I who am the son of one who was greater than he, have plotted to seize the throne of Zululand from him who sits upon that throne.

It is true, for I grew weary of my idleness as a petty chief.

Moreover, I should have succeeded with the help of Zikali, who hates the House of Senzangacona, though me, who am of its blood, he does not hate, because ever I have striven against that House.
But it seems from his message and those words spoken by an angry woman, that I have been betrayed, and that to-night or to-morrow night, or by the next moon, the slayers will be upon me, smiting me before I can smite, at which I cannot grumble." "By whom have you been betrayed, Umslopogaas ?" "By that wife of mine, as I think, Macumazahn.

Also by Lousta, my blood-brother, over whom she has cast her net and made false to me, so that he hopes to win her whom he has always loved and with her the Chieftainship of the Axe.

Now what shall I do ?--Tell me, you whose eyes can see in the dark." I thought a moment and answered, "I think that if I were you, I would leave this Lousta to sit in my place for a while as Chief of the People of the Axe, and take a journey north, Umslopogaas.