The tree was burned, and the bees in it, and I alone was left living--I and Macropha and Nada, who were far away.
Nor was Chaka yet satisfied with blood, for, as has been told, he sent messengers bidding them kill Macropha, my wife, and Nada, my daughter, and him who was named by son.

But he commanded the messengers that they should not slay me, but bring me living before them.
Now when the soldiers did not kill me I took counsel with myself, for it was my belief that I was saved alive only that I might die later, and in a more cruel fashion.

Therefore for awhile I thought that it would be well if I did that for myself which another purposed to do for me.

Why should I, who was already doomed, wait to meet my doom?
What had I left to keep me in the place of life, seeing that all whom I loved were dead or gone?
To die would be easy, for I knew the ways of death.

In my girdle I carried a secret medicine; he who eats of it, my father, will see the sun's shadow move no more, and will never look upon the stars again.