The Irish standard., 1890-02-08

never an OK lOSG, OF a SuuQ6u u0dtu, Oub
he was consulted by those interested.
When he had been with us year q
deputation came to him from the tribe
he had left asking him to return.
Things had not gone we'll with them
since he went away, they said, and now
the chief, his enemy, was dead. Old
Indaba-zimbi listened to them till they
had done, and, as he listened, raked
sand into little heap with his toes.
Then he spoke, pointing to the little
heap. There is your tribe to-day he
said. Then he lifted his heel and
stamped the heap fat. 'sThere is your
tribe before three moons are gone.
Nothing is left of it. You. drove me
away; I will have no moro to do with
you; but when you are being killed think
OF my words"
The messengers went. Three months
afterwards I heard that the whole COM
munity had been wiped out by an Impi
Of raiding Pondos.
When was at length ready to start
upon my expedition I went to old
Indaba-zimbi to say goodbye to him,
and was rather surprised to find him
engaged in rolling up medicine, asse-
gals and other sundries in his blankets.
'sGood-bye, Indaba-zimbi," I said, 81
am going to trek north"
eyes, Macumazahn," he answered,
with his head on one side; land so am
Il want to see that country. We will
go together"
evil wei" said; swat till you are
asked, you old humbug."
"You had better ask me, then,
Macumazahn, for if you don't you will
never come back alive. Now that the
old chief (my father) is gone to where
the storms come from" and he nodded
to the sky, CT feel myself getting into
bad habits again. So last night I just
threw up the bones and worked out
about your journey, and / can tell you
this, that if you don't take me you will
die, and, what is more, you will lose one
who is dearer to you than life. So just
because you gave me that hint couple
Of years ago, made up my mind to
come with you"
''Don't talk stuff to me-" said.
''Ah, very we'll, Macumazahn, very
well; but what happened to my own peo~
pie six months ago, and what did tell
the messengers would happen? They
drove me away, and they are gone. Ii
you drive me away you will soon be
gone, too," and he nodded his white
lock at me and smiled. 5~
Now, T was not more superstitious
than other people, but somehow old In
daba-zimbi impressed me. Also I knew
his extraordinary influence over every
class ofnative, and bethought me that he
might be useful in that way.
Gall right" I said, 81 appoint you
witch-fnder to the expedition without
pay"
::First serve, then ask for wages" he
answered. II am glad to see that you
have enough imagination not to be alto
gether a fool, like most white men,
Macumazahn. Yes, yes, it is want of
imagination that makes people fools;
they won't believe what they can't
understand You can't understand nay
prophecies any more than the fool at
the kraal could understand that / was
his master with the lightning. Well, it
is time to trek, but Ii were you, ma
cumazahn, I4should take one wagon, not
two
'sWhy?" said.
because you will lose your wagons,
and it is better to lose one than two"
sob, nonsense!'' said.
"All right Macumazahn, live aud
learn" And without another word he
r11,t- n g
bundle into it and climbed into the
front seat.
So having bid an affectionate adieu to
my white friends, including the old
Scotchman who got drunk in horsr OF
the event, and quoted Burns till the
tears ran down his face. at length