me that hint a couple of years ago, I made up my mind to come with you."

"Don't talk stuff to me," I said.

"Ah, very well, Macumazahn, very well; but what happened to my own
people six months ago, and what did I tell the messengers would happen?
They drove me away, and they are gone. If you drive me away you will
soon be gone too," and he nodded his white lock at me and smiled. Now
I was not more superstitious than other people, but somehow old
Indaba-zimbi impressed me. Also I knew his extraordinary influence over
every class of native, and bethought me that he might be useful in that
way.

"All right," I said: "I appoint you witch-finder to the expedition
without pay."

"First serve, then ask for wages," he answered. "I am glad to see that
you have enough imagination not to be altogether a fool, like most white
men, Macumazahn. Yes, yes, it is want of imagination that makes
people fools; they won't believe what they can't understand. You can't
understand my prophecies any more than the fool at the kraal could
understand that I was his master with the lightning. Well, it is time to
trek, but if I were you, Macumazahn, I should take one waggon, not two."

"Why?" I said.

"Because you will lose your waggons, and it is better to lose one than
two."

"Oh, nonsense!" I said.