After this speech I marched off, followed by the clamour of Masapo's

furious attendants and the sound of Mameena's light and mocking

laughter.

"I wonder which of them she will marry?" I thought to myself, as I set

out for the wagons.

As I approached my camp I saw that the oxen were being inspanned, as I

supposed by the order of Scowl, who must have heard that there was a row

up at the kraal, and thought it well to be ready to bolt. In this I was

mistaken, however, for just then Saduko strolled out of a patch of bush

and said: "I ordered your boys to yoke up the oxen, Inkoosi."

"Have you? That's cool!" I answered. "Perhaps you will tell me why."

"Because we must make a good trek to the northward before night,

Inkoosi."

"Indeed! I thought that I was heading south-east."

"Bangu does not live in the south or the east," he replied slowly.

"Oh, I had almost forgotten about Bangu," I said, with a rather feeble

attempt at evasion.

"Is it so?" he answered in his haughty voice. "I never knew before that

Macumazahn was a man who broke a promise to his friend."

"Would you be so kind as to explain your meaning, Saduko?"

"Is it needful?" he answered, shrugging his shoulders. "Unless my ears

played me tricks, you agreed to go up with me against Bangu. Well, I

have gathered the necessary men--with the king's leave--they await us

yonder," and he pointed with his spear towards a dense patch of bush

that lay some miles beneath us. "But," he added, "if you desire to

change your mind I will go alone. Only then, I think, we had better bid

each other good-bye, since I love not friends who change their minds

when the assegais begin to shake."

Now, whether Saduko spoke thus by design I do not know. Certainly,

however, he could have found no better way to ensure my companionship

for what it was worth, since, although I had made no actual promise in

this case, I have always prided myself on keeping even a half-bargain

with a native.

"I will go with you," I said quietly, "and I hope that, when it comes to

the pinch, your spear will be as sharp as your tongue, Saduko. Only do

not speak to me again like that, lest we should quarrel."

As I said this I saw a look of relief appear on his face, of very great

relief.

"I pray your pardon, my lord Macumazahn," he said, seizing my hand,

"but, oh! there is a hole in my heart. I think that Mameena means to

play me false, and now that has happened with yonder dog, Masapo, which

will make her father hate me."




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