Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-06-30
Perhaps l shall be there" said UNI

said the maid. But should one con-
quer Jikiza then ho will be chief, and
can give me in marriage to whom he
will"
"lf perchance l should DO there" he
said, land if perchance should win tho
iron cheftainess, tho AK Groanmaker
and rule over the People of the AK, you
should not live far from the shadow of
the ak thenceforward, Maid Zinita."
at is well, Wolf Man; but first you
must win the AK. Many have tried and
all have failed"
yet one must succeed at last" he
said, land so farewellw
Now the maid Zinita watched him till
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 he told Galazi something of the
tale, and that he was determined to do
battle with JiEiza the Unconquered for
the AK Groanmaker, for his heart was
set both on the AK and tho girl, but more
on tho first than the last.
SO the time wore on, and at length
came the day of tho new moon. At the
dawn Of that day Umslopogaas arose and
clad himself in moocha, 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 "a 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 Ulnslopogaas babe him fare
well, not knowing if no should look
upon him again. Afterward he walked
up to the Great Place Of Jilliza Now
when he reached the gates Of the kraal
he saw that many people wero stream
ing through them and mingled with
the people. Presently they came to the
open space in front Of the huts Of Jikiza,
aud there the headmen were gathered
together.
In the center of them, and before a
heap of tho skulls of men which were
piled up against his doorsteps, sat Jikiza,
a huge man, hairy and proud who
glared abcllt him, rolling his eyes.
Fastened to his arm by throng of
leather was the great AK Groanmaker,
and each man as he came up salutcd the
AK, calling it "Inkosikaas," or chief
tainess, but he did not salute Jikiza.
UmSlOpogals sat down with the people
in front Of the councillors, and few took
any notice of him except Iinita, who
moved sullenly to and fro bearing pots
OF beer to the councillors. Near to Jikiza,
on his right hand, sat a fat man with
small and twinkling eyes, who watched
the maid Zinita grccdily.
lyon man." thought UmslopogGas,
sis Masilo. The better for blood letting
wilt thou he, Mas;lor'
Presently JiLiza spoke, rolling his
eyes: This is the matter before you,
councillors. have settled it in my
mind to give my daughter Zinita i'll mar
riage to Ma,ilo, but the marriage gift is
not yet agreed on, demand hundred
head Of cattle from Masilo for the maid
is fair and straisht-a proper maid
and, moreover, my daughter, though
not of my blood But Masilo offers fifty
head only; therefore l ask of you to set
tie ii.
"Wo hear you, Lord of the Az" an
swered one Of the councillors; but first,
O Unconqucrcd, You must on this day of
the year, according to ancient custom,
give public challenge to any man to
fight you for the Groaumakcr and for
your place as chief OF the People Of
the Az"
This is a wearisomo thing" grum-
bled Jilliza. "Can | never have done
with it: Fifty and three have | SLAIN in
my youth without Il wound, and now
for many years | have challenged, like
q cock on a dunghill, and none crow in
answer.
"Ho, now. Is there any man who will
como forward and DO battle with me,
Jikiza, for the great AK Groanmaker;
To him who can win if, it shall be, and
with it the chieftainship Of the People
OF the An"
Thus he spoke very fast, then turned
bItt llOlC ~ t'tlh u ll4c eau 10 Ol -lltiSllO
and the maid Xinita. But suddenly
Umslopogaas stood M, looking at him
over the top Of his W.T. shield, and cry
ing, Here is one, O JkiZa, who will do
battle with you for the Ak Groanmakcr,
ana fog the Craftsmanship that is to him
who holds the az,
Jilii2a glared at him.
Come forth from behind that big
shield Of yours" he said Come forth
ana tell me your name and lineage, You
who would do battle with the Uucon-
qucrcd for the ancient an"
Then UmslopoSaas came forward.
What is my name and lineage to
you, Jiliza,' he said. Let it be, and
hasten to Go me battle, as you must by
the custom When | have killed you
Will take a name, who now havo none. y
! Jikiza grew mad and sprang up, gasp
ing
"What" he said, you dare to spcal;
TINS to me, the UnconQucrod, the holder
Of tho aX? Never did think to live to
hear such talk On to the cattle kraal,