Now I go to the Underworld to join the spirits of my ancestors and of those who have fallen at my side in many wars, and of those women who bore my children.
I shall have a tale to tell them there, my father, and together we will wait for you--till you, too, die in war!" Then he lifted up his arm from the neck of Babemba, and saluted me with a loud cry of _Baba! Inkosi!_ giving me certain great titles which I will not set down, and having done so sank to the earth.
I sent one of the Mazitu to fetch Brother John, who arrived presently with his wife and daughter.

He examined Mavovo and told him straight out that nothing could help him except prayer.
"Make no prayers for me, Dogeetah," said the old heathen; "I have followed my star," (i.e.lived according to my lights) "and am ready to eat the fruit that I have planted.

Or if the tree prove barren, then to drink of its sap and sleep." Waving Brother John aside he beckoned to Stephen.
"O Wazela!" he said, "you fought very well in that fight; if you go on as you have begun in time you will make a warrior of whom the Daughter of the Flower and her children will sing songs after you have come to join me, your friend.

Meanwhile, farewell! Take this assegai of mine and clean it not, that the red rust thereon may put you in mind of Mavovo, the old Zulu doctor and captain with whom you stood side by side in the Battle of the Gate, when, as though they were winter grass, the fire burnt up the white-robed thieves of men who could not pass our spears." Then he waved his hand again, and Stephen stepped aside muttering something, for he and Mavovo had been very intimate and his voice choked in his throat with grief.

Now the old Zulu's glazing eye fell upon Hans, who was sneaking about, I think with a view of finding an opportunity of bidding him a last good-bye.
"Ah! Spotted Snake," he cried, "so you have come out of your hole now that the fire has passed it, to eat the burnt frogs in the cinders.