neral way I did not care to add to the number of my
wives, yet, when I came upon such a woman as this, I was apt to leave my
reason and ordinary sense so far behind that a long journey would be
required to pick it up again. So when this one--revealing herself thus
suddenly--threw out those words about falling a spoil to the King, my
reason started away--to hunt game perhaps; and the thought that ran
through my mind was that I would, by some means, keep her for myself.

"Who art thou, sister?" I said; "and how art thou called?"

"I am called Lalusini, and my Zulu blood is as pure as thine own, son of
Ntelani. Perhaps purer."

"_Hau_!" I cried, bringing my hand to my mouth in amazement. "Here is
a marvel! Then how earnest thou here, Lalusini, whom this dog just now
named Queen of the Bakoni _muti_?"

"In that he told no lie, Untuswa," she answered, with a glance at the
slave. "But the tale is over-long to be told at such a time."

My attention being recalled to the slave, I turned to look at him. He
was crouching on the ground behind me--eyes, ears, mouth, all wide-open,
looking scared somewhat; and, indeed, he would have looked more so could
he have read what was passing in my mind. For I had resolved that this
woman should belong to me alone; and that this should be so I must leave
her here--and, indeed, her first words had seemed to point that way--for
such an one as she, did Umzilikazi once set his eyes upon her, she would
be taken into the _isigodhlo_ at that moment. But the secret of this
hiding-place was known to three of us--Maroane being the third--and I
felt that it was shared by just one too many.

"I saw thee, Untuswa," she went on, "thee and another. I saw thee, the
chief of two men, laying down terms to an armed and angry nation. I saw
thee again--thee and another--in the ruined walls; two men keeping back
swarms of yonder dogs; and my heart went out to thee, and to the days
when I dwelt among my own people. Yes, my heart went out to thee, thou
great, brave fighter; but if it were better that it should go out to the
King--"

This she spoke in a low voice, but with a look that shook my pulses, and
made me mad. I sware then that she should not be delivered up to the
King, but should remain hidden there, and belong to me, and to me alone;
and my words seemed to please her. I promised to return shortly, but
now I must depart, or the warriors would be wondering at my absence.

"Lead on now,