The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-12-01


Umxamama. 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 months journey from the
kraal Duguza, and they were admitted
before the king. These men had been
away long upon their errand, and Chaka
was angry with them. Now the leader
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 az. He was
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
from that part of the country whittier
he was sent. and he must wait there
till they returned, that he might snare
| them.
Thou shouldst have followed the
cranes, thou disobedient dog" said the
king. "Let him be taken away and all
those who were with him"
Now some of the men prayed little
for mercy, but the captain did but sar
lutte the king, calling him Father" and
craving boon before he died.
What wouldst thou?" asked Chaka.
My father" said the man, II would
ask thee two things. have fought
many times at thy side in battle while
we were both young, nor did l ever
turn my back upon the foe. The blow
that shore the hand from off this arm
was aimed at thy head, . king.
staid it with my naked arm. It is
nothing; at thy will live and at thy
will | die Who am l that | should
question the word Of the king? Yet
would ask this-that thou wilt with
draw the kaross from about thee, o
king, that for the last time my eyes may
feast themselves upon the body of him
whom above all men love"
Thou art long winded," said the king.
What more?"
This, my father-that may bid
farewell to my son; he is little child,
SO high, . king" and he held his hand
above his knee.
Thy first boon is granted" said the
king, slipping the kaross from his shout
ders and showing the great breast DO
meath. For the second it shall DO
granted also, for l will not willingly
divide the father and son. Bring the
boy here; thou shalt bid him farewell,
then thou shalt slay him with thine own
hand ere thou thyself art slain. twill
be good sport to see.
Now the man turned gray beneath the
blackness of his skin and trembled a
little as he murmured, THE kings will
is the will of his servant: let the child be
brought"
But looked at Chaka and saw that
the tears were running down his face
and that he only spoke thus to try the
captain who loved him to the last.
''Let the man 60" said the king:
''him and those with him."
| So they went, glad at heart and prais-
ing the king.
| have told you this, my father,
though it has not to do with my story,
because then, and then only, did ever
see Chaka show mercy to one whom he
had doomed to die.
As the captain and his people left the
gate of the kraal it was spoken in the
ear of the king that man sought audi
ence of him. He was. admitted crawling
on his knees. looked and saw that
this was that Masilo whom Chaka had
charged with message to him who was
named Bulalio, or the Slaughterer, and
who ruled over the People of the AK.
1t was Masilo indeed. but be was no
| =
him thin; moreover, on his back were
the marks of rods, as yet scarcely healed
over
"Who art thou?' said Chaka.
II am Masilo, of the People of the AK,
to whom command was given to run
with amessage to Bulalio the Slaughter.
er, their chief, and to return on the
thirtieth day. Behold. o king, l have
returned, though in sorry plight"
"It seems so, said the king, laughing
aloud. ~ remember now. Speak on
, Masilo the Thin. who vast Masilo the
Fat What Of this Slaughtered? Doe.
he come with his people to lay the a,
Groanmaker in my hands?"
"Nay. o king. he comes not. He me-
me with scorn, and with scorn he drov,
me from his kraal. Moreover, as wen
Twas seized by tho servants Of Zinita
she whom wooed, but who is now tn,
wife Of the Slaughterer. and laid on m,
face upon the ground and beaten cruel
", while Zinita numbered the strokes"
"Hah!" said the king. "And wha
were the words Of this puppy
"These were his words, o king: Blu
lalio the Slaughterer, who sits beneath
the shadow of the Witch mountain, Il
Chaka the Slaughterer, who sits in tn
kraal Duguza-to thee pay no tribute
If thou wouldst have the ak Groan
maker, come to the Ghost mountain an,
take it. This promise thee: Thou shall
look on face thou knowest, for there
one there who would be avenged for tn
blood of certain Mopo.'"
Now while Masilo told this tale ha
g seen two things-irst, that a little piec
of stick was thrust through the straw Q
q the fence. and, second, that the regimen
nf tho Raoo vuoo cluo%aripr IN tho o1o,,