That was not my intention.

You brought me, or rather the flooded rivers and you together brought me, for I was on my way to Natal and could not cross the drifts." "Yet I think you have a message for me, White Man, for not long ago a certain wandering witch-doctor who came here told me to expect you and that you had words to say to me." "Did he, Umslopogaas?
Well, it is true that I have a message, though it is one that I did not mean to deliver." "Yet being here, perchance you will deliver it, Macumazahn, for those who have messages and will not speak them, sometimes come to trouble." "Yes, being here, I will deliver it, seeing that so it seems to be fated.

Tell me, do you chance to know a certain Small One who is great, a certain Old One whose brain is young, a doctor who is called Opener-of-Roads ?" "I have heard of him, as have my forefathers for generations." "Indeed, and if it pleases you to tell me, Umslopogaas, what might be the names of those forefathers of yours, who have heard of this doctor for generations?
They must have been short-lived men and as such I should like to know of them." "That you cannot," replied Umslopogaas shortly, "since they are _hlonipa_ (i.e.not to be spoken) in this land." "Indeed," I said again.

"I thought that rule applied only to the names of kings, but of course I am but an ignorant white man who may well be mistaken on such matters of your Zulu customs." "Yes, O Macumazahn, you may be mistaken or--you may not.

It matters nothing.