Naturally, remembering my own experiences, or rather what seemed to be my experiences, for already I had made up my mind that they were but a dream, I was most anxious to learn whether these two who had been so dear to this fierce Zulu, had recognised him.

“Well, and what did they say to you, Umslopogaas?” I asked.

“Macumazahn, they said nothing at all.  Hearken!  There stood this pair, or sometimes they moved to and fro; my brother, an even greater man than he used to be, with the wolfskin girt about him and the club, Watcher-of-the-Fords, which he alone could wield, upon his shoulder, and Nada, grown lovelier even than she was of old, so lovely, Macumazahn, that my heart rose into my throat when I saw her and stopped my breath.  Yes, Macumazahn, there they stood, or walked about arm in arm as lovers might, and looked into each other’s eyes and talked of how they had known each other on the earth, for I could understand their words or thoughts, and how it was good to be at rest together where they were.”

“You see, they were old friends, Umslopogaas,” I said.

“Yes, Macumazahn, very old friends as I thought.  So much so that they had never had a word to say of me who also was the old friend of both of them.  Aye, my brother, whose name I am sworn not to speak, the woman-hater who vowed he loved nothing save me and the wolves, could smile into the face of Nada the Lily, Nada the bride of my youth, yet never a word of me, while she could smile back and tell him how great a warrior he had been and never a word of me whose deeds she was wont to praise, who saved her in the Halakazi caves and from Dingaan; no, never a word of me although I stood there staring at them.”

“I suppose that they did not see you, Umslopogaas.”

“That is so, Macumazahn; I am sure that they did not see me, for if they had they would not have been so much at ease.  But I saw them and as they would not take heed when I shouted, I ran up calling to my brother to defend himself with his club.  Then, as he still took no note, I lifted the axe Inkosikaas, making it circle in the light, and smote with all my strength.”

“And what happened, Umslopogaas?”

“Only this, Macumazahn, that the axe went straight through my brother from the crown of his head to the groin, cutting him in two, and he just went on talking!  Indeed, he did more, for stooping down he gathered a white lily-bloom which grew there and gave it to Nada, who smelt at it, smiled and thanked him, and then thrust it into her girdle, still thanking him all the while.  Yes, she did this for I saw it with my eyes, Macumazahn.”

Here the Zulu’s voice broke and I think that he wept, for in the faint light I saw him draw his long hand across his eyes, whereon I took the opportunity to turn my back and light a pipe.