s own killing."

"It is good; it is wise!" exclaimed Umbezi. "Masapo," he called to that
warrior, "if you wish to fight, pray do not think of me. I see nothing,
I hear nothing, and I promise proper burial to any who fall. Only you
had best be swift, for Saduko is walking away all this time. Come, you
and your people have spears, and the gate stands open."

"Am I to go without my meat in order to knock that hyena on the head?"
asked Masapo in a brave voice. "No, he can wait my leisure. Sit still,
my people. I tell you, sit still. Tell him, you Macumazahn, that I am
coming for him presently, and be warned to keep yourself away from him,
lest you should tumble into his hole."

"I will tell him," I answered, "though I know not who made me your
messenger. But listen to me, you Speaker of big words and Doer of
small deeds, if you dare to lift a finger against me I will teach you
something about holes, for there shall be one or more through that great
carcass of yours."

Then, walking up to him, I looked him in the face, and at the same time
tapped the handle of the big double-barrelled pistol I carried.

He shrank back muttering something.

"Oh, don't apologise," I said, "only be more careful in future. And
now I wish you a good dinner, Chief Masapo, and peace upon your kraal,
friend Umbezi."

After this speech I marched off, followed by the clamour of Masapo's
furious attendants and the sound of Mameena's light and mocking
laughter.

"I wonder which of them she will marry?" I thought to myself, as I set
out for the wagons.

As I approached my camp I saw that the oxen were being inspanned, as I
supposed by the order of Scowl, who must have heard that there was a row
up at the kraal, and thought it well to be ready to bolt. In this I was
mistaken, however, for just then Saduko strolled out of a patch of bush
and said:

"I ordered your boys to yoke up the oxen, Inkoosi."

"Have you? That's cool!" I answered. "Perhaps you will tell me why."

"Because we must make a good trek to the northward before night,
Inkoosi."

"Indeed! I thought that I was heading south-east."

"Bangu does not live in the south or the east," he replied slowly.

"Oh, I had almost forgotten about Bangu," I said, with a rather feeble
attempt at evasion.

"Is it so?" he answered in his haughty voice. "I never knew before that
Macumazahn was a man who broke a promise to his friend."

"Would you be so kind as to explain your meaning, Saduko