"  That  is  so,  O  King.  Therefore  my  counsel  is  that  you
begin  the  journey  as  soon  as  possible,  especially  as  I  seem
to  hear  the  baying  of  the  white  dogs  not  far  away."

"  By  Chaka's  head !  I  will  not,"  growled  Cetewayo,
"  who  thought  to  sleep  here  in  peace  this  night."

"  As  the  King  wills.  All  that  I  have  is  the  King's.  Only
then  One-hand  will  not  be  waiting  and  some  other  place  of
hiding  must  be  found,  since  this  is  known  to  me  only  and
to  her  ;  also  that  Spirit  which  I  sent  will  make  no  second
journey,  nor  can  I  travel  to  show  it  to  the  King."

"  Yes,  Wizard,  it  is  known  to  you  and  to  myself.  Me-
thinks  it  would  be  better  were  it  known  to  me  alone.  I
have  a  spoonful  of  snuff  to  share  (i.e.  a  bone  to  pick)  with
you,  Wizard.  It  would  seem  that  you  set  my  feet  and
those  of  the  Zulu  people  upon  a  false  road,  yonder  in  the
Vale  of  Bones,  causing  me  to  declare  war  upon  the  white
Queen  and  thereby  bringing  us  all  to  ruin."

"  Mayhap  my  memory  grows  bad,  O  King,  for  I  do  not
remember  that  I  did  these  things.  I  remember  that  the
spirit  of  a  certain  Mameena  whom  I  called  up  from  the
dead,  prophesied  victory  to  the  King,  which  victory  has
been  his.     Also  it  prophesied  other  victories  to  the  King


294  FINISHED

in  a  far  land  across  the  water,  which  victories  doubtless
shall  be  his  in  due  season  ;  for  myself  I  gave  no  counsel  to
the  King  or  to  his  indunas  and  generals."

"  You  lie,  Wizard,"  exclaimed  Cetewayo  hoarsely.
