out this wide land of Africa.
Amongst others, I inquired of that old wizard whom you named Zikali,
Opener of Roads, and he gave me an answer that there lived in his land a
certain warrior who ruled a tribe called the People of the Axe by right
of the Axe, of which axe none, not even he, knew the beginning or the
legend. On the chance, though it was a small one, I bade the wizard
send that warrior here with his axe. Last night he stood before me and I
looked upon him and the axe, which at least is ancient and has a story.
Whether it be the same that Rezu bore I do not know who never saw it,
yet perchance he who bears it now is prepared to hold it aloft in battle
even against Rezu, though he be terrible to see, and then we shall
learn."

"Oh! yes," I answered, "he is quite prepared, for that is his nature.
Also among this man's people, the holder of the Axe is thought to be
unconquerable."

"Yet some must have been conquered who held it," she replied musingly.
"Well, you shall tell me that tale later. Now we have talked long and
you are weary and astonished. Go, eat and rest yourself. To-night when
the moon rises I will come to where you are, not before, for I have much
that must be done, and show you those with whom you must fight against
Rezu, and make a plan of battle."

"But I do not want to fight," I answered, "who have fought enough and
came here to seek wisdom, not bloodshed."

"First the sacrifice, then the reward," she answered, "that is if any
are left to be rewarded. Farewell."

CHAPTER XV

ROBERTSON IS LOST

So I went and was conducted by Billali, the old chamberlain, for such
seemed to be his office, who had been waiting patiently without all this
while, back to our rest-house. On my way I picked up Hans, whom I found
sitting outside the arch, and found that as usual that worthy had been
keeping his eyes and ears open.

"Baas," he said, "did the White Witch tell you that there is a big
_impi_ encamped over yonder outside the houses, in what looks like a
great dry ditch, and on the edge of the plain beyond?"

"No, Hans, but she said that this evening she would show us those in
whose company we must fight."

"Well, Baas, they are there, some thousands of them, for I crept through
the broken walls like a snake and saw them. And, Baas, I do not think
they are men, I think that they are evil spirits who walk at night
only."

"Why, Hans?"

"Because when the sun is high, Baas, as it is now, they