It was only a small cut, which bled little, but as the fighting went on something gave way and my inside began to come through it, though I tied it up with a bit of cloth, which of course means death in a day or two." (Subsequent examination showed me that Hans's story of this wound was perfectly true.

He could not have lived for very long.) "Baas," he went on after a pause, "no doubt I shall meet that Zulu lady Mameena to-night.

Tell me, is she really entitled to the royal salute?
Because if not, when I am as much a spook as she is I will not give it to her again.

She never gave me my titles, which are good ones in their way, so why should I give her the _Bayete_, unless it is hers by right of blood, although I am only a little 'yellow dog' as she chose to call me ?" As this ridiculous point seemed to weigh upon his mind I told him that Mameena was not even of royal blood and in nowise entitled to the salute of kings.
"Ah!" he said with a feeble grin, "then now I shall know how to deal with her, especially as she cannot pretend that I did not play my part in the battle, as she bade me do.

Did you see anything of her when Jana charged, Baas, because I thought I did ?" "I seemed to see something, but no doubt it was only a fancy." "A fancy?
Explain to me, Baas, where truths end and fancies begin and whether what we think are fancies are not sometimes the real truths.
Once or twice I have thought so of late, Baas." I could not answer this riddle, so instead I gave him some water which he asked for, and he continued: "Baas, have you any messages for the two Shining ones, for her whose name is holy and her sister, and for the child of her whose name is holy, the Missie Marie, and for your reverend father, the Predikant?
If so, tell it quickly before my head grows too empty to hold the words." I will confess, however foolish it may seem, that I gave him certain messages, but what they were I shall not write down.