ackground. Those
I had thus denounced looked uncommonly foolish. Still I would not spare
them. It is necessary to keep up one's prestige and if those who are
instrumental in trying to lower it suffer, why that is their lookout,
not mine.

"He is a liar, chief," interrupted Dolf Norbury, savagely. "These two
have stolen my dog and I and my people have come to recover him. Before
they came in to try and steal my trade. That is where we quarrelled
before."

Untuswa heard him but coldly. As I have said, Dolf Norbury was not in
favour with the more respectable chiefs of Zululand at that time.
Quickly I put our side of the case before this one.

"This I will look into," he said. "It is not often we have to settle
differences between white people, especially Amangisi [English]. But
the Great Great One, that Elephant who treads the same path as the
Queen, will have order in the land--wherefore are we here," with a wave
of his hand towards his armed warriors; from whom deep-toned utterances
of _sibongo_ went up at the naming of the royal titles. "With the
matter of the trade, I have nothing to do. But, Iqalaqala, Udolfu says
you have stolen his dog, though had it been his lion he had said, I
think he would have uttered no lie, for in truth we could hear his roars
while yet far away," added the old induna with a comical laugh all over
his fine face. "Now bring forth this wonderful beast, for we would fain
see him."

"Get out the dog, Sewin," I said. "The chief wants to see him."

"Yes, but what the devil has all the jaw been about? It's all jolly
fine for you, but I'm not in the fun," he growled.

"Never mind. I'll tell you presently. Leave it all to me now. You've
got to, in fact."

Falkner climbed into the waggon, and in a moment reappeared with Arlo,
still holding him in his improvised leash. At sight of him the warriors
in the impi set up a murmur of admiration.

"Loose him," said Untuswa.

I translated this to Falkner, and he complied. The dog walked up and
down, growling and suspicious.

"See now, Udolfu," said Untuswa, who had been watching the splendid
beast with some admiration. "This is your dog. Now call him, and take
him away with you."

"Arno!" called Norbury. "Here, Arno, old chap. Come along home. Good
dog."

But the "good dog" merely looked sideways at him and growled the harder.

"_Arno_. D'you hear? Come here, sir. Damn you. D'you hear!"

The growls increased to a s