Presently Galazi came and sat down before us. Then I put the matter to
him thus: that Umslopogaas would fall upon the Halakazi and bring to
Dingaan the maid he longed for as a peace-offering, but that I wished
to hold him back from the venture because the Halakazi people were great
and strong. I spoke in this sense so that I might have a door to creep
out should Galazi betray the plot; and Umslopogaas read my purpose,
though my craft was needless, for Galazi was a true man.

Galazi the Wolf listened in silence till I had finished, then he
answered quietly, but it seemed to me that a fire shone in his eyes as
he spoke:--

"I am chief by right of the Halakazi, O Mouth of Dingaan, and know them
well. They are a strong people, and can put two full regiments under
arms, whereas Bulalio here can muster but one regiment, and that a
small one. Moreover, they have watchmen out by night and day, and
spies scattered through the land, so that it will be hard to take them
unawares; also their stronghold is a vast cave open to the sky in the
middle, and none have won that stronghold yet, nor could it be found
except by those who know its secret. They are few, yet I am one of them,
for my father showed it to me when I was a lad. Therefore, Mouth of
Dingaan, you will know that this is no easy task which Bulalio would set
himself and us--to conquer the Halakazi. That is the face of the matter
so far as it concerns Bulalio, but for me, O Mouth, it has another face.
Know that, long years ago, I swore to my father as he lay dying by
the poison of a witch of this people that I would not rest till I had
avenged him--ay, till I had stamped out the Halakazi, and slain their
men, and brought their women to the houses of strangers, and their
children to bonds! Year by year and month by month, and night by night,
as I have lain alone upon the Ghost Mountain yonder, I have wondered how
I might bring my oath to pass, and found no way. Now it seems that there
is a way, and I am glad. Yet this is a great adventure, and perhaps
before it is done with the People of the Axe will be no more." And he
ceased and took snuff, watching our faces over the spoon.

"Galazi the Wolf," said Umslopogaas, "for me also the matter has another
face. You have lost your father at the hands of these Halakazi dogs,
and, though till last night I did not know it, I have lost my mother by
their spears, and with her one whom I loved above all in the world,
my sister Nada, wh