He was in the bush now, and a voice called him, that of his head man.
"Come out, you dog," he said, searching the dense foliage with his eyes, and the man appeared, saluting him humbly.
"We received your message and we have come, Inkoos. We are but just arrived. What has chanced here that the town is so still?"
"The Zulus have been and gone. They have killed the white Teacher and his wife, though I thought to save them--look at my wound. Also the people are fled."
"Ah!" replied the head man, "that was an ill deed, for he was holy, and a great prophet, and doubtless his spirit is strong to revenge. Well for you is it, Master, that you had no hand in the deed, as at first I feared might be the case, for know that last night a strange dog climbed on to your hut and howled there and would not be driven away, nor could we kill it with spears, so we think it was a ghost. All your wives thought that evil had drawn near to you."
Ishmael struck him across the mouth, exclaiming.
"Be silent, you accursed wizard, or you shall howl louder than your ghost-dog."
"I meant no harm," answered the man humbly, but with a curious gleam in his eye. "What are your commands, Chief?"
"That we watch here. I think that the daughter of the Shouter, she who is called Inkosazana-y-Zoola, is coming, and she may need help. Have you brought thirty men with you as I bade you through my messengers?"
"Aye, Ibubesi, they are all hidden in the bush. I go to summon them, though I think that the mighty Inkosazana, who can command all the Zulu impis and all the spirits of the dead, will need little help from us."