After eating I slept for a time as it is always my fashion to do when I
have nothing else on hand, since who knows for how long he may be kept
awake at night? Indeed, it was not until the sun had begun to sink
that a messenger came, saying that the Chief desired to see me if I had
rested. So I went to his big hut which stood alone with a strong fence
set round it at a distance, so that none could come within hearing of
what was said, even at the door of the hut. I observed also that a man
armed with an axe kept guard at the gateway in this fence round which he
walked from time to time.

The Chief Umslopogaas was seated on a stool by the door of his hut with
his rhinoceros-horn-handled axe which was fastened to his right wrist
by a thong, leaning against his thigh, and a wolfskin hanging from his
broad shoulders. Very grim and fierce he looked thus, with the red light
of the sunset playing on him. He greeted me and pointed to another stool
on which I sat myself down. Apparently he had been watching my eyes, for
he said,

"I see that like other creatures which move at night, such as leopards
and hyenas, you take note of all, O Watcher-by-Night, even of the
soldier who guards this place and of where the fence is set and of how
its gate is fashioned."

"Had I not done so I should have been dead long ago, O Chief."

"Yes, and because it is not my nature to do so as I should, perchance
I shall soon be dead. It is not enough to be fierce and foremost in the
battle, Macumazahn. He who would sleep safe and of whom, when he dies,
folk will say 'He has eaten' (i.e., he has lived out his life), must do
more than this. He must guard his tongue and even his thoughts! he must