way. This, however, after
all was not inexplicable. In the course of a great deal of experience I
have observed that all the witch-doctor family, to which doubtless she
belonged, have strange means of communication.

In most instances these are no doubt physical, carried on by help of
messengers, or messages passed from one to the other. But sometimes it
is reasonable to assume what is known as telepathy, as their link of
intercourse. Between two such highly developed experts as Ayesha and
Zikali, it might for the sake of argument safely be supposed that it
was thus they learned each other's mind and co-operated in each other's
projects, though perhaps this end was effected by commoner methods.

Whatever its interpretations, the issue of the business seemed to be
that I was to be let in for more fighting. Well, in any case this could
not be avoided, since Robertson's daughter, Inez, had to be saved at all
costs, if it could possibly be done, even if we lost our lives in the
attempt. Therefore fight we must, so there was nothing more to be said.
Also without doubt this adventure was particularly interesting and I
could only hope that good luck, or Zikali's Great Medicine, or rather
Providence, would see me through it safely.

For the rest the fact that our help was necessary to her in this
war-like venture showed me clearly enough that all this wonderful
woman's pretensions to supernatural powers were the sheerest nonsense.
Had they been otherwise she would not have needed our help in her tribal
fights, notwithstanding the rubbish she talked about the chief, Rezu,
who according to her account of him, must resemble one of the fabulous
"trolls," half-human and half-ghostly evil creatures, of whom I have
read in the Norse Sagas, who could only be slain by some particular hero
armed with a particular weapon.

Reflecting thus I went to sleep and did not wake until the sun was
setting. Finding that Hans was also sleeping at my feet just like a
faithful dog, I woke him up and we went back together to the rest-house,
which we reached as the darkness fell with extraordinary swiftness, as
it does in those latitudes, especially in a place surrounded by cliffs.

Not finding Robertson in the house, I concluded that he was somewhere
outside, possibly making a reconnaissance on his own account, and told
Hans to get supper ready for both of us. While he was doing so, by aid
of the Amahagger lamps, Umslopogaas suddenly appeared i