第1章

Sompseu:

ForIwillcallyoubythenamethatforfiftyyearshasbeenhonouredbyeverytribebetweenZambesiandCapeAgulbas，——Igreetyou！

Sompseu，myfather，Ihavewrittenabookthattellsofmenandmattersofwhichyouknowthemostofanywhostilllookuponthelight；therefore，Isetyournamewithinthatbookand，suchasitis，Iofferittoyou。

IfyouknewnotChaka，youandhehaveseenthesamesunsshine，youknewhisbrotherPandaandhiscaptains，andperhapseventhatveryMopowhotellsthistale，hisservant，whoslewhimwiththePrinces。

Youhaveseenthecircleofthewitch-doctorsandtheunconquerableZuluimpisrushingtowar；youhavecrownedtheirkingsandsharedtheircounsels，andwithyourson"sbloodyouhaveexpiatedastatesman"serrorandageneral"sfault。

Sompseu，asonghasbeensunginmyearsofhowfirstyoumasteredthispeopleoftheZulu。Isitnottrue，myfather，thatforlonghoursyousatsilentandalone，whilethreethousandwarriorsshoutedforyourlife？Andwhentheygrewweary，didyounotstandandsay，pointingtowardstheocean:“Killmeifyouwish，menofCetywayo，butItellyouthatforeverydropofmybloodahundredavengersshallrisefromyondersea！“

Then，soitwastoldme，theregimentsturnedstaringtowardstheBlackWater，asthoughthedayofUlundihadalreadycomeandtheysawthewhiteslayerscreepingacrosstheplains。

Thus，Sompseu，yournamebecamegreatamongthepeopleoftheZulu，asalreadyitwasgreatamongmanyanothertribe，andtheirnoblesdidyouhomage，andtheygaveyoutheBayete，theroyalsalute，declaringbythemouthoftheirCouncilthatinyoudweltthespiritofChaka。

Manyyearshavegonebysincethen，andnowyouareold，myfather。ItismanyyearsevensinceIwasaboy，andfollowedyouwhenyouwentupamongtheBoersandtooktheircountryfortheQueen。

Whydidyoudothis，myfather？Iwillanswer，whoknowthetruth。Youdiditbecause，haditnotbeendone，theZuluswouldhavestampedouttheBoers。WerenotCetywayo"simpisgatheredagainsttheland，andwasitnotbecauseitbecametheQueen"slandthatatyourwordhesentthemmurmuringtotheirkraals？[1]TosavebloodshedyouannexedthecountrybeyondtheVaal。Perhapsithadbeenbettertoleaveit，since“Deathchoosesforhimself，“andafteralltherewaskilling——ofourownpeople，andwiththekilling，shame。Butinthosedayswedidnotguesswhatweshouldlivetosee，andofMajubawethoughtonlyasalittlehill！

Enemieshavebornefalsewitnessagainstyouonthismatter，Sompseu，youwhonevererredexceptthroughoverkindness。Yetwhatdoesthatavail？Whenyouhave“gonebeyond“itwillbeforgotten，sincethestingofingratitudepassesandliesmustwitherlikethewinterveldt。Onlyyournamewillnotbeforgotten；asitwasheardinlifesoitshallbeheardinstory，andIpraythat，howeverhumbly，minemaypassdownwithit。Chancehastakenmebyanotherpath，andImustleavethewaysofactionthatIloveandburymyselfinbooks，buttheolddaysandfriendsareinmymind，norwhileIhavememoryshallI

forgetthemandyou。

Therefore，thoughitbeforthelasttime，fromfaracrosstheseasI

speaktoyou，andliftingmyhandIgiveyour“Sibonga“[2]andthatroyalsalute，towhich，nowthatitskingsaregoneandthe“PeopleofHeaven“arenomoreanation，withHerMajestyyouarealoneentitled:——

Bayete！Baba，Nkosiyamakosi！

Ngonyama！Indhlovuaipendulwa！

Wen"owavelawasipata！

Wen"owahlul"izizwezonkezapatwanguive！

WageinangelaMabun"owabahlul"uyedwa！

Umsiziwezintandaneeziblupekayo！

SiyakulekaBaba！

Bayete，T"Sompseu！[3]

andfarewell！

H。RIDERHAGGARD。

ToSirTheophilusShepstone，K。C。M。G。，Natal。

13September，1891。

[1]“IthankmyfatherSompseuforhismessage。Iamgladthathehassentit，becausetheDutchhavetiredmeout，andIintendedtofightthemonceandonceonly，andtodrivethemovertheVaal。

Kabana，youseemyimpisaregathered。ItwastofighttheDutchIcalledthemtogether；nowIsendthembacktotheirhomes。“——

MessagefromCetywayotoSir。T。Shepstone，April，1877。

[2]Titlesofpraise。

[3]Bayete，Father，ChiefofChiefs！

Lion！Elephantthatisnotturned！

Youwhonursedusfromofold！

Youwhoovershadowedallpeoplesandtookchargeofthem，AndendedbymasteringtheBoerswithyoursinglestrength！

Helpofthefatherlesswhenintrouble！

Salutationtoyou，Father！

Bayete，OSompseu！

PREFACE

Thewriterofthisromancehasbeenencouragedtohistaskbyapurposesomewhatbeyondthatofsettingoutawildtaleofsavagelife。Whenhewasyetalad，——nowsomeseventeenyearsago，——fortunetookhimtoSouthAfrica。Therehewasthrowninwithmenwho，forthirtyorfortyyears，hadbeenintimatelyacquaintedwiththeZulupeople，withtheirhistory，theirheroes，andtheircustoms。Fromtheseheheardmanytalesandtraditions，someofwhich，perhaps，arerarelytoldnowadays，andintimetocomemayceasetobetoldaltogether。ThentheZuluswerestillanation；nowthatnationhasbeendestroyed，andthechiefaimofitswhiterulersistorootoutthewarlikespiritforwhichitwasremarkable，andtoreplaceitbyaspiritofpeacefulprogress。TheZulumilitaryorganisation，perhapsthemostwonderfulthattheworldhasseen，isalreadyathingofthepast；itperishedatUlundi。ItwasChakawhoinventedthatorganisation，buildingitupfromthesmallestbeginnings。Whenheappearedatthecommencementofthiscentury，itwasastherulerofasinglesmalltribe；whenhefell，intheyear1828，beneaththeassegaisofhisbrothers，UmhlanganaandDingaan，andofhisservant，MopoorUmbopo，asheiscalledalso，allsouth-easternAfricawasathisfeet，andinhismarchtopowerhehadslaughteredmorethanamillionhumanbeings。Anattempthasbeenmadeinthesepagestosetoutthetruecharacterofthiscolossalgeniusandmostevilman，——aNapoleonandaTiberiiusinone，——andalsothatofhisbrotherandsuccessor，Dingaan，sonomoreneedbesaidofthemhere。Theauthor"saim，moreover，hasbeentoconvey，inanarrativeform，someideaoftheremarkablespiritwhichanimatedthesekingsandtheirsubjects，andtomakeaccessible，inapopularshape，incidentsofhistorywhicharenow，forthemostpart，onlytobefoundinafewscarceworksofreference，rarelyconsulted，exceptbystudents。Itwillbeobviousthatsuchataskhaspresenteddifficulties，sincehewhoundertakesitmustforatimeforgethiscivilisation，andthinkwiththemindandspeakwiththevoiceofaZuluoftheoldregime。AllthehorrorsperpetratedbytheZulutyrantscannotbepublishedinthispoliteageofmelaniteandtorpedoes；theirdetailshave，therefore，beensuppressed。Stillmuchremains，andthosewhothinkitwrongthatmassacreandfightingshouldbewrittenof，——exceptbyspecialcorrespondents，——orthatthesufferingsofmankindbeneathoneoftheworld"smostcrueltyranniesshouldformthegroundworkofromance，maybeinvitedtoleavethisbookunread。Most，indeednearlyall，ofthehistoricalincidentshererecordedaresubstantiallytrue。Thus，itissaidthatChakadidactuallykillhismother，Unandi，forthereasongiven，anddestroyanentiretribeintheTatiyanacleft，andthatheprophesiedofthecomingofthewhitemanafterreceivinghisdeathwounds。OftheincidentoftheMissionaryandthefurnaceoflogs，itisimpossibletospeaksocertainly。Itcametothewriterfromthelipsofanoldtravellerin“theZulu“；buthecannotdiscoveranyconfirmationofit。Still，thesekingsundoubtedlyputtheirsoldierstomanytestsofequalseverity。Umbopo，orMopo，asheisnamedinthistale，actuallylived。AfterhehadstabbedChaka，herosetogreateminence。Thenhedisappearsfromthescene，butitisnotaccuratelyknownwhetherhealsowent“thewayoftheassegai，“orperhaps，asisheresuggested，cametolivenearStangerunderthenameofZweete。ThefateofthetwoloversatthemouthofthecaveisatrueZulutale，whichhasbeenconsiderablyvariedtosuitthepurposesofthisromance。ThelateMr。Leslie，whodiedin1874，tellsitinhisbook“AmongtheZulusandAmatongas。““Iheardastorytheotherday，“hesays，“which，ifthepowerofwritingfictionwerepossessedbyme，Imighthaveworkedupintoafirst-classsensationalnovel。“Itisthestorythathasbeenwovenintotheplotofthisbook。TohimalsothewriterisindebtedfortheartificebywhichUmslopogaasobtainedadmissiontotheSwazistronghold；itwastoldtoMr。LesliebytheZuluwhoperformedthefeatandtherebywonawife。

Alsothewriter"sthanksareduetohisfriends，Mr。F。B。Fynney，[1]

lateZuluborderagent，formuchinformationgiventohiminbygoneyearsbywordofmouth，andmorerecentlythroughhispamphlet“ZululandandtheZulus，“andtoMr。JohnBird，formerlytreasurertotheGovernmentofNatal，whosecompilation，“TheAnnalsofNatal，“isinvaluabletoallwhowouldstudytheearlyhistoryofthatcolonyandofZululand。

Asforthewilderandmoreromanticincidentsofthisstory，suchasthehuntingofUmslopogaasandGalaziwiththewolves，orratherwiththehyaenas，——fortherearenotruewolvesinZululand，——theauthorcanonlysaythattheyseemtohimofasortthatmightwellhavebeenmythicallyconnectedwiththenamesofthoseheroes。Similarbeliefsandtraditionsarecommonintherecordsofprimitivepeoples。Theclub“WatcheroftheFords，“or，togiveitsZuluname，U-nothlola-

mazibuko，isanhistoricalweapon，chronicledbyBishopCallaway。ItwasonceownedbyacertainUndhlebekazizwa。Hewasanarbitraryperson，for“nomatterwhatwasdiscussedinourvillage，hewouldbringittoaconclusionwithastick。“Buthemadeagoodend；forwhentheZulusoldiersattackedhim，hekillednolessthantwentyofthemwiththeWatcher，andthespearsstuckinhim“asthickasreedsinamorass。“Thisman"sstrengthwassogreatthathecouldkillaleopard“likeafly，“withhishandsonly，muchasUmslopogaasslewthetraitorinthisstory。

PerhapsitmaybeallowabletoaddafewwordsabouttheZulumysticism，magic，andsuperstition，towhichthereissomeallusioninthisromance。Ithasbeenlittleifatallexaggerated。ThusthewriterwellremembershearingalegendhowtheGuardianSpiritoftheAma-Zuluwasseenridingdownthestorm。HereiswhatMr。Fynneysaysofherinthepamphlettowhichreferencehasbeenmade:“ThenativeshaveaspiritwhichtheycallNomkubulwana，ortheInkosazana-ye-Zulu(thePrincessofHeaven)。Sheissaidtoberobedinwhite，andtotaketheformofayoungmaiden，infactanangel。Sheissaidtoappeartosomechosenperson，towhomsheimpartssomerevelation；

but，whateverthatrevelationmaybe，itiskeptaprofoundsecretfromoutsiders。Irememberthat，justbeforetheZuluwar，Nomkubulwanaappeared，revealingsomethingorotherwhichhadagreateffectthroughouttheland，andIknowthattheZuluswerequiteimpressedthatsomecalamitywasabouttobefallthem。Oneoftheominoussignswasthatfireissaidtohavedescendedfromheaven，andignitedthegrassoverthegravesoftheformerkingsofZululand……OnanotheroccasionNomkubulwanaappearedtosomeoneinZululand，theresultofthatvisitbeing，thatthenativewomenburiedtheiryoungchildrenuptotheirheadsinsand，desertingthemforthetimebeing，goingawayweeping，butreturningatnightfalltounearththelittleonesagain。“

Forthisdivinepersonagethereis，therefore，authority，andthesamemaybesaidofmostofthesupernaturalmattersspokenofinthesepages。TheexactspiritualpositionheldintheZulumindbytheUmkulunkulu，——theOld——Old，——theGreat——Great，——theLordofHeavens，——

isamorevexedquestion，andforitsproperconsiderationthereadermustbereferredtoBishopCallaway"swork，the“ReligiousSystemoftheAmazulu。“Briefly，Umkulunkulu"scharacterseemstovaryfromtheideaofanancestralspirit，orthespiritofanancestor，tothatofagod。InthecaseofanableandhighlyintelligentpersonliketheMopoofthisstory，theidealwouldprobablynotbealowone；

thereforeheismadetospeakofUmkulunkuluastheGreatSpirit，orGod。

Itonlyremainstothewritertoexpresshisregretthatthisstoryisnotmorevariedinitshue。Itwouldhavebeendesirabletointroducesomegayerandmorehappyincidents。Butithasnotbeenpossible。Itisbelievedthatthepicturegivenofthetimesisafaithfulone，thoughitmaybeopentocorrectioninsomeofitsdetails。Attheleast，theagedmanwhotellsthetaleofhiswrongsandvengeancecouldnotbeexpectedtotreathissubjectinanoptimisticoreveninacheerfulvein。

[1]IgrievetostatethatImustnowsaythelateMr。F。B。Fynney。

NADATHELILY

INTRODUCTION

Someyearssince——itwasduringthewinterbeforetheZuluWar——aWhiteManwastravellingthroughNatal。Hisnamedoesnotmatter，forheplaysnopartinthisstory。Withhimweretwowagonsladenwithgoods，whichhewastransportingtoPretoria。Theweatherwascoldandtherewaslittleornograssfortheoxen，whichmadethejourneydifficult；buthehadbeentemptedtoitbythehighratesoftransportthatprevailedatthatseasonoftheyear，whichwouldremuneratehimforanyprobablelosshemightsufferincattle。Sohepushedalongonhisjourney，andallwentwelluntilhehadpassedthelittletownofStanger，oncethesiteofDuguza，thekraalofChaka，thefirstZulukingandtheuncleofCetywayo。ThenightafterheleftStangertheairturnedbitterlycold，heavygreycloudsfilledthesky，andhidthelightofthestars。

“NowifIwerenotinNatal，Ishouldsaythattherewasaheavyfallofsnowcoming，“saidtheWhiteMantohimself。“IhaveoftenseentheskylooklikethatinScotlandbeforesnow。“ThenhereflectedthattherehadbeennodeepsnowinNatalforyears，and，havingdrunka“tot“ofsquarefaceandsmokedhispipe，hewenttobedbeneaththeafter-tentofhislargerwagon。

Duringthenighthewasawakenedbyasenseofbittercoldandthelowmoaningoftheoxenthatweretiedtothetrek-tow，everyoxinitsplace。Hethrusthisheadthroughthecurtainofthetentandlookedout。Theearthwaswhitewithsnow，andtheairwasfullofit，sweptalongbyacuttingwind。

Nowhesprangup，huddlingonhisclothesandashedidsocallingtotheKaffirswhosleptbeneaththewagons。Presentlytheyawokefromthestuporwhichalreadywasbeginningtoovercomethem，andcreptout，shiveringwithcoldandwrappedfromheadtofootinblankets。

“Quick！youboys，“hesaidtotheminZulu；“quick！Wouldyouseethecattledieofthesnowandwind？Loosetheoxenfromthetrek-towsanddrivetheminbetweenthewagons；theywillgivethemsomeshelter。“

Andlightingalanternhesprangoutintothesnow。

Atlastitwasdone——noeasytask，forthenumbedhandsoftheKaffirscouldscarcelyloosenthefrozenreims。Thewagonswereoutspannedsidebysidewithaspacebetweenthem，andintothisspacethemobofthirty-sixoxenwasdrivenandtheresecuredbyreimstiedcrosswisefromthefrontandhindwheelsofthewagons。ThentheWhiteMancreptbacktohisbed，andtheshiveringnatives，fortifiedwithgin，orsquareface，asitiscalledlocally，tookrefugeonthesecondwagon，drawingatent-sailoverthem。

Forawhiletherewassilence，saveforthemoaningofthehuddledandrestlesscattle。

“IfthesnowgoesonIshalllosemyoxen，“hesaidtohimself；“theycanneverbearthiscold。“

Hardlyhadthewordspassedhislipswhenthewagonshook；therewasasoundofbreakingreimsandtramplinghoofs。Oncemorehelookedout。

Theoxenhad“skrecked“inamob。Theretheywere，runningawayintothenightandthesnow，seekingtofindshelterfromthecold。Inaminutetheyhadvanishedutterly。Therewasnothingtobedone，exceptwaitforthemorning。

Atlastitcame，revealingalandscapeblindwithsnow。Suchsearchascouldbemadetoldthemnothing。Theoxenhadgone，andtheirspoorwasobliteratedbythefresh-fallenflakes。TheWhiteMancalledacouncilofhisKaffirservants。“Whatwastobedone？“heasked。

Onesaidthisthing，onethat，butallagreedthattheymustwaittoactuntilthesnowmelted。

“Ortillwefreeze，youwhosemotherswerefools！“saidtheWhiteMan，whowasintheworstoftempers，forhadhenotlostfourhundredpounds"worthofoxen？

ThenaZuluspoke，whohithertohadremainedsilent。Hewasthedriverofthefirstwagon。

“Myfather，“hesaidtotheWhiteMan，“thisismyword。Theoxenarelostinthesnow。Nomanknowswhithertheyhavegone，orwhethertheyliveorarenowbuthidesandbones。Yetatthekraalyonder，“andhepointedtosomehutsabouttwomilesawayonthehillside，“livesawitchdoctornamedZweete。Heisold——veryold——buthehaswisdom，andhecantellyouwheretheoxenareifanymanmay，myfather。“

“Stuff！“answeredtheWhiteMan。“Still，asthekraalcannotbecolderthanthiswagon，wewillgoandaskZweete。Bringabottleofsquarefaceandsomesnuffwithyouforpresents。“

AnhourlaterhestoodinthehutofZweete。Beforehimwasaveryancientman，amerebagofbones，withsightlesseyes，andonehand——

hisleft——whiteandshrivelled。

“WhatdoyouseekofZweete，mywhitefather？“askedtheoldmaninathinvoice。“Youdonotbelieveinmeandmywisdom；whyshouldIhelpyou？YetIwilldoit，thoughitisagainstyourlaw，andyoudowrongtoaskme，——yes，toshowyouthatthereistruthinusZuludoctors，I

willhelpyou。Myfather，Iknowwhatyouseek。Youseektoknowwhereyouroxenhaverunforshelterfromthecold！Isitnotso？“

“Itisso，Doctor，“answeredtheWhiteMan。“Youhavelongears。“

“Yes，mywhitefather，Ihavelongears，thoughtheysaythatIgrowdeaf。Ihavekeeneyesalso，andyetIcannotseeyourface。Letmehearken！Letmelook！“

Forawhilehewassilent，rockinghimselftoandfro，thenhespoke:

“Youhaveafarm，WhiteMan，downnearPineTown，isitnot？Ah！I

thoughtso——andanhour"sridefromyourfarmlivesaBoerwithfourfingersonlyonhisrighthand。ThereisakloofontheBoer"sfarmwheremimosa-treesgrow。There，inthekloof，youshallfindyouroxen——yes，fivedays"journeyfromhereyouwillfindthemall。Isayall，myfather，exceptthreeonly——thebigblackAfricanderox，thelittleredZuluoxwithonehorn，andthespeckledox。Youshallnotfindthese，fortheyhavediedinthesnow。Send，andyouwillfindtheothers。No，no！Iasknofee！Idonotworkwondersforreward。WhyshouldI？Iamrich。“

NowtheWhiteManscoffed。Butintheend，sogreatisthepowerofsuperstition，hesent。AndhereitmaybestatedthatontheeleventhdayofhissojournatthekraalofZweete，thosewhomhesentreturnedwiththeoxen，exceptthethreeonly。Afterthathescoffednomore。

Thoseelevendayshespentinahutoftheoldman"skraal，andeveryafternoonhecameandtalkedwithhim，sittingfarintothenight。

OnthethirddayheaskedZweetehowitwasthathislefthandwaswhiteandshrivelled，andwhowereUmslopogaasandNada，ofwhomhehadletfallsomewords。Thentheoldmantoldhimthetalethatissetouthere。Daybydayhetoldsomeofittillitwasfinished。Itisnotallwritteninthesepages，forportionsmayhavebeenforgotten，orputasideasirrelevant。NeitherhasitbeenpossibleforthewriterofittorenderthefullforceoftheZuluidiomnortoconveyapictureoftheteller。For，intruth，heactedratherthantoldhisstory。Wasthedeathofawarriorinquestion，hestabbedwithhisstick，showinghowtheblowfellandwhere；didthestorygrowsorrowful，hegroaned，orevenwept。Moreover，hehadmanyvoices，oneforeachoftheactorsinhistale。Thisman，ancientandwithered，seemedtoliveagaininthefarpast。Itwasthepastthatspoketohislistener，tellingofdeedslongforgotten，ofdeedsthatarenomoreknown。

Yetashebestmay，theWhiteManhassetdownthesubstanceofthestoryofZweeteinthespiritinwhichZweetetoldit。AndbecausethehistoryofNadatheLilyandofthosewithwhomherlifewasintertwinedmovedhimstrangely，andinmanyways，hehasdonemore，hehasprinteditthatothersmayjudgeofit。

Andnowhispartisplayed。LethimwhowasnamedZweete，butwhohadanothername，takeupthestory。

CHAPTERI

THEBOYCHAKAPROPHESIES

Youaskme，myfather，totellyouthetaleoftheyouthofUmslopogaas，holderoftheironChieftainess，theaxeGroan-maker，whowasnamedBulaliotheSlaughterer，andofhisloveforNada，themostbeautifulofZuluwomen。Itislong；butyouarehereformanynights，and，ifIlivetotellit，itshallbetold。Strengthenyourheart，myfather，forIhavemuchtosaythatissorrowful，andevennow，whenI

thinkofNadathetearscreepthroughthehornthatshutsoutmyoldeyesfromlight。

DoyouknowwhoIam，myfather？Youdonotknow。YouthinkthatIamanold，oldwitch-doctornamedZweete。Somenhavethoughtformanyyears，butthatisnotmyname。Fewhaveknownit，forIhavekeptitlockedinmybreast，lest，thoughtIlivenowunderthelawoftheWhiteMan，andtheGreatQueenismychieftainess，anassegaistillmightfindthisheartdidanyknowmyname。

Lookatthishand，myfather——no，notthatwhichiswitheredwithfire；lookonthisrighthandofmine。Youseeit，thoughIwhoamblindcannot。Butstill，withinme，Iseeitasitwasonce。Ay！Iseeitredandstrong——redwiththebloodoftwokings。Listen，myfather；

bendyoureartomeandlisten。IamMopo——ah！Ifeltyoustart；youstartastheregimentoftheBeesstartedwhenMopowalkedbeforetheirranks，andfromtheassegaiinhishandthebloodofChaka[1]

droppedslowlytotheearth。IamMopowhoslewChakatheking。I

killedhimwithDingaanandUmhlanganatheprinces；butthewoundwasminethathislifecreptoutof，andbutformehewouldneverhavebeenslain。Ikilledhimwiththeprinces，butDingaan，Iandoneotherslewalone。

[1]TheZuluNapoleon，oneofthegreatestgeniusesandmostwickedmenwhoeverlived。Hewaskilledintheyear1828，havingslaughteredmorethanamillionhumanbeings——ED。

Whatdoyousay？“DingaandiedbytheTongola。“

Yes，yes，hedied，butnotthere；hediedontheGhostMountain；heliesinthebreastoftheoldStoneWitchwhositsaloftforeverwaitingfortheworldtoperish。ButIalsowasontheGhostMountain。

Inthosedaysmyfeetstillcouldtravelfast，andvengeancewouldnotletmesleep。Itravelledbyday，andbynightIfoundhim。Iandanother，wekilledhim——ah！ah！

WhydoItellyouthis？WhathasittodowiththelovesofUmslopogaasandNadatheLily？Iwilltellyou。IstabbedChakaforthesakeofmysister，Baleka，themotherofUmslopogaas，andbecausehehadmurderedmywivesandchildren。IandUmslopogaasslewDingaanforthesakeofNada，whowasmydaughter。

Therearegreatnamesinthestory，myfather。Yes，manyhaveheardthenames:whentheImpisroaredthemoutastheychargedinbattle，I

havefeltthemountainsshakeandseenthewatersquiverintheirsound。Butwherearetheynow？Silencehasthem，andthewhitemenwritethemdowninbooks。Iopenedthegatesofdistancefortheholdersofthenames。Theypassedthroughandtheyaregonebeyond。I

cutthestringsthattiedthemtotheworld。Theyfelloff。Ha！ha！

Theyfelloff！Perhapstheyarefallingstill，perhapstheycreepabouttheirdesolatekraalsintheskinsofsnakes。IwishIknewthesnakesthatImightcrushthemwithmyheel。Yonder，beneathus，attheburyingplaceofkings，thereisahole。InthatholeliesthebonesofChaka，thekingwhodiedforBaleka。FarawayinZululandthereisacleftupontheGhostMountain。AtthefootofthatcleftliethebonesofDingaan，thekingwhodiedforNada。Itwasfartofallandhewasheavy；thosebonesofhisarebrokenintolittlepieces。Iwenttoseethemwhenthevulturesandthejackalshaddonetheirwork。AndthenIlaughedthreetimesandcameheretodie。

Allthatislongago，andIhavenotdied；thoughIwishtodieandfollowtheroadthatNadatrod。PerhapsIhavelivedtotellyouthistale，myfather，thatyoumayrepeatittothewhitemenifyouwill。

HowoldamI？Nay，Idonotknow。Very，veryold。HadChakalivedhewouldhavebeenasoldasI。[2]NonearelivingwhomIknewwhenIwasaboy。IamsooldthatImusthasten。Thegrasswithers，andthewintercomes。Yes，whileIspeakthewinternipsmyheart。Well，Iamreadytosleepinthecold，andperhapsIshallawakeagaininthespring。

[2]Thiswouldhavemadehimnearlyahundredyearsold，anagerarelyattainedbyanative。ThewriterrememberstalkingtoanagedZuluwoman，however，whotoldhimthatshewasmarriedwhenChakawasking——ED。

BeforetheZuluswereapeople——forIwillbeginatthebeginning——I

wasbornoftheLangenitribe。Wewerenotalargetribe；afterwards，allourable-bodiedmennumberedonefullregimentinChaka"sarmy，perhapstherewerebetweentwoandthreethousandofthem，buttheywerebrave。Nowtheyarealldead，andtheirwomenandchildrenwiththem，——thatpeopleisnomore。Itisgonelikelastmonth"smoon；howitwentIwilltellyouby-and-bye。

Ourtribelivedinabeautifulopencountry；theBoers，whomwecalltheAmaboona，aretherenow，theytellme。Myfather，Makedama，waschiefofthetribe，andhiskraalwasbuiltonthecrestofahill，butIwasnotthesonofhisheadwife。Oneevening，whenIwasstilllittle，standingashighasaman"selbowonly，Iwentoutwithmymotherbelowthecattlekraaltoseethecowsdrivenin。Mymotherwasveryfondofthesecows，andtherewasonewithawhitefacethatwouldfollowherabout。ShecarriedmylittlesisterBalekaridingonherhip；Balekawasababythen。Wewalkedtillwemettheladsdrivinginthecows。Mymothercalledthewhite-facedcowandgaveitmealieleaveswhichshehadbroughtwithher。Thentheboyswentonwiththecattle，butthewhite-facedcowstoppedbymymother。Shesaidthatshewouldbringittothekraalwhenshecamehome。Mymothersatdownonthegrassandnursedherbaby，whileIplayedroundher，andthecowgrazed。Presentlywesawawomanwalkingtowardsusacrosstheplain。Shewalkedlikeonewhoistired。Onherbackwasabundleofmats，andsheledbythehandaboyofaboutmyownage，butbiggerandstrongerthanIwas。Wewaitedalongwhile，tillatlastthewomancameuptousandsankdownontheveldt，forshewasveryweary。Wesawbythewayherhairwasdressedthatshewasnotofourtribe。

“Greetingtoyou！“saidthewoman。

“Good-morrow！“answeredmymother。“Whatdoyouseek？“

“Food，andahuttosleepin，“saidthewoman。“Ihavetravelledfar。“

“Howareyounamed？——andwhatisyourpeople？“askedmymother。

“MynameisUnandi:IamthewifeofSenzangacona，oftheZulutribe，“

saidthestranger。

NowtherehadbeenwarbetweenourpeopleandtheZulupeople，andSenzangaconahadkilledsomeofourwarriorsandtakenmanyofourcattle。So，whenmymotherheardthespeechofUnandishesprangupinanger。

“Youdaretocomehereandaskmeforfoodandshelter，wifeofadogofaZulu！“shecried；“begone，orIwillcallthegirlstowhipyououtofourcountry。“

Thewoman，whowasveryhandsome，waitedtillmymotherhadfinishedherangrywords；thenshelookedupandspokeslowly，“Thereisacowbyyouwithmilkdroppingfromitsudder；willyounotevengivemeandmyboyagourdofmilk？“Andshetookagourdfromherbundleandheldittowardsus。

“Iwillnot，“saidmymother。

“Wearethirstywithlongtravel；willyounot，then，giveusacupofwater？Wehavefoundnoneformanyhours。“

“Iwillnot，wifeofadog；goandseekwaterforyourself。“

Thewoman"seyesfilledwithtears，buttheboyfoldedhisarmsonhisbreastandscowled。Hewasaveryhandsomeboy，withbrightblackeyes，butwhenhescowledhiseyeswereliketheskybeforeathunderstorm。

“Mother，“hesaid，“wearenotwantedhereanymorethanwewerewantedyonder，“andhenoddedtowardsthecountrywheretheZulupeoplelived。“LetusbegoingtoDingiswayo；theUmtetwapeoplewillprotectus。“

“Yes，letusbegoing，myson，“answeredUnandi；“butthepathislong，wearewearyandshallfallbytheway。“

Iheard，andsomethingpulledatmyheart；Iwassorryforthewomanandherboy，theylookedsotired。Then，withoutsayinganythingtomymother，Isnatchedthegourdandranwithittoalittledongathatwashardby，forIknewthattherewasaspring。PresentlyIcamebackwiththegourdfullofwater。Mymotherwantedtocatchme，forshewasveryangry，butIranpastherandgavethegourdtotheboy。Thenmymotherceasedtryingtointerfere，onlyshebeatthewomanwithhertongueallthewhile，sayingthatevilhadcometoourkraalsfromherhusband，andshefeltinherheartthatmoreevilwouldcomeuponusfromherson。HerEhlose[3]toldherso。Ah！myfather，herEhlosetoldhertrue。IfthewomanUnandiandherchildhaddiedthatdayontheveldt，thegardensofmypeoplewouldnotnowbeawilderness，andtheirboneswouldnotlieinthegreatgulleythatisnearU"Cetywayo"skraal。

[3]Guardianspirit——ED。

WhilemymothertalkedIandthecowwiththewhitefacestoodstillandwatched，andthebabyBalekacriedaloud。Theboy，Unandi"sson，havingtakenthegourd，didnotofferthewatertohismother。Hedranktwo-thirdsofithimself；Ithinkthathewouldhavedrunkitallhadnothisthirstbeenslaked；butwhenhehaddonehegavewhatwaslefttohismother，andshefinishedit。Thenhetookthegourdagain，andcameforward，holdingitinonehand；intheotherhecarriedashortstick。

“Whatisyourname，boy？“hesaidtomeasabigrichmanspeakstoonewhoislittleandpoor。

“Mopoismyname，“Ianswered。

“Andwhatisthenameofyourpeople？“

Itoldhimthenameofmytribe，theLangenitribe。

“Verywell，Mopo；nowIwilltellyoumyname。MynameisChaka，sonofSenzangacona，andmypeoplearecalledtheAmazulu。AndIwilltellyousomethingmore。Iamlittleto-day，andmypeopleareasmallpeople。ButIshallgrowbig，sobigthatmyheadwillbelostintheclouds；youwilllookupandyoushallnotseeit。Myfacewillblindyou；itwillbebrightlikethesun；andmypeoplewillgrowgreatwithme；theyshalleatupthewholeworld。AndwhenIambigandmypeoplearebig，andwehavestampedtheearthflatasfarasmencantravel，thenIwillrememberyourtribe——thetribeoftheLangeni，whowouldnotgivemeandmymotheracupofmilkwhenwewereweary。Youseethisgourd；foreverydropitcanholdthebloodofamanshallflow——thebloodofoneofyourmen。ButbecauseyougavemethewaterIwillspareyou，Mopo，andyouonly，andmakeyougreatunderme。Youshallgrowfatinmyshadow。YoualoneIwillneverharm，howeveryousinagainstme；thisIswear。Butforthatwoman，“andhepointedtomymother，“lethermakehasteanddie，sothatIdonotneedtoteachherwhatalongtimedeathcantaketocome。Ihavespoken。“Andhegroundhisteethandshookhissticktowardsus。

Mymotherstoodsilentawhile。Thenshegaspedout:“Thelittleliar！

Hespeakslikeaman，doeshe？Thecalflowslikeabull。Iwillteachhimanothernote——thebratofanevilprophet！“AndputtingdownBaleka，sheranattheboy。

Chakastoodquitestilltillshewasnear；thensuddenlyheliftedthestickinhishand，andhithersohardontheheadthatshefelldown。

Afterthathelaughed，turned，andwentawaywithhismotherUnandi。

These，myfather，werethefirstwordsIheardChakaspeak，andtheywerewordsofprophecy，andtheycametrue。ThelastwordsIheardhimspeakwerewordsofprophecyalso，andIthinkthattheywillcometrue。Evennowtheyarecomingtrue。IntheonehetoldhowtheZulupeopleshouldrise。Andsay，havetheynotrisen？Intheotherhetoldhowtheyshouldfall；andtheydidfall。DonotthewhitemengatherthemselvestogetherevennowagainstU"Cetywayo，asvulturesgatherroundadyingox？TheZulusarenotwhattheyweretostandagainstthem。Yes，yes，theywillcometrue，andmineisthesongofapeoplethatisdoomed。

ButoftheseotherwordsIwillspeakintheirplace。

Iwenttomymother。Presentlysheraisedherselffromthegroundandsatupwithherhandsoverherface。Thebloodfromthewoundthestickhadmaderandownherfaceontoherbreast，andIwipeditawaywithgrass。Shesatforalongwhilethus，whilethechildcried，thecowlowedtobemilked，andIwipedupthebloodwiththegrass。Atlastshetookherhandsawayandspoketome。

“Mopo，myson，“shesaid，“Ihavedreamedadream。IdreamedthatI

sawtheboyChakawhostruckme:hewasgrownlikeagiant。Hestalkedacrossthemountainsandtheveldt，hiseyesblazedlikethelightning，andinhishandheshookalittleassegaithatwasredwithblood。Hecaughtuppeopleafterpeopleinhishandsandtorethem，hestampedtheirkraalsflatwithhisfeet。Beforehimwasthegreenofsummer，behindhimthelandwasblackaswhenthefireshaveeatenthegrass。Isawourpeople，Mopo；theyweremanyandfat，theirheartslaughed，themenwerebrave，thegirlswerefair；Icountedtheirchildrenbythehundreds。Isawthemagain，Mopo。Theywerebones，whitebones，thousandsofbonestumbledtogetherinarockyplace，andhe，Chaka，stoodoverthebonesandlaughedtilltheearthshook。

Then，Mopo，inmydream，Isawyougrownaman。Youalonewereleftofourpeople。YoucreptupbehindthegiantChaka，andwithyoucameothers，greatmenofaroyallook。Youstabbedhimwithalittlespear，andhefelldownandgrewsmallagain；hefelldownandcursedyou。Butyoucriedinhisearaname——thenameofBaleka，yoursister——andhedied。Letusgohome，Mopo，letusgohome；thedarknessfalls。“

Soweroseandwenthome。ButIheldmypeace，forIwasafraid，verymuchafraid。

CHAPTERII

MOPOISINTROUBLE

Now，ImusttellhowmymotherdidwhattheboyChakahadtoldher，anddiedquickly。Forwherehisstickhadstruckherontheforeheadtherecameasorethatwouldnotbehealed，andinthesoregrewanabscess，andtheabscessateinwardstillitcametothebrain。Thenmymotherfelldownanddied，andIcriedverymuch，forIlovedher，anditwasdreadfultoseehercoldandstiff，withnotawordtosayhoweverloudlyIcalledtoher。Well，theyburiedmymother，andshewassoonforgotten。Ionlyrememberedher，nobodyelsedid——notevenBaleka，forshewastoolittle——andasformyfatherhetookanotheryoungwifeandwascontent。AfterthatIwasunhappy，formybrothersdidnotloveme，becauseIwasmuchclevererthanthey，andhadgreaterskillwiththeassegai，andwasswifterinrunning；sotheypoisonedthemindofmyfatheragainstmeandhetreatedmebadly。ButBalekaandIlovedeachother，forwewerebothlonely，andsheclungtomelikeacreepertotheonlytreeinaplain，andthoughIwasyoung，Ilearnedthis:thattobewiseistobestrong，forthoughhewhoholdstheassegaikills，yethewhoseminddirectsthebattleisgreaterthanhewhokills。NowIsawthatthewitch-findersandthemedicine-menwerefearedintheland，andthateverybodylookeduptothem，sothat，evenwhentheyhadonlyastickintheirhands，tenmenarmedwithspearswouldflybeforethem。ThereforeIdeterminedthatI

shouldbeawitch-doctor，fortheyalonecankillthosewhomtheyhatewithaword。SoIlearnedtheartsofthemedicine-men。Imadesacrifices，Ifastedintheveldtalone，Ididallthosethingsofwhichyouhaveheard，andIlearnedmuch；forthereiswisdominourmagicaswellaslies——andyouknowit，myfather，elseyouhadnotcomeheretoaskmeaboutyourlostoxen。

SothingswentontillIwastwentyyearsofage——amanfullgrown。BynowIhadmasteredallIcouldlearnbymyself，soIjoinedmyselfontothechiefmedicine-manofourtribe，whowasnamedNoma。Hewasold，hadoneeyeonly，andwasveryclever。OfhimIlearnedsometricksandmorewisdom，butatlasthegrewjealousofmeandsetatraptocatchme。Asitchanced，arichmanofaneighbouringtribehadlostsomecattle，andcamewithgiftstoNomaprayinghimtosmellthemout。Nomatriedandcouldnotfindthem；hisvisionfailedhim。

Thentheheadmangrewangryanddemandedbackhisgifts；butNomawouldnotgiveupthatwhichheoncehadheld，andhotwordspassed。

TheheadmansaidthathewouldkillNoma；Nomasaidthathewouldbewitchtheheadman。

“Peace，“Isaid，forIfearedthatbloodwouldbeshed。“Peace，andletmeseeifmysnakewilltellmewherethecattleare。“

“Youarenothingbutaboy，“answeredtheheadman。“Canaboyhavewisdom？“

“Thatshallsoonbeknown，“Isaid，takingthebonesinmyhand。[1]

[1]TheKafirwitch-doctorsusetheknuckle-bonesofanimalsintheirmagicrites，throwingthemsomethingaswethrowdice——ED。

“Leavethebonesalone！“screamedNoma。“Wewillasknothingmoreofoursnakesforthegoodofthissonofadog。“

“Heshallthrowthebones，“answeredtheheadman。“Ifyoutrytostophim，Iwillletsunshinethroughyouwithmyassegai。“Andheliftedhisspear。

ThenImadehastetobegin；Ithrewthebones。Theheadmansatonthegroundbeforemeandansweredmyquestions。Youknowofthesematters，myfather——howsometimesthewitch-doctorhasknowledgeofwherethelostthingsare，forourearsarelong，andsometimeshisEhlosetellshim，asbuttheotherdayittoldmeofyouroxen。Well，inthiscase，mysnakestoodup。Iknewnothingoftheman"scattle，butmySpiritwaswithmeandsoonIsawthemall，andtoldthemtohimonebyone，theircolour，theirage——everything。Itoldhim，too，wheretheywere，andhowoneofthemhadfallenintoastreamandlaythereonitsbackdrowned，withitsforefootcaughtinaforkedroot。AsmyEhlosetoldmesoItoldtheheadman。

Now，themanwaspleased，andsaidthatifmysightwasgood，andhefoundthecattle，thegiftsshouldbetakenfromNomaandgiventome；

andheaskedthepeoplewhoweresittinground，andthereweremany，ifthiswasnotjust。“Yes，yes，“theysaid，itwasjust，andtheywouldseethatitwasdone。ButNomasatstillandlookedatmeevilly。HeknewthatIhadmadeatruedivination，andhewasveryangry。Itwasabigmatter:theherdofcattleweremany，and，iftheywerefoundwhereIhadsaid，thenallmenwouldthinkmethegreaterwizard。Nowitwaslate，andthemoonhadnotyetrisen，thereforetheheadmansaidthathewouldsleepthatnightinourkraal，andatthefirstlightwouldgowithmetothespotwhereIsaidthecattlewere。

Afterthathewentaway。

Itoowentintomyhutandlaydowntosleep。SuddenlyIawoke，feelingaweightuponmybreast。Itriedtostartup，butsomethingcoldprickedmythroat。Ifellbackagainandlooked。Thedoorofthehutwasopen，themoonlaylowontheskylikeaballoffirefaraway。Icouldseeitthroughthedoor，anditslightcreptintothehut。ItfelluponthefaceofNomathewitch-doctor。Hewasseatedacrossme，glaringatmewithhisoneeye，andinhishandwasaknife。ItwasthatwhichIhadfeltprickmythroat。

“YouwhelpwhomIhavebreduptotearme！“hehissedintomyear，“youdaredtodivinewhereIfailed，didyou？Verywell，nowIwillshowyouhowIservesuchpuppies。First，Iwillpiercethroughtherootofyourtongue，sothatyoucannotsqueal，thenIwillcutyoutopiecesslowly，bitbybit，andinthemorningIwilltellthepeoplethatthespiritsdiditbecauseyoulied。Next，Iwilltakeoffyourarmsandlegs。Yes，yes，Iwillmakeyoulikeastick！ThenIwill“——

andhebegandrivingintheknifeundermychin。

“Mercy，myuncle，“Isaid，forIwasfrightenedandtheknifehurt。

“Havemercy，andIwilldowhateveryouwish！“

“Willyoudothis？“heasked，stillprickingmewiththeknife。“Willyougetup，gotofindthedog"scattleanddrivethemtoacertainplace，andhidethemthere？“Andhenamedasecretvalleythatwasknowntoveryfew。“Ifyoudothat，Iwillspareyouandgiveyouthreeofthecows。Ifyourefuseorplaymyfalse，then，bymyfather"sspirit，Iwillfindawaytokillyou！“

“CertainlyIwilldoit，myuncle，“Ianswered。“Whydidyounottrustmebefore？HadIknownthatyouwantedtokeepthecattle，Iwouldneverhavesmeltthemout。Ionlydidsofearinglestyoushouldlosethepresents。“

“YouarenotsowickedasIthought，“hegrowled。“Getup，then，anddomybidding。Youcanbebackheretwohoursafterdawn。“

SoIgotup，thinkingallthewhilewhetherIshouldtrytospringonhim。ButIwaswithoutarms，andhehadtheknife；alsoif，bychance，Iprevailedandkilledhim，itwouldhavebeenthoughtthatIhadmurderedhim，andIshouldhavetastedtheassegai。SoImadeanotherplan。IwouldgoandfindthecattleinthevalleywhereIhadsmeltthemout，butIwouldnotbringthemtothesecrethiding-place。No；I

woulddrivethemstraighttothekraal，anddenounceNomabeforethechief，myfather，andallthepeople。ButIwasyounginthosedays，anddidnotknowtheheartofNoma。Hehadnotbeenawitch-doctortillhegrewoldfornothing。Oh！hewasevil！——hewascunningasajackal，andfiercelikealion……Hehadplantedmebyhimlikeatree，buthemeanttokeepmeclippedlikeabush。NowIhadgrowntallandovershadowedhim；thereforehewouldrootmeup。

Iwenttothecornerofmyhut，Nomawatchingmeallthewhile，andtookakerrieandmysmallshield。ThenIstartedthroughthemoonlight。TillIwaspastthekraalIglidedalongquietlyasashadow。Afterthat，Ibegantorun，singingtomyselfasIwent，tofrightenawaytheghosts，myfather。

ForanhourItravelledswiftlyovertheplain，tillIcametothehillsidewherethebushbegan。Hereitwasverydarkundertheshadeofthetrees，andIsanglouderthanever。AtlastIfoundthelittlebuffalopathIsought，andturnedalongit。PresentlyIcametoanopenplace，wherethemoonlightcreptinbetweenthetrees。Ikneltdownandlooked。Yes！mysnakehadnotliedtome；therewasthespoorofthecattle。ThenIwentongladlytillIreachedadellthroughwhichthewaterransoftly，sometimeswhisperingandsometimestalkingoutloud。Herethetrailofthecattlewasbroad:theyhadbrokendownthefernswiththeirfeetandtrampledthegrass。PresentlyIcametoapool。Iknewit——itwasthepoolmysnakehadshownme。Andthereattheedgeofthepoolfloatedthedrownedox，itsfootcaughtinaforkedroot。AllwasjustasIhadseenitinmyheart。

Isteppedforwardandlookedround。Myeyecaughtsomething；itwasthefaintgreylightofthedawnglintedonthecattle"shorns。AsI

looked，oneofthemsnorted，roseandshookthedewfromhishide。Heseemedbigasanelephantinthemistandtwilight。

ThenIcollectedthemall——therewereseventeen——anddrovethembeforemedownthenarrowpathbacktowardsthekraal。Nowthedaylightcamequickly，andthesunhadbeenupanhourwhenIreachedthespotwhereImustturnifIwishedtohidethecattleinthesecretplace，asNomahadbidme。ButIwouldnotdothis。No，Iwouldgoontothekraalwiththem，andtellallmenthatNomawasathief。Still，Isatdownandrestedawhile，forIwastired。AsIsat，Iheardanoise，andlookedup。There，overtheslopeoftherise，cameacrowdofmen，andleadingthemwasNoma，andbyhissidetheheadmanwhoownedthecattle。Iroseandstoodstill，wondering；butasIstood，theyrantowardsmeshoutingandwavingsticksandspears。

“Thereheis！“screamedNoma。“Thereheis！——thecleverboywhomI

havebroughtuptobringshameonme。WhatdidItellyou？DidInottellyouthathewasathief？Yes——yes！Iknowyourtricks，Mopo，mychild！See！heisstealingthecattle！Heknewwheretheywereallthetime，andnowheistakingthemawaytohidethem。Theywouldbeusefultobuyawifewith，wouldtheynot，mycleverboy？“Andhemadearushatme，withhissticklifted，andafterhimcametheheadman，gruntingwithrage。

Iunderstoodnow，myfather。Myheartwentmadinme，everythingbegantoswimround，aredclothseemedtoliftitselfupanddownbeforemyeyes。IhavealwaysseenitthuswhenIwasforcedtofight。I

screamedoutonewordonly，“Liar！“andrantomeethim。OncameNoma。

Hestruckatmewithhisstick，butIcaughttheblowuponmylittleshield，andhitback。Wow！Ididhit！TheskullofNomametmykerrie，anddownhefelldeadatmyfeet。Iyelledagain，andrushedonattheheadman。Hethrewanassegai，butitmissedme，andnextsecondIhithimtoo。Hegotuphisshield，butIknockeditdownuponhishead，andoverherolledsenseless。WhetherhelivedordiedIdonotknow，myfather；buthisheadbeingofthethickest，Ithinkitlikelythathelived。Then，whilethepeoplestoodastonished，Iturnedandfledlikethewind。Theyturnedtoo，andranafterme，throwingspearsatmeandtryingtocutmeoff。Butnoneofthemcouldcatchme——no，notone。Iwentlikethewind；Iwentlikeabuckwhenthedogswakeitfromsleep；andpresentlythesoundoftheirchasegrewfainterandfainter，tillatlastIwasoutofsightandalone。

CHAPTERIII

MOPOVENTURESHOME

Ithrewmyselfdownonthegrassandpantedtillmybreathcameback；

thenIwentandhidinapatchofreedsdownbyaswamp。AlldaylongIlaytherethinking。WhatwasItodo？NowIwasajackalwithoutahole。IfIwentbacktomypeople，certainlytheywouldkillme，whomtheythoughtathief。MybloodwouldbegivenforNoma"s，andthatI

didnotwish，thoughmyheartwassad。ThentherecameintomymindthethoughtofChaka，theboytowhomIhadgiventhecupofwaterlongago。Ihadheardofhim:hisnamewasknownintheland；alreadytheairwasbigwithit；theverytreesandgrassspokeit。Thewordshehadsaidandthevisionthatmymotherhadseenwerebeginningtocometrue。BythehelpoftheUmtetwashehadtakentheplaceofhisfatherSenzangacona；hehaddrivenoutthetribeoftheAmaquabe；nowhemadewaronZweete，chiefoftheEndwande，andhehadswornthathewouldstamptheEndwandeflat，sothatnobodycouldfindthemanymore。NowIrememberedhowthisChakapromisedthathewouldmakemegreat，andthatIshouldgrowfatinhisshadow；andIthoughttomyselfthatIwouldariseandgotohim。Perhapshewouldkillme；

well，whatdiditmatter？CertainlyIshouldbekilledifIstayedehre。Yes，Iwouldgo。Butnowmyheartpulledanotherway。TherewasbutonewhomIlovedintheworld——itwasmysisterBaleka。Myfatherhadbetrothedhertothechiefofaneighbouringtribe，butIknewthatthismarriagewasagainstherwish。PerhapsmysisterwouldrunawaywithmeifIcouldgetnearhertotellherthatIwasgoing。I

wouldtry——yes，Iwouldtry。

Iwaitedtillthedarknesscamedown，thenIrosefrommybedofweedsandcreptlikeajackaltowardsthekraal。InthemealiegardensI

stoppedawhile，forIwasveryhungry，andfilledmyselfwiththehalf-ripemealies。ThenIwentontillIcametothekraal。Someofmypeoplewereseatedoutsideofahut，talkingtogetheroverafire。I

creptnear，silentlyasasnake，andhidbehindalittlebush。Iknewthattheycouldnotseemeoutsidetheringofthefirelight，andI

wantedtohearwhattheysaid。AsIguessed，theyweretalkingofmeandcalledmemanynames。TheysaidthatIshouldbringill-luckonthetribebyhavingkilledsogreatawitch-doctorasNoma；alsothatthepeopleoftheheadmanwoulddemandpaymentfortheassaultonhim。

Ilearned，moreover，thatmyfatherhadorderedoutallthemenofthetribetohuntformeonthemorrowandtokillmewherevertheyfoundme。“Ah！“Ithought，“youmayhunt，butyouwillbringnothinghometothepot。“Justthenadogthatwaslyingbythefiregotupandbegantosnifftheair。Icouldnotseewhatdogitwas——indeed，IhadforgottenallaboutthedogswhenIdrewnearthekraal；thatiswhatcomesofwantofexperience，myfather。Thedogsniffedandsniffed，thenhebegantogrowl，lookingalwaysmyway，andIgrewafraid。

“Whatisthedoggrowlingat？“saidonemantoanother。“Goandsee。“

Buttheothermanwastakingsnuffanddidnotliketomove。“Letthedoggoandseeforhimself，“heanswered，sneezing，“whatisthegoodofkeepingadogifyouhavetocatchthethief？“

“Goon，then，“saidthefirstmantothedog。Andheranforward，barking。ThenIsawhim:itwasmyowndog，Koos，averygooddog。

Presently，asIlaynotknowingwhattodo，hesmeltmysmell，stoppedbarking，andrunningroundthebushhefoundmeandbegantolickmyface。“Bequiet，Koos！“Iwhisperedtohim。Andhelaydownbymyside。

“Wherehasthatdoggonenow？“saidthefirstman。“Ishebewitched，thathestopsbarkingsuddenlyanddoesnotcomeback？“

“Wewillsee，“saidtheother，rising，aspearinhishand。

NowoncemoreIwasterriblyafraid，forIthoughtthattheywouldcatchme，orImustrunformylifeagain。ButasIspranguptorun，abigblacksnakeglidedbetweenthemenandwentofftowardsthehuts。Theyjumpedasideinagreatfright，thenallofthemturnedtofollowthesnake，sayingthatthiswaswhatthedogwasbarkingat。

ThatwasmygoodEhlose，myfather，whichwithoutanydoubttooktheshapeofasnaketosavemylife。

WhentheyhadgoneIcreptofftheotherway，andKoosfollowedme。AtfirstIthoughtthatIwouldkillhim，lestheshouldbetrayme；butwhenIcalledtohimtoknockhimontheheadwithmykerrie，hesatdownuponthegroundwagginghistail，andseemedtosmileinmyface，andIcouldnotdoit。SoIthoughtthatIwouldtakemychance，andwewentontogether。Thiswasmypurpose:firsttocreepintomyownhutandgetmyassegaisandaskinblanket，thentogainspeechwithBaleka。Myhut，Ithought，wouldbeempty，fornobodysleepsthereexceptmyself，andthehutsofNomaweresomepacesawaytotheright。

Icametothereedfencethatsurroundedthehuts。Nobodywastobeseenatthegate，whichwasnotshutwiththornsasusual。Itwasmydutytocloseit，andIhadnotbeentheretodoso。Then，biddingthedogliedownoutside，Isteppedthroughboldly，reachedthedoorofmyhut，andlistened。Itwasempty；therewasnotevenabreathtobeheard。SoIcreptinandbegantosearchformyassegais，mywater-

gourd，andmywoodpillow，whichwassonicelycarvedthatIdidnotliketoleaveit。SoonIfoundthem。ThenIfeltaboutformyskinrug，andasIdidsomyhandtouchedsomethingcold。Istarted，andfeltagain。Itwasaman"sface——thefaceofadeadman，ofNoma，whomIhadkilledandwhohadbeenlaidinmyhuttoawaitburial。Oh！thenIwasfrightened，forNomadeadandinthedarkwasworsethanNomaalive。Imadereadytofly，whensuddenlyIheardthevoicesofwomentalkingoutsidethedoorofthehut。Iknewthevoices；theywerethoseofNoma"stwowives，andoneofthemsaidshewascomingintowatchbyherhusband"sbody。NowIwasinatrapindeed，forbeforeI

coulddoanythingIsawthelightgooutofaholeinthehut，andknewbythesoundofafatwomanpuffingasshebentherselfupthatNoma"sfirstwifewascomingthroughit。Presentlyshewasin，and，squattingbythesideofthecorpseinsuchafashionthatIcouldnotgettothedoor，shebegantomakelamentationsandtocaldowncursesonme。Ah！shedidnotknowthatIwaslistening。ItoosquattedbyNoma"shead，andgrewquick-wittedinmyfear。NowthatthewomanwasthereIwasnotsomuchafraidofthedeadman，andIremembered，too，thathehadbeenagreatcheat；soIthoughtIwouldmakehimcheatforthelasttime。Iplacedmyhandsbeneathhisshouldersandpushedhimupsothathesatupontheground。Thewomanheardthenoiseandmadeasoundinherthroat。

“Willyounotbequiet，youoldhag？“IsaidinNoma"svoice。“Canyounotletmebeatpeace，evennowwhenIamdead？“

Sheheard，and，fallingbackwardsinfear，drewinherbreathtoshriekaloud。

“What！willyoualsodaretoshriek？“IsaidagaininNoma"svoice；

“thenImustteachyousilence。“AndItumbledhimoverontothetopofher。

Thenhersenseslefther，andwhethersheeverfoundthemagainIdonotknow。Atleastshegrewquietforthattime。Forme，Isnatcheduptherug——afterwardsIfounditwasNoma"sbestkaross，madebyBasutosofchosencat-skins，andworththreeoxen——andIfled，followedbyKoos。

Nowthekraalofthechief，myfather，Makedama，wastwohundredpacesaway，andImustgothither，forthereBalekaslept。AlsoIdarednotenterbythegate，becauseamanwasalwaysonguardthere。SoIcutmywaythroughthereedfencewithmyassegaiandcrepttothehutwhereBalekawaswithsomeofherhalf-sisters。Iknewonwhichsideofthehutitwashercustomtolie，andwhereherheadwouldbe。SoI

laydownonmysideandgently，verygently，begantoboreaholeinthegrasscoveringofthehut。Ittookalongwhile，forthethatchwasthick，butatlastIwasnearlythroughit。ThenIstopped，foritcameintomymindthatBalekamighthavechangedherplace，andthatI

mightwakethewronggirl。Ialmostgaveitover，thinkingthatI

wouldflyalone，whensuddenlyIheardagirlwakeandbegintocryontheothersideofthethatch。“Ah，“Ithought，“thatisBaleka，whoweepsforherbrother！“SoIputmylipswherethethatchwasthinnestandwhispered:——

“Baleka，mysister！Baleka，donotweep！I，Mopo，amhere。Saynotaword，butrise。Comeoutofthehut，bringingyourskinblanket。

NowBalekawasveryclever:shedidnotshriek，asmostgirlswouldhavedone。No；sheunderstood，and，afterwaitingawhile，sheroseandcreptfromthehut，herblanketinherhand。

“Whyareyouhere，Mopo？“shewhispered，aswemet。“Surelyyouwillbekilled！“

“Hush！“Isaid。AndthenItoldheroftheplanwhichIhadmade。

“Willyoucomewithme？“Isaid，whenIhaddone，“orwillyoucreepbackintothehutandbidmefarewell？“

Shethoughtawhile，thenshesaid，“No，mybrother，Iwillcome，forI

loveyoualoneamongourpeople，thoughIbelievethatthiswillbetheendofit——thatyouwillleadmetomydeath。“

Ididnotthinkmuchofherwordsatthetime，butafterwardstheycamebacktome。Soweslippedawaytogether，followedbythedogKoos，andsoonwewererunningovertheveldtwithourfacessettowardsthecountryoftheZulutribe。

CHAPTERIV

THEFLIGHTOFMOPOANDBALEKA

Alltherestofthatnightwejourneyed，tilleventhedogwastired。

Thenwehidinamealiefieldfortheday，aswewereafraidofbeingseen。Towardstheafternoonweheardvoices，and，lookingthroughthestemsofthemealies，wesawapartyofmyfather"smenpasssearchingforus。Theywentontoaneighbouringkraaltoaskifwehadbeenseen，andafterthatwesawthemnomoreforawhile。Atnightwetravelledagain；but，asfatewouldhaveit，weweremetbyanoldwoman，wholookedoddlyatusbutsaidnothing。Afterthatwepushedondayandnight，forweknewthattheoldwomanwouldtellthepursuersifshemetthem；andsoindeeditcameabout。Onthethirdeveningwereachedsomemealiegardens，andsawthattheyhadbeentrampleddown。Amongthebrokenmealieswefoundthebodyofaveryoldman，asfullofassegaiwoundsasaporcupinewithquills。Wewonderedatthis，andwentonalittleway。Thenwesawthatthekraaltowhichthegardensbelongedwasburntdown。Wecreptuptoit，and——

ah！itwasasadsightforustosee！Afterwardswebecameusedtosuchsights。Allaboutuslaythebodiesofdeadpeople，scoresofthem——oldmen，youngmen，women，children，littlebabiesatthebreast——theretheylayamongtheburnthuts，piercedwithassegaiwounds。

Redwastheearthwiththeirblood，andredtheylookedintheredlightofthesettingsun。ItwasasthoughallthelandhadbeensmearedwiththebloodyhandoftheGreatSpirit，oftheUmkulunkulu。

Balekasawitandbegantocry；shewasweary，poorgirl，andwehadfoundlittletoeat，onlygrassandgreencorn。

“Anenemyhasbeenhere，“Isaid，andasIspokeIthoughtthatI

heardagroanfromtheothersideofabrokenreedhedge。Iwentandlooked。Therelayayoungwoman:shewasbadlywounded，butstillalive，myfather。Alittlewayfromherlayamandead，andbeforehimseveralothermenofanothertribe:hehaddiedfighting。Infrontofthewomanwerethebodiesofthreechildren；another，alittleone，layonherbody。Ilookedatthewoman，and，asIlooked，shegroanedagain，openedhereyesandsawme，andthatIhadaspearinmyhand。

“Killmequickly！“shesaid。“Haveyounottorturedmeenough？“

IsaidthatIwasastrangeranddidnotwanttokillher。

“Thenbringmewater，“shesaid；“thereisaspringtherebehindthekraal。“

IcalledtoBalekatocometothewoman，andwentwithmygourdtothespring。Therewerebodiesinit，butIdraggedthemout，andwhenthewaterhadclearedalittleIfilledthegourdandbroughtitbacktothewoman。Shedrankdeep，andherstrengthcamebackalittle——thewatergaveherlife。

“Howdidyoucometothis？“Iasked。

“ItwasanimpiofChaka，ChiefoftheZulus，thatateusup，“sheanswered。“Theyburstuponasatdawnthismorningwhilewewereasleepinourhuts。Yes，Iwokeuptohearthesoundofkilling。Iwassleepingbymyhusband，withhimwholiesthere，andthechildren。Weallranout。Myhusbandhadaspearandshield。Hewasabraveman。

See！hediedbravely:hekilledthreeoftheZuludevilsbeforehehimselfwasdead。Thentheycaughtme，andkilledmychildren，andstabbedmetilltheythoughtthatIwasdead。Afterwards，theywentaway。Idon"tknowwhytheycame，butIthinkitwasbecauseourchiefwouldnotsendmentohelpChakaagainstZweete。“

Shestopped，gaveagreatcry，anddied。

Mysisterweptatthesight，andItoowasstirredbyit。“Ah！“I

thoughttomyself，“theGreatSpiritmustbeevil。Ifheisnotevilsuchthingswouldnothappen。“ThatishowIthoughtthen，myfather；

nowIthinkdifferently。IknowthatwehadnotfoundoutthepathoftheGreatSpirit，thatisall。Iwasachickeninthosedays，myfather；afterwardsIgotusedtosuchsights。Theydidnotstirmeanymore，notonewhit。ButtheninthedaysofChakatheriversranblood——yes，wehadtolookatthewatertoseeifitwascleanbeforewedrank。Peoplelearnedhowtodiethenandnotmakeanoiseaboutit。

Whatdoesitmatter？Theywouldhavebeendeadnowanyway。Itdoesnotmatter；nothingmatters，exceptbeingborn。Thatisamistake，myfather。

Westoppedatthekraalthatnight，butwecouldnotsleep，forweheardtheItongo，theghostsofthedeadpeople，movingaboutandcallingtoeachother。Itwasnaturalthattheyshoulddoso；menwerelookingfortheirwives，andmothersfortheirchildren。Butwewereafraidthattheymightbeangrywithusforbeingthere，soweclungtogetherandtrembledineachother"sarms。Koosalsotrembled，andfromtimetotimehehowledloudly。Buttheydidnotseemtoseeus，andtowardsmorningtheircriesgrewfainter。

Whenthefirstlightcameweroseandpickedourwaythroughthedeaddowntotheplain。NowwehadaneasyroadtofollowtoChaka"skraal，fortherewasthespooroftheimpiandofthecattlewhichtheyhadstolen，andsometimeswecametothebodyofawarriorwhohadbeenkilledbecausehiswoundspreventedhimfrommarchingfarther。ButnowIwasdoubtfulwhetheritwaswiseforustogotoChaka，forafterwhatwehadseenIgrewafraidlestheshouldkillus。Still，wehadnowheretoturn，soIsaidthatwewouldwalkalongtillsomethinghappened。Nowwegrewfaintwithhungerandweariness，andBalekasaidthatwehadbettersitdownanddie，forthentherewouldbenomoretrouble。Sowesatdownbyaspring。ButIdidnotwishtodieyet，thoughtBalekawasright，anditwouldhavebeenwelltodoso。Aswesat，thedogKooswenttoabushthatwasnear，andpresentlyIheardhimspringatsomethingandthesoundofstruggling。Irantothebush——hehadcaughtholdofaduikerbuck，asbigashimself，thatwasasleepinit。ThenIdrovemyspearintothebuckandshoutedforjoy，forherewasfood。WhenthebuckwasdeadIskinnedhim，andwetookbitsoftheflesh，washedtheminthewater，andatethem，forwehadnofiretocookthemwith。Itisnotnicetoeatuncookedflesh，butweweresohungrythatwedidnotmind，andthegoodrefreshedus。

Whenwehadeatenwhatwecould，weroseandwashedourselvesatthespring；but，aswewashed，Balekalookedupandgaveacryoffear。

Forthere，onthecrestofthehill，abouttenspear-throwsaway，wasapartyofsixarmedmen，peopleofmyowntribe——childrenofmyfatherMakedama——whostillpursuedustotakeusorkillus。Theysawus——theyraisedashout，andbegantorun。Wetoosprangupandran——

ranlikebucks，forfearhadtouchedourfeet。

Nowthelandlaythus。BeforeusthegroundwasopenandslopeddowntothebanksoftheWhiteUmfolozi，whichtwistedthroughtheplainlikeagreatandshiningsnake。Ontheothersidethegroundroseagain，andwedidnotknowwhatwasbeyond，butwethoughtthatinthisdirectionlaythekraalofChaka。Weranfortheriver——whereelsewerewetorun？Andafteruscamethewarriors。Theygainedonus；theywerestrong，andtheywereangrybecausetheyhadcomesofar。Runaswewould，stilltheygained。Nowwenearedthebanksoftheriver；itwasfullandwide。Aboveusthewatersranangrily，breakingintoswirlsofwhitewheretheypassedoversunkenrocks；

belowwasarapid，inwhichnonemightlive；betweenthetwoadeeppool，wherethewaterwasquietbutthestreamstrong。

“Ah！mybrother，whatshallwedo？“gaspedBaleka。

“Thereisthistochoose，“Ianswered；“perishonthespearsofourpeopleortrytheriver。“

“Easiertodiebywaterthanoniron，“sheanswered。

“Good！“Isaid。“Nowmayoursnakeslooktowardsusandthespiritsofourfathersbewithus！Attheleastwecanswim。“AndIledhertotheheadofthepool。Wethrewawayourblankets——everythingexceptanassegai，whichIheldinmyteeth——andweplungedin，wadingasfaraswecould。Nowwewereuptoourbreasts；nowwehadlosttheearthandwereswimmingtowardsthemiddleoftheriver，thedogKoosleadingtheway。