ole that let out the life?" said the chief,
pointing to a single bullet-hole fair between the eyes. Dawes nodded.

"And where was it killed?"

"In Swaziland. I killed it."

"_Ha_! My ghost has grown fat and large upon Swazi dogs," said
Ingonyama, the reference being to the Zulu belief that every man has one
or more guardian spirits which take the shape of some animal, and his of
course, would be the lion. "I would possess it," he went on. "What is
the price?"

"I had not intended to trade it," answered Dawes. "But since you
particularly want it, Ingonyama, ten cows is the price."

"_Au_!" cried the chief, with well-feigned amazement. "It is not worth
five. Ten cows? _Mamo_! Was ever such a thing heard!"

"I told you I did not want to trade the skin. You asked me my price and
I have named it. It is too high. Good. We are both satisfied." And
Dawes proceeded to roll up the skin with the most perfect coolness.

"Wait--wait! Do not be in a hurry. Let us talk," said Ingonyama, while
a murmur of astonished indignation went up from the warriors. Who was
this dog of a white man who laughed at the wishes of their chief! They
began to grip their assegais significantly.

"It is too dear," went on Ingonyama. "Yet I would have it. Take seven
cows."

"My price is ten, and it is not a great price. Consider. If the chief
of the Igazipuza were taking a new wife, he would require to pay more
than that for her. Is not a splendid lion's skin like this of more
value than the mere price of a girl? Look at the size of it, the
strength and blackness of the mane, the fine preservation of the head
and teeth."

And again the trader jerked open the skin, before the eyes of the
covetous chief.

"_Ha_!" said the latter. "I am not sure it will be a lucky deal for me.
The lion is my `ghost,' _Umlungu_, and see! this one has a ball between
the eyes--between the eyes has its life been let out."

"May that never be your own lot, Ingonyama," said Dawes. And as he
uttered the words some strange instinct moved him to fix his eyes full
upon those of the chief. Under the circumstances the look was a
significant one.

"_Hau_! This begins to look like _tagati_," [witchcraft] muttered
Vunawayo, scowlingly. "And `The Tooth' is near."

"Take ten cows then," said Ingonyama with a sigh. And he stretched
forth his hand to take the skin. But Dawes did not tender it.

"Where are the cows?" he said. "May I not see them