"I answer for him," I replied. "Hans is a true man, cunning also when
once he is away from drink."



Then we spoke of plans for our journey, and of when and where we should
meet to make it, talking till it was late, after which I went to sleep
in the guest-hut.



CHAPTER IV

THE LION AND THE AXE

Next day early I left the town of the People of the Axe, having bid a
formal farewell to Umslopogaas, saying in a voice that all could
hear that as the rivers were still flooded, I proposed to trek to the
northern parts of Zululand and trade there until the weather was better.
Our private arrangement, however, was that on the night of the next
full moon, which happened about four weeks later, we should meet at the
eastern foot of a certain great, flat-topped mountain known to both of
us, which stands to the north of Zululand but well beyond its borders.

So northward I trekked, slowly to spare my oxen, trading as I went. The
details do not matter, but as it happened I met with more luck upon that
journey than had come my way for many a long year. Although I worked
on credit since nearly all my goods were sold, as owing to my repute I
could always do in Zululand, I made some excellent bargains in cattle,
and to top up with, bought a large lot of ivory so cheap that really I