"Alittlething，Chief，athingofnoaccount，onlythegirlNanea，towhomasitchancesIhavetakenafancy。"

"Iwantedherformyself，WhiteMan，buthewhositsatUlundihaslaidhishanduponher。"

"Thatisnothing，Chief；Icanarrangewithhimwho’sitsatUlundi。’

ItiswithyouwhoaregreatherethatIwishtocometoterms。

Listen：ifyougrantmydesire，notonlywillIfulfilyoursuponyourfoes，butwhenthegirlisdeliveredintomyhandsIwillgiveyouthisrifleandahundredroundsofcartridges。"

MaputalookedatthesportingMartini，andhiseyesglistened。

"Itisgood，"hesaid；"itisverygood。OftenhaveIwishedforsuchagunthatwillenablemetoshootgame，andtotalkwithmyenemiesfromfaraway。Promiseittome，WhiteMan，andyoushalltakethegirlifIcangivehertoyou。"

"Youswearit，Maputa？"

"IswearitbytheheadofChaka，andthespiritsofmyfathers。"

"Good。AtdawnonthefourthdayfromnowitisthepurposeofUmgona，hisdaughterNanea，andNahoon，tocrosstheriverintoNatalbythedriftthatiscalledCrocodileDrift，takingtheircattlewiththemandflyingfromtheking。Ialsoshallbeoftheircompany，fortheyknowthatIhavelearnedtheirsecret，andwouldmurdermeifItriedtoleavethem。Nowyouwhoarechiefoftheborderandguardianofthatdrift，musthideatnightwithsomemenamongtherocksintheshallowsofthedriftandawaitourcoming。FirstNaneawillcrossdrivingthecowsandcalves，forsoitisarranged，andIshallhelpher；thenwillfollowUmgonaandNahoonwiththeoxenandheifers。Onthesetwoyoumustfall，killingthemandcapturingthecattle，andafterwardsIwillgiveyoutherifle。"

"Whatifthekingshouldaskforthegirl，WhiteMan？"

"Thenyoushallanswerthatintheuncertainlightyoudidnotrecogniseherandsosheslippedawayfromyou；moreover，thatatfirstyoufearedtoseizethegirllesthercriesshouldalarmthemenandtheyshouldescapeyou。"

"Good，buthowcanIbesurethatyouwillgivemethegunonceyouareacrosstheriver？"

"Thus：beforeIenterthefordIwilllaytherifleandcartridgesuponastonebythebank，tellingNaneathatIshallreturntofetchthemwhenIhavedrivenoverthecattle。"

"Itiswell，WhiteMan；Iwillnotfailyou。"

Sotheplotwasmade，andaftersomefurtherconversationuponpointsofdetail，thetwoconspiratorsshookhandsandparted。

"Thatoughttocomeoffallright，"reflectedHaddentohimselfasheplungedandfloatedinthewatersofthestream，"butsomehowIdon’tquitetrustourfriendMaputa。ItwouldhavebeenbetterifIcouldhaverelieduponmyselftogetridofNahoonandhisrespecteduncle——

acoupleofshotswoulddoitinthewater。Butthenthatwouldbemurderandmurderisunpleasant；whereastheotherthingisonlythedeliverytojusticeoftwobasedeserters，alaudableactioninamilitarycountry。Alsopersonalinterferenceuponmypartmightturnthegirlagainstme；whileafterUmgonaandNahoonhavebeenwipedoutbyMaputa，she/must/acceptmyescort。Ofcoursethereisarisk，butineverywalkoflifethemostcautioushavetotakerisksattimes。"

Asitchanced，PhilipHaddenwascorrectinhissuspicionsofhiscoadjutor，Maputa。Evenbeforethatworthychiefreachedhisownkraal，hehadcometotheconclusionthatthewhiteman’splan，thoughattractiveinsomeways，wastoodangerous，sinceitwascertainthatifthegirlNaneaescaped，thekingwouldbeindignant。Moreover，themenhetookwithhimtodothekillinginthedriftwouldsuspectsomethingandtalk。Ontheotherhandhewouldearnmuchcreditwithhismajestybyrevealingtheplot，sayingthathehadlearneditfromthelipsofthewhitehunter，whomUmgonaandNahoonhadforcedtoparticipateinit，andofwhosecovetedriflehemusttrusttochancetopossesshimself。

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Anhourlatertwodiscreetmessengerswereboundingacrosstheplains，bearingwordsfromtheChiefMaputa，theWardenoftheBorder，tothe"greatBlackElephant"atUlundi。

CHAPTERV

THEDOOMPOOL

FortuneshoweditselfstrangelyfavourabletotheplansofNahoonandNanea。OneoftheZulucaptain’sperplexitieswasastohowheshouldlullthesuspicionsandevadethevigilanceofhisowncompanions，whotogetherwithhimselfhadbeendetailedbythekingtoassistHaddeninhishuntingandtoguardagainsthisescape。Asitchanced，however，onthedayaftertheincidentofthevisitofMaputa，amessengerarrivedfromnolessapersonthanthegreatmilitaryInduna，TvingwayokaMarolo，whoafterwardscommandedtheZuluarmyatIsandhlwana，orderingthesementoreturntotheirregiment，theUmcityuCorps，whichwastobeplaceduponfullwarfooting。

AccordinglyNahoonsentthem，sayingthathehimselfwouldfollowwithBlackHeartinthecourseofafewdays，asatpresentthewhitemanwasnotsufficientlyrecoveredfromhishurtstoallowofhistravellingfastandfar。Sothesoldierswent，doubtingnothing。

ThenUmgonagaveitoutthatinobediencetothecommandofthekinghewasabouttostartforUlundi，takingwithhimhisdaughterNaneatobedeliveredoverintothe/Sigodhla/，andalsothosefifteenheadofcattlethathadbeen/lobola’d/byNahooninconsiderationofhisforthcomingmarriage，whereofhehadbeenfinedbyCetywayo。Underpretencethattheyrequiredachangeofveldt，therestofhiscattlehesentawayinchargeofaBasutoherdwhoknewnothingoftheirplans，tellinghimtokeepthembytheCrocodileDrift，astherethegrasswasgoodandsweet。

Allpreparationsbeingcompleted，onthethirddaythepartystarted，headingstraightforUlundi。Aftertheyhadtravelledsomemiles，however，theylefttheroadandturningsharptotheright，passedunobservedofanythroughagreatstretchofuninhabitedbush。TheirpathnowlaynotfarfromthePoolofDoom，which，indeed，wasclosetoUmgona’skraal，andtheforestthatwascalledHomeoftheDead，butoutofsightofthese。Itwastheirplantotravelbynight，reachingthebrokencountryneartheCrocodileDriftonthefollowingmorning。Heretheyproposedtoliehidthatdayandthroughthenight；

then，havingfirstcollectedthecattlewhichhadprecededthem，tocrosstheriveratthebreakofdawnandescapeintoNatal。Atleastthiswastheplanofhiscompanions；but，asweknow，Haddenhadanotherprogramme，whereonafteronelastappearancetwoofthepartywouldplaynopart。

Duringthatlongafternoon’sjourneyUmgona，whokneweveryinchofthecountry，walkedaheaddrivingthefifteencattleandcarryinginhishandalongtravellingstickofblackandwhite/umzimbeet/wood，forintruththeoldmanwasinahurrytoreachhisjourney’send。

NextcameNahoon，armedwithabroadassegai，butnakedexceptforhismoochaandneckletofbaboon’steeth，andwithhimNaneainherwhitebead-borderedmantle。Hadden，whobroughtuptherear，noticedthatthegirlseemedtobeunderthespellofanimminentapprehension，forfromtimetotimesheclaspedherlover’sarm，andlookingupintohisface，addressedhimwithvehemence，almostwithpassion。

Curiouslyenough，thesighttouchedHadden，andonceortwicehewasshakenbysosharpapangofremorseatthethoughtofhisshareinthistragedy，thathecastaboutinhismindseekingameanstounravelthewebofdeathwhichhehimselfhadwoven。Buteverthatevilvoicewaswhisperingathisear。Itremindedhimthathe，thewhite/Inkoos/，hadbeenrefusedbythisduskybeauty，andthatifhefoundawaytosavehim，withinsomefewhoursshewouldbethewifeofthesavagegentlemanatherside，themanwhohadnamedhimBlackHeartandwhodespisedhim，themanwhomhehadmeanttomurderandwhoimmediatelyrepaidhistreacherybyrescuinghimfromthejawsoftheleopardattheriskofhisownlife。Moreover，itwasalawofHadden’sexistencenevertodenyhimselfofanythingthathedesiredifitlaywithinhispowertotakeit——alawwhichhadledhimalwaysdeeperintosin。Inotherrespects，indeed，ithadnotcarriedhimfar，forinthepasthehadnotdesiredmuch，andhehadwonlittle；

butthisparticularflowerwastohishand，andhewouldpluckit。IfNahoonstoodbetweenhimandtheflower，somuchtheworseforNahoon，andifitshouldwitherinhisgrasp，somuchtheworsefortheflower；itcouldalwaysbethrownaway。Thusitcameaboutthat，notforthefirsttimeinhislife，PhilipHaddendiscardedthesomewhatspasmodicprickingsofconscienceandlistenedtothatevilwhisperingathisear。

Abouthalf-pastfiveo’clockintheafternoonthefourrefugeespassedthestreamthatamileorsodownfelloverthelittleprecipiceintotheDoomPool；and，enteringapatchofthorntreesonthefurtherside，walkedstraightintothemidstoftwo-and-twentysoldiers，whowerebeguilingthetediumofexpectancybythetakingofsnuffandthesmokingof/dakka/ornativehemp。Withthesesoldiers，seatedonhispony，forhewastoofattowalk，waitedtheChiefMaputa。

Observingthattheirexpectedguestshadarrived，themenknockedoutthe/dakka/pipe，replacedthesnuffboxesintheslitsmadeinthelobesoftheirears，andsecuredthefourofthem。

"Whatisthemeaningofthis，OKing’ssoldiers？"askedUmgonainaquaveringvoice。"WejourneytothekraalofU’Cetywayo；whydoyoumolestus？"

"Indeed。Whereforethenareyourfacessettowardsthesouth。DoestheBlackOneliveinthesouth？Well，youwilljourneytoanotherkraalpresently，"answeredthejovial-lookingcaptainofthepartywithacallouslaugh。

"Idonotunderstand，"stammeredUmgona。

"ThenIwillexplainwhileyourest，"saidthecaptain。"TheChiefMaputayondersentwordtotheBlackOneatUlundithathehadlearnedofyourintendedflighttoNatalfromthelipsofthiswhiteman，whohadwarnedhimofit。TheBlackOnewasangry，anddespatchedustocatchyouandmakeanendofyou。Thatisall。Comeonnow，quietly，andletusfinishthematter。AstheDoomPoolisnear，yourdeathswillbeeasy。"

Nahoonheardthewords，andsprangstraightatthethroatofHadden；

buthedidnotreachit，forthesoldierspulledhimdown。Naneaheardthemalso，andturning，lookedthetraitorintheeyes；shesaidnothing，sheonlylooked，buthecouldneverforgetthatlook。ThewhitemanforhispartwasfilledwithafieryindignationagainstMaputa。

"Youwickedvillain，"hegasped，whereatthechiefsmiledinasicklyfashion，andturnedaway。

ThentheyweremarchedalongthebanksofthestreamtilltheyreachedthewaterfallthatfellintothePoolofDoom。

Haddenwasabravemanafterhisfashion，buthisheartquailedashegazedintothatabyss。

"Areyougoingtothrowmeinthere？"heaskedoftheZulucaptaininathickvoice。

"You，WhiteMan？"repliedthesoldierunconcernedly。"No，ourordersaretotakeyoutotheking，butwhathewilldowithyouIdonotknow。Thereistobewarbetweenyourpeopleandours，soperhapshemeanstopoundyouintomedicinefortheuseofthewitch-doctors，ortopegyouoveranant-heapasawarningtootherwhitemen。"

Haddenreceivedthisinformationinsilence，butitseffectuponhisbrainwasbracing，forinstantlyhebegantosearchoutsomemeansofescape。

Bynowthepartyhadhaltednearthetwothorntreesthathungoverthewatersofthepool。

"Whodivesfirst，"askedthecaptainoftheChiefMaputa。

"Theoldwizard，"hereplied，noddingatUmgona；"thenhisdaughterafterhim，andlastofallthisfellow，"andhestruckNahooninthefacewithhisopenhand。

"Comeon，Wizard，"saidthecaptain，graspingUmgonabythearm，"andletusseehowyoucanswim。"

AtthewordsofdoomUmgonaseemedtorecoverhisself-command，afterthefashionofhisrace。

"Noneedtoleadme，soldier，"hesaid，shakinghimselfloose，"whoamoldandreadytodie。"Thenhekissedhisdaughterathisside，wrungNahoonbythehand，andturningfromHaddenwithagestureofcontemptwalkedoutupontheplatformthatjoinedthetwothorntrunks。Herehestoodforamomentlookingatthesettingsun，thensuddenly，andwithoutasound，hehurledhimselfintotheabyssbelowandvanished。

"Thatwasabraveone，"saidthecaptainwithadmiration。"Canyouspringtoo，girl，ormustwethrowyou？"

"Icanwalkmyfather’spath，"Naneaansweredfaintly，"butfirstI

craveleavetosayoneword。Itistruethatwewereescapingfromtheking，andthereforebythelawwemustdie；butitwasBlackHeartherewhomadetheplot，andhewhohasbetrayedus。Wouldyouknowwhyhehasbetrayedus？Becausehesoughtmyfavour，andIrefusedhim，andthisisthevengeancethathetakes——awhiteman’svengeance。"

"/Wow！/"brokeinthechiefMaputa，"thisprettyonespeakstruth，forthewhitemanwouldhavemadeabargainwithmeunderwhichUmgona，thewizard，andNahoon，thesoldier，weretobekilledattheCrocodileDrift，andhehimselfsufferedtoescapewiththegirl。I

spokehimsoftlyandsaid’yes，’andthenlikealoyalmanIreportedtotheking。"

"Youhear，"sighedNanea。"Nahoon，fareyouwell，thoughpresentlyperhapsweshallbetogetheragain。ItwasIwhotemptedyoufromyourduty。Formysakeyouforgotyourhonour，andIamrepaid。Farewell，myhusband，itisbettertodiewithyouthantoenterthehouseoftheking’swomen，"andNaneasteppedontotheplatform。

Here，holdingtoaboughofoneofthethorntrees，sheturnedandaddressedHadden，saying：——

"BlackHeart，youseemtohavewontheday，butmeatleastyouloseand——thesunisnotyetset。Aftersunsetcomesthenight，BlackHeart，andinthatnightIpraythatyoumaywandereternally，andbegiventodrinkofmybloodandthebloodofUmgonamyfather，andthebloodofNahoonmyhusband，whosavedyourlife，andwhomyouhavemurdered。Perchance，BlackHeart，wemayyetmeetyonder——intheHouseoftheDead。"

ThenutteringalowcryNaneaclaspedherhandsandsprangupwardsandoutwardsfromtheplatform。Thewatchersbenttheirheadsforwardtolook。Theysawherrushheadlongdownthefaceofthefalltostrikethewaterfiftyfeetbelow。Afewseconds，andforthelasttime，theycaughtsightofherwhitegarmentglimmeringonthesurfaceofthegloomypool。Thentheshadowsandmist-wreathshidit，andshewasgone。

"Now，husband，"criedthecheerfulvoiceofthecaptain，"yonderisyourmarriagebed，sobeswifttofollowabridewhoissoreadytoleadtheway。/Wow！/butyouaregoodpeopletokill；neverhaveIhadtodowithanywhogavelesstrouble。You————"andhestopped，formentalagonyhaddoneitswork，andsuddenlyNahoonwentmadbeforehiseyes。

Witharoarlikethatofalionthegreatmancastoffthosewhoheldhimandseizingoneofthemroundthewaistandthigh，heputoutallhisterriblestrength。Liftinghimasthoughhehadbeenaninfant，hehurledhimovertheedgeoftheclifftofindhisdeathontherocksofthePoolofDoom。Thencrying：——

"BlackHeart！yourturn，BlackHeartthetraitor！"herushedatHadden，hiseyesrollingandfoamflyingfromhislips，ashepassedstrikingthechiefMaputafromhishorsewithabackwardblowofhishand。IllwouldithavegonewiththewhitemanifNahoonhadcaughthim。Buthecouldnotcomeathim，forthesoldiersspranguponhimandnotwithstandinghisfearfulstrugglestheypulledhimtotheground，asatcertainfestivalstheZuluregimentswiththeirnakedhandspulldownabullinthepresenceoftheking。

"Casthimoverbeforehecanworkmoremischief，"saidavoice。Butthecaptaincriedout，"Nay，nay，heissacred；thefirefromHeavenhasfallenonhisbrain，andwemaynotharmhim，elseevilwouldovertakeusall。Bindhimhandandfoot，andbearhimtenderlytowherehecanbecaredfor。SurelyIthoughtthattheseevil-doersweregivingustoolittletrouble，andthusithasproved。"

SotheysetthemselvestomakefastNahoon’shandsandwrists，usingasmuchgentlenessastheymight，foramongtheZulusalunaticisaccountedholy。Itwasnoeasytask，andittooktime。

Haddenglancedaroundhim，andsawhisopportunity。Onthegroundclosebesidehimlayhisrifle，whereoneofthesoldiershadplacedit，andaboutadozenyardsawayMaputa’sponywasgrazing。Withaswiftmovement，heseizedtheMartiniandfivesecondslaterhewasonthebackofthepony，headingfortheCrocodileDriftatagallop。Soquicklyindeeddidheexecutethismasterlyretreat，thatoccupiedastheyallwereinbindingNahoon，forhalfaminuteormorenoneofthesoldiersnoticedwhathadhappened。ThenMaputachancedtosee，andwaddledafterhimtothetopoftherise，screaming：——

"Thewhitethief，hehasstolenmyhorse，andtheguntoo，thegunthathepromisedtogiveme。"

Hadden，whobythistimewasahundredyardsaway，heardhimclearly，andaragefilledhisheart。Thismanhadmadeanopenmurdererofhim；more，hehadbeenthemeansofrobbinghimofthegirlforwhosesakehehaddippedhishandsintheseiniquities。Heglancedoverhisshoulder；Maputawasstillrunning，andalone。Yes，therewastime；atanyratehewouldriskit。

Pullinguptheponywithajerk，heleaptfromitsback，slippinghisarmthroughthereinwithanalmostsimultaneousmovement。Asitchanced，andashehadhopedwouldbethecase，theanimalwasatrainedshootinghorse，andstoodstill。Haddenplantedhisfeetfirmlyonthegroundanddrawingadeepbreath，hecockedtherifleandcoveredtheadvancingchief。NowMaputasawhispurposeandwithayellofterrorturnedtofly。Haddenwaitedasecondtogetthesightfaironhisbroadback，thenjustasthesoldiersappearedabovetherisehepressedthetrigger。Hewasanotedshot，andinthisinstancehisskilldidnotfailhim；for，beforeheheardthebullettell，Maputaflunghisarmswideandplungedtothegrounddead。

Threesecondsmore，andwithasavagecurse，Haddenhadremountedtheponyandwasridingforhislifetowardstheriver，whichawhilelaterhecrossedinsafety。

CHAPTERVI

THEGHOSTOFTHEDEAD

WhenNanealeaptfromthedizzyplatformthatoverhungthePoolofDoom，astrangefortunebefellher。Closeintotheprecipiceweremanyjaggedrocks，andonthesethewatersofthefallfellandthundered，boundingfromtheminspoutsofsprayintothetroubleddepthsofthefossbeyond。Itwasonthesestonesthatthelifewasdashedoutfromthebodiesofthewretchedvictimswhowerehurledfromabove。ButNanea，itwillberemembered，hadnotwaitedtobetreatedthus，andasitchancedthestrongspringwithwhichshehadleapttodeathcarriedherclearoftherocks。Byaverylittleshemissedtheedgeofthemandstrikingthedeepwaterheadfirstlikesomepractiseddiver，shesankdownanddowntillshethoughtthatshewouldneverriseagain。Yetshedidrise，attheendofthepoolinthemouthoftherapid，alongwhichshespedswiftly，carrieddownbytherushofthewater。Fortunatelytherewerenorockshere；and，sinceshewasaskilfulswimmer，sheescapedthedangerofbeingthrownagainstthebanks。

Foralongdistanceshewasbornethustillatlengthshesawthatshewasinaforest，fortreescutoffthelightfromthewater，andtheirdroopingbranchessweptitssurface。OneoftheseNaneacaughtwithherhand，andbythehelpofitshedraggedherselffromtheRiverofDeathwhencenonehadescapedbefore。Nowshestooduponthebankgaspingbutquiteunharmed；therewasnotascratchonherbody；evenherwhitegarmentwasstillfastaboutherneck。

Butthoughshehadsufferednohurtinherterriblevoyage，soexhaustedwasNaneathatshecouldscarcelystand。Herethegloomwasthatofnight，andshiveringwithcoldshelookedhelplesslytofindsomerefuge。Closetothewater’sedgegrewanenormousyellow-woodtree，andtothisshestaggered——thinkingtoclimbit，andseekshelterinitsboughswhere，asshehoped，shewouldbesafefromwildbeasts。Againfortunebefriendedher，foratadistanceofafewfeetfromthegroundtherewasagreatholeinthetreewhich，shediscovered，washollow。Intothisholeshecrept，takingherchanceofitsbeingthehomeofsnakesorotherevilcreatures，tofindthattheinteriorwaswideandwarm。Itwasdryalso，foratthebottomofthecavitylayafootormoreofrottentinderandmossbroughttherebyratsorbirds。Uponthistindershelaydown，andcoveringherselfwiththemossandleavessoonsankintosleeporstupor。

HowlongNaneasleptshedidnotknow，butatlengthshewasawakenedbyasoundasofgutturalhumanvoicestalkinginalanguagethatshecouldnotunderstand。Risingtoherkneesshepeeredoutoftheholeinthetree。Itwasnight，butthestarsshonebrilliantly，andtheirlightfelluponanopencircleofgroundclosebytheedgeoftheriver。Inthiscirclethereburnedagreatfire，andatalittledistancefromthefireweregatheredeightortenhorrible-lookingbeings，whoappearedtoberejoicingoversomethingthatlayupontheground。Theyweresmallinstature，menandwomentogether，butnochildren，andallofthemwerenearlynaked。Theirhairwaslongandthin，growingdownalmosttotheeyes，theirjawsandteethprotrudedandthegirthoftheirblackbodieswasoutofallproportiontotheirheight。Intheirhandstheyheldstickswithsharpstoneslashedontothem，orrudehatchet-likeknivesofthesamematerial。

NowNanea’sheartshrankwithinher，andshenearlyfaintedwithfear，forsheknewthatshewasinthehauntedforest，andwithoutadoubtthesewerethe/Esemkofu/，theevilghoststhatdwelttherein。Yes，thatwaswhattheywere，andyetshecouldnottakehereyesoffthem——thesightofthemheldherwithahorriblefascination。Butiftheywereghosts，whydidtheysinganddancelikemen？Whydidtheywavethosesharpstonesaloft，andquarrelandstrikeeachother？Andwhydidtheymakeafireasmendowhentheywishtocookfood？More，whatwasitthattheyrejoicedover，thatlongdarkthingwhichlaysoquietupontheground？Itdidnotlooklikeaheadofgame，anditcouldscarcelybeacrocodile，yetclearlyitwasfoodofsomesort，fortheyweresharpeningthestoneknivesinordertocutitup。

Whileshewonderedthus，oneofthedreadful-lookinglittlecreaturesadvancedtothefire，andtakingfromitaburningbough，helditoverthethingthatlayupontheground，togivelighttoacompanionwhowasabouttodosomethingtoitwiththestoneknife。NextinstantNaneadrewbackherheadfromthehole，astifledshriekuponherlips。Shesawwhatitwasnow——itwasthebodyofaman。Yes，andthesewerenoghosts；theywerecannibalsofwhomwhenshewaslittle，hermotherhadtoldhertalestokeepherfromwanderingawayfromhome。

Butwhowasthemantheywereabouttoeat？Itcouldnotbeoneofthemselves，forhisstaturewasmuchgreater。Oh！nowsheknew；itmustbeNahoon，whohadbeenkilledupyonder，andwhosedeadbodythewatershadbroughtdowntothehauntedforestastheyhadbroughtheralive。Yes，itmustbeNahoon，andshewouldbeforcedtoseeherhusbanddevouredbeforehereyes。Thethoughtofitoverwhelmedher。

Thatheshoulddiebyorderofthekingwasnatural，butthatheshouldbeburiedthus！Yetwhatcouldshedotopreventit？Well，ifitcostherherlife，itshouldbeprevented。Attheworsttheycouldonlykillandeatheralso，andnowthatNahoonandherfatherweregone，beinguntroubledbyanyreligiousorspiritualhopesandfears，shewasnotgreatlyconcernedtokeepherownbreathinher。

Slippingthroughtheholeinthetree，Naneawalkedquietlytowardsthecannibals——notknowingintheleastwhatsheshoulddowhenshereachedthem。Asshearrivedinlinewiththefirethislackofprogrammecamehometohermindforcibly，andshepausedtoreflect。

Justthenoneofthecannibalslookeduptoseeatallandstatelyfigurewrappedinawhitegarmentwhich，astheflame-lightflickeredonit，seemednowtoadvancefromthedensebackgroundofshadow，andnowtorecedeintoit。Thepoorsavagewretchwasholdingastoneknifeinhisteethwhenhebeheldher，butitdidnotremaintherelong，foropeninghisgreatjawsheutteredthemostterrifiedandpiercingyellthatNaneahadeverheard。Thentheotherssawheralso，andpresentlytheforestwasringingwithshrieksoffear。Forafewsecondstheoutcastsstoodandgazed，thentheyweregonethiswayandthat，burstingtheirpaththroughtheundergrowthlikestartledjackals。The/Esemkofu/ofZulutraditionhadbeenroutedintheirownhauntedhomebywhattheytooktobeaspirit。

Poor/Esemkofu！/theywerebutmiserableandstarvingbushmenwho，drivenintothatplaceofillomenmanyyearsago，hadadoptedthismeans，theonlyoneopentothem，tokeepthelifeintheirwretchedbodies。Hereatleasttheywereunmolested，andastherewaslittleotherfoodtobefoundamidthatwildernessoftrees，theytookwhattheriverbroughtthem。WhenexecutionswerefewinthePoolofDoom，timeswerehardforthemindeed——forthentheyweredriventoeateachother。Thatiswhytherewerenochildren。

Astheirinarticulateoutcrydiedawayinthedistance，Nanearanforwardtolookatthebodythatlayontheground，andstaggeredbackwithasighofrelief。ItwasnotNahoon，butsherecognisedthefaceforthatofoneofthepartyofexecutioners。Howdidhecomehere？

HadNahoonkilledhim？HadNahoonescaped？Shecouldnottell，andatthebestitwasimprobable，butstillthesightofthisdeadsoldierlitherheartwithafaintrayofhope，forhowdidhecometobedeadifNahoonhadnohandinhisdeath？Shecouldnotbeartoleavehimlyingsonearherhiding-place，however；therefore，withnosmalltoil，sherolledthecorpsebackintothewater，whichcarrieditswiftlyaway。Thenshereturnedtothetree，havingfirstreplenishedthefire，andawaitedthelight。

Atlastitcame——somuchofitaseverpenetratedthisdarksomeden——

andNanea，becomingawarethatshewashungry，descendedfromthetreetosearchforfood。Alldaylongshesearched，findingnothing，tilltowardssunsetsherememberedthatontheoutskirtsoftheforesttherewasaflatrockwhereitwasthecustomofthosewhohadbeeninanywayafflicted，orwhoconsideredthemselvesortheirbelongingstobebewitched，toplacepropitiatoryofferingsoffoodwherewiththe/Esemkofu/and/Amalhosi/weresupposedtosatisfytheirspiritualcravings。Urgedbythepinchofstarvation，tothisspotNaneajourneyedrapidly，andfoundtoherjoythatsomeneighbouringkraalhadevidentlybeeninrecenttrouble，fortheRockofOfferingwasladenwithcobsofcorn，gourdsofmilk，porridgeandevenmeat。

Helpingherselftoasmuchasshecouldcarry，shereturnedtoherlair，whereshedrankofthemilkandcookedmeatandmealiesatthefire。Thenshecreptbackintothetree，andslept。

FornearlytwomonthsNanealivedthusintheforest，sinceshecouldnotventureoutofit——fearinglestsheshouldbeseized，andforasecondtimetasteofthejudgmentoftheking。Intheforestatleastshewassafe，fornonedaredenterthere，nordidthe/Esemkofu/giveherfurthertrouble。Onceortwiceshesawthem，butoneachoccasiontheyfledfromherpresence——seekingsomedistantretreat，wheretheyhidthemselvesorperished。Nordidfoodfailher，forfindingthatitwastaken，thepiousgiversbroughtitinplentytotheRockofOffering。

But，oh！thelifewasdreadful，andthegloomandlonelinesscoupledwithhersorrowsattimesdroveheralmosttoinsanity。Stillshelivedon，thoughoftenshedesiredtodie，forifherfatherwasdead，thecorpseshehadfoundwasnotthecorpseofNahoon，andinherhearttherestillshonethatsparkofhome。Yetwhatshehopedforshecouldnottell。

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WhenPhilipHaddenreachedcivilisedregions，hefoundthatwarwasabouttobedeclaredbetweentheQueenandCetywayo，KingoftheAmazulu；alsothatintheprevailingexcitementhislittleadventurewiththeUtrechtstore-keeperhadbeenoverlookedorforgotten。Hewastheowneroftwogoodbuck-waggonswithspansofsaltedoxen，andatthattimevehiclesweremuchinrequesttocarrymilitarystoresforthecolumnswhichweretoadvanceintoZululand；indeedthetransportauthoritiesweregladtopay￡90amonthforthehireofeachwaggonandtoguaranteetheownersagainstalllossofcattle。AlthoughhewasnotdesirousofreturningtoZululand，thisbaitprovedtoomuchforHadden，whoaccordinglyleasedouthiswaggonstotheCommissariat，togetherwithhisownservicesasconductorandinterpreter。

HewasattachedtoNo。3columnoftheinvadingforce，whichitmayberememberedwasundertheimmediatecommandofLordChelmsford，andonthe20thofJanuary，1879，hemarchedwithitbytheroadthatrunsfromRorke’sDrifttotheIndeniforest，andencampedthatnightbeneaththeshadowofthesteepanddesolatemountainknownasIsandhlwana。

ThatdayalsoagreatarmyofKingCetywayo’s，numberingtwentythousandmenandmore，moveddownfromtheUpindoHillandcampeduponthestonyplainthatliesamileandahalftotheeastofIsandhlwana。Nofireswerelit，anditlaythereinuttersilence，forthewarriorswere"sleepingontheirspears。"

Withthat/impi/wastheUmcityuregiment，threethousandfivehundredstrong。AtthefirstbreakofdawntheIndunaincommandoftheUmcityulookedupfrombeneaththeshelteroftheblackshieldwithwhichhehadcoveredhisbody，andthroughthethickmisthesawagreatmanstandingbeforehim，clothedonlyinamoocha，agauntwild-

eyedmanwhoheldaroughclubinhishand。Whenhewasspokento，themanmadenoanswer；heonlyleaneduponhisclublookingfromlefttorightalongthedensearrayofinnumerableshields。

"Whoisthis/Silwana/（wildcreature）？"askedtheIndunaofhiscaptainswondering。

Thecaptainsstaredatthewanderer，andoneofthemreplied，"ThisisNahoon-ka-Zomba，itisthesonofZombawhonotlongagoheldrankinthisregimentoftheUmcityu。Hisbetrothed，Nanea，daughterofUmgona，waskilledtogetherwithherfatherbyorderoftheBlackOne，andNahoonwentmadwithgriefatthesightofit，forthefireofHeavenenteredhisbrain，andmadhehaswanderedeversince。"

"Whatwouldyouhere，Nahoon-ka-Zomba？"askedtheInduna。

ThenNahoonspokeslowly。"Myregimentgoesdowntowaragainstthewhitemen；givemeashieldandaspear，OCaptainoftheking，thatI

mayfightwithmyregiment，forIseekafaceinthebattle。"

Sotheygavehimashieldandaspear，fortheydarednotturnawayonewhosebrainwasalightwiththefireofHeaven。

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Whenthesunwashighthatday，bulletsbegantofallamongtheranksoftheUmcityu。Thentheblack-shielded，black-plumedUmcityuarose，companybycompany，andafterthemarosethewholevastZuluarmy，breastandhornstogether，andsweptdowninsilenceuponthedoomedBritishcamp，amovingsheenofspears。Thebulletspatteredontheshields，theshellstorelonglinesthroughtheirarray，buttheyneverhaltedorwavered。Forwardoneithersideshotoutthehornsofarmedmen，claspingthecampinanembraceofsteel。Thenasthesebegantoclose，outburstthewarcryoftheZulus，andwiththeroarofatorrentandtherushofastorm，withasoundlikethehummingofabillionbees，waveafterwavethedeepbreastofthe/impi/rolleddownuponthewhitemen。Withitwenttheblack-shieldedUmcityuandwiththemwentNahoon，thesonofZomba。Abulletstruckhimintheside，glancingfromhisribs，hedidnotheed；awhitemanfellfromhishorsebeforehim，hedidnotstab，forhesoughtbutonefaceinthebattle。

Hesought——andatlasthefound。There，amongthewaggonswherethespearswerebusiest，therestandingbyhishorseandfiringrapidlywasBlackHeart，hewhohadgivenNaneahisbetrothedtodeath。Threesoldiersstoodbetweenthem，oneofthemNahoonstabbed，andtwohebrushedaside；thenherushedstraightatHadden。

Butthewhitemansawhimcome，andeventhroughthemaskofhismadnessheknewNahoonagain，andterrortookholdofhim。Throwingawayhisemptyrifle，forhisammunitionwasspent，heleapeduponhishorseanddrovehisspursintoitsflanks。Awayitwentamongthecarnage，springingoverthedeadandburstingthroughthelinesofshields，andafteritcameNahoon，runninglongandlowwithheadstretchedforwardandtrailingspear，runningasahoundrunswhenthebuckisatview。

Hadden’sfirstplanwastoheadforRorke’sDrift，butaglancetotheleftshowedhimthatthemassesoftheUndibarredthatway，sohefledstraighton，leavinghispathtofortune。Infiveminuteshewasoveraridge，andtherewasnothingofthebattletobeseen，intenallsoundsofithaddiedaway，forfewgunswerefiredinthedreadracetoFugitive’sDrift，andtheassegaimakesnonoise。Insomestrangefashion，evenatthismoment，thecontrastbetweenthedreadfulsceneofbloodandturmoilthathehadleft，andthepeacefulfaceofNatureoverwhichhewaspassing，camehometohisbrainvividly。Herebirdssangandcattlegrazed；herethesunshoneundimmedbythesmokeofcannon，onlyhighupintheblueandsilentairlongstreamsofvulturescouldbeseenwingingtheirwaytothePlainofIsandhlwana。

Thegroundwasveryrough，andHadden’shorsebegantotire。Helookedoverhisshoulder——theresometwohundredyardsbehindcametheZulu，grimasDeath，unswervingasFate。Heexaminedthepistolinhisbelt；

therewasbutoneundischargedcartridgeleft，alltheresthadbeenfiredandthepouchwasempty。Well，onebulletshouldbeenoughforonesavage：thequestionwasshouldhestopanduseitnow？No，hemightmissorfailtokilltheman；hewasonhorsebackandhisfoeonfoot，surelyhecouldtirehimout。

Awhilepassed，andtheydashedthroughalittlestream。ItseemedfamiliartoHadden。Yes，thatwasthepoolwhereheusedtobathewhenhewastheguestofUmgona，thefatherofNanea；andthereontheknolltohisrightwerethehuts，orrathertheremainsofthem，fortheyhadbeenburntwithfire。Whatchancehadbroughthimtothisplace，hewondered；thenagainhelookedbehindhimatNahoon，whoseemedtoreadhisthoughts，forheshookhisspearandpointedtotheruinedkraal。

Onhewentatspeedforherethelandwaslevel，andtohisjoyhelostsightofhispursuer。Butpresentlytherecameamileofrockyground，andwhenitwaspast，glancingbackhesawthatNahoonwasoncemoreinhisoldplace。Hishorse’sstrengthwasalmostspent，butHaddenspurreditforwardblindly，whitherheknewnot。Nowhewastravellingalongastripofturfandaheadofhimheheardthemusicofariver，whiletohisleftroseahighbank。Presentlytheturfbentinwardsandthere，nottwentyyardsawayfromhim，wasaKaffirhutstandingonthebrinkofariver。Helookedatit，yes，itwasthehutofthataccursed/inyanga/，theBee，andstandingbythefenceofitwasnoneotherthantheBeeherself。Atthesightofhertheexhaustedhorseswervedviolently，stumbledandcametotheground，whereitlaypanting。Haddenwasthrownfromthesaddlebutsprangtohisfeetunhurt。

"Ah！BlackHeart，isityou？Whatnewsofthebattle，BlackHeart？"

criedtheBeeinamockingvoice。

"Helpme，mother，Iampursued，"hegasped。

"Whatofit，BlackHeart，itisbutbyonetiredman。Standthenandfacehim，fornowBlackHeartandWhiteHeartaretogetheragain。Youwillnot？Thenawaytotheforestandseekshelteramongthedeadwhoawaityouthere。Tellme，tellme，wasitthefaceofNaneathatIsawbeneaththewatersawhileago？Good！bearmygreetingstoherwhenyoutwomeetintheHouseoftheDead。"

Haddenlookedatthestream；itwasinflood。Hecouldnotswimit，sofollowedbytheevillaughoftheprophetess，hespedtowardstheforest。AfterhimcameNahoon，histonguehangingfromhisjawslikethetongueofawolf。

Nowhewasintheshadowoftheforest，butstillhespedonfollowingthecourseoftheriver，tillatlengthhisbreathfailed，andhehaltedonthefurthersideofalittleglade，beyondwhichagreattreegrew。Nahoonwasmorethanaspear’sthrowbehindhim；thereforehehadtimetodrawhispistolandmakeready。

"Halt，Nahoon，"hecried，asoncebeforehehadcried；"Iwouldspeakwithyou。"

TheZuluheardhisvoice，andobeyed。

"Listen，"saidHadden。"Wehaverunalongraceandfoughtalongfight，youandI，andwearestillalivebothofus。Verysoon，ifyoucomeon，oneofusmustbedead，anditwillbeyou，Nahoon，forIamarmedandasyouknowIcanshootstraight。Whatdoyousay？"

Nahoonmadenoanswer，butstoodstillattheedgeoftheglade，hiswildandgloweringeyesfixedonthewhiteman’sfaceandhisbreathcominginshortgasps。

"Willyouletmego，if/I/let/you/go？"Haddenaskedoncemore。"I

knowwhyyouhateme，butthepastcannotbeundone，norcanthedeadbebroughttoearthagain。"

StillNahoonmadenoanswer，andhissilenceseemedmorefatefulandmorecrushingthananyspeech；nospokenaccusationwouldhavebeensoterribleinHadden’sear。Hemadenoanswer，butliftinghisassegaihestalkedgrimlytowardhisfoe。

WhenhewaswithinfivepacesHaddencoveredhimandfired。Nahoonsprangaside，butthebulletstruckhimsomewhere，forhisrightarmdropped，andthestabbingspearthatheheldwasjerkedfromitharmlesslyoverthewhiteman’shead。Butstillmakingnosound，theZulucameonandgrippedhimbythethroatwithhislefthand。Foraspacetheystruggledterribly，swayingtoandfro，butHaddenwasunhurtandfoughtwiththefuryofdespair，whileNahoonhadbeentwicewounded，andthereremainedtohimbutonesoundarmwherewithtostrike。Presentlyforcedtoearthbythewhiteman’sironstrength，thesoldierwasdown，norcouldheriseagain。

"Nowwewillmakeanend，"mutteredHaddensavagely，andheturnedtoseektheassegai，thenstaggeredslowlybackwithstartingeyesandreelinggait。Fortherebeforehim，stillcladinherwhiterobe，aspearinherhand，stoodthespiritofNanea！

"Thinkofit，"hesaidtohimself，dimlyrememberingthewordsofthe/inyanga/，"whenyoustandfacetofacewiththeghostofthedeadintheHomeoftheDead。"

Therewasacryandaflashofsteel；thebroadspearleapttowardshimtoburyitselfinhisbreast。Heswayed，hefell，andpresentlyBlackHeartclaspedthatgreatrewardwhichthewordoftheBeehadpromisedHim。

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"Nahoon！Nahoon！"murmuredasoftvoice，"awake，itisnoghost，butI

——Nanea——I，yourlivingwife，towhommy/Ehlose/[*]hasgivenitmetosaveyou。"

[*]GuardianSpirit。

Nahoonheardandopenedhiseyestolookandhismadnesslefthim。

"Welcome，wife，"hesaidfaintly，"nowIwilllivesinceDeathhasbroughtyoubacktomeintheHouseoftheDead。"

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To-dayNahoonisoneoftheIndunasoftheEnglishGovernmentinZululand，andtherearechildrenabouthiskraal。ItwasfromthelipsofnoneotherthanNaneahiswifethatthetellerofthistalehearditssubstance。

TheBeealsolivesandpractisesasmuchmagicasshedaresunderthewhiteman’srule。Onherblackhandshinesagoldenringshapedlikeasnakewithrubyeyes，andofthistrinkettheBeeisveryproud。

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