Child of Storm

"Bayéte! As the King pleases," said Saduko, still apparently unmoved by

the honours that were being heaped upon him.

"And, Son of Matiwane," went on Panda, "you are still unmarried, are you

not?"

Now, for the first time, Saduko's face changed. "Yes, Black One," he

said hurriedly, "but--"

Here he caught my eye, and, reading some warning in it, was silent.

"But," repeated Panda after him, "doubtless you would like to be? Well,

it is natural in a young man who wishes to found a House, and therefore

I give you leave to marry."

"Yebo, Silo!" (Yes, O Wild Beast!) "I thank the King, but--"

Here I sneezed loudly, and he ceased.

"But," repeated Panda, "of course, you do not know where to find a wife

between the time the hawk stoops and the rat squeaks in its claws. How

should you who have never thought of the matter? Also," he continued,

with a smile, "it is well that you have not thought of it, since she

whom I shall give to you could not live in the second hut in your kraal

and call another 'Inkosikazi' [that is, head lady or chieftainess].

Umbelazi, my son, go fetch her of whom we have thought as a bride for

this boy."

Now Umbelazi rose, and went with a broad smile upon his face, while

Panda, somewhat fatigued with all his speech-making--for he was very

fat and the day was very hot--leaned his head back against the hut and

closed his eyes.

"O Black One! O thou who consumeth with rage! [Dhlangamandhla]" broke

out Saduko, who, I could see, was much disturbed. "I have something to

say to you."

"No doubt, no doubt," answered Panda drowsily, "but save up your thanks

till you have seen, or you will have none left afterwards," and he

snored slightly.

Now I, perceiving that Saduko was about to ruin himself, thought it well

to interfere, though what business of mine it was to do so I cannot say.

At any rate, if only I had held my tongue at this moment, and allowed

Saduko to make a fool of himself, as he wished to do--for where Mameena

was concerned he never could be wise--I verily believe that all the

history of Zululand would have run a different course, and that many

thousands of men, white and black, who are now dead would be alive

to-day. But Fate ordered it otherwise. Yes, it was not I who spoke, but

Fate. The Angel of Doom used my throat as his trumpet.

Seeing that Panda dozed, I slipped behind Saduko and gripped him by the

arm.

"Are you mad?" I whispered into his ear. "Will you throw away your

fortune, and your life also?"

"But Mameena," he whispered back. "I would marry none save Mameena."