DEDICATION
TotheMemoryoftheChildNadaBurnham，who"boundalltoher"and，whileherfathercuthiswaythroughthehordesoftheIngoboRegiment，perishedofthehardshipsofwaratBuluwayoon19thMay，1896，Idedicatethesetales——andmoreparticularlythelast，thatofaFaithwhichtriumphedoversavageryanddeath。
H。RiderHaggard。
Ditchingham。
AUTHOR’SNOTE
Ofthethreestoriesthatcomprisethisvolume，one，"TheWizard，"ataleofvictoriousfaith，firstappearedsomeyearsagoasaChristmasAnnual。Another，"Elissa，"isanattempt，difficultenoughowingtothescantinessofthemateriallefttousbytime，torecreatethelifeoftheancientPh？nicianZimbabwe，whoseruinsstillstandinRhodesia，and，withtheadditionofthenecessarylovestory，tosuggestcircumstancessuchasmighthavebroughtaboutoraccompanieditsfallatthehandsofthesurroundingsavagetribes。Thethird，"BlackHeartandWhiteHeart，"isastoryofthecourtship，trialsandfinalunionofapairofZululoversinthetimeofKingCetywayo。
BLACKHEARTANDWHITEHEART
AZULUIDYLL
CHAPTERI
PHILIPHADDENANDKINGCETYWAYO
Atthedateofourintroductiontohim，PhilipHaddenwasatransport-
riderandtraderin"theZulu。"Stillontherightsideofforty，inappearancehewassingularlyhandsome；tall，dark，upright，withkeeneyes，short-pointedbeard，curlinghairandclear-cutfeatures。Hislifehadbeenvaried，andtherewerepassagesinitwhichhedidnotnarrateeventohismostintimatefriends。Hewasofgentlebirth，however，anditwassaidthathehadreceivedapublicschoolanduniversityeducationinEngland。Atanyratehecouldquotetheclassicswithaptitudeonoccasion，anaccomplishmentwhich，coupledwithhisrefinedvoiceandabearingnotaltogethercommoninthewildplacesoftheworld，hadearnedforhimamonghisroughcompanionsthe/soubriquet/of"ThePrince。"
Howeverthesethingsmayhavebeen，itiscertainthathehademigratedtoNatalunderacloud，andequallycertainthathisrelativesathomewerecontenttotakenofurtherinterestinhisfortunes。Duringthefifteenorsixteenyearswhichhehadspentinoraboutthecolony，Haddenfollowedmanytrades，anddidnogoodatanyofthem。Acleverman，ofagreeableandprepossessingmanner，healwaysfounditeasytoformfriendshipsandtosecureafreshstartinlife。But，bydegrees，thefriendswereseizedwithavaguedistrustofhim；and，afteraperiodofmoreorlessapplication，hehimselfwouldclosetheopeningthathehadmadebyasuddendisappearancefromthelocality，leavingbehindhimadoubtfulreputationandsomebaddebts。
Beforethebeginningofthisstoryofthemostremarkableepisodesinhislife，PhilipHaddenwasengagedforseveralyearsintransport-
riding——thatis，incarryinggoodsonoxwaggonsfromDurbanorMaritzburgtovariouspointsintheinterior。Adifficultysuchashadmorethanonceconfrontedhiminthecourseofhiscareer，ledtohistemporaryabandonmentofthismeansofearningalivelihood。OnarrivingatthelittlefrontiertownofUtrechtintheTransvaal，inchargeoftwowaggonloadsofmixedgoodsconsignedtoastorekeeperthere，itwasdiscoveredthatoutofsixcasesofbrandyfiveweremissingfromhiswaggon。HaddenexplainedthematterbythrowingtheblameuponhisKaffir"boys，"butthestorekeeper，arough-tonguedman，openlycalledhimathiefandrefusedtopaythefreightonanyoftheload。Fromwordsthetwomencametoblows，knivesweredrawn，andbeforeanybodycouldinterferethestorekeeperreceivedanastywoundinhisside。Thatnight，withoutwaitingtillthemattercouldbeinquiredintobythelanddrostormagistrate，Haddenslippedaway，andtrekkedbackintoNatalasquicklyashisoxenwouldtravel。
Feelingthatevenherehewasnotsafe，heleftoneofhiswaggonsatNewcastle，loadeduptheotherwithKaffirgoods——suchasblankets，calico，andhardware——andcrossedintoZululand，whereinthosedaysnosheriff’sofficerwouldbelikelytofollowhim。
Beingwellacquaintedwiththelanguageandcustomsofthenatives，hedidgoodtradewiththem，andsoonfoundhimselfpossessedofsomecashandasmallherdofcattle，whichhereceivedinexchangeforhiswares。Meanwhilenewsreachedhimthatthemanwhomhehadinjuredstillvowedvengeanceagainsthim，andwasincommunicationwiththeauthoritiesinNatal。Thesereasonsmakinghisreturntocivilisationundesirableforthemoment，andfurtherbusinessbeingimpossibleuntilhecouldreceiveafreshsupplyoftradestuff，Haddenlikeawisemanturnedhisthoughtstopleasure。Sendinghiscattleandwaggonoverthebordertobeleftinchargeofanativeheadmanwithwhomhewasfriendly，hewentonfoottoUlunditoobtainpermissionfromtheking，Cetywayo，tohuntgameinhiscountry。Somewhattohissurprise，theIndunasorheadmen，receivedhimcourteously——forHadden’svisittookplacewithinafewmonthsoftheoutbreakoftheZuluwarin1878，whenCetywayowasalreadyshowingunfriendlinesstotheEnglishtradersandothers，thoughwhythekingdidsotheyknewnot。
OntheoccasionofhisfirstandlastinterviewwithCetywayo，Haddengotahintofthereason。Ithappenedthus。Onthesecondmorningafterhisarrivalattheroyalkraal，amessengercametoinformhimthat"theElephantwhosetreadshooktheearth"hadsignifiedthatitwashispleasuretoseehim。AccordinglyhewasledthroughthethousandsofhutsandacrosstheGreatPlacetothelittleenclosurewhereCetywayo，aroyal-lookingZuluseatedonastool，andwearingakarossofleopardskins，washoldingan/indaba/，orconference，surroundedbyhiscounsellors。TheIndunawhohadconductedhimtotheaugustpresencewentdownuponhishandsandknees，and，utteringtheroyalsaluteof/Bayéte/，crawledforwardtoannouncethatthewhitemanwaswaiting。
"Lethimwait，"saidthekingangrily；and，turning，hecontinuedthediscussionwithhiscounsellors。
Now，ashasbeensaid，HaddenthoroughlyunderstoodZulu；and，whenfromtimetotimethekingraisedhisvoice，someofthewordshespokereachedhisear。
"What！"Cetywayosaid，toawizenedandagedmanwhoseemedtobepleadingwithhimearnestly；"amIadogthatthesewhitehyenasshouldhuntmethus？Isnotthelandmine，andwasitnotmyfather’sbeforeme？Arenotthepeopleminetosaveortoslay？ItellyouthatIwillstampouttheselittlewhitemen；my/impis/shalleatthemup。
Ihavesaid！"
Againthewitheredagedmaninterposed，evidentlyinthecharacterofapeacemaker。Haddencouldnothearhistalk，butheroseandpointedtowardsthesea，whilefromhisexpressivegesturesandsorrowfulmien，heseemedtobeprophesyingdisastershouldacertaincourseofactionbefollowed。
Forawhilethekinglistenedtohim，thenhesprangfromhisseat，hiseyesliterallyablazewithrage。
"Hearken，"hecriedtothecounsellor；"Ihaveguesseditforlong，andnowIamsureofit。Youareatraitor。YouareSompseu’s[*]dog，andthedogoftheNatalGovernment，andIwillnotkeepanotherman’sdogtobitemeinmyownhouse。Takehimaway！"
[*]SirTheophilusShepstone’s。
Aslightinvoluntarymurmurrosefromtheringof/indunas/，buttheoldmanneverflinched，notevenwhenthesoldiers，whopresentlywouldmurderhim，cameandseizedhimroughly。Forafewseconds，perhapsfive，hecoveredhisfacewiththecornerofthekarosshewore，thenhelookedupandspoketothekinginaclearvoice。
"OKing，"hesaid，"Iamaveryoldman；asayouthIservedunderChakatheLion，andIheardhisdyingprophecyofthecomingofthewhiteman。Thenthewhitemencame，andIfoughtforDingaanatthebattleoftheBloodRiver。TheyslewDingaan，andformanyyearsIwasthecounsellorofPanda，yourfather。Istoodbyyou，OKing，atthebattleoftheTugela，whenitsgreywaterswereturnedtoredwiththebloodofUmbulaziyourbrother，andofthetensofthousandsofhispeople。AfterwardsIbecameyourcounsellor，OKing，andIwaswithyouwhenSompseusetthecrownuponyourheadandyoumadepromisestoSompseu——promisesthatyouhavenotkept。Nowyouarewearyofme，anditiswell；forIamveryold，anddoubtlessmytalkisfoolish，asitchancestotheold。YetIthinkthattheprophecyofChaka，yourgreat-uncle，willcometrue，andthatthewhitemenwillprevailagainstyouandthatthroughthemyoushallfindyourdeath。IwouldthatImighthavestoodinonemorebattleandfoughtforyou，OKing，sincefightyouwill，buttheendwhichyouchooseisformethebestend。Sleepinpeace，OKing，andfarewell。/Bayéte！/"[*]
[*]TheroyalsaluteoftheZulus。
Foraspacetherewassilence，asilenceofexpectationwhilemenwaitedtohearthetyrantreversehisjudgment。Butitdidnotpleasehimtobemerciful，ortheneedsofpolicyoutweighedhispity。
"Takehimaway，"herepeated。Then，withaslowsmileonhisfaceandoneword，"Good-night，"uponhislips，supportedbythearmofasoldier，theoldwarriorandstatesmanshuffledforthtotheplaceofdeath。
Haddenwatchedandlistenedinamazementnotunmixedwithfear。"Ifhetreatshisownservantslikethis，whatwillhappentome？"hereflected。"WeEnglishmusthavefallenoutoffavoursinceIleftNatal。Iwonderwhetherhemeanstomakewaronusorwhat？Ifso，thisisn’tmyplace。"
Justthentheking，whohadbeengazingmoodilyattheground，chancedtolookup。"Bringthestrangerhere，"hesaid。
Haddenheardhim，andcomingforwardofferedCetywayohishandinascoolandnonchalantamannerashecouldcommand。
Somewhattohissurpriseitwasaccepted。"Atleast，WhiteMan，"saidtheking，glancingathisvisitor’stallspareformandcleanlycutface，"youareno’/umfagozan/’（lowfellow）；youareofthebloodofchiefs。"
"Yes，King，"answeredHadden，withalittlesigh，"Iamofthebloodofchiefs。"
"Whatdoyouwantinmycountry，WhiteMan？"
"Verylittle，King。Ihavebeentradinghere，asIdaresayyouhaveheard，andhavesoldallmygoods。NowIaskyourleavetohuntbuffalo，andotherbiggame，forawhilebeforeIreturntoNatal。"
"Icannotgrantit，"answeredCetywayo，"youareaspysentbySompseu，orbytheQueen’sIndunainNatal。Getyougone。"
"Indeed，"saidHadden，withashrugofhisshoulders；"thenIhopethatSompseu，ortheQueen’sInduna，orbothofthem，willpaymewhenIreturntomyowncountry。MeanwhileIwillobeyyoubecauseImust，butIshouldfirstliketomakeyouapresent。"
"Whatpresent？"askedtheking。"Iwantnopresents。Wearerichhere，WhiteMan。"
"Sobeit，King。Itwasnothingworthyofyourtaking，onlyarifle。"
"Arifle，WhiteMan？Whereisit？"
"Without。Iwouldhavebroughtit，butyourservantstoldmethatitisdeathtocomearmedbeforethe’ElephantwhoshakestheEarth。’"
Cetywayofrowned，forthenoteofsarcasmdidnotescapehisquickear。
"Letthiswhiteman’sofferingbebrought；Iwillconsiderthething。"
InstantlytheIndunawhohadaccompaniedHaddendartedtothegateway，runningwithhisbodybentsolowthatitseemedasthoughateverystephemustfalluponhisface。Presentlyhereturnedwiththeweaponinhishandandpresentedittotheking，holdingitsothatthemuzzlewaspointedstraightattheroyalbreast。
"Icraveleavetosay，OElephant，"remarkedHaddeninadrawlingvoice，"thatitmightbewelltocommandyourservanttoliftthemouthofthatgunfromyourheart。"
"Why？"askedtheking。
"Onlybecauseitisloaded，andatfullcock，OElephant，whoprobablydesirestocontinuetoshaketheEarth。"
Atthesewordsthe"Elephant"utteredasharpexclamation，androlledfromhisstoolinamostunkinglymanner，whilsttheterrifiedInduna，springingbackwards，contrivedtotouchthetriggeroftherifleanddischargeabulletthroughtheexactspotthatasecondbeforehadbeenoccupiedbyhismonarch’shead。
"Lethimbetakenaway，"shoutedtheincensedkingfromtheground，butlongbeforethewordshadpassedhislipstheInduna，withacrythatthegunwasbewitched，hadcastitdownandfledatfullspeedthroughthegate。
"Hehasalreadytakenhimselfaway，"suggestedHadden，whiletheaudiencetittered。"No，King，donottouchitrashly；itisarepeatingrifle。Look————"andliftingtheWinchester，hefiredthefourremainingshotsinquicksuccessionintotheair，strikingthetopofatreeatwhichheaimedwitheveryoneofthem。
"/Wow/，itiswonderful！"saidthecompanyinastonishment。
"Hasthethingfinished？"askedtheking。
"Forthepresentithas，"answeredHadden。"Lookatit。"
Cetywayotooktherepeaterinhishand，andexamineditwithcaution，swingingthemuzzlehorizontallyinanexactlinewiththestomachsofsomeofhismosteminentIndunas，whoshranktothissideandthatasthebarrelwasbroughttobearonthem。
"Seewhatcowardstheyare，WhiteMan，"saidthekingwithindignation；"theyfearlestthereshouldbeanotherbulletinthisgun。"
"Yes，"answeredHadden，"theyarecowardsindeed。IbelievethatiftheywereseatedonstoolstheywouldtumbleoffthemjustasitchancedtoyourMajestytodojustnow。"
"Doyouunderstandthemakingofguns，WhiteMan？"askedthekinghastily，whiletheIndunasoneandallturnedtheirheads，andcontemplatedthefencebehindthem。
"No，King，Icannotmakeguns，butIcanmendthem。"
"IfIpaidyouwell，WhiteMan，wouldyoustophereatmykraal，andmendgunsforme？"askedCetywayoanxiously。
"Itmightdependonthepay，"answeredHadden；"butforawhileIamtiredofwork，andwishtorest。IfthekinggivesmethepermissiontohuntforwhichIasked，andmentogowithme，thenwhenIreturnperhapswecanbargainonthematter。Ifnot，Iwillbidthekingfarewell，andjourneytoNatal。"
"Inordertomakereportofwhathehasseenandlearnedhere，"
mutteredCetywayo。
Atthismomentthetalkwasinterrupted，forthesoldierswhohadledawaytheoldIndunareturnedatspeed，andprostratedthemselvesbeforetheking。
"Ishedead？"heasked。
"Hehastravelledtheking’sbridge，"theyansweredgrimly；"hediedsingingasongofpraiseoftheking。"
"Good，"saidCetywayo，"thatstoneshallhurtmyfeetnomore。Go，tellthetaleofitscastingawaytoSompseuandtotheQueen’sIndunainNatal，"headdedwithbitteremphasis。
"/Baba！/HearourFatherspeak。ListentotherumblingoftheElephant，"saidtheIndunastakingthepoint，whileonebolderthantherestadded："Soonwewilltellthemanothertale，thewhiteTalkingOnes，aredtale，ataleofspears，andtheregimentsshallsingitintheirears。"
Atthewordsanenthusiasmcaughtholdofthelisteners，asthesuddenflamecatchesholdofdrygrass。Theysprangup，forthemostofthemwereseatedontheirhaunches，andstampingtheirfeetuponthegroundinunison，repeated：——
/Indabaibomwu——indabayemikontoLizodunyiswangeimpindhlebeniyaho。/
（Aredtale！Aredtale！Ataleofspears，Andthe/impis/shallsingitintheirears。）
Oneofthem，indeed，agreatfierce-facedfellow，drewneartoHaddenandshakinghisfistbeforehiseyes——fortunatelybeingintheroyalpresencehehadnoassegai——shoutedthesentencesathim。
Thekingsawthatthefirehehadlitwasburningtoofiercely。
"Silence，"hethunderedinthedeepvoiceforwhichhewasremarkable，andinstantlyeachmanbecameasifhewereturnedtostone，onlytheechoesstillansweredback："Andthe/impis/shallsingitintheirears——intheirears。"
"Iamgrowingcertainthatthisisnoplaceforme，"thoughtHadden；
"ifthatscoundrelhadbeenarmedhemighthavetemporarilyforgottenhimself。Hullo！who’sthis？"
JustthenthereappearedthroughthegateofthefenceasplendidspecimenoftheZulurace。Theman，whowasaboutthirty-fiveyearsofage，wasarrayedinafullwardressofacaptainoftheUmcityuregiment。Fromthecircletofotterskinonhisbrowrosehiscrestofplumes，roundhismiddle，armsandkneeshungthelongfringesofblackoxtails，andinonehandheborealittledancingshield，alsoblackincolour。Theotherwasempty，sincehemightnotappearbeforethekingbearingarms。Incountenancethemanwashandsome，andthoughjustnowtheybetrayedsomeanxiety，hiseyesweregenialandhonest，andhismouthsensitive。Inheighthemusthavemeasuredsixfoottwoinches，yethedidnotstriketheobserverasbeingtall，perhapsbecauseofhiswidthofchestandthesolidityofhislimbs，thatwereincuriouscontrasttothedelicateandalmostwomanishhandsandfeetwhichsooftenmarktheZuluofnobleblood。Inshortthemanwaswhatheseemedtobe，asavagegentlemanofbirth，dignityandcourage。
Incompanywithhimwasanothermanplainlydressedinamoochaandablanket，whosegrizzledhairshowedhimtobeoverfiftyyearsofage。
Hisfacealsowaspleasantandevenrefined，buttheeyesweretimorous，andthemouthlackedcharacter。
"Whoarethese？"askedtheking。
Thetwomenfellontheirkneesbeforehim，andbowedtilltheirforeheadstouchedtheground——thewhilegivinghimhis/sibonga/ortitlesofpraise。
"Speak，"hesaidimpatiently。
"OKing，"saidtheyoungwarrior，seatinghimselfZulufashion，"IamNahoon，thesonofZomba，acaptainoftheUmcityu，andthisismyuncleUmgona，thebrotherofoneofmymothers，myfather’syoungestwife。"
Cetywayofrowned。"Whatdoyouhereawayfromyourregiment，Nahoon？"
"Mayitpleasetheking，Ihaveleaveofabsencefromtheheadcaptains，andIcometoaskaboonoftheking’sbounty。"
"Beswift，then，Nahoon。"
"Itisthis，OKing，"saidthecaptainwithsomeembarrassment："A
whileagothekingwaspleasedtomakea/keshla/ofmebecauseofcertainservicethatIdidoutyonder————"andhetouchedtheblackringwhichheworeinthehairofhishead。"Beingnowaringedmanandacaptain，Icravetherightofamanatthehandsoftheking——
therighttomarry。"
"Right？Speakmorehumbly，sonofZomba；mysoldiersandmycattlehavenorights。"
Nahoonbithislip，forhehadmadeaseriousmistake。
"Pardon，OKing。Thematterstandsthus：MyuncleUmgonaherehasafairdaughternamedNanea，whomIdesiretowife，andwhodesiresmetohusband。Awaitingtheking’sleaveIambetrothedtoherandinearnestofitIhavepaidtoUmgonaa/lobola/offifteenheadofcattle，cowsandcalvestogether。ButUmgonahasapowerfulneighbour，anoldchiefnamedMaputa，thewardenoftheCrocodileDrift，whodoubtlessisknowntotheking，andthischiefalsoseeksNaneainmarriageandharriesUmgona，threateninghimwithmanyevilsifhewillnotgivethegirltohim。ButUmgona’sheartiswhitetowardsme，andtowardsMaputaitisblack，thereforetogetherwecometocravethisboonoftheking。"
"Itisso；hespeaksthetruth，"saidUmgona。
"Cease，"answeredCetywayoangrily。"Isthisatimethatmysoldiersshouldseekwivesinmarriage，wivestoturntheirheartstowater？
KnowthatbutyesterdayforthiscrimeIcommandedthattwentygirlswhohaddaredwithoutmyleavetomarrymenoftheUndiregiment，shouldbestrangledandtheirbodieslaiduponthecross-roadsandwiththemthebodiesoftheirfathers，thatallmightknowtheirsinandbewarnedthereby。Ay，Umgona，itiswellforyouandforyourdaughterthatyousoughtmywordbeforeshewasgiveninmarriagetothisman。Nowthisismyaward：Irefuseyourprayer，Nahoon，andsinceyou，Umgona，aretroubledwithonewhomyouwouldnottakeasson-in-law，theoldchiefMaputa，Iwillfreeyoufromhisimportunity。Thegirl，saysNahoon，isfair——good，Imyselfwillbegracioustoher，andsheshallbenumberedamongthewivesoftheroyalhouse。Withinthirtydaysfromnow，intheweekofthenextnewmoon，letherbedeliveredtothe/Sigodhla/，theroyalhouseofthewomen，andwithherthosecattle，thecowsandthecalvestogether，thatNahoonhasgivenyou，ofwhichIfinehimbecausehehasdaredtothinkofmarriagewithouttheleaveoftheking。"
CHAPTERII
THEBEEPROPHESIES
"’ADanielcometojudgment’indeed，"reflectedHadden，whohadbeenwatchingthissavagecomedywithinterest；"ourlove-sickfriendhasgotmorethanhebargainedfor。Well，thatcomesofappealingtoC？sar，"andheturnedtolookatthetwosuppliants。
Theoldman，Umgona，merelystarted，thenbegantopouroutsentencesofconventionalthanksandpraisetothekingforhisgoodnessandcondescension。Cetywayolistenedtohistalkinsilence，andwhenhehaddoneansweredbyremindinghimterselythatifNaneadidnotappearatthedatenamed，bothsheandhe，herfather，wouldinduecoursecertainlydecorateacross-roadintheirownimmediateneighbourhood。
Thecaptain，Nahoon，affordedamorecuriousstudy。Asthefatalwordscrossedtheking’slips，hisfacetookanexpressionofabsoluteastonishment，whichwaspresentlyreplacedbyoneoffury——thejustfuryofamanwhosuddenlyhassufferedanunutterablewrong。Hiswholeframequivered，theveinsstoodoutinknotsonhisneckandforehead，andhisfingersclosedconvulsivelyasthoughtheyweregraspingthehandleofaspear。Presentlytheragepassedaway——foraswellmightamanbewrothwithfateaswithaZuludespot——tobesucceededbyalookofthemosthopelessmisery。Theprouddarkeyesgrewdull，thecopper-colouredfacesankinandturnedashen，themouthdrooped，anddownonecornerofittheretrickledalittlelineofbloodspringingfromthelipbittenthroughintheefforttokeepsilence。Liftinghishandinsalutetotheking，thegreatmanroseandstaggeredratherthanwalkedtowardsthegate。
Ashereachedit，thevoiceofCetywayocommandedhimtostop。"Stay，"
hesaid，"Ihaveaserviceforyou，Nahoon，thatshalldriveoutofyourheadthesethoughtsofwivesandmarriage。Youseethiswhitemanhere；heismyguest，andwouldhuntbuffaloandbiggameinthebushcountry。Iputhiminyourcharge；takemenwithyou，andseethathecomestonohurt。Soalsothatyoubringhimbeforemewithinamonth，oryourlifeshallanswerforit。Lethimbehereatmyroyalkraalinthefirstweekofthenewmoon——whenNaneacomes——andthenIwilltellyouwhetherornoIagreewithyouthatsheisfair。Gonow，mychild，andyou，WhiteMan，goalso；thosewhoaretoaccompanyyoushallbewithyouatthedawn。Farewell，butrememberwemeetagainatthenewmoon，whenwewillsettlewhatpayyoushallreceiveaskeeperofmyguns。Donotfailme，WhiteMan，orIshallsendafteryou，andmymessengersaresometimesrough。"
"ThismeansthatIamaprisoner，"thoughtHadden，"butitwillgohardifIcannotmanagetogivethemtheslipsomehow。Idon’tintendtostayinthiscountryifwarisdeclared，tobepoundedinto/mouti/
（medicine），orhavemyeyesputout，oranylittlejokeofthatsort。"
*****
Tendayshadpassed，andoneeveningHaddenandhisescortwereencampedinawildstretchofmountainouscountrylyingbetweentheBloodandUnvunyanaRivers，notmorethaneightmilesfromthat"PlaceoftheLittleHand"whichwithinafewweekswastobecomefamousthroughouttheworldbyitsnativenameofIsandhlwana。Forthreedaystheyhadbeentrackingthespoorofasmallherdofbuffalothatstillinhabitedthedistrict，butasyettheyhadnotcomeupwiththem。TheZuluhuntershadsuggestedthattheyshouldfollowtheUnvunyanadowntowardstheseawheregamewasmoreplentiful，butthisneitherHadden，northecaptain，Nahoon，hadbeenanxioustodo，forreasonswhicheachofthemkeptsecrettohimself。Hadden’sobjectwastoworkgraduallydowntotheBuffaloRiveracrosswhichhehopedtoeffectaretreatintoNatal。ThatofNahoonwastolingerintheneighbourhoodofthekraalofUmgona，whichwassituatednotveryfarfromtheirpresentcampingplace，inthevaguehopethathemightfindanopportunityofspeakingwithoratleastofseeingNanea，thegirltowhomhewasaffianced，whowithinafewweeksmustbetakenfromhim，andgivenovertotheking。
Amoreeerie-lookingspotthanthatwheretheywereencampedHaddenhadneverseen。Behindthemlayatractofland——half-swampandhalf-
bush——inwhichthebuffaloweresupposedtobehiding。Beyond，inlonelygrandeur，rosethemountainofIsandhlwana，whileinfrontwasanamphitheatreofthemostgloomyforest，ringedroundinthedistancebysheer-sidedhills。Intothisforestthereranariverwhichdrainedtheswamp，placidlyenoughuponthelevel。Butitwasnotalwayslevel，forwithinthreehundredyardsofthemitdashedsuddenlyoveraprecipice，ofnogreatheightbutverysteep，fallingintoaboilingrock-boundpoolthatthelightofthesunneverseemedtoreach。
"Whatisthenameofthatforest，Nahoon？"askedHadden。
"Itisnamed/Emagudu/，TheHomeoftheDead，"theZulurepliedabsently，forhewaslookingtowardsthekraalofNanea，whichwassituatedatanhour’swalkawayovertheridgetotheright。
"TheHomeoftheDead！Why？"
"Becausethedeadlivethere，thosewhomwenamethe/Esemkofu/，theSpeechlessOnes，andwiththemotherSpirits，the/Amahlosi/，fromwhomthebreathoflifehaspassedaway，andwhoyetliveon。"
"Indeed，"saidHadden，"andhaveyoueverseentheseghosts？"
"AmImadthatIshouldgotolookforthem，WhiteMan？Onlythedeadenterthatforest，anditisonthebordersofitthatourpeoplemakeofferingstothedead。"
FollowedbyNahoon，Haddenwalkedtotheedgeofthecliffandlookedoverit。Totheleftlaythedeepanddreadful-lookingpool，whileclosetothebankofit，placeduponanarrowstripofturfbetweenthecliffandthecommencementoftheforest，wasahut。
"Wholivesthere？"askedHadden。
"Thegreat/Isanusi/——shewhoisnamed/Inyanga/orDoctoress；shewhoisnamedInyosi（theBee），becauseshegatherswisdomfromthedeadwhogrowintheforest。"
"DoyouthinkthatshecouldgatherenoughwisdomtotellmewhetherI
amgoingtokillanybuffalo，Nahoon？"
"Mayhap，WhiteMan，but，"headdedwithalittlesmile，"thosewhovisittheBee’shivemayhearnothing，ortheymayhearmorethantheywishfor。ThewordsofthatBeehaveasting。"
"Good；Iwillseeifshecanstingme。"
"Sobeit，"saidNahoon；andturning，heledthewayalongtheclifftillhereachedanativepathwhichzig-zaggeddownitsface。
Bythispaththeyclimbedtilltheycametotheswardatthefootofthedescent，andwalkedupittothehutwhichwassurroundedbyalowfenceofreeds，enclosingasmallcourt-yardpavedwithant-heapearthbeatenhardandpolished。Inthiscourt-yardsattheBee，herstoolbeingplacedalmostatthemouthoftheroundopeningthatservedasadoorwaytothehut。AtfirstallthatHaddencouldseeofher，crouchedasshewasintheshadow，wasahuddledshapewrappedroundwithagreasyandtatteredcatskinkaross，abovetheedgeofwhichappearedtwoeyes，fierceandquickasthoseofaleopard。Atherfeetsmoulderedalittlefire，andrangedarounditinasemi-circlewereanumberofhumanskulls，placedinpairsasthoughtheyweretalkingtogether，whilstotherbones，toallappearancealsohuman，werefestoonedaboutthehutandthefenceofthecourtyard。
"Iseethattheoldladyissetupwiththeusualproperties，"thoughtHadden，buthesaidnothing。
Nordidthewitch-doctoresssayanything；sheonlyfixedherbeadyeyesuponhisface。Haddenreturnedthecompliment，staringatherwithallhismight，tillsuddenlyhebecameawarethathewasvanquishedinthiscuriousduel。Hisbraingrewconfused，andtohisfancyitseemedthatthewomanbeforehimhadshiftedshapeintothelikenessofcolossalandhorridspidersittingatthemouthofhertrap，andthatthesebonesweretherelicsofhervictims。
"Whydoyounotspeak，WhiteMan？"shesaidatlastinaslowclearvoice。"Well，thereisnoneed，sinceIcanreadyourthoughts。YouarethinkingthatIwhoamcalledtheBeeshouldbebetternamedtheSpider。Havenofear；Ididnotkillthesemen。Whatwoulditprofitmewhenthedeadaresomany？Isuckthesoulsofmen，nottheirbodies，WhiteMan。ItistheirlivingheartsIlovetolookon，forthereinIreadmuchandtherebyIgrowwise。NowwhatwouldyouoftheBee，WhiteMan，theBeethatlaboursinthisGardenofDeath，and——
whatbrings/you/here，sonofZomba？WhyareyounotwiththeUmcityunowthattheydoctorthemselvesforthegreatwar——thelastwar——thewarofthewhiteandtheblack——orifyouhavenostomachforfighting，whyareyounotatthesideofNaneathetall，Naneathefair？"
Nahoonmadenoanswer，butHaddensaid：——
"Asmallthing，mother。IwouldknowifIshallprosperinmyhunting。"
"Inyourhunting，WhiteMan；whathunting？Thehuntingofgame，ofmoney，orofwomen？Well，oneofthem，fora-huntingyoumusteverbe；
thatisyournature，tohuntandbehunted。Tellmenow，howgoesthewoundofthattraderwhotastedofyoursteelyonderinthetownoftheMaboon（Boers）？Noneedtoanswer，WhiteMan，butwhatfee，Chief，forthepoorwitch-doctoresswhoseskillyouseek，"sheaddedinawhiningvoice。"Surelyyouwouldnotthatanoldwomanshouldworkwithoutafee？"
"Ihavenonetoofferyou，mother，soIwillbegoing，"saidHadden，whobegantofeelhimselfsatisfiedwiththisdisplayoftheBee’spowersofobservationandthought-reading。
"Nay，"sheansweredwithanunpleasantlaugh，"wouldyouaskaquestion，andnotwaitfortheanswer？Iwilltakenofeefromyouatpresent，WhiteMan；youshallpaymelateronwhenwemeetagain，"andoncemoreshelaughed。"Letmelookinyourface，letmelookinyourface，"shecontinued，risingandstandingbeforehim。
ThenofasuddenHaddenfeltsomethingcoldatthebackofhisneck，andthenextinstanttheBeehadsprungfromhim，holdingbetweenherthumbandfingeracurlofdarkhairwhichshehadcutfromhishead。
Theactionwassoinstantaneousthathehadneithertimetoavoidnortoresentit，butstoodstillstaringatherstupidly。
"ThatisallIneed，"shecried，"forlikemyheartmymagiciswhite。
Stay——sonofZomba，givemealsoofyourhair，forthosewhovisittheBeemustlistentoherhumming。"
Nahoonobeyed，cuttingalittlelockfromhisheadwiththesharpedgeofhisassegai，thoughitwasveryevidentthathedidthisnotbecausehewishedtodoso，butbecausehefearedtorefuse。
ThentheBeeslippedbackherkaross，andstoodbendingoverthefirebeforethem，intowhichshethrewherbstakenfromapouchthatwasboundabouthermiddle。Shewasstillafinely-shapedwoman，andsheworenoneoftheabominationswhichHaddenhadbeenaccustomedtoseeuponthepersonsofwitch-doctoresses。Aboutherneck，however，wasacuriousornament，asmalllivesnake，redandgreyinhue，whichhervisitorsrecognisedasoneofthemostdeadlytobefoundinthatpartofthecountry。ItisnotunusualforBantuwitch-doctorsthustodecoratethemselveswithsnakes，thoughwhetherornottheirfangshavefirstbeenextractednooneseemstoknow。
Presentlytheherbsbegantosmoulder，andthesmokeofthemroseupinathin，straightstream，that，strikinguponthefaceoftheBee，clungaboutherheadenvelopingitasthoughwithastrangeblueveil。
Thenofasuddenshestretchedoutherhands，andletfallthetwolocksofhairupontheburningherbs，wheretheywrithedthemselvestoasheslikethingsalive。Nextsheopenedhermouth，andbegantodrawthefumesofthehairandherbsintoherlungsingreatgulps；whilethesnake，feelingtheinfluenceofthemedicine，hissedand，uncoilingitselffromaboutherneck，creptupwardsandtookrefugeamongtheblack/saccaboola/feathersofherhead-dress。
Soonthevapoursbegantodotheirwork；sheswayedtoandfromuttering，thensankbackagainstthehut，uponthestrawofwhichherheadrested。NowtheBee’sfacewasturnedupwardstowardsthelight，anditwasghastlytobehold，forithadbecomeblueincolour，andtheopeneyesweresunkenliketheeyesofonedead，whilstaboveherforeheadtheredsnakewaveredandhissed，remindingHaddenoftheUraeuscrestonthebrowofstatuesofEgyptiankings。Fortensecondsormoresheremainedthus，thenshespokeinahollowandunnaturalvoice：——
"OBlackHeartandbodythatiswhiteandbeautiful，Ilookintoyourheart，anditisblackasblood，anditshallbeblackwithblood。
Beautifulwhitebodywithblackheart，youshallfindyourgameandhuntit，anditshallleadyouintotheHouseoftheHomeless，intotheHomeoftheDead，anditshallbeshapedasabull，itshallbeshapedasatiger，itshallbeshapedasawomanwhomkingsandwaterscannotharm。Beautifulwhitebodyandblackheart，youshallbepaidyourwages，moneyformoney，andblowforblow。Thinkofmywordwhenthespottedcatpurrsaboveyourbreast；thinkofitwhenthebattleroarsaboutyou；thinkofitwhenyougraspyourgreatreward，andforthelasttimestandfacetofacewiththeghostofthedeadintheHomeoftheDead。
"OWhiteHeartandblackbody，Ilookintoyourheartanditiswhiteasmilk，andthemilkofinnocenceshallsaveit。Fool，whydoyoustrikethatblow？Lethimbewhoislovedofthetiger，andwhoseloveisastheloveofatiger。Ah！whatfaceisthatinthebattle？Followit，followit，Oswiftoffoot；butfollowwarily，forthetonguethathasliedwillneverpleadformercy，andthehandthatcanbetrayisstronginwar。WhiteHeart，whatisdeath？Indeathlifelives，andamongthedeadyoushallfindthelifeyoulost，forthereawaitsyoushewhomkingsandwaterscannotharm。"
AstheBeespoke，bydegreeshervoicesanklowerandlowertillitwasalmostinaudible。Thenitceasedaltogetherandsheseemedtopassfromtrancetosleep。Hadden，whohadbeenlisteningtoherwithanamusedandcynicalsmile，nowlaughedaloud。
"Whydoyoulaugh，WhiteMan？"askedNahoonangrily。
"Ilaughatmyownfollyinwastingtimelisteningtothenonsenseofthatlyingfraud。"
"Itisnononsense，WhiteMan。"
"Indeed？Thenwillyoutellmewhatitmeans？"
"Icannottellyouwhatitmeansyet，butherwordshavetodowithawomanandaleopard，andwithyourfateandmyfate。"
Haddenshruggedhisshoulders，notthinkingthematterworthfurtherargument，andatthatmomenttheBeewokeupshivering，drewtheredsnakefromherhead-dressandcoilingitaboutherthroatwrappedherselfagaininthegreasykaross。
"Areyousatisfiedwithmywisdom，/Inkoos/？"sheaskedofHadden。
"IamsatisfiedthatyouareoneofthecleverestcheatsinZululand，mother，"heansweredcoolly。"Now，whatistheretopay？"
TheBeetooknooffenceatthisrudespeech，thoughforasecondortwothelookinhereyesgrewstrangelylikethatwhichtheyhadseeninthoseofthesnakewhenthefumesofthefiremadeitangry。
"IfthewhitelordsaysIamacheat，itmustbeso，"sheanswered，"forheofallmenshouldbeabletodiscernacheat。IhavesaidthatIasknofee；——yes，givemealittletobaccofromyourpouch。"
Haddenopenedthebagofantelopehideanddrawingsometobaccofromit，gaveittoher。Intakingitsheclaspedhishandandexaminedthegoldringthatwasuponthethirdfinger，aringfashionedlikeasnakewithtwolittlerubiessetintheheadtorepresenttheeyes。
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