Further, the stores were piled near our tents, in the centre, with guards set over them.

I asked Harut and Marut, who were sharing our meal, the reason of these alterations.
"It is because we are on the borders of the Kendah country," answered old Harut.

"Four days' more march will bring us there, Macumazana." "Then why should you take precautions against your own people?
Surely they will welcome you." "With spears perhaps.

Macumazana, learn that the Kendah are not one but two people.

As you may have heard before, we are the White Kendah, but there are also Black Kendah who outnumber us many times over, though in the beginning we from the north conquered them, or so says our history.
The White Kendah have their own territory; but as there is no other road, to reach it we must pass through that of the Black Kendah, where it is always possible that we may be attacked, especially as we bring strangers into the land." "How is it then that the Black Kendah allow you to live at all, Harut, if they are so much the more numerous ?" "Because of fear, Macumazana.