The Globe-republican., 1890-09-03


other storm. If they escaped the Sec
ond time, however, they would be held
to be equal in power, and be jointly con-
suited by the tribe on occasions Of i'm
portance.
The prospect of being spectator OF
so unusual a sight Overcame my desire
to be gone, and accepted the chiefs in
vitation to see it out. Before midday re-
GREETED it, for though the western heavens
grew darker and darker and the still air
heralded the coming of the storm, yet it
did not come. By four o'clock it be-
came obvious that it must burst soon
at sunset, the old chief said-and in the
company of the whole assembly
moved down to the place of combat. The
kraal was built on the top of hill, and
below it the land sloped gently to the
banks of river about half a mile away.
On the other side of the bank was the
piece of land that was, the natives said,
loved of the lightning" Here the
magicians took up their stand, while the
spectators grouped themselves on the
hillside about two hundred yards away,
which was, thought, rather too near to
be pleasant When We had sat there for
awhile my curiosity overcame me, and
asked leave of the chief to go down and
inspect the arena. He said might do so
at my own risk. 1 told him that
the fire from above would not
hurt white men, and went and
found that it was a bed of iron
ore, thinly covered with grass, which of
course accounted for its attracting the
lightning from the storms as they trav-
eled along the line of the river. At
each end of this iron-stone area were
placed the combatants, Indaba-zimbi
facing the east, and his rival the west,
and before each there burned little
fire made of some scented root More
over, they were dressed in all the
paraphernaliao Of their craft, snake-skins,
fish-bladders, and l know not what be-
sides, while round their necks hung cir
clets of balloons teeth and bones from
human hands. First 1 went to the
western end where the chiefs son
stood. He was pointing with his assegai
towards the advancing storm, and in
voking it in a voice of great excite
ment.
Come, fire, and lick up Indaba-
zimbi!
Hear me, Storm Devil, and lick In
daba-zimbi with your red tongue!
''Spit on him with your rain!
''Whirl him away in your breath!
make him as nothing - melt the
marrow in his homes!
Run into his heart and burn away
the lies!
''Show all the people who is the true
Witch Finder!
Let me not be put to shame in the
eyes of this white mani"
Thus he spoke, or rather cbanted, and
all the while rubbed his broad chest
for he was very fine man-with some
filthy compound Of medicine at month
After awhile, getting tired of his song,
walked across the iron stone to where
Indaba-zimbi sat by his fire. He was not
chanting at all, but his performance was
much more impressive. It consisted in
staring at the eastern sky. which was
perfectly clear of cloud, and every now
and again reckoning at it with his
finger, then turning round to point with
the assegai towards his rival. For awhile
1 looked at him in silence. He was
curious, wizened man, apparently over
fifty years of age, with thin hands that
looked as tough as wire. His nose was
much sharper than is usual among these
races, and he had queer habit Of hold
ing his head sideways like bird when
he spoke, which, in addition to the
humor that lurked in his eye, gave him
a most comical appearance. Another
strange thing about him was that he
had single white lock of hair among
his black wool. At last spoke to him:
linda ba-zimbi, my friend,' 1 said.
you may be a good witch-doctor, but
you are certainly fool. 1t is no good
at the blue sky while your
enemy is getting start with the storm"
''You may be clever, but don't think
you know every thing, white man." the
old fellow answered, in high cracked
voice, and with something like grin.
They call you Irontongue," went
on; ''you had better use it or the Storm
Devil won't hear YOU"
THE fire from above runs down iron"
he answered, "soI keep my tongue quiet.