ds told you you would do, bringing
with you new companions, you who have the art of making friends
even when you are old, which is one given to few men. Where are
those with whom you used to company, Macumazahn? Where are
Saduko and Mameena and the rest? All gone except the
Thing-who-should-never-have-been-born," and again he laughed
loudly.

"And who it seems has never learned when to die," I remarked,
speaking for the first time.

"Just so, Macumazahn, because I cannot die until my work is
finished. But thanks be to the spirits of my fathers and to my
own that I live on to glut with vengeance, the end draws near at
last, and as I promised you in the dead days, you shall have your
share in it, Macumazahn."

He paused, then continued, still staring at the sinking sun,
which made his remarks about us, whom he did not seem to see,
uncanny--

"That white man with you is brave and well-born, one who loves
fighting, I think, and the maiden is fair and sweet, with a high
spirit. She is thinking to herself that I am an old wizard whom,
if she were not afraid of me, she would ask to tell her her
fortune. See, she understands and starts. Well, perhaps I will
one day. Meanwhile, here is a little bit of it. She will have
five children, of whom two will die and one will give her so much
trouble that she will wish it had died also. But who their
father will be I do not say. Nombe my child, lead away this
White One and her woman to the hut that has been made ready for
her, for she is weary and would rest. See, too, that she lacks
for nothing which we can give her who is our guest. Let the
white lord, Mauriti, accompany her to the hut and be shown that
next to it in which he and Macumazahn will sleep, so that he may
be sure that she is safe, and attend to the horses if he wills.
There is a place to tether them behind the huts, and the men who
travelled with you will help him. Afterwards, when I have spoken
with him, Macumazahn can join them that they may eat before they
sleep."

These directions I translated to Anscombe, who went gladly enough
with Heda, for I think they were both afraid of the terrible old
dwarf and did not desire his company in the gathering gloom.

"The sun sinks once more, Macumazahn," he said when they were
gone, "and the air grows chill. Come with me now into my hut
where the fire burns, for I am aged and the cold strikes through
me. Also there we can be alone."

So speaking he turne