n visited by the
multitude of Spirits and seen the shades of those who live and of
those who are dead. I have dived into the river and drawn my
snake from its mud; see, its skin is about me now," and opening
the mantle she wore she showed what looked like the skin of a
black mamba, fastened round her slender body. "I have dwelt in
the wilderness alone and listened to its voices. I have sat at
the feet of my master, the Opener of Roads, and looked down the
road and drunk of his wisdom. Yes, I am in truth a doctoress."

"Well, after all this, you should be as wise as you are pretty."

"Once before, Macumazahn, you told a maid of my people that she
was pretty and she came to no good end; though to one that was
great. Therefore do not say to me that I am pretty, though I am
glad that you should think so who can compare me with so many
whom you have known," and she dropped her eyes, looking a little
shy.

It was the first human touch I had seen about her, and I was glad
to have found a weak spot in her armour. Moreover, from that
moment she was always my friend.

"As you will, Nombe. Now for your message."

"My Lords the Spirits, speaking through Zikali as one who makes
music speak through a pipe of reeds, say--"

"Never mind what the spirits say. Tell me what Zikali says," I
interrupted.

"So be it, Macumazahn. These are the words of Zikali: 'O
Watcher-by-Night, the time draws on when the
Thing-who-should-never-have-been-born will be as though he never
had been born, whereat he rejoices. But first there is much for
him to do, and as he told you nearly three hundred moons ago, in
what must be done you will have your part. Of that he will speak
to you afterwards. Macumazahn, you dreamed a dream, did you not,
lying asleep in the house that was built of white stone which now
is black with fire? I, Zikali, sent you that dream through the
arts of a child of mine who is named Nombe, she to whom I have
given a Spirit to guide her feet. You did well to follow it,
Macumazahn, for had you tried the other path, which would have
led you back to the towns of the white men, you and those with
you must have been killed, how it does not matter. Now by the
mouth of Nombe I say to you, do not follow the thought that is in
your mind as she speaks to you and go to Natal, since if you do
so, you and those with you will come to much shame and trouble
that to you would be worse than death, over the matter of the
killing