Part 32 (1/2)
”I think that is Galazi the Wolf, he who is blood-brother to the Slaughterer, and his general,” I said again.
Now after these two came the soldiers of the People of the Axe, armed with short sticks alone. Four by four they came, all holding their heads low, and with black s.h.i.+elds outstretched, and formed themselves into companies behind the Wolf-Brethren, till all were there. Then, after them, the crowd of the Halakazi slaves were driven in,--women, boys, and maids, a great number--and they stood behind the ranks huddled together like frightened calves.
”A gallant sight, truly!” said Dingaan, as he looked upon the companies of black-plumed and s.h.i.+elded warriors. ”I have no better soldiers in my impis, and yet my eyes behold these for the first time,” and again he frowned.
Now suddenly Umslopogaas lifted his axe and started forward at full speed, and after him thundered the companies. On they rushed, and their plumes lay back upon the wind, till it seemed as though they must stamp us flat. But when he was within ten paces of the king Umslopogaas lifted Groan-Maker again, and Galazi held the Watcher on high, and every man halted where he was, while once more the dust flew up in clouds. They halted in long, unbroken lines, with outstretched s.h.i.+elds and heads held low; no man's head rose more than the length of a dance kerrie from the earth. So they stood one minute, then, for the third time, Umslopogaas lifted Groan-Maker, and in an instant every man straightened himself, each s.h.i.+eld was tossed on high, and from every throat was roared the royal salute, ”Bayete!”
”A pretty sight forsooth,” quoth Dingaan; ”but these soldiers are too well drilled who have never done me service nor the Black One who was before me, and this Slaughterer is too good a captain, I say. Come hither, ye twain!” he cried aloud.
Then the Wolf-Brethren strode forward and stood before the king, and for awhile they looked upon each other.
CHAPTER XXVIII. THE LILY IS BROUGHT TO DINGAAN
”How are you named?” said Dingaan.
”We are named Bulalio the Slaughterer and Galazi the Wolf, O King,”
answered Umslopogaas.
”Was it thou who didst send a certain message to the Black One who is dead, Bulalio?”
”Yea, O King, I sent a message, but from all I have heard, Masilo, my messenger, gave more than the message, for he stabbed the Black One.
Masilo had an evil heart.”
Now Dingaan winced, for he knew well that he himself and one Mopo had stabbed the Black One, but he thought that this outland chief had not heard the tale, so he said no more of the message.
”How is it that ye dare to come before me armed? Know ye not the rule that he who appears armed before the king dies?”
”We have not heard that law, O King,” said Umslopogaas. ”Moreover, there is this to be told: by virtue of the axe I bear I rule alone. If I am seen without the axe, then any man may take my place who can, for the axe is chieftainess of the People of the Axe, and he who holds it is its servant.”
”A strange custom,” said Dingaan, ”but let it pa.s.s. And thou, Wolf, what hast thou to say of that great club of thine?”
”There is this to be told of the club, O King,” answered Galazi: ”by virtue of the club I guard my life. If I am seen without the club, then may any man take my life who can, for the club is my Watcher, not I Watcher of the club.”
”Never wast thou nearer to the losing of both club and life,” said Dingaan, angrily.
”It may be so, O King,” answered the Wolf. ”When the hour is, then, without a doubt, the Watcher shall cease from his watching.”
”Ye are a strange pair,” quoth Dingaan. ”Where have you been now, and what is your business at the Place of the Elephant?”
”We have been in a far country, O King!” answered Umslopogaas. ”We have wandered in a distant land to search for a Flower to be a gift to a king, and in our searching we have trampled down a Swazi garden, and yonder are some of those who tended it”--and he pointed to the captives--”and without are the cattle that ploughed it.”
”Good, Slaughterer! I see the gardeners, and I hear the lowing of the cattle, but what of the Flower? Where is this Flower ye went so far to dig in Swazi soil? Was it a Lily-bloom, perchance?”
”It was a Lily-bloom, O King! and yet, alas! the Lily has withered.
Nothing is left but the stalk, white and withered as are the bones of men.”
”What meanest thou?” said Dingaan, starting to his feet.
”That the king shall learn,” answered Umslopogaas; and, turning, he spoke a word to the captains who were behind him. Presently the ranks opened up, and four men ran forward from the rear of the companies.