emember, that the Kendah are a very great
people who live by themselves and will allow none to enter their land,
which is bordered by deserts. Therefore no force that you could take
with you and feed upon a road without water would be strong enough to
knock down their gates like an elephant, and it seems better that you
should try to creep through them like a wise snake, although they appear
to be shut in your face. Perhaps also they will not be shut since did
you not say that two of their great doctors promised to meet you and
guide you through them?"

"Yes," I interrupted, "I dare say it will be easier to get in than to
get out of Kendahland."

"Last of all, Baas, if you take many men armed with guns, the black part
of the Kendah people of whom I told you will perhaps think you come to
make war, whatever the white Kendah may say, and kill us all, whereas if
we be but a few perchance they will let us pass in peace. I think that
is all, Baas. Let the Baas and the Lord Igeza forgive me if my words are
foolish."

Here I should explain that "Igeza" was the name which the natives
had given to Lord Ragnall because of his appearance. The word means a
handsome person in the Zulu tongue. Savage they called "Bena," I don't
know why. "Bena" in Zulu means to push out the breast and it may be
that the name was a round-about allusion to the proud appearance of the
dignified Savage, or possibly it had some other recondite signification.
At any rate Lord Ragnall, Hans and myself knew the splendid Savage
thenceforward by the homely appellation of Beans. His master said it
suited him very well because he was so green.

"The advice seems wise, Hans. Go now. No, no more gin," I answered.

As a matter of fact careful consideration convinced us it was so wise
that we acted on it down to the last detail.

So it came about that one fine afternoon about a fortnight later, for
hurry as we would our preparations took a little time, we trekked for
Zululand over the sandy roads that ran from the outskirts of Durban.
Our baggage and stores were stowed in two half-tented wagons, very good
wagons since everything we had with us was the best that money could
buy, the after-part of which served us as sleeping-places at night.
Hans sat on the _voor-kisse_ or driving-seat of one of the wagons; Lord
Ragnall, Savage and I were mounted upon "salted" horses, that is, horses
which had recovered from and were therefore supposed to be proof against
t