eep our women in the lowest
subjection. Well, we do not allow them to rule us, yet now and again we
find one who tries hard to do so, and gives a great amount of trouble
before we can convince her that it is not to be done; and Nangeza was
one of these. And of her I was even then beginning to have more than
enough.

Now she sullenly acquiesced in my reticence, for I would not unfold one
word of the King's counsels. But she gave me a very dark look and
turned away muttering. Yet during my absence events of the gravest
moment had been transpiring.

In the evening Umzilikazi sent for me. I found him alone in his hut,
and as I sat opposite him it seemed as though I were once more the
_inceku_ and shield-bearer, and that the dread ordeal which had
terminated in the winning of my head-ring and the King's Assegai had
been all a dream.

"What think you, Untuswa?" said the King at first. "Is it for good or
for ill that we leave Ekupumuleni, `The Place of Rest,' and depart for
this new land?"

"It is for good, Great Great One. The land is better one than this.
There is more room in it for a new nation to become mighty and rich."

"Yet there are some who would remain here, some who shake a doleful head
over the prospect of going farther."

"Those who shake their heads against the will of the King may happen to
shake them off, O Elephant."

"Ha! Thou sayest well, son of Ntelani. They may happen to shake them
off--ah! ah! they may."

Now Umzilikazi spoke in that soft and pleasant voice of his, and I
thought that trouble was gathering for somebody. Then as his keen eyes,
half-closed, were fixed upon mine, piercing through and through my
brain, I did not sit at ease, for I had been absent many moons, and
certain powerful enemies of mine had not. Then he went on, still
speaking in that soft and terrible voice.

"There are those who have reason to love Ekupumuleni, for it is not too
far from the land of their birth. Good. Ekupumuleni shall indeed be
their resting-place--their resting-place forever."

Now I knew that ill awaited somebody, and strangely, too, at that
moment, I remembered Nangeza's dark looks and words. Yet how could the
shadow of coming ill affect me? I aspired to be nothing but a fighting
leader! My mind was the mind of the King. I cared nothing for
intriguing or plotting. I only asked to lead my shields against the
enemies of the King. The occupation I favoured most was that of
fighting.