Part 37 (1/1)

”Oh, no, Macumazahn, there is another in the hut whom you cannot see

There he stands,” and he pointed towards the hearth ”Look! The spear is through hih whom, Saduko?”

”Whom? Why, the Prince Umbelazi, whom I betrayed for Mameena's sake”

”Why do you talk wind, Saduko?” I asked ”Years ago I saw Indhlovu-ene-Sihlonti die”

”Die, Macumazahn! We do not die; it is only our flesh that dies Yes, yes, I have learned that since we parted Do you not remember his last words: 'I will haunt you while you live, and when you cease to live, ah!

then we shall ain'? Oh! from that hour to this he _has_ haunted me, Macumazahn--he and the others; and noe are about to meet as he proroaned

”He is mad,” I whispered to Nandie

”Perhaps Who knows?” she answered, shaking her head

Saduko uncovered his eyes

”Make 'the-thing-that-burns' brighter,” he gasped, ”for I do not perceive hiht Oh! Macu To who? I see! to Ma Be silent I an to wish that I were out of that hut, for really a little of this uncanny business went a long way Indeed, I suggested going, but Nandie would not allow it

”Stay withwhat Saduko heard U to Ma

He began to wander in his u, Macumazahn; but you would not take your share of the cattle, so the blood of the Aht was that which the Amawombe made at Endondakusuka You ith them, you remember, Macumazahn; and as I not at your side? Oh! then ould have swept away the Usutu as the wind sweeps ashes Why was I not at your side to share the glory? I rehter of Storm She betrayed me for Umbelazi, and I betrayed Uht to the dust; and the Usutu wolf, Cetewayo, curls hirows fat on his food And--and, Macumazahn, it has all been done in vain, for Mameena hates me Yes, I can read it in her eyes She mocks and hates me worse in death than she did in life, and she says that--that it was not all her fault--because she loves--because she loves--”

A look of bewilderment came upon his face--his poor, tormented face; then suddenly Saduko threw his ar voice:

”All--all done in vain! Oh! _Mameena, Ma--one away,” said Nandie, as she drew a blanket over his face ”But I wonder,” she added with a little hysterical smile, ”oh!

hoonder who it was the Spirit of Mameena told him that she loved--Mameena, as born without a heart?”

I made no answer, for at that moment I heard a very curious sound, which seemed to me to proceed from somewhere above the hut Of what did it remind hter of Zikali, Opener-of-Roads--Zikali, the

”Thing-that-should-never-have-been-born”

Doubtless, however, it was only the cry of soht bird

Or perhaps it was an hyena that laughed--an hyena that scented death