ugh Goza, the only person with whom I had any
subsequent debate upon the subject, appeared to have gathered one
that was different, though what it was I do not recall. The only
words that remained clear to me must, I thought, have come from
the spirit of Chaka, or rather from Zikali or one of his
myrmidons assuming that character. They were uttered in a deep
full voice, spiced with mockery, and received by the wizard with
"Sibonga," or titles of praise, which I who am versed in Zulu
history and idiom knew had only been given to the great king, and
indeed since his death had become unlawful, not to be used. The
words were--

"What, Thing-that-should-never-have-been-born, do you think
yourself a Thing-that-should-never-die, that you still sit
beneath the moon and weave witchcrafts as of old? Often have I
hunted for you in the Under-world who have an account to settle
with you, as you have an account to settle with me. So, so, what
does it matter since we must meet at last, even if you hide
yourself at the back of the furthest star? Why do you bring me
up to this place where I see some whom I would forget? Yes, they
build bone on bone and taking the red earth, mould it into flesh
and stand before me as last I saw them newly dead. Oh! your
magic is good, Spell-weaver, and your hate is deep and your
vengeance is keen. No, I have nothing to tell you to-day, who
rule a greater people than the Zulus in another land. Who are
these little men who sit before you? One of them has a look of
Dingaan, my brother who slew me, yes, and wears his armlet. Is
he the king? Answer not, for I do not care to know. Surely
yonder withered thing is Sigananda. I know his eye and the Iziqu
on his breast. Yes, I gave it to him after the great battle with
Zweede in which he killed five men. Does he remember it, I
wonder? Greeting, Sigananda; old as you are you have still
twenty and one years to live, and then we will talk of the battle
with Zweede. Let me begone, this place burns my spirit, and in
it there is a stench of mortal blood. Farewell, O Conqueror!"

These were the words that I thought I heard Chaka say, though I
daresay that I dreamt them. Indeed had it been otherwise, I mean
had they really been spoken by Zikali, there would surely have
been more in them, something that might have served his purpose,
not mere talk which had all the inconsequence of a dream. Also
no one else seemed to pay any particular attention to