The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1892-08-16


come chief in his place. Now if one
comes forward they go into the cattle
kraal and there the matter is ended
Afterward, when the head Is hewn from
his foe, Jikiza goes back to the meeting
of the headmen and they talk as before
All are free to come to the meeting. and
Jikiza must fight with them if they will
it, whoever they be-"
Perhaps shall be there said Um-
slopogaas.
After this meeting at the new moon
am to be given in marriage to Masilo,"
said the maid. But should one con-
quer Jikiza then he will be chief. and
can give me in marriage to whom he
will"
IF perchance l should be there" he
said. land if perchance should win the
iron chieftainess, the AK Groanmaker,
and rule over the People of the AK, you
should not hive far from the shadow Of
the ak thenceforward. Maid Zinita."
1T is well, Wolf Man: but first you
all have failed
yet one must succeed at last, he
said, land so FAREWELL"
Now the maid Zinita watched him till
he was gone, and love of him entered
into her heart.
Fifteen days must pass before the day
OF the new moon, and during this time
Umslopogaas thought much and said lit
tie Still be told Galazi something of the
tale, and that he was determined to do
battle with Jikiza the Unconquered for
the AK Groanmaker, for his heart was
set both on the AK and the girl, but more
on the first than the last.
So the time wore on, and at length
came the day of the new moon. At the
dawn of that day Umslopogaas arose and
clad himself m a mocha, binding the
she VOLTS skin round his middle beneath
the mocha In his hand he took stout
fighting shield, which he had made of
buffalo hide. and that same light, moon
shaped ak with which he had slain the
captain of Chaka
Now Umslopogaas ate, and then they
moved together slowly down the noun
tain and crossed the river by ford, for
he would save his strength. On the far
Their side of the river Galazi hid himself
in the reeds because his face was known,
and there Umslopogaas babe him fare
we'll. not knowing if he should look
upon him again. Afterward he walked
up to the Great Place of Jikiza. Now
when he reached the gates of the kraal
he saw that many people We're stream
ing through them and mingled with
the people. Presently they came to the
open space in front of the huts of ,Iikiza,
and there the headmen were gathered
together.
In the center of them, and before a
heap of the skulls of men which were
piled up against his doOrsteps. sat Jikiza,
a huge man. hairy and proud, who
glared about him. rolling his eyes.
Fastened to his arm by throng of
leather was the great AK GrOanmaker,
and each man as he came up saluted the
AK. calling il "InkosikaaS." or chief
tainess. bat he did not salute Jikiza.
UInslopogaas sat down with the people
IN front of the councillors, and few took
any notice of him except Zinita, who
moved suIlenly to and fro bearing pots
of beer to the councillors Near TO Jlkiza,
or his right hand, sat fat man with
small and twinkling eyes, who watched
the maid Zinita greesiily.
lyon man." thought CnsiopoEaas,
els MasiIo. The better for blood letting
wilt thou be, Masilo!"
Presently Jikiza spoke, rolling his
eyes: This is the matter before you,
councillors l have settled 1t IN my
mind to give my daughter ZIliua in mar
rage to Masilo, bat the marriage gift IS
not yet agreed on. demand hundred
head Of cattle from lLasilC, for tie laid
IS fair and straight--a proper U~Ta-
and, moreover, my daughter. though
not Of my blood. But Las.lo offers .I+g
head only; therefore i ask o. you 80 a.s-
tie it"
We hear you. Lord of the * nm
swercd one of the councillors; but FIST,
O Unconguered. yoUmust ON this day OF
the year, according to ancient custom,
give public Challenge to any man 80
fight YOU for the Groanmaker and for
your place as chief Of the People of
the Az"
This Is wearisOme thing gruIu-
bled Jikiza. Can / never have done
with 1t? Fifty and three have l slain in
my youth without "A wound. and now
for many years / have challenged, like
a cock on a dunghil, and none crow in
answer.
"Ho, now! Is there any man who Will
come forward and do battle with me,
,Jiziza, for the great ak Groanmaker:
To him who can win it, 1t shall be. and
with it the craftsmanship Of the People
of the Ak"
Thus he spoke very fast, then turned
once more to talk Of the cattle of M&silo
and the maid zinita. But suddenly
UmsIopogaas stood up, looking at him
over the top of his war shield, and CRY
ing, Here Is one. O Jikiza, who viii do
battle with you for the ax GroanInaker,
and for the chieftainship that is to him
who holds the ak"
Jilziza glared at him.
Come forth from behind that big
shield Of yours" he said. Come forth
and tell ne your name and lineage, you
who would do battle with the URcon-
quered for the ancient ak
Then Umslopogaas came forward.
What is my name and lineage TO