“Isthatall，OKing？“Iasked。
　　“No。TheQueen’smansaysIkillmypeoplewithouttrial，whichisalietoldhimbythemissionaries，andthatgirlshavebeenkilledalsowhorefusedtomarrythosetowhomtheyweregivenandranawaywithothermen。Alsothatwizardsaresmeltoutandslain，whichhappensbutrarelynow；allofthiscontrarytothepromisesImadetoSompseuwhenhecametorecognizemeaskinguponmyfather’sdeath，andsomeothersuchsmallmatters。”
　　“Whatisdemandedifyouwouldavoidwar，OKing？“
　　“Nothinglessthanthis，Macumazahn：ThattheZuluarmyshouldbeabolishedandthesoldiersallowedtomarrywhomandwhentheyplease，because，saystheQueen’sman，hefearslestitshouldbeusedtoattacktheEnglish，asthoughIwholovetheEnglish，asthosehavedonewhowentbeforeme，desiretolayafingeronthem。AlsothatanotherQueen’smanshouldbesenttodwellhereinmycountry，tobetheeyesandearsoftheEnglishGovernmentandhavepowerwithmeintheland；yes，andmoredemandswhichwoulddestroytheZulusasapeopleandmakeme，theirking，butapettykraal-head。”
　　“AndwhatwilltheKinganswer？“Iasked。
　　“Iknownotwhattoanswer。ThefineoftwothousandcattleI
　　willpayforthekillingofthewomen。Ifitmaybe，IwishnoquarrelwiththeEnglish，thoughgladlyIwouldhavefoughttheDutchhadnotSompseustretchedouthisarmovertheirland。ButhowcanIdisbandthearmyandmakeanendoftheregimentsthathaveconqueredinsomanywars？Macumazahn，ItellyouthatifI
　　didthis，inamoonIshouldbedead。Oh！youwhitepeoplethinkthereisbutonewillinZululand，thatoftheking。Butitisnotso，forheisbutasinglemanamongtenthousandthousand，wholivestoworkthepeople’swish。Ifhebeatsthemwithtoothickastick，orifhebringsthemtoshameordoeswhatthemostofthemdonotwish，thenwhereistheking？Then，Isay，hegoesaroadthatwastroddenbyChakaandDingaanwhowerebeforeme，yes，theredroadoftheassegai。Thereforetoday，I
　　standlikeamanbetweentwofallingcliffs。IfIruntowardstheEnglishtheZuluclifffallsuponme。IfIruntowardsmyownpeople，theEnglishclifffallsuponme，andineithercaseI
　　amcrushedandnomoreseen。Tellmethen，Macumazahn，youwhoseheartishonest，whatmustIdo？“
　　Sohespoke，wringinghishands，withtearsstartingtohiseyes，anduponmyword，althoughIneverlikedCetewayoasIhadlikedhisfather，Panda，perhapsbecauseIlovedhisbrother，Umbelazi，whomhekilled，andhadknownhimdomanycrueldeeds，myheartbledforhim。
　　“Icannottellyou，King。”Ianswered，thinkingthatImustsaysomething，“butIprayyoudonotmakewaragainstthequeen，forsheisthemostmightyOneinthewholeearth，andthoughherfoot，ofwhichyouseebutthelittletoehereinAfrica，seemssmalltoyou，yetifsheisangered，itwillstamptheZulusflat，sothattheyceasetobe。”
　　“Manyhavetoldmethis，Macumazahn。Yes，evenUhamu，thesonofmyuncleUnzibe，or，assomesay，thesonofhisspirit，towhichhismotherwasmarriedafterUnzibewasdead，andothersthroughouttheland，andintruthIthinkitmyself。Butwhocanholdthearmywhichshoutsforwar？Ow！theCouncilmustdecide，which，meansperhapsthatZikaliwilldecide，fornowallhanguponhislips。
　　“ThenIamsorry。”Iexclaimed。
　　Helookedatmeshrewdly。
　　“Areyou？SoamI。Yethiscounselmustbeasked，andbetterthatitshouldbehereinmypresencethanyondersecretlyattheBlackKloof。IwouldkillhimifIdared，butIdarenot，whoamsure——whyImaynotsay——thatthesamesunwillseehisdeathandmine。”
　　Hewavedhishandtoshowthatthetalkonthismatterwasended，thenadded——
　　“Macumazahn，youaremyprisonerforawhile，butgivemeyourwordthatyouwillnottrytoescapeandyoumaygowhereyouwillwithinanhour’srideofUlundi。Iwouldpayyouwelltostopherewithme，butthisIknowyouwouldneverdoshouldtherebetroublebetweenusandyourpeople。ThereforeIpromiseyouthatifwarbreaksoutIwillsendyousafelytoNatal，orperhapssooner，asmymessenger，whencedoubtlessyouwillreturntofightagainstme。KnowthatIhavegivenordersthateveryotherwhitemanorwomanwhoisfoundinZululandshallbekilledasaspy。EvenJohnDunnhasfledorisflying，orsoIhear，JohnDunnwhohasfedoutofmyhandandgrownrichonmygifts。
　　YouyourselfwouldhavebeenkilledasyoucamefromSwazi-Landinyourcart，hadnotcommandbeensenttothosechiefsthroughwhoselandsyoupassedthatneithertheynortheirpeopleweresomuchastolookatyou。”
　　NowforoneintensemomentIthought，ashardaseverIhaddoneinmylife。Itwasevident——unlesshedealingverycunninglywithme，whichIdidnotbelieve——thatCetewayoknewnothingofAnscombeandHeda，butthoughtthatIhadcomeintoZululandalone。ShouldIorshouldInottellhimandbeghisprotectionforthem？IfIdidsohemightrefuseorbeunabletogiveittothemfarawayinthemidstofasavagepopulationaflamewiththelustofwar。Astheincidentofthemorningshowed，itwarasmuchashecoulddotoprotectmyself，althoughtheZulusknewmefortheirfriend。OntheotherhandnoonewhodweltunderZikali’sblanket，tousetheKaffiridiom，wouldbetouched，becausehewaslookedonashalfdivineandthereforeeverythingunderitdowntotheratinhisthatchwassacred。NowZikalibyimplicationandNombewithemphasis，hadpromisedtosafeguardthesetwo。Surely，therefore，theywouldrunlessriskintheBlackKloofthanhereatUlundi，ifevertheygotsofar。
　　Allthiswentthroughmybraininaninstant，withtheresultthatImadeupmymindtosaynothing。Astheissueproved，thiswasaterriblemistake，butwhocanalwaysjudgerightly？HadI
　　spokenoutitseemstomeprobablethatCetewayowouldhavegrantedmyprayerandorderedthatthesetwoshouldbeescortedoutofZululandbeforehostilitiesbegan，althoughofcoursetheymighthavebeenmurderedontheway。Also，forareasonthatwillbecomeevidentlater，itispossiblethattherewouldneverhavebeenanyhostilities。AllIcanpleadis，thatIactedforthebestandFatewouldhaveitso。Anothermomentandthechancewasgone。
　　Thegateopenedandabody-servantappearedannouncingthatoneofthegreatcaptainswithsomeofhisofficerswaitedtoseetheking。Cetewayomadeasign，whereontheservantcalledoutsomething，andtheyentered，threeorfourofthem，salutingloudly。Seeingmetheystoppedandstared，whereonCetewayoshortly，butwithmuchclearness，repeatedtothemandtoanindunawhoaccompaniedthem，whathehadalreadysaidtome，namelythatIwashisguest，sentforbyhimthathemightusemeasamessengerifhethoughtfit。Headdedthatthemanwhodaredtospeakawordagainstme，oreventolookatmeaskance，shouldpaythepricewithhislife，howeverhighhisstation，andhecommandedthattheheraldsshouldproclaimthishisdecreethroughoutUlundiandtheneighbouringkraals。Thenheheldouthishandtomeintokenoffriendship，biddingmeto“gosoftly“
　　andcometoseehimwheneverIwished，anddismissedmeinchargeoftheinduna，oneofthecaptainsandsomesoldiers。
　　WithinfiveminutesofreachingmyhutIheardaloud-voicedcrierproclaimingtheorderofthekingandknewthatIhadnomoretofear。
　　CHAPTERXIV
　　THEVALLEYOFBONES
　　TheweekthatfollowedmyinterviewwithCetewayowasindeedamiserabletimeforme。Formyself，asIhavesaid，Ihadnofear，fortheking’sorderswerestrictlyobeyed。Moreover，thetaleofwhathadhappenedtothebrutewhowishedtohuntmedowninthecattle-kraalhadtravelledfarandwideandnonesoughttosharehisfate。Myhutwasinviolateandwellsuppliedwithnecessaryfood，aswasmymare，andIcouldwanderwhereIlikedandtalkwithwhomIwould。Icouldevenridetoexercisethehorse，thoughthisIdidverysparinglyandonlyintheimmediateneighbourhoodofthetownforfearofexcitingsuspicionormeetingZuluswhomtheking’swordhadnotreached。IndeedontheseoccasionsIwasalwaysaccompaniedbyaguardofswift-footedandarmedsoldierssent“toprotectme。”ormoreprobablytokillmeifIdidanythingthatseemedsuspicious。
　　InthecourseofmyramblesImetsundrynativeswhomIhadknownintheolddays，someofthemalongwhileago。Theyallseemedgladtoseemeandwerequitereadytotalkofpasttimes，butofthepresenttheywouldsaylittleornothing，exceptthattheywerecertaintherewouldbewar。OfAnscombeandHedaIcouldhearnothing，andindeeddidnotdaretomakeanydirectinquiriesconcerningthem，butseveralreliablemenassuredmethatthelastmissionariesandtradershavingdeparted，therewasnotawhiteman，womanorchildleftinZululandexceptmyself。
　　Itwas“allblack“theysaid，referringtothecolouroftheirpeople，asithadbeenbeforethetimeofChaka。SoIwasforcedtoeatoutmyheartwithanxietyinsilence，hopingandprayingthatZikalihadplayedanhonestpartandsentthemawaysafely。
　　Whyshouldhenothavedoneso，seeingthatitwasmypresencehehaddesired，nottheirs？Theywereonlytaken，orrathersnared，becausetheywerewithmeandcouldnotbeseparated，orsoI
　　believedatthetime。
　　OnerayofcomfortIdidget。AboutthefifthdayaftermyinterviewIsawGoza，whotoldmethattheking’smessengerswerebackfromtheBlackKloofandhadbrought“aword“formefromZikalihimself。Thewordwas——
　　“BidGozasaytoMacumazahnthatIwassorrynottoseehimtosaygood-bye，becausethatmorningIsleptheavily。BidhimsaythatIamgladhehasseentheking，sinceforthispurposeI
　　soughthispresenceinZululand。Bidhimsaythatheistofearnothing，andthatifhisheartisheavyaboutotherswhomheloves，heshouldmakeitlightagain，sincetheSpiritshavethemintheirkeepingastheyhavehim，andneverweretheyorhemoresafethantheyareto-day。”
　　NowIlookedatGozaandaskedifIcouldseethismessenger。Hereplied，No，ashehadalreadybeendespatcheduponanothererrand。ThenIaskedhimifthemessengerhadsaidanythingelse。Heanswered，Yes，onethingthathehadforgotten，namelythatthewritingaboutblanketsshouldnowbeinNatal。ThensuddenlyhechangedthesubjectandaskedmeifIwouldliketoaccompanyhimtotheValleyofBoneswherehewasorderedtoinspectthehutswhichwerebeingbuiltforZikaliandhispeople。OfcourseIsaidIshould，hoping，quitewithoutresult，thatImightgetsomethingmoreoutofhimontheroad。
　　NowthistownofCetewayo’sstands，orratherstood，forithaslongbeenburnt，ontheslopeofthehillstothenorth-eastoftheplainsofUlundi。Aboveitthesehillsgrowsteeper，anddeepintherecessesofoneofthemistheValleyofBones。
　　Thereisnothingparticularlyimposingabouttheplace；notoweringcliffsorpillarsofpiledgranite，asattheBlackKloof。Itisjustavalecutoutbywater，borderedbysteepslopesoneitherside，andastillsteeperslopestrownwithlargerocksatitsend。Dottedhereandthereontheseslopesgrewtallaloesthatfromalittledistancelookedlikescatteredmen，whereofthelowerleaveswereshrivelledandblackenedbyveldfires。Alsotherewereafeweuphorbias，grey，naked-lookingthingsthatendinpointslikefingersonahand，andamongthemsomesparsethorntrees，strugglingtoliveinaninhospitablesoil。
　　Theplacehasonepeculiarity。Juttingintoitfromthehillsideisaridgeorspur，sixtyorseventyyardsinlengthbyperhapstwentybroad，thatendsinaflatpointofrockwhichstandsaboutfortyfeetabovetheleveloftherestofthelittlevalley。Onthisridgealsogrewtallaloesuntilnearitsextremitythesoilceased，orhadbeenwashedawayfromthewater-worncoreofrock。
　　Itwas，andnodoubtstillis，adesolate-lookingspot，atanyrateformostofthedaywhenowingtotheshadowofthesurroundinghills，itreceivesbutlittlesun。Everythingaboutit，especiallywhenIwasthereinatimeofrain，seemeddankandmiserable，althoughtheflatfloorofthekloofwasclothedwithagrowthoftall，coarsegrass，andweedsthatboreanevil-smellingflower。PerhapssomesenseofappropriatenesshadcausedtheZulukingstochoosethislonesome，deathly-lookinggorgeasoneoftheirexecutiongrounds。Atanyratemanyhadbeenslainhere，forskullsandthelargerhumanbones，someofthemblackwithage，layallaboutamongthegrass，astheyhadbeenscatteredbyhyenasandjackals。Theywereparticularlythickbeneathandaroundthetable-likerockthatIhavementioned。
　　GozatoldmethatthiswasbecausetheKing’sSlayersmadeacustomofdraggingthevictimalongtheprojectingtonguetotheedgeofthisrockandhurlinghim，eitherdeadorliving，tothegroundbeneath；or，inthecaseofwitches；drivingthemoveraftertheyhadbeenblinded。
　　SuchwasthespotthatZikalihadselectedtoabideinduringhisvisittoUlundi。Certainlywhereprivacywasanobjectitwaswellchosen，for，asCetewayohadsaidandasGozaemphasizedtome，ithadthereputeofbeingthemostthoroughlyhauntedplaceinallZululand，withthesoleexception，perhaps，oftheridgeoppositetoDingaan’soldkraalwhereonceIshotthevulturesformylifeandthoseofmycompanions。*Eveninthedaytimepeoplegaveitawideberth，andatnightnothingwouldinducethemtoapproachit，atanyratealone。
　　[*——Seethebookcalled_Marie，_byH。RiderHaggard。]
　　HeretoonesideofandneartherootofthetongueoflandofwhichIhavespoken，thehutsthatZikalihaddemandedforhimselfandhiscompanywerebeingrapidlybuilt，closetoaspringofwater，byalargebodyofmenwholabouredasthoughtheywishedtobedonewiththeirtask。Alsoabouthalfwayupthedonga，forreallyitwasnothingmore，atadistanceofperhapsfiveandtwentypacesfromitsflatpointwhencethecondemnedwerehurled，acircularspaceofgroundhadbeenclearedandlevelledwhichwaslargeenoughtoaccommodatefiftyorsixtymen。Onthisspace，Gozatoldme，theKingandtheCouncilweretositwhentheycametoseeklightfromZikali。
　　InmyheartIreflectedthatthelighttheywerelikelytogetfromhimwouldbesuchasmaybesupposedtobethrownbyhellfire。ForbeitrememberedIknewwhatthesepeopleneverseemedtounderstand，thatZikaliwasthemostbitteroftheirenemies。
　　Tobeginwith，hewasofUndwandweblood，oneofthepeoplewhomthegreatkingChakahaddestroyed。ThenthissameChakahadrobbedhimofhiswivesandmurderedhischildren，inrevengeforwhichhehadplottedtheslayingofChaka，ashedidthatofhisbrothers，UmhlanganaandDingaan，thelatterofwhomheinvolvedinaquarrelwiththeBoers。SubsequentlyhebroughtaboutthewarbetweentheprincesCetewayoandUmbelazi，inwhichIplayedapart。
　　NowIwascertainthatheintendedtobringaboutanotherwarbetweentheEnglishandtheZulus，knowingwellthatintheendthelatterwouldbedestroyed，andwiththemtheroyalHouseofSenzangaconawhichhehadsworntolevelwiththedust。Hadhenottoldmeasmuchyearsago，andwasheonetogobackuponhisword？HadhenotusedMameenawithherbeautyandambitionsashistool，andwhenshewasofnofurtherservicetohim，givenhertodeath，ashehadusedscoresofothersandindueseasongiventhemtodeath？WasInotmyselfperhapsoneofthosetoolsdestinedtobethrownintothepitofdoomwhenmyturncame，thoughinwhatwayIcouldhelphisplotswasmorethanIcouldsee，sinceheknewwellthatIshoulddomybesttoopposehim？
　　Oh！IhadhalfamindtogotoCetewayoandtellhimallIknewaboutZikali，evenifitinvolvedthebreakingofconfidences。
　　Butstay！EvenifIwerebelieved，thisfar-seeingwizardheldhostagesformygoodbehaviour，andifIbetrayedhimwhatwouldhappentothosehostages？Hesentmemessagessayingthattheyweresafe，suggestingthattheyhadescapedtoNatal。HowwasI
　　toknowthattheseweretrue？Iwasutterlybewildered；IcouldnotguesswhyIhadbeenbeguiledintoZululand，andIdarednotstepeitherthiswayorthatforfearlestIshouldfallintosomepitdugbyhiscunninghandsand，whatwasworse，dragdownotherswithme。
　　Moreover，wasthismanquitehuman，orperhapsanemissaryofSatanuponearthwhohadknowledgedeniedtoothermenandacertainmasteryoverthePowersofIll？AgainIcouldnotsay。
　　Histermoflifeseemedtobeextraordinarilyprolonged，thoughnoneknewhowoldexactlyhemightbe。Alsohehadawonderfulknowledgeofwhatwaspassinginthemindsofothers，andbyhisarts，asIhadexperiencedonlytheotherday，couldsummonupapparitionsorillusionsbeforetheireyes。Further，hewasawareofeventswhichhadhappenedatadistanceandcouldsendorreaddreams，sinceotherwisehowdidNombeknowwhatIhaddreamtatMarnham’shouse？Lastlyhecouldforetellthefuture，asoncehehaddoneinmyowncase，prophecyingthatIshouldbeinjuredbyabuffalowithasplithorn。
　　Yetallofthismightbenothingmorethanamixtureofkeenobservation，cleverspying，trickeryandmesmerism。Icouldnotsaywhichitwas，norcanIwithcertaintytothishour。
　　SuchwerethethoughtsthatpassedthroughmymindasIwalkedbackfromtheValeofBonesbythesideofthebig-paunchedGoza，whomIcaughteyeingmefromtimetotimeasacuriouscroweyesanyobjectthathasattractedhisattention。
　　“Goza。”Isaidatlast，“dotheZulusreallymeantofighttheEnglish？“
　　Heturnedandpointedtoaspotwherethehillsrandownintothegreatplain。Heretworegimentsweremanoeuvring。Oneoftheseheldtheslopesofthehillandtheotherwasattackingthemfromtheplain，sofiercelythatatadistancetheironslaughtlookedlikethatofactualwarfare。
　　“Thatlookslikefighting，doesitnot，Macumazahn？“hereplied。
　　“Yes，Goza，yetitmaybebutplay。”
　　“Quiteso，Macumazahn。Itmaybefightingoritmaybebutplay。
　　AmIaprophetthatIshouldbeabletosaywhichitis？OfthatthereisbutonemaninZululandwhoknowsthetruth。Itisheforwhomthenewhutsarebeingbuiltupyonder。”
　　“Youthinkhereallyknows，Goza？“
　　“No，Macumazahn，Idonotthink，Iamsure。Heisthegreatestofallwizards，ashewaswhenmyfatherheldontohismother’sapron。HepullsthestringsandtheGreat-onesofthecountrydance。Ifhewisheswar，therewillbewar。Ifhewishespeace，therewillbepeace。”
　　“Andwhichdoeshewish，Goza？“
　　“Ithoughtperhapsyoucouldtellmethat，Macumazahn，who，hesays，aresuchanoldfriendofhis；alsowhyhechoosestosojourninadarkholeamongthedeadinsteadofinthesunshineamongtheliving，hereatUlundi。”
　　“Well，Icannot，Goza，sincetheOpenerofRoadsdoesnotopenhishearttomebutkeepshissecretstohimself。Fortherest，thosewhotalkwiththedeadmayprefertodwellamongthedead。”
　　“Nowasalwaysyouspeaktruth，Macumazahn。”saidGoza，lookingatmeinawaywhichsuggestedtomethathebelievedIspokeanythingbutthetruth。
　　IndeedIamconvincedhethoughtthatIwasinthecouncilofZikaliandacquaintedwithhisplans。AlsoIamsureheknewthatIhadnotcometoZululandalone，theincidentoftheblankets，whichIhadpromisedtohimabribetokeepsilence，showedit，andsuspectedthatmycompanionswerepartiestosomeplottogetherwithmyself。AndyetatthetimeIcouldnotbequitesure，andthereforedarednotaskanythingconcerningthemlestthusIshouldrevealtheirexistenceandbringthemtodeath。
　　AsamatteroffactIneednothavebeenanxiousonthispoint，sinceifGoza，whoImaystate，wasakindofsecretserviceofficeraswellasaheadmessenger，knew，asIthinkprobable，hehadbeencommandedbyZikalitoholdhistongueunderpenaltyofacurse。PerhapsthesamewastrueofthesoldierswhohadcomewithhimtotakemetoUlundi。ThehintofZikaliwasaspowerfulasthewordoftheking，sincethey，likethousandsofothers，believedthatwhereasCetewayocouldkillthem，Zikali，likeSatan，couldblasttheirspiritsaswellastheirbodies。
　　ButhowwasItoguessallthesethingsatthattime？
　　Duringthenexttwodaysnothinghappened，thoughIheardthattherehadbeenoneifnottwomeetingsoftheCouncilattheKing’sHouseduringwhichthepositionofaffairswasdiscussed。
　　CetewayoIdidnotsee，althoughtwicehesentmessengerstomebringinggiftsoffood，whowerechargedtoinquirewhetherIwaswellandhappyandifanyhadofferedmehurtorinsult。TotheseIansweredthatIwaswellandunmolestedbutnothappy，whogrewlonesome，beingbutasolitarywhitemanamongsomanythousandsoftheZulus。
　　Onthethirdmorning，thatofthedayofthefullmoon，GozacameandinformedmethatZikalihadarrivedattheValleyofBonesbeforedawn。Iaskedhimhowhe，whowassooldandfeeble，hadwalkedsofar。Heansweredthathehadnotwalked，orsoheunderstood，buthadbeencarriedinalitter，orratherintwolitters，oneforhimselfandoneforhis“spirit。”ThisstaggeredmeevenwhereZikaliwasconcerned，andIinquiredwhatonearthGozameant。
　　“Macumazahn，howcanItellyouwhoonlyknowwhatImyselfamtold？“heexclaimed。“SuchisthereportthattheOpenerofRoadshasmadehimselfbymessengerstotheking。Nonehaveseenhim，forhejourneysonlyinthenight。Moreover，whenZikalipassesallmenareblindandevenwomen’stonguesgrowdumb。
　　Perchanceby’hisspirit’hemeanshismedicineorthewitch-doctoress，Nombe，whomfolkssayhecreated，sincenonehaveseenherfatherorhermother，orheardwhobegather；orperchancehissnakeishidbehindthematsofthesecondlitter，ifintruththerewasone。”
　　“Itmaybeso。”Isaid，feelingthatitwasuselesstopursuethematter。“Now，Goza，IwouldseeZikaliandatonce。”
　　“Thatcannotbe，Macumazahn，sincehehasgivenoutthathewillseenoone，whorestsafterhisjourney，andthekinghasissuedordersthatanywhoattempttoapproachtheValleyofBonesshalldie，eveniftheybeoftheroyalblood。Yes，ifsomuchasadogdarestodrawnearthatplace，itmustdie。Thesoldierswhoringitroundhavekilledonealready，sostrictaretheorders，alsoaboywhowenttowardsitsearchingforacalf，whichI
　　thinkabadomen。”
　　“ThenIwillsendamessagetohim。”Ipersisted。
　　“Doso。”mockedGoza。“Look，yondersailsavulture。Askittotakeyourmessage，fornothingelsewill。Benotfoolish，Macumazahn，buthavepatience，forto-nightyoushallseetheOpenerofRoadswhenheattendstheCouncilofthekingintheValleyofBones。Thisistheorderoftheking——thatattherisingofthemoonIleadyouthither，sothatyoumaybepresentattheCouncilincasehewishestoaskyouanyquestionsabouttheWhitePeopleortogiveyouanymessagetotheGovernmentinNatal。ThereforeatsunsetIwillcomeforyou。Tillthen，farewell。Ihavebusinessthatcannotwait。”
　　“CanIseetheking？“Icried。
　　“Notso，Macumazahn。Allto-dayhemakessacrificetothespiritsofhisancestorsandmustnotbeapproached。”Gozacalledbackashedeparted。
　　AvailingmyselfofthepermissionofthekingtogowhereI
　　would，alittlelaterinthedayIwalkedoutofthetowntowardstheValleyofBonesinordertoascertainformyselfwhetherwhatGozahadtoldmewastrue。Soitproved，foraboutthreehundredyardsfromthemouthofthevalley，whichatthatdistancelookedlikeablackholeinthehills，Ifoundsoldiersstationedabouttenpacesapartinagreatcirclewhichranrightupthehillsideandvanishedoverthecrest。Strollinguptooneofthese，whosefaceIthoughtIknew，Iaskedhimifhewouldletmepasstoseemyfriend，theOpenerofRoads。
　　Theman，whowassomethingofahumouristreplied——
　　“Certainlyifyouwish，Macumazahn。Thatistosay，Iwillletyourspiritpass，buttodothis，ifyoucomeonestepnearerI
　　mustfirstmakeaholeinyouwithmyspearoutofwhichitcanfly。”
　　Ithankedhimforhisinformationandgavehimsomesnuff，whichhetookgratefully，beingboredbyhislongvigil。ThenIaskedhimhowmanypeoplethegreatwitch-doctorhadwithhim。Hesaidhedidnotknow，buthehadseenanumberoftallmencometothemouthofthedongatofetchfoodthathadbeenplacedthere。
　　AgainIinquiredifhehadseenanywomen，whereonherepliednone，Zikalibeing，heunderstood，toooldtotroublehimselfabouttheothersex。Justthenanofficer，makinghisrounds，cameupandlookedatmesosternlythatIthoughtitwelltoretreat。Evidentlytherewasnochanceofgettingthroughthatline。
　　OnmywaybackIwalkedasnearthefenceoftheKing’sHouseasIdared，andsawwitch-doctorspassinginandoutintheirhideousofficialpanoply。ThistoldmethatherealsoGozahadspokenthetruth——thekingwasperformingmagicalceremonies，whichmeantthatitwouldbeimpossibletoapproachhim。IneverydirectionImetwithfailure。TheFateswereagainstme；
　　itlayovermelikeaspell。IndeedIgrewsuperstitiousandbegantothinkthatZikalihadbewitchedme，ashewassaidtohavethepowertodo。Well，perhapshehad，forthemerefactoffindingmyselfopposedbythispersistentwallofdifficultiesandsilenceconvincedmethattherewassomethingbehindittobelearned。
　　Iwentbackverydejectedtomyhutandtalkedtomymarewhichwhinniedandrubbeditsnoseagainstme，foralthoughitwaswellfedandlookedafter，thepoorbeastseemedaslonelyasIwasmyself。Nowonder，sincelikemyselfitwasseparatedfromallitskindandwearyofinaction。AfterthisIateandsmokedandfinallydozed，nomore，forwheneverItriedtogotosleepI
　　thoughtthatIheardZikalilaughingatme，asmayhaphewasdoingyonderinhishut。
　　Atlengththatwearisomedaydrewtowardsitsend。Thesunbegantosink，ahugeredballoffire，nowandagainveiledbyclouds，fortheskywasstormy。Itsfiercerays，strikinguponotherclouds，peopledtheenormousheavenswithfantasticshapesoflightwhichwerethickestoverthehillswhereinwastheValleyofBones。Tomystrainedmindthesecloudslookedlikebattlingarmies，figuresofflamewarringagainstfiguresofdarkness。
　　Thedarknesswon；no，thelightbrokeoutagainandconqueredit。
　　Andsee，thereabovethembothsquattedastrangeblackpresencecrownedwithfire。ItmighthavebeenthatofZikalimagnifiedtenthousandtimes，andhark！itlaughedwiththelowreverberatingvoiceofdistantthunder。
　　SuddenlyIfeltthatIwasnolongeraloneandlookinground，sawGozaatmyside。
　　“Whatdoyouseeupthere，Macumazahn，thatyoustaresohard？“
　　heasked，pointingattheskywithhisstick。
　　“Impisfighting。”Iansweredbriefly。
　　“Thenyoumustbea’heaven-doctor，’Macumazahn，forIonlyseeblackandredclouds。Well，itistimetogotolearnwhetherornotheimpiswillfight，forZikaliawaitsusandtheCouncilhasstartedalready。Bytheway，thekingsaysthatyouwilldowelltoputyourpistolinyourpocketincaseanyshouldseektoharmyouinthedark。”
　　“Itisthere。But，Goza，Iprayyoutoprotectme，sinceinthedarkbulletsflywide，andifIbegantoshoot，onemighthityou，Goza。”
　　Hesmiled，makingnoanswer，butInoticedthatduringtherestofthatnighthewascarefultokeepbehindmeasmuchaspossible。
　　Ourwayledusthroughthetownwhereeverybodyseemedtobestandingaboutdoingnothingandspeakingverylittle。Therewasacuriousairofexpectancyupontheirfaces。Theyknewthatthecrisiswasathand，thattheirnation’sfatehunguponthescales，andtheywatchedmyeverylookandmovementasthoughinthemtheyexpectedtoreadanomen。Itoowatchedthemoutofthecornersofmyeyes，wonderingwhetherIshouldescapefromtheirsavagecompanyalive。Ifoncethebloodlustbrokeoutamongthem，itseemedtomethatIshouldhaveaboutasmuchchanceasachoppedfoxamongapackofhungryhounds。
　　OnceoutofthetownwesawnooneuntilwecametothecircleofguardswhichIhavealreadymentioned，whostoodtherelikeanendlesslineofblackstatues。InanswertotheirchallengeGozagavesomecomplicatedpasswordinwhichmynameoccurred，whereontheyopenedoutandletusthrough。Thenwemarchedontothemouthofthekloof。Theplacewasverydark，fornowthesunwasdowninthewestandthemoonintheeastwascutofffromusbythehillsandwouldnotbevisiblehereforhalfanhourormore。
　　PresentlyIsawaspotoflight。ItwasasmallfireburningnearthetongueofrockwhichIhavedescribed。
　　Atadistance，infrontofthefireonthepatchofpreparedground，squattedanumberofmen，betweentwentyandthirtyofthem，inasemicircle。Theywerewrappedupinkarossesandblankets，andintheircentresatalargefigureonachairofwood。
　　“TheKingandtheGreatCouncil。”whisperedGoza。
　　Oneofthemlookedroundandsawus。Atsomesignfromthekingherose，andagainstthefireIsawthathewasthePrimeMinister，Umnyamana。Hecametomeand，withanodofrecognition，conductedmesomepacestotherightwhereaeuphorbiatreegrewamongtherankherbage。HereIfoundastoolplacedreadyonwhichIsatdown，Goza，whoofcoursewasnotoftheCouncil，squattingatmysideinthegrass。
　　NowIfoundthatIwassosituatedthatIcouldnotwellbeseenfromthefire，orevenfromtherockaboveit，whileI，bymovingmyheadalittle，couldseebothquiteclearly。Afterthisasthelastreflectionfromthesunksunfaded，thedarknessincreaseduntilnothingremainedvisibleexceptthefireandthemassiveoutlineoftherockbehind。Thesilencewascomplete，fornoneoftheCouncilspoke。Theyweresostillthattheymighthavebeendead，sostillthatabeetlesuddenlyboomingpastmemademestartasthoughithadbeenabullet。Thegeneralimpressionwasalmostmesmeric。IfeltasthoughIweregoingtosleepandyetmymindremainedpainfullyawake，sothatIwasabletothinkthingsout。
　　Iunderstoodclearlythatthebodyofmentomylefthadcometogethertodecidewhetherthereshouldbepeaceorwar；thatthereweredivisionsofopinionamongthem；thatthekingwasreadytofollowthepartywhichshouldproveitselfthestrongest，butthattherealvoiceofdecisionwouldspeakfrombehindthatfire。ItwasthecaseoftheDelphicOracleoveragainwithapriestinsteadofapriestess，andwhatapriest！
　　ItwasevidenttomealsothatZikali，whoknewhumannature，andespeciallysavagehumannature，hadarrangedallthiswithaviewtoscenicandindeedsupernaturaleffect。Moreover，hehaddoneitverywell，sinceIknewmyselfthatinthisplaceandhourwordsandoccurrenceswouldaffectmedeeplyatwhichIshouldhavelaughedinthesunlightandopenplain。AlreadytheZuluswereaffected，forIcouldheartheteethofsomeofthemchattering，andGozabegantoshiveratmyside。Hemutteredthatitwascold，andliedforthedongawasextremelyhotandstuffy。
　　Atlengththesilverradianceofthemoonspreaditselfonthehighcurtainofthedark。Thentheedgeofherorbappearedabovethehillandanarrowofwhitelightfellintothelittlevalley。Itstruckuponandaboutthejuttingrock，revealingamisshapen，white-headedfiguresquattedbetweenitsbaseandthefire，thefigureofZikali。
　　CHAPTERXV
　　THEGREATCOUNCIL
　　Nonehadseenorheardhimcome，andthoughdoubtlesshehadbutcreptroundtherockandtakenhisplaceinthedarkness，thereappearedtobesomethingmysteriousaboutthissuddenappearanceofZikali。SotheZulunoblesthoughtatanyrate，fortheyutteredalow“Ow！“offearandwonder。
　　Therehesatlikeahugeapestaringatthesky，forthefirelightshoneonhisdeepandburningeyes。Themoonlightincreased，butnowandagainitwasbrokenbylittlecloudswhichcausedstrangeshadowstoappearabouttherock。Someoftheseshadowslookedasthoughveiledfigureswereapproachingthewizard，bendingoverhimanddepartingagain，aftergivinghimtheirmessageorcounsel。
　　“HisSpiritsvisithim。”whisperedGoza，butImadenoanswer。
　　Thiswentonforquitealongtime，untilthefullroundofthemoonappearedabovethehillindeed，and，forthewhile，thecloudshadclearedaway。StillZikalisatsilentandI，whowasacquaintedwiththehabitsofthispeople，knewthatIwaswitnessingaconflictbetweentwotheyconsideredtoberespectivelyaspiritualandanearthlyking。Itismybeliefthatunlesshewerefirstaddressed，Zikaliwouldhavesatallnightwithoutopeninghislips。PossiblyCetewayowouldhavedonethesameiftheimpatienceofpublicopinionhadallowedhim。Atanywasrateitwashewhogaveway。
　　“Makosi，masterofmanySpirits，onbehalfoftheCouncilandthePeopleoftheZulusI，theKing，greetyouhereintheplacethatyouhavechosen。”saidCetewayo。
　　Zikalimadenoanswer。
　　Thesilencewentonasbefore，tillatlength，afterapauseandsomewhispering，Cetewayorepeatedhissalutation，adding——
　　“Hasagemadeyoudeaf，OOpenerofRoads，thatyoucannothearthevoiceoftheKing？“
　　ThenatlastZikaliansweredinhislowvoicethatyetseemedtofillallthekloof——
　　“Nay，ChildofSenzangacona，agehasnotmademedeaf，butmyspiritintheselatterdaysfloatsfarfrommybody。Itislikeabladderfilledwithairthatachildholdsbyastring，andbeforeIcanspeakImustdrawitfromtheheavenstoearthagain。WhatdidyousayabouttheplacethatIhavechosen？
　　Well，whatbetterplacecouldIchoose，seeingthatitwashereinthisveryValeofBonesthatImetthefirstkingoftheZulus，ChakatheWildBeast，whowasyouruncle？WhythenshouldInotchooseittomeetthelastkingoftheZulus？“
　　NowI，listening，knewatoncethatthissayingmightbeunderstoodintwoways，namelythatCetewayowasthereigningking，orthathewasthelastkingwhowouldeverreign。ButtheCouncilinterpreteditinthelatterandworsesense，forIsawaquiveroffeargothroughthem。
　　“WhyshouldInotchooseit。”wentonZikali，“seeingalsothatthisplaceisholytome？Hereitwas，OSonofPanda，thatChakabroughtmychildrentobekilledandforcedme，sittingwhereyousit，towatchtheirdeaths。Thereontherockabovemetheywerekilled，fourofthem，threesonsandadaughter，andtheslayers——theycametoanevilend，thoseslayers，asdidChaka——laughedandcastthemdownfromtherockbeforeme。Yes，andChakalaughed，andItoolaughed，forhadnotthekingtherighttokillmychildrenandtostealtheirmothers，andwasI
　　notgladthattheyshouldbetakenfromtheworldandgatheredtothatofSpiritswhencetheyalwaystalktome，yes，evennow？
　　ThatiswhyIdidnothearyouatfirst，King，becausetheyweretalkingtome。”
　　Hepaused，turningoneearupwards，thencontinuedinanewandtendervoice，“Whatisityousaytome，Noma，mydearlittleNoma？Oh！Ihearyou，Ihearyou。”
　　Nowheshiftedhimselfalongthegroundonhishaunchessomepacestotheright，andbegantosearchabout，gropingwithhislongfingers。“Where，where？“hemuttered。“Oh，Iunderstand，furtherundertheroot，ajackalburiedit，didit？Pah！howhardisthissoil。Ah！Ihaveit，butlook，Noma，astonehascutmyfinger。Ihaveit，Ihaveit。”andfrombeneaththerootofsomefallentreehedrewouttheskullofachildand，holdingitinhisrighthand，softlyrubbedthemouldoffitwithhisleft。
　　“Yes，Noma，itmightbeyours，itisoftherightsize，buthowcanIbesure？Whatisityousay？Theteeth？Ah！nowI
　　remember。OnlythedaybeforeyouweretakenIpulledoutthatfronttooth，didInot，andbeneathitwasanotherthatwasstrangelysplitintwo。Ifthisskullwasyours，itwillbethere。Cometothefire，Noma，andletuslook；themoonlightisfaint，isitnot？“
　　Backtothefireheshiftedhimself，andbendingtowardstheblaze，madeanexamination。
　　“True，Noma，true！Hereisthesplittooth，whiteaswhenIsawitallthoseyearsago。Oh！dearchildofmybody，dearchildofmyspirit，forwedonotbegetwiththebodyalone，Noma，asyouknowbetterthanIdoto-day，Igreetyou。”andpressingtheskulltohislips，hekissedit，thensetitdowninfrontofhimbetweenhimselfandthefirewiththefacepartpointingtotheking，andburstintooneofhiseerieandterriblelaughs。
　　Alowmoanwentupfromhisaudience，andIfelttheskinofGoza，whohadshrunkagainstme，breakintoaprofusesweat。
　　ThensuddenlyZikali’svoicechangedonemoreandbecamehardandbusinesslike，ifImaycallitso，similartothatofotherprofessionaldoctors。
　　“Youhavesentforme，OKing，asthosewhowentbeforeyouhavesentwhengreatthingswereabouttohappen。Whatisthematteronwhichyouwouldspeaktome？“
　　“Youknowwell，OpenerofRoads。”answeredCetewayo，rathershakilyIthought。“Thematterisoneofpeaceorwar。TheEnglishthreatenmeandmypeopleandmakegreatdemandsonme；
　　amongstothersthatthearmyshouldbedisbanded。Icansetthemalloutifyouwill。IfIrefusetodoastheybidme，thenwithinafewdaystheywillinvadeZululand；indeedtheirsoldiersarealreadygatheredatthedrifts。”
　　“Itisnotneedful，King。”answeredZikali，“sinceIknowwhatallknow，neithermorenorless。Thewindswhisperthedemandsofthewhitemen，thebirdssingthem，thehyenashowlthematnight。Letusseehowthematterstands。WhenyourfatherdiedSompseuSirT。Shepstone，thegreatwhitechief，camefromtheEnglishGovernmenttonameyouking。Thishecouldnotdoaccordingtoourlaw，sincehowcanastrangernametheKingoftheZulus？ThereforetheCounciloftheNationandthedoctors——I
　　wasnotamongthem，King——movedthespiritofChakatheLionintothebodyofSompseuandmadehimasChakawasandgavehimpowertonameyoutoruleovertheZulus。SoitcameaboutthattotheEnglishQueenthroughthespiritofChakayousworecertainthings；thatslayingforwitchcraftshouldbeabolished；thatnomanshoulddiewithoutfairandopentrial，andothermatters。”
　　Hepausedawhile，thenwenton，“Theseoathsyouhavebroken，O
　　King，asbeingofthebloodyouareandwhatyouare，youmustdo。”
　　HeretherewasdisturbanceamongtheCouncilandCetewayohalfrosefromhisseat，thensatdownagain。Zikali，gazingatthesky，waitedtillithaddiedaway，thenwenton——
　　“Doanyquestionmywords？Ifso，thenletthemaskofthewhitemenwhethertheybetrueorno。Letthemaskalsoofthespiritsofthosewhohavediedforwitchcraft，andofthespiritsofthewomenwhohavebeenslainandwhosebodieswerelaidatthecross-roadsbecausetheymarriedthementheychoseandnotthesoldierstowhomthekinggavethem。”
　　“HowcanIaskthewhitemenwhoarefaraway？“brokeoutCetewayo，ignoringtherest。
　　“Arethewhitemensofaraway，King？ItistruethatIseenoneandhearnone，yetIseemtosmelloneofthemcloseathand。”
　　Herehetookuptheskullwhichhehadlaiddownandwhisperedtoit。“Ah！Ithankyou，mychild。Itseems，King，thatthereisawhitemanherehiddeninthiskloof，hewhoisnamedMacumazahn，agoodmanandatruthful，knowntomanyofusfromofold，whocantellyouwhathispeoplethink，thoughheisnotoneoftheirindunas。Ifyouquestionmywords，askhim。”
　　“Weknowwhatthewhitementhink。”saidCetewayo，“sothereisnoneedtoaskMacumazahntosingusanoldsong。Thequestionis——whatmusttheZulusdo？Musttheyswallowtheirspearsand，ceasingtobeanation，becomeservants，ormusttheystrikewiththemanddrivetheEnglishintothesea，andafterthemtheBoers？“
　　“Tellmefirst，King，whodwellfarawayandalone，knowinglittleofwhatpassesinthelandofLife，whattheZulusdesiretodo。BeforemesitstheGreatCounciloftheNation。Letitspeak。”
　　ThenonebyonethemembersoftheCouncilutteredtheiropinionsinorderofrankorseniority。Idonotrememberthenamesofallwhowerepresent，orwhateachofthemsaid。Irecall，however，thatSigananda，averyoldchief——hemusthavebeenoverninety——spokethefirst。HetoldthemthathehadbeenfriendofChakaandoneofhiscaptains，andhadfoughtinmostofhisbattles。ThatafterwardshehadbeenageneralofDingaan’suntilthatkingkilledtheBoersunderRetief，whenhelefthimandfinallysidedwithPandainthecivilwarinwhichDingaanwaskilledwiththehelpoftheBoers。ThathehadbeenpresentatthebattleoftheTugela，thoughhetooknoactualpartinthefighting，andafterwardsbecameacouncillorofPanda’sandthenofCetewayohisson。ItwasalongandinterestinghistoricalrecitalcoveringthewholeperiodoftheZulumonarchywhichendedsuddenlywiththesewords——
　　“Ihavenoted，OKingandCouncillors，thatwhenevertheblackvultureoftheZuluswascontenttoattackbirdsofhisownfeather，hehasconquered。Butwhenithasmetthegreyeaglesofthewhitemen，whichcomefromoverthesea，hehasbeenconquered，andmyhearttellsmethatasitwasinthepast，soitshallbeinthefuture。ChakawasafriendoftheEnglish，sowasPanda，andsohasCetewayobeenuntilthishour。Isay，therefore，letnottheKingtearthehandwhichfedhimbecauseitseemsweak，lestitshouldgrowstrongandclutchhimbythethroatandchokehim。”
　　NextspokeUndabuko，DabulamanziandMagwenga，brothersoftheking，whoallfavouredwar，thoughthetwolastwereguardedintheirspeech。AfterthesecameUhamu，theking’suncle——hewhowassaidtobethesonofaSpirit——whowasstrongforpeace，urgingthatthekingshouldsubmittothedemandsoftheEnglish，makingthebesttermshecould，thathe“shouldbendlikeareedbeforethestorm，sothatafterthestormhadsweptby，hemightstandupstraightagain，andwithhimalltheotherreedsofthepeopleoftheZulus。”
　　So，too，saidSeketwayo，chiefoftheUmdhlalosi，andmorewhomI
　　cannotrecall，sixorsevenofthem。ButUsibebuandtheindunaUntshingwayo，whoafterwardscommandedatIsandhlwana，wereforfighting，aswereSirayo，thehusbandofthetwowomenwhohadbeentakenonEnglishterritoryandkilled，andUmbilini，thechiefofSwazibloodwhosesurrenderwasdemandedbySirBartleFrereandwhoafterwardscommandedtheZulusinthebattleatIhlobane。LastofallspokethePrimeMinister，Umnyamana，whodeclaredfiercelythatiftheZulubuffalohiditselfintheswamplikeatimidcalfwhenthewhitebullchallengeditonthehills，thespiritsofChakaandallhisforefatherswouldthrustitsheadintothemudandchokeit。
　　WhenallhadfinishedCetewayospoke，saying——
　　“Thatisabadcouncilwhichhastwovoices，fortowhichofthemmusttheCaptainlistenwhentheimpisofthefoegatherinfrontofhim？HereIhavesatwhilethemoonclimbshighandcounted，andwhatdoIfind？Thatonehalfofyou，menofwisdomandrenown，sayYes，andthattheotherhalfofyou，menofwisdomandrenown，sayNo。Whichthenisittobe，YesorNo？ArewetofighttheEnglish，orarewetositstill？“
　　“Thatisforthekingtodecide。”saidavoice。
　　“Seewhatitistobeaking。”wentonCetewayowithpassion。
　　“IfIdeclareforwarandwewin，shallIbegreaterthanIam？
　　Ifvictorygivesmemoreland，moresubjects，morewivesandmorecattle，whatistheuseofthesethingstomewhoalreadyhaveenoughofallofthem？Andifdefeatshouldtakeeverythingfromme，evenmylifeperhaps，thenwhatshallIhavegained？Iwilltellyou——thecurseoftheZulusuponmynamefromfathertosonforever。Theywillsay，’Cetewayo，sonofPanda，pulleddownaHousethatoncewasgreat。BecauseofsomesmallmatterhequarrelledwiththeEnglishwhowerealwaysthefriendsofourpeople，andbroughttheZulustothedust。’Sintwangu，mymessenger，whobroughtheavywordsfromtheQueen’sindunawhichwemustanswerwithotherwordsorwithspears，saysthattheEnglishsoldiersinNatalarefew，sofewthatweZuluscanswallowthemlikebitsofmeatandstillbehungry。ButaretheseallthesoldiersoftheEnglish？Iamnotsure。Youareoneofthatpeople，Macumazahn。”headded，turninghismassiveshapetowardsme，“tellusnow，howmanysoldiershasyourQueen？“
　　“King。”Ianswered，“Idonotknowforcertain。ButiftheZuluscanmusterfiftythousandspears，theQueen，iftherebeneed，cansendagainstthemtentimesfiftythousand，andifshegrowsangry，anothertentimesfifty，everyonearmedwithariflethatwillfirefivebulletsaminute，andtoaccompanythesoldiers，hundredsofcannonwhereofasingleshotwouldgiveUlunditotheflames。Outoftheseatheywillcome，shiploadaftershipload，whitemenfromwherethesunsetsandblackmenfromwherethesunrises，somanythatZululandwouldnotholdthem。”
　　Nowatthesewords，whichIdeliveredasgrandlyasIcould，somethinglikeagroanburstfromtheCouncil，thoughonemancried——
　　“Donotlistentothewhitetraitor，OKing，whoissentheretoturnourheartstowaterwithhislies。”
　　“Macumazahnmaylietous。”wentonCetewayo，“thoughinthepastnoneinthelandhaveeverknownhimtolie，buthewasnotsenttodoso，forIbroughthimhere。FormypartIdonotbelievethathelies。IbelievethattheseEnglishareasmanyasthepebblesinariverbed，andthattothemNatal，yes，andalltheCapeisbutasasingle，outlyingcattlekraal，onecattlekraaloutofahundred。DidnotSompseuoncetellusthattheywerecountless，onthatdaywhenhecamemanyyearsagoafterthebattleoftheTugelatonamemetosucceedmyfatherPanda，thedaywhenmyfaction，theUsutu，roaredroundhimforhourslikeariverinflood，andhesatstilllikearockinthecentreofariver？AlsoIammindedofthewordsthatChakasaidwhenDingaanandUmbopahadstabbedhimandhelaydyingatthekraalDuguza，thatalthoughthedogsofhisownHousewhomhishandfed，hadeatenhimup，heheardthesoundoftherunningofthefeetofagreatwhitepeoplethatshouldstampthemandtheZulusflat。”
　　Hepaused；andthesilencewassointensethatthecracklingofZikali’sfire，whichkeptonburningbrightlyalthoughIsawnofueladdedtoit，soundedquiteloud。Presentlyitwasbroken，firstbyadognearathand，howlinghorriblyatthemoon，andnextbythehootingofagreatowlthatflittedacrossthedonga，theshadowofitswidewingsfallingforamomentontheking。
　　“Listen！“exclaimedCetewayo，“adogthathowls！MethinksthatitstandsupontheroofoftheHouseofSenzangacona。Andanowlthathoots。MethinksthatowlhasitsnestintheworldofSpirits！Arethesegoodomens，Councillors？Itrownot。IsaythatIwillnotdecidethismatterofpeaceorwar。Ifthereisoneofmyownbloodherewhowilldoso，come，lethimtakemyplaceandletmegoawaytomyownlordshipofGikazithatIhadwhenIwasaprincebeforethewitchMameenawhoplayedwithallmenandlovedbutone“——hereeverybodyturnedandstaredtowardsme，yes，evenZikaliwhomnothingelsehadseemedtomove，tillI
　　wishedthatthegroundwouldswallowmeup——“causedthewarbetweenmeandmybrotherUmbelaziwhosebloodearthwillnotswallownorsunsdry——“
　　“Howcanthatbe，OKing？“brokeinUmnyamanathePrimeMinister。
　　“Howcananyofyourracesitinyourseatwhileyoustilllive？
　　Thenindeedtherewouldbewar，warbetweentribeandtribeandZuluandZulutillnonewereleft，andthewhitehyenasfromNatalwouldcomeandchewourbonesandwiththemtheBoersthathavepassedtheVaal。Seenow。WhyisthisNyangai。e。
　　witch-doctorhere？“andhepointedtoZikalibeyondthefire。
　　“WhyhastheOpenerofRoadsbeenbroughtfromtheBlackKloofwhichhehasnotleftforyears？Isitnotthathemaygiveuscounselinourneedandshowusasignthathiscounselisgood，whetheritbeforwarorpeace？Thenwhenhehasmadedivinationandgiventhecounselandshownthesign，then，OKing，doyouspeakthewordofwarorpeace，andsendittotheQueenbyyonderwhiteman，andbythatwordwe，thepeople，willabide。”
　　Atthissuggestion，whichIhadnodoubtwasmadebysomesecretagreementbetweenUmnyamanaandZikali，Cetewayoseemedtograsp。
　　Perhapsthiswasbecauseitpostponedforalittlewhilethedreadfulmomentofdecision，orperhapsbecausehehopedthatintheeyesofthenationitwouldshifttheresponsibilityfromhisshoulderstothoseoftheSpiritsspeakingthroughthelipsoftheirprophet。Atanyratehenoddedandanswered——
　　“Itisso。LettheOpenerofRoadsopenusaroadthroughtheforestsandtheswampsandtherocksofdoubt，dangerandfear。
　　Lethimgiveusasignthatitisagoodroadonwhichwemaysafelytravel，andlethimtelluswhetherIshalllivetowalkthatroadandwhatIshallmeetthereon。IpromisehiminreturnthegreatestfeethateveryetwaspaidtoadoctorinZululand。”
　　NowZikaliliftedhisbighead，shookhisgreylocks，andopeninghiswidemouthasthoughheexpectedmannatofallintoitfromthesky，helaughedoutloud。
　　“O-ho-ho。”helaughed，“Oho-ho-ho-o，itisworthwhiletohavelivedsolongwhenlifehasbroughtmetosuchanhourasthis。
　　Whatisitthatmyearshear？ThatI，theIndwandedwarf，IwhomChakanamed’The-Thing-that-never-should-have-been-born，’I，oneoftheraceconqueredanddespisedbytheZulus，amheretospeakawordwhichtheZulusdarenotutter，whichtheKingoftheZulusdaresnotutter。O-ho-ho-ho！AndwhatdoestheKingoffertome？Afee，agreatfeeforthewordthatshallpainttheZulusredwithbloodorwhitewiththeslimeofshame。Nay，I
　　takenofeethatisthepriceofbloodorshame。BeforeIspeakthatwordunknown——forasyetmyhearthasnotheardit，andwhatthehearthasnotheardthelipscannotshape——Iaskbutonething。Itisanoaththatwhateverfollowsontheword，whilethereisaZululeftlivingintheworld，I，theVoiceoftheSpirits，shallbesafefromhurtorfromreproach，IandthoseofmyHouseandthoseoverwhomIthrowmyblanket，betheyblackorbetheywhite。Thatismyfee，withoutwhichIamsilent。”
　　“Izwa！Wehearyou。Weswearitonbehalfofthepeople。”saideverycouncillorinthesemi-circleinfrontofhim；yes，andthekingsaiditalso，stretchingouthishand。
　　“Good。”saidZikali，“itisanoath，itisanoath，swornhereuponthebonesofthedead。Evil-doersyoucallthem，butIsaytoyouthatmanyofthosewhositbeforemehavemoreevilintheirheartsthanhadthosedead。Well，letitbeproclaimed，O
　　King，andwithitthis——thatillshallitgowithhimwhobreakstheoath，withhisfamily，withhiskraalandallwithwhomhehastodo。
　　“Nowwhatisityouaskofme？Firstofall，counselastowhetheryoushouldfighttheEnglishQueen，amatteronwhichyou，theGreatOnes，areevenlydividedinopinion，asisthenationbehindyou。OKing，Indunas，andCaptains，whoamIthatIshouldjudgeofsuchamatterwhichisbeyondmytrade，amatteroftheworldaboveandofmen’sbodies，notoftheworldbelowandofmen’sspirits？YettherewasonewhomadetheZulupeopleoutofnothing，asapotterfashionsavesselfromclay，asasmithfashionsanassegaioutoftheoreofthehills，yes，andtempersitwithhumanblood。*ChakatheLion，theWildBeast，theKingamongKings，theConqueror。IknewChakaasI
　　knewhisfather，yes，and_his_father。Othersstilllivingknewhimalso，sayyou，Siganandathereforinstance。”andhepointedtotheoldchiefwhohadspokenfirst。“Yes，Siganandaknewhimasaboyknowsagreatman，asasoldierknowsageneral。ButI
　　knewhisheart，aye，Ishapedhisheart，Iwasitsthought。Haditnotbeenformehewouldneverhavebeengreat。Thenhewrongedme“——hereZikalitookuptheskullwhichhesaidwasthatofhisdaughter，andstrokedit——“andIlefthim。
　　[*——TheoldZulusmithsdippedtheirchoicestbladesinthebloodofmen——A。Q。]
　　“Hewasnotwise，heshouldhavekilledonewhomhehadwronged，butperhapsheknewthatIcouldnotbekilled；perhapshehadtriedandfoundthathewasbutthrowingspearsatthemoonwhichfellbackonhisownhead。Iforget。Itissolongago，andwhatdoesitmatter？AtleastItookawayfromhimthepropofmywisdom，andhefell——torisenomore。Andsoithasbeenwithothers。Soithasbeenwithothers。YetwhilehewasgreatI
　　knewhisheartwholivedinhisheart，andthereforeIaskmyself，hadhebeensittingwheretheKingsitsto-day，whatwouldChakahavedone？Iwilltellyou。IfnotonlytheEnglishbuttheBoersalsoandwiththemthePondos，theBasutosandallthetribesofAfricahadthreatenedhim，hewouldhavefoughtthem——yes，andsethisheelupontheirnecks。Therefore，althoughIgivenocounseluponsuchamatter，IsaytoyouthatthecounselofChakais——fight——andconquer。Hearkentoitorpassitby——Icarenotwhich。”
　　Hepausedandaloud“Ow“ofwonderandadmirationrosefromhisaudience。MyselfInearlyjoinedinit，forIthoughtthisoneofthecleverestbitsofstatecraftthateverIhadheardoforseen。Theoldwizardhadtakennoresponsibilityandgivennoanswertothedemandforadvice。Allthishehadthrustontotheshouldersofadeadman，andthatmanonewhosenamewasmagicaltoeveryZulu，thekingwhosememorytheyadored，thegreatGeneralwhohadgorgedthemwithvictoryandpower。
　　SpeakingasChaka，afteralongperiodofpeace，heurgedthemoncemoretolifttheirspearsandknowthejoysoftriumph，therebymakingthemselvesthegreatestnationinSouthernAfrica。
　　FromthemomentIheardthiscunningappeal，Iknowwhattheendwouldbe；alltherestwasbutofminorandsemi-personalinterest。IknewalsoforthefirsttimehowtrulygreatwasZikaliandwonderedwhathemighthavebecomehadFortunesethimindifferentcircumstancesamongacivilizedpeople。
　　Nowhewasspeakingagain，andquicklybeforetheimpressiondiedaway。
　　“SuchisthewordofChakaspokenbymewhowashissecretcouncillor，theCouncillorwhowasseldomseen，andneverheard。
　　DoesnotSiganandayonderknowthevoicewhichamongstallthosepresentechoesinhisearsalone？“
　　“Iknowit。”criedtheoldchief。Thenwithhiseyesstartingalmostfromhishead，Siganandaleaptupandraisinghishand，gavetheroyalsalute，theBayete，tothespiritofChaka，asthoughthedeadkingstoodbeforehim。
　　Ithinkthatmostofthosetherethoughtthatitdidstandbeforehim，forsomeofthemalsogavetheBayeteandevenCetewayoraisedhisarm。
　　SiganandasquatteddownagainandZikaliwenton。
　　“Youhaveheard。ThiscaptainoftheLionknowshisvoice。So，thatisdonewith。Nowyouaskofmesomethingelse——thatIwhoamadoctor，theoldestofallthedoctorsand，itisthought——I
　　knownot——thewisest，shouldbeabletoanswer。Youaskofme——Howshallthiswarprosper，ifitismade——andwhatshallchancetotheKingduringandafterthewar，andlastlyyouaskofmeasign。WhatItelltoyouistrue，isitnotso？“
　　“Itistrue。”answeredtheCouncil。
　　“Askingiseasy。”continuedZikaliinagrumblingvoice，“butansweringisanothermatter。HowcanIanswerwithoutpreparation，withouttheneedfulmedicinesalsothatIhavenotwithme，whodidnotknowwhatwouldbesoughtofme，whothoughtthatmyopinionwasdesiredandnomore？GoawaynowandreturnonthesixthnightandIwilltellyouwhatIcando。”
　　“Notso。”criedtheking。“Werefusetogo，forthematterisimmediate。Speakatonce，OpenerofRoads，lestitshouldbesaidinthelandthatafterallyouarebutanancientcheat，astickthatsnapsintwowhenitisleanton。”
　　“Ancientcheat！IrememberthatiswhatMacumazahnyonderoncetoldmeIam，thoughafterwards——Perhapshewasright，forwhoinhisheartknowswhetherornothebeacheat，acheatwhodeceiveshimselfandthroughhimselfothers。Astickthatsnapsintwowhenitisleanton！Somehavethoughtmesoandsomehavethoughtotherwise。Well，youwouldhaveanswerswhichI
　　knownothowtogive，beingwithoutmedicineandinfaceofthosewhoarequiteignorantandthereforecannotlendmetheirthoughts，asitsometimeshappensthatmendowhenworkersofevilaresoughtoutinthecommonfashion。Forthen，asyoumayhaveguessed，itistheevil-doerwhohimselftellsthedoctorofhiscrime，thoughhemaynotknowthatheistellingit。YetthereisanotherstonethatIalonecanthrow，anotherplanthatIalonecanpractise，andthatnotalways。ButofthisIwouldnotmakeusesinceitisterribleandmightfrightenyouorevensendyoubacktoyourhutsravingsothatyourwives，yes，andtheverydogsfled，fromyou。”
　　Hestoppedandforthefirsttimedidsomethingtohisfire，forIsawhishandsgoingbackwardsandforwards，asthoughhewarmedthemattheflames。
　　Atlengthanawedvoice，IthinkitwasthatofDabulamanzi，asked——
　　“Whatisthisplan，Inyanga？Letushearthatwemayjudge。”
　　“Theplanofcallingonefromthedeadandhearkeningtothevoiceofthedead。IsityourdesirethatIshoulddrawwaterfromthisfountofwisdom，OKingandCouncillors？“
　　CHAPTERXVI
　　WAR
　　NowmenbegantowhispertogetherandGozagroanedatmyside。
　　“RatherwouldIlookdownalivelion’sthroatthanseethedead。”hemurmured。ButI，whowasanxioustolearnhowfarZikaliwouldcarryhistricks，contemptuouslytoldhimtobesilent。
　　Presentlythekingcalledmetohimandsaid——
　　“Macumazahn，youwhitemenarereportedtoknowallthings。Tellmenow，isitpossibleforthedeadtoappear？“
　　“Iamnotsure。”Ianswereddoubtfully；“somesaythatitisandsomesaythatitisnotpossible。”
　　“Well。”saidtheking。“Haveyoueverseenoneyouknewinlifeafterdeath？“
　　“No。”Ireplied，“thatis——yes。Thatis——Idonotknow。Whenyouwilltellme，King，wherewakingendsandsleepbegins，thenIwillanswer。”
　　“Macumazahn。”heexclaimed，“justnowIannouncedthatyouwerenoliar，whoperceivethatafterallyouarealiar，forhowcanyoubothhaveseen，andnotseen，thedead？IndeedIrememberthatyouliedlongago，whenyougaveitoutthatthewitchMameenawasnotyourlover，andafterwardsshowedthatshewasbykissingherbeforeallmen，forwhokissesawomanwhoisnothislover，orhismother？Return，sinceyouwillnottellmethetruth。”
　　SoIwentbacktomystool，feelingverysmallandyetindignant，forhowwasitpossibletobedefiniteaboutghosts，ortoexplaintheexactfactsoftheMameenamythwhichclungtomelikeaWait-a-bitthorn。
　　ThenafteralittleconsultationCetewayosaid——
　　“Itisourdesire，OOpenerofRoads，thatyoushoulddrawwisdomfromthefountofDeath，ifindeedyoucandoso。Nowletanywhoareafraiddepartandwaitforuswhoarenotafraid，aloneandinsilenceatthemouthofthekloof。”
　　Atthissomeoftheaudiencerose，butafterhesitatingalittle，satdownagain。OnlyGozaactuallytookastepforward，butonmyremarkingthathewouldprobablymeetthedeadcomingupthatway，collapsed，mutteringsomethingaboutmypistol，forthefoolseemedtothinkIcouldshootaspirit。
　　“IfindeedIcandoso。”repeatedZikaliinacarelessfashion。
　　“Thatistobeproved，isitnot？Perhaps，too，itmaybebetterforeveryoneofyouifIfailthanifIsucceed。OfonethingI
　　warnyou，shouldthedeadappearstirnot，andabovealltouchnot，forhewhodoeseitherofthesethingswill，Ithink，neverlivetolookuponthesunagain。Butfirstletmetryaneasierfashion。”
　　Thenonceagainhetookuptheskullthathesaidhadbeenhisdaughter’s，andwhisperedtoit，onlytolayitdownpresently。
　　“Itwillnotserve。”hesaidwithasighandshakinghislocks。
　　“Nomatellsmethatshediedachild，onewhohadnoknowledgeofwarormattersofpolicy，andthatinallthesethingsoftheworldshestillremainsachild。ShesaysthatImustseeksomeonewhothoughtmuchofthem；one，toowhostilllivesintheheartofamanwhoispresenthere，ifthatbepossible，sincefromsuchaheartalonecanthestrengthbedrawntoenablethedeadtoappearandspeak。Nowlettherebesilence——Lettherebesilence，andwoetohimthatbreaksit。”
　　Silencetherewasindeed，andinitZikalicrouchedhimselfdowntillhisheadalmostrestedonhisknee，andseemedtogotosleep。HeawokeagainandchantedforhalfaminuteorsoinsomelanguageIcouldnotunderstand。Thenvoicesbegantoanswerhim，asitseemedtomefromalloverthekloof，alsofromtheskyorrockabove。Whethertheeffectwasproducedbyventriloquismorwhetherhehadconfederatespostedatvariouspoints，Idonotknow。
　　Atanyratethislordof“multitudesofspirits“seemedtobeengagedinconversationwithsomeofthem。Whatismore，thethingwasextremelywelldone，sinceeachvoicedifferedfromtheother；alsoIseemedtorecognizesomeofthem，Dingaan’sforinstance，andPanda’s，yes，andthatofUmbelazitheHandsome，thebrotherofthekingwhosedeathIwitnesseddownbytheTugela。
　　Youwillaskmewhattheysaid。Idonotknow。Eitherthewordswereconfusedortheeventsthatfollowedhaveblottedthemfrommybrain。AllIrememberisthateachofthemseemedtobespeakingoftheZulusandtheirfateandtobeveryanxioustoreferfurtherdiscussionofthemattertosomeoneelse。Inshorttheyseemedtotalkunderprotest，orthatwasmyimpression，althoughGoza，theonlypersonwithwhomIhadanysubsequentdebateuponthesubject，appearedtohavegatheredonethatwasdifferent，thoughwhatitwasIdonotrecall。Theonlywordsthatremainedcleartomemust，Ithought，havecomefromthespiritofChaka，orratherfromZikalioroneofhismyrmidonsassumingthatcharacter。Theywereutteredinadeepfullvoice，spicedwithmockery，andreceivedbythewizardwith“Sibonga。”ortitlesofpraise，whichIwhoamversedinZuluhistoryandidiomknewhadonlybeengiventothegreatking，andindeedsincehisdeathhadbecomeunlawful，nottobeused。Thewordswere——
　　“What，Thing-that-should-never-have-been-born，doyouthinkyourselfaThing-that-should-never-die，thatyoustillsitbeneaththemoonandweavewitchcraftsasofold？OftenhaveI
　　huntedforyouintheUnder-worldwhohaveanaccounttosettlewithyou，asyouhaveanaccounttosettlewithme。So，so，whatdoesitmattersincewemustmeetatlast，evenifyouhideyourselfatthebackofthefurtheststar？WhydoyoubringmeuptothisplacewhereIseesomewhomIwouldforget？Yes，theybuildboneonboneandtakingtheredearth，moulditintofleshandstandbeforemeaslastIsawthemnewlydead。Oh！yourmagicisgood，Spell-weaver，andyourhateisdeepandyourvengeanceiskeen。No，Ihavenothingtotellyouto-day，whoruleagreaterpeoplethantheZulusinanotherland。Whoaretheselittlemenwhositbeforeyou？OneofthemhasalookofDingaan，mybrotherwhoslewme，yes，andwearshisarmlet。Ishetheking？Answernot，forIdonotcaretoknow。SurelyyonderwitheredthingisSigananda。IknowhiseyeandtheIziquonhisbreast。Yes，IgaveittohimafterthegreatbattlewithZweedeinwhichhekilledfivemen。Doesherememberit，I
　　wonder？Greeting，Sigananda；oldasyouareyouhavestilltwentyandoneyearstolive，andthanwewilltalkofthebattlewithZweede。Letmebegone，thisplaceburnsmyspirit，andinitthereisastenchofmortalblood。Farewell，OConqueror！“
　　ThesewerethewordsthatIthoughtIheardChakasay，thoughI
　　daresaythatIdreamtthem。Indeedhaditbeenotherwise，ImeanhadtheyreallybeenspokenbyZikali，therewouldsurelyhavebeenmoreinthem，somethingthatmighthaveservedhispurpose，notmeretalkwhichhadalltheinconsequenceofadream。Alsonooneelseseemedtopayanyparticularattentiontothem，thoughthismayhavebeenbecausesomanyvoicesweresoundingfromdifferentplacesatonce，forasIhavesaid，Zikaliarrangedhisperformanceverywell，aswellasanymediumcouldhavedoneonapreparedstageinLondon。
　　Inamoment，asthoughatasignal，thevoicesdiedaway。Thenotherthingshappened。TobeginwithIfeltveryfaint，asthoughallthestrengthwerebeingtakenoutofme。Somequeerfancygotaholdofme。Idon’tquiteknowwhatitwas，butithadtodowiththeBiblestoryofAdamwhenhefellasleepandaribwasremovedfromhimandmadeintoawoman。IreflectedthatIfeltasAdammusthavedonewhenhecameoutofhistranceafterthisterrificoperation，veryweakandempty。Also，asitchanced，presentlyIsawEve——orratherawoman。Lookingatthefireinakindofdisembodiedway，Iperceivedthatdensesmokewasrisingfromit，whichsmokespreaditselfoutlikeafan。Itthinnedbydegrees，andthroughtheveilofsmokeIperceivedsomethingelse，namely，awomanverylikeonewhomonceIhadknown。Thereshestood，lightlycladenough，herfingersplayingwiththebluebeadsofhernecklace，aninscrutablesmileuponherfaceandherlargeeyesfixedonnothingness。
　　Oh！Heaven，Iknewher，orratherthoughtIdidatthemoment，fornowIamalmostsurethatitwasNombedressed，orundressed，forthepart。Thatknowledgecamewithreflection，butthenI
　　couldhavesworn，beingdeceivedbytheuncertainlight，thatthelongdeadMameenastoodbeforeusasshehadseemedtostandbeforemeinthehutofZikali，radiatingakindofsupernaturallifeandbeauty。
　　Alittlewindarose，shakingthedryleavesofthealoesinthekloof；lthoughtitwhispered——_Hail，Mameena！_Someoftheoldermen，too，amongthemafewwhohadseenherdie，intremblingvoicesmurmured，“ItisMameena！“whereonZikaliscowledatthemandtheygrewsilent。
　　Asforthefigureitstoodtherepatientandunmoved，likeonewhohasalltimeatitsdisposal，playingwiththebluebeads。I
　　heardthemtinkleagainsteachother，whichprovesthatitwashuman，forhowcouldawraithcausebeadstotinkle，althoughitistruethatChristmas-storyghostsaresaidtoclanktheirchains。Hereyesrovedidlyandwithoutinterestoverthesemi-circleofterrifiedmenbeforeher。ThenbydegreestheyfixedthemselvesuponthetreebehindwhichIwascrouching，whereonGozasankparalyzedtotheground。Shecontemplatedthistreeforawhilethatseemedtomeinterminable；itremindedmeofasetterpointinggameitwindedbutcouldnotsee，forherwholeframegrewintentandalert。Sheceasedplayingwiththebeadsandstretchedoutherslenderhandtowardsme。Herlipsmoved。Shespokeinasweet，slowvoice，saying——
　　“OWatcher-by-Night，isitthusyougreethertowhomyouhavegivenstrengthtostandoncemorebeneaththemoon？Comehitherandtellme，haveyounokissforonefromwhomyoupartedwithakiss？“
　　Iheard。WithoutdoubtthevoicewastheveryvoiceofMameenasowellhadNombebeeninstructed。StillIdeterminednottoobeyit，whowouldnotbemadeapubliclaughing-stockforasecondtimeinmylife。AlsoIconfessthisjestingwiththedeadseemedtomesomewhatunholy，andnotonanyaccountwouldI
　　takeapartinit。
　　Allthecompanyturnedandstaredatme，evenGozaliftedhisheadandstared，butIsatstillandcontemplatedthebeautiesofthenight。
　　“IfitisthespiritofMameena，hewillcome。”whisperedCetewayotoUmnyamana。
　　“Yes，yes。”answeredthePrimeMinister，“fortheropeofhislovewilldrawhim。HewhohasoncekissedMameena，_must_kissheragainwhensheasks。”
　　HearingthisIgrewfuriouslyindignantandwasabouttobreakintoexplanations，whentomyhorrorIfoundmyselfrisingfromthatstool。Itriedtoclingtoit，but，asitonlycameintotheairwithme，letitgo。
　　“Holdme，Goza。”Imuttered，andhelikeagoodfellowclutchedmebytheankle，whereonIpromptlykickedhiminthemouth，atleastmyfootkickedhim，notmywill。NowIwaswalkingtowardsthatShape——shadoworwoman——likeamaninhissleep，andasI
　　cameshestretchedoutherarmsandsmiledoh！assweetlyasanangel，thoughIfeltquitesurethatshewasnothingofthesort。
　　NowIstoodoppositetoheralongsidethefireofwhichthesmokesmeltlikerosesatthedawn，andsheseemedtobendtowardsme。
　　WithshameandhumiliationIperceivedthatinanothermomentthosearmswouldbeaboutme。Butsomehowtheynevertouchedme；
　　Ilostsightofthemintherose-scentedsmoke，onlythesweet，slowvoicewhichIcouldhaveswornwasthatofMameena，murmuredinmyear——well，wordsknowntoherandmealonethatIhadneverbreathedtoanylivingbeing，thoughofcourseIamawarenowthattheymustalsohavebeenknowntosomebodyelse。
　　“Doyoudoubtmeanylonger？“wentonthemurmuring。“Say，amI
　　Nombenow？Or——oramIintruththatMameena，whosekissthrillsyourlipsandsoul？Hearken，Macumazahn，forthetimeisshort。
　　Intheroutofthegreatbattlethatshallbe，donotflywiththewhitemen，butsetyourfacetowardsUlundi。Onewhowasyourfriendwillguardyou，andwhoeverdies，noharmshallcometoyounowthatthefirewhichburnsinmyhearthassetallZululandaflame。Hearkenoncemore。Hans，thelittleyellowmanwhowasnamedLight-in-Darkness，hewhodiedamongtheKendahpeople，sendsyousalutationsandgivesyoupraise。Hebidsmetellyouthatnowofhisownaccordherenderstome，Mameena，theroyalsalute，becauseroyalImusteverbe；becausealsoheandIwhoaresofarapartareyetoneinthelovethatisourlife。”
　　Thesmokeblewintomyface，causingmetoreelback。Cetewayocaughtmebythearm，saying——
　　“Tellus，arethelipsofthedeadwitchwarmorcold？“
　　“Idonotknow。”Igroaned，“forInevertouchedher。”
　　“Howhelies！Oh！howheliesevenaboutwhatoureyessaw。”
　　saidCetewayoreflectivelyasIblunderedpasthimbacktomyseat，onwhichIsankhalfswooning。WhenIgotmywitsagainthefigurethatpretendedtobeMameenawasspeaking，IsupposeinanswertosomequestionofZikali’swhichIhadnotheard。Itsaid——
　　“OLordoftheSpirits，youhavecalledmefromthelandofSpiritstomakereplyastotwomatterswhichhavenotyethappenedupontheearth。TheserepliesIwillgivebutnoothers，sincethemortalstrengththatIhaveborrowedreturnswhenceitcame。Thefirstmatteris，iftherebewarbetweentheWhiteandBlack，whatwillhappeninthatwar？Iseeaplainringedroundwithhillsandonitastrange-shapedmount。Iseeagreatbattle；Iseethewhitemengodownlikecornbeforeatempest；Iseethespearsoftheimpisredden；Iseethewhitesoldierslielikeleavescutfromatreebyfrost。Theyaredead，alldead，saveahandfulthathavefledaway。IheartheingomaofvictorysunghereatUlundi。Itisfinished。