After this speech I marched off, followed by the clamour of Masapo's
furious attendants and the sound of Mameena's light and mocking
laughter.
"I wonder which of them she will marry?" I thought to myself, as I set
out for the wagons.
As I approached my camp I saw that the oxen were being inspanned, as I
supposed by the order of Scowl, who must have heard that there was a row
up at the kraal, and thought it well to be ready to bolt. In this I was
mistaken, however, for just then Saduko strolled out of a patch of bush
and said: "I ordered your boys to yoke up the oxen, Inkoosi."
"Have you? That's cool!" I answered. "Perhaps you will tell me why."
"Because we must make a good trek to the northward before night,
Inkoosi."
"Indeed! I thought that I was heading south-east."
"Bangu does not live in the south or the east," he replied slowly.
"Oh, I had almost forgotten about Bangu," I said, with a rather feeble
attempt at evasion.
"Is it so?" he answered in his haughty voice. "I never knew before that
Macumazahn was a man who broke a promise to his friend."
"Would you be so kind as to explain your meaning, Saduko?"
"Is it needful?" he answered, shrugging his shoulders. "Unless my ears
played me tricks, you agreed to go up with me against Bangu. Well, I
have gathered the necessary men--with the king's leave--they await us
yonder," and he pointed with his spear towards a dense patch of bush
that lay some miles beneath us. "But," he added, "if you desire to
change your mind I will go alone. Only then, I think, we had better bid
each other good-bye, since I love not friends who change their minds
when the assegais begin to shake."
Now, whether Saduko spoke thus by design I do not know. Certainly,
however, he could have found no better way to ensure my companionship
for what it was worth, since, although I had made no actual promise in
this case, I have always prided myself on keeping even a half-bargain
with a native.
"I will go with you," I said quietly, "and I hope that, when it comes to
the pinch, your spear will be as sharp as your tongue, Saduko. Only do
not speak to me again like that, lest we should quarrel."
As I said this I saw a look of relief appear on his face, of very great
relief.
"I pray your pardon, my lord Macumazahn," he said, seizing my hand,
"but, oh! there is a hole in my heart. I think that Mameena means to
play me false, and now that has happened with yonder dog, Masapo, which
will make her father hate me."