t the youth was killed by a lion near
these mountains, and Chaka would learn if this is true."

"We know nothing of the youth," said the headman. "But what would ye
with him?"

"Only this," answered the captain, "to kill him."

"That is yet to do," thought Umslopogaas.

"Who is this Mopo?" asked the headman.

"An evildoer, whose house the king has eaten up--man, woman, and child,"
answered the captain.

CHAPTER XV. THE DEATH OF THE KING'S SLAYERS

When Umslopogaas heard these words his heart was heavy, and a great
anger burned in his breast, for he thought that I, Mopo, was dead with
the rest of his house, and he loved me. But he said nothing; only,
watching till none were looking, he slipped past the backs of the
captains and won the door of the hut. Soon he was clear of the kraal,
and, running swiftly, crossed the river and came to the Ghost Mountain.
Meanwhile, the captain asked the headman of the kraal if he knew
anything of such a youth as him for whom they sought. The headman told
the captain of Galazi the Wolf, but the captain said that this could not
be the lad, for Galazi had dwelt many moons upon the Ghost Mountain.

"There is another youth," said the headman; "a stranger, fierce, strong
and tall, with eyes that shine like spears. He is in the hut now; he
sits yonder in the shadow."

The captain rose and looked into the shadow, but Umslopogaas was gone.

"Now this youth is fled," said the headman, "and yet none saw him fly!
Perhaps he also is a wizard! Indeed, I have heard that now there are two
of them upon the Ghost Mountain, and that they hunt there at night with
the ghost-wolves, but I do not know if it is true."

"Now I am minded to kill you," said the captain in wrath, "because you
have suffered this youth to escape me. Without doubt it is Umslopogaas,
son of Mopo."

"It is no fault of mine," said the headmen. "These young men are
wizards, who can pass hither and thither at will. But I say this to you,
captain of the king, if you will go on the Ghost Mountain, you must go
there alone with your soldiers, for none in these parts dare to tread
upon that mountain."

"Yet I shall dare to-morrow," said the captain. "We grow brave at the
kraal of Chaka. There men do not fear spears or ghosts or wild beasts or
magic, but they fear the king's word alone. The sun sets--give us food.
To-morrow we will search the mountain."

Thus, my father, did this captain speak in his folly,--he who should
n