“Wherearetheoxen？“Iasked。
“Oh！Baas。”heanswered，“theBasutoshavegotthem。WeheardfromanoldblackwomanthatSekukunihadanimpiout，sowewaitedonthetopofthathillaboutanhour’srideawaytoseeifitwastrue。ThensuddenlythedoctorBaasappearedriding，andIranoutandaskedhimifitweresafetogoon。Heknewmeagainandanswered——
“’Yes，quitesafe，forhaveInotjustriddenthisroadwithoutmeetingsomuchasablackchild。Goon，man；yourmasterswillbegladtohavetheiroxen，astheywishtotrek，orwillbynightfall。’Thenhelaughedandrodeaway。
“Sowewenton，drivingtheoxen。Butwhenwecametothebeltofthornsatthebottomofthehill，wefoundthatthedoctorBaashadeitherliedtousorhehadnotseen。Fortheresuddenlythetallgrassoneithersideofthepathgrewspears；
yes，everywherewerespears。Inaminutethetwovoorlooperswereassegaied。Asforme，Iranforward，notback，sincetheKaffirswerebehindme，acrossthepath，Baas，drivingofftheoxen。Theysprangatme，butIjumpedthiswayandthatwayandavoidedthem。Thentheythrewassegais——see，oneofthemcutmycheek，buttherestmissed。Theyhadgunsintheirhandsalso，butnoneshot。Ithinktheydidnotwishtomakeanoise。Onlyoneofthemshoutedafterme——
“’TellMacumazahnthatwearegoingtocallonhimtonightwhenhecannotseetoshoot。WehaveamessageforhimfromourbrotherswhomhekilledatthedriftoftheOliphant’sRiver。’
“ThenIranonherewithoutstopping，butIsawnomoreKaffirs。
Thatisall，Baas。”
NowIdidnotdelaytocross-examinethemanortosiftthetruefromthefalseinhisstory，sinceitwascleartomethathehadrunintoacompanyofBasutos，orratherbeenbeguiledtheretobyRodd，andlostourcattle，alsohiscompanions，whowereeitherkilledashesaid，orhadescapedsomeotherway。
“Listen，man。”Isaid。“Iamgoingtofetchsomehorses。DoyoustayhereandhelptheMissietopackthecartandmaketheharnessready。Ifyoudisobeymeorrunaway，thenIwillfindyouandyouwillneverrunagain。Doyouunderstand？“
Hevowedthathedidandwenttogetsomewater，whileI
explainedeverythingtoAnscombeandHeda，pointingoutthatalltheinformationwecouldgatherseemedtoshowthatnoattackwastobemadeuponthehousebeforenightfall，andthatthereforewehadthedaybeforeus。AsthiswassoIproposedtogotolookforthehorsesmyself，sinceotherwiseIwassureweshouldneverfindthem。MeanwhileHedamustpackandmakereadythecartwiththehelpofFootsack，Anscombesuperintendingeverything，ashecouldverywelldosincehewasnowabletowalkleaningonastick。
Ofcourseneitherofthemlikedmyleavingthem，butinviewofournecessitiestheyraisednoobjection。SooffIwent，takingtheboywithme。Hedidnotwanttogo，being，asIhavesaid，halfdazedwithgrieforfear，orboth，butwhenIhadpointedouttohimclearlythatIwasquitepreparedtoshoothimifheplayedtricks，hechangedhismind。Havingsaddledmymarethatwasnowfreshandfat，westarted，theboyguidingmetoacertainkloofatthefootofwhichtherewasasmallplainofgoodgrasswherehesaidthehorseswereaccustomedtograze。
Heresureenoughwefoundtwoofthem，andastheyhadbeenturnedoutwiththeirheadstallson，wereabletotiethemtotreeswiththeriemswhichwereattachedtotheheadstalls。Buttheotherswerenotthere，andastwohorsescouldnotdragaheavyCapecart，Iwasobligedtocontinuethesearch。Oh！whatahuntthosebeastsgaveme。Findingthemselvesfree，forasRodd’sobjectwasthattheyshouldstray，hehadorderedthestable-boynottokneel-halterthem，afterfillingthemselveswithgrasstheyhadstartedoffforthefarmwheretheywerebred，which，itseemed，wasaboutfiftymilesaway，grazingastheywent。OfcourseIdidnotknowthisatthetime，soforseveralhoursIrodeupanddowntheneighbouringkloofs，asthegroundwastoohardformetohopetofollowthembytheirspoor。
Itoccurredtometoasktheboywherethehorsescamefrom，aquestionthathehappenedtobeabletoanswer，ashehadbroughtthemhomewhentheywereboughttheyearbefore。HavinglearnedinwhatdirectiontheplacelayIrodeforitatanangle，orratherforthepaththatledtoit，makingtheboyrunalongside，holdingtomystirrupleather。Aboutthreeo’clockintheafternoonIstruckthispath，orrathertrack，atapointtenortwelvemilesawayfromtheTemple，andthere，justmountingarise，metthetwohorsesquietlywalkingtowardsme。HadIbeenaquarterofanhourlatertheywouldhavepassedandvanishedintoaseaofthorn-veld。Wecaughtthemwithouttroubleandoncemoreheadedhomewards，leadingthembytheirriems。
Reachingthegladewheretheothertwoweretiedup，wecollectedthemalsoandreturnedtothehouse，wherewearrivedatfiveo’clock。AseverythingseemedquietIputmymareintothestable，slippeditsbitandgaveitsomeforage。ThenIwentroundthehouse，andtomygreatjoyfoundAnscombeandHedawaitinganxiously，butwithnothingtoreport，andwiththemFootsack。VeryhastilyIswallowedsomefood，whileFootsackinspannedthehorses。Inaquarterofanhourallwasready。
Thensuddenly，inaninconsequentfemalefashion，Hedadevelopedadisliketoleavingherfatherunburied。
“Mydearyounglady。”Isaid，“itseemsthatyoumustchoosebetweenthatandourallstoppingtobeburiedwithhim。”
Shesawthepointandcompromiseduponpayinghimavisitoffarewell，whichIlefthertodoinAnscombe’scompany，whileI
fetchedmymare。TotellthetruthIfeltasthoughIhadseenenoughoftheunhappyMarnham，andnotfor#50wouldIhaveenteredthatroomagain。Aslpassedthedoorofthehospital，leadingmyhorse，IheardtheoldKaffirscreamingwithinandsenttheboywhowaswithmetofindoutwhatwasthematterwithhim。ThatwasthelastIsawofeitherofthem，orevershallseethissideofkingdomcome。Iwonderwhatbecameofthem？
WhenIgotbacktothefrontofthehouseIfoundthecartstandingreadyatthegate，FootsackattheheadofthehorsesandHedawithAnscombeatherside。IthadbeenneatlypackedduringthedaybyHedawithsuchofherandourbelongingsasitwouldhold，includingourarmsandammunition。Therest，ofcourse，wewereobligedtoabandon。Alsothereweretwobasketsfulloffood，somebottlesofbrandyandagoodsupplyofovercoatsandwraps。ItoldFootsacktotakethereins，asI
knewhimtobeagooddriver，andhelpedAnscombetoaseatathisside，whileHedaandthemaidKaatjegotinbehindinordertobalancethevehicle。Ideterminedtoride，atanyrateforthepresent。
“Whichway，Baas？“askedFootsack。
“DowntotheGraniteStreamwherethewagonstands。”Ianswered。
“ThatwillbethroughtheYellow-woodSwamp。Can’twetaketheotherroadtoPilgrim’sRestandLydenburg，ortoBarberton？“
askedAnscombeinavagueway，andasIthought，rathernervously。
“No。”Ianswered，“thatisunlessyouwishtomeetthoseBasutoswhostoletheoxenandDr。Roddreturning，ifhemeanstoreturn。”
“Oh！letusgothroughtheYellow-wood。”exclaimedHeda，who，I
think，wouldratherhavemetthedevilthanDr。Rodd。
“Ah！ifIhadbutknownthatwewereheadingstraightforthatperson，soonerwouldIhavefacedtheBasutostwiceover。ButI
didwhatseemedwisest，thinkingthathewouldbesuretoreturnwithanotherdoctororamagistratebytheshorterandeasierpathwhichhehadfollowedinthemorning。Itjustshowsoncemorehowuselessareallourcareandforesight，orhowstrongisFate，haveitwhichwayyouwill。
Sowestarteddowntheslope，andI，ridingbehind，notedpoorHedastaringatthemarblehouse，whichgrewevermorebeautifulasitrecededandtheroughnessofitsbuildingdisappeared，especiallyatthatpartofitwhichhidthebodyofheroldscampofafatherwhomstillsheloved。Wecamedowntotheglenandoncemoresawthebonesofthebluewildebeestethatwehadshot——oh！yearsandyearsago，orsoitseemed。ThenwestruckoutfortheGraniteStream。
BeforewereachedthepatchofYellow-woodforestwhereIknewthatthecartmusttravelveryslowlybecauseofthetreesandtheswampynatureoftheground，Ipushedonaheadtoreconnoitre，fearinglesttheremightbeBasutoshiddeninthiscover。RidingstraightthroughitIwentasfarasthedesertedwagonatasharpcanter，seeingnothingone。Onceindeed，towardstheendofthewoodwhereitwasmoredense，IthoughtthatIheardamancoughandpeeredaboutmethroughthegloom，forheretheraysofthesun，whichwasgettinglowintheheavens，scarcelypenetrated。AsIcouldperceivenooneIcametotheconclusionthatImusthavebeendeceivedbymyfancy。Orperhapsitwassomebaboonthatcoughed，thoughitwasstrangethatababoonshouldhavecometosuchalow-lyingspotwheretherewasnothingforittoeat。
Theplacewaseerie，somuchsothatIbethoughtmeoftalesoftheghostswherebyitwassupposedtobehaunted。Also，oddlyenough，ofAnscombe’spresentimentwhichhehadfulfilledbykillingaBasuto。Look！Therelayhisgrinningskullwithsomepatchesofhairstillonit，draggedawayfromtherestofthebonesbyahyena。Icanteredondowntheslopebeyondthewoodandthroughthescatteredthornstothestreamonthebanksofwhichthewagonshouldbe。Ithadgone，andbythefreshnessofthetrail，withinanhourortwo。Amoment’sreflectiontoldmewhathadhappened。HavingstolenouroxentheBasutosdrovethemtothewagon，inspannedthemanddepartedwiththeirloot。OnthewholeIwasgladtoseethis，sinceitsuggestedthattheyhadretiredtowardstheirowncountry，leavingourroadopen。
TurningmyhorseIrodebackagaintomeetthecart。AsI
reachedtheedgeofthewoodatthetopoftheslopeIheardawhistleblown，averyshrillwhistle，ofwhichthesoundwouldtravelforamileortwoonthatstillair。AlsoIheardthesoundofmen’svoicesinaltercationandcaughtwords，suchas——“Letgo，orbyHeaven——！“thenafuriouslaughandotherwordswhichseemedtobe——“InfiveminutestheKaffirswillbehere。Intenyouwillbedead。CanIhelpitiftheykillyouafterIhavewarnedyoutoturnback？“Thenawoman’sscream。
Rodd’svoice，Anscombe’svoiceandKaatje’sscream——notHeda’sbutKaatje’s！
ThenasIrodefuriouslyroundthelastpatchofinterveningtreesthesoundofapistolshot。Iwasoutofthemnowandsaweverything。Therewasthecartonthefurthersideofaswamp。
Thehorseswerestandingstillandsnorting。HoldingthereinofoneoftheleaderswasRodd，whosehorsealsostoodcloseby。HewasrockingonhisfeetandasIleaptfrommymareandranup，I
sawhisface。itwashorrible，fullofpainanddevilishrage。
WithhisdisengagedhandhepointedtoAnscombesittinginthecartandgraspingapistolthatstillsmoked。
“You’vekilledme。”hesaidinahoarse，chokingvoice，forhewasshotthroughthelung，“together。”andhewavedhishandtowardsHedawhowaspeeringathimbetweentheheadsofthetwomen。“Youareamurderer，asherfatherwas，andasDavidwasbeforeyou。Well，Ihopeyouwon’tkeepherlong。Ihopeyou’lldieasIdoandbreakherfalseheart，youdamnedthief。”
Allofthishesaidinaslowvoice，pausingbetweenthewordsandspeakingevermorethicklyasthebloodfromhiswoundchokedhim。Thenofasuddenitburstinastreamfromhislips，andstillpointingwithanaccusingfingeratAnscombe，hefellbackwardsintotheslimypoolbehindhimandtherevanishedwithoutastruggle。
Sohorriblewasthesightthatthedriver，Footsack，leaptfromthecart，utteringakindoflowhowl，rantoRodd’shorse，scrambledintothesaddleandgallopedoff，strikingitwithhisfist，wheretoIdonotknow。Anscombeputhishandbeforehiseyes，Hedasankdownontheseatinaheap，andthecolouredwoman，Kaatje，beatherbreastandsaidsomethinginDutchaboutbeingaccursedorbewitched。LuckilyIkeptmywitsandwenttothehorses’heads，fearinglesttheyshouldstartanddragthetrapintothepool。“Wakeup。”Isaid。“Thatfellowhasonlygotwhathedeserved，andyouwerequiterighttoshoothim。”
“Iamgladyouthinkso。”answeredAnscombeabsently。“Itwassolikemurder。Don’tyourememberItoldyouIshouldkillamaninthisplaceandaboutawoman？“
“Iremembernothing。”Iansweredboldly，“exceptthatifwestopheremuchlongerweshallhavethoseBasutosonus。Thatbrutewaswhistlingtothemandholdingthehorsestilltheycametokillus。Pullyourselftogether，takethereinsandfollowme。”
Heobeyed，beingaskilfulwhipenoughwho，asheinformedmeafterwards，hadbeenaccustomedtodriveafour-in-handathome。
Mountingmyhorse，whichstoodby，Iguidedthecartoutofthewoodanddowntheslopebeyond，tillatlengthwecametoouroldoutspanwhereIproposedtoturnontothewagontrackwhichrantoPilgrim’sRest。Isayproposed，forwhenIlookedupitI
perceivedaboutfivehundredyardsawayanumberofarmedBasutosrunningtowardsus，theredlightofthesunsetshiningontheirspears。EvidentlythescoutorspytowhomRoddwhistled，hadcalledthemoutoftheirambushwhichtheyhadsetforusonthePilgrim’sRestroadinorderthattheymightcatchusifwetriedtoescapethatway。
Nowtherewasonlyonethingtobedone。Atthisspotanativetrackranacrossthelittlestreamandupasteepishslopebeyond。OnthefirstoccasionofouroutspanninghereIhadthecuriositytomountthisslope，reflectingasIdidsothatalthoughroughitwouldbequitepracticableforawagon。AtthetopofitIfoundawideflatplain，almosthigh-veld，forthebusheswereveryfew，acrosswhichthetrackranon。OnsubsequentinquiryIdiscoveredthatitwasoneusedbytheSwazisandothernativeswhentheymadetheirraidsupontheBasutos，orwhenbodiesofthemwenttoworkinthemines。
“Followme。”Ishoutedandcrossedthestreamwhichwasshallowbetweenthelittlepools，thenledthewayupthestonyslope。
ThefourhorsesnegotiateditverywellandtheCapecart，beingsplendidlybuilt，tooknoharm。AtthetopIlookedbackandsawthattheBasutoswerefollowingus。
“Flogthehorses！“IcriedtoAnscombe，andoffwewentatahandgallopalongthenativetrack，thecartswayingandbumpingupontheroughveld。Thesunwassettingnow，inhalfanhouritwouldbequitedark。
Couldwekeepaheadofthemforthathalfhour？
CHAPTERIX
FLIGHT
Thesunsankinablazeofglory。LookingbackbythelightofitslastraysIsawasinglenativesilhouettedagainsttheredsky。Hewasstandingonamoundthatwehadpassedamileormorebehindus，doubtlesswaitingforhiscompanionswhomhehadoutrun。Sotheyhadnotgivenupthechase。Whatwastobedone？Onceitwascompletelydarkwecouldnotgoon。Weshouldloseourway；thehorseswouldgetintoant-bearholesandbreaktheirlegs。Perhapswemightbecomeboggedinsomehollow，thereforewemustwaittillthemoonrose，whichwouldnotbeforacoupleofhours。
MeanwhilethoseaccursedBasutoswouldbefollowinguseveninthedark。Thiswouldhamperthem，nodoubt，buttheywouldkeepthepath，withwhichtheywereprobablyfamiliar，beneaththeirfeet，andwhatismore，thegroundbeingsoftwithrecentrain，theycouldfeelthewheelspoorwiththeirfingers。Ilookedaboutme。Justhereanothertrackstartedoffinanor’-westerlydirectionfromthatwhichwewerefollowing。PerhapsitrantoLydenburg；Idonotknow。Toourleft，notmorethanahundredyardsorsoaway，thehigherveldcametoanendandslopedinaneasterlydirectiondowntobush-landbelow。
ShouldItakethewesterlyroadwhichranoveragreatplain？
No，forthenwemightbeseenformilesandcutoff。Moreover，evenifweescapedthenatives，wasitdesirableshouldplungeintocivilizationjustnowandtellallourstory，asinthatcasewemustdo。Rodd’sdeathwasquitejustified，butithadhappenedonTransvaalterritoryandwouldrequireadealofexplanation。Fortunatelytherewasnowitnessofit，exceptourselves。Yes，therewasthough——thedriverFootsack，ifhehadgotaway，which，beingmounted，wouldseemprobable，amanwho，formypart，Iwouldnottrustforamoment。ItwouldbeanuglythingtoseeAnscombeinthedockchargedwithmurderandpossiblymyself，withFootsackgivingevidenceagainstusbeforeaBoerjurywhomightbehardonEnglishmen。Alsotherewasthebodywithabulletinit。
SuddenlytherecameintomymindarecollectionoftheveryvividdreamofZikaliwhichhadvisitedme，andIreflectedthatinZululandtherewouldbelittleneedtotroubleaboutthedeathofRodd。ButZululandwasalongwayoff，andifweweretoavoidtheTransvaal，therewasonlyonewayofgoingthere，namelythroughSwaziland。Well，amongtheSwazisweshouldbequitesafefromtheBasutos，sincethetwopeopleswereatfierceenmity。MoreoverIknewtheSwazichiefsandkingverywell，havingtradedthere，andcouldexplainthatIcametocollectdebtsowingtome。
Therewasanotherdifficulty。IhadheardthatthetroublebetweentheEnglishGovernmentandCetewayo，theZuluking，wascomingtoahead，andthattheHighCommissioner，SirBartleFrere，talkedofpresentinghimwithanultimatum。Itwouldbeawkwardifthisarrivedwhilewewereinthecountry，thoughevenso，beingonsuchfriendlytermswiththeZulusofallclasses，I
didnotthinkthatI，oranywithme，wouldrungreatrisks。
AllthesethoughtsrushedthroughmybrainwhileIconsideredwhattodo。Atthemomentitwasuselesstoasktheopinionoftheotherswhowerebutchildreninnativematters。IandI
alonemusttaketheresponsibilityandact，prayingthatImightdosoaright。AnothermomentandIhadmadeupmymind。
SigningtoAnscombetofollowme，Irodeaboutahundredyardsormoredownthenor’-westerlypath。ThenIturnedsharplyalongaratherstonyridgeofground，thecartfollowingmeallthetime，andcamebackacrossourowntrack，ourmyobjectbeingofcoursetopuzzleanyKaffirswhomightspoorus。Nowwewereontheedgeofthegentleslopethatleddowntothebush-veld。OverthisIrodetowardsadesertedcattlekraalbuiltofstones，intherichsoilofwhichgrewsundrytrees；doubtlessoneofthosewhichhadbeenabandonedwhenMosilikatzesweptallthiscountryonhiswaynorthabouttheyear1838。Thewaytoitwaseasy，sincethesurroundingstoneshadbeencollectedtobuildthekraalgenerationsbefore。Aswepassedovertheedgeoftheslopeinthegatheringgloom，Hedacried——
“Look！“andpointedinthedirectionwhencewecame。Farawayasheetofflameshotupwards。
“Thehouseisburning。”sheexclaimed。
“Yes。”Isaid，“itcanbenothingelse；“addingtomyself，“agoodjobtoo，fornowtherewillbenopostmortemonoldMarnham。”
WhofiredtheplaceIneverlearnt。ItmayhavebeentheBasutos，orMarnham’sbody-servant，orFootsack，orasparkfromthekitchenfire。Atanyrateitblazedmerrilyenoughnotwithstandingthemarblewalls，asawood-linedandthatchedbuildingofcoursewoulddo。OnthewholeIsuspectedtheboy，whomayverywellhavefearedlestheshouldbeaccusedofhavinghadahandinhismaster’sdeath。Atleastitwasgone，andwatchingthedistantflamesIbethoughtmethatwithitwentallHeda’spast。Twenty-fourhoursbeforeherfatherwasalive，thebondservantofRoddandacriminal。NowhewasashesandRoddwasdead，whilesheandthemanshelovedwerefree，withalltheworldbeforethem。IwishedthatIcouldhaveaddedthattheyweresafe。Afterwardsshetoldmethatmuchthesameideaspassedthroughherownmind。
DismountingIledthehorsesintotheoldkraalthroughthegapinthewallwhichoncehadbeenthegateway。Itwasalargekraalthatprobablyinbygonedayshadheldthecattleofsomeforgottenheadchiefwhosetownwouldhavestoodonthebrowoftherise；solargethatnotwithstandingthetreesIhavementioned，therewasplentyofroomforthecartandhorsesinitscentre。Moreover，onsuchsoilthegrassgrewsorichlythatafterwehadslippedtheirbits，thehorseswereabletofillthemselveswithoutbeingunharnessed。Alsoalittlestreamfromaspringonthebrowranwithinafewyardswhence，withthehelpofKaatje，astrongwoman，Iwateredthemwiththebucketwhichhungunderneaththecart。Nextwedrankourselvesandatesomefoodinthedarknessthatwasnowcomplete。ThenleavingKaatjetostandattheheadofthehorsesincasetheyshouldattemptanysuddenmovement，Iclimbedintothecart，andwediscussedthingsinlowwhispers。
Itwasacuriousdebateinthatintensegloomwhich，closeasourfacesweretogether，preventedusfromseeinganythingofeachother，exceptoncewhenasuddenflareofsummerlightningrevealedthem，whiteandunnaturalasthoseofghosts。OnourpresentdangersIdidnotdwell，puttingthemasidelightly，thoughIknewtheywerenotlight。ButofthealternativeastowhetherweshouldtrytoescapetoLydenburgandcivilization，ortoZululandandsavagery，Ifeltittobemydutytospeak。
“Toputitplainly。”saidAnscombeinhisslowwaywhenIhadfinished，“youmeanthatintheTransvaalImightbetriedasamurdererandperhapsconvicted，whereasifwevanishintoZululandtheprobabilityisthatthiswouldnothappen。”
“Imean。”Iwhisperedback，“thatwemightbothbetriedand，ifFootsackshouldchancetoappearandgiveevidence，findourselvesinanawkwardposition。Alsothereisanotherwitness——Kaatje，andforthematterofthat，Hedaherself。Ofcourseherevidencewouldbeinourfavour，buttomakeitunderstoodbyajuryshewouldhavetoexplainagreatdealofwhichshemightprefernottospeak。Further，atthebest，thewholebusinesswouldgetintotheEnglishpapers，whichyouandyourrelativesmightthinkdisagreeable，especiallyinviewofthefactthat，asIunderstand，youandHedaintendtomarry。”
“StillIthinkthatIwouldratherfaceitout。”hesaidinhisoutspokenway，“evenifitshouldmeanthatIcouldneverreturntoEngland。Afterall，ofwhathaveItobeafraid？IshotthisscoundrelbecauseIwasobligedtodoso。”
“Yes，butitisofthisthatyoumayhavetoconvinceajurywhomightpossiblyfindamotiveinRodd’spast，andyourpresent，relationshiptothesamelady。Butwhathasshetosay？“
“Ihavetosay。”whisperedHeda，“thatformyselfIcarenothing，butthatIcouldneverbeartoseeallthesestoriesaboutmypoorfatherrakedup。AlsothereisMauricetobeconsidered。
Itwouldbeterribleiftheyputhiminprison——orworse。LetusgotoZululand，Mr。Quatermain，andafterwardsgetoutofAfrica。
Don’tyouagree，Maurice？“
“WhatdoesMr。Quatermainthinkhimself？“heanswered。“HeistheoldestandbyfarthewisestofusandIwillbeguidedbyhim。”
NowIconsideredandsaid——
“Thereissuchathingasflyingfrompresenttroublestoothersthatmaybeworse，the’illsweknownotof。’Zululandisdisturbed。Ifwarbrokeouttherewemightallbekilled。Ontheotherhandwemightnot，anditoughttobepossibleforyoutoworkuptoDelagoaBayandtheregetsomeshiphome，thatisifyouwishtokeepclearofBritishlaw。Icannotdoso，asI
muststayinAfrica。NorcanItaketheresponsibilityofsettlingwhatyouaretodo，sinceifthingswentwrong，itwouldbeonmyhead。However，ifyoudecidefortheTransvaalorNatalandweescape，ImusttellyouthatIshallgotothefirstmagistratewefindandmakeafulldepositionofallthathashappened。Itisnotpossibleformetolivewiththechargeofhavingbeenconcernedintheshootingofawhitemanhangingovermethatmightbebroughtupatanytime，perhapswhennoonewasleftinthecountrytogiveevidenceonmybehalf，forthen，evenifIwereacquittedmynamewouldalwaysbetarnished。InZululand，ontheotherhand，therearenomagistratesbeforewhomIcoulddepose，andifthisbusinessshouldcomeout，IcanalwayssaythatwewenttheretoescapefromtheBasutos。NowI
amgoingtogetdowntoseeifthehorsesareallright。Doyoutwotalkthethingoverandmakeupyourminds。Whateveryouagreeon，Ishallacceptanddomybesttocarrythrough。”Then，withoutwaitingforananswer，Islippedfromthecart。
Havingexaminedthehorses，whowerecroppingallthegrasswithinreachofthem，Icrepttothewallofthekraalsoastobequiteoutofearshot。Thenightwasnowpitchdark，darkasitonlyknowshowtobeinAfrica。More，athunderstormwascomingupofwhichthatflashofsheetlightninghadbeenapresage。Theairwaselectric。Fromthevastbush-cladvalleybeneathuscameawild，moaningsoundcaused，Isuppose，bywindamongthetrees，thoughhereIfeltnone；farawayasuddenspearoflightningstabbedthesky。Thebroodingtroubleofnaturespreadtomyownheart。Iwasafraid，andnotofourpresentdangers，thoughthesewererealenough，sorealthatinafewhourswemightallbedead。
TodangersIwasaccustomed；foryearstheyhadbeenmydailyfoodbydayandbynight，and，asIthinkIhavesaidelsewhere，Iamafatalist，onewhoknowsfullwellthatwhenGodwantsmeHewilltakeme；thatisifHecanwantsuchapoor，erringcreature。NothingthatIdidorleftundonecouldpostponeorhastenHissummonsforamoment，thoughofcourseIknewittobemydutytofightagainstdeathandtoavoiditforaslongasI
might，becausethatIshoulddosowasaportionofHisplan。
Forweareallpartofagreatpattern，andthecontinuanceorcessationofourlivesre-actsuponotherlives，andthereforelifeisatrust。
No，itwasofgreaterthingsthatIfeltafraid，thingsterribleandimminentwhichIcouldnotgraspandmuchlessunderstand。I
understandthemnow，butwhowouldhaveguessedthatontheissueofthatwhisperedcolloquyinthecartbehindme，dependedthefateofapeopleandmanythousandsoflives？AsIwastolearnindaystocome，ifAnscombeandHedahaddetermineduponheadingfortheTransvaal，therewould，asIbelieve，havebeennoZuluwar，whichinitsturnmeantthattherewouldhavebeennoBoerRebellionandthatthemysteriouscourseofhistorywouldhavebeenchanged。
Ishookmyselftogetherandreturnedtothecart。
“Well。”Iwhispered，buttherewasnoanswer。Amomentlatertherecameanotherflashoflightning。
“There。”saidHeda，“howmanydoyoumakeit？
“Ninety-eight。”heanswered。
“Icountedninety-nine。”shesaid，“butanywayitwaswithinthehundred。Mr。Quatermain，wewillgotoZululand，ifyouplease，ifyouwillshowusthewaythere。”
“Right。”Ianswered，“butmightIaskwhatthathastodowithyourbothcountingahundred？“
“Onlythis。”shesaid，“wecouldnotmakeupourminds。MauricewasfortheTransvaal，IwasforZululand。Soyouseeweagreedthatifanotherflashcamebeforewecountedahundred，wewouldgotoZululand，andifitdidn’t，toPretoria。Averygoodwayofsettling，wasn’tit？“
“Excellent！“Ireplied，“quiteexcellentforthosewhocouldthinkofsuchathing。”
AsamatteroffactIdon’tknowwhichofthemthoughtofitbecauseIneverinquired。ButIdidrememberafterwardshowAnscombehadtossedwithaluckypennywhenitwasaquestionwhetherweshouldorshouldnotrunforthewagonduringourdifficultybytheOliphant’sRiver；alsowhenIaskedhimthereasonforthisstrangeproceedingheansweredthatProvidencemightinhabitapennyaswellasanythingelse，andthathewishedtogiveit——ImeanProvidence——achance。Howmuchmorethen，hemayhaveargued，coulditinhabitaflashoflightningwhichhasalwaysbeenconsideredadivinemanifestationfromthetimeoftheRomanJove，andnodoubtfarbeforehim。
Fortyorfiftygenerationsago，whichisnotlong，ourancestorssetgreatstorebythebehaviouroflightningandthunder，anddoubtlesstheinstinctisstillinourblood，inthesamewaythatallourexistingsuperstitionsaboutthemooncomedowntousfromthetimewhenourforefathersworshippedher。Theydidthisfortensofhundredsorthousandsofyears，andcanweexpectafewcoatingsoftheveneerthatwepolitelycallcivilization，whichafterallisonlyoneofourconventionsthatvanishinanyhumanstresssuchaswar，tokilloutthehumanimpulseitseemstohide？Idonotknow，thoughIhavemyownopinion，andprobablytheseyoungpeopleneverreasonedthematterout。Theyjustactedonanintuitionasancientasthatwhichhadattractedthemtoeachother，namelyadesiretoconsulttherulingfatesbyomensorsymbols。OrperhapsAnscombethoughtthatashisexperiencewiththepennyhadprovedsosuccessful，hewouldgiveProvidenceanother“chance。”Ifsoittookitandnomistake。Confoundit！Idon’tknowwhathethought；IonlydwellonthematterbecauseofthegreatresultswhichfollowedthisconsultationoftheSybillinebooksofheaven。
Asithappenedmyspeculations，ifIreallyindulgedinanyatthattime，weresuddenlyextinguishedbytheburstingofthestorm。Itwasoftheusualcharacter，shortbutveryviolent。
Ofasuddentheskybecamealivewithlightningsandtheatmospherewiththeroarofwinds。Oneflashstruckatreequitenearthekraal，andIsawthattreeseemtomeltinitsfieryembrace，whileaboutwhereithadbeen，roseacolumnofdustfromthegroundbeneath。Thehorsesweresofrightenedthatluckilytheystoodquitequiet，asIhaveoftenknownanimalstodoinsuchcircumstances。Thencametherain，atorrentialrainasI，whowasoutinitholdingthehorses，becamepainfullyaware。Itthinnedafterawhile，however，asthestormrolledaway。
SuddenlyinasilencebetweenthetremendousechoesofthepassingthunderIthoughtthatIheardvoicessomewhereonthebrowoftheslope，andasthehorseswerenowquitecalm，IcreptthroughthetreestothatpartoftheenclosurewhichIjudgedtobenearesttothem。
Voicestheyweresureenough，andoftheBasutoswhowerepursuingus。Whatwasmore，theywerecomingdowntheslope。
Thetopoftheoldwallreachedalmosttomychin。TakingoffmyhatIthrustmyheadforwardbetweentwoloosestones，thatI
mighthearthebetter。
ThemenweretalkingtogetherinSisutu。One，whomItooktobetheircaptain，saidtotheothers——
“Thatwhite-headedoldjackal，Macumazahn，hasgivenustheslipagain。Hedoubledonhistracksanddrovethehorsesdownthehillsidetothelowerpathinthevalley。Icouldfeelwherethewheelswentovertheedge。”
“Itisso，Father。”answeredanothervoice，“butweshallcatchhimandtheothersatthebottomifwegettherebeforethemoonrises，sincetheycannothavemovedfarinthisrainanddarkness。LetmegofirstandguideyouwhoknoweverytreeandstoneuponthisslopewhereIusedtoherdcattlewhenIwasachild。”
“Doso。”saidthecaptain。“Icanseenothingnowthelightninghasgone，andwereitnotthatIhavesworntodipmyspearinthebloodofMacumazahnwhohasfooledusagain，Iwouldgiveupthehunt。”
“Ithinkitwouldbebettertogiveitupinanycase。”saidathirdvoice，“sinceitisknownthroughoutthelandthatnoluckhasevercometothosewhotriedtotraptheWatcher-by-Night。
Oh！heisaleopardwhospringsandisgoneagain。Howmanyarethethroatsinwhichhisfangshavemet。Leavehimalone，Isay，lestourfateshouldbethatofthewhitedoctorintheYellow-woodSwamp，hewhosetusonthishunt。Wehavehiswagonandhiscattle；letusbesatisfied。”
“Iwillleavehimalonewhenhesleepsforthelasttime，andnotbefore。”answeredthecaptain，“hewhoshotmybrotherinthedrifttheotherday。WhatwouldSekukunisayifwelethimescapetobringtheSwazisonus？Moreover，wewantthatwhitemaidenforahostageincasetheEnglishshouldattackusagain。
Come，youwhoknowtheroad，andleadus。”
Therewassomedisturbanceasthismanpassedtothefront。ThenIheardthelinemoveforward。Presentlytheyweregoingbythewallwithinafootortwoofme。Indeedbyill-luckjustaswewereoppositetoeachotherthecaptainstumbledandfellagainstthewall。
“Thereisanoldcattlekraalhere。”hesaid。“Whatifthosewhiteratshavehiddeninit？“
ItrembledasIheardthewords。Ifahorseshouldneighormakeanynoisethatcouldbeheardabovethehissoftherain！IdidnotdaretomoveforfearlestIshouldbetraymyself。ThereI
stoodsoclosetotheKaffirsthatIcouldsmellthemandheartherainpatteringontheirbodies。OnlyverystealthilyIdrewmyhuntingknifewithmyrighthand。Atthatmomentthelightning，whichIthoughthadquitegoneby，flashedagainforthelasttime，revealingthefatfaceoftheBasutocaptainwithinafootofmyown，forhewasturnedtowardsthewallonwhichoneofhishandsrested。Moreover，theblueandghastlylightrevealedminetohimthrustforwardbetweenthetwostones，myeyesglaringathim。
“Theheadofadeadmanissetuponthewall！“hecriedinterror。“Itistheghostof——“
Hegotnofurther，forasthelastwordpassedhislipsIdrovetheknifeathimwithallmystrengthdeepintohisthroat。Hefellbackintothearmsofhisfollowers，andnextinstantI
heardthesoundofmanyfeetrushinginterrordownthehill。
WhatbecameofhimIdonotknow，butifhestilllives，probablyheagreeswithhistribesmanthatMacumazahn——Watcher-by-Night，orhisghost“isaleopardwhospringsandkillsandisgoneagain“；also，thatthosewhotrytotraphimmeetwithnoluck。
Isay，orhisghost——becauseIamsurehethoughtthatIwasaspiritofthedead；doubtlessImusthavelookedlikeonewithmywhite，rain-drownedfaceappearingtherebetweenthestonesandmadeghastlyandlividbythelightning。
Well，theyhadgone，thewholebandofthem，notlessthanthirtyorfortymen，soIwentalso，backtothecartwhereIfoundtheothersverycomfortableindeedbeneaththerainprooftilt。
Sayingnothingofwhathadhappened，ofwhichtheywereasinnocentasbabes，Itookastifftotofbrandy，forIwaschilledthroughbythewet，andwhilewaitingforthemoontorise，busiedmyselfwithgettingthebitsbackintothehorses’
mouths——anawkwardjobinthedark。Atlengthitappearedinaclearsky，forthestormhadquitedepartedandtherainceased。
AssoonastherewaslightenoughItookthenearleaderbythebridleandledthecarttothebrowofthehill，whichwasnoteasyundertheconditions，makingKaatjefollowwithmyhorse。
Then，astherewerenosignsofanyBasutos，westartedonagain，Iridingaboutahundredyardsahead，keepingasharplook-outforapossibleambush。Fortunately，however，theveldwasbareandopen，consistingoflongwavesofground。OnestartIdidget，thinkingthatIsawmen’sheadsjustonthecrestofawave，whichturnedouttobeonlyaherdofspringbuckfeedingamongthetussocksofgrass。Iwasverygladtoseethem，sincetheirpresenceassuredmethatnohumanbeinghadrecentlypassedthatway。
Allnightlongwetrekked，followingtheKaffirpathforascouldseeit，andafterthatgoingbymycompass。IknewwhereaboutsthedriftoftheCrocodileRivershouldbe，asIhadcrossedittwicebeforeinmylife，andkeptmyeyesopenforacertaintallkoppiewhichstoodwithinhalfamileitontheSwazisideoftheriver。UltimatelytomyjoyIcaughtsightofthishillfaintlyoutlinedagainsttheskyandheadedforit。HalfamilefurtheronIstruckawagon-trackmadebyBoerstrekkingintoSwazi-Landtotradeorshoot。ThenIknewthatthedriftwasstraightaheadofus，andcalledtoAnscombetoflogupthewearyhorses。
Wereachedtheriverjustbeforethedawn。Tomyhorroritwasveryfull，sofullthatthedriftlookeddangerous，forithadbeenswollenbythethunder-rainofthepreviousnight。IndeedsomewanderingSwazisonthefurtherbankshoutedtousthatweshouldbedrownedifwetriedtocross。
“Whichmeansthattheonlythingtodoistostayuntilthewaterrunsdown。”IsaidtoAnscombe，forthetwowomen，tiredout，wereasleep。
“Isupposeso。”heanswered，“unlessthoseBasutos——“
Ilookedbackupthelongslopedownwhichwehadcomeandsawnoone。ThenIraisedmyselfinmystirrupsandlookedalonganothertrackthatjoinedtheroadjusthere，leadingfromthebush-veld，asoursledfromthehigh-veld。Thesunwasrisingnow，dispersingthemistthathungaboutthetreesafterthewet。
Searchingamongthesewithmyeyes，presentlyIperceivedthelightgleaminguponwhatIknewmustbethepointsofspearsprojectingabovethelevelofthegroundvapour。
“Thosedevilsareafterusbythelowerroad。”IsaidtoAnscombe，adding，“Iheardthempasstheoldcattlekraallastnight。Theyfollowedourspoorovertheedgeofthehill，butinthedarklostitamongthestones。”
Hewhistledandaskedwhatwastobedone。
“Thatisforyoutodecide。”Ianswered。“FormypartI’dratherrisktheriverthantheBasutos。”andIlookedattheslumberingHeda。
“Canweboltbackthewaywecame，Allan？“
“ThehorsesareveryspentandwemightmeetmoreBasutos。”andagainIlookedatHeda。
“Ahardchoice，Allan。Itiswonderfulhowwomencomplicateeverythinginlife，becausetheyarelife，Isuppose。”Hethoughtamomentandwenton，“Let’strytheriver。Ifwefail，itwillbesoonover，anditisbettertodrownthanbespeared。”
“Orbekeptalivebysavageswhohateus。”Iexclaimed，withmyeyesstillfixeduponHeda。
ThenIgottobusiness。Therewerehideriemsonthebridlesoftheleaders。Iundidtheseandknottedtheirlooseendsfirmlytogether。TothemImadefasttheriemofmyownmare，slippingaloopItiedinit，overmyrighthandandsaying——
“NowIwillgofirst，leadingthehorses。Doyoudriveaftermeforallyouareworth，eveniftheyaresweptofftheirfeet。I
cantrustmybeasttoswimstraight，andbeingamare，Ihopethatthehorseswillfollowherastheyhavedoneallnight。
WakeupHedaandKaatje。”
Henodded，andlookingverypale，said——
“Hedamydear，Iamsorrytodisturbyou，butwehavetogetoverariverwitharoughbottom，soyouandKaatjemusthangonandsittight。Don’tbefrightened，youareassafeasachurch。”
“Godforgivehimforthatlie。”thoughtItomyselfas，havingtightenedthegirths，Imountedmymare。ThengrippingtheriemIkickedthebeasttoacanter，Anscombeflogginguptheteamasweswungdownthebanktotheedgeofthefoamingtorrent，onthefurthersideofwhichtheSwazisshoutedandgesticulatedtoustogoback。
Wewereinitnow，for，asIhadhoped，thehorsesfollowedthemarewithouthesitation。Forthefirsttwentyyardsorsoallwentwell，Iheadingupthestream。ThensuddenlyIfeltthatthemarewasswimming。
“Flogthehorsesanddon’tletthemturn。”IshoutedtoAnscombe。
TenmoreyardsandIglancedovermyshoulder。Theteamwasswimmingalso，andbehindthemthecartrockedandbobbedlikeaboatswinginginaheavysea。Therecameastrainontheriem；
theleadersweretryingtoturn！Ipulledhardandencouragedthemwithmyvoice，whileAnscombe，whodrovesplendidly，kepttheirheadsasstraightashecould。Mercifullytheycameroundagainandstruckoutforthefurthershore，thewater-loggedcartfloatingafterthem。Woulditturnover？Thatwasthequestioninmymind。Fiveseconds；tensecondsanditwasstillupright。
Oh！itwasgoing。No，afiercebackeddycaughtitandsetitstraightagain。Mymaretouchedbottomandtherewashope。Itstruggledforward，beingsweptdownthestreamallthetime。Nowthehorsesinthecartalsofoundtheirfootingandweweresaved。
No，thewethadcausedtheknotofoneoftheriemstoslipbeneaththestrain，orperhapsitbroke——Idon’tknow。Feelingthepullslackentheleaderswhippedroundontothewheelers。
Theretheyallstoodinaheap，theirheadsandpartoftheirnecksabovewater，whilethecartfloatedbehindthemonitsside。KaatjescreamedandAnscombeflogged。Ileaptfrommymareandstruggledtotheleaders，thewateruptomychin。
GraspingtheirbitsImanagedtokeepthemfromturningfurther。
ButIcoulddonomoreanddeathcameveryneartous。HaditnotbeenforsomeofthosebraveSwazisonthebankitwouldhavefoundus，everyone。Buttheyplungedin，eightofthem，holdingeachother’shands，andhalf-swimming，half-wading，reachedus。
Theygotthehorsesbytheheadandstraightenedthemout，whileAnscombepliedhiswhip。Adashforwardandthewheelswereonthebottomagain。
Threeminuteslaterweweresafeonthefurtherbank，whichmymarehadalreadyreached，whereIlaygaspingonmyface，ejaculatingprayersofthankfulnessandspittingoutmuddywater。
CHAPTERX
NOMBE
TheSwazis，shivering，forallthesepeoplehatecold，andshakingthemselveslikeadogwhenhecomestoshore，gatheredround，examiningme。
“Why！“saidoneofthem，anelderlymanwhoseemedtobetheirleader，“thisisnoneotherthanMacumazahn，Watcher-by-Night，theoldfriendofallusblackpeople。SurelythespiritsofourfathershavebeenwithuswhomighthaveriskedourlivestosaveaBoerorahalf-breed。”TheSwazis，Imayexplain，didnotliketheBoersforreasonstheyconsideredsound。
“Yes。”Isaid，sittingup，“itisI，Macumazahn。”
“Thenwhy。”askedtheman，“didyou，whomallknowtobewise，showyourselftohavesuddenlybecomeafool？“andhepointedtotheragingriver。
“Andwhy。”Iasked，“doyoushowyourselfafoolbysupposingthatI，whomyouknowtobenone，amafool？Lookacrossthewaterforyouranswer。”
HelookedandsawtheBasutos，fiftyormoreofthem，arriving，justtoolate。
“Whoarethese？“heasked。
“TheyarethepeopleofSekukuniwhomyoushouldknowwellenough。Theyhavehuntedusallnight，yes，andbefore，seekingtomurderus；alsotheyhavestolenouroxen，thirty-twofineoxenwhichIgivetoyourkingifhecantakethemback。NowperhapsyouunderstandwhywedaredtheCrocodileRiverinitsrage。”
AtthenameofSekukunitheman，whoitseemedwasthecaptainofsomeborderguards，stiffenedalloverlikeaterrierwhichperceivesarat。“What！“heexclaimed，“dothesedirtyBasutodogsdaretocarryspearssonearourcountry？Havetheynotyetlearnedtheirlesson？“
Thenherushedintothewater，shakinganassegaihehadsnatchedup，andshouted，“Bideawhile，youfleasfromthekarossofSekukuni，tillIcancomeacrossandcrackyoubetweenmythumbandfinger。OrattheleastwaituntilMacumazahnhastimetogethisrifle。No，putdownthosegunsofyours；foreveryshotyoufireIswearthatI
willcuttenBasutothroatswhenwecometostormyourkoppies，asweshalldoerelong。”
“Besilent。”Isaid，“andletmespeak。”
ThenI，too，calledacrosstheriver，askingwherewasthatfatcaptainoftheirs，asIwouldtalkwithhim。Oneofthemenshoutedbackthathehadstoppedbehind，verysick，becauseofaghostthathehadseen。
“Ah！“Ianswered，“aghostwhoprickedhiminthethroat。Well，Iwasthatghost，andsucharethethingsthathappentothosewhowouldharmMacumazahnandhisfriends。Didyounotsaylastnightthatheisaleopardwholeapsoutinthedark，bitesandisgoneagain？“
“Yes。”themanshoutedback，“anditistrue，thoughhadweknown，OMacumazahn，thatyouweretheghosthidinginthosestones，youshouldneverhaveleaptagain。Oh！thatwhitemedicine-manwhoisdeadhassentusonamaderrand。”
“SoyouwillthinkwhenIcometovisityouamongyourkoppies。
GohomeandtakeamessagefromMacumazahntoSekukuni，whobelievesthattheEnglishhaverunawayfromhim。TellhimthattheywillreturnagainandtheseSwaziswiththem，andthatthenhewillceasetoliveandhistownwillbeburntandhistribewillnomorebeatribe。Awaynow，moreswiftlythanyoucame，sincethewaterbywhichyouthoughttotrapusisfalling，andaSwaziimpigatherstomakeanendofeveryoneofyou。”
Themanattemptednoanswer，nordidhispeoplesomuchasfireonus。Theyturnedtailandcreptofflikeapackoffrightenedjackals——pursuedbythemockingoftheSwazis。
Stillinawaytheyhadthelaughofus，seeingthattheygaveusaterriblefrightandstoleourwagonandthirty-twooxen。Well，ayearortwolaterIhelpedtopaythembackforthatfrightandevenrecoveredsomeoftheoxen。
WhentheyhadgonetheSwazisledustoakraalabouttwomilesfromtheriver，sendingonarunnerwithorderstomakehutsandfoodreadyforus。Itwasjustasmuchaswecoulddotoreachit，forwewereallutterlywornout，aswerethehorses。Stillwedidgetthereatlast，thehotsunwarmingusaswewent。
ArrivedatthekraalIhelpedHedaandKaatjefromthecart——theformercouldscarcelywalk，poordear——andintotheguesthutwhichseemedclean，wherefoodofasortandfurkarosseswerebroughttotheminwhichtowrapthemselveswhiletheirclothesdried。
Leavingtheminchargeoftwooldwomen，IwenttoseetoAnscombe，whoasyetcouldnotdomuchforhimself，alsototheoutspanningofthehorseswhichwereputintoacattlekraal，wheretheylaydownatoncewithoutattemptingtoeatthegreenforagewhichwasgiventothem。AfterthisIgaveourgoodsintothechargeofthekraal-head，aniceoldfellowwhomIhadnevermetbefore，andheledAnscombetoanotherhutclosetothatwherethewomenwere。Herewedranksomemaas，thatiscurdledmilk，atealittlemutton，thoughweweretoofatiguedtobeveryhungry，andstrippingoffourwetclothes，threwthemoutintothesuntodry。
“Thatwasacloseshave。”saidAnscombeashewrappedupinthekaross。
“Very。”Ianswered。“SoclosethatIthinkyoumusthavebeenstartedinlifewithanextrastrongguardianangelwellaccustomedtonativeways。”
“Yes。”hereplied，“and，oldfellow，IbelievethatonearthhegoesbythenameofAllanQuatermain。”
AfterthisIremembernomore，forIwenttosleep，andsoremainedforabouttwenty-fourhours。Thiswasnotwonderful，seeingthatfortwodaysandnightspracticallyIhadnotrested，duringwhichtimeIwentthroughmuchfatigueandmanyemotions。
WhenatlengthIdidwakeup，thefirstthingIsawwasAnscombealreadydressed，engagedincleaningmyclotheswithabrushfromhistoiletcase。Irememberthinkinghowsmartandincongruousthatdressing-bag，madeappropriatelyenoughofcrocodilehide，lookedinthisKaffirhutwithitssilver-toppedbottlesanditsivory-handledrazors。
“Timetogetup，Sir。Bathready，Sir。”hesaidinhisjolly，drawlingvoice，pointingtoacalabashfullofhotwater。“HopeyousleptaswellasIdid，Sir。”
“Youappeartohaverecoveredyourspirits。”IremarkedasIroseandbegantowashmyself。
“Yes，Sir，andwhynot？Hedaisquitewell，forIhaveseenher。
TheseSwazisareverygoodpeople，andasKaatjeunderstandstheirlanguage，bringusallwewant。Ourtroublesseemtobedonewith。OldMarnhamisdead，anddoubtlesscremated；Roddisdeadand，letushope，inheaven；theBasutoshavemeltedaway，themorningisfineandwarmandawholekidiscookingforbreakfast。”
“Iwishthereweretwo，forIamravenous。”Iremarked。
“Thehorsesaregettingrestedandfeedingwell，thoughsomeoftheirlegshavefilled，andthetrapislittletheworse，forI
havewalkedtolookatthem，orratherhopped，leaningontheshoulderofaverysniffySwaziboy。Doyouknow，oldfellow，I
believethereneverwereanyBasutos；alsothatthevenerableMarnhamandtheluridToddhadnorealexistence，thattheywerebutillusions，aprolongednightmare——nomore。Hereisyourshirt。IamsorrythatIhavenothadtimetowashit，butithascookedwellinthesun，which，beingflannel，isalmostasgood。”
“AtanyrateHedaremains。”Iremarked，cuttinghisnonsenseshort，“andIsupposesheisnotanightmareoradelusion。”
“Yes，thankGod！sheremains。”herepliedwithearnestness。“Oh！
Allan，Ithoughtshemustdrowninthatriver，andifIhadlosther，IthinkIshouldhavegonemad。Indeed，atthemomentI
feltmyselfgoingmadwhileIdraggedandfloggedatthosehorses。”
“Well，youdidn’tloseher，andifshehaddrowned，youwouldhavedrownedalso。Sodon’ttalkanymoreaboutit。Sheissafe，andnowwehavegottokeepherso，foryouarenotmarriedyet，myboy，andtherearegenerallymoretreesinawoodthanonecansee。Stillwearealiveandwell，whichismorethanwehadanyrighttoexpect，and，asyousay，letusthankGodforthat。”
ThenIputonmycoatandmybootswhichAnscombehadgreasedashehadnoblacking，andcreptfromthehut。
There，onlyafewyardsaway，engagedinsettingthebreakfastintheshadowofanotherhutonatannedhidethatservedforatableclothwhileKaatjesawtothecookingcloseby，IfoundHeda，stillalittlepaleandsorrowfulbutotherwisequitewellandrested。Moreover，shehadmanagedtodressherselfverynicely，Isupposebyhelpofspareclothesinthecart，andthereforelookedascharmingasshealwaysdid。Ithinkthatherperfectmannerswereoneofhergreatestattractions。ThusonthismorningherfirstthoughtwastothankmeverysweetlyforallshewasgoodenoughtosayIhaddoneforherandAnscombe，thereby，assheputit，savingtheirlivesseveraltimesover。
“Mydearyounglady。”IansweredasroughlyasIcould，“don’tflatteryourselfonthatpoint；itwasmyownlifeofwhichIwasthinking。”
Butsheonlysmiledand，shakingherheadinafascinatingwaythatwaspeculiartoher，remarkedthatIcouldnotdeceiveherasIdidtheKaffirs。AfterthisthesolidKaatjebroughtthefoodandwebreakfastedveryheartily，oratleastIdid。
NowIamnotgoingtosetoutallthedetailsofourjourneythroughSwazi-Land，forthoughinsomewaysitwasinterestingenough，alsoascomfortableasastayamongsavagescanbe，foreverywherewewerekindlyreceived，todosowouldbetoolong，andImustgetonwithmystory。Attheking’skraal，whichwedidnotreachforsomedaysastheabsenceofroadsandthefloodedstateoftherivers，alsotheneedofsparingourhorses，causedustotravelveryslowly，ImetaBoerwhoIthinkwasconcessionhunting。
HetoldmethatthingswerereallyseriousinZululand，soseriousthathethoughttherewasaprobabilityofimmediatewarbetweentheEnglishandtheZulus。HesaidalsothatCetewayo，theZuluking，hadsentmessengerstostiruptheBasutosandothertribesagainstthewhitemen，withtheresultthatSekukunihadalreadymadearaidtowardsPilgrim’sRestandLydenburg。
Iexpressedsurpriseandaskedinnocentlyifhehaddoneanyharm。TheBoerrepliedheunderstoodthattheyhadstolensomecattle，killedtwowhitemen，ifnotmore，andburnttheirhouse。
Headded，however，thathewasnotsurewhetherthewhitemenhadbeenkilledbytheKaffirsorbyotherwhitemenwithwhomtheyhadquarrelled。Therewasarumourtothiseffect，andheunderstoodthatthemagistrateofBarbertonhadgonewithsomemountedpoliceandarmednativestoinvestigatethematter。
Thenweparted，as，havinggothisconcessiontowhichthekingUmbandinehadputhismarkwhenhewasdrunkonbrandythattheBoerhimselfhadbroughtwithhimasapresent，hewasanxioustobegonebeforehegrewsoberandrevokedit。Indeed，hewasinsogreatahurrythatheneverstoppedtoinquirewhatIwasdoinginSwazi-Land，nordoIthinkherealizedthatIwasnotalone。CertainlyhewasquiteunawarethatIhadbeenmixedupintheseBasutotroubles。StillhisstoryastotheinvestigationconcerningthedeathsofMarnhamandRoddmademeuneasy，sinceIfearedlestheshouldhearsomethingonhisjourneyandputtwoandtwotogether，thoughasamatteroffactIdon’tthinkheeverdideitherofthesethings。
TheSwazistoldmemuchthesamestoryastothebrewingZulustorm。InfactanoldIndunaorcouncillor，whomIknew，informedmethatCetewayohadsentmessengerstothem，askingfortheirhelpifitshouldcometofightingwiththewhitemen，butthatthekingandcouncillorsansweredthattheyhadalwaysbeentheQueen’schildrenwhichwasnotstrictlytrue，astheywereneverunderEnglishruleanddidnotwishto“biteherfeetifsheshouldhavetofightwithherhands。”IrepliedthatIhopedtheywouldalwaysactuptothesefinewords，andchangedthesubject。
NowoncemorethequestionaroseastowhetherweshouldmakeforNatalorpressontoZululand。Therumourofcomingwarsuggestedthatthefirstwouldbeourbettercourse，whiletheBoer’sstoryastotheinvestigationofRodd’sdeathpointedtheotherway。ReallyIdidnotknowwhichtodo，andasusualAnscombeandHedaseemedinclinedtoleavethedecisiontome。I
thinkthatafterallNatalwouldhavegainedthedayhaditnotbeenforasingularcircumstance，notaflashoflightningthistime。Indeed，IhadalmostmadeupmymindtorisktroubleandinquiryastoRodd’sdeath，rememberingthatinNatalthesetwoyoungpeoplecouldgetmarried，which，beinginlocoparentis，I
thoughtitdesirabletheyshoulddoassoonaspossible，ifonlytoeasemeofmyresponsibilities。AlsothenceIcouldattendtothematterofHeda’sinheritanceandridmyselfofherfather’swillthatalreadyhadbeensomewhatdamagedintheCrocodileRiver，thoughnotasmuchasitmighthavebeensinceIhadtakentheprecautiontoencloseitinAnscombe’sspongebagbeforeweleftthehouse。
Thecircumstancewasthis：Onemergingfromthecartonemorning，whereIslepttokeepaneyeuponthevaluables，foritwillberememberedthatwehadaconsiderablesumingoldwithus，alsoHeda’sjewels，aSwaziinformedmethatamessengerwishedtoseeme。Iaskedwhatmessengerandwhencedidhecome。Herepliedthatthemessengerwasawitch-doctoressnamedNombe，andthatshecamefromZululandandsaidthatIknewherfather。
Ibadethemanbringhertome，wonderingwhoonearthshecouldbe，foritisnotusualfortheZulustosendwomenasmessengers，andfromwhomshecame。However，Iknewexactlywhatshewouldbelike，somehideousoldhagsmellinghorriblyofgreaseandotherabominations，withawornsnakeskinandsomehumanbonestiedabouther。
Presentlyshecame，escortedbytheSwaziwhowasgrinning，forI
thinkheguessedwhatIexpectedtosee。Istaredandrubbedmyeyes，thinkingthatImuststillbeasleep，forinsteadofafatoldIsanusithereappearedatallandgracefulyoungwoman，ratherlight-coloured，withdeepandquieteyesandabynomeansill-favouredface，remarkableforafixedandsomewhatmysterioussmile。Shewasawitch-doctoresssureenough，forsheworeinherhairtheregulationbladdersandaboutherneckthecircletofbaboon’steeth，alsoroundhermiddleagirdlefromwhichhunglittlebagsofmedicines。
ShecontemplatedmegravelyandIcontemplatedher，waitingtillsheshouldchoosetospeak。Atlength，havingexaminedmeinchbyinch，shesalutedbyraisingherroundedarmandtaperinghand，andremarkedinasoft，fullvoice——
“Allisasthepicturetold。IperceivebeforemethelordMacumazahn。”
Ithoughtthisastrangesaying，seeingthatIcouldnotrecollecthavinggivenmyphotographtoanyoneinZululand。
“Youneednomagictotellyouthat，doctoress。”Iremarked，“butwheredidyouseemypicture？“
“Inthedustfaraway。”shereplied。
“Andwhoshowedittoyou？“
“Onewhoknewyou，OMacumazahn，intheyearsbeforeIcameoutoftheDarkness，onenamedOpenerofRoads，andwithhimanotherwhoalsoknewyouinthoseyears，onewhohasgonedowntotheDarkness。”
NowforsomeoccultreasonIshrankfromaskingthenameofthis“onewhohadgonedowntotheDarkness，’althoughIwassurethatshewaswaitingforthequestion。SoImerelyremarked，withoutshowingsurprise——
“SoZikalistilllives，doeshe？Heshouldhavebeendeadlongago。”
“Youknowwellthathelives，Macumazahn，forhowcouldhedietillhisworkwasaccomplished？Moreover，youwillrememberthathespoketoyouwhenlastmoonwasbutjustpastherfull——inadream，Macumazahn。Ibroughtthatdream，althoughyoudidnotseeme。”
“Pish！“Iexclaimed。“Havedonewithyourtalkofdreams。Whothinksanythingofdreams？“
“Youdo。”sherepliedevenmoreplacidlythanbefore，“youwhomthatdreamhasbroughthither——withothers。”
“Youlie。”Isaidrudely。“TheBasutosbroughtmehere。”
“TheWatcher-by-NightispleasedtosaythatIlie，sodoubtlessIdolie。”sheanswered，herfixedsmiledeepeningalittle。
Thenshefoldedherarmsacrossherbreastandremainedsilent。
“Youareamessenger，Oseerofpicturesinthedustandbearerofthecupofdreams。”Isaidwithsarcasm。“Whosendsamessagebyyourlipsforme，andwhatarethewordsofthemessage？“
“MyLordstheSpiritsspokethemessagebythemouthofthemasterZikali。Hesendsitontoyoubythelipsofyourservant，thedoctoressNombe。”
“Areyouindeedadoctoress，beingsoyoung？“Iasked，forsomehowIwishedtopostponethehearingofthatmessage。
“OMacumazahn，Ihaveheardthecall，Ihavefeltthepaininmyback，Ihavedrunkoftheblackmedicineandofthewhitemedicine，yes，forawholeyear。IhavebeenvisitedbythemultitudeofSpiritsandseentheshadesofthosewholiveandofthosewhoaredead。Ihavedivedintotheriveranddrawnmysnakefromitsmud；see，itsskinisaboutmenow。”andopeningthemantlesheworesheshowedwhatlookedliketheskinofablackmamba，fastenedroundherslenderbody。“Ihavedweltinthewildernessaloneandlistenedtoitsvoices。Ihavesatatthefeetofmymaster，theOpenerofRoads，andlookeddowntheroadanddrunkofhiswisdom。Yes，Iamintruthadoctoress。”
“Well，afterallthis，youshouldbeaswiseasyouarepretty。”
“Oncebefore，Macumazahn，youtoldamaidofmypeoplethatshewasprettyandshecametonogoodend；thoughtoonethatwasgreat。ThereforedonotsaytomethatIampretty，thoughIamgladthatyoushouldthinksowhocancomparemewithsomanywhomyouhaveknown。”andshedroppedhereyes，lookingalittleshy。
ItwasthefirsthumantouchIhadseenabouther，andIwasgladtohavefoundaweakspotinherarmour。Moreover，fromthatmomentshewasalwaysmyfriend。
“Asyouwill，Nombe。Nowforyourmessage。”
“MyLordstheSpirits，speakingthroughZikaliasonewhomakesmusicspeakthroughapipeofreeds，say——“
“Nevermindwhatthespiritssay。TellmewhatZikalisays。”I
interrupted。
“Sobeit，Macumazahn。ThesearethewordsofZikali：’O
Watcher-by-Night，thetimedrawsonwhentheThing-who-should-never-have-been-bornwillbeasthoughheneverhadbeenborn，whereatherejoices。Butfirstthereismuchforhimtodo，andashetoldyounearlythreehundredmoonsago，inwhatmustbedoneyouwillhaveyourpart。Ofthathewillspeaktoyouafterwards。Macumazahn，youdreamedadream，didyounot，lyingasleepinthehousethatwasbuiltofwhitestonewhichnowisblackwithfire？I，Zikali，sentyouthatdreamthroughtheartsofachildofminewhoisnamedNombe，shetowhomIhavegivenaSpirittoguideherfeet。Youdidwelltofollowit，Macumazahn，forhadyoutriedtheotherpath，whichwouldhaveledyoubacktothetownsofthewhitemen，youandthosewithyoumusthavebeenkilled，howitdoesnotmatter。NowbythemouthofNombeIsaytoyou，donotfollowthethoughtthatisinyourmindasshespeakstoyouandgotoNatal，sinceifyoudoso，youandthosewithyouwillcometomuchshameandtroublethattoyouwouldbeworsethandeath，overthematterofthekillingofacertainwhitedoctorinaswampwheregrowyellow-woodtrees。ForthereinNatalyouwillbetaken，allofyou，andsentbacktotheTransvaaltobetriedbeforeamanwhowearsuponhisheadhorse’shairstainedwhite。ButifyoucometoZululandthisshadowshallpassawayfromyou，sincegreatthingsareabouttohappenwhichwillcausesosmallamattertobeforgot。Moreover，IZikali，whodonotlie，promisethis：
ThathowevergreatmaybetheirdangershereinZululand，thosehalf-fledgedoneswhomyou，theoldnight-hawk，coverwithyourwings，shallintheendsuffernoharm；thoseofwhomIspoketoyouinyourdream，thewhitelord，Mauriti，andthewhitelady，Heddana，whostretchouttheirarmsonetoanother。Iwaittowelcomeyou，hereattheBlackKloof，whithermydaughterNombewillguideyou。Cetewayo，theking，alsowillwelcomeyou，andsowillanotherwhosenameIdonotutter。Nowchoose。Ihavespoken。’“
HavingdeliveredhermessageNombestoodquitestill，smilingasbefore，andapparentlyindifferentastoitseffect。
“HowdoIknowthatyoucomefromZikali？“Iasked。“Youmaybebutthebaitsetuponatrap。”
Fromsomewherewithinherrobesheproducedaknifeandhandedittome，remarking——
“TheMastersaysyouwillrememberthis，andbyitknowthatthemessagecomesfromhim。HebademeaddthatwithitwascarvedacertainimagethatoncehegavetoyouatPanda’skraal，wrappedroundwithawoman’shair，whichimageyoustillhave。”
Ilookedattheknifeanddidrememberit，foritwasoneofthoseofSwedishmakewithawoodenhandle，thefirstthatIhadeverseeninAfrica。IhadmadeapresentofittoZikaliwhenI
returnedtoZululandbeforethewarbetweenthePrinces。Theimage，too，Istillpossessed。ItwasthatofthewomancalledMameenawhobroughtaboutthewar，andthewrappingwhichcovereditwasofthehairthatoncegrewuponherhead。
“ThewordsareZikali’s。”Isaid，returninghertheknife，“butwhydoyoucallyourselfthechildofonewhoistoooldtobeafather？“
“TheMastersaysthatmygreat-grandmotherwashisdaughterandthatthereforeIamhischild。Now，Macumazahn，Igotoeatwithmypeople，forIhaveservantswithme。ThenImustspeakwiththeSwaziking，forwhomIalsohaveamessage，whichIcannotdoatpresentbecauseheisstilldrunkwiththewhiteman’sliquor。
AfterthatIshallbereadytoreturnwithyoutoZululand。”
“IneversaidthatIwasgoingtoZululand，Nombe。”
“Yetyourhearthasgonetherealready，Macumazahn，andyoumustfollowyourheart。Doesnottheimagewhichwascarvedwiththeknifeyougave，holdawhiteheartinitshand，andalthoughitseemstobebutabitofUmzimbeetewood，isitnotaliveandbewitched，whichperhapsiswhyyoucouldnevermakeupyourmindtoburnit，Macumazahn？“
“IwishIhad。”Irepliedangrily；buthavingthrownthislastspear，withaflashofherunholyeyesNombehadturnedandgone。
Acleverwomanandthoroughlycoached，thoughtI。Well，Zikaliwasneveronetosufferfools，anddoubtlesssheisanotherofthepawnswhomheusesonhisboardofpolicy。Oh！she，orratherhewasright；myheartwasinZululand，thoughnotinthewayhethought，andIlongedtoseetheendofthatgreatgameplayedbyawizardagainstadespotandhishosts。
SowewenttoZululandbecauseaftertalkingitoverweallcametotheconclusionthatthiswasthebestthingtodo，especiallyasthereweseemedtobesureofawelcome。ForlaterinthedayNomberepeatedtoAnscombeandHedatheinvitationwhichshehaddeliveredtome，assuringthemalsothatinZululandtheywouldcometonoharm。
ItwascurioustowatchthemeetingbetweenHedaandNombe。Thedoctoressappearedjustaswehadrisenfrombreakfast，andHeda，turninground，camefacetofacewithher。
Isthisyourwitch，Mr。Quatermain？“sheaskedmeinhervivaciousway。“Why，sheisdifferentfromwhatIexpected，quitegood-lookingand，yes，impressive。Iamnotsurethatshedoesnotfrightenmealittle。”
“WhatdoestheInkosikaasii。e。，thechieftainesssayconcerningme，Macumazahn？“askedNombe。
“OnlywhatIsaid，thatyouareyoungwhoshethoughtwouldbeold，andprettywhoshethoughtwouldbeugly。”
“Togrowoldwemustfirstbeyoung，Macumazahn，andindueseasonallofuswillbecomeugly，eventheInkosikaasi。ButI
thoughtshesaidalsothatshefearedme。”
“DoyouknowEnglish，Nombe？“
“Nay，butIknowhowtoreadeyes，andtheInkosikaasihaseyesthattalk。Tellherthatshehasnoreasontofearmewhowouldbeherfriend，thoughIthinkthatshewillbringmelittleluck。”
Itwasscarcelynecessary，sofarasHedawasconcerned，butI
translated，leavingoutthelastsentence。
“SaytoherthatIamgratefulwhohavefewfriends，andthatI
willfearhernomore。”saidHeda。
AgainItranslated，whereonNombestretchedoutherhand，saying——
“Lethernotscorntotakeit，itisclean。Ithasbroughtnomantohisdeath——“HereshelookedatHedameaningly。
“Moreover，thoughsheiswhiteandIamblack，Ilikeherselfamofhighbloodandcomeofaraceofwarriorswhodidnothingsmall，andlastly，weareofanage，andifsheisbeautiful，I
amwiseandhavegiftsgreatasherown。”
OncemoreIinterpretedforthebenefitofAnscombe，forHedaunderstoodZuluwellenough，althoughshehadpretendednottodoso，afterwhichthetwoshookhands，toAnscombe’samusementandmywonder。ForIfeltthisscenetobestrainedandonethathid，orpresaged，somethingIdidnotcomprehend。
“ThisistheChiefsheloves？“saidNombetome，studyingAnscombewithhersteadyeyesafterHedahadgone。“Well，heisnocommonmanandbrave，ifidle；one，too，whomaygrowtallintheworld，shouldhelive，whenhehaslearnedtothink。But，Macumazahn，ifshemetyoubothatthesametimewhydidshenotchooseyou？“
“Justnowyousaidyouwerewise，Nombe。”Irepliedlaughing，“butnowIseethat，likemostofyourtrade，youarebutavainboaster。Isthereahatuponmyheadthatyoucannotseethecolourofmyhair，andisitnaturalthatyouthshouldturntoage？“
“Sometimesifthemindisold，Macumazahn，whichiswhyIlovetheSpiritsonlywhoaremoreancientthanthemountains，andwiththemZikalitheirservant，whowasyoungbeforetheZuluswereapeople，orsohesays，andstillyearbyyeargatherswisdomasthebeegathershoney。Inspanyourhorses，Macumazahn，forIhavedonemybusinessandamreadytostart。”
CHAPTERXI
ZIKALI
TendayshadgonebywhenoncemoreIfoundmyselfdrawingneartothemouthoftheBlackKloofwheredweltZikalitheWizard。
OurjourneyinZululandhadbeentediousanduneventful。Itseemedtomethatwemetextraordinarilyfewpeople；itwasasthoughtheplacehadsuddenlybecomedepopulated，andIevenpassedgreatkraalswheretherewasnoonetobeseen。IaskedNombewhatwasthemeaningofthis，forsheandthreesilentmenshehadwithherwereactingasourguides。Oncesheansweredthatthepeoplehadmovedbecauseoflackoffood，astheseasonhadbeenoneofgreatscarcityowingtodrought，andoncethattheyhadbeensummonedtoagatheringattheking’skraalnearUlundi。Atanyratetheywerenotthere，andthefewwhodidappearstaredatusstrangely。
Moreover，Inoticedthattheywerenotallowedtospeaktous。
AlsoHedawaskeptinthecartandNombeinsistedthattherearcanvascurtainshouldbeclosedandablanketfastenedbehindAnscombewhodrove，evidentlywiththeobjectthatsheshouldnotbeseen。Further，onthepleaofweariness，fromthetimethatweenteredZuluterritoryNombeaskedtobeallowedtorideinthecartwithKaatjeandHeda，herrealreason，asIwassure，beingthatshemightkeepawatchonthem。Lastlywetravelledbylittle-frequentedtracks，haltingatnightinout-of-the-wayplaces，where，however，wealwaysfoundfoodawaitingus，doubtlessbyarrangement。
WithonemanwhomIhadknowninpastdaysandwhorecognizedme，Ididmanagetohaveashorttalk。HeaskedmewhatIwasdoinginZululandatthattime。IrepliedthatIwasonavisittoZikali，whereonhesaidIshouldbesaferwithhimthanwithanyoneelse。
Ourconversationwentnofurther，forjustthenoneofNombe’sservantsappearedandmadesomeremarktothemanofwhichI
couldnotcatchthemeaning，whereonhepromptlyturnedanddeported，leavingmewonderinganduneasy。
Evidentlywewerebeingisolated，butwhenIremonstratedwithNombesheonlyansweredwithhermostunfathomablesmile——
“OMacumazahn，youmustaskZikaliofallthesethings。Iamnooneandknownothing，whoonlydowhattheMastertellsmeisforyourgood。”
“IammindedtoturnanddepartfromZululand。”Isaidangrily，“forinthislowveldwhitheryouhaveledusthereisfeverandthehorseswillcatchsicknessorbebittenbythetsetseflyandperish。”
“Icannotsay，Macumazahn，whoonlytravelbytheroadtheMasterpointedout。Yetifyouwillbeguidedbyme，youwillnottrytoleaveZululand。”
“YoumeanthatIaminatrap，Nombe。”
“Imeanthatthecountryisfullofsoldiersandthatallwhitemenhavefledfromit。Therefore，evenifyouwereallowedtopassbecausetheZulusloveyou，Macumazahn，itmightwellhappenthatthosewithyouwouldstaybehind，soundasleep，Macumazahn，forwhich，likeyou，Ishouldbesorry。”