nnocent people to satisfy it.

CHAPTER XXIX. MOPO TELLS HIS TALE

Now afterwards, as we went upon our road, Umslopogaas told me all there
was to tell of the slaying of the Halakazi and of the finding of Nada.

When I heard that Nada, my daughter, still lived, I wept for joy, though
like Umslopogaas I was torn by doubt and fear, for it is far for an
unaided maid to travel from Swaziland to the Ghost Mountain. Yet all
this while I said nothing to Umslopogaas of the truth as to his birth,
because on the journey there were many around us, and the very trees
have ears, and the same wind to which we whispered might whisper to the
king. Still I knew that the hour had come now when I must speak, for it
was in my mind to bring it about that Umslopogaas should be proclaimed
the son of Chaka, and be made king of the Zulus in the place of Dingaan,
his uncle. Yet all these things had gone cross for us, because it was
fated so, my father. Had I known that Umslopogaas still lived when I
slew Chaka, then I think that I could have brought it about that he
should be king. Or had things fallen out as I planned, and the Lily maid
been brought to Dingaan, and Umslopogaas grew great in his sight, then,
perhaps, I could have brought it about. But all things had gone wrong.
The Lily was none other than Nada; and how could Umslopogaas give Nada,
whom he thought his sister, and who was my daughter, to Dingaan against
her will? Also, because of Nada, Dingaan and Umslopogaas were now at
bitter enmity, and for this same cause I was disgraced and a fugitive,
and my counsels would no longer be heard in the ear of the king.

So everything must be begun afresh: and as I walked with the impi
towards the Ghost Mountain, I thought much and often of the manner in
which this might be done. But as yet I said nothing.

Now at last we were beneath the Ghost Mountain, and looked upon the face
of the old Witch who sits there aloft forever waiting for the world to
die; and that same night we came to the kraal of the People of the Axe,
and entered it with a great singing. But Galazi did not enter at that
time; he was away to the mountain to call his flock of wolves, and as we
passed its foot we heard the welcome that the wolves howled in greeting
to him.

Now as we drew near the kraal, all the women and children came out
to meet us, headed by Zinita, the head wife of Umslopogaas. They came
joyfully, but when they found how many were wanting who a moon bef