"Perhaps, if the two of us strive at it, it will move." "Ay, if our strength were what it was--but now! Still, let us try." So they strove with a rock, but the two of them together had not the strength of a girl, and it would not stir.
"Give over, Umslopogaas," said Nada; "we do but waste the time that is left to me.

Let us talk!" For awhile there was no answer, for Umslopogaas had fainted, and Nada beat her breast, thinking that he was dead.
Presently he spoke, however, saying, "It may not be; we must perish here, one on each side of the stone, not seeing the other's face, for my might is as water; nor can I stand upon my feet to go and seek for food." "Are you wounded, Umslopogaas ?" asked Nada.
"Ay, Nada, I am pierced to the brain with the point of an axe; no fair stroke, the captain of Dingaan hurled it at me when I thought him dead, and I fell.

I do not know how long I have lain yonder under the shadow of the rock, but it must be long, for my limbs are wasted, and those who fell in the fray are picked clean by the vultures, all except Galazi, for the old wolf Deathgrip lies on his breast dying, but not dead, licking my brother's wounds, and scares the fowls away.

It was the beak of a vulture, who had smelt me out at last, that woke me from my sleep beneath the stone, Nada, and I crept hither.

Would that he had not awakened me, would that I had died as I lay, rather than lived a little while till you perish thus, like a trapped fox, Nada, and presently I follow you." "It is hard to die so, Umslopogaas," she answered, "I who am yet young and fair, who love you, and hoped to give you children; but so it has come about, and it may not be put away.