t short. Your `tongue' shall be bitten on the
point of The Tooth, Jandosi. _Ha_!"

Which being rendered out of the vernacular of "dark" talking, dear to
the South African native, into plain English, meant that in the chief's
opinion Gerard would assuredly be recaptured, and in that event would be
adjudged to the hideous fate of the wretch whose body he had found
impaled on the summit of The Tooth.

"I think not, Ingonyama. I think my `tongue' will speak at Undini in
words that will move the Lion of the Zulu to wrath. It may be that it
will speak of another Lion, who sits beneath the white shield as a king,
who within the territory of the great king levies war upon and treats as
enemies the friends of the Lion of the Zulu. Yet it is not too late.
You have but to give the word, now this night, that I and mine may
depart unmolested, and I can draw back my `tongue' before it reaches as
far as Undini, for I am a peaceable trader, and have no wish to mix
myself up in anybody's quarrels."

A deep-chested gasp of wonder escaped his listeners.

"You are a bold man, Jandosi," exclaimed the chief.

"My life has its value, but the life of the chief of the Igazipuza has a
far greater one. And this I hold in my hand."

Another astonished gasp escaped the hearers. This statement was only
too true. Here, in the heart of the Igazipuza kraal--his ferocious
warriors going through their appalling war-dance, with the aspect of
fiends let loose, but a few paces distant--Ingonyama in his heart of
hearts quailed before this solitary white man dictating terms. Again
had a policy of boldness succeeded.

"Return to your waggons, Jandosi," said the chief at length. "I would
think this matter over. You shall know my answer in the morning."

Most men would have pressed for a reply there and then, but John Dawes
was nothing if not judicious. He thoroughly understood the policy of
providing a broad bridge for a fleeing foe. His object was gained, viz.
to secure himself at the moment of the popular outburst, and he had
nearly succeeded.

"Now are the counsels of good sense about to triumph," he replied.
"Take till the morning to consider, even then may my `tongue' be
recalled. And now, send one of these _indunas_ to go with me to the
waggons and to remain the night, for your people are turbulent and rude
at times, Ingonyama, and I would avoid trouble with them."

The chief thought a moment, then uttered a word or two. One of t