30/45 He was back four centuries among the Mazimba sweeping down on the Zambesi. He told them, and they believed him, that he was the Umkulunkulu, the incarnated spirit of Prester John. He told them that he was there to lead the African race to conquest and empire. Ay, and he told them more: for he has, or says he has, the Great Snake itself, the necklet of Prester John.' Neither of us spoke; we were too occupied with fitting this news into our chain of knowledge. 'Now that I knew his purpose, I set myself to find out his preparations. |