but conquered a little tribe by borrowing
the wit of Macumazahn here, should be rewarded not only with a
chieftainship, but with the hand of the wisest and most beautiful of the
King's daughters, even though Umbelazi," he added, with a sneer, "should
be willing to throw him his own sister like a bone to a passing dog."

"Who threw the bone, Cetewayo?" asked Umbelazi, awaking out of his
indifference. "Was it the King, or was it I, who never heard of the
matter till this moment? And who are we that we should question the
King's decrees? Is it our business to judge or to obey?"

"Has Saduko perchance made you a present of some of those cattle which
he stole from the Amakoba, Umbelazi?" asked Cetewayo. "As our father
asks no lobola, perhaps you have taken the gift instead."

"The only gift that I have taken from Saduko," said Umbelazi, who, I
could see, was hard pressed to keep his temper, "is that of his service.
He is my friend, which is why you hate him, as you hate all my friends."

"Must I then love every stray cur that licks your hand, Umbelazi? Oh, no
need to tell me he is your friend, for I know it was you who put it
into our father's heart to allow him to kill Bangu and steal his cattle,
which I hold to be an ill deed, for now the Great House is thatched
with his reeds and Bangu's blood is on its doorposts. Moreover, he who
wrought the wrong is to come and dwell therein, and for aught I know
to be called a prince, like you and me. Why should he not, since the
Princess Nandie is to be given to him in marriage? Certainly, Umbelazi,
you would do well to take the cattle which this white trader has
refused, for all men know that you have earned them."

Now Umbelazi sprang up, straightening himself to the full of his great
height, and spoke in a voice that was thick with passion.

"I pray your leave to withdraw, O King," he said, "since if I stay here
longer I shall grow sorry that I have no spear in my hand. Yet before I
go I will tell the truth. Cetewayo hates Saduko, because, knowing him
to be a chief of wit and courage, who will grow great, he sought him for
his man, saying, 'Sit you in my shadow,' after he had promised to sit in
mine. Therefore it is that he heaps these taunts upon me. Let him deny
it if he can."

"That I shall not trouble to do, Umbelazi," answered Cetewayo, with a
scowl. "Who are you that spy upon my doings, and with a mouth full of
lies call me to account before the King? I will hear no mo