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into the cleft。



This was the end of Dingaan; my fatherDingaan; who had the fierce

heart of Chaka without its greatness。







CHAPTER XXXVI



MOPO ENDS HIS TALE



That is the tale of Nada the Lily; my father; and of how we avenged

her。 A sad taleyes; a sad tale; but all was sad in those days。 It

was otherwise afterwards; when Panda reigned; for Panda was a man of

peace。



There is little more to tell。 I left the land where I could stay no

longer who had brought about the deaths of two kings; and came here to

Natal to live near where the kraal Duguza once had stood。



The bones of Dingaan as they lay in the cleft were the last things my

eyes beheld; for after that I became blind; and saw the sun no more;

nor any lightwhy I do not know; perhaps from too much weeping; my

father。 So I changed my name; lest a spear might reach the heart that

had planned the death of two kings and a princeChaka; Dingaan; and

Umhlangana of the blood royal。 Silently and by night Umslopogaas; my

fosterling; led me across the border; and brought me here to Stanger;

and here as an old witch…doctor I have lived for many; many years。 I

am rich。 Umslopogaas craved back from Panda the cattle of which

Dingaan had robbed me; and drove them hither。 But none were here who

had lived in the kraal Duguza; none knew; in Zweete the blind old

witch…doctor; that Mopo who stabbed Chaka; the Lion of the Zulu。 None

know it now。 You have heard the tale; and you alone; my father。 Do not

tell it again till I am dead。



Umslopogaas? Yes; he went back to the People of the Axe and ruled

them; but they were never so strong again as they had been before they

smote the Halakazi in their caves; and Dingaan ate them up。 Panda let

him be and liked him well; for Panda did not know that the Slaughterer

was son to Chaka his brother; and Umslopogaas let that dog lie; for

when Nada died he lost his desire to be great。 Yet he became captain

of the Nkomabakosi regiment; and fought in many battles; doing mighty

deeds; and stood by Umbulazi; son of Panda; in the great fray on the

Tugela; when Cetywayo slew his brother Umbulazi。



After that also he plotted against Cetywayo; whom he hated; and had it

not been for a certain white man; a hunter named Macumazahn;

Umslopogaas would have been killed。 But the white man saved him by his

wit。 Yes; and at times he came to visit me; for he still loved me as

of old; but now he has fled north; and I shall hear his voice no more。

Nay; I do not know all the tale; there was a woman in it。 Women were

ever the bane of Umslopogaas; my fostering。 I forget the story of that

woman; for I remember only these things that happened long ago; before

I grew very old。



Look on this right hand of mine; my father! I cannot see it now; and

yet I; Mopo; son of Makedama; seem to see it as once I saw; red with

the blood of two kings。 Look on



Suddenly the old man ceased; his head fell forward upon his withered

breast。 When the White Man to whom he told this story lifted it and

looked at him; he was dead!











End 

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