I have settled it in my mind to give my step-daughter Zinita in marriage to Masilo, but the marriage gift is not yet agreed on.

I demand a hundred head of cattle from Masilo, for the maid is fair and straight, a proper maid, and, moreover, my daughter, though not of my blood.

But Masilo offers fifty head only, therefore I ask you to settle it." "We hear you, Lord of the Axe," answered one of the councillors, "but first, O Unconquered, you must on this day of the year, according to ancient custom, give public challenge to any man to fight you for the Groan-Maker and for your place as chief of the People of the Axe." "This is a wearisome thing," grumbled Jikiza.

"Can I never have done in it?
Fifty-and-three have I slain in my youth without a wound, and now for many years I have challenged, like a cock on a dunghill, and none crow in answer." "Ho, now! Is there any man who will come forward and do battle with me, Jikiza, for the great axe Groan-Maker?
To him who can win it, it shall be, and with it the chieftainship of the People of the Axe." Thus he spoke very fast, as a man gabbles a prayer to a spirit in whom he has little faith, then turned once more to talk of the cattle of Masilo and of the maid Zinita.

But suddenly Umslopogaas stood up, looking at him over the top of his war shield, and crying, "Here is one, O Jikiza, who will do battle with you for the axe Groan-Maker and for the chieftainship that is to him who holds the axe." Now, all the people laughed, and Jikiza glared at him.
"Come forth from behind that big shield of yours," he said.