The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1892-08-30
CHAPTER XIX.


~WOsSJd rso-sD that had IteOrI=eTsed 20 the
mice Of SObclGr'
Now. on the morrow. two hours before
midday, Chaka came from the hut where
he had sat through the night and moved
TO little kraal surrounded by fence
that was some fifty PAGES distant from
the hut. | accompanied him, walking
after him. As we went. the king said
in low voice:
is El4 prepared, Mopo?"
All Is prepared. Black One" / an
swered. The regiment of the Slayers
will be here by noon"
Where are the princes. MopO2" asked
the king again.
THE princes sit with their wives IN
the houses of their women, o king"
answered They drink beer and SIT in
the laps Of their wives.
Chaka smiled grimly. For the last
time, Mopo." .. .......
For the last time. o king
We came to the krBal, and Chaka sat
down III tho shade Of the reed fence upon
an OK hide that was brayed soft. Near
TO him stood a 4RiH holding d gourd of
beer: there were also present the Old
chief Inguazonca, brother Of Unandi
Mother Of the Heavens. and the chief
Umxa1nama. whom Chaka loved When
we had sat little while in the kraal
certain men came in bearing cranes
feathers. which the king had sent them
to gather a months journey from the
krasIl Duguza. and they were admitted
before the king. These men had been
away hong upon their errand. and Chaka
was angry with them. Now the header
Of the men was an old captain of Cha
ka's who had fought under him in many
battles, but whose service was done, be-
cause his right hand had been shOrn
away by the blow of an ak. He was a
great man and very brave
Chaka asked the man why he had
been so long in finding the feathers, and
he answered that the birds had flown
frotn that part of the country whittier
! be was sent. and he must wait there
| till they returned. that he might snare
them.
Thou shouldst have followed the
cranes. thou disobedient dog. sand the
! king. Let him be taken away and all
those who were with him"
Now some of the men prayed little
for mercy. bat the captain did but sa-
| lutte the king. calling him Father" and
craving a boon before he died.
What wouldst thou?- asked Chaka.
My father said the man, "I'would
ask thee two things ! have fought
many times at thy side in battle while
we We're both young, nor did | ever
| turn my back upon the foe. The blow
]
was aimed at thy head, o king. |
staid it with my naked arm. ii j.
nothing; at thy will / hive and a ~ Y
| Will / die. Who am that / shoald
! question the word of the king: Yet
would ask this-that thou wilt with
draw the kaross from about thee, .
king. that for the last time my eyes may
feast themselves upon the body Of him
whom above all men love"
Thou art long wiuded, said the king.
What more"
This, my fatheg-that may bid
farewell to my son; he Is a little child.
50 high. . king" and he held his hand
above his knee.
Thy first boon is granted said the
king, slipping the kaross from his shoul-
ders and showing the great breast be
meath For the second it shall bt
! granted also, for | will not willingly
| divide the father and son. Bring The
boy here: thou shalt bid him farewell
then thou shalt slay him with thine owl
hand ere thou myself art slain. 1t vii
be good sport to see.
! Now the man turned gray beneath ths
! blackness of his skin and trent Ied {
little ~ be murmured. The kings vii
! rs the will of his servant: let the chlk b
brought"
But hooked at Cha6a and saw tina
the tears we're running down his fac"
and that he only spoke thus to try tht
captain who loved him to The hast.
LET the man go" said the king
him and those with him.
So they went, glad at heart and prais
ing the king ..a. ..r. ..t- .r
/ have told you tins, my father
though lit has not 70 do with my story
4 because thea. and then only. did eve
see Chska show mercy TO one whom b
i had doomed 70 die
/ AS tbe captain and his people left tn,
gate Of the kraal 81 was spoken in TIN
ear Of the king that man sought audi
ence of him. He. was admitted crawling
on his knees | hooked and saw tina
this was that Masilo whom Chaka hat
charged with message TO him who wa.
named BuIalio, or the Slaughterer, anC
who ruled over the People of the AK
1t was Masilo indeed, but be was u
longer fat, for much travel had made
him thin; moreover, on his back wer'
the marks of rods, as yet scarcely bealeC