Dingane was very angry when we returned to Nkunkundhlovu, and, indeed at
first, it looked as though some would pay for our repulse with their
lives. But that was no time for sacrificing skilled leaders of men, and
winning the resentment of their relatives and following; and this the
King knew. So, with gloomy and bitter reproaches, he dismissed us.
The first step taken by the two principal _izinduna_, Tambusa and
Umhlela, was to send out and muster every available man throughout the
land. All were enrolled, even those whose youth would have precluded
them from bearing arms yet awhile, and several new regiments were
formed; and while this was going on, a careful watch was kept upon the
movements of the Amabuna, for we knew not what they might attempt next.
It was intended to attack them again before more could join them, but
the idea was abandoned, for careful observation showed that we should
stand but small chance of success, so warily did they move; scouting the
land far and wide, and camping in such strength. So our people watched
and waited, biding their time.
Now all this, _Nkose_, in no wise helped forward my plans. I had hoped
that we should have made an end of these invaders, and that then Dingane
would have sent forth a strong _impi_ to crush Umzilikazi. So should I
have obtained my revenge. But with such a formidable foe upon our
borders as these Amabuna, the King would not have a single regiment out
of call; wherein, of course, he was wise.
All of which did not help me, for now there was no more fighting my
heart grew heavy once more as I thought of Lalusini and how she was lost
to me; of my high position among my former nation forfeited for ever.
And, indeed, my position among the parent stock was becoming daily far
from secure, and I was looked coldly on by many who had been most
friendly before, and even by the King himself. This I attributed to the
influence of Tambusa, who had always hated me, and would be glad if by
any means he could compass my death. Afterwards I learned that I was
right, for, in his jealousy of me, Tambusa never lost a chance of
poisoning the mind of Dingane against me, more than hinting that the
repulse of the _impi_ was due to my presence in the battle in a position
of command. More and more then did I feel that I was stumbling upon the
edge of a very high cliff. More and more did I awaken each morning to
wonder if I should see the setting of another sun.
Then something occurred which still farther deepened my forebodings. On
returning from an expedition which had lasted but a few days, I found
that one of my Swazi wives had disappeared. None knew what had happened
to her, but I could see by their looks that it were better not to
inquire too closely. Well, it mattered not. One girl was as good as
another since the loss of Lalusini, and I still had two remaining. But
she who had disappeared was that same girl who had been by my side what
time I had dreamed; and she, too, had awakened in fear, declaring that a
vision had passed through the hut, and I thought that the disappearance
of this one, rather than that of the other two, augured ill--how, I knew
not.
As the days went by, the gloom that lay upon the mind of the King
deepened, and herein the _izanusi_--ever eager for blood, or for gain--
saw their opportunity. The wizardry which had wrought ill for our arms
must be removed. So there was "smelling out," and many were killed; but
still the invaders did not melt away in fear, as the witch doctors had
promised. On the contrary, they grew stronger; for others crossed
Kwahlamba to join them.
Then the _izanusi_ declared they had seen other visions--had received a
new and important revelation, to the effect that the workers of _tagati_
had not yet been discovered, but should be by an entirely new method.
But Dingane was becoming weary of them and their trickeries. He sent
for Tola, the chief of the _izanusi_, and roundly told him to use what
methods he liked, but if his prophecies fell short of fulfilment this
time death should be his reward.
The land seemed shaken by a shudder of ill-ease. The warriors were
growing impatient once more to be sent against the Amabuna, but the
counsels of Umhlela, that we should wait for our enemies to make the
first move--as they surely would--prevailed. So when the word went
forth that all were to assemble at Nkunkundhlovu for a great
witch-finding, an eagerness of relief went through all; for now we would
see what the new method, as announced by the _izanusi_, would bring
forth.
Many a "smelling out" had I witnessed, _Nkose_, as you know, and the
truth was, I hated them. I had been too much among the heads of the
nation not to know what their real object was, however much the common
people might be deceived, and believe--or pretend to--in the power of
the _izanusi_. I had known but two real magicians in my life--Masuka,
the old Mosutu, and Lalusini, my sorceress wife--and these used not
their powers to destroy any, save real evil-doers; never to take the
lives of brave men for the sake of gain or malice. All others I knew to
be jugglers and impostors, and that Tola and his following were of this
order I had long since determined. So there was no eagerness in my mind
as on the day appointed I sat near the King, in the midst of the other
_izinduna_, while the witch doctors began in their usual way.
The open space within the great kraal was densely packed, save that room
was left for the wild dancing and other ceremonies employed by the
_izanusi_. These ran up and down, mouthing and bellowing, and shaking
the ornaments of their calling--bladders filled with blood, festoons of
entrails of sacrificed beasts, bunches of feathers and bird's claws, and
snakes and lizards. Now and again they would halt, and pointing with
their wands, tipped with giraffe tail, at some one in the crowd, would
name him, calling, out a string of instances of witch dealing. This one
held converse with a black baboon, that one slept all day and only moved
out at night, another was reputed to eat snakes, and so forth. All so
named were immediately led forth to the place of slaughter; but I
noticed that among them was no person of any consequence. The witch
doctors, to all appearance, were destroying them out of sheer wanton
craving for blood.
Dingane was growing impatient. His brows were wrinkled into a heavy
frown. Not for such a well-worn exhibition as this, surely, had the
bulk of the nation been convened. If so, then indeed it would go ill
with Tola and his following. This was running in the mind of the King;
and I, who sat near him, could see into his thoughts.
Now the witch doctors ceased in their mouthings, and suddenly, from
behind them, appeared a band of girls. There might have been three
score of them, and they seemed to have been chosen from the handsomest
and finest of the nation. They were arrayed in the richest beadwork,
and wore wreaths of green leaves upon their heads and twined around
their shapely limbs. A strange band, indeed, to spring up suddenly from
the midst of those wizard-hounds of blood and of death.
They advanced, swaying to a measured dancing step, and softly singing.
A deep murmur of amazement and delight arose from all; for this was a
fair and goodly sight, and all welcomed it as a relief from the grim
hideousness of the witch doctors. A weight of fear seemed lifted from
the minds of many. These, surely, were not here to doom to death.
But as their singing rose louder and louder, as I caught the burden of
their song, I, for one, felt by no means so sure. They sang of a nation
cursed by an evil blight, of the counsels of strangers, of the first
repulse the great Zulu power had ever known, of the presence of
strangers in the ranks of the lion-cubs, of the presence _of a
stranger_. And every time they repeated the words they would sway round
so as to face me, as I sat among the _izinduna_ at the right hand of the
King.
Then, _Nkose_, the nerves within me seemed to tingle. Well knew I the
meaning of this. _I_ was the object of their denunciations. Any moment
now I might step into the Dark Unknown. Doom had found me at last. _I
was being "smelt out_."
Well, indeed, could I see through it all now. This had been arranged
between Tambusa, my enemy, and Tola, the head _izanusi_. The singing
band of girls, designed to add novelty to the witch finding, as well as
to please Dingane, had for its object my death. The red cloud began to
surge around my brain as I sat there. Not in me was it to die tamely;
and softly I reached forth for the stick which was the only approach to
a weapon which custom allowed upon such an occasion, and calculated how
great a spring would enable me to crush in Tambusa's skull ere they
could lay hands on me. The death of the stake would be my lot; no
matter--I must slay somebody.
The band of singing-girls swayed nearer and nearer; then with a rush of
their light feet they came straight for me. Now for the doom. But--not
yet. Some unseen force seemed to turn them back again. They held on
around the circle, not having pointed at or named me.
This happened several times, and each time I looked to hear the word of
doom, each time I tightened up my muscles for my spring upon Tambusa.
Each time, too, the song denunciatory of "the stranger" grew fiercer,
each time only to sink and die away in their throats. Then the
_izanusi_, as in encouragement, lifted up their deep hoarse voices, as
the voices of beasts growling for blood.
_Whau, Nkose_! I can see it all still--for at such moments a man may
seem to live a thousand lifetimes--the immense kraal, with its ringed
fences and vast circles of yellow huts--the assembled multitude
blackening the earth in its awed hush--the sea of expectant faces--the
countenance of the King sternly set, those of the _izinduna_
expressionless as stones--the band of singing-girls--the savage eyes of
the witch doctors--and, as a background to the whole, a brooding sky,
blue-black with the threatenings of its pent-up storm.
Once more, encouraged by the wild howling of the _izanusi_, this strange
band of doom came whirling towards me. This time I was gone. But, no!
They halted more suddenly than before, and their song seemed to die on
their very lips. Then I looked up from calculating the distance between
my stick and the skull of Tambusa, and beheld--a woman!
She was standing alone in the open, midway between the cloud of scowling
witch doctors and the band of girls, and there was that in her wondrous
eyes which constrained and controlled the latter. She, too, was arrayed
in rich beadwork, but wore no wreaths or garlands of leaves, and as I
gazed upon her standing there--a splendid and majestic form--why then,
_Nkose_, anybody who chose might have stepped up and slain me,
unresisting in my amazement. For she who stood there was none other
than my lost sorceress-wife, Lalusini.
Had the shades sent forth their spirits? Had the grim alligators in
Umzilikazi's pool of death shrank back in fear from so royal a prey?
Was I dreaming, or had I gone mad with the prolonged suspense of my
impending doom? No! In the very life there she stood--she to avenge
whom I would have slain a king--would have destroyed a whole mighty
nation. And she stood there to avert from me the sure and dreadful
death--the death of the man at whom the witch-wand has been pointed.
One glance she flashed upon me from her wonderful eyes--quick, full,
penetrating--one glance and no more; but in that glance I knew I was
safe, for who should harm one whom the most marvellous magic ever known
now protected?
For some time thus she stood, speaking no word, only gazing around with
calm commanding eyes. Then the King grew impatient.
"Have done," he exclaimed, with a frown. "Let us see whether the magic
of Mahlula is greater than that of Tola."
"The magic of Mahlula," had said Dingane. Then Lalusini was not known.
Yet it seemed to me the majesty of the House of Senzangakona was so
stamped upon every feature that her very look must betray her.
"Judge now for thyself, Father of the Wise," she replied. "This is the
word of Mahlula. The `stranger' of whom Tola speaks, of whom his
company did but now sing, is not here, else these"--showing with a sweep
of the hand the band of girls, who had ceased their movements and were
now sitting in a ring around her--"these whom I have trained and taught
would have found him--for my will works through theirs--my eyes see
through theirs. Therefore, he cannot be here."
"Why, then, are we?" said Dingane, with a meaning in his tone that boded
ill for Tola and his following.
"Was it to learn the fate of a nation, Great Great One?" answered
Lalusini, or Mahlula, as she was known here. "Learn it then so far.
The end is not yet. But--I see the shook of war. I see men and horses
advancing. The lion-cubs of Zulu flee before them. But lying behind
the hills on either side is a dark cloud of terrible ones. Still they
advance, those whites. Then that cloud whirls down upon them, breaks
over them. Ha! There are death-screams as the flash of the spears
rises and falls, and horses straggling, hoofs in air, and the song of
those black ones is a battle-song of triumph."
Now I saw that the speaker had fallen into one of those divining trances
I knew so well, and in which all she foretold had come to pass.
Dingane, too, began to see this, and asked eagerly, yet not without awe
in his tone:
"And when shall this be, sister?"
"Hearken to no idle counsels. Heed no false magic," she answered, with
meaning. "I, and I alone, can see into the future. Be led by me if
this nation would live."
With these words, I, who looked, saw the vision pass away from
Lalusini's countenance, and her eyes were as those of one who awakens
out of a deep sleep. The King, too, must have seen it, for he forebore
to question her further. Then he spoke, low at first, but raising his
voice in a black and terrible burst of wrath.
"Now of yon impostors I will make an end. Take them away, ye black
ones." And he pointed with his spear at Tola and his following.
At the word of the King, the slayers sprang forward. But the witch
doctors fled howling, and keeping in a compact body, broke through all
who stood in their path, and the lower end of the kraal became full of
the kicking, tumbling bodies of men. But the slayers were among them;
and the people barring their way to the lower gate, they were seized and
dragged, howling and shrieking, without the kraal. And as the
knobkerries fell with a heavy thud upon their cunning and bloodthirsty
brains, a murmur of fierce delight escaped all who heard, for the people
hated these wolves of _izanusi_, and rejoiced that they themselves
should taste the death they loved to deal out to others.
There was one, however, who did not so rejoice, and that was Tambusa;
indeed at first he had made a movement to stay the word, which was that
of doom to the _izanusi_; but the look on the face of Dingane was so
fell and deadly, that even the boldness of Tambusa quailed before it.
And I--_Whau_!--I rejoiced that I still lived, and that Tola was dead.
But Tambusa did not.