Here I noted with pleasure that this pair seemed to be on much better terms than I understood had been the case in the past, for Mameena even addressed her husband on two separate occasions in very affectionate language, and fetched something that he wanted without waiting to be asked.  Masapo, too, was in excellent spirits, because, as he told me, the old quarrel between him and Saduko was thoroughly made up, their reconciliation having been sealed by an interchange of gifts.  He added that he was very glad that this was the case, since Saduko was now one of the most powerful men in the country, who could harm him much if he chose, especially as some secret enemy had put it about of late that he, Masapo, was an enemy of the King’s House, and an evil-doer who practised witchcraft.  In proof of his new friendship, however, Saduko had promised that these slanders should be looked into and their originator punished, if he or she could be found.

Well, I congratulated him and took my departure, “thinking furiously,” as the Frenchman says.  That there was a tragedy pending I was sure; this weather was too calm to last; the water ran so still because it was preparing to leap down some hidden precipice.

Yet what could I do?  Tell Masapo I had seen his wife being embraced by another man?  Surely that was not my business; it was Masapo’s business to attend to her conduct.  Also they would both deny it, and I had no witness.  Tell him that Saduko’s reconciliation with him was not sincere, and that he had better look to himself?  How did I know it was not sincere?  It might suit Saduko’s book to make friends with Masapo, and if I interfered I should only make enemies and be called a liar who was working for some secret end.

Go to Panda and confide my suspicions to him?  He was far too anxious and busy about great matters to listen to me, and if he did, would only laugh at this tale of a petty flirtation.  No, there was nothing to be done except sit still and wait.  Very possibly I was mistaken, after all, and things would smooth themselves out, as they generally do.

Meanwhile the “reviewing,” or whatever it may have been, was in progress, and I was busy with my own affairs, making hay while the sun shone.  So great were the crowds of people who came up to Nodwengu that in a week I had sold everything I had to sell in the two wagons, that were mostly laden with cloth, beads, knives and so forth.  Moreover, the prices I got were splendid, since the buyers bid against each other, and before I was cleared out I had collected quite a herd of cattle, also a quantity of ivory.  These I sent on to Natal with one of the wagons, remaining behind myself with the other, partly because Panda asked me to do so—­for now and again he would seek my advice on sundry questions—­and partly from curiosity.

There was plenty to be curious about up at Nodwengu just then, since no one was sure that civil war would not break out between the princes Cetewayo and Umbelazi, whose factions were present in force.