he worst kind? So, except in the
matter of Gungana, I told my story to the King, even as I have told it
to you, _Nkose_. He listened with the deepest attention, but when I
told how my appearance at the end of the line had scared the _Izimu_,
who had expected to haul up dead meat, the King laughed as I never heard
man laugh before or since.

"`_Whau_! That is a great tale!' he cried. `In truth, Untuswa, thy
doings have been strange. But these Baputi--they fought well! Think
you that the _Izimu_ are of their tribe?'

"`That I know not, O Great Great One. They seemed to me of the same
race.'

"`Ha! I like not these wizards who hide behind rocks. I lose too many
warriors for their wretched cattle and women, and their own miserable
carcases slain. I have a mind to leave them in peace now.'

"Thus the King talked on familiarly with me, as was his wont. At last
he bade me depart. But I, noting his good-humour, and that he seemed
glad to see me once more, reckoned the moment a favourable one, and
renewed my request to be allowed to _tunga_. Immediately the
countenance of the Great Great One grew stern and his speech changed.

"`What was the condition I named the first time you asked this, son of
Ntelani?' he said. `What was my "word" to you then?'

"`The "word" of the King was: "Perform some act bolder than any act I
have ever heard tell of."' I answered. `Thus did the Great Great One
speak.'

"`Thus did I speak, Untuswa. And it seems to me that the condition has
not yet been accomplished. Now go.'

"I was of a different opinion, but not another word did I say. I cried
out `_Bayete_.' and left the King.

"Then those among whom I moved hailed me joyfully, and would have heard
my story; but in truth I was ill inclined for mirth and chatter. I felt
sore at heart and revengeful. Thrice had the King put me off, and who
had fought his battles more bravely than I--who had slain more of his
enemies in open fight? So I left my comrades, being minded to wander
alone.

"`Greeting, son of Ntelani!'

"I turned quickly at the harsh, quavering croak. I was passing the hut
of old Masuka. He it was who had hailed me.

"`Ha-ha!' he chuckled. `Do you desire to behold more _muti_, O
traveller through the heart of the earth?'

"I answered him roughly, for he seemed but to mock me.

"`An _induna's_ head-ring upon a floor of bones,' he went on, speaking
softly as though to himself. `The dead _within_ the li