Thus last night they
saw a great chase and a merry. It seems that they saw a koodoo bull
running at speed, and after him countless wolves making their music,
and with the wolves two men clad in wolves' skins, such men as you,
Bulalio, and he with the club who follows you."
Now Umslopogaas lifted the axe 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 once I was named Umslopogaas, who have lost that
name these many days? Speak, O Mouth, lest I kill you."
"Slay if you will, Umslopogaas," I answered, "but know that when the
brains are scattered the mouth is dumb. He who scatters brains loses
wisdom."
"Answer!" he said.
"I answer not. Who are you that I should answer you? I know; it is
enough. To my business."
Now Umslopogaas ground his teeth in anger. "I am not wont to be
thwarted here in my own kraal," he said; "but do your business. Speak
it, little Mouth."
"This is my business, little Chief. When the Black One who is gone yet
lived, you sent him a message by one Masilo--such a message as his
ears had never heard, and that had been your death, O fool puffed up
with pride, but death came first upon the Black One, and his hand was
stayed. Now Dingaan, whose shadow lies upon the land, the king whom I
serve, and who sits in the place of the Black One who is gone, speaks
to you by me, his mouth.
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