That night, while the Mazitu feasted in our honour, we held an _indaba_
in the big new guest house with Bausi II, a pleasant-faced young
man, and old Babemba. The king asked us how long we meant to stay at
Beza-Town, intimating his hope that the visit would be prolonged. I
replied, but a few days, as we were travelling far to the north to find
a people called the Kendah whom we wished to see, and hoped that he
would give us bearers to carry our goods as far as the confines of their
country. At the name of Kendah a look of astonishment appeared upon
their faces and Babemba said:

"Has madness seized you, Macumazana, that you would attempt this thing?
Oh surely you must be mad."

"You thought us mad, Babemba, when we crossed the lake to Rica Town, yet
we came back safely."

"True, Macumazana, but compared to the Kendah the Pongo were but as the
smallest star before the face of the sun."

"What do you know of them then?" I asked. "But stay--before you answer,
I will speak what I know," and I repeated what I had learned from Hans,
who confirmed my words, and from Harût and Marût, leaving out, however,
any mention of their dealings with Lady Ragnall.

"It is all true," said Babemba when I had finished, "for that old woman
of whom Light-in-the-Darkness speaks, was one of the wives of my uncle
and I knew her well. Hearken! These Kendah are a terrible nation and
countless in number and of all the people the fiercest. Their king is
called Simba, which means Lion. He who rules is always called Simba,