do not know. In this last crisis of all our fates I never
looked, being too intent upon my own part in the drama.

By now the vultures appeared to have realised that something unusual was
in progress, which threatened danger to them. At any rate, although by
this time they had collected in hundreds from east, west, north, and
south, and were wheeling the heavens above in their vast, majestic
circles, none of them seemed to care to descend to prey upon the bodies.
I watched, and saw that among their number was that great king bird
which had bitten Hans in the face; it was easy to distinguish him,
because he was so much larger than the others. Also, he had some white
at the tips of his wings. I observed that certain of his company drew
near to him in the skies, where they hung together in a knot, as though
in consultation.

They separated out again, and the king began to descend, deputed
probably to spy out the land. Down he came in ever-narrowing turns,
till he reached the appointed spot for the plunge, and, according to the
immemorial custom of these birds, hung a while before he pounced with
his head to the south and his great, spreading tail towards me.

This was my chance, and, rejoicing in having so large a mark, I got the
sight upon him and pulled. The bullet thudded, some feathers floated
from his belly, showing that it had gone home, and I looked to see
him fall as the others had done. But alas! he did not fall. For a few
seconds he rocked to and fro upon his great wings, then commenced to
travel upwards in vast circles, which grew gradually more narrow, till
he appeared to be flying almost straight into the empyrean. I stared and
stared. Everybody stared, till that enormous bird became, first a
mere blot upon the blue, and at length but a speck. Then it vanished
altogether into regions far beyond the sight of man.

"Now there is an end," I said to Hans.

"Ja, baas," answered the Hottentot between his chattering teeth, "there
is an end. You did not put in enough powder. Presently we shall all be
dead."

"Not quite," I said with a bitter laugh. "Hans, load the rifle, load it
quick. Before they die there shall be another king in Zululand."

"Good, good!" he exclaimed as he loaded desperately. "Let us take that
fat pig of a Dingaan with us. Shoot him in the stomach, baas; shoot him
in the stomach, so that he too may learn what it is to die slowly. Then
cut my throat, here is my big knife, and afterwards cut y