"The whites will offer large reward to the man who finds him," I went
on.

"Will he who sits yonder"--meaning my recent entertainer--"offer large
reward?" was the answer, a sudden whimsical flash illuminating the dark,
impassive face.

"That I cannot say. But I should think it probable. And now you are
seeking midnight _muti_ so as to obtain such reward. Take care," I went
on, chaffing him. "To wander at midnight would not be safe _la pa_,"
pointing in the direction of the Zulu country. "But here we are under
the Queen."

"The Queen! _Au_! Even the Queen cannot do everything."

"She just about can though," I answered decisively.

"Can she find Nyamaki?" he said, putting his head on one side.

This was a facer. I didn't know what the deuce to answer. While I was
hesitating he went on:

"_Au_! Well, Iqalaqala, turn back and make your bed with him yonder,
for you will not go home to-night _Hamba gahle_."

"_Hlala gahle_, father of mystery," I answered lightly touching my horse
with the spur.

You will think it strange I should make so light of his warning, yet as
I resumed my way up the valley, no thought of material danger came into
my mind as I pondered over it. I would show him that wise as he was,
and great his reputation, yet he did not know everything. I would have
the crow of him next time we met, when--

My horse had suddenly cocked his ears, then uttering a loud snort he
stopped dead--so suddenly indeed that I as nearly as possible pitched
over his head. Yet, there was nothing in sight.

The path, here rather steep, narrowed between high thick bush, just over
which on either hand, rose two straight but entirely insignificant
krantzes.

"He has seen a snake, a big mamba perhaps," I decided. "Well, let the
brute crawl away, as he's sure to do if alarmed. Then we'll get on
again."

But we didn't. I shouted a little, and swished at the bushes with my
whip. Then I spurred my horse forward again. The confounded animal
wouldn't budge.

"Here, this won't do," I said to myself feeling angry. Then I got off.
If the fool wouldn't go in the ordinary way perhaps he would lead.
Would he? Not a bit of it; on the contrary he rucked back at his bridle
so violently as nearly to tear it out of my hand. I got into the saddle
again.

"Now you've got to go, damn it!" I growled, letting him have both
rowels till I thought I could hear the bones squeak.

In response he first plunged violently,