CHAPTER X.THE TRIAL OF MOPO.
Now I sat four days in the huts of the tribe whither I had been sent, and did the king's business.

And on the fifth morning I rose up, together with those with me, and we turned our faces towards the king's kraal.

But when we had journeyed a little way we met a party of soldiers, who commanded us to stand.
"What is it, king's men ?" I asked boldly.
"This, son of Makedama," answered their spokesman: "give over to us your wife Macropha and your children Umslopogaas and Nada, that we may do with them as the king commands." "Umslopogaas," I answered, "has gone where the king's arm cannot stretch, for he is dead; and for my wife Macropha and my daughter Nada, they are by now in the caves of the Swazis, and the king must seek them there with an army if he will find them.

To Macropha he is welcome, for I hate her, and have divorced her; and as for the girl, well, there are many girls, and it is no great matter if she lives or dies, yet I pray him to spare her." Thus I spoke carelessly, for I knew well that my wife and child were beyond the reach of Chaka.
"You do well to ask the girl's life," said the soldier, laughing, "for all those born to you are dead, by order of the king." "Is it indeed so ?" I answered calmly, though my knees shook and my tongue clove to my lips.

"The will of the king be done.