n than
by the assegai, and a crooked stick can still be bent straight in the
stream. It is my desire, Umslopogaas, that instead of hate Dingaan
should give you love; instead of death, advancement; and that you shall
grow great in his shadow. Listen! Dingaan is not what Chaka was, though,
like Chaka, he is cruel. This Dingaan is a fool, and it may well come
about that a man can be found who, growing up in his shadow, in the end
shall overshadow him. I might do it--I myself; but I am old, and,
being worn with sorrow, have no longing to rule. But you are young,
Umslopogaas, and there is no man like you in the land. Moreover, there
are other matters of which it is not well to speak, that shall serve you
as a raft whereon to swim to power."

Now Umslopogaas glanced up sharply, for in those days he was ambitious,
and desired to be first among the people. Indeed, having the blood of
Chaka in his veins, how could it be otherwise?

"What is your plan, my father?" he asked. "Say how can this be brought
about?"

"This and thus, Umslopogaas. Among the tribe of the Halakazi in
Swaziland there dwells a maid who is named the Lily. She is a girl of
the most wonderful beauty, and Dingaan is afire with longing to have her
to wife. Now, awhile since Dingaan dispatched an embassy to the chief of
the Halakazi asking the Lily in marriage, and the chief of the Halakazi
sent back insolent words, saying that the Beauty of the Earth should
be given to no Zulu dog as a wife. Then Dingaan was angry, and he would
have gathered his impis and sent them against the Halakazi to destroy
them, and bring him the maid, but I held him back from it, saying
that now was no time to begin a new war; and it is for this cause that
Dingaan hates me, he is so set upon the plucking of the Swazi Lily. Do
you understand now, Umslopogaas?"

"Something," he answered. "But speak clearly."

"Wow, Umslopogaas! Half words are better than whole ones in this land
of ours. Listen, then! This is my plan: that you should fall upon the
Halakazi tribe, destroy it, and bring back the maid as a peace-offering
to Dingaan."

"That is a good plan, my father," he answered. "At the least, maid or
no maid, there will be fighting in it, and cattle to divide when the
fighting is done."

"First conquer, then reckon up the spoils, Umslopogaas."

Now he thought awhile, then said, "Suffer that I summon Galazi the Wolf,
my captain. Do not fear, he is trusty and a man of few words."