I have spoken the truth, and now do thou protect me from these Wolf-Brethren, O King, for they are very fierce." Now all this while that the traitor told his tale Umslopogaas, inch by inch, was edging near to him and yet nearer, till at length he might have touched him with an outstretched spear.

None noted him except I, Mopo, alone, and perhaps Galazi, for all were watching the face of Dingaan as men watch a storm that is about to burst.
"Fear thou not the Wolf-Brethren, soldier," gasped Dingaan, rolling his red eyes; "the paw of the Lion guards thee, my servant." Ere the words had left the king's lips the Slaughterer leapt.

He leaped full on to the traitor, speaking never a word, and oh! his eyes were awful.

He leaped upon him, he seized him with his hands, lifting no weapon, and in his terrible might he broke him as a child breaks a stick--nay, I know not how, it was too swift to see.

He broke him, and, hurling him on high, cast him dead at the feet of Dingaan, crying in a great voice:-- "Take thy servant, King! Surely he 'sleeps in thy shadow'!" Then there was silence, only through the silence was heard a gasp of fear and wonder, for no such deed as this had been wrought in the presence of the king--no, not since the day of Senzangacona the Root.
Now Dingaan spoke, and his voice came thick with rage, and his limbs trembled.
"Slay him!" he hissed.