Nay, stand aside, Macumazahn" (for, although I was quite unarmed, I had stepped between them), "lest you should share the fate of this woman-thief." "Not I, Saduko," I cried, for this sight made me mad, "unless you murder me." Then Umbelazi spoke in a hollow voice, sobbing out his words: "I thank you, White Man, yet do as this snake bids you--this snake that has lived in my kraal and fed out of my cup.

Let him have his fill of vengeance because of the woman who bewitched me--yes, because of the sorceress who has brought me and thousands to the dust.

Have you heard, Macumazahn, of the great deed of this son of Matiwane?
Have you heard that all the while he was a traitor in the pay of Cetewayo, and that he went over, with the regiments of his command, to the Usutu just when the battle hung upon the turn?
Come, Traitor, here is my heart--the heart that loved and trusted you.

Strike--strike hard!" "Out of the way, Macumazahn!" hissed Saduko.

But I would not stir.
He sprang at me, and, though I put up the best fight that I could in my injured state, got his hands about my throat and began to choke me.