Once more I interpreted for the benefit of Anscombe, for Heda understood Zulu well enough, although she had pretended not to do so, after which the two shook hands, to Anscombe’s amusement and my wonder.  For I felt this scene to be strained and one that hid, or presaged, something I did not comprehend.

“This is the Chief she loves?” said Nombe to me, studying Anscombe with her steady eyes after Heda had gone.  “Well, he is no common man and brave, if idle; one, too, who may grow tall in the world, should he live, when he has learned to think.  But, Macumazahn, if she met you both at the same time why did she not choose you?”

“Just now you said you were wise, Nombe,” I replied laughing, “but now I see that, like most of your trade, you are but a vain boaster.  Is there a hat upon my head that you cannot see the colour of my hair, and is it natural that youth should turn to age?”

“Sometimes if the mind is old, Macumazahn, which is why I love the Spirits only who are more ancient than the mountains, and with them Zikali their servant, who was young before the Zulus were a people, or so he says, and still year by year gathers wisdom as the bee gathers honey.  Inspan your horses, Macumazahn, for I have done my business and am ready to start.”

CHAPTER XI

ZIKALI

Ten days had gone by when once more I found myself drawing near to the mouth of the Black Kloof where dwelt Zikali the Wizard.  Our journey in Zululand had been tedious and uneventful.  It seemed to me that we met extraordinarily few people; it was as though the place had suddenly become depopulated, and I even passed great kraals where there was no one to be seen.  I asked Nombe what was the meaning of this, for she and three silent men she had with her were acting as our guides.  Once she answered that the people had moved because of lack of food, as the season had been one of great scarcity owing to drought, and once that they had been summoned to a gathering at the king’s kraal near Ulundi.  At any rate they were not there, and the few who did appear stared at us strangely.

Moreover, I noticed that they were not allowed to speak to us.  Also Heda was kept in the cart and Nombe insisted that the rear canvas curtain should be closed and a blanket fastened behind Anscombe who drove, evidently with the object that she should not be seen.  Further, on the plea of weariness, from the time that we entered Zulu territory Nombe asked to be allowed to ride in the cart with Kaatje and Heda, her real reason, as I was sure, being that she might keep a watch on them.  Lastly we travelled by little-frequented tracks, halting at night in out-of-the-way places, where, however, we always found food awaiting us, doubtless by arrangement.

With one man whom I had known in past days and who recognized me, I did manage to have a short talk.  He asked me what I was doing in Zululand at that time.  I replied that I was on a visit to Zikali, whereon he said I should be safer with him than with any one else.