\"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。
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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。