e sneering reply.

"Yet Opondo is a white man," answered the induna.

"Name him not here; he is great. No, he is not a white man. He was
once."

"He is but little older than me, son of Umlali. Do I not remember him
when we were a nation? He was our friend then, the friend of that Great
One who has gone into night."

"He is our friend now, Undhlawafa," said Sapazani. "That is why we are
answering his `word' to-night."

Another hour of travelling--time is nothing to savages, nor distance
either--and the sudden, deep-toned baying of dogs smote upon both men's
ears. They continued their snake-like course through the dense foliage
and the gloom unhesitatingly. Then the sky lightened. They had emerged
from the forest, and in the moonlight a few domed roofs stood forth
staring and pale. Within the thorn stockade surrounding these the dogs
mouthed and roared. Some one came forth and quieted them, and the two
entered, the gate being immediately closed behind them.

The man who admitted them saluted with respect. Then he dived into a
hut, presently returning with an intimation that they should enter.
Prior to doing so both deposited their weapons upon the ground outside.

This kraal was deep away in the heart of the forest. It was overhung by
a crescent formation of craggy rocks, but over this the growth was so
thick that nothing short of hewing a way for days could have brought
anyone within overlooking range on that side. In front nearly the same
held good, and but that the two who now came to it were past masters in
the art of finding their way through apparently impenetrable undergrowth
they would have missed it again and again. Besides, they had been here
before.

The chief occupant of the hut was a white man.

He was old. His face was hard and worn, and tanned nearly to the
duskiness of the Zulus around him, especially that of Sapazani, who was
light-coloured. He wore a long silvered beard, and his blue-grey eyes
were bright and glittering. There was a light of magnetic command in
them, and indeed in the whole countenance. A strange personality and
rather a terrific one. Him the new arrivals saluted with deference.

"Welcome, son of Umlali. Also Undhlawafa."

The voice was deep-toned and strong. The utterer seemed not as old as
he looked.

"We are here, my father," said Sapazani. "And the news?"

"Give it," turning to a man who sat at his left. Sapazani had been
awarded the place of ho