They argued with me for a long while, making great offers and promises
of reward, till at length, when he saw that my determination could not
be shaken, Umbelazi said: "Come, Saduko, let us humble ourselves no more before this white man.
After all, he is right; the business is none of his, and why should we
ask him to risk his life in our quarrel, knowing as we do that white
men are not like us; they think a great deal of their lives. Farewell,
Macumazahn. If I conquer and grow great you will always be welcome in
Zululand, whereas if I fail perhaps you will be best over the Tugela
river."
Now, I felt the hidden taunt in this speech very keenly. Still, being
determined that for once I would be wise and not allow my natural
curiosity and love of adventure to drag me into more risks and trouble,
I replied: "The Prince says that I am not brave and love my life, and what he says
is true. I fear fighting, who by nature am a trader with the heart of
a trader, not a warrior with the heart of a warrior, like the great
Indhlovu-ene-Sihlonti"--words at which I saw the grave Saduko smile
faintly. "So farewell to you, Prince, and may good fortune attend you."
Of course, to call the Prince to his face by this nickname, which
referred to a defect in his person, was something of an insult; but
I had been insulted, and meant to give him "a Roland for his Oliver."
However, he took it in good part.
"What is good fortune, Macumazahn?" Umbelazi replied as he grasped my
hand. "Sometimes I think that to live and prosper is good fortune, and
sometimes I think that to die and sleep is good fortune, for in sleep
there is neither hunger nor thirst of body or of spirit. In sleep there
come no cares; in sleep ambitions are at rest; nor do those who look no
more upon the sun smart beneath the treacheries of false women or false
friends. Should the battle turn against me, Macumazahn, at least that
good fortune will be mine, for never will I live to be crushed beneath
Cetewayo's heel."
Then he went. Saduko accompanied him for a little way, but, making some
excuse to the Prince, came back and said to me: "Macumazahn, my friend, I dare say that we part for the last time, and
therefore I make a request to you. It is as to one who is dead to me.
Macumazahn, I believe that Umbelazi the thief"--these words broke from
his lips with a hiss--"has given her many cattle and hidden her away
either in the kloof of Zikali the Wise, or near to it, under his care.
Now, if the war should go against Umbelazi and I should be killed in
it, I think evil will fall upon that woman's head, I who have grown sure
that it was she who was the wizard and not Masapo the Boar. Also, as one
connected with Umbelazi, who has helped him in his plots, she will be
killed if she is caught. Macumazahn, hearken to me. I will tell you the
truth. My heart is still on fire for that woman. She has bewitched me;
her eyes haunt my sleep and I hear her voice in the wind. She is more to
me than all the earth and all the sky, and although she has wronged me
I do not wish that harm should come to her. Macumazahn, I pray you if I
die, do your best to befriend her, even though it be only as a servant
in your house, for I think that she cares more for you than for anyone,
who only ran away with him"--and he pointed in the direction that
Umbelazi had taken--"because he is a prince, who, in her folly, she
believes will be a king. At least take her to Natal, Macumazahn, where,
if you wish to be free of her, she can marry whom she will and will live
safe until night comes. Panda loves you much, and, whoever conquers in
the war, will give you her life if you ask it of him."