Lily, "oh, my father, have pity on me! Yes,
yes! I am a girl, a maid--no wife--and you who are old, you, perchance
have daughters such as I, and in their name I ask for pity. My father,
I have journeyed far, I have endured many things, to find my way to a
kraal where my brother rules, and now it seems I have come to the
wrong kraal. Forgive me that I spoke to you so, my father; it was but a
woman's feint, and I was hard pressed to hide my sex, for my father, you
know it is ill to be a lonely girl among strange men."

Now I said nothing in answer, for this reason only: that when I heard
Nada call me father, not knowing me, and saw her clasp my knees and pray
to me in my daughter's name, I, who was childless save for her, went
nigh to weeping. But she thought that I did not answer her because I was
angry, and about to drag her to this unknown chief, and implored me the
more even with tears.

"My father," she said, "do not this wicked thing by me. Let me go and
show me the path that I shall ask: you who are old, you know that I am
too fair to be dragged before this chief of yours. Hearken! All I knew
are dead, I am alone except for this brother I seek. Oh! if you betray
me may such a fate fall upon your own daughter also! May she also know
the day of slavery, and the love that she wills not!" and she ceased,
sobbing.

Now I turned my head and spoke towards the hut, "Chief," I said, "your
Ehlose is kind to you to-night, for he has given you a maid fair as the
Lily of the Halakazi"--here Nada glanced up wildly. "Come, then, and
take the girl."

Now Nada turned to snatch up the assegai from the ground, but whether to
kill me, or the chief she feared so much, or herself, I do not know, and
as she turned, in her woe she called upon the name of Umslopogaas. She
found the assegai, and straightened herself again. And lo! there before
her stood a tall chief leaning on an axe; but the old man who threatened
her was gone--not very far, in truth, but round the corner of the hut.

Now Nada the Lily looked, then rubbed her eyes, and looked again.

"Surely I dream?" she said at last. "But now I spoke to an old man, and
in his place there stands before me the shape of one whom I desire to
see."

"I thought, Maiden, that the voice of a certain Nada called upon one
Umslopogaas," said he who leaned upon the axe.

"Ay, I called: but where is the old man who treated me so scurvily? Nay,
what does it matter?--where he is, there let hi