I slept very well that night, I suppose because I was so dog-tired

I could not help it; but next day, on our long walk back to Umbezi's

kraal, I thought a great deal.

Without doubt I had seen and heard very strange things, both of the

past and the present--things that I could not in the least understand.

Moreover, they were mixed up with all sorts of questions of high Zulu

policy, and threw a new light upon events that happened to me and others

in my youth.

Now, in the clear sunlight, was the time to analyse these things, and

this I did in the most logical fashion I could command, although without

the slightest assistance from Saduko, who, when I asked him questions,

merely shrugged his shoulders.

These questions, he said, did not interest him; I had wished to see the

magic of Zikali, and Zikali had been pleased to show me some very good

magic, quite of his best indeed. Also he had conversed alone with me

afterwards, doubtless on high matters--so high that he, Saduko, was not

admitted to share the conversation--which was an honour he accorded

to very few. I could form my own conclusions in the light of the White

Man's wisdom, which everyone knew was great.

I replied shortly that I could, for Saduko's tone irritated me. Of

course, the truth was that he felt aggrieved at being sent off to

bed like a little boy while his foster-father, the old dwarf, made

confidences to me. One of Saduko's faults was that he had always a very

good opinion of himself. Also he was by nature terribly jealous, even in

little things, as the readers of his history, if any, will learn.

We trudged on for several hours in silence, broken at length by my

companion.

"Do you still mean to go on a shooting expedition with Umbezi, Inkoosi?"

he asked, "or are you afraid?"

"Of what should I be afraid?" I answered tartly.

"Of the buffalo with the split horn, of which Zikali told you. What

else?"

Now, I fear I used strong language about the buffalo with the split

horn, a beast in which I declared I had no belief whatsoever, either

with or without its accessories of dried river-beds and water-holes.

"If all this old woman's talk has made you afraid, however," I added,

"you can stop at the kraal with Mameena."

"Why should the talk make me afraid, Macumazahn? Zikali did not say that

this evil spirit of a buffalo would hurt me. If I fear, it is for you,

seeing that if you are hurt you may not be able to go with me to look

for Bangu's cattle."

"Oh!" I replied sarcastically; "it seems that you are somewhat selfish,

friend Saduko, since it is of your welfare and not of my safety that you

are thinking."




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