at it was she who was the wizard and not Masapo the Boar. Also, as one
connected with Umbelazi, who has helped him in his plots, she will be
killed if she is caught. Macumazahn, hearken to me. I will tell you the
truth. My heart is still on fire for that woman. She has bewitched me;
her eyes haunt my sleep and I hear her voice in the wind. She is more to
me than all the earth and all the sky, and although she has wronged me
I do not wish that harm should come to her. Macumazahn, I pray you if I
die, do your best to befriend her, even though it be only as a servant
in your house, for I think that she cares more for you than for anyone,
who only ran away with him"--and he pointed in the direction that
Umbelazi had taken--"because he is a prince, who, in her folly, she
believes will be a king. At least take her to Natal, Macumazahn, where,
if you wish to be free of her, she can marry whom she will and will live
safe until night comes. Panda loves you much, and, whoever conquers in
the war, will give you her life if you ask it of him."

Then this strange man drew the back of his hand across his eyes, from
which I saw the tears were running, and, muttering, "If you would have
good fortune remember my prayer," turned and left me before I could
answer a single word.

As for me, I sat down upon an ant-heap and whistled a whole hymn tune
that my mother had taught me before I could think at all. To be left
the guardian of Mameena! Talk of a "damnosa hereditas," a terrible and
mischievous inheritance--why, this was the worst that ever I heard of.
A servant in my house indeed, knowing what _I_ did about her! Why, I had
sooner share the "good fortune" which Umbelazi anticipated beneath
the sod. However, that was not in the question, and without it the
alternative of acting as her guardian was bad enough, though I comforted
myself with the reflection that the circumstances in which this would
become necessary might never arise. For, alas! I was sure that if they
did arise I should have to live up to them. True, I had made no promise
to Saduko with my lips, but I felt, as I knew he felt, that this promise
had passed from my heart to his.

"That thief Umbelazi!" Strange words to be uttered by a great vassal of
his lord, and both of them about to enter upon a desperate enterprise.
"A prince whom in her folly she believes will be a king." Stranger words
still. Then Saduko did not believe that he _would_ be a king! And yet he
was about