The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1890-04-05

Then they made ring round us, gave
me similar assegai and set us some ten
PAGES apart. kept my face as calm as
I could, and tried to show no signs of
fear, though in my heart I was terribly
afraid. Humanity speaking. my doom
was on me. The giant warrior before me
had used the assegai from child-I had
no experience of the weapon. Moreover,
though was quick and active, he must
have been at least twice as strong as
was. However, there was no help forit,
80, setting my teeth, I grasped the great
spear, breathed a prayer, and waited.
The giant stood awhile looking at me,
and, as he stood, Indaba-zimbi walked
across the ring behind me, muttering as
he passed, "Keep cool, Macumazahn .and
wait for him."
As had not the slightest intention of
commencing the fray, thought this
good advice.
Heavens! how long that half minute
seemed! 1t happened many years ago,
but the whole scene rises up before my
eyes as I write. There behind us was
the bloodstained lager. and near it lay
the piles of dead; round us was rank
upon rank of plumed savages, standing
in silence to wait the issue of the duel,
and in the center stood the gray haired
chief and general, Sususa, in all his
war flnery, cloak of leopard skin upon
his shoulders. At his feet lay the sense.
less form of little Tota, to my left squat
ted Indaba-zimbi, nodding his white
lock and muttering something-proba-
bly, spells; while in front was my giant
antagonist, his spear aloft and his
plumes bending in the gentle breeze
Then over all, over grassy slope, river
and koppie, over the wagons of the
lager, the piles of dead, the dense ranks
of the living, the swooning child, over
all shone the bright impartial sun, look
ing down like the great Indifferent eye
of heaven upon the loveliness of nature
and the cruelty Of man. Down by the
river grew thorn trees, and from them
foated the sweet scent of the mimosa
flower, and came the sound of cooling
turtle doves. Inever smell the one or
hear the other without the scene fash
ing into my mind again, complete in its
every detail.
Suddenly, without sound, Bombyane
shook his assegai and rushed straight at
me. l saw his huge form come; like
man in dream, saw the broad spear
flash on high; now he was on me. Then,
prompted to it by somo providential i'm
pulse, I dropped to my knee, and quick
as light stretched out my spear. He
drove at me; the blade passed over my
head. I felt a weight on my assegai; it
was wrenched from my hand, his great
limbs knocked against me. l glanced
round. Bombyane was staggering along
with head thrown back and outstretched
arms from which his spear had fallen.
His spear had fallen, but the blade of
mine stood out between his shoulders-I
had transfxed him. He stopped, swung
round slowly as though to look at me,
then with sigh the giant sank down.
dead.
For moment there was silence; then
a great cry rose-a cry of "Bombyane is
dead. The white spirit has slain Bomb
yane. Kill the wizard, kill the ghost
who has slain Bombyane by witchcraft."
Instantly I was surrounded by fierce
faces, and spears flashed before my eyes.
l folded my arms and stood calmly watt
ing the end. In a moment it would
have come, for the warriors were mad
at seeing their champion overthrown
thus easily. But presently through the
tumult heard the high cracked voice of
Indaba-zimbi.
"Stand back, you foolsl" it cried; "can
spirit then be killed."
"Spear himl spear him!" they roared
in fury. "Let Eus see if he is a spirit.
How did spirit slay Bombyane with an
assegai2 Spear him, rain maker, and we
shall see."
"Stand back" cried Indaba-zimbi
again. land will show you if he can be
killed. will kill him myself, and call
him back to life again before your eyes.
Macumazahn, trust me-" he whispered
in my ear in the Sisutu tongue, which
the Zulus did not understand. "Trust
me; kneel on the grass before me, and
when I strike at you with the spear, roll
over like one dead; then, when you hear
my voice again, get up. Trust met is
your only hope"
Having no choice, nodded my head
in assent, though had not the faintest
idea of what he was about to do. The
tumult lessened somewhat, and once
more the warriors drew back.
"Great white spirit-spirit of victory"
said Indaba- -zimbi, addressing me aloud,
and covering his eyes with his hand,
"hear me and forgive me. These chill
dren are blind with folly, and think
thee mortal because thou hast dealt death
upon mortal who dared to stand against
thee. Deign to kneel down before me
and let me pierce thy heart with this
spear; then, when call upon thee, arise
unhurt."
knelt down, not because wished to,
but because must. I had not overmuch
faith in Indaba-zimbi, and thought it
probable that he was In truth about to
make an end of me. But really I was
so worn with fears, and the horrors Of
the night and day had so shaken my
nerves, that I did not greatly care what
befell me. When had been kneeling
thus for about half minute Indaba-
zimbi spoke.
"People of tho Umtetwa children of
TChaka," he said, "draw back little
space, lest an evil fall on you, for now
the air is thick with ghosts"
They drew back space, leaving us in
circle about twelve yards in diameter.
Look on him who kneels before you,"
went on Indaba-zimba, land listen to
my words, to the words of the witch
finder, the words of the rainmaker,
Indaba-zimbi, whose fame is known to
you. He seems to be man, does he