e in the path of a maid journeying alone,
without food or shelter," and as he spoke Umslopogaas thought of Zinita
his wife, for he guessed that she would not love Nada, although she was
only his sister.

"Still, it must be travelled, and the dangers must be braved," she
answered, smiling. "Alas! there is no other way."

Then Umslopogaas summoned Galazi the Wolf and told him all this story,
for Galazi was the only man whom he could trust. The Wolf listened in
silence, marvelling the while at the beauty of Nada, as the starlight
showed it. When everything was told, he said only that he no longer
wondered that the people of the Halakazi had defied Dingaan and brought
death upon themselves for the sake of this maid. Still, to be plain, his
heart thought ill of the matter, for death was not done with yet: there
before them shone the Star of Death, and he pointed to the Lily.

Now Nada trembled at his words of evil omen, and the Slaughterer grew
angry, but Galazi would neither add to them nor take away from them. "I
have spoken that which my heart hears," he answered.

Then they rose and went to search among the dead for a girl who would
suit their purpose; soon they found one, a tall and fair maiden, and
Galazi bore her in his arms to the great cave. Here in the cave were
none but the dead, and, tossed hither and thither in their last sleep,
they looked awful in the glare of the torches.

"They sleep sound," said the Lily, gazing on them; "rest is sweet."

"We shall soon win it, maiden," answered Galazi, and again Nada
trembled.

Then, having arrayed her in the dress of a warrior, and put a shield and
spear by her, they laid down the body of the girl in a dark place in the
cave, and, finding a dead warrior of the People of the Axe, placed him
beside her. Now they left the cave, and, pretending that they visited
the sentries, Umslopogaas and Galazi passed from spot to spot, while
the Lily walked after them like a guard, hiding her face with a shield,
holding a spear in her hand, and having with her a bag of corn and dried
flesh.

So they passed on, till at length they came to the entrance in the
mountain side. The stones that had blocked it were pulled down so as to
allow those of the Halakazi to fly who had been spared at the entreaty
of Nada, but there were guards by the entrance to watch that none came
back. Umslopogaas challenged them, and they saluted him, but he saw that
they were worn out with battle and journ