d to the north: of a land whose
streams were never dry, and where the grass was ever green, and rich,
and sweet. Now, around the King's kraal, Ekupumuleni, it was not always
so, and for many moons we had suffered greatly for want of rain; indeed,
the King had sent out expressly to take all the rain-makers of every
tribe and race and to bring them in. These tried their powers, each and
all, and failed, wherefore they were put to death, for Umzilikazi
declared that, as they were highly honoured and loaded with gifts when
they could perform their office, it was only fair that they should pay
forfeit when they could not; and this fate befell most of our own
rain-makers, who were tied with their heels round the backs of their
necks, and flung into a water-hole. Indeed, the only one who escaped
was Masuka, the old Mosutu, whom we took, and whose life I had saved at
the burning of certain Bapedi kraals, and who, while declaring himself
an _isanusi_ but no rain-maker, yet managed to bring rain, and thus not
only escaped death but was advanced to still further honour. He was now
of a great age, this old man, and was little else than a human skin
loosely covering a skeleton; yet his eyes were as bright and marvellous
as ever.

That Masuka stood so high in the king's favour and in such honour among
the people delighted me greatly, for I knew that as long as this was so
I was safe from any plots my enemies might lay against me. I was now
second fighting _induna_ of the whole army, and a _kehla_, or ringed
man. I had won a place of great power, young as I was, and those whose
bitter jealousy would have moved them to compass my downfall and death
were many. Moreover Umzilikazi had become suspicious of late, and was
inclined to suspect each and all of his principal captains of designs
upon his life and seat; and there were times when I fancied his
suspicions rested strongly on Kalipe, the chief _induna_ of the army,
and myself--but mostly upon myself.

Yet, _Nkose_, this idea, terrible as it was, did not fill me with
unmingled dismay. That I, but yesterday an _umfane_ and unringed,
should now be in a position to be suspected of usurping Umzilikazi's
seat, of aspiring to become King of the Aba-ka-zulu; _Hau_! This indeed
would cause my veins to flow and my nerves to thrill with a strange
proud tingling. Yet the other side of the picture was grim and dark,
for from it loomed the stake of impalement--the death of the hot stone