Child of Storm

"Oh, obey orders and stop here, I suppose. Unless," I added doubtfully,

"these Amawombe take the bit between their teeth and run away with me."

"They'll do that before nightfall, Mr. Quatermain, if I know anything of

the Zulus. Look here, why don't you get on your horse and come off with

me? This is a queer place for you."

"Because I promised not to," I answered with a groan, for really, as

I looked at those savages round me, who were already fingering their

spears in a disagreeable fashion, and those other thousands of savages

advancing towards us, I felt such little courage as I possessed sinking

into my boots.

"Very well, Mr. Quatermain, you know your own business best; but I hope

you will come out of it safely, that is all."

"Same to you," I replied.

Then John Dunn turned, and in my hearing asked Umbelazi what he knew of

the movements of the Usutu and of their plan of battle.

The Prince replied, with a shrug of his shoulders: "Nothing at present, Son of Mr. Dunn, but doubtless before the sun is

high I shall know much."

As he spoke a sudden gust of wind struck us, and tore the nodding

ostrich plume from its fastening on Umbelazi's head-ring. Whilst a

murmur of dismay rose from all who saw what they considered this very

ill-omened accident, away it floated into the air, to fall gently to the

ground at the feet of Saduko. He stooped, picked it up, and reset it

in its place, saying as he did so, with that ready wit for which some

Kafirs are remarkable: "So may I live, O Prince, to set the crown upon the head of Panda's

favoured son!"

This apt speech served to dispel the general gloom caused by the

incident, for those who heard it cheered, while Umbelazi thanked his

captain with a nod and a smile. Only I noted that Saduko did not mention

the name of "Panda's favoured son" upon whose head he hoped to live to

set the crown. Now, Panda had many sons, and that day would show which

of them was favoured.

A minute or two later John Dunn and his following departed, as he said,

to try to make peace with the advancing Usutu. Umbelazi, Saduko and

their escort departed also towards the main body of the host of the

Isigqosa, which was massed to our left, "sitting on their spears," as

the natives say, and awaiting the attack. As for me, I remained alone

with the Amawombe, drinking some coffee that Scowl had brewed for me,

and forcing myself to swallow food.

I can say honestly that I do not ever remember partaking of a more

unhappy meal. Not only did I believe that I was looking on the last sun

I should ever see--though by the way, there was uncommonly little of

that orb visible--but what made the matter worse was that, if so, I

should be called upon to die alone among savages, with not a single

white face near to comfort me. Oh, how I wished I had never allowed

myself to be dragged into this dreadful business. Yes, and I was even

mean enough to wish that I had broken my word to Panda and gone off with

John Dunn when he invited me, although now I thank goodness that I did

not yield to that temptation and thereby sacrifice my self-respect.