Child of Storm

Now Nandie looked about her in her open, honest fashion, her gaze

resting first on Saduko, then on Umbelazi, and lastly upon me.

"My Father," she said at length, in her soft, steady voice, "tell me, I

beseech you, who proposes this marriage? Is it the Chief Saduko, is it

the Prince Umbelazi, or is it the white lord whose true name I do not

know, but who is called Macumazahn, Watcher-by-Night?"

"I can't remember which of them proposed it," yawned Panda. "Who can

keep on talking about things from night till morning? At any rate, I

propose it, and I will make your husband a big man among our people.

Have you anything to say against it?"

"I have nothing to say, my Father. I have met Saduko, and like him

well--for the rest, you are the judge. But," she added slowly, "does

Saduko like me? When he speaks my name, does he feel it here?" and she

pointed to her throat.

"I am sure I do not know what he feels in his throat," Panda replied

testily, "but I feel that mine is dry. Well, as no one says anything,

the matter is settled. To-morrow Saduko shall give the umqoliso [the

Ox of the Girl], that makes marriage--if he has not got one here I will

lend it to him, and you can take the new, big hut that I have built in

the outer kraal to dwell in for the present. There will be a dance, if

you wish it; if not, I do not care, for I have no wish for ceremony just

now, who am too troubled with great matters. Now I am going to sleep."

Then sinking from his stool on to his knees, Panda crawled through the

doorway of his great hut, which was close to him, and vanished.

Umbelazi and I departed also through the gateway of the fence, leaving

Saduko and the Princess Nandie alone together, for there were no

attendants present. What happened between them I am sure I do not

know, but I gather that, in one way or another, Saduko made himself

sufficiently agreeable to the princess to persuade her to take him to

husband. Perhaps, being already enamoured of him, she was not difficult

to persuade. At any rate, on the morrow, without any great feasting or

fuss, except the customary dance, the umqoliso, the "Ox of the Girl,"

was slaughtered, and Saduko became the husband of a royal maiden of the

House of Senzangakona.

Certainly, as I remember reflecting, it was a remarkable rise in life

for one who, but a few months before, had been without possessions or a

home.

I may add that, after our brief talk in the King's kraal, while Panda

was dozing, I had no further words with Saduko on this matter of his

marriage, for between its proposal and the event he avoided me, nor did

I seek him out. On the day of the marriage also, I trekked for Natal,

and for a whole year heard no more of Saduko, Nandie, and Mameena;

although, to be frank, I must admit I thought of the last of these

persons more often, perhaps, than I should have done.