anything, save a glorious death--in your company, I think, Macumazahn."
(Here he studied the bones again for a while.) "Yes, I am sure, in your
company, though not upon this journey."

"I have heard of him," I answered cautiously. "It is said in the land
that he is a son of Chaka, the great king of the Zulus."

"Is it, Macumazahn? And is it said also that he was the slayer of
Chaka's brother, Dingaan, also the lover of the fairest woman that the
Zulus have ever seen, who was called Nada the Lily? Unless indeed a
certain Mameena, who, I seem to remember, was a friend of yours, may
have been even more beautiful?"

"I know nothing of Nada the Lily," I answered.

"No, no, Mameena, 'the Waiting Wind,' has blown over her fame, so
why should you know of one who has been dead a long while? Why also,
Macumazahn, do you always bring women into every business? I begin to
believe that although you are so strict in a white man's fashion, you
must be too fond of them, a weakness which makes for ruin to any man.
Well, now, I think that this wolf-man, this axe-man, this warrior,
Umslopogaas should be a good fellow to you on your journey to visit the
white witch, Queen--another woman by the way, Macumazahn, and
therefore one of whom you should be careful. Oh! yes, he will come with
you--because of a man called Lousta and a woman named Monazi, a wife of
his who hates him and does--not hate Lousta. I am almost sure that he
will come with you, so do not stop to ask questions about him."

"Is there anyone else?" I inquired.