cide whether there should be peace or war; that
there were divisions of opinion among them; that the king was
ready to follow the party which should prove itself the
strongest, but that the real voice of decision would speak from
behind that fire. It was the case of the Delphic Oracle over
again with a priest instead of a priestess, and what a priest!

It was evident to me also that Zikali, who knew human nature, and
especially savage human nature, had arranged all this with a view
to scenic and indeed supernatural effect. Moreover, he had done
it very well, since I knew myself that in this place and hour
words and occurrences would affect me deeply at which I should
have laughed in the sunlight and open plain. Already the Zulus
were affected, for I could hear the teeth of some of them
chattering, and Goza began to shiver at my side. He muttered
that it was cold, and lied for the donga was extremely hot and
stuffy.

At length the silver radiance of the moon spread itself on the
high curtain of the dark. Then the edge of her orb appeared
above the hill and an arrow of white light fell into the little
valley. It struck upon and about the jutting rock, revealing a
misshapen, white-headed figure squatted between its base and the
fire, the figure of Zikali.

CHAPTER XV

THE GREAT COUNCIL

None had seen or heard him come, and though doubtless he had but
crept round the rock and taken his place in the darkness, there
appeared to be something mysterious about this sudden appearance
of Zikali. So the Zulu nobles thought at any rate, for they
uttered a low "Ow!" of fear and wonder.

There he sat like a huge ape staring at the sky, for the
firelight shone on his deep and burning eyes. The moonlight
increased, but now and again it was broken by little clouds which
caused strange shadows to appear about the rock. Some of these
shadows looked as though veiled figures were approaching the
wizard, bending over him and departing again, after giving him
their message or counsel.

"His Spirits visit him," whispered Goza, but I made no answer.

This went on for quite a long time, until the full round of the
moon appeared above the hill indeed, and, for the while, the
clouds had cleared away. Still Zikali sat silent and I, who was
acquainted with the habits of this people, knew that I was
witnessing a conflict between two they considered to be
respectively a spiritual and an earthly king. It is my b