ngs, they do so to gain something. Is not this
true, Great Great One?"

"It is no lie," answered Umzilikazi.

"When I offer sacrifice, it is of a different kind, for it is offered to
the Mighty Ruler of the world who dwells above the heavens. The
sacrifice which the _induna_ Untuswa beheld me offering amid the rocks
in the forest was also to gain something--very especially to gain
something."

"And what was that?"

"The peace and welfare and happiness of the people who dwell in this
land, and of the King who reigns over them."

"_Hau_!" burst from all who heard these strange words. And for a space
all sat gazing at this white man in silence, as he stood there in his
black robe, which was torn and patched and soiled as with hard travel.
His face was as the face of a good man, and in height he was not quite
so tall as our warriors. Now he stood there looking round upon us all
with the eyes of a friend.

"Thy words are good, white stranger," said the King. "But there is one
thing that sounds strange to our ears, and that is that thou shouldst
seek to gain us peace. For we are a nation of warriors, and what have
such to do with peace? Would they not speedily be eaten up, even as
these miserable peoples whom we have swept from our path? No; peace is
not a thing to desire for such as we."

We who heard greeted the King's words with a shout of assent--I,
especially, gripping my hand, as though I held the great Assegai, the
royal gift.

"Yet peace is good," said the white _isanusi_, speaking pleasantly.
"Under its shadow nations prosper and grow great."

"_Atyi_! were ever such words heard!" we cried, shaking our heads.
"Grow great beneath the shadow of peace! _Ca-bo_--_Ca-bo_!" And we
laughed scornfully.

"I think thy words please not the ears of my children, white stranger,"
said the King, with a grim smile. "It is war by which nations grow
great--not peace--war, wherein they destroy all their enemies. The
nation which does this is the greatest nation; and such is ours."

"_All_ their enemies?" repeated the white man softly, with head slightly
on one side and his eyes fixed upon those of the Great Great One.

"_All_ their enemies did the King say?"

"All--all whom they can reach."

"Ah! But what of those who would reach _them_? With every nation,
however great, there is at least one other which it has cause to fear--
at least one other which is stronger than itself, or which any day may
become