"Out with it, then, Macumazahn, while I am in a mood to answer, and before I grow tired, for you are an old friend of mine and will so remain till the end, many years hence, and if I can serve you, I will." I filled my pipe and sat down again upon the stool of carved red-wood which had been brought for me.
"You are named 'Opener-of-Roads,' are you not, Zikali ?" I said.
"Yes, the Zulus have always called me that, since before the days of Chaka.

But what of names, which often enough mean nothing at all ?" "Only that _I_ want to open a road, Zikali, that which runs across the River of Death." "Oho!" he laughed, "it is very easy," and snatching up a little assegai that lay beside him, he proffered it to me, adding, "Be brave now and fall on that.

Then before I have counted sixty the road will be wide open, but whether you will see anything on it I cannot tell you." Again I shook my head and answered, "It is against our law.

Also while I still live I desire to know whether I shall meet certain others on that road after my time has come to cross the River.

Perhaps you who deal with spirits, can prove the matter to me, which no one else seems able to do." "Oho!" laughed Zikali again.