SoIsatandgazedonthemountainandtheforestthatgrewoveritlikehairontheheadofawoman，andasIgazedIheardasoundthatcamefromfaraway，outoftheheartoftheforestasitseemed。Atfirstitwasfaintandfaroff，adistantthinglikethecryofchildreninakraalacrossavalley；thenitgrewlouder，butstillI
couldnotsaywhatitmightbe；nowitswelledandswelled，andIknewit——itwasthesoundofwildbeatsatchase。Nearercamethemusic，therocksrangwithit，anditsvoicesetthebloodbeatingbuttohearkentoit。Thatpackwasgreatwhichrana-huntingthroughthesilentnight；andnowitwasnight，ontheothersideoftheslopeonly，andthesoundswelledsoloudthatthosewhowerewithmeawokealsoandlookedforth。Nowofasuddenagreatkoodoobullappearedforaninstantstandingoutagainsttheskyonthecrestoftheridge，thenvanishedintheshadow。Hewasrunningtowardsus；presentlywesawhimagainspeedingonhispathwithgreatbounds。Wesawthisalso——formsgreyandgauntandgalloping，innumbercountless，thatleapedalonghispath，appearingonthecrestoftherise，disappearingintotheshadow，seenagainontheslope，lostinthevalley；andwiththemtwoothershapes，theshapesofmen。
Nowthebigbuckboundedpastusnothalfaspear\'sthrowaway，andbehindhimstreamedthecountlesswolves，andfromthethroatsofthewolveswentupthatawfulmusic。Andwhowerethesetwothatcamewiththewolves，shapesofmengreatandstrong？Theyransilentlyandswift，wolves\'teethgleamedupontheirheads，wolves\'hideshungabouttheirshoulders。Inthehandsofonewasanaxe——themoonlightshoneuponit——inthehandoftheotheraheavyclub。Neckandnecktheyran；neverbeforehadweseenmentravelsofast。See！theyspeddowntheslopetowardsus；thewolveswereleftbehind，allexceptfourofthem；weheardthebeatingoftheirfeet；theycame，theypassed，theyweregone，andwiththemtheirunnumberedcompany。Themusicgrewfaint，itdied，itwasdead；thehuntwasfaraway，andthenightwasstillagain！
“Now，mybrethren，“Iaskedofthosewhowerewithme，“whatisthisthatwehaveseen？“
Thenoneanswered，“WehaveseentheGhostswholiveinthelapoftheoldWitch，andthosemenaretheWolf-Brethren，thewizardswhoarekingsoftheGhosts。“
CHAPTERXXIII
MOPOREVEALSHIMSELFTOTHESLAUGHTERER
Allthatnightwewatched，butweneithersawnorheardanymoreofthewolves，norofthemenwhohuntedwiththem。Onthemorrow，atdawn，IsentarunnertoBulalio，chiefofthePeopleoftheAxe，sayingthatamessengercametohimfromDingaan，theking，whodesiredtospeakwithhiminpeacewithinthegatesofhiskraal。I
chargedthemessenger，however，thatheshouldnottellmyname，butshouldsayonlythatitwas“MouthofDingaan。“ThenIandthosewithmefollowedslowlyonthepathofthemanwhomIsentforward，forthewaywasstillfar，andIhadbiddenhimreturnandmeetmebearingthewordsoftheSlaughterer，HolderoftheAxe。
AllthatdaytillthesungrewlowwetalkedroundthebaseofthegreatGhostMountain，followingthelineoftheriver。Wemetnoone，butoncewecametotheruinsofakraal，andinitlaythebrokenbonesofmanymen，andwiththebonesrustyassegaisandtheremainsofox-hideshields，blackandwhiteincolour。NowIexaminedtheshields，andknewfromtheircolourthattheyhadbeencarriedinthehandsofthosesoldierswho，yearsago，weresentoutbyChakatoseekforUmslopogaas，butwhohadreturnednomore。
“Now，“Isaid，“ithasfaredillwiththosesoldiersoftheBlackOnewhoisgone，forIthinkthatthesearetheshieldstheybore，andthattheireyesoncelookedupontheworldthroughtheholesinyonderskulls。“
“Thesearetheshieldstheybore，andthosearetheskullstheywore，“
answeredone。“See，Mopo，sonofMakedama，thisisnoman\'sworkthathasbroughtthemtotheirdeath。Mendonotbreakthebonesoftheirfoesinpiecesasthesebonesarebroken。Wow！mendonotbreakthem，butwolvesdo，andlastnightwesawwolvesa-hunting；nordidtheyhuntalone，Mopo。Wow！thisisahauntedland！“
Thenwewentoninsilence，andallthewaythestonefaceoftheWitchwhositsaloftforeverstareddownonusfromthemountaintop。
Atlength，anhourbeforesundown，wecametotheopenlands，andthere，onthecrestofarisebeyondtheriver，wesawthekraalofthePeopleoftheAxe。Itwasagreatkraalandwellbuilt，andtheircattlewerespreadabouttheplainsliketoherdsofgamefornumber。
Wewenttotheriverandpasseditbytheford，thensatdownandwaited，tillpresentlyIsawthemanwhomIhadsentforwardreturningtowardsus。Hecameandsalutedme，andIaskedhimfornews。
“Thisismynews，Mopo，“hesaid:“IhaveseenhimwhoisnamedBulalio，andheisagreatman——longandlean，withafierceface，andcarryingamightyaxe，suchanaxeasheborelastnightwhohuntedwiththewolves。WhenIhadbeenledbeforethechiefIsalutedhimandspoketohim——thewordsyoulaiduponmytongueItoldtohim。Helistened，thenlaughedaloud，andsaid:\'TellhimwhosentyouthatthemouthofDingaanshallbewelcome，andshallspeakthewordsofDingaaninpeace；yetIwouldthatitweretheheadofDingaanthatcameandnothismouthonly，forthenAxeGroan-Makerwouldjoininourtalk——ay，becauseofoneMopo，whomhisbrotherChakamurdered，itwouldalsospeakwithDingaan。Still，themouthisnotthehead，sothemouthmaycomeinpeace。\'“
NowIstartedwhenforthesecondtimeIheardtalkofoneMopo，whosenamehadbeenonthelipsofBulaliotheSlaughterer。WhowastherethatwouldthushavelovedMopoexceptonewhowaslongdead？Andyet，perhapsthechiefspokeofsomeotherMopo，forthenamewasnotmyownonly——intruth，Chakahadkilledachiefofthatnameatthegreatmourning，becausehesaidthattwoMoposinthelandwereonetoomany，andthatthoughthisMopoweptsorelywhenthetearsofothersweredry。SoIsaidonlythatthisBulaliohadahighstomach，andwewentontothegatesofthekraal。
Therewerenonetomeetusatthegates，andnonestoodbythedoorsofthehutswithinthem，butbeyond，fromthecattlekraalthatwasinthecentreofthehuts，roseadustandadinasofmengatheringforwar。Nowsomeofthosewerewithmewereafraid，andwouldhaveturnedback，fearingtreachery，andtheywereyetmoreafraidwhen，oncomingtotheinnerentranceofthecattlekraal，wesawsomefivehundredsoldiersbeingmusteredtherecompanybycompany，bytwogreatmen，whoranupanddowntheranksshouting。
ButIcried，“Nay！nay！Turnnotback！Boldlooksmelttheheartsoffoes。Moreover，ifthisBulaliowouldhavemurderedus，therewasnoneedforhimtocallupsomanyofhiswarriors。Heisaproudchief，andwouldshowhismight，notknowingthatthekingweservecanmusteracompanyforeverymanhehas。Letusgoonboldly。“
Sowewalkedforwardtowardstheimpithatwasgatheredonthefurthersideofthekraal。Nowthetwogreatmenwhoweremarshallingthesoldierssawus，andcametomeetus，onefollowingtheother。Hewhocamefirstboretheaxeuponhisshoulder，andhewhofollowedswungahugeclub。Ilookedupontheforemostofthem，andah！myfather，myheartgrewfaintwithjoy，forIknewhimacrosstheyears。ItwasUmslopogaas！myfosterling，Umslopogaas！andnoneother，nowgrownintomanhood——ay，intosuchamanaswasnottobefoundbesidehiminZululand。Hewasgreatandfierce，somewhatspareinframe，butwideshoulderedandshallowflanked。Hisarmswerelongandnotoverbig，butthemusclesstoodoutonthemlikeknotsinarope；hislegswerelongalso，andverythickbeneaththeknee。Hiseyewaslikeaneagle\'s，hisnosesomewhathooked，andheheldhisheadalittleforward，asamanwhosearchescontinuallyforahiddenfoe。Heseemedtowalkslowly，andyethecameswiftly，butwithaglidingmovementlikethatofawolforalion，andalwayshisfingersplayedroundthehornhandleoftheaxeGroan-Maker。Asforhimwhofollowed，hewasgreatalso，shorterthanUmslopogaasbythehalfofahead，butofasturdierbuild。Hiseyesweresmall，andtwinkledunceasinglylikelittlestars，andhislookwasverywild，fornowandagainhegrinned，showinghiswhiteteeth。
WhenIsawUmslopogaas，myfather，mybowelsmeltedwithinme，andI
longedtoruntohimandthrowmyselfuponhisneck。YetItookcouncilwithmyselfanddidnot——nay，IdroppedthecornerofthekarossIwroteovermyeyes，hidingmyfacelestheshouldknowme。
Presentlyhestoodbeforeme，searchingmeoutwithhiskeeneyes，forIdrewforwardtogreethim。
“Greeting，MouthofDingaan！“hesaidinaloudvoice。“Youarealittlemantobethemouthofsobigachief。“
“Themouthisalittlemember，evenofthebodyofagreatking，O
ChiefBulalio，rulerofthePeopleoftheAxe，wizardofthewolvesthatareupontheGhostMountain，whoaforetimewasnamedUmslopogaas，sonofMopo，sonofMakedama。“
NowwhenUmslopogaasheardthesewordshestartedlikeachildatarustlinginthedarkandstaredhardatme。
“Youarewellinstructed，“hesaid。
“Theearsofthekingarelarge，ifhismouthbesmall，OChiefBulalio，“Ianswered，“andI，whoambutthemouth，speakwhattheearshaveheard。“
“HowknowyouthatIhavedweltwiththewolvesupontheGhostMountain，OMouth？“heasked。
“Theeyesofthekingseefar，OChiefBulalio。Thuslastnighttheysawagreatchaseandamerry。Itseemsthattheysawakoodoobullrunningatspeed，andafterhimcountlesswolvesmakingtheirmusic，andwiththewolvestwomencladinwolves\'skins，suchmenasyou，Bulalio，andhewiththeclubwhofollowsyou。“
NowUmslopogaasliftedtheaxeGroan-Makerasthoughhewouldcutmedown，thenletitfallagain，whileGalazitheWolfglaredatmewithwide-openedeyes。
“HowknowyouthatonceIwasnamedUmslopogaas，whohavelostthatnamethesemanydays？Speak，OMouth，lestIkillyou。“
“Slayifyouwill，Umslopogaas，“Ianswered，“butknowthatwhenthebrainsarescatteredthemouthisdumb。Hewhoscattersbrainsloseswisdom。“
“Answer！“hesaid。
“Ianswernot。WhoareyouthatIshouldansweryou？Iknow；itisenough。Tomybusiness。“
NowUmslopogaasgroundhisteethinanger。“Iamnotwonttobethwartedhereinmyownkraal，“hesaid；“butdoyourbusiness。Speakit，littleMouth。“
“Thisismybusiness，littleChief。WhentheBlackOnewhoisgoneyetlived，yousenthimamessagebyoneMasilo——suchamessageashisearshadneverheard，andthathadbeenyourdeath，Ofoolpuffedupwithpride，butdeathcamefirstupontheBlackOne，andhishandwasstayed。NowDingaan，whoseshadowliesupontheland，thekingwhomI
serve，andwhositsintheplaceoftheBlackOnewhoisgone，speakstoyoubyme，hismouth。Hewouldknowthis:ifitistruethatyourefusetoownhissovereignty，topaytributetohiminmenandmaidsandcattle，andtoservehiminhiswars？Answer，youlittleheadman！——
answerinfewwordsandshort！“
NowUmslopogaasgaspedforbreathinhisrage，andagainhefingeredthegreataxe。“Itiswellforyou，OMouth，“hesaid，“thatIsworesafeconducttoyou，elseyouhadnotgonehence——elseyouhadbeenservedasIservedcertainsoldierswhoinbygoneyearsweresenttosearchoutoneUmslopogaas。YetIansweryouinfewwordsandshort。
Lookonthosespears——theyarebutafourthpartofthenumberIcanmuster:thatismyanswer。Looknowonyondermountain，themountainofghostsandwolves——unknown，impassable，savetomeandoneother:
thatismyanswer。Spearsandmountainsshallcometogether——themountainshallbealivewithspearsandwiththefangsofbeasts。LetDingaanseekhistributethere！Ihavespoken！“
NowIlaughedshrilly，desiringtotrytheheartofUmslopogaas，myfosterling，yetfurther。
“Fool！“Isaid。“Boywiththebrainofamonkey，foreveryspearyouhaveDingaan，whomIserve，cansendahundred，andyourmountainshallbestampedflat；andforyourghostsandwolves，see，withthemouthofDingaanIspituponthem！“andIspatupontheground。
NowUmslopogaasshookinhisrage，andthegreataxeglimmeredasheshook。Heturnedtothecaptainwhowasbehindhim，andsaid:“Say，GalazitheWolf，shallwekillthismanandthosewithhim？“
“Nay，“answeredtheWolf，grinning，“donotkillthem；youhavegiventhemsafeconduct。Moreover，letthemgobacktotheirdogofaking，thathemaysendouthispuppiestodobattlewithourwolves。Itwillbeaprettyfight。“
“Getyougone，OMouth，“saidUmslopogaas；“getyougoneswiftly，lestmischiefbefallyou！Withoutmygatesyoushallfindfoodtosatisfyyourhunger。Eatofitandbegone，forifto-morrowatthenoonyouarefoundwithinaspear\'sthrowofthiskraal，youandthosewithyoushallbidethereforever，OMouthofDingaantheking！“
NowImadeasthoughIwoulddepart，then，turningsuddenly，Ispokeoncemore，saying:——
“TherewerewordsinyourmessagetotheBlackOnewhoisdeadofacertainman——nay，howwashenamed？——ofacertainMopo。“
NowUmslopogaasstartedasonestartswhoiswoundedbyaspear，andstaredatme。
“Mopo！WhatofMopo，OMouth，whoseeyesareveiled？Mopoisdead，whosesonIwas！“
“Ah！“Isaid，“yes，Mopoisdead——thatis，theBlackOnewhoisgonekilledacertainMopo。Howcameit，OBulalio，thatyouwerehisson？“
“Mopoisdead，“quothUmslopogaasagain；“heisdeadwithallhishouse，hiskraalisstampedflat，andthatiswhyIhatedtheBlackOne，andthereforeIhateDingaan，hisbrother，andwillbeasareMopoandthehouseofMopobeforeIpayhimtributeofasingleox。“
AllthiswhileIhadspokentoUmslopogaasinafeignedvoice，myfather，butnowIspokeagainandinmyownvoice，saying:——
“So！Nowyouspeakfromyourheart，youngman，andbydiggingIhavereachedtherootofthematter。ItisbecauseofthisdeaddogofaMopothatyoudefytheking。“
Umslopogaasheardthevoice，andtremblednomorewithanger，butratherwithfearandwonder。Helookedatmehard，answeringnothing。
“Haveyouahutnearby，OChiefBulalio，foeofDingaantheking，whereI，themouthoftheking，mayspeakwithyouawhileapart，forIwouldlearnyourmessagewordbywordthatImaydeliveritwithoutfault。Fearnot，Slaughterer，tositalonewithmeinanemptyhut！I
amunarmedandold，andthereisthatinyourhandwhichIshouldfear，“andIpointedtotheaxe。
NowUmslopogaas，stillshakinginhislimbs，answered“Followme，O
Mouth，andyou，Galazi，staywiththesemen。“
SoIfollowedUmslopogaas，andpresentlywecametoalargehut。Hepointedtothedoorway，andIcreptthroughitandhefollowedafterme。Nowforawhileitseemeddarkinthehut，forthesunwassinkingwithoutandtheplacewasfullofshadow；soIwaitedwhileamanmightcountfifty，tilloureyescouldsearchthedarkness。ThenofasuddenIthrewtheblanketfrommyfaceandlookedintotheyesofUmslopogaas。
“Lookonmenow，OChiefBulalio，OSlaughterer，whooncewasnamedUmslopogaas——lookonmeandsaywhoamI？“Thenhelookedatmeandhisjawfell。
“EitheryouareMopomyfathergrownold——Mopo，whoisdead，ortheGhostofMopo，“heansweredinalowvoice。
“IamMopo，yourfather，Umslopogaas，“Isaid。“Youhavebeenlonginknowingme，whoknewyoufromthefirst。“
ThenUmslopogaascriedaloud，butyetsoftly，andlettingfalltheaxeGroan-Maker，heflunghimselfuponmybreastandweptthere。AndI
weptalso。
“Oh！myfather，“hesaid，“Ithoughtthatyouweredeadwiththeothers，andnowyouhavecomebacktome，andI，Iwouldhaveliftedtheaxeagainstyouinmyfolly。Oh，itiswellthatIhavelived，andnotdied，sinceoncemoreIlookuponyourface——thefacethatI
thoughtdead，butwhichyetlives，thoughitbesorelychanged，asthoughbygriefandyears。“
“Peace，Umslopogaas，myson，“Isaid。“Ialsodeemedyoudeadinthelion\'smouth，thoughintruthitseemedstrangetomethatanyothermanthanUmslopogaascouldhavewroughtthedeedswhichIhaveheardofasdonebyBulalio，ChiefofthePeopleoftheAxe——ay，andthrowndefianceintheteethofChaka。Butyouarenotdead，andI，Iamnotdead。ItwasanotherMopowhomChakakilled；IslewChaka，Chakadidnotslayme。“
“AndofNada，whatofNada，mysister？“hesaid。
“Macropha，yourmother，andNada，yoursister，aredead，Umslopogaas。
TheyaredeadatthehandsofthepeopleoftheHalakazi，whodwellinSwaziland。“
“Ihaveheardofthatpeople，“heansweredpresently，“andsohasGalazitheWolf，yonder。Hehasahatetosatisfyagainstthem——theymurderedhisfather；nowIhavetwo，fortheyhavemurderedmymotherandmysister。Ah，Nada，mysister！Nada，mysister！“andthegreatmancoveredhisfacewithhishands，androckedhimselftoandfroinhisgrief。
Now，myfather，itcameintomythoughtstomakethetruthplaintoUmslopogaas，andtellhimthatNadawasnosisterofhis，andthathewasnosonofmine，butratherofthatChakawhommyhandhadfinished。AndyetIdidnot，thoughnowIwouldthatIhaddoneso。
ForIsawwellhowgreatwastheprideandhowhighwastheheartofUmslopogaas，andIsawalsothatifonceheshouldlearnthatthethroneofZululandwashisbyright，nothingcouldholdhimback，forhewouldswiftlybreakintoopenrebellionagainstDingaantheking，andinmyjudgmentthetimewasnotripeforthat。HadIknown，indeed，butoneshortyearbeforethatUmslopogaasstilllived，hehadsatwhereDingaansatthisday；butIdidnotknowit，andthechancehadgonebyforawhile。NowDingaanwaskingandmusteredmanyregimentsabouthim，forIhadheldhimbackfromwar，asinthecaseoftheraidthathewishedtomakeupontheSwazis。Thechancehadgoneby，butitwouldcomeagain，andtillitcameImustsaynothing。
Iwoulddothisrather，IwouldbringDingaanandUmslopogaastogether，thatUmslopogaasmightbecomeknowninthelandasagreatchiefandthefirstofwarriors。ThenIwouldcausehimtobeadvancedtobeaninduna，andageneralreadytoleadtheimpisoftheking，forhewholeadstheimpisisalreadyhalfaking。
SoIheldmypeaceuponthismatter，buttillthedawnwasgreyUmslopogaasandIsattogetherandtalked，eachtellingthetaleofthoseyearsthathadgonesincehewasbornefrommeinthelion\'smouth。Itoldhimhowallmywivesandchildrenhadbeenkilled，howI
hadbeenputtothetorment，andshowedhimmywhiteandwitheredhand。ItoldhimalsoofthedeathofBaleka，mysister，andofallmypeopleoftheLangeni，andofhowIhadrevengedmywrongsuponChaka，andmadeDingaantobekinginhisplace，andwasnowthefirstmaninthelandundertheking，thoughthekingfearedmemuchandlovedmelittle。ButIdidnottellhimthatBaleka，mysister，washisownmother。
WhenIhaddonemytale，Umslopogaastoldmehis:howGalazihadrescuedhimfromthelioness；howhebecameoneoftheWolf-Brethren；
howhehadconqueredJikizaandthesonsofJikiza，andbecomechiefofthePeopleoftheAxe，andtakenZinitatowife，andgrowngreatintheland。
Iaskedhimhowitcameaboutthathestillhuntedwiththewolvesashehaddonelastnight。Heansweredthatnowhewasgreatandtherewasnothingmoretowin，andattimesawearinessoflifecameuponhim，andthenhemustup，andtogetherwithGalazihuntandharrywiththewolves，forthusonlycouldhefindrest。
IsaidthatIwouldshowhimbettergametohuntbeforeallwasdone，andaskedhimfurtherifhelovedhiswife，Zinita。Umslopogaasansweredthathewouldloveherbetterifshelovedhimnotsomuch，forshewasjealousandquicktoanger，andthatwasasorrowtohim。
Then，whenhehadsleptawhile，heledmefromthehut，andIandmypeoplewerefeastedwiththebest，andIspokewithZinitaandwithGalazitheWolf。Forthelast，Ilikedhimwell。Thiswasagoodmantohaveatone\'sbackinbattle；butmyheartspoketomeagainstZinita。Shewashandsomeandtall，butwithfierceeyeswhichalwayswatchedUmslopogaas，myfosterling；andInotedthathewhowasfearlessofallotherthingsyetseemedtofearZinita。Neitherdidsheloveme，forwhenshesawhowtheSlaughtererclungtome，asitwee，instantlyshegrewjealous——asalreadyshewasjealousofGalazi——andwouldhavebeenridofmeifshemight。ThusitcameaboutthatmyheartspokeagainstZinita；nordidittellmeworsethingsofherthanthosewhichshewastodo。
CHATPERXXIV
THESLAYINGOFTHEBOERS
OnthemorrowIledUmslopogaasapart，andspoketohimthus:——
“Myson，yesterday，whenyoudidnotknowmeexceptastheMouthofDingaan，youchargedmewithacertainmessageforDingaantheking，that，haditbeendeliveredintotheearsoftheking，hadsurelybroughtdeathuponyouandallyourpeople。Thetreethatstandsbyitselfonaplain，Umslopogaas，thinksitselftallandthatthereisnoshadetoequalitsshade。Yetarethereotherandbiggertrees。Youaresuchasolitarytree，Umslopogaas，butthetopmostbranchesofhimwhomIservearethickerthanyourtrunk，andbeneathhisshadowlivemanywoodcutters，whogoouttolopthosethatwouldgrowtoohigh。
YouarenomatchforDingaan，though，dwellingherealoneinanemptyland，youhavegrowngreatinyourowneyesandintheeyesofthoseaboutyou。Moreover，Umslopogaas，knowthis:DingaanalreadyhatesyoubecauseofthewordswhichinbygoneyearsyousentbyMasilothefooltotheBlackOnewhoisdead，forheheardthosewords，anditishiswilltoeatyouup。Hehassentmehitherforonereasononly，toberidofmeawhile，and，whateverthewordsIbringbacktohim，theendwillbethesame——thatnightshallcomewhenyouwillfindanimpiatyourgates。“
“Thenwhatneedtotalkmoreofthematter，myfather？“askedUmslopogaas。“Thatwillcomewhichmustcome。LetmewaitherefortheimpiofDingaan，andfighttillIdo。“
“Notso，Umslopogaas，myson；therearemorewaysofkillingamanthanbytheassegai，andacrookedstickcanstillbebentstraightinthestream。Itismydesire，Umslopogaas，thatinsteadofhateDingaanshouldgiveyoulove；insteadofdeath，advancement；andthatyoushallgrowgreatinhisshadow。Listen！DingaanisnotwhatChakawas，though，likeChaka，heiscruel。ThisDingaanisafool，anditmaywellcomeaboutthatamancanbefoundwho，growingupinhisshadow，intheendshallovershadowhim。Imightdoit——Imyself；butIamold，and，beingwornwithsorrow，havenolongingtorule。Butyouareyoung，Umslopogaas，andthereisnomanlikeyouintheland。
Moreover，thereareothermattersofwhichitisnotwelltospeak，thatshallserveyouasaraftwhereontoswimtopower。“
NowUmslopogaasglancedupsharply，forinthosedayshewasambitious，anddesiredtobefirstamongthepeople。Indeed，havingthebloodofChakainhisveins，howcoulditbeotherwise？
“Whatisyourplan，myfather？“heasked。“Sayhowcanthisbebroughtabout？“
“Thisandthus，Umslopogaas。AmongthetribeoftheHalakaziinSwazilandtheredwellsamaidwhoisnamedtheLily。Sheisagirlofthemostwonderfulbeauty，andDingaanisafirewithlongingtohavehertowife。Now，awhilesinceDingaandispatchedanembassytothechiefoftheHalakaziaskingtheLilyinmarriage，andthechiefoftheHalakazisentbackinsolentwords，sayingthattheBeautyoftheEarthshouldbegiventonoZuludogasawife。ThenDingaanwasangry，andhewouldhavegatheredhisimpisandsentthemagainsttheHalakazitodestroythem，andbringhimthemaid，butIheldhimbackfromit，sayingthatnowwasnotimetobeginanewwar；anditisforthiscausethatDingaanhatesme，heissosetuponthepluckingoftheSwaziLily。Doyouunderstandnow，Umslopogaas？“
“Something，“heanswered。“Butspeakclearly。“
“Wow，Umslopogaas！Halfwordsarebetterthanwholeonesinthislandofours。Listen，then！Thisismyplan:thatyoushouldfallupontheHalakazitribe，destroyit，andbringbackthemaidasapeace-
offeringtoDingaan。“
“Thatisagoodplan，myfather，“heanswered。“Attheleast，maidornomaid，therewillbefightinginit，andcattletodividewhenthefightingisdone。“
“Firstconquer，thenreckonupthespoils，Umslopogaas。“
Nowhethoughtawhile，thensaid，“SufferthatIsummonGalazitheWolf，mycaptain。Donotfear，heistrustyandamanoffewwords。“
PresentlyGalazicameandsatdownbeforeus。ThenIputthemattertohimthus:thatUmslopogaaswouldfallupontheHalakaziandbringtoDingaanthemaidhelongedforasapeace-offering，butthatIwishedtoholdhimbackfromtheventurebecausetheHalakazipeopleweregreatandstrong。IspokeinthissensesothatImighthaveadoortocreepoutshouldGalazibetraytheplot；andUmslopogaasreadmypurpose，thoughmycraftwasneedless，forGalaziwasatrueman。
GalazitheWolflistenedinsilencetillIhadfinished，thenheansweredquietly，butitseemedtomethatafireshoneinhiseyesashespoke:——
“IamchiefbyrightoftheHalakazi，OMouthofDingaan，andknowthemwell。Theyareastrongpeople，andcanputtwofullregimentsunderarms，whereasBulalioherecanmusterbutoneregiment，andthatasmallone。Moreover，theyhavewatchmenoutbynightandday，andspiesscatteredthroughtheland，sothatitwillbehardtotakethemunawares；alsotheirstrongholdisavastcaveopentotheskyinthemiddle，andnonehavewonthatstrongholdyet，norcoulditbefoundexceptbythosewhoknowitssecret。Theyarefew，yetIamoneofthem，formyfathershowedittomewhenIwasalad。Therefore，MouthofDingaan，youwillknowthatthisisnoeasytaskwhichBulaliowouldsethimselfandus——toconquertheHalakazi。ThatisthefaceofthemattersofarasitconcernsBulalio，butforme，OMouth，ithasanotherface。Knowthat，longyearsago，IsworetomyfatherashelaydyingbythepoisonofawitchofthispeoplethatIwouldnotresttillIhadavengedhim——ay，tillIhadstampedouttheHalakazi，andslaintheirmen，andbroughttheirwomentothehousesofstrangers，andtheirchildrentobonds！Yearbyyearandmonthbymonth，andnightbynight，asIhavelainaloneupontheGhostMountainyonder，IhavewonderedhowImightbringmyoathtopass，andfoundnoway。Nowitseemsthatthereisaway，andIamglad。Yetthisisagreatadventure，andperhapsbeforeitisdonewiththePeopleoftheAxewillbenomore。“Andheceasedandtooksnuff，watchingourfacesoverthespoon。
“GalazitheWolf，“saidUmslopogaas，“formealsothematterhasanotherface。YouhavelostyourfatheratthehandsoftheseHalakazidogs，and，thoughtilllastnightIdidnotknowit，Ihavelostmymotherbytheirspears，andwithheronewhomIlovedaboveallintheworld，mysisterNada，wholovedmealso。BotharedeadandtheHalakazihavekilledthem。Thisman，themouthofDingaan，“andhepointedtome，Mopo，“thismansaysthatifIcanstampouttheHalakaziandmakecaptiveoftheLilymaid，IshallwintheheartofDingaan。LittledoIcareforDingaan，Iwhowouldgomywayalone，andlivewhileImaylive，anddiewhenImust，bythehandsofDingaanasbythoseofanother——whatdoesitmatter？Yet，forthisreason，becauseofthedeathofMacropha，mymother，andNada，thesisterwhowasdeartome，IwillmakewarupontheseHalakaziandconquerthem，orbeconqueredbythem。Perhaps，OMouthofDingaan，youwillseemesoonattheking\'skraalontheMahlabatine，andwithmetheLilymaidandthecattleoftheHalakazi；orperhapsyoushallnotseeme，andthenyouwillknowthatIamdead，andtheWarriorsoftheAxearenomore。“
SoUmslopogaasspoketomebeforeGalazitheWolf，butafterwardsheembracedmeandbademefarewell，forhehadnogreathopethatweshouldmeetagain。AndIalsodoubtedit；for，asGalazisaid，theadventurewasgreat；yet，asIhadseenmanytimes，itistheboldthrowerwhooftenestwins。Soweparted——ItoreturntoDingaanandtellhimthatBulalio，ChiefofthePeopleoftheAxe，hadgoneupagainsttheHalakazitowintheLilymaidandbringhertohiminatonement；whileUmslopogaasremainedtomakereadyhisimpiforwar。
IwentswiftlyfromtheGhostMountainbacktothekraalUmgugundhlovu，andpresentedmyselfbeforeDingaan，whoatfirstlookedonmecoldly。ButwhenItoldhimmymessage，andhowthattheChiefBulaliotheSlaughtererhadtakenthewar-pathtowinhimtheLily，hismannerchanged。HetookmebythehandandsaidthatIhaddonewell，andhehadbeenfoolishtodoubtmewhenIliftedupmyvoicetopersuadehimfromsendinganimpiagainsttheHalakazi。NowhesawthatitwasmypurposetorakethisHalakazifirewithanotherhandthanhis，andtosavehishandfromtheburning，andhethankedme。
Moreover，hesaid，thatifthisChiefofthePeopleoftheAxebroughthimthemaidhisheartdesired，notonlywouldheforgivehimthewordshehadspokenbythemouthofMasilototheBlackOnewhowasdead，butalsoallthecattleoftheHalakazishouldbehis，andhewouldmakehimgreatintheland。Iansweredthatallthiswasasthekingwilled。Ihadbutdonemydutybythekingandworkedsothat，whateverbefell，aproudchiefshouldbeweakenedandafoeshouldbeattackedatnocosttotheking，insuchfashionalsothatperhapsitmightcomeaboutthatthekingwouldshortlyhavetheLilyathisside。
ThenIsatdowntowaitwhatmightbefall。
Nowitis，myfather，thatthewhitemencomeintomystory，whomwenamedtheAmaboona，butyoucalltheBoers。Ou！IthinkillofthoseAmaboona，thoughitwasIwhogavethemthevictoryoverDingaan——I
andUmslopogaas。
Beforethistime，indeed，afewwhitemenhadcometoandfrotothekraalsofChakaandDingaan，butthesecametoprayandnottofight。
NowtheBoersbothfightandpray，alsotheysteal，orusedtosteal，whichIdonotunderstand，fortheprayersofyouwhitemensaythatthesethingsshouldnotbedone。
Well，whenIhadbeenbackfromtheGhostMountainsomethinglessthanamoon，theBoerscame，sixtyofthemcommandedbyacaptainnamedRetief，abigman，andarmedwithroers——thelonggunstheyhadinthosedays——or，perhapstheynumberedahundredinall，countingtheirservantsandafter-riders。Thiswastheirpurpose:togetagrantofthelandinNatalthatliesbetweentheTugelaandtheUmzimouburivers。But，bymycouncilandthatofotherindunas，Dingaan，bargainedwiththeBoersthatfirsttheyshouldattackacertainchiefnamedSigomyela，whohadstolensomeoftheking\'scattle，andwholivedneartheQuathlambaMountains，andbringbackthosecattle。ThistheBoersagreedto，andwenttoattackthechief，andinalittlewhiletheycamebackagain，havingdestroyedthepeopleofSigomyela，anddrivinghiscattlebeforethemaswellasthosewhichhadbeenstolenfromtheking。
ThefaceofDingaanshonewhenhesawthecattle，andthatnighthecalledus，thecounciloftheAmapakati，together，andaskedusastothegrantingofthecountry。Ispokethefirst，andsaidthatitmatteredlittleifhegrantedit，seeingthattheBlackOnewhowasdeadhadalreadygivenittotheEnglish，thePeopleofGeorge，andtheendofthematterwouldbethattheAmaboonaandthePeopleofGeorgewouldfightfortheland。YetthewordsoftheBlackOnewerecomingtopass，foralreadyitseemedwecouldhearthesoundoftherunningofawhitefolkwhoshouldeatupthekingdom。
NowwhenIhadspokenthustheheartofDingaangrewheavyandhisfacedark，formywordsstuckinhisbreastlikeabarbedspear。
Still，hemadenoanswer，butdismissedthecouncil。
OnthemorrowthekingpromisedtosignthepapergivingthelandstheyaskedfortotheBoers，andallwassmoothaswaterwhenthereisnowind。Beforethepaperwassignedthekinggaveagreatdance，forthereweremanyregimentsgatheredatthekraal，andforthreedaysthisdancewenton，butonthethirddayhedismissedtheregiments，allexceptone，animpioflads，whowerecommandedtostay。NowallthiswhileIwonderedwhatwasinthemindofDingaanandwasafraidfortheAmaboona。Buthewassecret，andtoldnothingexcepttothecaptainsoftheregimentalone——no，noteventooneofhiscouncil。
YetIknewthatheplannedevil，andwashalfinclinedtowarntheCaptainRetief，butdidnot，fearingtomakemyselffoolish。Ah！myfather，ifIhadspoken，howmanywouldhavelivedwhoweresoondead！
Butwhatdoesitmatter？Inanycasemostofthemwouldhavebeendeadbynow。
Onthefourthmorning，early，DingaansentamessengertotheBoers，biddingthemmeethiminthecattlekraal，fortherehewouldmarkthepaper。Sotheycame，stackingtheirgunsatthegateofthekraal，foritwasdeathforanyman，whiteorblack，tocomearmedbeforethepresenceoftheking。Now，myfather，thekraalUmgugundhlovuwasbuiltinagreatcircle，afterthefashionofroyalkraals。Firstcamethehighouterfence，thenthethousandsofhutsthatranthreepartsroundbetweenthegreatfenceandtheinnerone。Withinthisinnerfencewasthelargeopenspace，bigenoughtoholdfiveregiments，andatthetopofit——oppositetheentrance——stoodthecattlekraalitself，thatcutoffapieceoftheopenspacebyanotherfencebentlikeabow。BehindthisagainweretheEmposeni，theplaceoftheking\'swomen，theguard-house，thelabyrinth，andtheIntunkulu，thehouseoftheking。Dingaancameoutonthatdayandsatonastoolinfrontofthecattlekraal，andbyhimstoodamanholdingashieldoverhisheadtokeepthesunfromhim。AlsoweoftheAmapakati，thecouncil，werethere，andrangedroundthefenceofthespace，armedwithshortsticksonly——notwithkerries，myfather——wasthatregimentofyoungmenwhichDingaanhadnotsentaway，thecaptainoftheregimentbeingstationedneartotheking，ontheright。
PresentlytheBoerscameinonfootandwalkeduptothekinginabody，andDingaangreetedthemkindlyandshookhandswithRetief，theircaptain。ThenRetiefdrewthepaperfromaleatherpouch，whichsetouttheboundariesofthegrantofland，anditwastranslatedtothekingbyaninterpreter。Dingaansaidthatitwasgood，andputhismarkuponit，andRetiefandalltheBoerswerepleased，andsmiledacrosstheirfaces。Nowtheywouldhavesaidfarewell，butDingaanforbadethem，sayingthattheymustnotgoyet:firsttheymusteatandseethesoldiersdancealittle，andhecommandeddishesofboiledfleshwhichhadbeenmadereadyandbowlsofmilktobebroughttothem。TheBoerssaidthattheyhadalreadyeaten；still，theydrankthemilk，passingthebowlsfromhandtohand。
Nowtheregimentbegantodance，singingtheIngomo，thatisthewarchantofusZulus，myfather，andtheBoersdrewbacktowardsthecentreofthespacetogivethesoldiersroomtodancein。ItwasatthismomentthatIheardDingaangiveanordertoamessengertorunswiftlytothewhiteDoctorofPrayers，whowasstayingwithoutthekraal，tellinghimnottobeafraid，andIwonderedwhatthismightmean；forwhyshouldthePrayerDoctorfearadancesuchashehadoftenseenbefore？PresentlyDingaanrose，and，followedbyall，walkedthroughthepresstowheretheCaptainRetiefstood，andbadehimgood-bye，shakinghimbythehandandbiddinghimhamblagachle，togoinpeace。Thenheturnedandwalkedbackagaintowardsthegatewaywhichledtohisroyalhouse，andIsawthatnearthisentrancestoodthecaptainoftheregiments，asonestandsbywhowaitsfororders。
Now，ofasudden，myfather，Dingaanstoppedandcriedwithaloudvoice，“BulalaniAbatakati！“slaythewizards，andhavingcriedit，hecoveredhisfacewiththecornerofhisblanket，andpassedbehindthefence。
We，thecouncillors，stoodastounded，likemenwhohadbecomestone；
butbeforewecouldspeakoractthecaptainoftheregimenthadalsocriedaloud，“BulalaniAbatakati！“andthesignalwascaughtupfromeveryside。Then，myfather，cameayellandarushofthousandsoffeet，andthroughthecloudsofdustwesawthesoldiershurlthemselvesupontheAmaboona，andabovetheshoutingweheardthesoundoffallingsticks。TheAmaboonadrewtheirknivesandfoughtbravely，butbeforeamancouldcountahundredtwiceitwasdone，andtheywerebeingdragged，somefewdead，butthemostyetliving，towardsthegatesofthekraalandoutontotheHillofSlaughter，andthere，ontheHillofSlaughter，theyweremassacred，everyoneofthem。How？Ah！Iwillnottellyou——theyweremassacredandpiledinaheap，andthatwastheendoftheirstory，myfather。
NowIandtheothercouncillorsturnedawayandwalkedsilentlytowardsthehouseoftheking。Wefoundhimstandingbeforehisgreathut，and，liftingourhands，wesalutedhimsilently，sayingnoword。
ItwasDingaanwhospoke，laughingalittleashespoke，likeamanwhoisuneasyinhismind。
“Ah，mycaptains，“hesaid，“whenthevulturesplumedthemselvesthismorning，andshriekedtotheskyforblood，theydidnotlookforsuchafeastasIhavegiventhem。Andyou，mycaptains，youlittleguessedhowgreatakingtheHeavenshavesettoruleoveryou，norhowdeepisthemindofthekingthatwatcheseveroverhispeople\'swelfare。
NowthelandisfreefromtheWhiteWizardsofwhosefootstepstheBlackOnecroakedashegaveuphislife，orsoonshallbe，forthisisbutabeginning。Ho！Messengers！“andheturnedtosomemenwhostoodbehindhim，“awayswiftlytotheregimentsthataregatheredbehindthemountains，awaytothem，bearingtheking\'swordstothecaptains。Thisistheking\'sword:thattheimpishallruntothelandofNatalandslaytheBoersthere，wipingthemout，man，woman，andchild。Away！“
NowthemessengerscriedouttheroyalsaluteofBayete，and，leapingforwardlikespearsfromthehandofthethrower，weregoneatonce。
Butwe，thecouncillors，themembersoftheAmapakati，stillstoodsilent。
ThenDingaanspokeagain，addressingme:——
“Isthyheartatrestnow，Mopo，sonofMakedama？Everhastthoubleatedinmyearofthiswhitepeopleandofthedeedsthattheyshalldo，andlo！Ihaveblownuponthemwithmybreathandtheyaregone。Say，Mopo，aretheAmaboonawizardsyonderalldead？Ifanybeleftalive，Idesiretospeakwithoneofthem。“
ThenIlookedDingaaninthefaceandspoke。
“Theyarealldead，andthou，OKing，thoualsoartdead。“
“Itwerewellforthee，thoudog，“saidDingaan，“thatthoushouldstmakethymeaningplain。“
“Letthekingpardonme，“Ianswered；“thisismymeaning。Thoucanstnotkillthiswhitemen，fortheyarenotofonerace，butofmanyraces，andtheseaistheirhome；theyriseoutoftheblackwater。
Destroythosethatarehere，andothersshallcometoavengethem，moreandmoreandmore！Nowthouhastsmitteninthyhour；intheirstheyshallsmiteinturn。NowTHEYlielowinbloodatthyhand；inadaytocome，OKing，THOUshaltlielowinbloodattheirs。Madnesshastakenholdofthee，OKing，thatthouhastdonethisthing，andthefruitofthymadnessshallbethydeath。Ihavespoken，I，whoamtheking\'sservant。Letthewillofthekingbedone。“
ThenIstoodstillwaitingtobekilled，for，myfather，inthefuryofmyheartatthewickednesswhichhadbeenworkedIcouldnotholdbackmywords。ThriceDingaanlookedonmewithaterribleface，andyettherewasfearinhisfacestrivingwithitsrage，andIwaitedcalmlytoseewhichwouldconquer，thefearortherage。Whenatlasthespoke，itwasoneword，“Go！“notthreewords，“Takehimaway。“SoIwentyetliving，andwithmethecouncillors，leavingthekingalone。
Iwentwithaheavyheart，myfather，forofalltheevilsightsthatIhaveseenitseemedtomethatthiswasthemostevil——thattheAmaboonashouldbeslaughteredthustreacherously，andthattheimpisshouldbesentouttreacherouslytomurderthosewhowereleftofthem，togetherwiththeirwomenandchildren。Ay，andtheyslew——sixhundredofthemdidtheyslay——yonderinWeenen，thelandofweeping。
Say，myfather，whydoestheUmkulunkuluwhositsintheHeavensaboveallowsuchthingstobedoneontheearthbeneath？Ihaveheardthepreachingofthewhitemen，andtheysaythattheyknowallaboutHim——thatHisnamesarePowerandMercyandLove。Why，then，doesHesufferthesethingstobedone——whydoesHesuffersuchmenasChakaandDingaantotormentthepeopleoftheearth，andintheendpaythembutonedeathforallthethousandsthattheyhavegiventoothers？Becauseofthewickednessofthepeoples，yousay；butno，no，thatcannotbe，fordonottheguiltlessgowiththeguilty——ay，donottheinnocentchildrenperishbythehundred？Perchancethereisanotheranswer，thoughwhoamI，myfather，thatI，inmyfolly，shouldstrivetosearchoutthewayoftheUnsearchable？Perchanceitisbutapartofthegreatplan，alittlepieceofthatpatternofwhichIspoke——thepatternonthecupthatholdsthewatersofHiswisdom。Wow！Idonotunderstand，whoambutawildman，norhaveI
foundmoreknowledgeintheheartsofyoutamedwhitepeople。Youknowmanythings，butoftheseyoudonotknow:youcannottelluswhatwewereanhourbeforebirth，norwhatweshallbeanhourafterdeath，norwhywewereborn，norwhywedie。Youcanonlyhopeandbelieve——
thatisall，andperhaps，myfather，beforemanydaysarespedIshallbewiserthanallofyou。ForIamveryaged，thefireofmylifesinkslow——itburnsinmybrainalone；thereitisstillbright，butsoonthatwillgooutalso，andthenperhapsIshallunderstand。
CHAPTERXXV
THEWARWITHTHEHALAKAZIPEOPLE
Now，myfather，ImusttellofhowUmslopogaastheSlaughtererandGalazitheWolffaredintheirwaragainstthePeopleoftheHalakazi。
WhenIhadgonefromtheshadowoftheGhostMountain，Umslopogaassummonedagatheringofallhisheadmen，andtoldthemitwashisdesirethatthePeopleoftheAxeshouldnolongerbealittlepeople；
thattheyshouldgrowgreatandnumbertheircattlebytensofthousands。
Theheadmenaskedhowthismightbebroughtabout——wouldhethenmakewaronDingaantheKing？Umslopogaasansweredno，hewouldwinthefavourofthekingthus:andhetoldthemoftheLilymaidandoftheHalakazitribeinSwaziland，andofhowhewouldgoupagainstthattribe。Nowsomeoftheheadmensaidyeatothisandsomesaidnay，andthetalkranhighandlastedtilltheevening。ButwhentheeveningwascomeUmslopogaasroseandsaidthathewaschiefundertheAxe，andnoneother，anditwashiswillthattheyshouldgoupagainsttheHalakazi。Iftherewasanymantherewhowouldgainsayhiswill，lethimstandforwardanddobattlewithhim，andhewhoconqueredshouldorderallthings。Tothistherewasnoanswer，fortherewerefewwhocaredtofacethebeakofGroan-Maker，andsoitcameaboutthatitwasagreedthatthePeopleoftheAxeshouldmakewarupontheHalakazi，andUmslopogaassentoutmessengerstosummoneveryfighting-mantohisside。
ButwhenZinita，hisheadwife，cametohearofthemattershewasangry，andupbraidedUmslopogaas，andheapedcursesonme，Mopo，whomsheknewonlyasthemouthofDingaan，because，asshesaidtruly，I
hadputthisschemeintothemindoftheSlaughterer。“What！“shewenton，“doyounotlivehereinpeaceandplenty，andmustyougotomakewaronthosewhohavenotharmedyou；there，perhaps，toperishortocometootherill？YousayyoudothistowinagirlforDingaanandtofindfavourinhissight。HasnotDingaangirlsmorethanhecancount？Itismorelikelythat，wearyingofus，yourwives，yougotogetgirlsforyourself，Bulalio；andasforfindingfavour，restquiet，soshallyoufindmostfavour。Ifthekingsendshisimpisagainstyou，thenitwillbetimetofight，Ofoolwithlittlewit！“
ThusZinitaspoketohim，veryroughly——forshealwaysblurtedoutwhatwasinhermind，andUmslopogaascouldnotchallengehertobattle。Sohemustbearhertalkasbesthemight，foritisoftenthus，myfather，thatthegreatestofmengrowsmallenoughintheirownhuts。Moreover，heknewthatitwasbecauseZinitalovedhimthatshespokesobitterly。
Nowonthethirddayallthefighting-menweregathered，andtheremighthavebeentwothousandofthem，goodmenandbrave。ThenUmslopogaaswentoutandspoketothem，tellingthemofthisadventure，andGalazitheWolfwaswithhim。Theylistenedsilently，anditwasplaintoseethat，asinthecaseoftheheadmen，someofthemthoughtonethingandsomeanother。ThenGalazispoketothembriefly，tellingthemthatheknewtheroadsandthecavesandthenumberoftheHalakazicattle；butstilltheydoubted。ThereonUmslopogaasaddedthesewords:——
“To-morrow，atthedawn，I，Bulalio，HolderoftheAxe，ChiefofthePeopleoftheAxe，goupagainsttheHalakazi，withGalazitheWolf，mybrother。Ifbuttenmenfollowus，yetwewillgo。Now，choose，yousoldiers！Letthosecomewhowill，andletthosewhowillstopathomewiththewomenandthelittlechildren。“
Nowagreatshoutrosefromeverythroat。
“Wewillgowithyou，Bulalio，tovictoryordeath！“
Soonthemorrowtheymarched，andtherewaswailingamongthewomenofthePeopleoftheAxe。OnlyZinitadidnotwail，butstoodbyinwrath，forebodingevil；norwouldshebidherlordfarewell，yetwhenhewasgonesheweptalso。
NowUmslopogaasandhisimpitravelledfastandfar，hungeringandthirsting，tillatlengththeycametothelandoftheUmswazi，andafterawhileenteredtheterritoryoftheHalakazibyahighandnarrowpass。ThefearofGalazitheWolfwasthattheyshouldfindthispassheld，forthoughtheyhadharmednoneinthekraalsastheywent，andtakenonlyenoughcattletofeedthemselves，yetheknewwellthatmessengershadspedbydayandnighttowarnthepeopleoftheHalakazi。Buttheyfoundnomaninthepass，andontheothersideofittheyrested，forthenightwasfarspent。AtdawnUmslopogaaslookedoutoverthewideplainsbeyond，andGalazishowedhimalonglowhill，twohours\'marchaway。
“There，mybrother，“hesaid，“liestheheadkraaloftheHalakazi，whereIwasborn，andinthathillisthegreatcave。“
Thentheywenton，andbeforethesunwashightheycametothecrestofarise，andheardthesoundofhornsonitsfartherside。Theystoodupontherise，andlooked，andlo！yetfaroff，butrunningtowardsthem，wasthewholeimpioftheHalakazi，anditwasagreatimpi。
“Theyhavegatheredtheirstrengthindeed，“saidGalazi。“ForeverymanofourstherearethreeoftheseSwazis！“
Thesoldierssawalso，andthecourageofsomeofthemsanklow。ThenUmslopogaasspoketothem:——
“YonderaretheSwazidogs，mychildren；theyaremanyandwearefew。
Yet，shallitbetoldathomethatwe，menoftheZulublood，werehuntedbyapackofSwazidogs？ShallourwomenandchildrensingTHAT
songinourears，OSoldiersoftheAxe？“
Nowsomecried“Never！“butsomeweresilent；soUmslopogaasspokeagain:——
“Turnbackallwhowill:thereisyettime。Turnbackallwhowill，butyewhoaremencomeforwardwithme。Orifyewill，gobackallofyou，andleaveAxeGroan-MakerandClubWatchertoseethismatteroutalone。“
Nowtherearoseamightyshoutof“Wewilldietogetherwhohavelivedtogether！“
“Doyouswearit？“criedUmslopogaas，holdingGroan-Makeronhigh。
“WeswearitbytheAxe，“theyanswered。
ThenUmslopogaasandGalazimadereadyforthebattle。Theypostedalltheyoungmeninthebrokengroundabovethebottomoftheslope，forthesecouldbestbesparedtothespear，andGalazitheWolftookcommandofthem；buttheveteransstayeduponthehillside，andwiththemUmslopogaas。
NowtheHalakazicameon，andtherewerefourfullregimentsofthem。
Theplainwasblackwiththem，theairwasrentwiththeirshoutings，andtheirspearsflashedlikelightnings。OnthefarthersideoftheslopetheyhaltedandsentaheraldforwardtodemandwhatthePeopleoftheAxewouldhavefromthem。TheSlaughtereransweredthattheywouldhavethreethings:First，theheadoftheirchief，whoseplaceGalazishouldfillhenceforth；secondly，thatfairmaidwhommennamedtheLily；thirdly，athousandheadofcattle。Ifthesedemandsweregranted，thenhewouldsparethem，theHalakazi；ifnot，hewouldstampthemoutandtakeall。
Sotheheraldreturned，andwhenhereachedtheranksoftheHalakazihecalledaloudhisanswer。ThenagreatroaroflaughterwentupfromtheHalakaziregiments，aroarthatshooktheearth。ThebrowofUmslopogaastheSlaughtererburnedredbeneaththeblackwhenheheardit，andheshookGroan-Makertowardstheirhost。
“Yeshallsinganothersongbeforethissunisset，“hecried，andstrodealongtheranksspeakingtothismanandthatbyname，andliftinguptheirheartswithgreatwords。
NowtheHalakaziraisedashout，andchargedtocomeattheyoungmenledbyGalazitheWolf；butbeyondthefootoftheslopewaspeatyground，andtheycamethroughitheavily，andastheycameGalaziandtheyoungmenfelluponthemandslewthem；still，theycouldnotholdthembackforlong，becauseoftheirgreatnumbers，andpresentlythebattlerangedallalongtheslope。ButsowelldidGalazihandletheyoungmen，andsofiercelydidtheyfightbeneathhiseye，thatbeforetheycouldbekilledordrivenbackalltheforceoftheHalakaziwasdoingbattlewiththem。Ay，andtwiceGalazichargedwithsuchashecouldgather，andtwicehecheckedtheHalakazirush，throwingthemintoconfusion，tillatlengthcompanywasmixedwithcompanyandregimentwithregiment。Butitmightnotendure，fornowmorethanhalftheyoungmenweredown，andtherestwerebeingpushedbackupthehill，fightingmadly。
ButallthiswhileUmslopogaasandtheveteranssatintheirranksuponthebrowoftheslopeandwatched。“ThoseSwazidogshaveafoolfortheirgeneral，“quothUmslopogaas。“Hehasnomenlefttofallbackon，andGalazihasbrokenhisarrayandmixedhisregimentsasmilkandcreamaremixedinabowl。Theyarenolongeranimpi，theyareamob。“
Nowtheveteransmovedrestlesslyontheirhaunches，pushingtheirlegsoutanddrawingtheminagain。Theyglancedatthefray，theylookedintoeachother\'seyesandspokeawordhere，awordthere，“Wellsmitten，Galazi！Wow！thatoneisdown！Abravelad！Ho！agoodclubistheWatcher！Thefightdrawsnear，mybrother！“Andeverastheyspoketheirfacesgrewfiercerandtheirfingersplayedwiththeirspears。
AtlengthacaptaincalledaloudtoUmslopogaas:——
“Say，Slaughterer，isitnottimetobeupanddoing？Thegrassiswettositon，andourlimbsgrowcramped。“
“Waitawhile，“answeredUmslopogaas。“Letthemwearyoftheirplay。
Letthemweary，Itellyou。“
AshespoketheHalakazihuddledthemselvestogether，andwitharushdrovebackGalaziandthosewhowereleftoftheyoungmen。Yes，atlasttheywereforcedtoflee，andafterthemcametheSwazis，andintheforefrontofthepursuitwastheirchief，ringedroundwithacircleofhisbravest。
Umslopogaassawitandboundedtohisfeet，roaringlikeabull。“Atthemnow，wolves！“heshouted。
Thenthelinesofwarriorssprangupasawavesprings，andtheircrestswerelikefoamuponthewave。Asawavethatswellstobreaktheyrosesuddenly，likeabreakingwavetheypoureddowntheslope。
InfrontofthemwastheSlaughterer，holdingGroan-Makeraloft，andoh！hisfeetwereswift。Soswiftwerehisfeetthat，striveastheywould，heoutranthembythequarterofaspear\'sthrow。Galaziheardthethunderoftheirrush；helookedround，andashelooked，lo！theSlaughterersweptpasthim，runninglikeabuck。ThenGalazi，too，boundedforward，andtheWolf-Brethrenspeddownthehill，thelengthoffourspearsbetweenthem。
TheHalakazialsosawandheard，andstrovetogatherthemselvestogethertomeettherush。InfrontofUmslopogaaswastheirchief，atallmanhedgedaboutwithassegais。Straightattheshield-hedgedroveUmslopogaas，andascoreofspearswereliftedtogreethim，ascoreofshieldsheavedintotheair——thiswasafencethatnonemightpassalive。YetwouldtheSlaughtererpassit——notalone！See！hesteadieshispace，hegathershimselftogether，andnowheleaps！Highintotheairheleaps；hisfeetknocktheheadsofthewarriorsandrattleagainstthecrownsoftheirshields。Theysmiteupwardswiththespear，buthehassweptoverthemlikeaswoopingbird。Hehasclearedthem——hehaslit——andnowtheshield-hedgeguardstwochiefs。
Butnotforlong。Ou！Groan-Makerisaloft，hefalls——andneithershieldnoraxemaystayhisstroke，botharecleftthrough，andtheHalakazilackaleader。
Theshield-ringwheelsinuponitself。Fools！Galaziisuponyou！Whatwasthat？Look，now！seehowmanybonesareleftunbrokeninhimwhomtheWatcherfallsonfull！What！——anotherdown！Closeup，shield-men——
closeup！Ai！areyoufled？
Ah！thewavehasfallenonthebeach。Listentoitsroaring——listentotheroaringoftheshields！Stand，youmenoftheHalakazi——stand！
Surelytheyarebutafew。So！itisdone！BytheheadofChaka！theybreak——theyarepushedback——nowthewaveofslaughterseethesalongthesands——nowthefoeissweptlikefloatingweed，andfromallthelinetherecomesahissinglikethehissingofthinwaters。“S\'gee！“
saysthehiss。“S\'gee！S\'gee！“
There，myfather，Iamold。WhathaveIdowiththebattleanymore，withthebattleanditsjoy？Yetitisbettertodieinsuchafightasthatthantoliveanyotherway。Ihaveseensuch——Ihaveseenmanysuch。Oh！wecouldfightwhenIwasaman，myfather，butnonethatI
knewcouldeverfightlikeUmslopogaastheSlaughterer，sonofChaka，andhisblood-brotherGalazitheWolf！So，so！theysweptthemaway，thoseHalakazi；theysweptthemasamaidsweepsthedustofahut，asthewindsweepsthewitheredleaves。Itwassoondonewhenonceitwasbegun。Somewerefledandsomeweredead，andthiswastheendofthatfight。No，no，notofallthewar。TheHalakaziwereworstedinthefield，butmanylivedtowinthegreatcave，andtheretheworkmustbefinished。Thither，then，wenttheSlaughtererpresently，withsuchofhisimpiaswaslefttohim。Alas！manywerekilled；buthowcouldtheyhavediedbetterthaninthatfight？Alsothosewhowereleftwereasgoodasall，fornowtheyknewthattheyshouldnotbeovercomeeasilywhileAxeandClubstillledtheway。
Nowtheystoodbeforeahill，measuring，perhaps，threethousandpacesrounditsbase。Itwasofnogreatheight，andyetunclimbable，for，afteramanhadgoneupalittleway，thesidesofitweresheer，offeringnofootholdexcepttotherock-rabbitsandthelizards。Noonewastobeseenwithoutthishill，norinthegreatkraaloftheHalakazithatlaytotheeastofit，andyetthegroundaboutwastrampledwiththehoofsofoxenandthefeetofmen，andfromwithinthemountaincameasoundoflowingcattle。
“HereisthenestofHalakazi，“quothGalazitheWolf。
“Hereisthenestindeed，“saidUmslopogaas；“buthowshallwecomeattheeggstosuckthem？Therearenobranchesonthistree。“
“Butthereisaholeinthetrunk，“answeredtheWolf。
Nowheledthemalittlewaytilltheycametoaplacewherethesoilwastrampledasitisattheentrancetoacattlekraal，andtheysawthattherewasalowcavewhichledintothecliff，likeanarchwaysuchasyouwhitemenbuild。butthisarchwaywasfilledupwithgreatblocksofstoneplaceduponeachotherinsuchafashionthatitcouldnotbeforcedfromwithout。Afterthecattleweredriveninithadbeenfilledup。
“Wecannotenterhere，“saidGalazi。“Followme。“
Sotheyfollowedhim，andcametothenorthsideofthemountain，andthere，twospear-castsaway，asoldierwasstanding。Butwhenhesawthemhevanishedsuddenly。
“Thereistheplace，“saidGalazi，“andthefoxhasgonetoearthinit。“
Nowtheyrantothespotandsawalittleholeintherock，scarcelybiggerthananant-bear\'sburrow，andthroughtheholecamesoundsandsomelight。
“Nowwhereisthehyenawhowilltryanewburrow？“criedUmslopogaas。
“Ahundredheadofcattletothemanwhowinsthroughandclearstheway！“
Thentwoyoungmensprangforwardwhowereflushedwithvictoryanddesirednothingmorethantomakeagreatnameandwincattle，crying:——
“Herearehyenas，Bulalio。“
“Toearth，then！“saidUmslopogaas，“andlethimwhowinsthroughholdthepathawhiletillothersfollow。“
Thetwoyoungmensprangatthehole，andhewhoreacheditfirstwentdownuponhishandsandkneesandcrawledin，lyingonhisshieldandholdinghisspearbeforehim。Foralittlewhilethelightintheburrowvanished，andtheyheardthesoundofhiscrawling。Thencamethenoiseofblows，andoncemorelightcreptthroughthehole。Themanwasdead。
“Thisonehadabadsnake，“saidthesecondsoldier；“hissnakedesertedhim。Letmeseeifmineisbetter。“
Sodownhewentonhishandsandknees，andcrawledasthefirsthaddone，onlyheputhisshieldoverhishead。Forawhiletheyheardhimcrawling，thenoncemorecamethesoundofblowsechoingontheox-hideshield，andaftertheblowsgroans。Hewasdeadalso，yetitseemedthattheyhadlefthisbodyinthehole，fornownolightcamethrough。Thiswasthecause，myfather:whentheystruckthemanhehadwriggledbackalittlewayanddiedthere，andnonehadenteredfromthefarthersidetodraghimout。
Nowthesoldiersstaredatthemouthofthepassageandnoneseemedtolovethelookofit，forthiswasbutapoorwaytodie。UmslopogaasandGalazialsolookedatit，thinking。
“NowIamnamedWolf，“saidGalazi，“andawolfshouldnotfearthedark；also，thesearemypeople，andImustbethefirsttovisitthem，“andhewentdownonhishandsandkneeswithoutmoreado。ButUmslopogaas，havingpeeredoncemoredowntheburrow，said:“Hold，Galazi；Iwillgofirst！Ihaveaplan。Doyoufollowme。Andyou，mychildren，shoutloudly，sothatnonemayhearusmove；and，ifwewinthrough，followswiftly，forwecannotholdthemouthofthatplaceforlong。Hearken，also！thisismycounseltoyou:ifIfallchooseanotherchief——GalazitheWolf，ifheisstillliving。“
“Nay，Slaughterer，donotnameme，“saidtheWolf，“fortogetherweliveordie。“
“Soletitbe，Galazi。Thenchooseyousomeothermanandtrythisroadnomore，forifwecannotpassitnonecan，butseekfoodandsitdownheretillthosejackalsbolt；thenbeready。Farewell，mychildren！“
“Farewell，father，“theyanswered，“gowarily，lestwebeleftlikecattlewithoutaherdsman，wanderinganddesolate。“
ThenUmslopogaascreptintothehole，takingnoshield，butholdingGroan-Makerbeforehim，andathisheelscreptGalazi。Whenhehadcoveredthelengthofsixspearshestretchedouthishand，and，ashetrustedtodo，hefoundthefeetofthatmanwhohadgonebeforeanddiedintheplace。ThenUmslopogaasthewaydidthis:heputhisheadbeneaththedeadman\'slegsandthrusthimselfonwardtillallthebodywasonhisback，andtherehehelditwithonehand，grippingitstwowristsinhishand。Thenhecrawledforwardalittlespaceandsawthathewascomingtotheinnermouthoftheburrow，butthattheshadowwasdeeptherebecauseofagreatmassofrockwhichlaybeforetheburrowshuttingoutthelight。“Thisiswellforme，“thoughtUmslopogaas，“fornowtheywillnotknowthedeadfromtheliving。I
mayyetlookuponthesonagain。“NowheheardtheHalakazisoldierstalkingwithout。
“TheZuluratsdonotlovethisrun，“saidone，“theyfeartherat-
catcher\'sstick。Thisisgoodsport，“andamanlaughed。
ThenUmslopogaaspushedhimselfforwardasswiftlyashecould，holdingthedeadmanonhisback，andsuddenlycameoutoftheholeintotheopenplaceinthedarkshadowofthegreatrock。
“BytheLily，“criedasoldier，“here\'sathird！Takethis，Zulurat！“
Andhestruckthedeadmanheavilywithakerrie。“Andthat！“criedanother，drivinghisspearthroughhimsothatitprickedUmslopogaasbeneath。“Andthat！andthis！andthat！“saidothers，astheysmoteandstabbed。
NowUmslopogaasgroanedheavilyinthedeepshadowandlaystill。“Noneedtowastemoreblows，“saidthemanwhohadstruckfirst。“ThisonewillnevergobacktoZululand，andIthinkthatfewwillcaretofollowhim。Letusmakeanend:run，someofyou，andfindstonestostoptheburrow，fornowthesportisdone。“
Heturnedashespokeandsodidtheothers，andthiswaswhattheSlaughtersought。Withaswiftmovement，hefreedhimselffromthedeadmanandsprangtohisfeet。Theyheardthesoundandturnedagain，butastheyturnedGroan-Makerpeckedsoftly，andthatmanwhohadswornbytheLilywasnomoreaman。ThenUmslopogaasleapedforwards，and，boundingontothegreatrock，stoodtherelikeabuckagainstthesky。
“AZuluratisnotsoeasilyslain，Oyeweasels！“hecried，astheycameathimfromallsidesatoncewitharoar。Hesmotetotherightandtheleft，andsoswiftlythatmencouldscarcelyseetheblowsfall，forhestruckwithGroan-Maker\'sbeak。Butthoughmenscarcelysawtheblows，yet，myfather，menfellbeneaththem。Nowfoeswereallaround，leapingupattheSlaughtererasrushingwaterleapstohidearock——everywhereshonespears，thrustingathimfromthissideandfromthat。ThoseinfrontandtothesideGroan-Makerservedtostay，butonewoundedUmslopogaasintheneck，andanotherwasliftedtopiercehisbackwhenthestrengthofitsholderwasbowedtothedust——tothedust，tobecomeofthedust。
FornowtheWolfwasthroughtheholealso，andtheWatchergrewverybusy；hewassobusythatsoonthebackoftheSlaughtererhadnothingtofear——yetthosehadmuchtofearwhostoodbehindhisback。Thepairfoughtbravely，makingagreatslaughter，andpresently，onebyone，plumedheadsofthePeopleoftheAxeshowedthroughtheburrowandstrongarmsmingledinthefray。Swiftlytheycame，leapingintobattleasottersleaptothewater——nowthereweretenofthem，nowthereweretwenty——andnowtheHalakazibrokeandfled，sincetheydidnotbargainforthis。ThentherestoftheMenoftheAxecamethroughinpeace，andtheeveninggrewtowardsthedarkbeforeallhadpassedthehole。
CHAPTERXXVI
THEFINDINGOFNADA
Umslopogaasmarshalledhiscompanies。
“Thereislittlelightleft，“hesaid，“butitmustserveustostarttheseconiesfromtheirburrows。Come，mybrotherGalazi，youknowwheretheconieshide，takemyplaceandleadus。“
SoGalaziledtheimpi。Turningacorneroftheglen，hecamewiththemtoalargeopenspacethathadafountaininitsmidst，andthisplacewasfullofthousandsofcattle。Thenheturnedagaintotheleft，andbroughtthemtotheinnersideofthemountain，wherethecliffhungover，andherewasthemouthofagreatcave。Nowthecavewasdark，butbyitsdoorwasstackedapileofresinouswoodtoserveastorches。
“Hereisthatwhichwillgiveuslight，“saidGalazi，andonemanofeverytwotookatorchandlititatafirethatburnednearthemouthofthecave。Thentheyrushedin，wavingtheflaringtorchesandwithassegaisaloft。HereforthelasttimetheHalakazistoodagainstthem，andthetorchesfloatedupanddownuponthewaveofwar。Buttheydidnotstandforverylong，foralltheheartwasoutofthem。
Wow！yes，manywerekilled——Idonotknowhowmany。Iknowthisonly，thattheHalakaziarenomoreatribesinceUmslopogaas，whoisnamedBulalio，stampedthemwithhisfeet——theyarenothingbutanamenow。
ThePeopleoftheAxedrovethemoutintotheopenandfinishedthefightbystarlightamongthecattle。
InonecornerofthecaveUmslopogaassawaknotofmenclusteringroundsomethingasthoughtoguardit。Herushedatthemen，andwithhimwentGalaziandothers。ButwhenUmslopogaaswasthrough，bythelightofhistorchheperceivedatallandslenderman，wholeanedagainstthewallofthecaveandheldashieldbeforehisface。
“Youareacoward！“hecried，andsmotewithGroan-Maker。Thegreataxepiercedthehide，but，missingtheheadbehind，rangloudlyagainsttherock，andasitstruckasweetvoicesaid:——
“Ah！soldier，donotkillme！Whyareyouangrywithme？“
Nowtheshieldhadcomeawayfromitsholder\'shandsuponthebladeoftheaxe，andtherewassomethinginthenotesofthevoicethatcausedUmslopogaastosmitenomore:itwasasthoughamemoryofchildhoodhadcometohiminadream。Historchwasburninglow，buthethrustitforwardtolookathimwhocrouchedagainsttherock。Thedresswasthedressofaman，butthiswasnoman\'sform——nay，ratherthatofalovelywoman，well-nighwhiteincolour。Shedroppedherhandsfrombeforeherface，andnowhecouldseeherwell。Hesaweyesthatshonelikestars，hairthatcurledandfellupontheshoulders，andsuchbeautyaswasnotknownamongourpeople。Andasthevoicehadspokentohimofsomethingthatwaslost，sodidtheeyesseemtoshineacrosstheblacknessofmanyyears，andthebeautytobringbackheknewnotwhat。
Helookedatthegirlinallherloveliness，andshelookedathiminhisfiercenessandhismight，redwithwarandwounds。Theybothlookedlong，whilethetorchlightflaredonthem，onthewallsofthecave，andthebroadbladeofGroan-Maker，andfromaroundrosethesoundsofthefray。
“Howareyounamed，whoaresofairtosee？“heaskedatlength。
“IamnamedtheLilynow:onceIhadanothername。Nada，daughterofMopo，Iwasonce；butnameandallelsearedead，andIgotojointhem。Killmeandmakeanend。Iwillshutmyeyes，thatImaynotseethegreataxeflash。“