run me, nor indeed could their bullets even strike me, so wild
were these men with excitement and victory. The while I thought that
one man outside and free was better than all within and bound, wherefore
I put much space between me and the battle so that I might think out
some plan. And then, _Nkose_, I know not how, whether it was my snake
that whispered it to me, or what it was, but I looked up--and lo! afar
off there rose a smoke. `Now,' thought I, `whoever is making that
smoke, it is no friend to Mushad. Further, it is no weak ones of the
tribes left in the path of Mushad, else had they not dared signify their
presence so soon after he had passed.' And I thought `Nothing can be
worse for those in the hand of Mushad, and it may be better. As things
are, they are already dead; but as things may be, who knoweth?' So
straight to that smoke I went, and lo! by a fire lay four times ten
men--warriors, in full array of battle. I walked into their midst
before they seized their spears and came for me. Then I said, `Who are
ye?' And they told me--I standing there and uttering the name of our
King. They had heard it, far, far as they dwelt from the land of Zulu;
but, where has not the name of Zulu sounded?

"Then I said `Ye seek Mushad? Good. I can deliver him into your
hands--lead me to the _impi_.' Then one man said--not speaking very
well in the tongue of the Zulu, `How knowest thou whom we seek, O
stranger; and how knowest thou that there be an _impi_ with us?' And I
said, `Look at me. I am not a boy. I am a _kehla_, and have I not
fought the battles of the Great Great One--he of the House of
Senzangakona?' And they said, `It is well, O stranger. Show us
Mushad.' And now, _Amakosi_, I would ask you--`Have I not done so?'"

The cordial assent of Haviland was drowned in the chorus of emphatic
applause thundered forth from those who heard, for the few who had
gathered round to listen had swelled into a mighty crowd, as, seated
there, the Zulu warrior poured forth his tale.

"And what of ourselves, Kumbelwa?" asked Haviland. "How are we to
return, for we have no bearers left, and all that is valuable to us,
though valuable to no one else, lies up yonder, where we fought?"

The Zulu's countenance seemed ever so slightly to fall.

"For that, _Nkose_, you must go with these. The Father of this people
desires to see you."

"That is so, O strangers," broke in a deep voice. Both turned. The
words had p