The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1890-10-03

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AND QUICK AS LIGHT STRETCHED UP MY
SPEAR.
was on me. The giant warrior before
me had used the assegai from child
had no experience of the weapon. More
over, though was quick and active, he
must have been at least twice as strong
as I was. However, there was no help
for It, so, setting my teeth, l 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, l thought this
good advice.
Heavens! how long that half-minuts
seemed. 1t happened many years ago,
but the whole scene rises up before my
eyes as write. There behind us was
the blood-stained 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 fnery, cloak of leopard skin upon
his shoulders. At his feet lay the sense
less form of little Tota, to my left
squatted Indaba-zimbi; nodding his
white lock and muttering something
probably spells; while in front was my
giant antagonist, his spear aloft and his
plumes bending in the gentle breeze.
Suddenly, without sound, Bombyane
shook his assegai and rushed straight
at me. / saw his huge form come. Like
a man in dream, saw the broad spear
flash on high; now he was on me. Then,
prompted to it by some providential i'm
pulse, dropped to my knee. and, quick
as light, stretched out my spear. He
drove at me-the blade passed over my
head. Ifelt weight on my assegai. 1t
was wrenched from my hand; his great
limbs knocked against me. I glanced
round. Bombyane was staggering
along with head thrown back and out
stretched 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-dedd.
For a moment there was silence; then
a great cry rosa cry of "Bombyane is
dead. The white spirit has slain Bonn
byane. Kill the wizard, kill the ghost
who has slain Bombyane by witch.
craft"
Instantly / was surrounded by fierce
faces, and spears flashed before my eyes.
l folded my arms and stood calmly wait
| ing the end. In momentit would have
come, for the warriors were mad at see-
ing their champion overthrow thus
easily. But presently through the tn
multi heard the high, cracked voice Of
Indaba-zimbi. r
"Stand back, you FOOLS" it cried; ''car
spirit then be killed?'
"Spear himl spear himw they roared
in fury. LET US see if he is spirit
How did spirit Stay Bombyane with al
assegai? Spear him, rain-maker, and
we shall see."
STAND back" cried Indaba-zimb
again, land will show you if he can be
killed. will kill him myself, and cal
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. "Trus
me; kneel on tho grass before me, ant
when l strike at you with the spear rol
over like one dead; then, when you hea
my voice again, get up. Trust me-iti
your only hope"
Having no choice nodded my head il
assent, though / had not the faintes
idea of what he was about to do. TIL
tumult lessened somewhat, and ono
more the warriors drew back.
Great white spirit-spirito of victory,
said Indaba-zimbi, addressing me alou'
and covering his eyes with his hand
shear me and forgive me. These chill
dren are blind with folly, and thinl
thee mortal because thou hast deal
death upon a mortal who dared to stan'
against thee. Deign to kneel before m
and let me pierce thy heart with thi
spear then when call upon thee arts
unhurt."
Iknelt down, not because wished to
but because I must. / had not over
much faith in Indaba-zimbi, and though
it probable that he was in truth about +
make an end of me But really I was s
worn with fears, and the horrors of tn
night and day had SO shaken my nerves
that did not greatly care what befel
me. When I had been kneeling thu
for about half a minute Indaba-zimt
J spoke.
, People of the Umtetwa children 9
TChaka," he said, draw back littl
space, lest an evil fall on you, for no,
the air is thick with ghosts"
They drew back space, leaving Us
! q circle about twelve yards in diameter
Look on him who kneels befor
/ you," went on Indaba-zi mbi, IAN
| listen to my words, to the words Of tn
witch-fndep, the words of the rain