all escape;
if Masilo dies, I shall escape; but to little end, for I shall be given
to another; but if Jikiza dies, then it will be well. What of that
wolf-people of yours, are they not hungry, Wolf-Man?"

"I cannot bring them here," answered Umslopogaas. "Is there no other
way?"

"There is another way," said Zinita, "if one can be found to try it."
And again she looked at him strangely, causing the blood to beat within
him. "Hearken! do you not know how our people are governed? They are
governed by him who holds the axe Groan-Maker. He that can win the axe
in war from the hand of him who holds it, shall be our chief. But if
he who holds the axe dies unconquered, then his son takes his place and
with it the axe. It has been thus, indeed, for four generations, since
he who held Groan-Maker has always been unconquerable. But I have heard
that the great-grandfather of Jikiza won the axe from him who held it
in his day; he won it by fraud. For when the axe had fallen on him
but lightly, he fell over, feigning death. Then the owner of the axe
laughed, and turned to walk away. But the forefather of Jikiza sprang
up behind him and pierced him through with a spear, and thus he became
chief of the People of the Axe. Therefore, it is the custom of Jikiza to
hew off the heads of those whom he kills with the axe."

"Does he, then, slay many?" asked Umslopogaas.

"Of late years, few indeed," she said, "for none dare stand against
him--no, not with all to win. For, holding the axe Groan-Maker, he is
unconquerable, and to fight with him is sure death. Fifty-and-one have
tried in all, and before the hut of Jikiza there are piled fifty-and-one
white skulls. And know this, the axe must be won in fight; if it is
stolen or found, it has no virtue--nay, it brings shame and death to him
who holds it."

"How, then, may a man give battle to Jikiza?" he asked again.

"Thus: Once in every year, on the first day of the new moon of the
summer season, Jikiza holds a meeting of the headmen. Then he must rise
and challenge all or any to come forward and do battle with him to win
the axe and become chief in his place. Now if one comes forward, they go
into the cattle kraal, and there the matter is ended. Afterwards, when
the head is hewn from his foe, Jikiza goes back to the meeting of the
headmen, and they talk as before. All are free to come to the meeting,
and Jikiza must fight with them if they wish it, whoever they be."

"Perhaps I shall