"What is thy will with me, O King?" she said.

"Thou art come in a good hour, sister," said Chaka, turning his eyes
from hers. "It is thus: Mopo, my servant and thy brother, made a bet
with me, a bet of cattle. It was a little matter that we wagered on--as
to whether the people of the Langeni tribe--thine own tribe, Baleka, my
sister--would fill yonder place, U'Donga-lu-ka-Tatiyana. When they heard
of the bet, my sister, the people of the Langeni hurled themselves into
the rift by thousands, being eager to put the matter to the proof. And
now it seems that thy brother has lost the bet, for there is yet place
for one yonder ere the donga is full. Then, my sister, thy brother Mopo
brought it to my mind that there was still one of the Langeni tribe left
upon the earth, who, should she sleep in that place, would turn the bet
in his favour, and prayed me to send for her. So, my sister, as I would
not take that which I have not won, I have done so, and now do thou go
apart and talk with Mopo, thy brother, alone upon this matter, as once
before thou didst talk when a child was born to thee, my sister!"

Now Baleka took no heed of the words of Chaka which he spoke of me, for
she knew his meaning well. Only she looked him in the eyes and said:--

"Ill shalt thou sleep from this night forth, Chaka, till thou comest to
a land where no sleep is. I have spoken."

Chaka saw and heard, and of a sudden he quailed, growing afraid in his
heart, and turned his head away.

"Mopo, my brother," said Baleka, "let us speak together for the last
time; it is the king's word."

So I drew apart with Baleka, my sister, and a spear was in my hand.
We stood together alone by the people of the dead and Baleka threw
the corner of the kaross about her brows and spoke to me swiftly from
beneath its shadow.

"What did I say to you a while ago, Mopo? It has come to pass. Swear to
me that you will live on and that this same hand of yours shall taken
vengeance for me."

"I swear it, my sister."

"Swear to me that when the vengeance is done you will seek out my son
Umslopogaas if he still lives, and bless him in my name."

"I swear it, my sister."

"Fare you well, Mopo! We have always loved each other much, and now all
fades, and it seems to me that once more we are little children playing
about the kraals of the Langeni. So may we play again in another land!
Now, Mopo"--and she looked at me steadily, and with great eyes--"I am
weary. I would joi