The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1890-04-02


chance had against this black giant?
But had promised poor Hans to save
the child if could, and what did it mat
ter? As well die now as later. How
ever, had wit enough left to make
favor of it, and intimated to the chief
through Indaba-zimbi that was quite
willing to condescend to kill Bombyane,
DC condition that if / did so the child's
life should be given to me. Indaba-zimb
interpreted my words, but noticed that
he would not look on me as he spoke,
but covered his face with his hands and
spoke Of me as ''the ghost or the 'sson
of the spirit For some reason that
have never quite understood, the chief
consented to the duel. l fancy it was
because he believed me to be more than
mortal, and was anxious to see the last
of Bombyane.
"Let them fight" he said. ''Give them
assegais and no shields; the child shall
be to him who conquers''
eyes! yes!" cried the soldiers. "Let
them fight. Don't be afraid, Bonn
byane; if he is spirit. he's very small
one."
81 never was frightened of man OF
beast, and am not going to run away
from white ghost" answered the re-
doubtable Bombyane, as he examined
the blade of his great bangwanar stab
hing assegai
Then they made a ring round us, gave
me similar assegai and set us some ten
PAGES apart l kept my face as calm as
[ could. and tried to show no signs OF
fear, though in my heart was terribly
afraid. Humanity speaking, my doom
was on me. The giant warrior before me
had used the assegai from child 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
so, setting my teeth, | grasped the great
spear, breathed 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.
nut the whole scene rises up before my
eyes as 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 inery, a 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-pro
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 loneliness 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. never smell the one or
hear the other without the scene fash
ing into my mind again, complete in its
every detail.