Part 19 (2/2)

”Here has been _tagati_ at work,” said the King, after eyeing them in silence for a few moments ”I think, Untuswa, the woa?”

”That is so, Black Elephant,” I answered

”There are thy three wives and two Bakoni slave-girls--five in all,”

went on the King ”Five women, and they are not able to custody one little child! Ha! If a woive us the aid of her counsels in war,” with a frown at Nangeza ”Clearly these are of no use at all Aith thery!”

But before the slayers could spring forward, round at the King's feet

”Spare us, father!” they wailed

”She who is gone was more to me than my own children,” howled Furief for loss of her,” groaned Nxope

”Spare us, Great Great One, that we may never rest until she is found,”

cried Fu us two,” screaeza, _inkosikazi_ of Untuswa! Hast thou nothing to say, no tears for Kwelanga--for thine own life?”

While the others had thus been be them with contempt in her eyes, which latter would flash into the lance Now she answered:

”I havewill hear it--ah, ht my face in the triuh of this babble,” said Umzilikazi, with a bitter sneer; for he loved not woh in some ways necessary, yet of no account whatever, and only producing mischief if allowed to raise their voices at all But even the Great Great One had reckoned without the length of Nangeza's tongue Hardily she went on:

”There has been _tagati_ indeed; but not aht Ho, Untuswa! Where is the witch thou didst save alive frohter of the Bakoni? Ha, ha, Untushere is she?”

Now, _Nkose_, my heart turned to water within 's mind, would surely bear fruit sooner or later And the offence was ahed; threw back hed softly, while murmurs of amazement went up from those who heard

”Hear you the words of this wo

”I hear thee words, son of Ntelani Hast thou no answer to make to them?”

”Now, my Father, who am I that I should weary the ears of the Great Great One by crossing ansith a woman in his presence?” I cried

”That is well said,” muttered Umzilikazi Then aloud, ”So, woman, where doth she dwell, this witch whohter of the Bakoni?”

”Upon the Mountain of Death, the eza

”And how is she named?”

”That I know not, O Elephant; but if Untuswa ever whispers her name in his sleep, it is Fumana or Nxope you should ask, O Calf of a Black Bull,” she said, in a tone full of ht how Nangeza could have obtained even that ae of my secret Could she have followed me, stealthily, the last journey I made to the Mountain of Death? It almost seemed so Or had she set others on to watchmany more suns set