st
against the fence of the central open space. He gave them greeting in a
dignified way, as between equals, but did not rise. That was a European
custom, and therefore abhorrent to his conservative soul. But he called
to an attendant to rig up a similar bullock-skin and to spread mats, not
even rugs, for his visitors.

"Case of doing in Zululand as Zulus do, Alaric," laughed Verna. "You'll
have to learn the native art of squatting. It's all right when you get
used to it."

"Of course. I say, this is an uncommonly fine-looking chap. Do you
think he'd let me fire the kodak at him? I put it in my pocket on
spec."

"We'll try presently, but I doubt it."

Meanwhile Sapazani was asking Halse who his guest was. He knew
perfectly, but still he asked. Denham the while was watching him with
intense interest. He had seen two or three chiefs at Ezulwini, looking
thorough "slouches" in waistcoats and shirt-sleeves and ragged smasher
hats. But this was a splendid specimen in every way. He looked every
inch a chief, they did not, every inch a king, even. He hardly liked to
present this dignified-looking savage with a superfluous pair of
binoculars, by no means new, which he had brought along to that end.
But Verna, consulted, set his doubts at rest on that score.

"What is he yarning about?" he asked.

"Oh, just commonplaces. He wouldn't talk about anything else in the
presence of a mere woman," laughed Verna. "If father and he were alone
together it would be different. Would you like to say anything to him?
I can translate."

"Yes, dear. Tell him I'm sorry I can't talk to him myself, but that you
can do it much better for me."

"No, I won't put it that way." She put the remark, however, and
Sapazani smiled, showing his splendid white teeth, his lustrous eyes
moving from the one to the other.

"A splendid-looking chap, by Jingo!" pronounced Denham again. "A real
type of the Zulu I've heard about or read about."

The last remark Verna translated. The chief smiled again.

"I don't know who the strange _Inkosi_ is," he answered. "He looks like
one great in his own country. Perhaps the day will come when he will be
able to speak with those who are great in his own country for those who
were once great in ours."

To this Denham answered that he would certainly do so if ever there was
occasion for it.

Now some women appeared bringing _tywala_. The vessels were
scrupulously clean, and the pinkish,