The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-12-05

gliding movement like that of a wolf or
lion, and always his fingers played
around the horn handle of the ak Groan-
maker. For him who followed, he was
great also. shorter than Umslopogaas by
the half of a 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 little
man to be the mouth of so big chief"
'The mouth is little member, even
of the body of a 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 we'll 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 a 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 in
wolves skins-such men as you, Buialio,
and he with the club who follows you.'
Now Umslopogaas lifted the az 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 daysS 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.
81 answer not. Who are you that
should answer you? know it; it is
enough To my business
i 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 a message as his ears had
never heard and that had been your
death. U fool pulled up with pride, but
death came first upon the Black One,
and his hand was staid. Now Dlngaan,
whose shadow lies upon the land, the
king whom 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-answeri in
few words and shOrt!'
Now Umslopogaas gasped for breath
in his rage and again he fingered the great
ak. sit is we'll for you, o Mouth, he said,
"that swore safe conduct to you, else
you had not gone hence. Yet answer
you in few words and short. Look ON
those spears-they are but fourth part
of the number can muster. That is my
a,'swer. Look now on yonder mountain,
mountain of ghosts and wolves-un-
known, impossible, save to me and one
I other only. That is my answer. Spears
and mountain shall come together-the
mountain shall be alive with spears and
with the fangs of beasts. Let Dingaan
seek his tribute therel have spokenr'
Now laughed shrilly, desiring to try
the heart of Umslopogaas. my fosterling.
yet further. SIS.
"Fool!" said. boy with the brain
Of monkey, for every spear you have,
Dingaan, whom serve, can send = hun.
dred, and your mountain shall be stamped
fat; and for your ghosts and your wolves,
see, with the mouth Of Dingaan spit
upon them!' and spat upon the ground.
u Now Umslopogaas shook in his rage
, and the great AK glimmered as he shook.
He turned to the captain who was be-
hind him and said, 'Say. Galazi the
Wolf, shall we kill this man and those
with himY'
MAY" answered the Wolf, grinning
"do not kill them. You have given them
safe conduct. Moreover, let them &C
back to their dog of king, that he may
f send out his puppies to do battle witt
our wolves 1t will be a pretty fight"
; sect you zone. O Moi.th." said I'm