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。