"`But they are _amakehla_ [Head-ringed men, and privileged to marry].
Any one of them has only to send in enough cattle and you are his. Now
look at me. I am young. It may be half a lifetime before the King
allows me to _tunga_. Wherefore, when I think of you I feel heavy,
Nangeza, for this is not the first time I have looked upon you.'

"`I know that, son of Ntelani,' she answered, looking shy. Then all of
a sudden she came and sat down beside me. `Listen, Untuswa,' she said,
throwing an arm round my neck. `You are but an _umfane_, but I have
loved you for some time unknown to you, for you are so strong and brave.
And are you not the King's chief runner? Now, put your ear to my lips
while I whisper. Well, then, it is breathed among the old men that
Umzilikazi intends to relax the severe laws of the Great Great One whose
land we have left [Tshaka], and to allow his warriors to _tunga_ while
young--when we gain the land wherein we are to dwell. Now, Untuswa, if
any man can win this privilege, it is yourself, for you are as brave as
any, and, for the rest, you are the King's chief runner, and have very
much the ear of the King.'

"This struck me as a good omen, coming as it did so close upon the
King's promise. I looked upon Nangeza's splendid form, for, of course,
she wore nothing but the girl's _mutya_, or little apron of beads, and
thought that to make her mine but for a little while, I would pay the
sure and certain penalty--viz., death; but then the penalty would be
suffered by her, too. Should I tell her of the King's promise? Wisdom
said `No'; but then my brain was reeling with love for her, and my evil
spirit whispered that a woman's brain and wit are subtle, and might
devise a plan where I failed to see one. So I told her of the King's
promise; and having done so, my good spirit cried out upon me for a
fool, for a secret which is shared by a woman--might it not as well be
cried aloud from kraal to kraal from sunrise to sunset?

"My news, however, caused Nangeza to clap her hands delightedly.

"`You are indeed a man, Untuswa!' she cried. `Keep well within the
favour of the King. One day you will be an _induna_. Who knows? One
day you may command the whole army in battle.'

"`Why not propose that one day I may reign as King?' I said
banteringly. `The one is as likely as the other.'

"`Well, what then? Even that may be,' was her cool reply. `A man who
is brave and cautious may climb to