ooking man, who hitherto had
shown me no active friendship. I did homage to the King; and then, in
obedience to his command, sat and prepared to tell my tale. But as I
did so I could see that Dingane was in a sullen and angry mood. Perhaps
his sleep had been bad, or he had heard ill tidings; and, _Nkose_,
whereas _we_ must laugh when we would rather weep, most look pleased
when our hearts are bursting with anger and hate, a king is different,
in that he need conceal what he feels to please no man.

Now my tale pleased not Dingane much, yet I told it not in its entirety,
nor did I say aught as to my attempt on the life of Umzilikazi.

"So, Untuswa," he said, "when the doings of one king do not please thee
thou wouldst _konza_ to another?"

"That is not quite it, Great Great One," I ventured. "I am a fighting
man, a man of deeds rather than of words. I was but a boy when I fled
with Umzilikazi, and ever since then has my spear been raised to strike
down his enemies, and now he has sorely broken faith with me. I would
sooner die than serve such."

"_Hau_! This is of the sort who would make their kings at their own
will," growled Tambusa to himself; but I heard him.

"I know not which way to take with thee, Untuswa," said Dingane,
doubtfully. "I know not, indeed, whether to trust thee."

"There are but two ways, Elephant. One is to make thyself master of
this new nation, easily and with but little loss. The other way is not
to do so, O Father of the Wise!"

"There is yet another way, Untuswa, Father of the Fools," said the King,
softly sneering, "and that is the Hill of Slaughter for thee, rebel and
traitor to two kings."

"My life is in the hand of the Lion of Zulu, for I myself have placed it
there," I said. "Now, father, should I have placed it there had I not
known it was of more value to this nation than to me?"

"Bold words," said Dingane, still frowning.

"Bold deeds are more to my taste, Great Great One," I said. "The fate
of the new nation in the North is in my hand. But if I die, it will
never lie beneath the paw of the Lion of Zulu."

The _izinduna_ were staring in amazement at the boldness of my words;
but the frown had left the brows of Dingane. Looking straight at me, he
said softly:

"And what is to be thy reward for delivering this nation into my hand,
Untuswa?"

"Only this, Black Elephant, that the whole House of Matyobane be
delivered into my hand," I answered.

"Then it is