CHAPTER XXV
ALLAN DELIVERS THE MESSAGE
ONCE more I sat in the Black Kloof face to face with old Zikali.
So you have got back safely, Macumazahn,
he said. Well, I told you you would, did I not? As for what happened to you upon the journey, let it be, for now that I am old long stories tire me and I daresay that there is nothing wonderful about this one. Where is the charm I lent you? Give it back now that it has served its turn.
I have not got it, Zikali. I passed it on to Umslopogaas of the Axe to save his life from the King's men.
Oh! yes, so you did. I had forgotten. Here it is,
and opening his robe of fur, he showed me the hideous little talisman hanging about his neck, then added, would you like a copy of it, Macumazahn, to keep as a memory? If so, I will carve one for you.
No,
I answered, I should not. Has Umslopogaas been here?
Yes, he has been and gone again, which is one of the reasons why I do not wish to hear your tale a second time.
Where to? The Town of the People of the Axe?
No, Macumazahn, he came thence, or so I understood, but thither he will return no more.
Why not, Zikali?
Because after his fashion he made trouble there and left some dead behind him; one Lousta, I believe, whom he had appointed to sit on his stool as chief while he was away, and a woman called Monazi, who was his wife, or Lousta's wife, or the wife of both of them, I forget which. It is said that having heard stories of her—and the ears of jealousy are long, Macumazahn—he cut off this woman's head with a sweep
