I guessed it, and like a snake I wound myself into their secrets, and we
talked together darkly and in hints. But of that presently, my father,
for I must tell of the coming of Masilo, he who would have wed Zinita,
and whom Umslopogaas the Slaughterer had driven out from the kraals of
the People of the Axe.

It was on the day after the impi had left that Masilo came to the kraal
Duguza, craving leave to speak with the king. Chaka sat before his hut,
and with him were Dingaan and Umhlangana, his royal brothers. I was
there also, and certain of the indunas, councillors of the king. Chaka
was weary that morning, for he had slept badly, as now he always did.
Therefore, when one told him that a certain wanderer named Masilo would
speak with him, he did not command that the man should be killed, but
bade them bring him before him. Presently there was a sound of praising,
and I saw a fat man, much worn with travel, who crawled through the dust
towards us giving the sibonga, that is, naming the king by his royal
names. Chaka bade him cease from praising and tell his business. Then
the man sat up and told all that tale which you have heard, my father,
of how a young man, great and strong, came to the place of the People of
the Axe and conquered Jikiza, the holder of the axe, and become chief of
that people, and of how he had taken the cattle of Masilo and driven him
away. Now Chaka knew nothing of this People of the Axe, for the land was
great in those days, my father, and there were many little tribes in it,
living far away, of whom the king had not even heard; so he questioned
Masilo about them, and of the number of their fighting-men, of their
wealth in cattle, of the name of the young man who ruled them, and
especially as to the tribute which they paid to the king.

Masilo answered, saying that the number of their fighting-men was
perhaps the half of a full regiment, that their cattle were many, for
they were rich, that they paid no tribute, and that the name of the
young man was Bulalio the Slaughterer--at the least, he was known by
that name, and he had heard no other.

Then the king grew wroth. "Arise, Masilo," he said, "and run to this
people, and speak in the ear of the people, and of him who is named the
Slaughterer, saying: 'There is another Slaughterer, who sits in a kraal
that is named Duguza, and this is his word to you, O People of the Axe,
and to thee, thou who holdest the axe. Rise up with all the people, and