Part 11 (1/2)

Now Masapo sat silent, for he saw that he who thought to snare a baboon had caught a tiger

”You do not speak, O Chief of the little Ae and jealousy ”You will not leave your beef and beer to hunt the hyenas who are captained by an umfokazana! Well, then, the u up to Masapo, with the spear he carried poised in his right hand, Saduko grasped his rival's short beard with his left

”Listen, Chief,” he said ”You and I are ene rich, you will buy her But if so, I tell you that I will kill you and all your House, you sneaking, half-bred dog!”

With these fierce words he spat in his face and tumbled him backwards

Then, before anyone could stop him, for Umbezi, and even Masapo's headh the kraal gate, saying as he passed me:

”Inkoosi, I have words for you when you are at liberty”

”You shall pay for this,” roared Ue, for Masapo still lay upon his broad back, speechless, ”you who dare to insult uest in my own house”

”Soate, ”but who it is only the unborn moons will see”

”Marass, and men will be burned in it”

”I meant to, Macumazahn,” she answered calmly ”Did I not tell you that there was a flame in me, and it will break out sometirass, not I Remember that when half Zululand is in ashes Farewell, O Macuain, and,” she added softly, ”whoever else ”

At the gate, re my manners, I turned to bid that coained his feet, and was roaring out like a bull:

”Kill him! Kill the hyena! Uuest--me, Masapo--struck and insulted under the shadow of your own hut?

Go forth and kill him, I say!”

”Why not kill hiitated Umbezi, ”or bid your headreat a chief in a : ”Oh, Macumazahn the crafty, if I have dealt well by you, coive me your counsel”

”I come, Eater-up-of-Elephants,” I answered, and I did

”What shall I do--what shall I do?” went on U the perspiration off his broith one hand, while he wrung the other in his agitation ”There stands a friend of mine”--he pointed to the infuriated Masapo--”ishes me to kill another friend of ate ”If I refuse I offend one friend, and if I consent I bring blood upon h Saduko is poor, without doubt he has those who love hi blood upon other parts of yourself besides your hands, since Saduko is not one to sit still like a sheep while his throat is cut Also did he not say that he is not quite alone? Umbezi, if you will take ”

”It is good; it is wise!” exclaimed Umbezi ”Masapo,” he called to that warrior, ”if you wish to fight, pray do not think of , and I promise proper burial to any who fall Only you had best be swift, for Saduko is walking away all this tiate stands open”

”Ao without my meat in order to knock that hyena on the head?”

asked Masapo in a brave voice ”No, he can wait my leisure Sit still, my people I tell you, sit still Tell hi for him presently, and be warned to keep yourself away from him, lest you should tumble into his hole”

”I will tell hier But listen towords and Doer of sainstabout holes, for there shall be one or reat carcass of yours”

Then, walking up to him, I looked him in the face, and at the sa double-barrelled pistol I carried

He shrank back ise,” I said, ”only be ood dinner, Chief Masapo, and peace upon your kraal, friend Umbezi”