The Washington times., 1919-12-14


its Chief was really anxious to see
me. So In due course we started.
the guides leading Us by a rough
road down the steep hillside to the
saucerIike plain beneath. We came
at last TO a river that eneircled a
considerable Kaffir town on three
sides, the fourth being protected
by a little line Of kopVies which
were joined together with walls.
Also the place was strongly forti-
fed with fences and in every other
way known to the native mind.
With the help Of the spare oxen
we crossed the river safely at the
ford. and on the further side we're
received by a guard Of tail. soldier.
like fellows. all armed with axes.
They led Us up to the cattle en-
closure in the centre OF the town.
Here some ceremony was IN
progress, for soldiers stood round
the kraal while heralds pranced
and shouted. At the head of the
place in front OF the Chiefs big hut
was a little group Of people, among
whom big gaunt man sat upon a
stool clad n q warriors dress. with
a great and very long axe HATED
with wfre-lashed rhinoceros horn
laid across bis knees. Our guides
led me. vith Hans sneaking after
me Ike a detected and iow-brsd
dog. across the kraal 10 where the
herald shouied and the big man sat
yawning. At once I noted that he
was a very remarkable person.
broad and tan and spare OF frame,
with long. tough-Iooking arms ana q
fierce face. he locked ap and, see
ing me. cried out:
What Has q white man come
to fight me for the chisftainship OF
the People Of the Aver
NO." | answered. quietly, shut
Macumazahn. Watcher By Might,
has come to visit you IN answer 10
your request. o Umsiopogsas.s
The Chief heard, and rising from
his seat lifted the big sxe ir salute.
Il greet you, o Macumazahn, !"
he said, who, although small In
stature, are very great In fame.
Have I not heard how yuu con-
quered Bangu, although Saduko
slew him, and Of how you gave up
the six hundred head Of cattle to
Tszoha and the men OF The AM
angwane who foasht with yss1 the
cattle that were your cwns Have
not heard how you led the Ana
wombe against the Usuta and
stamped fat three Of Cetewayo's
regiments in the days OF Panda7
Oh, yes. l have heard these and
many other things concerning you.
though until now 1t has never been
my fortune to look upon your face.
o Watcher by Night, and there
fore l greet you well, Bold One,
Cunning One, Upright One, Friend
OF as Black People"
Thank you,y / answered. -sbut
you said something about lighting.
II there is to be anything Of the
sort, let US get Il over. II you want
to fight, / am quite ready" and I
tapped the rife which I carried.
The grim chief broke into a
laugh and said;
Listen. BY an ancient law any
man on a certain day IN each year
may fight me for this chieftain-
ship, as l fought him who held II
before me, and take IT from me
with my life and the axe, though Of
late none seem to like the business.
But that law was made before
there were guns, or men like
Macumazahn, who, II is said, can
hit a grasshopper on wall at fifty
PAGES. Therefore tell you that II
you wish to fight me, o Macuma-
zahn, / give in and you may have
the chieftainship," and he laughed
again in his fierce fashion.
Il think it is too hot for lighting
either with guns or axes. Chief.
tainshIps are honey that is full Of
stinging bees" I answered.
Then I took my seat on . stool
by the side Of Umsiopogaas, after
which the ceremony went on.
The heralds, having cried out the
challenge to all and sundry to come
"a