Yet three men stepped forward, and of these two were captains, and men whom the Slaughterer loved.

With all the people, he looked at them astonished.
"How is this ?" he said in a low voice to that captain who was nearest and who would do battle with him.
For answer the man pointed to the Lily, who stood by.

Then Umslopogaas understood that because of the medicine of Nada's beauty all men desired to win her, and, since he who could win the axe would take her also, he must look to fight with many.

Well, fight he must or be shamed.
Of the fray there is little to tell.

Umslopogaas killed first one man and then the other, and swiftly, for, growing fearful, the third did not come up against him.
"Ah!" said Galazi, who watched, "what did I tell you, Mopo?
The curse begins to work.