esiring to confirm
them in this determination.

"The grey ones are warmer, Macumazahn, and do not show dirt so
much," answered Goza thoughtfully.

"Good, I will remember when I have the chance."

"The promise of Macumazahn is known from of old to be as a tree
that elephants cannot pull down and white ants will not eat,"
said the sententious Goza, thereby intimating his belief that
some time or other they would receive those blankets. As a
matter of fact the survivors of the party and the families of the
others did receive them after the war, for in dealing with
natives I have always made a point of trying to fulfil any
promise or engagement made for value received.

"And now," went on Goza, "will the Inkosi be pleased to start, as
we have to travel far to-day?"

"Impossible," I replied. "Before I leave I must eat, for who can
journey upon yesterday's food? Also I must saddle my horse,
collect what belongs to me, and bid farewell to my host, Zikali."

"Of meat we have plenty with us, Macumazahn, and therefore you
will not hunger on the way. Your horse and everything that is
yours shall be brought after you; since were you mounted on that
swift beast and minded to escape, how could we catch you with our
feet, and did you please to shoot us with your rifle, how could
we who have only spears, save ourselves from dying? As for the
Opener of Roads, his servants have told us that he means to sleep
all to-day that he may talk with spirits in his dreams, and
therefore it is useless for you to wait to bid him farewell.
Moreover, the orders of the king are that we should bring you to
him at once."

After this for a time there was silence, while I sat immovable
revolving the situation, and the Zulus regarded me with a
benignant interest. Goza took his snuff-box from his ear, shook
out some into the palm of his hand and, after offering it to me
in vain, inhaled it himself.

"The orders of the king are (sneeze) that we should bring you to
him alive if possible, and if not (sneeze) dead. Choose which
you will, Macumazahn. Perhaps you may prefer to go to Ulundi
dead, which would--ah! how strong is this snuff, it makes me weep
like a woman--save you the trouble of walking. But if you prefer
that we should carry you, be so good, Macumazahn, first to write
the words which will cause the grey blankets to be delivered to
us, for we know well that even your bones would desire to keep
your promise. Is it not a proverb i