Here Umslopogaas passed his hand across his mouth, a significant gesture
amongst the Zulus.

"Mopo," I said, "yes, I have heard the story of Mopo, also that Chaka's
body became _his_ servant in the end, since Mopo killed him with the
help of the princes Dingaan and Umhlangana. Also I have heard that this
Mopo still lives, though not in Zululand."

"Does he, Macumazahn?" said Umslopogaas, taking snuff from a spoon and
looking at me keenly over the spoon. "You seem to know a great deal,
Macumazahn; too much as some might think."

"Yes," I answered, "perhaps I do know too much, or at any rate more than
I want to know. For instance, O fosterling of Mopo and son of--was the
lady named Baleka?--I know a good deal about _you_."

Umslopogaas stared at me and laying his hand upon the great axe, half
rose. Then he sat down again.

"I think that this," and I touched the image of Zikali upon my breast,
"would turn even the blade of the axe named Groan-maker," I said and
paused. As nothing happened, I went on, "For instance, again I think I
know--or have I dreamed it?--that a certain chief, whose mother's name
I believe was Baleka--by the way, was she not one of Chaka's
'sisters'?--has been plotting against that son of Panda who sits upon
the throne, and that his plots have been betrayed, so that he is in some
danger of his life."

"Macumazahn," said Umslopogaas hoarsely, "I tell you that did you not