r strength to
fall back upon?" he said. "Kalipe's force is away, and of its return
there is no sign."

"Let swift runners be sent to meet it, Great Great One. It may yet
arrive in time. Failing that, the pass of the Inkume shall be to the
_impi_ of Dingane and Mhlangana what the pass of Kwahlamba was to that
of Tshaka."

"Great talk!" growled the King. "But I think, Untuswa, thou art not
much greater than a fool; for instead of yet further delaying our
enemies, while speaking with the mouth of Mhlangana, and thus allowing
time for Kalipe's return, thou didst even hurry on the hour of the
battle."

"Had I done otherwise suspicion would have been aroused, and the _impi_
would have been thrown forward at once. Then what time should we have
had to muster our forces, O Black Elephant? Now, instead of the hunting
dogs of Dingane and Mhlangana surprising us, it is we who shall surprise
them, father of a new nation."

"Ha! that sounds not so ill," muttered Umzilikazi.

"There is yet more, Serpent of Might," I said. "Had suspicion been
aroused, that moment I were assuredly dead. Who then would have carried
warning of the approach of those who come against us?"

"That is true, son of Ntelani. And so they cried the `_Bayete_'? And
for once thou wert a king."

Now I liked not Umzilikazi's tone, for it was bitter and jeering--
suspicious, too. But his next words scattered all apprehensions on my
own account.

"This sorceress--she shall be slain." He was muttering more to himself
than to me. "She it is who has brought her own people upon us."

"The will of the Great Great One stands," I said. "Yet let the King
pause; for weighty has been the service she has rendered us."

Umzilikazi looked at me, and his face was clouded with suspicion.

"So, Untuswa? I begin to see," he said. "The men of Mhlangana are
coming to set up a new King here--and a new Queen! Ah, ah, Untuswa, she
is fair--the strange sorceress!" he jeered.

"Now have the dreams of the King been bad--even as at the time of
Ncwelo's conspiracy," I replied, bold as ever. "If you doubt your
servant, Father, slay him now, or after we have rolled back the men of
Mhlangana."

The King looked gloomily at me, then he said--

"The sorceress--let her be sent for."

I gave the order to those without, and soon the door of the hut was
darkened and Lalusini entered.

"See, thou witch," said the King, pointing at her with his spear, "I am
minded to s