l weapon for
such a purpose. Yet, while I praised, no _bonga_ arose from the
multitude. All voices were hushed in expectation.

"Umzilikazi rose and advanced towards me. As he stood facing me, with
the bright and gleaming spear uplifted, I looked him straight in the
eyes--alone and about to taste death. And then it seemed that this
situation was familiar to me--a man standing among men and an assegai
descending to his chest. Ha! the third vision of the wizard's _muti_!
Then I knew not--now I knew who held the spear. Still, I flinched not,
though the eyes of the King were terrible in their wrath. `Take the
reward I promised thee!' he said.

"`_I_ welcome death at the hand of the King, the Great Great One!' I
answered, gazing at the uplifted spear.

"Down it swept--down like a flash of light--down to my breast which was
thrust forward to receive it. But it did not enter. It halted--
motionless but for a slight quiver--within a hand's-breadth of my heart.
Still, my eyes left not those of the King, and for a moment thus we
stood. Then Umzilikazi spoke:

"`Once more I grant thee thy life, Untuswa, son of Ntelani, for I think
thou art the bravest warrior that ever lived, and fearest death in its
cold form no more than in the heat and shock of battle. And I love
such. Yet, but for my promise, thou wert already dead. The King's
assegai is thine. Take it.'

"Then it was that my self-command was sorely tried. I was not to die,
but to receive honour, for I held in my hand the King's royal weapon.
But my mind had gone through so much that it was hardened--cool and
cutting even as the blade of the splendid spear; wherefore I laid the
weapon softly down, for I might not address the King armed; and raising
both hands aloft, I poured forth words of _bonga_, such as had surely
never been heard before. And the whole nation joined in, and, indeed,
even in the far mountains the foul _Izimu_ and such _abatagati_ must
have quaked in their dens, for even thither must have reached the vast
roaring chorus of the praises of the King.

"`It is well, my children,' said Umzilikazi when he again spoke. `Never
before has such a deed met with other reward than death, never shall it
again; and here my "word" will stand as fast as it did in my promise to
Untuswa. And thou, son of Ntelani. Go now forth from among us until
the moon is full, and speak to no man the while, and the man or woman
who speaks to thee shall die. Then i