San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-08-15

He is a proud chief and would show his
might, not knowing that the king we
serve can muster a company for every
man he has. Let us go on boldly"
So he walked forward toward the impi
that was gathered on the farther side of
the kraal. Now the two great men
who were marshaling the soldiers saw
us and came to meet us, one following
the other. He who came first bore thu
AK upon his shoulder and he who fol-
lowed swung a huge club. | looked
upon the foremost of them, and ah. my
father, my heart grew faint with Joy,
for knew him across the years. 1t was
Umslopogaas--my fostering, UmslOpo-
gaas-and none. other, now grown into
manhood-aye, into such a man as was
not to be found beside him in Zululand.
He was great and fierce, somewhat
spare in frame, but wide shouldered
and shallow fanked. His arms were
long and not over big, but the muscles
stood out on them like knots in rope
his legs were long also and very thick
beneath the knee. His eye was like an
eagles, his nose somewhat hooked and
he held his head little forward, as a
man who searches continually for hid
den foe. He seemed to walk slowly,
and yet he came swiftly, but with a
gliding movement like that of wolf or
lion, and always his fingers played
around the horn handle of the AK GrOan-
maker. For him who followed, he was
orrao+ o1co cbOrtar +bo, TTpnClo,,Oooos l,,,
the half of head, but of a sturdier
build. His eyes were small and twinkled
increasingly like little star, and his
look was very wild, for now and again
he grinned, showing his white teeth.
When saw Umslopogaas | longed to
run to him and throw myself upon his
neck. Yet took counsel with myself
and did not-nay, dropped the corner
of the kaross wore over my eyes, hid
ing my face, lest he should know me.
Presently he stood before me, searching
me out with his keen eyes, for drew
forward to greet him.
Greeting, Mouth of Dingaan," he
said in loud voice. "YOu are a little
man to be the mouth of so big a chief"
"The mouth is little member, even
of the body of great king. o Chief
Bulalio, ruler of the People of the AK,
wizard of the wolves that are upon the
Ghost mountain, who aforetime was
named Umslopogaas, son of Mopo, son
of Makedama."
Now, when Umslopogaas heard these
words he started and stared hard at me.
You are well instructed" he said.
"The ears of the king are large if his
mouth be small, o Chief Bulalio," |
answered, and |, who am but the mouth,
speak what the ears have heard"
"How know you that | have dwelt
with the wolves upon the Ghost noun
tain, o MOUTH he asked.
THE eyes of the king see far, o Chief
Bulalio. Thus, methinks, last night
they saw great chase and merry.
1t seems that they saw koodoo bull
running at speed and after him count
less wolves making their music, and
with the wolves two men clad in
wolves skins-suCh men as you, Buialio,
and he with the club who follows YOU"
Now Umslopogaas lifted the ak Groan-
maker as though he would cut me down,
then let it fall again, while Galazi the
Wolf glared at me with wide opened
eyes.
Glow know you that l was once named
Umslopogaas, who have lost that name
these many days? Speak, o Mouth, lest
kill you"
"Slay if you will, Umslopogaas," l
answered, "but know that when the
brains are scattered the mouth is dumb.
He who scatters brains loses wisdom"
ANSWER" he said.
Il answer not. Who are you that |
should answer you? | know it; it is
enough. To my business"
Now Umslopogaas ground his teeth
in anger. II am not wont to be
thwarted here in my own kraal," he
said. But to your business. Speak it,
Little Mouth"
"This is my business, little chief.
When the Black One who is gone yet
lived you sent him message by one
Masilo-such message as his ears had
never heard and that had been your
death. o fool pulled up with pride, but
death came first upon the Black One,
and his hand was staid. Now Dtngaan,
whose shadow lies upon the land, the
king whom l serve, and who sits in the
place of the Black One who is gone,
speaks to you by me, his mouth. He
would know this: If it is true that you
refuse to own his sovereignty, to pay
tribute to him in men and maids and
cattle and to serve him in his wars.
Answer, you little headman-answer in
few words and short"
Now Umslopogsas gasped for breath
inhis rage and again he fingered the great