“Isthatall，OKing？“Iasked。
“No。TheQueen’smansaysIkillmypeoplewithouttrial，whichisalietoldhimbythemissionaries，andthatgirlshavebeenkilledalsowhorefusedtomarrythosetowhomtheyweregivenandranawaywithothermen。Alsothatwizardsaresmeltoutandslain，whichhappensbutrarelynow；allofthiscontrarytothepromisesImadetoSompseuwhenhecametorecognizemeaskinguponmyfather’sdeath，andsomeothersuchsmallmatters。”
“Whatisdemandedifyouwouldavoidwar，OKing？“
“Nothinglessthanthis，Macumazahn：ThattheZuluarmyshouldbeabolishedandthesoldiersallowedtomarrywhomandwhentheyplease，because，saystheQueen’sman，hefearslestitshouldbeusedtoattacktheEnglish，asthoughIwholovetheEnglish，asthosehavedonewhowentbeforeme，desiretolayafingeronthem。AlsothatanotherQueen’smanshouldbesenttodwellhereinmycountry，tobetheeyesandearsoftheEnglishGovernmentandhavepowerwithmeintheland；yes，andmoredemandswhichwoulddestroytheZulusasapeopleandmakeme，theirking，butapettykraal-head。”
“AndwhatwilltheKinganswer？“Iasked。
“Iknownotwhattoanswer。ThefineoftwothousandcattleI
willpayforthekillingofthewomen。Ifitmaybe，IwishnoquarrelwiththeEnglish，thoughgladlyIwouldhavefoughttheDutchhadnotSompseustretchedouthisarmovertheirland。ButhowcanIdisbandthearmyandmakeanendoftheregimentsthathaveconqueredinsomanywars？Macumazahn，ItellyouthatifI
didthis，inamoonIshouldbedead。Oh！youwhitepeoplethinkthereisbutonewillinZululand，thatoftheking。Butitisnotso，forheisbutasinglemanamongtenthousandthousand，wholivestoworkthepeople’swish。Ifhebeatsthemwithtoothickastick，orifhebringsthemtoshameordoeswhatthemostofthemdonotwish，thenwhereistheking？Then，Isay，hegoesaroadthatwastroddenbyChakaandDingaanwhowerebeforeme，yes，theredroadoftheassegai。Thereforetoday，I
standlikeamanbetweentwofallingcliffs。IfIruntowardstheEnglishtheZuluclifffallsuponme。IfIruntowardsmyownpeople，theEnglishclifffallsuponme，andineithercaseI
amcrushedandnomoreseen。Tellmethen，Macumazahn，youwhoseheartishonest，whatmustIdo？“
Sohespoke，wringinghishands，withtearsstartingtohiseyes，anduponmyword，althoughIneverlikedCetewayoasIhadlikedhisfather，Panda，perhapsbecauseIlovedhisbrother，Umbelazi，whomhekilled，andhadknownhimdomanycrueldeeds，myheartbledforhim。
“Icannottellyou，King。”Ianswered，thinkingthatImustsaysomething，“butIprayyoudonotmakewaragainstthequeen，forsheisthemostmightyOneinthewholeearth，andthoughherfoot，ofwhichyouseebutthelittletoehereinAfrica，seemssmalltoyou，yetifsheisangered，itwillstamptheZulusflat，sothattheyceasetobe。”
“Manyhavetoldmethis，Macumazahn。Yes，evenUhamu，thesonofmyuncleUnzibe，or，assomesay，thesonofhisspirit，towhichhismotherwasmarriedafterUnzibewasdead，andothersthroughouttheland，andintruthIthinkitmyself。Butwhocanholdthearmywhichshoutsforwar？Ow！theCouncilmustdecide，which，meansperhapsthatZikaliwilldecide，fornowallhanguponhislips。
“ThenIamsorry。”Iexclaimed。
Helookedatmeshrewdly。
“Areyou？SoamI。Yethiscounselmustbeasked，andbetterthatitshouldbehereinmypresencethanyondersecretlyattheBlackKloof。IwouldkillhimifIdared，butIdarenot，whoamsure——whyImaynotsay——thatthesamesunwillseehisdeathandmine。”
Hewavedhishandtoshowthatthetalkonthismatterwasended，thenadded——
“Macumazahn，youaremyprisonerforawhile，butgivemeyourwordthatyouwillnottrytoescapeandyoumaygowhereyouwillwithinanhour’srideofUlundi。Iwouldpayyouwelltostopherewithme，butthisIknowyouwouldneverdoshouldtherebetroublebetweenusandyourpeople。ThereforeIpromiseyouthatifwarbreaksoutIwillsendyousafelytoNatal，orperhapssooner，asmymessenger，whencedoubtlessyouwillreturntofightagainstme。KnowthatIhavegivenordersthateveryotherwhitemanorwomanwhoisfoundinZululandshallbekilledasaspy。EvenJohnDunnhasfledorisflying，orsoIhear，JohnDunnwhohasfedoutofmyhandandgrownrichonmygifts。
YouyourselfwouldhavebeenkilledasyoucamefromSwazi-Landinyourcart，hadnotcommandbeensenttothosechiefsthroughwhoselandsyoupassedthatneithertheynortheirpeopleweresomuchastolookatyou。”
NowforoneintensemomentIthought，ashardaseverIhaddoneinmylife。Itwasevident——unlesshedealingverycunninglywithme，whichIdidnotbelieve——thatCetewayoknewnothingofAnscombeandHeda，butthoughtthatIhadcomeintoZululandalone。ShouldIorshouldInottellhimandbeghisprotectionforthem？IfIdidsohemightrefuseorbeunabletogiveittothemfarawayinthemidstofasavagepopulationaflamewiththelustofwar。Astheincidentofthemorningshowed，itwarasmuchashecoulddotoprotectmyself，althoughtheZulusknewmefortheirfriend。OntheotherhandnoonewhodweltunderZikali’sblanket，tousetheKaffiridiom，wouldbetouched，becausehewaslookedonashalfdivineandthereforeeverythingunderitdowntotheratinhisthatchwassacred。NowZikalibyimplicationandNombewithemphasis，hadpromisedtosafeguardthesetwo。Surely，therefore，theywouldrunlessriskintheBlackKloofthanhereatUlundi，ifevertheygotsofar。
Allthiswentthroughmybraininaninstant，withtheresultthatImadeupmymindtosaynothing。Astheissueproved，thiswasaterriblemistake，butwhocanalwaysjudgerightly？HadI
spokenoutitseemstomeprobablethatCetewayowouldhavegrantedmyprayerandorderedthatthesetwoshouldbeescortedoutofZululandbeforehostilitiesbegan，althoughofcoursetheymighthavebeenmurderedontheway。Also，forareasonthatwillbecomeevidentlater，itispossiblethattherewouldneverhavebeenanyhostilities。AllIcanpleadis，thatIactedforthebestandFatewouldhaveitso。Anothermomentandthechancewasgone。
Thegateopenedandabody-servantappearedannouncingthatoneofthegreatcaptainswithsomeofhisofficerswaitedtoseetheking。Cetewayomadeasign，whereontheservantcalledoutsomething，andtheyentered，threeorfourofthem，salutingloudly。Seeingmetheystoppedandstared，whereonCetewayoshortly，butwithmuchclearness，repeatedtothemandtoanindunawhoaccompaniedthem，whathehadalreadysaidtome，namelythatIwashisguest，sentforbyhimthathemightusemeasamessengerifhethoughtfit。Headdedthatthemanwhodaredtospeakawordagainstme，oreventolookatmeaskance，shouldpaythepricewithhislife，howeverhighhisstation，andhecommandedthattheheraldsshouldproclaimthishisdecreethroughoutUlundiandtheneighbouringkraals。Thenheheldouthishandtomeintokenoffriendship，biddingmeto“gosoftly“
andcometoseehimwheneverIwished，anddismissedmeinchargeoftheinduna，oneofthecaptainsandsomesoldiers。
WithinfiveminutesofreachingmyhutIheardaloud-voicedcrierproclaimingtheorderofthekingandknewthatIhadnomoretofear。
CHAPTERXIV
THEVALLEYOFBONES
TheweekthatfollowedmyinterviewwithCetewayowasindeedamiserabletimeforme。Formyself，asIhavesaid，Ihadnofear，fortheking’sorderswerestrictlyobeyed。Moreover，thetaleofwhathadhappenedtothebrutewhowishedtohuntmedowninthecattle-kraalhadtravelledfarandwideandnonesoughttosharehisfate。Myhutwasinviolateandwellsuppliedwithnecessaryfood，aswasmymare，andIcouldwanderwhereIlikedandtalkwithwhomIwould。Icouldevenridetoexercisethehorse，thoughthisIdidverysparinglyandonlyintheimmediateneighbourhoodofthetownforfearofexcitingsuspicionormeetingZuluswhomtheking’swordhadnotreached。IndeedontheseoccasionsIwasalwaysaccompaniedbyaguardofswift-footedandarmedsoldierssent“toprotectme。”ormoreprobablytokillmeifIdidanythingthatseemedsuspicious。
InthecourseofmyramblesImetsundrynativeswhomIhadknownintheolddays，someofthemalongwhileago。Theyallseemedgladtoseemeandwerequitereadytotalkofpasttimes，butofthepresenttheywouldsaylittleornothing，exceptthattheywerecertaintherewouldbewar。OfAnscombeandHedaIcouldhearnothing，andindeeddidnotdaretomakeanydirectinquiriesconcerningthem，butseveralreliablemenassuredmethatthelastmissionariesandtradershavingdeparted，therewasnotawhiteman，womanorchildleftinZululandexceptmyself。
Itwas“allblack“theysaid，referringtothecolouroftheirpeople，asithadbeenbeforethetimeofChaka。SoIwasforcedtoeatoutmyheartwithanxietyinsilence，hopingandprayingthatZikalihadplayedanhonestpartandsentthemawaysafely。
Whyshouldhenothavedoneso，seeingthatitwasmypresencehehaddesired，nottheirs？Theywereonlytaken，orrathersnared，becausetheywerewithmeandcouldnotbeseparated，orsoI
believedatthetime。
OnerayofcomfortIdidget。AboutthefifthdayaftermyinterviewIsawGoza，whotoldmethattheking’smessengerswerebackfromtheBlackKloofandhadbrought“aword“formefromZikalihimself。Thewordwas——
“BidGozasaytoMacumazahnthatIwassorrynottoseehimtosaygood-bye，becausethatmorningIsleptheavily。BidhimsaythatIamgladhehasseentheking，sinceforthispurposeI
soughthispresenceinZululand。Bidhimsaythatheistofearnothing，andthatifhisheartisheavyaboutotherswhomheloves，heshouldmakeitlightagain，sincetheSpiritshavethemintheirkeepingastheyhavehim，andneverweretheyorhemoresafethantheyareto-day。”
NowIlookedatGozaandaskedifIcouldseethismessenger。Hereplied，No，ashehadalreadybeendespatcheduponanothererrand。ThenIaskedhimifthemessengerhadsaidanythingelse。Heanswered，Yes，onethingthathehadforgotten，namelythatthewritingaboutblanketsshouldnowbeinNatal。ThensuddenlyhechangedthesubjectandaskedmeifIwouldliketoaccompanyhimtotheValleyofBoneswherehewasorderedtoinspectthehutswhichwerebeingbuiltforZikaliandhispeople。OfcourseIsaidIshould，hoping，quitewithoutresult，thatImightgetsomethingmoreoutofhimontheroad。
NowthistownofCetewayo’sstands，orratherstood，forithaslongbeenburnt，ontheslopeofthehillstothenorth-eastoftheplainsofUlundi。Aboveitthesehillsgrowsteeper，anddeepintherecessesofoneofthemistheValleyofBones。
Thereisnothingparticularlyimposingabouttheplace；notoweringcliffsorpillarsofpiledgranite，asattheBlackKloof。Itisjustavalecutoutbywater，borderedbysteepslopesoneitherside，andastillsteeperslopestrownwithlargerocksatitsend。Dottedhereandthereontheseslopesgrewtallaloesthatfromalittledistancelookedlikescatteredmen，whereofthelowerleaveswereshrivelledandblackenedbyveldfires。Alsotherewereafeweuphorbias，grey，naked-lookingthingsthatendinpointslikefingersonahand，andamongthemsomesparsethorntrees，strugglingtoliveinaninhospitablesoil。
Theplacehasonepeculiarity。Juttingintoitfromthehillsideisaridgeorspur，sixtyorseventyyardsinlengthbyperhapstwentybroad，thatendsinaflatpointofrockwhichstandsaboutfortyfeetabovetheleveloftherestofthelittlevalley。Onthisridgealsogrewtallaloesuntilnearitsextremitythesoilceased，orhadbeenwashedawayfromthewater-worncoreofrock。
Itwas，andnodoubtstillis，adesolate-lookingspot，atanyrateformostofthedaywhenowingtotheshadowofthesurroundinghills，itreceivesbutlittlesun。Everythingaboutit，especiallywhenIwasthereinatimeofrain，seemeddankandmiserable，althoughtheflatfloorofthekloofwasclothedwithagrowthoftall，coarsegrass，andweedsthatboreanevil-smellingflower。PerhapssomesenseofappropriatenesshadcausedtheZulukingstochoosethislonesome，deathly-lookinggorgeasoneoftheirexecutiongrounds。Atanyratemanyhadbeenslainhere，forskullsandthelargerhumanbones，someofthemblackwithage，layallaboutamongthegrass，astheyhadbeenscatteredbyhyenasandjackals。Theywereparticularlythickbeneathandaroundthetable-likerockthatIhavementioned。
GozatoldmethatthiswasbecausetheKing’sSlayersmadeacustomofdraggingthevictimalongtheprojectingtonguetotheedgeofthisrockandhurlinghim，eitherdeadorliving，tothegroundbeneath；or，inthecaseofwitches；drivingthemoveraftertheyhadbeenblinded。
SuchwasthespotthatZikalihadselectedtoabideinduringhisvisittoUlundi。Certainlywhereprivacywasanobjectitwaswellchosen，for，asCetewayohadsaidandasGozaemphasizedtome，ithadthereputeofbeingthemostthoroughlyhauntedplaceinallZululand，withthesoleexception，perhaps，oftheridgeoppositetoDingaan’soldkraalwhereonceIshotthevulturesformylifeandthoseofmycompanions。*Eveninthedaytimepeoplegaveitawideberth，andatnightnothingwouldinducethemtoapproachit，atanyratealone。
[*——Seethebookcalled_Marie，_byH。RiderHaggard。]
HeretoonesideofandneartherootofthetongueoflandofwhichIhavespoken，thehutsthatZikalihaddemandedforhimselfandhiscompanywerebeingrapidlybuilt，closetoaspringofwater，byalargebodyofmenwholabouredasthoughtheywishedtobedonewiththeirtask。Alsoabouthalfwayupthedonga，forreallyitwasnothingmore，atadistanceofperhapsfiveandtwentypacesfromitsflatpointwhencethecondemnedwerehurled，acircularspaceofgroundhadbeenclearedandlevelledwhichwaslargeenoughtoaccommodatefiftyorsixtymen。Onthisspace，Gozatoldme，theKingandtheCouncilweretositwhentheycametoseeklightfromZikali。
InmyheartIreflectedthatthelighttheywerelikelytogetfromhimwouldbesuchasmaybesupposedtobethrownbyhellfire。ForbeitrememberedIknewwhatthesepeopleneverseemedtounderstand，thatZikaliwasthemostbitteroftheirenemies。
Tobeginwith，hewasofUndwandweblood，oneofthepeoplewhomthegreatkingChakahaddestroyed。ThenthissameChakahadrobbedhimofhiswivesandmurderedhischildren，inrevengeforwhichhehadplottedtheslayingofChaka，ashedidthatofhisbrothers，UmhlanganaandDingaan，thelatterofwhomheinvolvedinaquarrelwiththeBoers。SubsequentlyhebroughtaboutthewarbetweentheprincesCetewayoandUmbelazi，inwhichIplayedapart。
NowIwascertainthatheintendedtobringaboutanotherwarbetweentheEnglishandtheZulus，knowingwellthatintheendthelatterwouldbedestroyed，andwiththemtheroyalHouseofSenzangaconawhichhehadsworntolevelwiththedust。Hadhenottoldmeasmuchyearsago，andwasheonetogobackuponhisword？HadhenotusedMameenawithherbeautyandambitionsashistool，andwhenshewasofnofurtherservicetohim，givenhertodeath，ashehadusedscoresofothersandindueseasongiventhemtodeath？WasInotmyselfperhapsoneofthosetoolsdestinedtobethrownintothepitofdoomwhenmyturncame，thoughinwhatwayIcouldhelphisplotswasmorethanIcouldsee，sinceheknewwellthatIshoulddomybesttoopposehim？
Oh！IhadhalfamindtogotoCetewayoandtellhimallIknewaboutZikali，evenifitinvolvedthebreakingofconfidences。
Butstay！EvenifIwerebelieved，thisfar-seeingwizardheldhostagesformygoodbehaviour，andifIbetrayedhimwhatwouldhappentothosehostages？Hesentmemessagessayingthattheyweresafe，suggestingthattheyhadescapedtoNatal。HowwasI
toknowthattheseweretrue？Iwasutterlybewildered；IcouldnotguesswhyIhadbeenbeguiledintoZululand，andIdarednotstepeitherthiswayorthatforfearlestIshouldfallintosomepitdugbyhiscunninghandsand，whatwasworse，dragdownotherswithme。
Moreover，wasthismanquitehuman，orperhapsanemissaryofSatanuponearthwhohadknowledgedeniedtoothermenandacertainmasteryoverthePowersofIll？AgainIcouldnotsay。
Histermoflifeseemedtobeextraordinarilyprolonged，thoughnoneknewhowoldexactlyhemightbe。Alsohehadawonderfulknowledgeofwhatwaspassinginthemindsofothers，andbyhisarts，asIhadexperiencedonlytheotherday，couldsummonupapparitionsorillusionsbeforetheireyes。Further，hewasawareofeventswhichhadhappenedatadistanceandcouldsendorreaddreams，sinceotherwisehowdidNombeknowwhatIhaddreamtatMarnham’shouse？Lastlyhecouldforetellthefuture，asoncehehaddoneinmyowncase，prophecyingthatIshouldbeinjuredbyabuffalowithasplithorn。
Yetallofthismightbenothingmorethanamixtureofkeenobservation，cleverspying，trickeryandmesmerism。Icouldnotsaywhichitwas，norcanIwithcertaintytothishour。
SuchwerethethoughtsthatpassedthroughmymindasIwalkedbackfromtheValeofBonesbythesideofthebig-paunchedGoza，whomIcaughteyeingmefromtimetotimeasacuriouscroweyesanyobjectthathasattractedhisattention。
“Goza。”Isaidatlast，“dotheZulusreallymeantofighttheEnglish？“
Heturnedandpointedtoaspotwherethehillsrandownintothegreatplain。Heretworegimentsweremanoeuvring。Oneoftheseheldtheslopesofthehillandtheotherwasattackingthemfromtheplain，sofiercelythatatadistancetheironslaughtlookedlikethatofactualwarfare。
“Thatlookslikefighting，doesitnot，Macumazahn？“hereplied。
“Yes，Goza，yetitmaybebutplay。”
“Quiteso，Macumazahn。Itmaybefightingoritmaybebutplay。
AmIaprophetthatIshouldbeabletosaywhichitis？OfthatthereisbutonemaninZululandwhoknowsthetruth。Itisheforwhomthenewhutsarebeingbuiltupyonder。”
“Youthinkhereallyknows，Goza？“
“No，Macumazahn，Idonotthink，Iamsure。Heisthegreatestofallwizards，ashewaswhenmyfatherheldontohismother’sapron。HepullsthestringsandtheGreat-onesofthecountrydance。Ifhewisheswar，therewillbewar。Ifhewishespeace，therewillbepeace。”
“Andwhichdoeshewish，Goza？“
“Ithoughtperhapsyoucouldtellmethat，Macumazahn，who，hesays，aresuchanoldfriendofhis；alsowhyhechoosestosojourninadarkholeamongthedeadinsteadofinthesunshineamongtheliving，hereatUlundi。”
“Well，Icannot，Goza，sincetheOpenerofRoadsdoesnotopenhishearttomebutkeepshissecretstohimself。Fortherest，thosewhotalkwiththedeadmayprefertodwellamongthedead。”
“Nowasalwaysyouspeaktruth，Macumazahn。”saidGoza，lookingatmeinawaywhichsuggestedtomethathebelievedIspokeanythingbutthetruth。
IndeedIamconvincedhethoughtthatIwasinthecouncilofZikaliandacquaintedwithhisplans。AlsoIamsureheknewthatIhadnotcometoZululandalone，theincidentoftheblankets，whichIhadpromisedtohimabribetokeepsilence，showedit，andsuspectedthatmycompanionswerepartiestosomeplottogetherwithmyself。AndyetatthetimeIcouldnotbequitesure，andthereforedarednotaskanythingconcerningthemlestthusIshouldrevealtheirexistenceandbringthemtodeath。
AsamatteroffactIneednothavebeenanxiousonthispoint，sinceifGoza，whoImaystate，wasakindofsecretserviceofficeraswellasaheadmessenger，knew，asIthinkprobable，hehadbeencommandedbyZikalitoholdhistongueunderpenaltyofacurse。PerhapsthesamewastrueofthesoldierswhohadcomewithhimtotakemetoUlundi。ThehintofZikaliwasaspowerfulasthewordoftheking，sincethey，likethousandsofothers，believedthatwhereasCetewayocouldkillthem，Zikali，likeSatan，couldblasttheirspiritsaswellastheirbodies。
ButhowwasItoguessallthesethingsatthattime？
Duringthenexttwodaysnothinghappened，thoughIheardthattherehadbeenoneifnottwomeetingsoftheCouncilattheKing’sHouseduringwhichthepositionofaffairswasdiscussed。
CetewayoIdidnotsee，althoughtwicehesentmessengerstomebringinggiftsoffood，whowerechargedtoinquirewhetherIwaswellandhappyandifanyhadofferedmehurtorinsult。TotheseIansweredthatIwaswellandunmolestedbutnothappy，whogrewlonesome，beingbutasolitarywhitemanamongsomanythousandsoftheZulus。
Onthethirdmorning，thatofthedayofthefullmoon，GozacameandinformedmethatZikalihadarrivedattheValleyofBonesbeforedawn。Iaskedhimhowhe，whowassooldandfeeble，hadwalkedsofar。Heansweredthathehadnotwalked，orsoheunderstood，buthadbeencarriedinalitter，orratherintwolitters，oneforhimselfandoneforhis“spirit。”ThisstaggeredmeevenwhereZikaliwasconcerned，andIinquiredwhatonearthGozameant。
“Macumazahn，howcanItellyouwhoonlyknowwhatImyselfamtold？“heexclaimed。“SuchisthereportthattheOpenerofRoadshasmadehimselfbymessengerstotheking。Nonehaveseenhim，forhejourneysonlyinthenight。Moreover，whenZikalipassesallmenareblindandevenwomen’stonguesgrowdumb。
Perchanceby’hisspirit’hemeanshismedicineorthewitch-doctoress，Nombe，whomfolkssayhecreated，sincenonehaveseenherfatherorhermother，orheardwhobegather；orperchancehissnakeishidbehindthematsofthesecondlitter，ifintruththerewasone。”
“Itmaybeso。”Isaid，feelingthatitwasuselesstopursuethematter。“Now，Goza，IwouldseeZikaliandatonce。”
“Thatcannotbe，Macumazahn，sincehehasgivenoutthathewillseenoone，whorestsafterhisjourney，andthekinghasissuedordersthatanywhoattempttoapproachtheValleyofBonesshalldie，eveniftheybeoftheroyalblood。Yes，ifsomuchasadogdarestodrawnearthatplace，itmustdie。Thesoldierswhoringitroundhavekilledonealready，sostrictaretheorders，alsoaboywhowenttowardsitsearchingforacalf，whichI
thinkabadomen。”
“ThenIwillsendamessagetohim。”Ipersisted。
“Doso。”mockedGoza。“Look，yondersailsavulture。Askittotakeyourmessage，fornothingelsewill。Benotfoolish，Macumazahn，buthavepatience，forto-nightyoushallseetheOpenerofRoadswhenheattendstheCouncilofthekingintheValleyofBones。Thisistheorderoftheking——thatattherisingofthemoonIleadyouthither，sothatyoumaybepresentattheCouncilincasehewishestoaskyouanyquestionsabouttheWhitePeopleortogiveyouanymessagetotheGovernmentinNatal。ThereforeatsunsetIwillcomeforyou。Tillthen，farewell。Ihavebusinessthatcannotwait。”
“CanIseetheking？“Icried。
“Notso，Macumazahn。Allto-dayhemakessacrificetothespiritsofhisancestorsandmustnotbeapproached。”Gozacalledbackashedeparted。
AvailingmyselfofthepermissionofthekingtogowhereI
would，alittlelaterinthedayIwalkedoutofthetowntowardstheValleyofBonesinordertoascertainformyselfwhetherwhatGozahadtoldmewastrue。Soitproved，foraboutthreehundredyardsfromthemouthofthevalley，whichatthatdistancelookedlikeablackholeinthehills，Ifoundsoldiersstationedabouttenpacesapartinagreatcirclewhichranrightupthehillsideandvanishedoverthecrest。Strollinguptooneofthese，whosefaceIthoughtIknew，Iaskedhimifhewouldletmepasstoseemyfriend，theOpenerofRoads。
Theman，whowassomethingofahumouristreplied——
“Certainlyifyouwish，Macumazahn。Thatistosay，Iwillletyourspiritpass，buttodothis，ifyoucomeonestepnearerI
mustfirstmakeaholeinyouwithmyspearoutofwhichitcanfly。”
Ithankedhimforhisinformationandgavehimsomesnuff，whichhetookgratefully，beingboredbyhislongvigil。ThenIaskedhimhowmanypeoplethegreatwitch-doctorhadwithhim。Hesaidhedidnotknow，buthehadseenanumberoftallmencometothemouthofthedongatofetchfoodthathadbeenplacedthere。
AgainIinquiredifhehadseenanywomen，whereonherepliednone，Zikalibeing，heunderstood，toooldtotroublehimselfabouttheothersex。Justthenanofficer，makinghisrounds，cameupandlookedatmesosternlythatIthoughtitwelltoretreat。Evidentlytherewasnochanceofgettingthroughthatline。
OnmywaybackIwalkedasnearthefenceoftheKing’sHouseasIdared，andsawwitch-doctorspassinginandoutintheirhideousofficialpanoply。ThistoldmethatherealsoGozahadspokenthetruth——thekingwasperformingmagicalceremonies，whichmeantthatitwouldbeimpossibletoapproachhim。IneverydirectionImetwithfailure。TheFateswereagainstme；
itlayovermelikeaspell。IndeedIgrewsuperstitiousandbegantothinkthatZikalihadbewitchedme，ashewassaidtohavethepowertodo。Well，perhapshehad，forthemerefactoffindingmyselfopposedbythispersistentwallofdifficultiesandsilenceconvincedmethattherewassomethingbehindittobelearned。
Iwentbackverydejectedtomyhutandtalkedtomymarewhichwhinniedandrubbeditsnoseagainstme，foralthoughitwaswellfedandlookedafter，thepoorbeastseemedaslonelyasIwasmyself。Nowonder，sincelikemyselfitwasseparatedfromallitskindandwearyofinaction。AfterthisIateandsmokedandfinallydozed，nomore，forwheneverItriedtogotosleepI
thoughtthatIheardZikalilaughingatme，asmayhaphewasdoingyonderinhishut。
Atlengththatwearisomedaydrewtowardsitsend。Thesunbegantosink，ahugeredballoffire，nowandagainveiledbyclouds，fortheskywasstormy。Itsfiercerays，strikinguponotherclouds，peopledtheenormousheavenswithfantasticshapesoflightwhichwerethickestoverthehillswhereinwastheValleyofBones。Tomystrainedmindthesecloudslookedlikebattlingarmies，figuresofflamewarringagainstfiguresofdarkness。
Thedarknesswon；no，thelightbrokeoutagainandconqueredit。
Andsee，thereabovethembothsquattedastrangeblackpresencecrownedwithfire。ItmighthavebeenthatofZikalimagnifiedtenthousandtimes，andhark！itlaughedwiththelowreverberatingvoiceofdistantthunder。
SuddenlyIfeltthatIwasnolongeraloneandlookinground，sawGozaatmyside。
“Whatdoyouseeupthere，Macumazahn，thatyoustaresohard？“
heasked，pointingattheskywithhisstick。
“Impisfighting。”Iansweredbriefly。
“Thenyoumustbea’heaven-doctor，’Macumazahn，forIonlyseeblackandredclouds。Well，itistimetogotolearnwhetherornotheimpiswillfight，forZikaliawaitsusandtheCouncilhasstartedalready。Bytheway，thekingsaysthatyouwilldowelltoputyourpistolinyourpocketincaseanyshouldseektoharmyouinthedark。”
“Itisthere。But，Goza，Iprayyoutoprotectme，sinceinthedarkbulletsflywide，andifIbegantoshoot，onemighthityou，Goza。”
Hesmiled，makingnoanswer，butInoticedthatduringtherestofthatnighthewascarefultokeepbehindmeasmuchaspossible。
Ourwayledusthroughthetownwhereeverybodyseemedtobestandingaboutdoingnothingandspeakingverylittle。Therewasacuriousairofexpectancyupontheirfaces。Theyknewthatthecrisiswasathand，thattheirnation’sfatehunguponthescales，andtheywatchedmyeverylookandmovementasthoughinthemtheyexpectedtoreadanomen。Itoowatchedthemoutofthecornersofmyeyes，wonderingwhetherIshouldescapefromtheirsavagecompanyalive。Ifoncethebloodlustbrokeoutamongthem，itseemedtomethatIshouldhaveaboutasmuchchanceasachoppedfoxamongapackofhungryhounds。
OnceoutofthetownwesawnooneuntilwecametothecircleofguardswhichIhavealreadymentioned，whostoodtherelikeanendlesslineofblackstatues。InanswertotheirchallengeGozagavesomecomplicatedpasswordinwhichmynameoccurred，whereontheyopenedoutandletusthrough。Thenwemarchedontothemouthofthekloof。Theplacewasverydark，fornowthesunwasdowninthewestandthemoonintheeastwascutofffromusbythehillsandwouldnotbevisiblehereforhalfanhourormore。
PresentlyIsawaspotoflight。ItwasasmallfireburningnearthetongueofrockwhichIhavedescribed。
Atadistance，infrontofthefireonthepatchofpreparedground，squattedanumberofmen，betweentwentyandthirtyofthem，inasemicircle。Theywerewrappedupinkarossesandblankets，andintheircentresatalargefigureonachairofwood。
“TheKingandtheGreatCouncil。”whisperedGoza。
Oneofthemlookedroundandsawus。Atsomesignfromthekingherose，andagainstthefireIsawthathewasthePrimeMinister，Umnyamana。Hecametomeand，withanodofrecognition，conductedmesomepacestotherightwhereaeuphorbiatreegrewamongtherankherbage。HereIfoundastoolplacedreadyonwhichIsatdown，Goza，whoofcoursewasnotoftheCouncil，squattingatmysideinthegrass。
NowIfoundthatIwassosituatedthatIcouldnotwellbeseenfromthefire，orevenfromtherockaboveit，whileI，bymovingmyheadalittle，couldseebothquiteclearly。Afterthisasthelastreflectionfromthesunksunfaded，thedarknessincreaseduntilnothingremainedvisibleexceptthefireandthemassiveoutlineoftherockbehind。Thesilencewascomplete，fornoneoftheCouncilspoke。Theyweresostillthattheymighthavebeendead，sostillthatabeetlesuddenlyboomingpastmemademestartasthoughithadbeenabullet。Thegeneralimpressionwasalmostmesmeric。IfeltasthoughIweregoingtosleepandyetmymindremainedpainfullyawake，sothatIwasabletothinkthingsout。
Iunderstoodclearlythatthebodyofmentomylefthadcometogethertodecidewhetherthereshouldbepeaceorwar；thatthereweredivisionsofopinionamongthem；thatthekingwasreadytofollowthepartywhichshouldproveitselfthestrongest，butthattherealvoiceofdecisionwouldspeakfrombehindthatfire。ItwasthecaseoftheDelphicOracleoveragainwithapriestinsteadofapriestess，andwhatapriest！
ItwasevidenttomealsothatZikali，whoknewhumannature，andespeciallysavagehumannature，hadarrangedallthiswithaviewtoscenicandindeedsupernaturaleffect。Moreover，hehaddoneitverywell，sinceIknewmyselfthatinthisplaceandhourwordsandoccurrenceswouldaffectmedeeplyatwhichIshouldhavelaughedinthesunlightandopenplain。AlreadytheZuluswereaffected，forIcouldheartheteethofsomeofthemchattering，andGozabegantoshiveratmyside。Hemutteredthatitwascold，andliedforthedongawasextremelyhotandstuffy。
Atlengththesilverradianceofthemoonspreaditselfonthehighcurtainofthedark。Thentheedgeofherorbappearedabovethehillandanarrowofwhitelightfellintothelittlevalley。Itstruckuponandaboutthejuttingrock，revealingamisshapen，white-headedfiguresquattedbetweenitsbaseandthefire，thefigureofZikali。
CHAPTERXV
THEGREATCOUNCIL
Nonehadseenorheardhimcome，andthoughdoubtlesshehadbutcreptroundtherockandtakenhisplaceinthedarkness，thereappearedtobesomethingmysteriousaboutthissuddenappearanceofZikali。SotheZulunoblesthoughtatanyrate，fortheyutteredalow“Ow！“offearandwonder。
Therehesatlikeahugeapestaringatthesky，forthefirelightshoneonhisdeepandburningeyes。Themoonlightincreased，butnowandagainitwasbrokenbylittlecloudswhichcausedstrangeshadowstoappearabouttherock。Someoftheseshadowslookedasthoughveiledfigureswereapproachingthewizard，bendingoverhimanddepartingagain，aftergivinghimtheirmessageorcounsel。
“HisSpiritsvisithim。”whisperedGoza，butImadenoanswer。
Thiswentonforquitealongtime，untilthefullroundofthemoonappearedabovethehillindeed，and，forthewhile，thecloudshadclearedaway。StillZikalisatsilentandI，whowasacquaintedwiththehabitsofthispeople，knewthatIwaswitnessingaconflictbetweentwotheyconsideredtoberespectivelyaspiritualandanearthlyking。Itismybeliefthatunlesshewerefirstaddressed，Zikaliwouldhavesatallnightwithoutopeninghislips。PossiblyCetewayowouldhavedonethesameiftheimpatienceofpublicopinionhadallowedhim。Atanywasrateitwashewhogaveway。
“Makosi，masterofmanySpirits，onbehalfoftheCouncilandthePeopleoftheZulusI，theKing，greetyouhereintheplacethatyouhavechosen。”saidCetewayo。
Zikalimadenoanswer。
Thesilencewentonasbefore，tillatlength，afterapauseandsomewhispering，Cetewayorepeatedhissalutation，adding——
“Hasagemadeyoudeaf，OOpenerofRoads，thatyoucannothearthevoiceoftheKing？“
ThenatlastZikaliansweredinhislowvoicethatyetseemedtofillallthekloof——
“Nay，ChildofSenzangacona，agehasnotmademedeaf，butmyspiritintheselatterdaysfloatsfarfrommybody。Itislikeabladderfilledwithairthatachildholdsbyastring，andbeforeIcanspeakImustdrawitfromtheheavenstoearthagain。WhatdidyousayabouttheplacethatIhavechosen？
Well，whatbetterplacecouldIchoose，seeingthatitwashereinthisveryValeofBonesthatImetthefirstkingoftheZulus，ChakatheWildBeast，whowasyouruncle？WhythenshouldInotchooseittomeetthelastkingoftheZulus？“
NowI，listening，knewatoncethatthissayingmightbeunderstoodintwoways，namelythatCetewayowasthereigningking，orthathewasthelastkingwhowouldeverreign。ButtheCouncilinterpreteditinthelatterandworsesense，forIsawaquiveroffeargothroughthem。
“WhyshouldInotchooseit。”wentonZikali，“seeingalsothatthisplaceisholytome？Hereitwas，OSonofPanda，thatChakabroughtmychildrentobekilledandforcedme，sittingwhereyousit，towatchtheirdeaths。Thereontherockabovemetheywerekilled，fourofthem，threesonsandadaughter，andtheslayers——theycametoanevilend，thoseslayers，asdidChaka——laughedandcastthemdownfromtherockbeforeme。Yes，andChakalaughed，andItoolaughed，forhadnotthekingtherighttokillmychildrenandtostealtheirmothers，andwasI
notgladthattheyshouldbetakenfromtheworldandgatheredtothatofSpiritswhencetheyalwaystalktome，yes，evennow？
ThatiswhyIdidnothearyouatfirst，King，becausetheyweretalkingtome。”
Hepaused，turningoneearupwards，thencontinuedinanewandtendervoice，“Whatisityousaytome，Noma，mydearlittleNoma？Oh！Ihearyou，Ihearyou。”
Nowheshiftedhimselfalongthegroundonhishaunchessomepacestotheright，andbegantosearchabout，gropingwithhislongfingers。“Where，where？“hemuttered。“Oh，Iunderstand，furtherundertheroot，ajackalburiedit，didit？Pah！howhardisthissoil。Ah！Ihaveit，butlook，Noma，astonehascutmyfinger。Ihaveit，Ihaveit。”andfrombeneaththerootofsomefallentreehedrewouttheskullofachildand，holdingitinhisrighthand，softlyrubbedthemouldoffitwithhisleft。
“Yes，Noma，itmightbeyours，itisoftherightsize，buthowcanIbesure？Whatisityousay？Theteeth？Ah！nowI
remember。OnlythedaybeforeyouweretakenIpulledoutthatfronttooth，didInot，andbeneathitwasanotherthatwasstrangelysplitintwo。Ifthisskullwasyours，itwillbethere。Cometothefire，Noma，andletuslook；themoonlightisfaint，isitnot？“
Backtothefireheshiftedhimself，andbendingtowardstheblaze，madeanexamination。
“True，Noma，true！Hereisthesplittooth，whiteaswhenIsawitallthoseyearsago。Oh！dearchildofmybody，dearchildofmyspirit，forwedonotbegetwiththebodyalone，Noma，asyouknowbetterthanIdoto-day，Igreetyou。”andpressingtheskulltohislips，hekissedit，thensetitdowninfrontofhimbetweenhimselfandthefirewiththefacepartpointingtotheking，andburstintooneofhiseerieandterriblelaughs。
Alowmoanwentupfromhisaudience，andIfelttheskinofGoza，whohadshrunkagainstme，breakintoaprofusesweat。
ThensuddenlyZikali’svoicechangedonemoreandbecamehardandbusinesslike，ifImaycallitso，similartothatofotherprofessionaldoctors。
“Youhavesentforme，OKing，asthosewhowentbeforeyouhavesentwhengreatthingswereabouttohappen。Whatisthematteronwhichyouwouldspeaktome？“
“Youknowwell，OpenerofRoads。”answeredCetewayo，rathershakilyIthought。“Thematterisoneofpeaceorwar。TheEnglishthreatenmeandmypeopleandmakegreatdemandsonme；
amongstothersthatthearmyshouldbedisbanded。Icansetthemalloutifyouwill。IfIrefusetodoastheybidme，thenwithinafewdaystheywillinvadeZululand；indeedtheirsoldiersarealreadygatheredatthedrifts。”
“Itisnotneedful，King。”answeredZikali，“sinceIknowwhatallknow，neithermorenorless。Thewindswhisperthedemandsofthewhitemen，thebirdssingthem，thehyenashowlthematnight。Letusseehowthematterstands。WhenyourfatherdiedSompseuSirT。Shepstone，thegreatwhitechief，camefromtheEnglishGovernmenttonameyouking。Thishecouldnotdoaccordingtoourlaw，sincehowcanastrangernametheKingoftheZulus？ThereforetheCounciloftheNationandthedoctors——I
wasnotamongthem，King——movedthespiritofChakatheLionintothebodyofSompseuandmadehimasChakawasandgavehimpowertonameyoutoruleovertheZulus。SoitcameaboutthattotheEnglishQueenthroughthespiritofChakayousworecertainthings；thatslayingforwitchcraftshouldbeabolished；thatnomanshoulddiewithoutfairandopentrial，andothermatters。”
Hepausedawhile，thenwenton，“Theseoathsyouhavebroken，O
King，asbeingofthebloodyouareandwhatyouare，youmustdo。”
HeretherewasdisturbanceamongtheCouncilandCetewayohalfrosefromhisseat，thensatdownagain。Zikali，gazingatthesky，waitedtillithaddiedaway，thenwenton——
“Doanyquestionmywords？Ifso，thenletthemaskofthewhitemenwhethertheybetrueorno。Letthemaskalsoofthespiritsofthosewhohavediedforwitchcraft，andofthespiritsofthewomenwhohavebeenslainandwhosebodieswerelaidatthecross-roadsbecausetheymarriedthementheychoseandnotthesoldierstowhomthekinggavethem。”
“HowcanIaskthewhitemenwhoarefaraway？“brokeoutCetewayo，ignoringtherest。
“Arethewhitemensofaraway，King？ItistruethatIseenoneandhearnone，yetIseemtosmelloneofthemcloseathand。”
Herehetookuptheskullwhichhehadlaiddownandwhisperedtoit。“Ah！Ithankyou，mychild。Itseems，King，thatthereisawhitemanherehiddeninthiskloof，hewhoisnamedMacumazahn，agoodmanandatruthful，knowntomanyofusfromofold，whocantellyouwhathispeoplethink，thoughheisnotoneoftheirindunas。Ifyouquestionmywords，askhim。”
“Weknowwhatthewhitementhink。”saidCetewayo，“sothereisnoneedtoaskMacumazahntosingusanoldsong。Thequestionis——whatmusttheZulusdo？Musttheyswallowtheirspearsand，ceasingtobeanation，becomeservants，ormusttheystrikewiththemanddrivetheEnglishintothesea，andafterthemtheBoers？“
“Tellmefirst，King，whodwellfarawayandalone，knowinglittleofwhatpassesinthelandofLife，whattheZulusdesiretodo。BeforemesitstheGreatCounciloftheNation。Letitspeak。”
ThenonebyonethemembersoftheCouncilutteredtheiropinionsinorderofrankorseniority。Idonotrememberthenamesofallwhowerepresent，orwhateachofthemsaid。Irecall，however，thatSigananda，averyoldchief——hemusthavebeenoverninety——spokethefirst。HetoldthemthathehadbeenfriendofChakaandoneofhiscaptains，andhadfoughtinmostofhisbattles。ThatafterwardshehadbeenageneralofDingaan’suntilthatkingkilledtheBoersunderRetief，whenhelefthimandfinallysidedwithPandainthecivilwarinwhichDingaanwaskilledwiththehelpoftheBoers。ThathehadbeenpresentatthebattleoftheTugela，thoughhetooknoactualpartinthefighting，andafterwardsbecameacouncillorofPanda’sandthenofCetewayohisson。ItwasalongandinterestinghistoricalrecitalcoveringthewholeperiodoftheZulumonarchywhichendedsuddenlywiththesewords——
“Ihavenoted，OKingandCouncillors，thatwhenevertheblackvultureoftheZuluswascontenttoattackbirdsofhisownfeather，hehasconquered。Butwhenithasmetthegreyeaglesofthewhitemen，whichcomefromoverthesea，hehasbeenconquered，andmyhearttellsmethatasitwasinthepast，soitshallbeinthefuture。ChakawasafriendoftheEnglish，sowasPanda，andsohasCetewayobeenuntilthishour。Isay，therefore，letnottheKingtearthehandwhichfedhimbecauseitseemsweak，lestitshouldgrowstrongandclutchhimbythethroatandchokehim。”
NextspokeUndabuko，DabulamanziandMagwenga，brothersoftheking，whoallfavouredwar，thoughthetwolastwereguardedintheirspeech。AfterthesecameUhamu，theking’suncle——hewhowassaidtobethesonofaSpirit——whowasstrongforpeace，urgingthatthekingshouldsubmittothedemandsoftheEnglish，makingthebesttermshecould，thathe“shouldbendlikeareedbeforethestorm，sothatafterthestormhadsweptby，hemightstandupstraightagain，andwithhimalltheotherreedsofthepeopleoftheZulus。”
So，too，saidSeketwayo，chiefoftheUmdhlalosi，andmorewhomI
cannotrecall，sixorsevenofthem。ButUsibebuandtheindunaUntshingwayo，whoafterwardscommandedatIsandhlwana，wereforfighting，aswereSirayo，thehusbandofthetwowomenwhohadbeentakenonEnglishterritoryandkilled，andUmbilini，thechiefofSwazibloodwhosesurrenderwasdemandedbySirBartleFrereandwhoafterwardscommandedtheZulusinthebattleatIhlobane。LastofallspokethePrimeMinister，Umnyamana，whodeclaredfiercelythatiftheZulubuffalohiditselfintheswamplikeatimidcalfwhenthewhitebullchallengeditonthehills，thespiritsofChakaandallhisforefatherswouldthrustitsheadintothemudandchokeit。
WhenallhadfinishedCetewayospoke，saying——
“Thatisabadcouncilwhichhastwovoices，fortowhichofthemmusttheCaptainlistenwhentheimpisofthefoegatherinfrontofhim？HereIhavesatwhilethemoonclimbshighandcounted，andwhatdoIfind？Thatonehalfofyou，menofwisdomandrenown，sayYes，andthattheotherhalfofyou，menofwisdomandrenown，sayNo。Whichthenisittobe，YesorNo？ArewetofighttheEnglish，orarewetositstill？“
“Thatisforthekingtodecide。”saidavoice。
“Seewhatitistobeaking。”wentonCetewayowithpassion。
“IfIdeclareforwarandwewin，shallIbegreaterthanIam？
Ifvictorygivesmemoreland，moresubjects，morewivesandmorecattle，whatistheuseofthesethingstomewhoalreadyhaveenoughofallofthem？Andifdefeatshouldtakeeverythingfromme，evenmylifeperhaps，thenwhatshallIhavegained？Iwilltellyou——thecurseoftheZulusuponmynamefromfathertosonforever。Theywillsay，’Cetewayo，sonofPanda，pulleddownaHousethatoncewasgreat。BecauseofsomesmallmatterhequarrelledwiththeEnglishwhowerealwaysthefriendsofourpeople，andbroughttheZulustothedust。’Sintwangu，mymessenger，whobroughtheavywordsfromtheQueen’sindunawhichwemustanswerwithotherwordsorwithspears，saysthattheEnglishsoldiersinNatalarefew，sofewthatweZuluscanswallowthemlikebitsofmeatandstillbehungry。ButaretheseallthesoldiersoftheEnglish？Iamnotsure。Youareoneofthatpeople，Macumazahn。”headded，turninghismassiveshapetowardsme，“tellusnow，howmanysoldiershasyourQueen？“
“King。”Ianswered，“Idonotknowforcertain。ButiftheZuluscanmusterfiftythousandspears，theQueen，iftherebeneed，cansendagainstthemtentimesfiftythousand，andifshegrowsangry，anothertentimesfifty，everyonearmedwithariflethatwillfirefivebulletsaminute，andtoaccompanythesoldiers，hundredsofcannonwhereofasingleshotwouldgiveUlunditotheflames。Outoftheseatheywillcome，shiploadaftershipload，whitemenfromwherethesunsetsandblackmenfromwherethesunrises，somanythatZululandwouldnotholdthem。”
Nowatthesewords，whichIdeliveredasgrandlyasIcould，somethinglikeagroanburstfromtheCouncil，thoughonemancried——
“Donotlistentothewhitetraitor，OKing，whoissentheretoturnourheartstowaterwithhislies。”
“Macumazahnmaylietous。”wentonCetewayo，“thoughinthepastnoneinthelandhaveeverknownhimtolie，buthewasnotsenttodoso，forIbroughthimhere。FormypartIdonotbelievethathelies。IbelievethattheseEnglishareasmanyasthepebblesinariverbed，andthattothemNatal，yes，andalltheCapeisbutasasingle，outlyingcattlekraal，onecattlekraaloutofahundred。DidnotSompseuoncetellusthattheywerecountless，onthatdaywhenhecamemanyyearsagoafterthebattleoftheTugelatonamemetosucceedmyfatherPanda，thedaywhenmyfaction，theUsutu，roaredroundhimforhourslikeariverinflood，andhesatstilllikearockinthecentreofariver？AlsoIammindedofthewordsthatChakasaidwhenDingaanandUmbopahadstabbedhimandhelaydyingatthekraalDuguza，thatalthoughthedogsofhisownHousewhomhishandfed，hadeatenhimup，heheardthesoundoftherunningofthefeetofagreatwhitepeoplethatshouldstampthemandtheZulusflat。”
Hepaused；andthesilencewassointensethatthecracklingofZikali’sfire，whichkeptonburningbrightlyalthoughIsawnofueladdedtoit，soundedquiteloud。Presentlyitwasbroken，firstbyadognearathand，howlinghorriblyatthemoon，andnextbythehootingofagreatowlthatflittedacrossthedonga，theshadowofitswidewingsfallingforamomentontheking。
“Listen！“exclaimedCetewayo，“adogthathowls！MethinksthatitstandsupontheroofoftheHouseofSenzangacona。Andanowlthathoots。MethinksthatowlhasitsnestintheworldofSpirits！Arethesegoodomens，Councillors？Itrownot。IsaythatIwillnotdecidethismatterofpeaceorwar。Ifthereisoneofmyownbloodherewhowilldoso，come，lethimtakemyplaceandletmegoawaytomyownlordshipofGikazithatIhadwhenIwasaprincebeforethewitchMameenawhoplayedwithallmenandlovedbutone“——hereeverybodyturnedandstaredtowardsme，yes，evenZikaliwhomnothingelsehadseemedtomove，tillI
wishedthatthegroundwouldswallowmeup——“causedthewarbetweenmeandmybrotherUmbelaziwhosebloodearthwillnotswallownorsunsdry——“
“Howcanthatbe，OKing？“brokeinUmnyamanathePrimeMinister。
“Howcananyofyourracesitinyourseatwhileyoustilllive？
Thenindeedtherewouldbewar，warbetweentribeandtribeandZuluandZulutillnonewereleft，andthewhitehyenasfromNatalwouldcomeandchewourbonesandwiththemtheBoersthathavepassedtheVaal。Seenow。WhyisthisNyangai。e。
witch-doctorhere？“andhepointedtoZikalibeyondthefire。
“WhyhastheOpenerofRoadsbeenbroughtfromtheBlackKloofwhichhehasnotleftforyears？Isitnotthathemaygiveuscounselinourneedandshowusasignthathiscounselisgood，whetheritbeforwarorpeace？Thenwhenhehasmadedivinationandgiventhecounselandshownthesign，then，OKing，doyouspeakthewordofwarorpeace，andsendittotheQueenbyyonderwhiteman，andbythatwordwe，thepeople，willabide。”
Atthissuggestion，whichIhadnodoubtwasmadebysomesecretagreementbetweenUmnyamanaandZikali，Cetewayoseemedtograsp。
Perhapsthiswasbecauseitpostponedforalittlewhilethedreadfulmomentofdecision，orperhapsbecausehehopedthatintheeyesofthenationitwouldshifttheresponsibilityfromhisshoulderstothoseoftheSpiritsspeakingthroughthelipsoftheirprophet。Atanyratehenoddedandanswered——
“Itisso。LettheOpenerofRoadsopenusaroadthroughtheforestsandtheswampsandtherocksofdoubt，dangerandfear。
Lethimgiveusasignthatitisagoodroadonwhichwemaysafelytravel，andlethimtelluswhetherIshalllivetowalkthatroadandwhatIshallmeetthereon。IpromisehiminreturnthegreatestfeethateveryetwaspaidtoadoctorinZululand。”
NowZikaliliftedhisbighead，shookhisgreylocks，andopeninghiswidemouthasthoughheexpectedmannatofallintoitfromthesky，helaughedoutloud。
“O-ho-ho。”helaughed，“Oho-ho-ho-o，itisworthwhiletohavelivedsolongwhenlifehasbroughtmetosuchanhourasthis。
Whatisitthatmyearshear？ThatI，theIndwandedwarf，IwhomChakanamed’The-Thing-that-never-should-have-been-born，’I，oneoftheraceconqueredanddespisedbytheZulus，amheretospeakawordwhichtheZulusdarenotutter，whichtheKingoftheZulusdaresnotutter。O-ho-ho-ho！AndwhatdoestheKingoffertome？Afee，agreatfeeforthewordthatshallpainttheZulusredwithbloodorwhitewiththeslimeofshame。Nay，I
takenofeethatisthepriceofbloodorshame。BeforeIspeakthatwordunknown——forasyetmyhearthasnotheardit，andwhatthehearthasnotheardthelipscannotshape——Iaskbutonething。Itisanoaththatwhateverfollowsontheword，whilethereisaZululeftlivingintheworld，I，theVoiceoftheSpirits，shallbesafefromhurtorfromreproach，IandthoseofmyHouseandthoseoverwhomIthrowmyblanket，betheyblackorbetheywhite。Thatismyfee，withoutwhichIamsilent。”
“Izwa！Wehearyou。Weswearitonbehalfofthepeople。”saideverycouncillorinthesemi-circleinfrontofhim；yes，andthekingsaiditalso，stretchingouthishand。
“Good。”saidZikali，“itisanoath，itisanoath，swornhereuponthebonesofthedead。Evil-doersyoucallthem，butIsaytoyouthatmanyofthosewhositbeforemehavemoreevilintheirheartsthanhadthosedead。Well，letitbeproclaimed，O
King，andwithitthis——thatillshallitgowithhimwhobreakstheoath，withhisfamily，withhiskraalandallwithwhomhehastodo。
“Nowwhatisityouaskofme？Firstofall，counselastowhetheryoushouldfighttheEnglishQueen，amatteronwhichyou，theGreatOnes，areevenlydividedinopinion，asisthenationbehindyou。OKing，Indunas，andCaptains，whoamIthatIshouldjudgeofsuchamatterwhichisbeyondmytrade，amatteroftheworldaboveandofmen’sbodies，notoftheworldbelowandofmen’sspirits？YettherewasonewhomadetheZulupeopleoutofnothing，asapotterfashionsavesselfromclay，asasmithfashionsanassegaioutoftheoreofthehills，yes，andtempersitwithhumanblood。*ChakatheLion，theWildBeast，theKingamongKings，theConqueror。IknewChakaasI
knewhisfather，yes，and_his_father。Othersstilllivingknewhimalso，sayyou，Siganandathereforinstance。”andhepointedtotheoldchiefwhohadspokenfirst。“Yes，Siganandaknewhimasaboyknowsagreatman，asasoldierknowsageneral。ButI
knewhisheart，aye，Ishapedhisheart，Iwasitsthought。Haditnotbeenformehewouldneverhavebeengreat。Thenhewrongedme“——hereZikalitookuptheskullwhichhesaidwasthatofhisdaughter，andstrokedit——“andIlefthim。
[*——TheoldZulusmithsdippedtheirchoicestbladesinthebloodofmen——A。Q。]
“Hewasnotwise，heshouldhavekilledonewhomhehadwronged，butperhapsheknewthatIcouldnotbekilled；perhapshehadtriedandfoundthathewasbutthrowingspearsatthemoonwhichfellbackonhisownhead。Iforget。Itissolongago，andwhatdoesitmatter？AtleastItookawayfromhimthepropofmywisdom，andhefell——torisenomore。Andsoithasbeenwithothers。Soithasbeenwithothers。YetwhilehewasgreatI
knewhisheartwholivedinhisheart，andthereforeIaskmyself，hadhebeensittingwheretheKingsitsto-day，whatwouldChakahavedone？Iwilltellyou。IfnotonlytheEnglishbuttheBoersalsoandwiththemthePondos，theBasutosandallthetribesofAfricahadthreatenedhim，hewouldhavefoughtthem——yes，andsethisheelupontheirnecks。Therefore，althoughIgivenocounseluponsuchamatter，IsaytoyouthatthecounselofChakais——fight——andconquer。Hearkentoitorpassitby——Icarenotwhich。”
Hepausedandaloud“Ow“ofwonderandadmirationrosefromhisaudience。MyselfInearlyjoinedinit，forIthoughtthisoneofthecleverestbitsofstatecraftthateverIhadheardoforseen。Theoldwizardhadtakennoresponsibilityandgivennoanswertothedemandforadvice。Allthishehadthrustontotheshouldersofadeadman，andthatmanonewhosenamewasmagicaltoeveryZulu，thekingwhosememorytheyadored，thegreatGeneralwhohadgorgedthemwithvictoryandpower。
SpeakingasChaka，afteralongperiodofpeace，heurgedthemoncemoretolifttheirspearsandknowthejoysoftriumph，therebymakingthemselvesthegreatestnationinSouthernAfrica。
FromthemomentIheardthiscunningappeal，Iknowwhattheendwouldbe；alltherestwasbutofminorandsemi-personalinterest。IknewalsoforthefirsttimehowtrulygreatwasZikaliandwonderedwhathemighthavebecomehadFortunesethimindifferentcircumstancesamongacivilizedpeople。
Nowhewasspeakingagain，andquicklybeforetheimpressiondiedaway。
“SuchisthewordofChakaspokenbymewhowashissecretcouncillor，theCouncillorwhowasseldomseen，andneverheard。
DoesnotSiganandayonderknowthevoicewhichamongstallthosepresentechoesinhisearsalone？“
“Iknowit。”criedtheoldchief。Thenwithhiseyesstartingalmostfromhishead，Siganandaleaptupandraisinghishand，gavetheroyalsalute，theBayete，tothespiritofChaka，asthoughthedeadkingstoodbeforehim。
Ithinkthatmostofthosetherethoughtthatitdidstandbeforehim，forsomeofthemalsogavetheBayeteandevenCetewayoraisedhisarm。
SiganandasquatteddownagainandZikaliwenton。
“Youhaveheard。ThiscaptainoftheLionknowshisvoice。So，thatisdonewith。Nowyouaskofmesomethingelse——thatIwhoamadoctor，theoldestofallthedoctorsand，itisthought——I
knownot——thewisest，shouldbeabletoanswer。Youaskofme——Howshallthiswarprosper，ifitismade——andwhatshallchancetotheKingduringandafterthewar，andlastlyyouaskofmeasign。WhatItelltoyouistrue，isitnotso？“
“Itistrue。”answeredtheCouncil。
“Askingiseasy。”continuedZikaliinagrumblingvoice，“butansweringisanothermatter。HowcanIanswerwithoutpreparation，withouttheneedfulmedicinesalsothatIhavenotwithme，whodidnotknowwhatwouldbesoughtofme，whothoughtthatmyopinionwasdesiredandnomore？GoawaynowandreturnonthesixthnightandIwilltellyouwhatIcando。”
“Notso。”criedtheking。“Werefusetogo，forthematterisimmediate。Speakatonce，OpenerofRoads，lestitshouldbesaidinthelandthatafterallyouarebutanancientcheat，astickthatsnapsintwowhenitisleanton。”
“Ancientcheat！IrememberthatiswhatMacumazahnyonderoncetoldmeIam，thoughafterwards——Perhapshewasright，forwhoinhisheartknowswhetherornothebeacheat，acheatwhodeceiveshimselfandthroughhimselfothers。Astickthatsnapsintwowhenitisleanton！Somehavethoughtmesoandsomehavethoughtotherwise。Well，youwouldhaveanswerswhichI
knownothowtogive，beingwithoutmedicineandinfaceofthosewhoarequiteignorantandthereforecannotlendmetheirthoughts，asitsometimeshappensthatmendowhenworkersofevilaresoughtoutinthecommonfashion。Forthen，asyoumayhaveguessed，itistheevil-doerwhohimselftellsthedoctorofhiscrime，thoughhemaynotknowthatheistellingit。YetthereisanotherstonethatIalonecanthrow，anotherplanthatIalonecanpractise，andthatnotalways。ButofthisIwouldnotmakeusesinceitisterribleandmightfrightenyouorevensendyoubacktoyourhutsravingsothatyourwives，yes，andtheverydogsfled，fromyou。”
Hestoppedandforthefirsttimedidsomethingtohisfire，forIsawhishandsgoingbackwardsandforwards，asthoughhewarmedthemattheflames。
Atlengthanawedvoice，IthinkitwasthatofDabulamanzi，asked——
“Whatisthisplan，Inyanga？Letushearthatwemayjudge。”
“Theplanofcallingonefromthedeadandhearkeningtothevoiceofthedead。IsityourdesirethatIshoulddrawwaterfromthisfountofwisdom，OKingandCouncillors？“
CHAPTERXVI
WAR
NowmenbegantowhispertogetherandGozagroanedatmyside。
“RatherwouldIlookdownalivelion’sthroatthanseethedead。”hemurmured。ButI，whowasanxioustolearnhowfarZikaliwouldcarryhistricks，contemptuouslytoldhimtobesilent。
Presentlythekingcalledmetohimandsaid——
“Macumazahn，youwhitemenarereportedtoknowallthings。Tellmenow，isitpossibleforthedeadtoappear？“
“Iamnotsure。”Ianswereddoubtfully；“somesaythatitisandsomesaythatitisnotpossible。”
“Well。”saidtheking。“Haveyoueverseenoneyouknewinlifeafterdeath？“
“No。”Ireplied，“thatis——yes。Thatis——Idonotknow。Whenyouwilltellme，King，wherewakingendsandsleepbegins，thenIwillanswer。”
“Macumazahn。”heexclaimed，“justnowIannouncedthatyouwerenoliar，whoperceivethatafterallyouarealiar，forhowcanyoubothhaveseen，andnotseen，thedead？IndeedIrememberthatyouliedlongago，whenyougaveitoutthatthewitchMameenawasnotyourlover，andafterwardsshowedthatshewasbykissingherbeforeallmen，forwhokissesawomanwhoisnothislover，orhismother？Return，sinceyouwillnottellmethetruth。”
SoIwentbacktomystool，feelingverysmallandyetindignant，forhowwasitpossibletobedefiniteaboutghosts，ortoexplaintheexactfactsoftheMameenamythwhichclungtomelikeaWait-a-bitthorn。
ThenafteralittleconsultationCetewayosaid——
“Itisourdesire，OOpenerofRoads，thatyoushoulddrawwisdomfromthefountofDeath，ifindeedyoucandoso。Nowletanywhoareafraiddepartandwaitforuswhoarenotafraid，aloneandinsilenceatthemouthofthekloof。”
Atthissomeoftheaudiencerose，butafterhesitatingalittle，satdownagain。OnlyGozaactuallytookastepforward，butonmyremarkingthathewouldprobablymeetthedeadcomingupthatway，collapsed，mutteringsomethingaboutmypistol，forthefoolseemedtothinkIcouldshootaspirit。
“IfindeedIcandoso。”repeatedZikaliinacarelessfashion。
“Thatistobeproved，isitnot？Perhaps，too，itmaybebetterforeveryoneofyouifIfailthanifIsucceed。OfonethingI
warnyou，shouldthedeadappearstirnot，andabovealltouchnot，forhewhodoeseitherofthesethingswill，Ithink，neverlivetolookuponthesunagain。Butfirstletmetryaneasierfashion。”
Thenonceagainhetookuptheskullthathesaidhadbeenhisdaughter’s，andwhisperedtoit，onlytolayitdownpresently。
“Itwillnotserve。”hesaidwithasighandshakinghislocks。
“Nomatellsmethatshediedachild，onewhohadnoknowledgeofwarormattersofpolicy，andthatinallthesethingsoftheworldshestillremainsachild。ShesaysthatImustseeksomeonewhothoughtmuchofthem；one，toowhostilllivesintheheartofamanwhoispresenthere，ifthatbepossible，sincefromsuchaheartalonecanthestrengthbedrawntoenablethedeadtoappearandspeak。Nowlettherebesilence——Lettherebesilence，andwoetohimthatbreaksit。”
Silencetherewasindeed，andinitZikalicrouchedhimselfdowntillhisheadalmostrestedonhisknee，andseemedtogotosleep。HeawokeagainandchantedforhalfaminuteorsoinsomelanguageIcouldnotunderstand。Thenvoicesbegantoanswerhim，asitseemedtomefromalloverthekloof，alsofromtheskyorrockabove。Whethertheeffectwasproducedbyventriloquismorwhetherhehadconfederatespostedatvariouspoints，Idonotknow。
Atanyratethislordof“multitudesofspirits“seemedtobeengagedinconversationwithsomeofthem。Whatismore，thethingwasextremelywelldone，sinceeachvoicedifferedfromtheother；alsoIseemedtorecognizesomeofthem，Dingaan’sforinstance，andPanda’s，yes，andthatofUmbelazitheHandsome，thebrotherofthekingwhosedeathIwitnesseddownbytheTugela。
Youwillaskmewhattheysaid。Idonotknow。Eitherthewordswereconfusedortheeventsthatfollowedhaveblottedthemfrommybrain。AllIrememberisthateachofthemseemedtobespeakingoftheZulusandtheirfateandtobeveryanxioustoreferfurtherdiscussionofthemattertosomeoneelse。Inshorttheyseemedtotalkunderprotest，orthatwasmyimpression，althoughGoza，theonlypersonwithwhomIhadanysubsequentdebateuponthesubject，appearedtohavegatheredonethatwasdifferent，thoughwhatitwasIdonotrecall。Theonlywordsthatremainedcleartomemust，Ithought，havecomefromthespiritofChaka，orratherfromZikalioroneofhismyrmidonsassumingthatcharacter。Theywereutteredinadeepfullvoice，spicedwithmockery，andreceivedbythewizardwith“Sibonga。”ortitlesofpraise，whichIwhoamversedinZuluhistoryandidiomknewhadonlybeengiventothegreatking，andindeedsincehisdeathhadbecomeunlawful，nottobeused。Thewordswere——
“What，Thing-that-should-never-have-been-born，doyouthinkyourselfaThing-that-should-never-die，thatyoustillsitbeneaththemoonandweavewitchcraftsasofold？OftenhaveI
huntedforyouintheUnder-worldwhohaveanaccounttosettlewithyou，asyouhaveanaccounttosettlewithme。So，so，whatdoesitmattersincewemustmeetatlast，evenifyouhideyourselfatthebackofthefurtheststar？WhydoyoubringmeuptothisplacewhereIseesomewhomIwouldforget？Yes，theybuildboneonboneandtakingtheredearth，moulditintofleshandstandbeforemeaslastIsawthemnewlydead。Oh！yourmagicisgood，Spell-weaver，andyourhateisdeepandyourvengeanceiskeen。No，Ihavenothingtotellyouto-day，whoruleagreaterpeoplethantheZulusinanotherland。Whoaretheselittlemenwhositbeforeyou？OneofthemhasalookofDingaan，mybrotherwhoslewme，yes，andwearshisarmlet。Ishetheking？Answernot，forIdonotcaretoknow。SurelyyonderwitheredthingisSigananda。IknowhiseyeandtheIziquonhisbreast。Yes，IgaveittohimafterthegreatbattlewithZweedeinwhichhekilledfivemen。Doesherememberit，I
wonder？Greeting，Sigananda；oldasyouareyouhavestilltwentyandoneyearstolive，andthanwewilltalkofthebattlewithZweede。Letmebegone，thisplaceburnsmyspirit，andinitthereisastenchofmortalblood。Farewell，OConqueror！“
ThesewerethewordsthatIthoughtIheardChakasay，thoughI
daresaythatIdreamtthem。Indeedhaditbeenotherwise，ImeanhadtheyreallybeenspokenbyZikali，therewouldsurelyhavebeenmoreinthem，somethingthatmighthaveservedhispurpose，notmeretalkwhichhadalltheinconsequenceofadream。Alsonooneelseseemedtopayanyparticularattentiontothem，thoughthismayhavebeenbecausesomanyvoicesweresoundingfromdifferentplacesatonce，forasIhavesaid，Zikaliarrangedhisperformanceverywell，aswellasanymediumcouldhavedoneonapreparedstageinLondon。
Inamoment，asthoughatasignal，thevoicesdiedaway。Thenotherthingshappened。TobeginwithIfeltveryfaint，asthoughallthestrengthwerebeingtakenoutofme。Somequeerfancygotaholdofme。Idon’tquiteknowwhatitwas，butithadtodowiththeBiblestoryofAdamwhenhefellasleepandaribwasremovedfromhimandmadeintoawoman。IreflectedthatIfeltasAdammusthavedonewhenhecameoutofhistranceafterthisterrificoperation，veryweakandempty。Also，asitchanced，presentlyIsawEve——orratherawoman。Lookingatthefireinakindofdisembodiedway，Iperceivedthatdensesmokewasrisingfromit，whichsmokespreaditselfoutlikeafan。Itthinnedbydegrees，andthroughtheveilofsmokeIperceivedsomethingelse，namely，awomanverylikeonewhomonceIhadknown。Thereshestood，lightlycladenough，herfingersplayingwiththebluebeadsofhernecklace，aninscrutablesmileuponherfaceandherlargeeyesfixedonnothingness。
Oh！Heaven，Iknewher，orratherthoughtIdidatthemoment，fornowIamalmostsurethatitwasNombedressed，orundressed，forthepart。Thatknowledgecamewithreflection，butthenI
couldhavesworn，beingdeceivedbytheuncertainlight，thatthelongdeadMameenastoodbeforeusasshehadseemedtostandbeforemeinthehutofZikali，radiatingakindofsupernaturallifeandbeauty。
Alittlewindarose，shakingthedryleavesofthealoesinthekloof；lthoughtitwhispered——_Hail，Mameena！_Someoftheoldermen，too，amongthemafewwhohadseenherdie，intremblingvoicesmurmured，“ItisMameena！“whereonZikaliscowledatthemandtheygrewsilent。
Asforthefigureitstoodtherepatientandunmoved，likeonewhohasalltimeatitsdisposal，playingwiththebluebeads。I
heardthemtinkleagainsteachother，whichprovesthatitwashuman，forhowcouldawraithcausebeadstotinkle，althoughitistruethatChristmas-storyghostsaresaidtoclanktheirchains。Hereyesrovedidlyandwithoutinterestoverthesemi-circleofterrifiedmenbeforeher。ThenbydegreestheyfixedthemselvesuponthetreebehindwhichIwascrouching，whereonGozasankparalyzedtotheground。Shecontemplatedthistreeforawhilethatseemedtomeinterminable；itremindedmeofasetterpointinggameitwindedbutcouldnotsee，forherwholeframegrewintentandalert。Sheceasedplayingwiththebeadsandstretchedoutherslenderhandtowardsme。Herlipsmoved。Shespokeinasweet，slowvoice，saying——
“OWatcher-by-Night，isitthusyougreethertowhomyouhavegivenstrengthtostandoncemorebeneaththemoon？Comehitherandtellme，haveyounokissforonefromwhomyoupartedwithakiss？“
Iheard。WithoutdoubtthevoicewastheveryvoiceofMameenasowellhadNombebeeninstructed。StillIdeterminednottoobeyit，whowouldnotbemadeapubliclaughing-stockforasecondtimeinmylife。AlsoIconfessthisjestingwiththedeadseemedtomesomewhatunholy，andnotonanyaccountwouldI
takeapartinit。
Allthecompanyturnedandstaredatme，evenGozaliftedhisheadandstared，butIsatstillandcontemplatedthebeautiesofthenight。
“IfitisthespiritofMameena，hewillcome。”whisperedCetewayotoUmnyamana。
“Yes，yes。”answeredthePrimeMinister，“fortheropeofhislovewilldrawhim。HewhohasoncekissedMameena，_must_kissheragainwhensheasks。”
HearingthisIgrewfuriouslyindignantandwasabouttobreakintoexplanations，whentomyhorrorIfoundmyselfrisingfromthatstool。Itriedtoclingtoit，but，asitonlycameintotheairwithme，letitgo。
“Holdme，Goza。”Imuttered，andhelikeagoodfellowclutchedmebytheankle，whereonIpromptlykickedhiminthemouth，atleastmyfootkickedhim，notmywill。NowIwaswalkingtowardsthatShape——shadoworwoman——likeamaninhissleep，andasI
cameshestretchedoutherarmsandsmiledoh！assweetlyasanangel，thoughIfeltquitesurethatshewasnothingofthesort。
NowIstoodoppositetoheralongsidethefireofwhichthesmokesmeltlikerosesatthedawn，andsheseemedtobendtowardsme。
WithshameandhumiliationIperceivedthatinanothermomentthosearmswouldbeaboutme。Butsomehowtheynevertouchedme；
Ilostsightofthemintherose-scentedsmoke，onlythesweet，slowvoicewhichIcouldhaveswornwasthatofMameena，murmuredinmyear——well，wordsknowntoherandmealonethatIhadneverbreathedtoanylivingbeing，thoughofcourseIamawarenowthattheymustalsohavebeenknowntosomebodyelse。
“Doyoudoubtmeanylonger？“wentonthemurmuring。“Say，amI
Nombenow？Or——oramIintruththatMameena，whosekissthrillsyourlipsandsoul？Hearken，Macumazahn，forthetimeisshort。
Intheroutofthegreatbattlethatshallbe，donotflywiththewhitemen，butsetyourfacetowardsUlundi。Onewhowasyourfriendwillguardyou，andwhoeverdies，noharmshallcometoyounowthatthefirewhichburnsinmyhearthassetallZululandaflame。Hearkenoncemore。Hans，thelittleyellowmanwhowasnamedLight-in-Darkness，hewhodiedamongtheKendahpeople，sendsyousalutationsandgivesyoupraise。Hebidsmetellyouthatnowofhisownaccordherenderstome，Mameena，theroyalsalute，becauseroyalImusteverbe；becausealsoheandIwhoaresofarapartareyetoneinthelovethatisourlife。”
Thesmokeblewintomyface，causingmetoreelback。Cetewayocaughtmebythearm，saying——
“Tellus，arethelipsofthedeadwitchwarmorcold？“
“Idonotknow。”Igroaned，“forInevertouchedher。”
“Howhelies！Oh！howheliesevenaboutwhatoureyessaw。”
saidCetewayoreflectivelyasIblunderedpasthimbacktomyseat，onwhichIsankhalfswooning。WhenIgotmywitsagainthefigurethatpretendedtobeMameenawasspeaking，IsupposeinanswertosomequestionofZikali’swhichIhadnotheard。Itsaid——
“OLordoftheSpirits，youhavecalledmefromthelandofSpiritstomakereplyastotwomatterswhichhavenotyethappenedupontheearth。TheserepliesIwillgivebutnoothers，sincethemortalstrengththatIhaveborrowedreturnswhenceitcame。Thefirstmatteris，iftherebewarbetweentheWhiteandBlack，whatwillhappeninthatwar？Iseeaplainringedroundwithhillsandonitastrange-shapedmount。Iseeagreatbattle；Iseethewhitemengodownlikecornbeforeatempest；Iseethespearsoftheimpisredden；Iseethewhitesoldierslielikeleavescutfromatreebyfrost。Theyaredead，alldead，saveahandfulthathavefledaway。IheartheingomaofvictorysunghereatUlundi。Itisfinished。