butCetewayomotionedtometobeseated。
　　“Macumazahn。”hesaid，“theGreatQueen’smanwhohascometoNatalSirBartleFrerethreatensmewithwarbecausetwoevil-doingwomenweretakenontheNatalsideoftheTugelaandbroughtbacktoZululandandkilledbyMehlokazulu，beingthewivesofhisfather，Sirayo，whichwasdonewithoutmyknowledge。
　　AlsotwowhitemenweredrivenawayfromanislandintheTugelaRiverbysomeofmysoldiers。”