Then, after his fashion, he changed his mind and sat down again.

But Zikali, taking no heed, went to the third set of marks and studied them.
"It would seem," he said, "that I am awakened from sleep in my Black House yonder to tell of a very little matter, that might well have been dealt with by any common Nyanga born but yesterday.

Well, I have taken my fee, and I will earn it, although I thought that I was brought here to speak of great matters, such as the death of princes and the fortunes of peoples.

Is it desired that my Spirit should speak of wizardries in this town of Nodwengu ?" "Izwa!" said the chorus in a loud voice.
Zikali nodded his great head and seemed to talk with the dust, waiting now and again for an answer.
"Good," he said; "they are many, and the dust has told them all to me.
Oh, they are very many"-- and he glared around him--"so many that if I spoke them all the hyenas of the hills would be full to-night--" Here the audience began to show signs of great apprehension.
"But," looking down at the dust and turning his head sideways, "what do you say, what do you say?
Speak more plainly, Little Voices, for you know I grow deaf.

Oh! now I understand.