utside.

Denis crept out to ascertain the cause of the noise. Percy followed
him, when they saw the whole Zulu army collected in two long lines,
extending to the farther end of the valley. In the distance appeared
one of the strangest figures imaginable. It was that, as the dress
betokened, of a woman. Slowly she advanced up the centre, between the
two lines of warriors, followed by a dozen men or more, carrying large
shields, against which they beat with their clubs, making a sound like
that of drums. As she drew near it was seen that she was bedecked in
the most curious fashion. Her nose was painted white, as was one of her
eyelids, while the other was dyed with red earth. Her long hair was
plastered together by a mixture of grease and clay blackened with
charcoal. Round her neck were suspended coils of the entrails of
animals stuffed with fat, while her hair was stuck over in all
directions with the gall bladders of animals. Several dried snakes, a
human skull, and the heads and claws of birds, hung suspended from her
shoulders, besides which she wore a necklace made of human finger bones,
and rings of the same description round her ankles, her only actual
garment being a short kilt hanging from her waist. In her left hand she
held a wand with long tails at its end, which she flourished vigorously
above her head as she advanced with prancing steps up the valley. In
her right she carried her magic rattle, which she shook violently, now
on one side, now on the other. The men drew aside to let her pass and
to avoid being struck either by her wand or rattle, evidently holding
her in great awe. On she came, however, disregarding their terror, and
showing no inclination to denounce any of them as evil-doers, the
service wizards and enchantresses are generally employed in rendering to
the governing powers. As she got near to Umbulazi, she increased the
rapidity of her movements, springing forward in the most wonderful
manner, now turning to one side, now to the other, and bounding high in
the air, while the charms she wore rattled and bumped against her body.
Umbulazi and the chiefs round him watched these proceedings with intense
eagerness, wondering what she would next do. Presently her eye fell on
Denis and Percy.

"I think we should be wise to get into our hut," exclaimed Percy. "I
don't like the look of that hideous creature."

Before, however, they could do so she was up to them, and flourishing
her