'I bear a message from the Inkulu.[2] Clear out, you dogs!' They recognized the horse, and fell back with a salute.

Had I but known it, the beast was famed from the Zambesi to the Cape.

It was their king's own charger I rode, and who dared question such a warrant?
I heard the word pass through the bush, and all down the road I got the salute.

In that moment I fervently thanked my stars that I had got away first, for there would have been no coming second for me.
At the cliff-foot I found a double line of warriors who had the appearance of a royal guard, for all were tall men with leopard-skin cloaks.

Their rifle-barrels glinted in the moon-light, and the sight sent a cold shiver down my back.