Child of Storm

"Truly you are not one from whom to seek comfort in the hour of

distress," groaned poor Umbezi, then added, brightening up: "But perhaps

Panda will kill him because he has wiped out Bangu in a time of peace.

Oh Macumazahn, can you not persuade Panda to kill him? If so, I now have

more cattle than I really want--"

"Impossible," I answered. "Panda is his friend, and between ourselves I

may tell you that he ate up the Amakoba by his especial wish. When the

King hears of it he will call to Saduko to sit in his shadow and make

him great, one of his councillors, probably with power of life and death

over little people like you and Masapo."

"Then it is finished," said Umbezi faintly, "and I will try to die

like a man. But to be brayed like a hide! And with thin sticks! Oh!" he

added, grinding his teeth, "if only I can get hold of Mameena I will

not leave much of that pretty hair of hers upon her head. I will tie her

hands and shut her up with the 'Old Cow,' who loves her as a meer-cat

loves a mouse. No; I will kill her. There--do you hear, Macumazahn,

unless you do something to help me, I will kill Mameena, and you won't

like that, for I am sure she is dear to you, although you were not man

enough to run away with her as she wished."

"If you touch Mameena," I said, "be certain, my friend, that Saduko's

sticks and your skin will not be far apart, for I will report you to

Panda myself as an unnatural evil-doer. Now hearken to me, you old fool.

Saduko is so fond of your daughter, on this point being mad, as you say

I am, that if only he could get her I think he might overlook the fact

of her having been married before. What you have to do is to try to

buy her back from Masapo. Mind you, I say buy her back--not get her

by bloodshed--which you might do by persuading Masapo to put her away.

Then, if he knew that you were trying to do this, I think that Saduko

might leave his sticks uncut for a while."

"I will try. I will indeed, Macumazahn. I will try very hard. It is true

Masapo is an obstinate pig; still, if he knows that his own life is

at stake, he might give way. Moreover, when she learns that Saduko

has grown rich and great, Mameena might help me. Oh, I thank you,

Macumazahn; you are indeed the prop of my hut, and it and all in it are

yours. Farewell, farewell, Macumazahn, if you must go. But why--why did

you not run away with Mameena, and save me all this fear and trouble?"