--to gravitate slowly but surely toward the wagon. So I waited
patiently, and a quarter of an hour later he accomplished a masterly
movement which brought him within the shadow of the wagon.

"S'a bona muntu," I remarked quietly. "What is the business that brings
you by such a crooked path to my wagon to-night?"

"Au!" ejaculated the mysterious one in some confusion. "Chia'gnosi has
good eyes; nothing escapes him; he sees even the little red ticks that
hide themselves on the blades of the grass. If his ears are as good as
his eyes he will perchance have heard of one named Machenga."

"I have heard of such an one," I answered cautiously.

"What have you heard of him?" demanded the unknown.

"I have heard that Machenga is the name of the king's chief witch
doctor," I replied, with still greater caution. "But who are you, and
why have you come to my wagon at this time of night? Is it to talk to
me of Machenga?"

"Machenga is a very great man," observed my visitor. "Next to the king,
he is the greatest man in all Mashonaland. Also, he is the king's
friend: the friends of the king are his friends; and the enemies of the
king are his enemies."

"Come you to me with a message from Machenga?" I demanded. "If so,
proceed; my ears are open."

"Au!" ejaculated the unknown one. "Chia'gnosi is very wise; he
understands. He understands that when Machenga speaks the king listens;
and those who--like Chia'gnosi--are wise and desire the king's favour,
do well first to secure the favour of Machenga."

"Piet," I called, "come hither and open for me the bale containing the
handkerchiefs and printed calico; also find for me the pliers and the
brass chain."

The articles named were duly produced, and I selected two of the most
brilliant bandanas I could find, added thereto a couple of yards of
calico, printed with a tasteful design in crimson and blue consisting of
an alternation of horseshoes and running horses carrying their heads and
tails very high, cut off a yard of brass chain to which I attached a
shaving mirror as a pendant, filled a brass box with mixed beads, and
arranged the whole in a tasteful little heap on the top of the
voorkissie. Then I turned to my visitor and, pointing to the heap,
said:

"Friend, your words are words of wisdom. You see these gifts? Take
them and place them in the hut of Machenga, saying that I, Chia'gnosi,
send them in token of my goodwill. Say also that I have here many other