"The Great Medicine of the Opener-of-Roads has worked well," was all he
said.

"The great medicine of the Opener-of-Heads has worked better," remarked
Umslopogaas with a little laugh and pointing to his red axe.
"Never before since she came into my keeping has _Inkosikaas_ (i.e.
'Chieftainess,' for so was this famous weapon named) sunk so low as to
drink the blood of beasts. Still, the stroke was a good one so she need
not be ashamed. But, Yellow Man, how comes it that you who, I have been
told, are cunning, watch your master so ill?"

"I was asleep," stuttered Hans indignantly.

"Those who serve should never sleep," replied Umslopogaas sternly. Then
he turned and whistled, and behold! out of the long grass that grew at a
little distance, emerged twelve great men, all of them bearing axes and
wearing cloaks of hyena skins, who saluted me by raising their axes.

"Set a watch and skin me this beast by dawn. It will make us a mat,"
said Umslopogaas, whereon again they saluted silently and melted away.

"Who are these?" I asked.

"A few picked warriors whom I brought with me, Macumazahn. There were
one or two more, but they got lost on the way."

Then we went to the waggon and spoke no more that night.