"Iwearasnakeaboutmyneck，andyouwearoneuponyourhand，/Inkoos/。Ishouldliketohavethisringtowearuponmyhand，sothatthesnakeaboutmyneckmaybelesslonelythere。"
"ThenIamafraidyouwillhavetowaittillIamdead，"saidHadden。
"Yes，yes，"sheansweredinapleasedvoice，"itisagoodword。I
willwaittillyouaredeadandthenIwilltakethering，andnonecansaythatIhavestolenit，forNahoontherewillbearmewitnessthatyougavemepermissiontodoso。"
ForthefirsttimeHaddenstarted，sincetherewassomethingabouttheBee’stonethatjarreduponhim。Hadsheaddressedhiminherprofessionalmanner，hewouldhavethoughtnothingofit；butinhercupidityshehadbecomenatural，anditwasevidentthatshespokefromconviction，believingherownwords。
Shesawhimstart，andinstantlychangedhernote。
"Letthewhitelordforgivethejestofapooroldwitch-doctoress，"
shesaidinawhiningvoice。"IhavesomuchtodowithDeaththathisnameleapstomylips，"andsheglancedfirstatthecircleofskullsabouther，thentowardsthewaterfallthatfedthegloomypooluponwhosebanksherhutwasplaced。
"Look，"shesaidsimply。
FollowingthelineofheroutstretchedhandHadden’seyesfellupontwowitheredmimosatreeswhichgrewoverthefallalmostatrightanglestoitsrockyedge。Thesetreeswerejoinedtogetherbyarudeplatformmadeoflogsofwoodlasheddownwith/riems/ofhide。Uponthisplatformstoodthreefigures；notwithstandingthedistanceandthesprayofthefall，hecouldseethattheywerethoseoftwomenandagirl，fortheirshapesstoodoutdistinctlyagainstthefieryredofthesunsetsky。Oneinstanttherewerethree，thenextthereweretwo——forthegirlhadgone，andsomethingdarkrushingdownthefaceofthefall，struckthesurfaceofthepoolwithaheavythud，whileafaintandpiteouscrybrokeuponhisear。
"Whatisthemeaningofthat？"heasked，horrifiedandamazed。
"Nothing，"answeredtheBeewithalaugh。"Doyounotknow，then，thatthisistheplacewherefaithlesswomen，orgirlswhohavelovedwithouttheleaveoftheking，arebroughttomeettheirdeath，andwiththemtheiraccomplices。Oh！theydieherethuseachday，andI
watchthemdieandkeepthecountofthenumberofthem，"anddrawingatally-stickfromthethatchofthehut，shetookaknifeandaddedanotchtothemanythatappeareduponit，lookingatNahoonthewhilewithahalf-questioning，half-warninggaze。
"Yes，yes，itisaplaceofdeath，"shemuttered。"Upyonderthequickdiedaybydayanddownthere"——andshepointedalongthecourseoftheriverbeyondthepooltowheretheforestbegansometwohundredyardsfromherhut——"theghostsofthemhavetheirhome。Listen！"
Asshespoke，asoundreachedtheirearsthatseemedtoswellfromthedimskirtsoftheforests，apeculiarandunholysoundwhichitisimpossibletodefinemoreaccuratelythanbysayingthatitseemedbeastlike，andalmostinarticulate。
"Listen，"repeatedtheBee，"theyaremerryyonder。"
"Who？"askedHadden；"thebaboons？"
"No，/Inkoos/，the/Amatongo/——theghoststhatwelcomeherwhohasjustbecomeoftheirnumber。"
"Ghosts，"saidHaddenroughly，forhewasangryathisowntremors，"I
shouldliketoseethoseghosts。DoyouthinkthatIhaveneverheardatroopofmonkeysinthebushbefore，mother？Come，Nahoon，letusbegoingwhilethereislighttoclimbthecliff。Farewell。"
"Farewell/Inkoos/，anddoubtnotthatyourwishwillbefulfilled。Goinpeace/Inkoos/——tosleepinpeace。"
CHAPTERIII
THEENDOFTHEHUNT
TheprayeroftheBeenotwithstanding，PhilipHaddensleptillthatnight。Hefeltinthebestofhealth，andhisconsciencewasnottroublinghimmorethanusual，butresthecouldnot。Wheneverheclosedhiseyes，hismindconjuredupapictureofthegrimwitch-
doctoress，sostrangelynamedtheBee，andthesoundofherevil-
omenedwordsashehadheardthemthatafternoon。Hewasneitherasuperstitiousnoratimidman，andanysupernaturalbeliefsthatmightlingerinhismindwere，tosaytheleastofit，dormant。Butdowhathemight，hecouldnotshakeoffacertaineeriesensationoffear，lestthereshouldbesomegrainsoftruthintheprophesyingsofthishag。Whatifitwereafactthathewasnearhisdeath，andthattheheartwhichbeatsostronglyinhisbreastmustsoonbestillforever——no，hewouldnotthinkofit。Thisgloomyplace，andthedreadfulsightwhichhesawthatday，hadupsethisnerves。ThedomesticcustomsoftheseZuluswerenotpleasant，andforhisparthewasdeterminedtobeclearofthemsosoonashewasabletoescapethecountry。
Infact，ifhecouldinanywaymanageit，itwashisintentiontomakeadashfortheborderonthefollowingnight。Todothiswithagoodprospectofsuccess，however，itwasnecessarythatheshouldkillabuffalo，orsomeotherheadofgame。Then，asheknewwell，thehunterswithhimwouldfeastuponmeatuntiltheycouldscarcelystir，andthatwouldbehisopportunity。Nahoon，however，mightnotsuccumbtothistemptation；thereforehemusttrusttolucktoberidofhim。
Ifitcametotheworst，hecouldputabulletthroughhim，whichheconsideredhewouldbejustifiedindoing，seeingthatinrealitythemanwashisjailor。Shouldthisnecessityarise，hefeltindeedthathecouldfaceitwithoutunduecompunction，forintruthhedislikedNahoon；attimesheevenhatedhim。Theirnatureswereantagonistic，andheknewthatthegreatZuludistrustedandlookeddownuponhim，andtobelookeddownuponbyasavage"nigger"wasmorethanhispridecouldstomach。
AtthefirstbreakofdawnHaddenroseandrousedhisescort，whowerestillstretchedinsleeparoundthedyingfire，eachmanwrappedinhiskarossorblanket。Nahoonstoodupandshookhimself，lookinggiganticintheshadowsofthemorning。
"Whatisyourwill，/Umlungu/（whiteman），thatyouareupbeforethesun？"
"Mywill，/Muntumpofu/（yellowman），istohuntbuffalo，"answeredHaddencoolly。Itirritatedhimthatthissavageshouldgivehimnotitleofanysort。
"Yourpardon，"saidtheZulureadinghisthoughts，"butIcannotcallyou/Inkoos/becauseyouarenotmychief，oranyman’s；stillifthetitle’whiteman’offendsyou，wewillgiveyouaname。"
"Asyouwish，"answeredHaddenbriefly。
Accordinglytheygavehimaname，/Inhlizin-mgama/，bywhichhewasknownamongthemthereafter，butHaddenwasnotbestpleasedwhenhefoundthatthemeaningofthosesoft-soundingsyllableswas"BlackHeart。"Thatwashowthe/inyanga/hadaddressedhim——onlysheuseddifferentwords。
Anhourlater，andtheywereintheswampybushcountrythatlaybehindtheencampmentsearchingfortheirgame。WithinaverylittlewhileNahoonhelduphishand，thenpointedtotheground。Haddenlooked；there，presseddeepinthemarshysoil，andtoallappearancenottenminutesold，wasthespoorofasmallherdofbuffalo。
"Iknewthatweshouldfindgameto-day，"whisperedNahoon，"becausetheBeesaidso。"
"CursetheBee，"answeredHaddenbelowhisbreath。"Comeon。"
Foraquarterofanhourormoretheyfollowedthespoorthroughthickreeds，tillsuddenlyNahoonwhistledverysoftlyandtouchedHadden’sarm。Helookedup，andthere，abouttwohundredyardsaway，feedingonsomehighergroundamongapatchifmimosatrees，werethebuffaloes——
sixofthem——anoldbullwithasplendidhead，threecows，aheiferandacalfaboutfourmonthsold。Neitherthewindnorthenatureoftheveldtwerefavourableforthemtostalkthegamefromtheirpresentposition，sotheymadeadetourofhalfamileandverycarefullycrepttowardsthemupthewind，slippingfromtrunktotrunkofthemimosasandwhenthesefailedthem，crawlingontheirstomachsundercoverofthetall/tambuti/grass。Atlasttheywerewithinfortyyards，andafurtheradvanceseemedimpracticable；foralthoughhecouldnotsmellthem，itwasevidentfromhismovementsthattheoldbullheardsomeunusualsoundandwasgrowingsuspicious。NearesttoHadden，whoaloneofthepartyhadarifle，stoodtheheiferbroadsideon——abeautifulshot。Rememberingthatshewouldmakethebestbeef，heliftedhisMartini，andaimingatherimmediatelybehindtheshoulder，gentlysqueezedthetrigger。Therifleexploded，andtheheiferfelldead，shotthroughtheheart。Strangelyenoughtheotherbuffaloesdidnotatoncerunaway。Onthecontrary，theyseemedpuzzledtoaccountforthesuddennoise；and，notbeingabletowindanything，liftedtheirheadsandstaredroundthem。
ThepausegaveHaddenspacetogetinafreshcartridgeandtoaimagain，thistimeattheoldbull。Thebulletstruckhimsomewhereintheneckorshoulder，forhecametohisknees，butinanothersecondwasupandhavingcaughtsightofthecloudofsmokehechargedstraightatit。Becauseofthissmoke，orforsomeotherreason，Haddendidnotseehimcoming，andinconsequencewouldmostcertainlyhavebeentrampledorgored，hadnotNahoonsprungforward，attheimminentriskofhisownlife，anddraggedhimdownbehindanant-
heap。Amomentmoreandthegreatbeasthadthunderedby，takingnofurthernoticeofthem。
"Forward，"saidHadden，andleavingmostofthementocutuptheheiferandcarrythebestofhermeattocamp，theystartedonthebloodspoor。
Forsomehourstheyfollowedthebull，tillatlasttheylostthetrailonapatchofstonygroundthicklycoveredwithbush，andexhaustedbytheheat，satdowntorestandtoeatsome/biltong/orsun-driedfleshwhichtheyhadwiththem。Theyfinishedtheirmeal，andwerepreparingtoreturntothecamp，whenoneofthefourZuluswhowerewiththemwenttodrinkatalittlestreamthatranatadistanceofnotmorethantenpacesaway。Halfaminutelatertheyheardahideousgruntingnoiseandasplashingofwater，andsawtheZuluflyintotheair。Allthewhilethattheywereeating，thewoundedbuffalohadbeenlyinginwaitforthemunderathickbushonthebanksofthestreamlet，knowing——cunningbrutethathewas——thatsoonerorlaterhisturnwouldcome。WithashoutofconsternationtheyrushedforwardtoseethebullvanishovertherisebeforeHaddencouldgetachanceoffiringathim，andtofindtheircompaniondying，forthegreathornhadpiercedhislung。
"Itisnotabuffalo，itisadevil，"thepoorfellowgasped，andexpired。
"Devilornot，Imeantokillit，"exclaimedHadden。Soleavingtheotherstocarrythebodyoftheircomradetocamp，hestartedonaccompaniedbyNahoononly。Nowthegroundwasmoreopenandthechaseeasier，fortheysightedtheirquarryfrequently，thoughtheycouldnotcomenearenoughtofire。Presentlytheytravelleddownasteepcliff。
"Doyouknowwhereweare？"askedNahoon，pointingtoabeltofforestopposite。"Thatis/Emagudu/，theHomeoftheDead——andlook，thebullheadsthither。"
Haddenglancedroundhim。Itwastrue；yondertotheleftweretheFall，thePoolofDoom，andthehutoftheBee。
"Verywell，"heanswered；"thenwemustheadforittoo。"
Nahoonhalted。"Surelyyouwouldnotenterthere，"heexclaimed。
"SurelyIwill，"repliedHadden，"butthereisnoneedforyoutodosoifyouareafraid。"
"Iamafraid——ofghosts，"saidtheZulu，"butIwillcome。"
Sotheycrossedthestripofturf，andenteredthehauntedwood。Itwasagloomyplaceindeed；thegreatwide-toppedtreesgrewthickthereshuttingoutthesightofthesky；moreover，theairinitwhichnobreezestirred，washeavywiththeexhalationsofrottingfoliage。
Thereseemedtobenolifehereandnosound——onlynowandagainaloathsomespottedsnakewoulduncoilitselfandglideaway，andnowandagainaheavyrottenboughfellwithacrash。
Haddenwastoointentuponthebuffalo，however，tobemuchimpressedbyhissurroundings。Heonlyremarkedthatthelightwouldbebadforshooting，andwenton。
Theymusthavepenetratedamileormoreintotheforestwhenthesuddenincreaseofblooduponthespoortoldthemthatthebull’swoundwasprovingfataltohim。
"Runnow，"saidHaddencheerfully。
"Nay，/hambagachle/——gosoftly——"answeredNahoon，"thedevilisdying，buthewilltrytoplayusanothertrickbeforehedies。"Andhewentonpeeringaheadofhimcautiously。
"Itisallrighthere，anyway，"saidHadden，pointingtothespoorthatranstraightforwardprinteddeepinthemarshyground。
Nahoondidnotanswer，butstaredsteadilyatthetrunksoftwotreesafewpacesinfrontofthemandtotheirright。"Look，"hewhispered。
Haddendidso，andatlengthmadeouttheoutlineofsomethingbrownthatwascrouchedbehindthetrees。
"Heisdead，"heexclaimed。
"No，"answeredNahoon，"hehascomebackonhisownpathandiswaitingforus。Heknowsthatwearefollowinghisspoor。Nowifyoustandthere，Ithinkthatyoucanshoothimthroughthebackbetweenthetreetrunks。"
Haddenkneltdown，andaimingverycarefullyatapointjustbelowthebull’sspine，hefired。Therewasanawfulbellow，andthenextinstantthebrutewasupandatthem。Nahoonflunghisbroadspear，whichsankdeepintoitschest，thentheyfledthiswayandthat。Thebuffalostoodstillforamoment，itsforelegsstraddledwideanditsheaddown，lookingfirstaftertheoneandthentheother，tillofasuddenitutteredalowmoaningsoundandrolledoverdead，smashingNahoon’sassegaitofragmentsasitfell。
"There！he’sfinished，"saidHadden，"andIbelieveitwasyourassegaithatkilledhim。Hullo！what’sthatnoise？"
Nahoonlistened。Inseveralquartersoftheforest，butfromhowfarawayitwasimpossibletotell，thereroseacurioussound，asofpeoplecallingtoeachotherinfearbutinnoarticulatelanguage。
Nahoonshivered。
"Itisthe/Esemkofu/，"hesaid，"theghostswhohavenotongue，andwhocanonlywaillikeinfants。Letusbegoing；thisplaceisbadformortals。"
"Andworseforbuffaloes，"saidHadden，givingthedeadbullakick，"butIsupposethatwemustleavehimhereforyourfriends，the/Esemkofu/，aswehavegotmeatenough，andcan’tcarryhishead。"
Sotheystartedbacktowardstheopencountry。Astheythreadedtheirwayslowlythroughthetreetrunks，anewideacameintoHadden’shead。Onceoutofthisforest，hewaswithinanhour’srunoftheZuluborder，andonceovertheZuluborder，hewouldfeelahappiermanthanhedidatthatmoment。Ashasbeensaid，hehadintendedtoattempttoescapeinthedarkness，buttheplanwasrisky。AlltheZulusmightnotover-eatthemselvesandgotosleep，especiallyafterthedeathoftheircomrade；Nahoon，whowatchedhimdayandnight，certainlywouldnot。Thiswashisopportunity——thereremainedthequestionofNahoon。
Well，ifitcametotheworst，Nahoonmustdie：itwouldbeeasy——hehadaloadedrifle，andnowthathisassegaiwasgone，Nahoonhadonlyakerry。Hedidnotwishtokilltheman，thoughitwascleartohim，seeingthathisownsafetywasatstake，thathewouldbeamplyjustifiedinsodoing。Whyshouldhenotputittohim——andthenbeguidedbycircumstances？
NahoonwaswalkingacrossalittleopenspaceabouttenspacesaheadofhimwhereHaddencouldseehimverywell，whilsthehimselfwasundertheshadowofalargetreewithlowhorizontalbranchesrunningoutfromthetrunk。
"Nahoon，"hesaid。
TheZuluturnedround，andtookasteptowardshim。
"No，donotmove，Ipray。Standwhereyouare，orIshallbeobligedtoshootyou。Listennow：donotbeafraidforIshallnotfirewithoutwarning。Iamyourprisoner，andyouarechargedtotakemebacktothekingtobehisservant。ButIbelievethatawarisgoingtobreakoutbetweenyourpeopleandmine；andthisbeingso，youwillunderstandthatIdonotwishtogotoCetywayo’skraal，becauseI
shouldeithercometoaviolentdeaththere，ormyownbrotherswillbelievethatIamatraitorandtreatmeaccordingly。TheZuluborderisnotmuchmorethananhour’sjourneyaway——letussayanhourandahalf’s：Imeantobeacrossitbeforethemoonisup。Now，Nahoon，willyoulosemeintheforestandgivemethishourandahalf’sstart——orwillyoustopherewiththatghostpeopleofwhomyoutalk？
Doyouunderstand？No，pleasedonotmove。"
"Iunderstandyou，"answeredtheZulu，inaperfectlycomposedvoice，"andIthinkthatwasagoodnamewhichwegaveyouthismorning，though，BlackHeart，thereissomejusticeinyourwordsandmorewisdom。Youropportunityisgood，andonewhichamannamedasyouareshouldnotletfall。"
"Iamgladtofindthatyoutakethisviewofthematter，Nahoon。Andnowwillyoubesokindastoloseme，andtopromisenottolookformetillthemoonisup？"
"Whatdoyoumean，BlackHeart？"
"WhatIsay。Come，Ihavenotimetospare。"
"Youareastrangeman，"saidtheZulureflectively。"Youheardtheking’sordertome：wouldyouhavemedisobeytheorderoftheking？"
"Certainly，Iwould。YouhavenoreasontoloveCetywayo，anditdoesnotmattertoyouwhetherornoIreturntohiskraaltomendgunsthere。IfyouthinkthathewillbeangrybecauseIammissing，youhadbettercrosstheborderalso；wecangotogether。"
"Andleavemyfatherandallmybrethrentohisvengeance？BlackHeart，youdonotunderstand。Howcanyou，beingsonamed？Iamasoldier，andtheking’swordistheking’sword。Ihopedtohavediedfighting，butIamthebirdinyournoose。Come，shoot，oryouwillnotreachtheborderbeforemoonrise，"andheopenedhisarmsandsmiled。
"Ifitmustbe，soletitbe。Farewell，Nahoon，atleastyouareabraveman，buteveryoneofusmustcherishhisownlife，"answeredHaddencalmly。
ThenwithmuchdeliberationheraisedhisrifleandcoveredtheZulu’sbreast。
Already——whilsthisvictimstoodtherestillsmiling，althoughatwitchingofhislipsbetrayedthenaturalterrorsthatnobraverycanbanish——alreadyhisfingerwascontractingonthetrigger，whenofasudden，asinstantlyasthoughhehadbeenstruckbylightning，Haddenwentdownbackwards，andbehold！therestooduponhimagreatspottedbeastthatwaveditslongtailtoandfroandglareddownintohiseyes。
Itwasaleopard——atigerastheycallitinAfrica——which，croucheduponaboughofthetreeabove，hadbeenunabletoresistthetemptationofsatisfyingitssavageappetiteonthemanbelow。Forasecondortwotherewassilence，brokenonlybythepurring，orratherthesnoringsoundmadebytheleopard。Inthoseseconds，strangelyenough，theresprangupbeforeHadden’smentalvisionapictureofthe/inyanga/called/Inyosi/ortheBee，herdeath-likeheadrestingagainstthethatchofthehut，andherdeath-likelipsmuttering"thinkofmywordwhenthegreatcatpurrsaboveyourface。"
Thenthebruteputoutitsstrength。Theclawsofonepawitdrovedeepintothemusclesofhisleftthigh，whilewithanotheritscratchedathisbreast，tearingtheclothesfromitandfurrowingthefleshbeneath。Thesightofthewhiteskinseemedtomaddenit，andinitsfiercedesireforblooditdroopeditssquaremuzzleandburieditsfangsinitsvictim’sshoulder。Nextmomenttherewasasoundofrunningfeetandofaclubfallingheavily。Uprearedtheleopardwithanangrysnarl，uptillitstoodashighastheattackingZulu。Athimitcame，strikingoutsavagelyandtearingtheblackmanasithadtornthewhite。Againthekerryfellfullonitsjaws，anddownitwentbackwards。Beforeitcouldriseagain，orratherasitwasintheactofrising，theheavyknob-stickstruckitoncemore，andwithfearfulforce，thistimeasitchanced，fullonthenapeoftheneck，andparalysingthebrute。Itwrithedandbitandtwisted，throwinguptheearthandleaves，whileblowafterblowwasraineduponit，tillatlengthwithaconvulsivestruggleandastifledroaritlaystill——
thebrainsoozingfromitsshatteredskull。
Haddensatup，thebloodrunningfromhiswounds。
"Youhavesavedmylife，Nahoon，"hesaidfaintly，"andIthankyou。"
"Donotthankme，BlackHeart，"answeredtheZulu，"itwastheking’swordthatIshouldkeepyousafely。Stillthistigerhasbeenhardlydealtwith，forcertainly/he/hassaved/my/life，"andliftingtheMartiniheunloadedtherifle。
AtthisjunctureHaddenswoonedaway。
*****
Twenty-fourhourshadgonebywhen，afterwhatseemedtohimtobebutalittletimeoftroubledanddreamfulsleep，throughwhichhecouldhearvoiceswithoutunderstandingwhattheysaid，andfeelhimselfborneheknewnotwhither，HaddenawoketofindhimselflyinguponakarossinalargeandbeautifullycleanKaffirhutwithabundleoffursforapillow。Therewasabowlofmilkathissideandtorturedashewasbythirst，hetriedtostretchouthisarmtoliftittohislips，onlytofindtohisastonishmentthathishandfellbacktohissidelikethatofadeadman。Lookingroundthehutimpatiently，hefoundthattherewasnobodyinittoassisthim，sohedidtheonlythingwhichremainedforhimtodo——helaystill。Hedidnotfallasleep，buthiseyesclosed，andakindofgentletorporcreptoverhim，halfobscuringhisrecoveredsenses。Presentlyheheardasoftvoicespeaking；itseemedfaraway，buthecouldclearlydistinguishthewords。
"BlackHeartstillsleeps，"thevoicesaid，"butthereiscolourinhisface；Ithinkthathewillwakesoon，andfindhisthoughtsagain。"
"Havenofear，Nanea，hewillsurelywake，hishurtsarenotdangerous，"answeredanothervoice，thatofNahoon。"Hefellheavilywiththeweightofthetigerontopofhim，andthatiswhyhissenseshavebeenshakenforsolong。Hewentneartodeath，butcertainlyhewillnotdie。"
"Itwouldhavebeenapityifhehaddied，"answeredthesoftvoice，"heissobeautiful；neverhaveIseenawhitemanwhowassobeautiful。"
"Ididnotthinkhimbeautifulwhenhestoodwithhisriflepointedatmyheart，"answeredNahoonsulkily。
"Well，thereisthistobesaid，"shereplied，"hewishedtoescapefromCetywayo，andthatisnottobewonderedat，"andshesighed。
"Moreoverheaskedyoutocomewithhim，anditmighthavebeenwellifyouhaddoneso，thatis，ifyouwouldhavetakenmewithyou！"
"HowcouldIhavedoneit，girl？"heaskedangrily。"Wouldyouhavemesetatnothingtheorderoftheking？"
"Theking！"sherepliedraisinghervoice。"Whatdoyouowetothisking？Youhaveservedhimfaithfully，andyourrewardisthatwithinafewdayshewilltakemefromyou——me，whoshouldhavebeenyourwife，andImust——Imust————"Andshebegantoweepsoftly，addingbetweenhersobs，"ifyoulovedmetruly，youwouldthinkmoreofmeandofyourself，andlessoftheBlackOneandhisorders。Oh！letusfly，Nahoon，letusflytoNatalbeforethisspearpiercesme。"
"Weepnot，Nanea，"hesaid；"whydoyoutearmyheartintwobetweenmydutyandmylove？YouknowthatIamasoldier，andthatImustwalkthepathwhereonthekinghassetmyfeet。SoonIthinkIshallbedead，forIseekdeath，andthenitwillmatternothing。"
"Nothingtoyou，Nahoon，whoareatpeace，buttome？Yet，youareright，andIknowit，thereforeforgiveme，whoamnowarrior，butawomanwhomustalsoobey——thewilloftheking。"Andshecastherarmsabouthisneck，sobbingherfilluponhisbreast。
CHAPTERIV
NANEA
Presently，mutteringsomethingthatthelistenercouldnotcatch，NahoonleftNanea，andcreptoutofthehutbyitsbee-holeentrance。
ThenHaddenopenedhiseyesandlookedroundhim。Thesunwassinkingandarayofitsredlightstreamingthroughthelittleopeningfilledtheplacewithasoftandcrimsonglow。Inthecentreofthehut——
supportingit——stoodathorn-woodroof-treecolouredblackbythesmokeofthefire；andagainstthis，therichlightfallingfulluponher，leanedthegirlNanea——averypictureofgentledespair。
AsisoccasionallythecaseamongZuluwomen，shewasbeautiful——sobeautifulthatthesightofherwentstraighttothewhiteman’sheart，foramomentcausingthebreathtocatchinhisthroat。Herdresswasverysimple。Onhershoulders，hangingopeninfront，layamantleofsoftwhitestuffedgedwithbluebeads，abouthermiddlewasabuck-skinmoocha，alsoembroideredwithbluebeads，whileroundherforeheadandleftkneewerestripsofgreyfur，andonherrightwristashiningbangleofcopper。Hernakedbronze-huedfigurewastallandperfectinitsproportions；whileherfacehadlittleincommonwiththatoftheordinarynativegirl，showingasitdidstrongtracesoftheancestralArabianorSemiticblood。Itwasovalinshape，withdelicateaquilinefeatures，archedeyebrows，afullmouth，thatdroopedalittleatthecorners，tinyears，behindwhichthewavycoal-blackhairhungdowntotheshoulders，andtheveryloveliestpairofdarkandliquideyesthatitispossibletoimagine。
ForaminuteormoreNaneastoodthus，hersweetfacebathedinthesunbeam，whileHaddenfeastedhiseyesuponitsbeauty。Thensighingheavily，sheturned，andseeingthathewasawake，started，drewhermantleoverherbreastandcame，orratherglided，towardshim。
"Thechiefisawake，"shesaidinhersoftZuluaccents。"Doesheneedaught？"
"Yes，Lady，"heanswered；"Ineedtodrink，butalas！Iamtooweak。"
Shekneltdownbesidehim，andsupportinghimwithherleftarm，withherrightheldthegourdtohislips。
HowitcameaboutHaddenneverknew，butbeforethatdraughtwasfinishedachangepassedoverhim。Whetheritwasthesavagegirl’stouch，orherstrangeandfawn-likeloveliness，orthetenderpityinhereyes，mattersnot——theissuewasthesame。Shestrucksomecordinhisturbulentuncurbednature，andofasuddenitwasfilledfullwithpassionforher——apassionwhichif，notelevated，atleastwasreal。
Hedidnotforamomentmistakethesignificanceofthefloodoffeelingthatsurgedthroughhisveins。Haddennevershirkedfacts。
"ByHeaven！"hesaidtohimself，"Ihavefalleninlovewithablackbeautyatfirstsight——moreinlovethanIhaveeverbeenbefore。It’sawkward，buttherewillbecompensations。SomuchtheworseforNahoon，orforCetywayo，orforbothofthem。Afterall，Icanalwaysgetridofherifshebecomesanuisance。"
Then，inafitofrenewedweakness，broughtaboutbytheturmoilofhisblood，helaybackuponthepillowoffurs，watchingNanea’sfacewhilewithanativesalveofpoundedleavesshebusiedherselfdressingthewoundsthattheleopardhadmade。
Italmostseemedasthoughsomethingofwhatwaspassinginhismindcommunicateditselftothatofthegirl。Atleast，herhandshookalittleathertask，andgettingdonewithitasquicklyasshecould，sherosefromherkneeswithacourteous"Itisfinished，/Inkoos/，"
andoncemoretookupherpositionbytheroof-tree。
"Ithankyou，Lady，"hesaid；"yourhandiskind。"
"Youmustnotcallmelady，/Inkoos/，"sheanswered，"Iamnochieftainess，butonlythedaughterofaheadman，Umgona。"
"AndnamedNanea，"hesaid。"Nay，donotbesurprised，Ihaveheardofyou。Well，Nanea，perhapsyouwillsoonbecomeachieftainess——upattheking’skraalyonder。"
"Alas！andalas！"shesaid，coveringherfacewithherhands。
"Donotgrieve，Nanea，ahedgeisneversotallandthickbutthatitcannotbeclimbedorcreptthrough。"
Sheletfallherhandsandlookedathimeagerly，buthedidnotpursuethesubject。
"Tellme，howdidIcomehere，Nanea？"
"Nahoonandhiscompanionscarriedyou，/Inkoos/。"
"Indeed，Ibegintobethankfultotheleopardthatstruckmedown。
Well，Nahoonisabraveman，andhehasdonemeagreatservice。I
trustthatImaybeabletorepayit——toyou，Nanea。"
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ThiswasthefirstmeetingofNaneaandHadden；but，althoughshedidnotseekthem，thenecessitiesofhissicknessandofthesituationbroughtaboutmanyanother。Neverforamomentdidthewhitemanwaverinhisdeterminationtogetintohiskeepingthenativegirlwhohadcaptivatedhim，andtoattainhisendhebroughttobearallhispowersandcharmtodetachherfromNahoon，andwinheraffectionsforhimself。Hewasnoroughwooer，however，butproceededwarily，weavingheraboutwithawebofflatteryandattentionthatmust，hethought，producethedesiredeffectuponhermind。Withoutadoubt，indeed，itwouldhavedoneso——forshewasbutawoman，andanuntutoredone——haditnotbeenforasimplefactwhichdominatedherwholenature。ShelovedNahoon，andtherewasnoroominherheartforanyotherman，whiteorblack。ToHaddenshewascourteousandkindlybutnomore，nordidsheappeartonoticeanyofthesubtleadvancesbywhichheattemptedtowinafootholdinherheart。Forawhilethispuzzledhim，butherememberedthattheZuluwomendonotusuallypermitthemselvestoshowfeelingtowardsanundeclaredsuitor。Thereforeitbecamenecessarythatheshouldspeakout。
Hismindoncemadeup，hehadnottowaitlongforanopportunity。Hewasnowquiterecoveredfromhishurts，andaccustomedtowalkintheneighbourhoodofthekraal。AbouttwohundredyardsfromUmgona’shutsroseaspring，andthitheritwasNanea’shabittoresortintheeveningtobringbackdrinking-waterfortheuseofherfather’shousehold。Thepathbetweenthisspringandthekraalranthroughapatchofbush，whereonacertainafternoontowardssundownHaddentookhisseatunderatree，havingfirstseenNaneagodowntothelittlestreamaswashercustom。Aquarterofanhourlatershereappearedcarryingalargegourduponherhead。Sheworenogarmentnowexcepthermoocha，forshehadbutonemantleandwasafraidlestthewatershouldsplashit。Hewatchedheradvancingalongthepath，herhandsrestingonherhips，hersplendidnakedfigureoutlinedagainstthewesteringsun，andwonderedwhatexcusehecouldmaketotalkwithher。Asitchancedfortunefavouredhim，forwhenshewasnearhimasnakeglidedacrossthepathinfrontofthegirl’sfeet，causinghertospringbackwardsinalarmandoversetthegourdofwater。Hecameforward，andpickeditup。
"Waithere，"hesaidlaughing；"Iwillbringittoyoufull。"
"Nay，/Inkoos/，"sheremonstrated，"thatisawoman’swork。"
"Amongmypeople，"hesaid，"themenlovetoworkforthewomen，"andhestartedforthespring，leavingherwondering。
Beforehereachedheragain，heregrettedhisgallantry，foritwasnecessarytocarrythehandlelessgourduponhisshoulder，andthecontentsofitspillingovertheedgesoakedhim。Ofthis，however，hesaidnothingtoNanea。
"Thereisyourwater，Nanea，shallIcarryitforyoutothekraal？"
"Nay，/Inkoos/，Ithankyou，butgiveittome，youarewearywithitsweight。"
"Stayawhile，andIwillaccompanyyou。Ah！Nanea，Iamstillweak，andhaditnotbeenforyouIthinkthatIshouldbedead。"
"ItwasNahoonwhosavedyou——notI，/Inkoos/。"
"Nahoonsavedmybody，butyou，Nanea，youalonecansavemyheart。"
"Youtalkdarkly，/Inkoos/。"
"ThenImustmakemymeaningclear，Nanea。Iloveyou。"
Sheopenedherbrowneyeswide。
"You，awhitelord，loveme，aZulugirl？Howcanthatbe？"
"Idonotknow，Nanea，butitisso，andwereyounotblindyouwouldhaveseenit。Iloveyou，andIwishtotakeyoutowife。"
"Nay，/Inkoos/，itisimpossible。Iamalreadybetrothed。"
"Ay，"heanswered，"betrothedtotheking。"
"No，betrothedtoNahoon。"
"Butitisthekingwhowilltakeyouwithinaweek；isitnotso？AndwouldyounotratherthatIshouldtakeyouthantheking？"
"Itseemstobeso，/Inkoos/，andIwouldrathergowithyouthanwiththeking，butmostofallIdesiretomarryNahoon。ItmaybethatI
shallnotbeabletomarryhim，butifthatisso，atleastIwillneverbecomeoneoftheking’swomen。"
"Howwillyoupreventit，Nanea？"
"Therearewatersinwhichamaidmaydrown，andtreesuponwhichshecanhang，"sheansweredwithaquicksettingofthemouth。
"Thatwereapity，Nanea，youaretoofairtodie。"
"Fairorfoul，yetIdie，/Inkoos/。"
"No，no，comewithme——Iwillfindaway——andbemywife，"andheputherarmaboutherwaist，andstrovetodrawhertohim。
Withoutanyviolenceofmovement，andwiththemostperfectdignity，thegirldisengagedherselffromhisembrace。
"Youhavehonouredme，andIthankyou，/Inkoos/，"shesaidquietly，"butyoudonotunderstand。IamthewifeofNahoon——IbelongtoNahoon；therefore，IcannotlookonanyothermanwhileNahoonlives。
Itisnotourcustom，/Inkoos/，forwearenotasthewhitewomen，butignorantandsimple，andwhenwevowourselvestoaman，weabidebythatvowtilldeath。"
"Indeed，"saidHadden；"andsonowyougototellNahoonthatIhaveofferedtomakeyoumywife。"
"No，/Inkoos/，whyshouldItellNahoonyoursecrets？Ihavesaid’nay’toyou，not’yea，’thereforehehasnorighttoknow，"andshestoopedtoliftthegourdofwater。
Haddenconsideredthesituationrapidly，forhisrepulseonlymadehimthemoredeterminedtosucceed。Ofasuddenundertheemergencyheconceivedascheme，orratheritsroughoutline。Itwasnotanicescheme，andsomemenmighthaveshrunkfromit，butashehadnointentionofsufferinghimselftobedefeatedbyaZulugirl，hedecided——withregret，itistrue——thathavingfailedtoattainhisendsbymeanswhichheconsideredfair，hemustresorttoothersofmoredoubtfulcharacter。
"Nanea，"hesaid，"youareagoodandhonestwoman，andIrespectyou。
AsIhavetoldyou，Iloveyoualso，butifyourefusetolistentomethereisnothingmoretobesaid，andafterall，perhapsitwouldbebetterthatyoushouldmarryoneofyourownpeople。But，Nanea，youwillnevermarryhim，forthekingwilltakeyou；and，ifhedoesnotgiveyoutosomeotherman，eitheryouwillbecomeoneofhis’sisters，’ortobefreeofhim，asyousay，youwilldie。Nowhearme，foritisbecauseIloveyouandwishyourwelfarethatIspeakthus。WhydoyounotescapeintoNatal，takingNahoonwithyou，forthereasyouknowyoumayliveinpeaceoutofreachofthearmofCetywayo？"
"Thatismydesire，/Inkoos/，butNahoonwillnotconsent。Hesaysthatthereistobewarbetweenusandyouwhitemen，andhewillnotbreakthecommandofthekinganddesertfromhisarmy。"
"Thenhecannotloveyoumuch，Nahoon，andatleastyouhavetothinkofyourself。Whisperintotheearofyourfatherandflytogether，forbesurethatNahoonwillsoonfollowyou。Ay！andImyselfwithflywithyou，forItoobelievethattheremustbewar，andthenawhitemaninthiscountrywillbeasalambamongtheeagles。"
"IfNahoonwillcome，Iwillgo，/Inkoos/，butIcannotflywithoutNahoon；itisbetterIshouldstayhereandkillmyself。"
"Surelythenbeingsofairandlovinghimsowell，youcanteachhimtoforgethisfollyandtoescapewithyou。Infourdays’timewemuststartfortheking’skraal，andifyouwinoverNahoon，itwillbeeasyforustoturnourfacessouthwardsandacrosstheriverthatliesbetweenthelandoftheAmazuluandNatal。Forthesakeofallofus，butmostofallforyourownsake，trytodothis，Nanea，whomI
havelovedandwhomInowwouldsave。Seehimandpleadwithhimasyouknowhow，butasyetdonottellhimthatIdreamofflight，forthenIshouldbewatched。"
"Intruth，Iwill，/Inkoos/，"sheansweredearnestly，"andoh！Ithankyouforyourgoodness。FearnotthatIwillbetrayyou——firstwouldI
die。Farewell。"
"Farewell，Nanea，"andtakingherhandheraisedittohislips。
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Latethatnight，justasHaddenwasbeginningtopreparehimselfforsleep，heheardagentletappingattheboardwhichclosedtheentrancetohishut。
"Enter，"hesaid，unfasteningthedoor，andpresentlybythelightofthelittlelanternthathehadwithhim，hesawNaneacreepintothehut，followedbythegreatformofNahoon。
"/Inkoos/，"shesaidinawhisperwhenthedoorwasclosedagain，"I
havepleadedwithNahoon，andhehasconsentedtofly；moreover，myfatherwillcomealso。"
"Isitso，Nahoon？"askedHadden。
"Itisso，"answeredtheZulu，lookingdownshamefacedly；"tosavethisgirlfromtheking，andbecausetheloveofhereatsoutmyheart，Ihavebarteredawaymyhonour。ButItellyou，Nanea，andyou，WhiteMan，asItoldUmgonajustnow，thatIthinknogoodwillcomeofthisflight，andifwearecaughtorbetrayed，weshallbekilledeveryoneofus。"
"Caughtwecanscarcelybe，"brokeinNaneaanxiously，"forwhocouldbetrayus，exceptthe/Inkoos/here————"
"Whichheisnotlikelytodo，"saidHaddenquietly，"seeingthathedesirestoescapewithyou，andthathislifeisalsoatstake。"
"Thatisso，BlackHeart，"saidNahoon，"otherwiseItellyouthatI
shouldnothavetrustedyou。"
Haddentooknonoticeofthisoutspokensaying，butuntilverylatethatnighttheysattheretogethermakingtheirplans。
*****
OnthefollowingmorningHaddenwasawakenedbysoundsofviolentaltercation。GoingoutofhishuthefoundthatthedisputantswereUmgonaandafatandevil-lookingKaffirchiefwhohadarrivedatthekraalonapony。Thischief，hesoondiscovered，wasnamedMaputa，beingnoneotherthanthemanwhohadsoughtNaneainmarriageandbroughtaboutNahoon’sandUmgona’sunfortunateappealtotheking。AtpresenthewasengagedinabusingUmgonafuriously，charginghimwithhavingstolencertainofhisoxenandbewitchedhiscowssothattheywouldnotgivemilk。Theallegedtheftitwascomparativelyeasytodisprove，butthewizardryremainedamatterofargument。
"Youareadog，andasonofadog，"shoutedMaputa，shakinghisfatfistinthefaceofthetremblingbutindignantUmgona。"Youpromisedmeyourdaughterinmarriage，thenhavingvowedhertothat/umfagozan/——thatlowloutofasoldier，Nahoon，thesonofZomba——youwent，thetwoofyou，andpoisonedtheking’searagainstme，bringingmeintotroublewiththeking，andnowyouhavebewitchedmycattle。
Well，wait，Iwillbeevenwithyou，Wizard；waittillyouwakeupinthecoldmorningtofindyourfenceredwithfire，andtheslayersstandingoutsideyourgatestoeatupyouandyourswithspears————"
AtthisjunctureNahoon，whotillnowhadbeenlisteninginsilence，intervenedwitheffect。
"Good，"hesaid，"wewillwait，butnotinyourcompany，ChiefMaputa。
/Hamba！/（go）————"andseizingthefatoldruffianbythescruffofhisneck，heflunghimbackwardswithsuchviolencethatherolledoverandoverdownthelittleslope。
Haddenlaughed，andpassedontowardsthestreamwhereheproposedtobathe。Justashereachedit，hecaughtsightofMaputaridingalongthefootpath，hishead-ringcoveredwithmud，hislipspurpleandhisblackfacelividwithrage。
"Theregoesanangryman，"hesaidtohimself。"Now，howwoulditbe————"andhelookedupwardslikeoneseekinganinspiration。Itseemedtocome；perhapsthedevilfindingitopenwhisperedinhisear，atanyrate——inafewsecondshisplanwasformed，andhewaswalkingthroughthebushtomeetMaputa。
"Goinpeace，Chief，"hesaid；"theyseemtohavetreatedyouroughlyupyonder。Havingnopowertointerfere，IcameawayforIcouldnotbearthesight。Itisindeedshamefulthatanoldandvenerablemanofrankshouldbestruckintothedirt，andbeatenbyasoldierdrunkwithbeer。"
"Shameful，WhiteMan！"gaspedMaputa；"yourwordsaretrueindeed。Butwaitawhile。I，Maputa，willrollthatstoneover，Iwillthrowthatbulluponitsback。Whennexttheharvestripens，thisIpromise，thatneitherNahoonnorUmgona，noranyofhiskraalshallbelefttogatherit。"
"Andhowwillyoumanagethat，Maputa？"
"Idonotknow，butIwillfindaway。Oh！Itellyou，awayshallbefound。"
Haddenpattedthepony’sneckmeditatively，thenleaningforward，helookedthechiefintheeyesandsaid：——
"Whatwillyougiveme，Maputa，ifIshowyouthatway，asureandcertainone，wherebyyoumaybeavengedtothedeathuponNahoon，whoseviolenceIalsohaveseen，anduponUmgona，whosewitchcraftbroughtsoresicknessuponme？"
"Whatrewarddoyouseek，WhiteMan？"askedMaputaeagerly。
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