evil-doers.

Still unsatisfied, the _Induna_ questioned me as to the places where
I had been during this journey of mine in the Zulu country. I told him
with the utmost frankness, mentioning among others--because I was sure
that already he knew all my movements well--the town of the People of
the Axe.

Then he asked me if I had seen its Chief, a certain Umslopogaas or
Bulalio. I answered, Yes, that I had met him there for the first time
and thought him a very remarkable man.

With this the _Induna_ agreed emphatically, saying that perhaps I did
not know _how_ remarkable. Next he asked me where he was now, to which
I replied that I had not the faintest idea, but I presumed in his kraal
where I had left him. The _Induna_ explained that he was _not_ in his
kraal; that he had gone away leaving one Lousta and his own head wife
Monazi to administer the chieftainship for a while, because, as he
stated, he wished to make a journey.

I yawned as if weary of the subject of this chief, and indeed of the
whole business. Then the _Induna_ said that I must come to the King and
repeat to him all the words that I had spoken. I replied that I could
not possibly do so as, having finished my trading, I had arranged to go
north to shoot elephants. He answered that elephants lived a long while
and would not die while I was visiting the King.

Then followed an argument which grew heated and ended in his declaring
that to the King I must come, even if he had to take me there by force.