who smelt at
it, smiled and thanked him, and then thrust it into her girdle, still
thanking him all the while. Yes, she did this for I saw it with my eyes,
Macumazahn."

Here the Zulu's voice broke and I think that he wept, for in the faint
light I saw him draw his long hand across his eyes, whereon I took the
opportunity to turn my back and light a pipe.

"Macumazahn," he went on presently, "it seems that madness took hold
of me for a long while, for I shouted and raved at them, thinking that
words and rage might hurt where good steel could not, and as I did
so they faded away and disappeared, still smiling and talking, Nada
smelling at the lily which, having a long stalk, rose up above her
breast. After this I rushed away and suddenly met that savage king,
Rezu, whom I slew a few days gone. At him I went with the axe, wondering
whether he would put up a better fight this second time."

"And did he, Umslopogaas?"

"Nay, but I think he felt me for he turned and fled and when I tried to
follow I could not see him. So I ran on and presently who should I find
but Baleka, Baleka, Chaka's 'sister' who--repeat it not, Macumazahn--was
my mother; and, Macumazahn, _she_ saw me. Yes, though I was but little
when last she looked on me who now am great and grim, she saw and knew
me, for she floated up to me and smiled at me and seemed to press her
lips upon my forehead, though I could feel no kiss, and to draw the
soreness out of my heart. Then she, too, was gone and of a sudden I fell
down through space, having, I suppose, stepped into some deep hole, or
perchance a well.

"The next thing I knew was that I awoke in the house of the White Witch
and saw you sleeping at my side and the Witch leaning back upon her bed
and smiling at me through the thin blanket with which she covers herself
up, for I could see the laughter in her eyes.

"Now I grew mad with her because of the things that I had seen in the
Place of Dreams, and it came into my heart that it would be well to kill
her that the world might be rid of her and her evil magic which can show
lies to men. So, being distraught, I sprang up and lifted the axe and
stepped towards her, whereon she rose and stood before me, laughing out
loud. Then she said something in the tongue I cannot understand, and
pointed with her finger, and lo! next moment it was as if giants had
seized me and were whirling me away, till presently I found myself
breathless but unharmed beyond the arch