his hand to
his mouth with a rapid gesture. Then realising the futility of any
further humbug, he said. "That is so, Inkose. We Amaswazi are not as
you white people. The Amazulu hate us. There is an _impi_ of them sent
to harry our border, to kill our people, although we are not at war. We
fear to go any further. This is the country of the Igazipuza. We fear
them. We do not want to be killed by the Igazipuza."

And an emphatic hum of approval arose from his compatriots at the
speaker's words.

"I cease to wonder that the Amazulu despise you," said Dawes, calmly.
"I cease to wonder that brave men such as they should look upon you
Amaswazi as a nation of dogs, when six of its men, at the first chance
of danger, wish to run away, and leave those who have paid and fed them,
to bear its full brunt. Are you not dogs even to hint at such a thing?"

The Swazis looked at each other, sullen but not ashamed.

"It is this way, Inkose," pursued the spokesman. "It is we who are in
danger, not you. The Amazulu have no enmity against you white people.
They will not harm you. They respect you. But it is us they hate. The
Igazipuza will kill us and drink our blood. We must save our lives
while there is yet time."

"Now have my ears been filled with the words of a fool, Kazimbi,"
replied Dawes. "Listen! You say you wish to return to your own country
because you fear these Igazipuza. You say in the same breath that they
respect us whites and hate and despise you Amaswazi. Now are you not
therefore far safer when with us, as part of ourselves, as the hands and
feet of the people these Igazipuza respect, than you would be when
wandering through the country by yourselves? Then indeed would they not
cut the hearts out of you and drink your blood, O fool, Kazimbi, tongue
and mouthpiece of five other fools? And would you not deserve it?"

Disconcerted, abashed, and somewhat angry at the quiet but cutting irony
thus turned upon him, Kazimbi made no immediate reply, while murmurs of
impatience began to arise among his countrymen. Gerard, who had
followed every word of the dialogue with the keenest of interest,
noticed that Sintoba--and Fulani, the other waggon-driver, a big,
strong, trustworthy native--had edged up close behind the group, though
apparently engaged on some other business. The leaders, too, a couple
of ordinarily intelligent native lads, were squatting hard by, watching
the proceedings. None of these a