"Thank you," I answered, "but you said something about fighting. If
there is to be anything of the sort, let us get it over. If you want to
fight, I am quite ready," and I tapped the rifle which I carried.

The grim Chief broke into a laugh and said,

"Listen. By an ancient law any man on this day in each year may fight me
for this Chieftainship, as I fought and conquered him who held it before
me, and take it from me with my life and the axe, though of late none
seems to like the business. But that law was made before there were
guns, or men like Macumazahn who, it is said, can hit a lizard on a wall
at fifty paces. Therefore I tell you that if you wish to fight me with a
rifle, O Macumazahn, I give in and you may have the chieftainship," and
he laughed again in his fierce fashion.

"I think it is too hot for fighting either with guns or axes, and
Chieftainships are honey that is full of stinging bees," I answered.

Then I took my seat on a stool that had been brought for me and placed
by the side of Umslopogaas, after which the ceremony went on.

The heralds cried out the challenge to all and sundry to come and fight
the Holder of the Axe for the chieftainship of the Axe without the
slightest result, since nobody seemed to desire to do anything of the
sort. Then, after a pause, Umslopogaas rose, swinging his formidable
weapon round his head and declared that by right of conquest he was
Chief of the Tribe for the ensuing year, an announcement that everybody
accepted without surprise.

Again the heralds summoned all and sundry who had grievances, to come