The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1892-09-06

/ eagles, his nose somewhat hooked and
/ he held his head \ little forward, AZ a
man who searches continually for a Ind
| den foe. He seemed to walk slowly.
and yet he came swiftly. but " a
! gliding movement like that Of wolf OF
a hon and always his fingers PLAYED
around the horn handle Of the AK Groan-
maker. For him who followed. h. wa,
great also. Shooter than Unlslopogaas 10y
the half of head, but Of a sturdier
build. His eyes were small and twinkled
increasingly like little star. and his
look waes very wild, for now and again
he grinned, showing his white teeth.
When l saw Umslopogaas [ longed to
run to him and throw myself upou 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 l drew
forward TO greet him.
Greeting, Mouth of bingham" he
said III lond voice. you are little
man to be the mouth Of 50 big a chief
1.-The mouth is a 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 aforetiine 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
10 D,,I III, -
answered, and l. 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
Bulaho. Thus, methinks. last night
they saw great chase and a 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 il
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.
How know You that was once named
Umslopogaas- who have lost that name
these many days? Speak. o Mouth, lest
kill you"
"Slay if you will. UmslopOgaas,
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 n; it is
enough. To my business"
Now Umsiopogsas ground his teeth
in anger. Il 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 a message by one
Masilo-such a message as his ears had
never heard and that had been your
death. O fool puffed up with pride, but
death came first upon the Black One.
and his hand was staid. Now D1ngaan.
whose shadow lies upon the hand. the
king whom l serve, and who sits in the
placeAof the Black One who is gone,
y
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 shOrtv'
Now Umslopogaas gasped for breath
il his rage and again he fingered the great
ax. 1T is well for you, O Mouth, " he said.
THAT / swore safe conduct TO you, else
you had not gone hence. Yet / answer
you III few words and short. Look on
those spears-they are but fourth part
Of the number i can muster. That is my
answer. Look now on youder mountain,
the mountain of ghosts and wolves-ln-
knoWn, impossible. save to me and one
other only. That Is my answer. Spears
and mountain shall come together-the
shall be alive with spears and
with the fangs Of beasts Let Dingaan
seek his tribute there! have spoken
Now laughed shrilly, desiring TO try
the heart of Umslopogaas, my fostering,
yet further.
"Fool!" / said. BOY with the brain
Of a monkey, for every spear you have,
D1ngaan, whom l serve. can send hun
1red and your mountain shall be stamped
Eat; and for your ghosts and your wolves,
zee, with the mouth of Dingaan | sgt
lpon theml7 and l spat upon the ground
Now Ums'Opogaas shook IN his rage.
md the great AK glimmered AS he shook.
he turned to the captain who was be-
lind him and said, Say. Galazi TIA 4
Wolf. shall we kill this man and thoseSS
With hinY'
May" answered the Wolf. grinning,
do not kill them. You have given them
afe conduct. Moreover, let. them 20
Jack to their dog of king, that be may
end out his puppies TO do battle with
'ur wolves. 1t will be u pretty fight
''Get You gone. o Month" said Um-
lopogaas-''get you gone swiftly. lest
worse thing befall you! Without my
,ates you shall find food TO satisfy your
iunger. Eat Of it and begone, for If to-
morrow at the noon You are found with
o a sIear's throw of this kraal YOU and