d, Jazi, at which I started, but only said that it was a
strange name, seeing that it meant "Finished," or "Finished with
joy." Umnikwa answered, Yes, but that it had been so called
because the chief Umfokaki, or The Stranger, who married a sister
of the king, was killed at this kraal by his brother, Gundane, or
the Bat. I remarked that it was an ill-omened kind of name, to
which the man replied, Yes, and likely to become more so, since
the King Cetewayo who had been sheltering there "beneath the
armpit" of Malimati, the white lord, for some months, lay in it
dying. I asked him of what he was dying, and he replied that he
did not know, but that doubtless the father of the witch-doctors,
named Zikali, the Opener of Roads, would be able to tell me, as
he was attending on Cetewayo.

"He has sent me to bid you to come at once, O Macumazahn," he
added casually, "having had news that you were arriving here."

Showing no surprise, I answered that I would come, although
goodness knows I was surprised enough, and leaving my servants to
get my wagon out of the bog, I walked into the kraal with the
messenger. He took me to a large hut placed within a fence about
the gate of which some women were gathered, who all looked very
anxious and disturbed. Among them I saw Dabuko the king's
brother, whom I knew slightly. He greeted me and told me that
Cetewayo was at the point of death within the hut, but like
Umnikwa, professed ignorance of the cause of his illness.

For a long while, over an hour I should think, I sat there
outside the hut, or walked to and fro. Until darkness came I
could occupy myself with contemplating the scenery of the
encircling hills, which is among the most beautiful in Zululand
with its swelling contours and rich colouring. But after it had
set in only my thoughts remained, and these I found depressing.

At length I made up my mind that I would go away, for after all
what had I to do with this business of the death of Cetewayo, if
in truth he was dying? I wished to see no more of Cetewayo of
whom all my recollections were terrific or sorrowful. I rose to
depart, when suddenly a woman emerged from the hut. I could not
see who she was or even what she was like, because of the gloom;
also for the reason that she had the corner of her blanket thrown
over her face as though she wished to keep it hidden. For a
moment she stopped opposite to me and said--

"The king who is sick desires to see you, Ma