 Chapter 30 of Narda the Lily by H. Ryder Haggard This Librivox recording is in the public domain, the coming of Narda. One night it was a night of full moon, I sat alone with unslopper-guards in my hut, and we spoke of the matter of our plots. Then when we had finished that talk, we spoke of Narda the Lily. Alas, my uncle, said unslopper-guards sadly, we shall never look more on Narda. She is surely dead or in bonds, otherwise she had been here long ago. I have sought far and wide, and can hear no tidings, and find nothing. All that is hidden is not lost, I answered, yet I myself believed there was an end of Narda. Then we were silent a while, and presently in the silence a dog barked. We rose and crept out of the hut to see what it might be that stirred. For the night drew on, and it was needful to be wary, since a dog might bark at the stirring of a leaf, or perhaps it might be the distant footfall of an impi that it heard. We had not far to look, but standing, gazing at the huts, like one who is afraid to call, was a tall, slim man, holding an asagai in one hand, and a little shield in the other. We could not see the face of the man, because the light was behind him, and a ragged blanket hung about his shoulders. Also, he was footsaw, for he rested on one leg. Now we were peering round the hut, and its shadow hid us, so that the man saw nothing. For a while he stood still, then he spoke to himself, and his voice was strangely soft. Here are many huts, said the voice. How may I know which is the house of my brother? Perhaps if I call, I shall bring soldiers to me, and be forced to play the man before them. And I am weary of that. For a while I will lie here under the fence till morning. It is a softer bed than some I have found, and I am worn out with travel. Sleep I must! And the figure sighed and turned, so that the light of the moon fell full upon its face. My father, it was the face of Nader, my daughter, whom I had not seen for so many years. Yet across the years I knew it at once. Yes, though the bud had become a flower, I knew it. The face was weary and worn, but, ah, it was beautiful. Never before nor since have I seen such beauty. For there was this about the loveliness of my daughter, the lily. It seemed to flow from within. Yes, as light will flow through the thin rind of a gourd, and in that she differed from the other women of our people, who, when they are fair, are fair with the flesh alone. Now my heart went out to Nader as she stood in the moonlight, one forsaken, not having where to lay her head. Nader, who alone was left alive of all my children, I motioned to have slupe a gas to hide himself in the shadow, and stepped forward. Oh! I said roughly, who are you, wanderer, and what do you hear? Now Nader started like a frightened bird, but quickly gathered up her thoughts, and turned upon me in a lordly way. Who are you that ask me, she said, feigning a man's voice. One who can use a stick upon thieves and night-browlers, boy, come, show your business, I'll be moving. You are not of this people, surely that moocher is of a swazimig, and here we do not love swazis. Were you not old, I would beat you for your insolence, said Nader, striving to look brave, and all the while searching a way to escape. Also, I have no stick, only a spear, and that is for warriors, not for an old unfaggouzan like you. Aye, my father, I live to hear my daughter name me an unfaggouzan, a loo fellow. Now, making pretence to be angry, I leaped at her with my carry-up, and forgetting her courage, she dropped her spear and uttered a little scream, but she still held the shield before her face. I seized her by the arm, and struck a blow-up on the shield with my caddy. It would scarcely have crushed a fly, but this brave warrior trembled sorely. Where now is your valour, you who name me an unfaggouzan? I said, you who cry like a maid, and whose arm is soft as a maid's. She made no answer, but hugged her tattered blankets round her, and shifting my grip from her arm. I seized it and rent it, showing her breast and shoulder. Then, laughing, I let her go, and said, Lo, here is the warrior that would beat an old unfaggouzan for his insolence, a warrior well-shaped for war. Now my pretty maid who wander at night in this garment of a man, what tale have you to tell? Swift with it, lest I drag you to the chief as his prize. The old man seeks a new wife, they tell me. Now, when Narda saw that I had discovered her, she threw down the shield after the spear as a thing that was of no more use, and hung her head sullenly. But when I spoke of dragging her to the chief, then she flung herself upon the ground, and clasped my knees. For since I called him old, she thought that this chief could not be unslopper-gas. Oh, my father, said the lily, Oh, my father, have pity on me. Yes, yes, I am a girl, a maid, no wife, and you who are old, you perchance have daughters such as I, and in their name I ask for pity. My father, I have journeyed far, I have endured many things to find my way to a kral where my brother rules, and now it seems that I have come to the wrong kral. Give me that I spoke to you so, my father. It was but a woman's faint, and I was hard-pressed to hide my sex. For, my father, you know it is ill to be a lonely girl amongst strange men. Now I said nothing in answer, for this reason only, that when I heard Narda call me father, not knowing me, and saw her clasp my knees, and pray to me in my daughter's name. My daughter, who was childless, saved for her, went nigh to weeping. But she thought that I did not answer because I was angry, and about to drag her to this unknown chief, and implored me the more, even with tears. My father, she said, do not this wicked thing by me. Let me go and show me the path that I shall ask. You who are old, you know that I am too fair to be dragged before this chief of yours. Hark, and all I knew are dead. I am alone except for this brother whom I seek. Oh, if you betray me, may such a fate fall upon your own daughter also. May she also know the day of slavery, and the love that she wills not. And she ceased sobbing. Now I turned my head, and spoke towards the hut. Chief, I said, your echelossa is kind to you tonight, for he has given you a maid, fair as the lily of the Halakazi. He and Narda glanced up wildly. Come then, and take the girl. Now Narda turned to snatch up the asagai from the ground. But whether to kill me or the chief, she feared so much. Or herself, I do not know. And as she turned in her woe, she called upon the name of Umslopagas. She found the asagai and straightened herself again, and lo, there before her stood a tall chief leaning on an axe. But the old man who threatened her was gone, not very far in truth, but round the corner of the hut. Now Narda the lily looked, then rubbed her eyes, and looked again. Surely I dream, she said at last. But now I spoke to an old man, and in his place there stands before me the shape of one whom I desire to see. I thought, maiden, that the voice of a certain Narda called upon one Umslopagas, said he who leaned upon the axe. Hi, I called, but where is the old man who treated me so scurvily? Nay, what does it matter? Where he is there, let him stop. At least you are Umslopagas, my brother, or should be by your greatness and the axe. To the man I cannot altogether swear in this light, but to the axe I can swear, for once it's past so very near my eyes. Thus she spoke on, gaining time, and all the while she watched Umslopagas, till she was sure that it was he and no other. Then she ceased talking, and flinging herself on him, she kissed him. Now I trust that Zinita's sleep sound, my madamslopagas, for suddenly he remembered that Narda was no sister of his, as she thought. Nevertheless he took her by the hand and said, Enter, sister, of all maidens in the world, you are the most welcome here, but no, I believed you dead. But I, Mopo, ran into the hut before her, and when she entered she found me sitting by the fire. Now here, my brother, said Narda, pointing at me with her finger. Here is that old Umslopagasan, that low fellow, who, unless I dream, but a very little while ago brought shame upon me. Aye, my brother, he struck me, a maid with his carry, and that only because I said that I would stab him for his insolence. And he did worse. He swore that he would drag me to some old chief of his, to be a gift to him, and this he was about to do, had you not come. Will you suffer these things to go unpunished, my brother? Now, Umslopagas, smiled grimly, and I answered, What was it that you called me just now, Narda, when you prayed me to protect you? Father was it not? And I turned my face towards the blaze of the fire, so that the full light fell upon it. Yes, I call you father, old man, it is not strange, for a homeless wanderer must find fathers where she can, and yet, no, it cannot be, so changed, and that white hand. And yet, oh, who are you? Once there was a man named Mopo, and he had a little daughter, and she was called Narda. Oh, my father, my father, I know you now. Aye, Narda, and I knew you from the first. Through all your man's wrappings, I knew you after these many years. So the lily fell upon my neck and sobbed there, and I remember that I also wept. Now, when she had sobbed her fill of joy, Omslopagas brought Narda the lily massed to eat and mealy porridge. She ate the curdled milk, but the porridge she would not eat, saying that she was too weary. Then she told us all the tale of her wanderings, since she had fled away from the side of Omslopagas at the stronghold of the Halakazi, and it was long, so long, that I will not repeat it, for it is a story by itself. This I will say only, that Narda was captured by robbers, and for a while passed herself off among them as a youth, but in the end they found her out and would have given her as a wife to their chief. Then she persuaded them to kill the chief and make her their ruler. They did this because of that medicine of the eyes which Narda had only among women, for as she ruled the Halakazi, so she ruled the robbers. But at the last they all loved her, and she gave it out that she would wet the strongest. Then some of them fell to fighting, and while they killed each other, crit came about that Narda brought death upon the robbers as on all others. She escaped, for she said that she did not wish to look upon their struggle, but would await the upshot in a place apart. After that she had many further adventures, but at length she met an old woman who guided her on her way to the ghost mountain, and who this old woman was none could discover. But Galazi swore afterwards that she was the stone witch of the mountain, who put on the shape of an aged woman to guide Narda to unslopper gas, to be the sorrow and the joy of the people of the axe. I do not know, my father, yet it seems to me that the old witch would scarcely have put off her stone for so small a matter. Now when Narda had made an end of her tale, unslopper gas told his of how things had gone with Ding'an. When he told her how he had given the body of the girl to the king, saying that it was the lily's stalk, she said it had been well done, and when he spoke of the slaying of the traitor, she clapped her hands, though Narda, whose heart was gentle, did not love to hear of deeds of death. At last he finished, and she was somewhat sad, and said it seemed that her fate followed her, and that now the people of the axe were in danger at the hands of Ding'an because of her. Ah, my brother, she cried, taking unslopper gas by the hand. It were better I should die than that I should bring evil upon you also. That would not mend matters, Narda, he answered. But whether you be dead or alive, the hate of Ding'an is already earned. Also, Narda, know this, I am not your brother. When the lily heard these words, she uttered a little cry, and, letting fall the hand of unslopper gas, clasped mine, shrinking up against me. What is this tale, father? She asked. He, who was my twin, he, with whom I have been bred up, says that he has deceived me these many years, that he is not my brother. Who then is he, father? He is your cousin, Narda. Ah, she answered. I am glad it would have grieved me had he whom I loved been shown to be but a stranger in whom I have no part. And she smiled a little in the eyes and at the corners of her mouth. But tell me this tale also. So I told her the story at the birth of unslopper gas, for I trusted her. Ah, she said when I had finished. Ah, you come of a bad stock, unslopper gas, though it is a kingly one. I shall love you little henceforth, child of the hyena man. Then that is bad news, said unslopper gas. For no, Narda, I desire now that you should love me more than ever, that you should be my wife and love me as your husband. Now the lilies' face grew sad and sweet, and all the hidden mockery went out of her talk. Narda loved to mock. Did you not speak to me on that night in the Halakazi caves, unslopper gas, of one Zinniter, who is your wife, and in Kosikas of the people of the axe? Then the brow of unslopper gas darkened. What of Zinniter, he said, it is true that she is my chieftainess. It is not allowed a man to take more than one wife. So I trust, answered Narda, smiling, else men would go and wait for long, for few maids would marry them, who then must labour alone all their days. But unslopper gas, if there are twenty wives, yet one must be first. Now this has come about hitherto, that wherever I have been, it has been thrust upon me to be first, and perhaps it might be thus once more. What then, unslopper gas? Let the fruit ripen before you pluck it, Narda. He answered, if you love me and will wed me, it is enough. I pray that it may not be more than enough, she said, stretching out her hand to him. Listen, unslopper gas, ask my father here, what were the words I spoke to him many years ago, before I was a woman, when, with my mother Macrofa, I left him to go among the Swazi people. It was after you had been born away by the lion, unslopper gas. I told my father that I would marry no man all my life, because I loved only you, who were dead. My father reproached me, saying that I must not speak less of my brother. But it was my heart which spoke, and it spoke truly, for see, unslopper gas, you are no brother to me. I have kept that vow, how many men have sought me in wedlock since I became a woman unslopper gas. I tell you, that they are as the leaves upon a tree. Yet I have given myself to none, and this has been my fortune, that none have sought to constrain me to marriage. Now I have my reward, for he whom I lost is found again, and to him alone I give my love. Yet some slopper gas, beware, little luck has come to those who have loved me in the past. No, not even to those who have but sought to look on me. I will bear the risk, Nader, the slaughterer, answered, and gathering her to his great breast he kissed her. Presently she slipped from his arms, and bade him be gone, for she was weary and would rest. So he went. End of chapter 30 Chapter 31 of Nader the Lily by H. Ryder Haggard. This Librivox recording is in the public domain. The War of the Women Now on the morrow at Daybreak, leaving his wolves, Galazi came down from the ghost mountain and passed through the gates of the Kral. In front of my hut he saw Nader the Lily and saluted her, for each remembered the other. Then he walked on to the place of assembly and spoke to me. So the star of death has risen on the people of the Axe-Mopo, he said. Was it because of her coming that my grey people howled so strangely last night? I cannot tell, but I know this, the star shone first on me this morning, and that is my doom. Well, she is fair enough to be the doom of many Mopo. Then he laughed and passed on, swinging the watcher. But his words troubled me, though they were foolish. For I could not but remember that wherever the beauty of Nader had pleased the sight of men, their men had been given to death. Then I went to lead Nader to the place of assembly and found her awaiting me. She was dressed now in some women's garments that I had brought her. Her curling hair fell upon her shoulders, on her wrists and neck and knee were bracelets of ivory, and in her hand she bore a lily-bloom which she had gathered as she went to bathe in the river. Perhaps she did this, my father, because she wished here as elsewhere to be known as the lily, and it is the Zulu fashion to name people from such trifle. But who can know a woman's reason, or whether a thing is by chance alone, my father? Also she had begged of me a cape I had. It was cunningly made by basultus of the whitest feathers of the ostrich. This she put about her shoulders, and it hung down to her middle. It had been accustomed with Nader from childhood not to go about as do other girls, naked except for their girdles, for she would always find some rag or skin to lie upon her breast. Perhaps it was because her skin was fairer than that of other women, or perhaps because she knew that she who hides her beauty often seems the loveliest, or because there was truth in the tale of her white blood, and the fashion came to her with the blood. I do not know, my father, at least she did so. Now I took Nader by the hand and led her through the morning air to the place of assembly, and ah, she was sweeter than the air, and fairer than the dawn. There were many people in the place of assembly, for it was the day of the monthly meeting of the council of the headmen, and there also were the women of the kral, and at their head stood Zinita. Now it had got about that the girl whom the slaughterer went to seek in the caves of the Halakazi had come to the kral of the people of the axe, and all eyes watched for her. Wow! said the man as she passed, smiling, looking neither to the right nor to the left, yet seeing all. Wow! but this flower is fair, little wonder that the Halakazi died for her. The women looked also, but they said nothing of the beauty of Nader, they scarcely seemed to see it. That is she for whose sake so many of our people lie unburied, said one. Where then does she find her fine clothes? Quoth another. She who came here last night a foot saw a wanderer. Feathers are not enough for her. Duke, she must bear flowers also. Surely they are fitter to her hands than the handle of a hole, said a third. Now I think that the chief of the people of the axe will find one to worship above the axe, and that some will be left mourning, but in a forth glancing at Zinnita and the other women of the household of the slaughterer. Thus they spoke, throwing words like asagais, and Nader heard them all and knew their meaning, but she never ceased from smiling. Only Zinnita said nothing, but stood looking at Nader from beneath her bent brows, while by one hand she held the little daughter of Umsluppegas, her child, and with the other played with the beads about her neck. Presently we passed her, and Nader, knowing well who this must be, turned her eyes full upon the angry eyes of Zinnita, and held them there awhile. Now what there was in the glance of Nader, I cannot say, but I know that Zinnita, who was afraid of few things, found something to fear in it. At the least it was she who turned her head away, and the lily passed on, smiling, and greeted Umsluppegas with a little nod. Hail Nader, said the slaughterer. Then he turned to his headmen and spoke. This is she whom we went to the caves of the Halakazi to seek for Dingan. Oh, the story is known now. One told it up at the Kral Umgugunglovu, who shall tell it no more. She prayed me to save her from Dingan, and so I did, and all would have gone well had it not been for a certain traitor who is done with, for I took another to Dingan. Look on her now, my friends, and say if I did not well to win her. The lily flower, such as there is no other in the world, to be the joy of the people of the axe and a wife to me. With one accord the headmen answered, Indeed you did well, slaughterer, for the glamour of Nader was upon them, and they would cherish her as others had cherished her. Only Galazi the wolf shook his head, but he said nothing, for words do not avail against fate. Now, as I found afterwards, since Zinnita, the headwife of Umslopegas, had learned of what stock he was, she had known that Nader was no sister to him. Yet when she heard him declare that he was about to take the lily to wife, she turned upon him saying, How can this be, Lord? Why do you ask, Zinnita? he answered. Is it not allowed to a man to take another wife, if he will? Surely, Lord, she said, But men do not wed their sisters, and I have heard that it was because this Nader was your sister that you saved her from Dingan and brought the wrath of Dingan upon the people of the axe. The wrath that shall destroy them. So I thought then, Zinnita, he answered, Now I know otherwise. Nader is daughter to Mopo Yonder indeed, but he is no father to me, though he has been named so. Nor was the mother of Nader my mother. That is so counsellor's. Then Zinnita looked at me and muttered, Oh, fool of a mouth! Not for nothing did I fear evil at your hands. I heard the words and took no note, and she spoke again to Amslopaga saying, Here is a mystery, O Lord Bolaliu. Will it then please you to declare to us who is your father? I have no father, he answered, Waxing Roth. The heavens above are my father. I am born of blood and fire, and she, the lily, is born of beauty to be my mate. Now, woman, be silent. He thought a while and added, Nay, if you will know, my father was Indemazimbi, the witch-finder, the smeller out of the king, the son of Arpi. This, Amslopaga said at a hazard, Since, having denied me, he must declare a father, and dared not name the black one who was gone. But in after years, the saying was taken up in the land, and it was told that Amslopaga was the son of Indemazimbi, the witch-finder, who had long ago fled the land. Nor did he deny it, for when all this game had been played out, he would not have it known that he was the son of Shaka, he who no longer sought to be a king, lest he should bring down the wrath of Panda upon him. When the people heard this, they thought that Amslopaga smoked Zinita, and yet in his anger he spoke truth when he said first that he was born of the heavens above, for so we Zulu's name the king, and so the witch-doctor, Indemazimbi named Shaka on the day of the great smelling out. But they did not take it in this sense. They held that he spoke truly when he gave it out that he was born of Indemazimbi, the witch-doctor who had fled the land, with her I do not know. Then Nada turned to Zinita and spoke to her in a sweet and gentle voice. If I am not sister to Bulaliu, yet I shall soon be sister to you, who are the chiefs in Kosikas, Zinita. Shall that not satisfy you, and will you not greet me kindly, and with a kiss of peace, who have come from far to be your sister Zinita? And Nada held out her hands to order, though ever she did this from the heart, or because she would put herself in the right before the people, I do not know. But Zinita scowled and jerked at her necklace of beads, breaking the string on which they were threaded so that the beads rolled upon the black earthen floor this way and that. Keep your kisses for our lord girl, Zinita said roughly, as my beads are scattered, so shall you scatter this people of the axe. Now Nada turned away with a little sigh, and the people murmured, for they thought that Zinita had treated her badly. Then she stretched out her hand again, and gave the lily in it to Umsloppagas, saying, Here is a token of our betrothal lord, but never a head of cattle have my father and I to send. We who are outcasts, and indeed the bridegroom must pay the cattle. They bring you peace and love, my lord. Umsloppagas took the flower and looked somewhat foolish with it, he who was wont to carry the axe and not a flower, and so that talk was ended. Now as it chanced, this was that day of the year when, according to ancient custom, the holder of the axe must challenge all and sundry to come up against him to fight in single combat for grownmaker and the chieftainship of the people. Therefore, when the talk was done, Umsloppagas rose and went through the challenge, not thinking that any would answer him, since for some years none had dared to stand before his might. Yet three men stepped forward, and of these two were captains and men whom the slaughterer loved. With all the people he looked at them astonished. How is this? he said in a low voice to that captain who was nearest and who would do battle with him. For answer the man pointed to the lily who stood by. Then Umsloppagas understood that because of the medicine of Narda's beauty all men desired to win her and since he who could win the axe would take her also he must look to fight with many. Well, fight he must or be shamed. Of the fray there is little to tell my father, Umsloppagas killed first one man and then the other quickly for growing fearful the third did not come up against him. Ah said Galasi who watched what did I tell you Mopo the curse begins to work death walks ever with that daughter of yours old man I fear so I answered and yet the maid is fair and good and sweet that will not mend matters said Galasi Now on that day Umsloppagas took Narda the lily to wife and for a while there was peace and quiet but this evil thing came upon Umsloppagas that from the day when he wedded Narda he hated even to look upon Zinnita and not at her alone but on all his other wives also Galasi said it was because I had rewitched him but I know well that the only witcher is she used with a medicine of her eyes her beauty and her love still it came to pass that dense forward and until she had long been dead the slaughterer loved her and her alone and that is a strange sickness to come upon a man as maybe guessed my father Zinnita and the other women took this ill they waited a while indeed thinking that it would wear away then they began to murmur both to their husband and in the ears of other people till at length there were two parties in the town the party of Zinnita and the party of Narda the party of Zinnita was made up of women and of certain men who loved and feared their wives but that of Narda was the greatest and it was all of men with omsloppa gas at the head of them and from this division came much bitterness abroad and quarrelling in the huts yet neither the lily nor omsloppa gas heeded it greatly nor indeed anything so lost well content were they in each other's love now on a certain morning after they had been married three full moons Narda came from her husband's hut when the sun was already high and went down through the rock gully to the river to bathe on the right of the path to the river lay the mealy fields of the chief and in them laboured Zinnita and the other women of omsloppa gas weeding the mealy plants they looked up and saw Narda pass then worked on sullenly after a while they saw her come again fresh from the bath very fair to see and having flowers twined among her hair and as she walked she sang a song of love now Zinnita cast down her hoe is this to be borne my sisters? she said no, answered another it is not to be borne what shall we do? shall we fall upon her and kill her now? it would be more just to kill Buolalio our lord answered Zinnita Narda is but a woman and after the fashion of us women takes all that she can gather but he is a man and a chief and should know wisdom and justice she has bewitched him with her beauty let us kill her, said the other women nay, answered Zinnita I will speak with her and she went and stood in the path along which the lily walked singing her arms folded across her breast now Narda saw her and ceasing her song stretched out her hand to welcome her saying greeting sister but Zinnita did not take it it is not fitting sister she said that my hand stained with toil should defile yours fresh with the scent of flowers but I am charged with a message on my own behalf and the behalf of the other wives of our lord Buolalio the weeds grow thick in yonder corn and we women are few now that your love days are over will you not come and help us if you brought no hope from your Swazi home surely we will buy you one now Narda saw what was meant and the blood poured to her head yet she answered calmly I would willingly do this my sister though I have never laboured in the fields for wherever I have dwelt the men have kept me back from all work save such as the weaving of flowers or the stringing of beads but there is this against it from sloppigas my husband charged me that I should not toil with my hands and I may not disobey my husband our husband charged you so Narda nay then it is strange see now I am his head wife he's in Kosikas it was I who taught him how to win the axe yet he has laid no command on me that I should not labour in his fields after the fashion of women I who have borne him children nor indeed has he laid such a command upon any of our sisters his other wives can it then be that Bulla Leo loves you better than us Narda now the lily was in a trap and she knew it so she grew bold one must be most loved Zinniter she said as one must be most fair you have had your hour leave me mine perhaps it will be short moreover this I'm sloppigas and I loved each other much long years before you or any of his wives saw him and we love each other to the end there is no more to say nay Narda there is still something to say there is this to say you choose one of two things go and leave us to be happy with our lord or stay and bring death on all now Narda thought a while and answered did I believe that my love would bring death on him I love it might well chance that I would go and leave him though to do so would be to die but Zinniter I do not believe it death chiefly loves the weak if he falls it will be on the flower not on the slayer of men and she slipped past Zinniter and went on singing no more Zinniter watched her till she was over the ridge and her face grew evil as she watched then she returned to the women the lily flouts us all my sisters she said now listen my council is that we declare a feast of women to be held at the new moon in a secret place far away all the women and the children shall come to it except Narda who will not leave her lover and if there be any man whom a woman loves perhaps my sisters that man would do well to go on a journey about the time of the new moon but evil things may happen at the town of the people of the axe while we are away celebrating our feast what then shall be for my sister asked one nay how can I tell she answered I only know that we are minded to be rid of Narda and thus to be avenged on a man who has scorned our love I and on those men who follow after the beauty of Narda is it not so my sisters it is so they answered then be silent on the matter and let us give out our feast now Narda told I'm sloppigasse of those words which she had banded with Zenita and the slaughterer was troubled yet because of his foolishness and the medicine of Narda's eyes he would not turn from his way and was ever at her side thinking of little else except of her thus when Zenita came to him and asked leave to declare a feast of women that should be held far away he consented and gladly for above all things he desired to be free from Zenita and her angry looks for a while nor did he suspect a plot only he told her that Narda should not go to the feast and in a breath both Zenita and Narda answered that his word was their will and indeed it was in this matter now I Mopo saw the glamour that had fallen upon I'm sloppigasse my fosterling and spoke of it with Galazi saying that a means must be found to wake him then I took Galazi fully into my mind and told him all that he did not know of I'm sloppigasse and that was little also I told him of my plans to bring the slaughterer to the throne and of what I had done to that end and of what I proposed to do and this was to go in person on a journey to certain of the great chiefs and win them over Galazi listened and said that it was well or ill as the chance might be for his part he believed that the daughter would pull down faster than I the father could build up and he pointed to Narda who walked past us following I'm sloppigasse yet I determined to go and that was on the day before Zenita won leave to celebrate the feast of women so I saw some sloppigasse and told him and he listened indifferently for he would be going after Narda and worried of my talk of policy I bade him farewell and left him to Narda also I bade farewell she kissed me yet the name of her husband was mingled with her goodbye now madness has come upon these two I said to myself well it will wear off they will be changed before I come again I guess little my father how changed they would be End of Chapter 31 Chapter 32 of Narda the Lily by H. Ryder Haggard This Librivox recording is in the public domain Zenita comes to the king Dingan the king sat upon a day in the Kral Ungugungluvu waiting till his impish should return from the Income that is now named the Blood River he had sent them thither to destroy the Lager of the Boars and thence as he thought they would presently return with victory idly he sat in the Kral watching the vultures wheel above the hill of Slaughter and round him stood a regiment my birds are hungry he said to a counselor doubtless there shall soon be me to feed them oh king the counselor answered as he spoke one came near saying that a woman sought to leave to the king upon some great matter let her come he answered I am sick for tidings perhaps she can tell of the impi presently the woman was led in she was tall and fair and she held two children by the hand what is thine errand asked Dingan justice oh king she answered ask for blood it shall be easier to find I ask blood oh king the blood of whom the blood of Balaleo the slaughterer chief of the people of the axe the blood of Narda the lily and of all those who cling to her now Dingan sprang up and swore an oath by the head of the black one who was gone what he cried does the lily then live as the soldier thought she lives oh king she is wife to the slaughterer and because of her witchcraft he has put me his first wife away against all law and honour therefore I ask vengeance on the witch and vengeance also on him who was my husband thou art a good wife said the king may my watching spirit save me from such a one Harkon I would gladly grant thy desire for I too hate this slaughterer and I too would crush this lily yet woman thou comest in a bad hour here I have but one regiment and I think that the slaughterer may take some killing wait till my impi's return from wiping out the white amabuna and it shall be as thou dost desire who's are those children they are my children and the children of Balaleo who was my husband the children of him whom thou would cause to be slain yay king surely woman thou art as good a mother as wife said Ding An now I have spoken be gone but the heart of Zinniter was hungry for vengeance vengeance swift and terrible on the lily who lay in her place and on her husband who had thrust her aside for the lily's sake she did not desire to wait no, not even for an hour Harkon oh king she cried the tale is not yet all told this man Balaleo plots against thy throne with Mopo son of Makedama who was thy counsellor he plots against my throne woman the lizard plots against the cliff on which it sons itself then let him plot and as for Mopo I will catch him yet yes oh king but that is not all the tale this man has another name he is named Umslopagas son of Mopo but he is no son of Mopo he is son to the black one who is dead the mighty king who was thy brother by Baleca sister to Mopo yes I know it from the lips of Mopo I know all the tale he is heir to thy throne by blood oh king and thou sittest in his place for a little while Ding'an sat astounded then he commanded Zinniter to draw near and tell him that tale now behind the stool on which he sat stood two counsellors only nobles whom Ding'an loved and these alone had heard the last words of Zinniter he bade these nobles stand in front of him out of earshot and away from every other man then Zinniter drew near and told Ding'an the tale of the birth of Umslopagas and all that followed and by many a token and many a deed of Shakas which he remembered Ding'an the king knew that it was a true story when at length she had done he summoned the captain of the regiments that stood around he was a great man named Faku and he also summoned certain men who do the king's bidding to the captain of the impi he spoke sharply saying take three companies and guides and come by night to the town of the people of the axe that is by Ghost Mountain and burn it and slay all the wizards who sleep therein most of all slay the chief of the people who is named Bulali or the slaughterer or Umslopagas kill him by torture if you may but kill him and bring his head to me take that wife of his who is known as Narda the Lily alive if you can and bring her to me for I would cause her to be slain here bring the cattle also now go and go swiftly this hour if you return having failed in one jot of my command he die every one of you he die and slowly be gone the captain saluted and running to his regiment issued a command three full companies leapt forward at his word and ran after him through the gates of the Kral Ungugungluvu heading for the Ghost Mountain then Dingan called to those who do the king's bidding and pointing to the two nobles his counsellors who had heard the words of Zinniter commanded that they should be killed the nobles heard and having saluted the king covered their faces knowing that they must die because they had learned too much so they were killed now it was one of these counsellors who had said that doubtless meats would soon be found to feed the king's birds then the king commanded those who do his bidding that they should take the children of Zinniter and make away with them but when Zinniter heard this she cried aloud for she loved her children then Dingan mocked her what he said aren't thou a fool as well as wicked thou sayest that thy husband whom thou hast given to death is born of one who is dead and his heir to my throne thou sayest also that these children are born of him therefore when he is dead they will be heirs to my throne am I then mad that I should suffer them to live woman thou hast fallen into thine own trap take them away now Zinniter tasted of the cup which she had brewed for other lips and grew distraught in her misery and wrung her hands crying that she repented of the evil and would warn of sloppigas and the lily of that which awaited them and she turned to run towards the gates but the king laughed and nodded and they brought her back and presently she was dead also thus then my father prospered the wickedness of Zinniter the head wife of unsloppigas my fosterling now these were the last slayings that were wrought at the Kral Ungugungluvu but just as Ding'an had made an end of them and once more grew weary he lifted his eyes and saw the hillsides black with men who by their dress were of his own impi men whom he had sent out against the boars and yet where was the proud array where the plumes and shields where the song of victory here indeed were soldiers but they walked in groups like women and hung their heads like chid and children then he learned the truth the impi had been defeated by the banks of the inkome thousands had perished at the lager mowed down by the guns of the boars thousands more had been drowned in the inkome till the waters were red and the bodies of the slain pushed each other under and those who still lived walked upon them Ding'an heard and was seized with fear for it was said that the amabuna followed fast on the track of the conquered that day he fled to the bush on the Black Umpholosi River and that night the sky was crimson with the burning of the Kral Ungugungluvu where the elephants should trump it no more and the vultures were scared from the hill of slaughter by the roaring of the flames Galhazi sat on the lap of the stone witch gazing towards the wide plains below that were yet white with the moon though the night grew towards the morning Grey snout whined at his side and death-grip thrust his muzzle into his hand but Galhazi took no heed for he was brooding on the fall of unslupper gas from the man that he had been to the level of a woman's slave and on the breaking up of the people of the axe because of the coming of Nada for all the women and children were gone to this feast of women and would not return for long and it seemed to Galhazi that many of the men had slipped away also as though they smelt some danger from afar ah death-grip said Galhazi allowed to the wild brute at his side changed as the wolf king my brother all changed because of a woman's kiss now he hunts no more no more shall grownmaker be aloft it is a woman's kiss he craves not the touch of your rough tongue it is a woman's hand he holds not the smooth haft of horn who of all men was the fiercest and the first for this last shame has overtaken him surely Shaka was a great king though an evil and he showed his greatness when he forbade marriage to the warriors marriage that makes the heart soft and turns blood to water now Galhazi ceased and gazed idly towards the cry of the people of the axe and as he looked his eyes caught a gleam of light that seemed to travel in and out of the edge of the shadow of the ghost mountain as a woman's needle travels through a skin now seen and now lost in the skin he started and watched ah there the light came out from the shadow now by Shaka's head it was the light of spears one moment more Galhazi watched it was a little impi perhaps they numbered two hundred men running silently but not to battle for they wore no plumes yet they went out to kill for they ran in companies and each man carried as a guys and a shield now Galhazi had heard tell of such impis that hunts by night and he knew well that these were the king's dogs and their game was men a big cry of sleeping men otherwise there had been fewer dogs is a whole pack sent out to catch an antelope on its form Galhazi wondered whom they sought ah now they turned to the Ford and he knew it was his brother I'm slupe a gas and gnar to the lily and the people of the axe these were the king's dogs and Zenita had let them slip for this reason she had called a feast of women and taken the children with her for this reason so many had been summoned from the crowd by one means or another it was that they might escape the slaughter Galhazi bounded to his feet for one moment he thought might not these hunters be hunted could he not destroy them by the jaws of the wolves as once before they had destroyed a certain impi of the kings I if he had seen them but one hour before then scarcely a man of them should have lived to reach the stream for he would have waylaid them with his wolves but now it might not be the soldiers near the Ford and Galhazi knew well that his grey people would not hunt on the further plain though for this he had heard one reason only that which was given him by the lips of the dead in a dream what then might be done one thing alone warn I'm slupe a gas that's how for him who could swim a rushing river there was indeed a swifter way to the place of the people of the axe a way that was to the path of the impi as is the bow string to the strong bow and yet they had travelled well nigh half the length of the bow still he might do it he whose feet were the swiftest in the land except those of them slupe a gas at the least he would try may hap the impi would tarry to drink at the Ford so Galhazi thought in his heart and his thought was swift as the light then with a bound he was away down the mountain side from boulder to boulder he leapt like a book he crashed through the break like a ball he skimmed the level like a swallow the mountain was travelled now there in front of him lay the yellow river foaming in its flood so he had swam it before when he went to seek the dead a good leap far out into the torrent it was strong but he breasted it he was through he stood upon the bank shaking the water from him like a dog and now he was away up the narrow gorge of stone to the long slope running low as his wolves rang before him lay the town one side shone silver with the sinking moon one was grey with the breaking dawn ah they were there he saw them moving through the grass by the eastern gate he saw the long lines of slayers creep to the left and the right how could he pass them before the circle of death was drawn six spear throws to run and they had but such a little way the mealy plants were tall and at a spot they almost touched the fence up the path could have slupe a gas his brother moved more fast he wondered than the wolf who spent to save him he was there hidden by the mealy stalks and there along the fence to the right and to the left the slayers crept wow what was that said one soldier of the king to another man as they joined their card completing the death circle wow something great and black crashed through the fence before me I heard it brother answered the other man I heard it but I saw nothing it must have been a dog no man could leap so high more like a wolf said the first at the least let us pray that it was not an Esedowan who will put us into the hole in its back is your fire ready brother wow those wizards shall wake warm the signal should be soon then arose the sound of a great voice crying awake you sleepers the foe is at your gates footnote Esedowan a fabulous animal reported by the Zulus to carry off human beings in a hole in its back end of footnote end of chapter 32 chapter 33 of Narda the Lily by H. Ryder Haggard this Librivox recording is in the public domain the end of the people black and grey Galazi rushed through the town crying aloud and behind him rose the stir of men all slept and no sentinels were slept for Umslopagas was so lost in his love for the Lily that he forgot his wisdom and thought no more of war or death or of the hate of Dingan presently the wolf came to the large new hut which Umslopagas had caused to be built for Narda the Lily and entered it for there he knew that he should find his brother Bolalio on the far side of the hut the two lay sleeping and the head of Umslopagas rested on Lily's breast and by his side gleamed the great axe grownmaker awake cried the wolf now Umslopagas sprang to his feet grasping at his axe but Narda threw her arms wide murmuring let me sleep on sweet is sleep sound shall you sleep anon gasped Galazi swift brother bind on the wolf's hide take shield swift I say for the slayers of the king are at your gates now Narda sprang up also and they did his bidding like people in a dream and while they found their garments and a shield Galazi took beer and drank it and got his breath again they stood without the hut now the heaven was grey and east and west and north and south tongues of flames shot up against the sky for the town had been fired by the slayers Umslopagas looked and his sense came back to him he understood which way brother he said through the fire and the impi to our grey people on the mountain said Galazi there if we can win it we shall find sucker what of my people in the Kral Umslopagas they are not many brother the women and the children are gone I have roused the men most will escape hence ere we burn now they ran towards the fence and as they went men joined them to the number of ten half awakened fear stricken armed some with spears some with clubs and for the most part naked they sped on together towards the fence of the town that was now but a ring of fire Umslopagas and Galazi in front each holding the lily by a hand they neared the fence from without came the shouts of the slayers low it was a fire they had a shrank back in fear but Umslopagas and Galazi dragged her on they rushed at the blazing fence smiting it with axe and club it broke before them they were through but little harmed without were a knot of the slayers standing back a small space because of the heat of the flames the slayers saw them and crying this is Bolileo kill the wizard sprang towards them with uplifted spears now the people of the axe made a ring round Nader and in the front of it were Umslopagas and Galazi then they rushed on and met those of the slayers who stood before them and the men of Dinghan were swept away and scattered by grownmaker and the watcher as dust is swept over wind as grass is swept by a sickle they were through with only one man slain but the cry went up that the chief of the wizards nearly his wife had fled then as it was these whom he was chiefly charged to kill the captain called off the impi from watching for the dwellers of the town and started in pursuit of Umslopagas now at this time nearly a hundred men of the people of the axe had been killed and of the slayers some fifty men or having been awakened by the crying of Galazi the soldiers of the axe fought bravely though none saw where his brother stood and none knew whether their chief had fled except those ten who went with the brethren meanwhile the wolf brethren and those with them were well away and it had been easy for them to escape who were the swiftest footed of any in the land but the pace of a regiment is the pace of its slowest footed soldier and Nader could not run with the wolf brethren yet they made good speed to a half way down the gorge that led to the river before the companies of Ding'an poured into it now they came to the end of it and the foe was near this end of the gorge is narrow, my father like the neck of a gourd then Galazi stopped and spoke Hulchi people of the axe, he said and let us talk a while with these who follow till we get our breath again but you, my brother, pass the river with Lily in your hand we will join you in the forest but if by chance we cannot find you you know what must be done set the Lily in the cave then return and call up the grey impi wow, my brother I must find you if I may for if these men of Ding'an have a mind for sport there will be such a hunting on the ghost mountain as the old witch has not seen go now, my brother it is not my way to turn and run while others stand and fight growled, I'm Sloppa Gas yet because of Nader it seems that I must oh, heed me, not my love, said Nader I have brought the sorrow I'm weary, let me die kill me and save yourselves for answer Ding'an took her by the hand and fled towards the river but before he reached it he heard the sounds of the fray the war cry of the slayers as they poured upon the people of the axe the howl of his brother the wolf when the battle joined I am the crash of the watcher as the blow went home well, bitten wolf he said, stopping that one shall need no more oh, that I might but again he looked at Nader and sped on now they had leaped into the foaming river and here it was well that the lily could swim else both had been lost but they won through and passed forward to the mountain's flank here they walked on among the trees till the forest was almost past and at length, them Sloppa Gas heard the howling of a wolf then he must set Nader on his shoulders and carry her as one Scalasi had carried another for it was death for any except the wolf brethren to walk on the ghost mountain when the wolves were awake presently the wolves flocked around him and leaped upon him in joy glaring with fierce eyes at her who sat upon his shoulders Nader saw him and almost fell from her seat fainting with fear for they were many and dreadful and when they howled her blood turned to ice but some Sloppa Gas cheered her telling her that these were his dogs with whom he went out hunting and with whom he should hunt presently at length they came to the knees of the old witch and the entrance to the cave it was empty except for a wolf or two for Galasiabode here seldom now but when he was on the mountain would sleep in the forest which was nearer the crawl of his brother the slaughterer here you must stay sweet said him Sloppa Gas when he had driven out the wolves here you must rest to this little matter of the sleigh as he's finished would that we had brought food but we had little time to seek it see now I will show you the secret of the stone thus far I will push it no father now a touch only is needed to send it over the sockets and home but then they must be two strong men who can pull it back again therefore push it no father except in the utmost need lest it remain where it's fall whether you will it or not have no fear you are safe here none know of this place except Galasiabode myself and the wolves and none shall find it now I must be going to find Galasi if he still lives if not to make what play I can against the slayers alone with the wolves now Narda wept saying that she feared to be left and that she should never see him more and her grief rung his heart nevertheless I'm Sloppa Gas kissed her and went closing the stone after him in that fashion of which he had spoken when the stone was shut the cave was almost dark except for a ray of light that entered by a hole little larger than a man's hand that's looked on from within was on the right of the stone Narda sat herself so that this ray struck full on her for she loved light she would pine as flowers do there she sat and thought in the dark some cave and was filled with fear and sorrow and while she brooded thus suddenly the ray went out and she heard a noise as of some beast that smells at prey she looked and in the gloom she saw the sharp nose and grinning fangs of a wolf that were thrust towards her through the little hole Narda cried out in fear and the fangs were snatched back but presently she heard a scratching without the cave and saw the stone shake then she thought in her foolishness that the wolf knew how to open the stone and that he would do this and devour her for she had heard the tale that all these wolves were the ghosts of evil men having the understanding of men so in her fear and folly she seized the rock and dragged on it as some sloppy gas had shown her how to do it shook, it slipped over the socket ledge and rolled home like a pebble down the mouth of a gourd now I am safe from the wolves Narda, see I cannot so much as stir the stone from within and still less can they do so from without and she laughed a little then ceased from laughing and spoke again yet it would be ill if some sloppy gas came back no more to roll away that rock then I should be like one in a grave as one who is placed in a grave being yet strong and quick she shuddered as she thought of it but presently started up and set her ear to the hole to listen for from far down the mountain there rose a mighty howling and a din of men when um sloppy gas had shut the cave he moved swiftly down the mountain and with him went certain of the wolves not all but he had not summoned them his heart was heavy for he feared that Galazi was no more also he was mad with rage and plotted in himself to destroy the slayers of the king every man of them but first he must learn what they would do presently as he wended he heard a long low howl far away in the forest then he rejoiced for he knew the call it was the call of Galazi who had escaped the spears of the slayers swiftly he ran calling in answer he won the place there seated on a stone resting himself was Galazi and round him surged the numbers of the grey people and sloppy gas came to him and looked at him for he seemed somewhat weary there were flesh wounds on his great breast and arms the little shield was well nigh hewn to strips and the watcher showed signs of war how went it brother? asked um sloppy gas not so ill but all those who stood with me in the way are dead and with them a few of the foe I alone am fled like a coward they came on us thrice but we held them back till the lily was safe then all our men being down ran um sloppy gas and swam the torrent for I was minded to die here in my own place now though he had said little of it I must tell you my father that Galazi had made a great slaughter there in the neck of the Donga afterwards I counted the slain and they were many the nine men of the people of the axe were hidden in them perhaps it shall be the slayers who die brother perhaps at least there shall be death for some still it is in my mind slaughterer that our brotherhood draws to an end for the fate of him who bears the watcher and which my father foretold is upon me if so farewell while it's lasted our friendship has been good and its ending shall be good moreover it would have endured for many a year to come had you not sought slaughterer to make good better and to complete our joy of fellowship and war with the love of women from that source flow these ills as a river from a spring but so it was faded if I fall in this fray may you yet live on to fight in many another and at the last to die gloriously with axoloft and may you find a brisker man and a better watcher to serve you in your need should you fall and I live on I promise this I will avenge you to the last and guard the lily whom you love offering her comfort but no more now the foe draw on they have travelled round about by the foe for they dared not face the torrent and they cried to me that they are sworn to slay us all be slain as dinghan the king commanded so the fighting will be of the best if indeed they do not run before the fangs of the grey people now chief speak your word that I may obey it thus Galassie spoke in the circle of the wolves while I'm sloppy gas leaned upon his axe grown maker and listened to him aye and wept as he listened for after the lily and me Mopo he loved Galassie more dearly of all who lived then he answered were it not for one in the cave above who is helpless and tender I would swear to you wolf that if you fall on your carcass I will die and I do swear that should you fall while I live grown maker shall be busy from year to year till every man of yonder impious as you are but chance I did ill Galassie when I first harkened to the words of Zinniter and suffered women to come between us may we one day find a land where there are no women and war only for in that land we shall grow great but now at the least we will make a good end to this fellowship and the grey people shall fight their fill and the old witch who sits aloft waiting for the world to die shall smile to see that fight if she never smiled before this is my word that we fall upon the men of Ding'an twice once in the glade of the forest wither they will come presently and if we are beaten back then we must stand for the last time on the knees of the witch in front of the cave where Narda is say wolf will the grey folk fight to the last brother so long as one is left to lead them after that I do not know still they have only fangs to set against spears slaughterer your plan is good come I am rested so they rose and numbered their flock and all were there though it was not as it had been years ago when first the wolf brethren hunted on ghost mountain the many of the wolves had died by men's spears when they harried the crawls of men and no young were born to them then as once before the pack was halved and half the she-wolves went with them sloppigas and half the dog wolves went with Galazi now they pass down the forest paths and hid in the tangle of the thickets at the head of the darksome glen one on each side of the glen here they waited till they heard the footfall of the impi of the king's slayers as it came slowly along seeking them in front of the impi went two soldiers watching from an ambush and these two men were the same who had talked together that dawn when Galazi sprang between them now also they spoke as they peered this way and that then seeing nothing stood awhile in the mouth of the glen waiting the coming of their company and their words came to the ears of from sloppigas an awful place this my brother said one a place full of ghosts and strange sounds of hands that seem to press us back and whinings as of invisible wolves it is named ghost mountain and well named would that the king had found other business for us than the slaying of these sorcerers but they are sorcerers indeed and this is the home of their sorcerers tell me brother what was that that leaped between us this morning in the dark I say it was a wizard wow they are all wizards could any who was but a man have done the deeds which he who is named the wolf wrought down by the river yonder and then have escaped had the axe but stayed with the club they would have eaten up our impi the axe had a woman to watch laugh the other yes it is true that this is a place of wizards and evil things me thinks I see the red eyes of the Esedoana glaring at us through the dark of the trees and smell their smell yet these wizards must be caught for know this my brother if we return to Omgongluvu with the king's command undone then there are stakes hardening in the fire of which we shall taste the point if we are all killed in the catching and some it seems are missing already yet they must be caught say my brother shall we draw on the impi is nigh would that Faku our captain yonder might find two others to take our place for in this thicket I had rather run less than first well here leaves the spore a wondrous mass of wolf spore mixed with the footprints of men perhaps they are sometimes the one and sometimes the other who knows my brother it is a land of ghosts and wizards let us on, let us on now all this while the wolf brethren had much adieu to keep their people quiet for their mouths watered and their eyes shone at the sight of the men and at length it could be done no more for with a howl a single she-wolf rushed from her lair and leapt at the throat of the man who spoke nor did she miss her grip down went wolf and man rolling together on the ground and there they killed each other the Esodoana, the Esodoana Arabonnas cried the other scout and turning fled towards the impi but he never reached it but with fearful howlings the ghost wolves broke their cover and rushed on him from the right and the left and lo there was nothing of him left except his spear alone now a low cry of fear rose from the impi and some turned to fly but Faku the captain a great and brave man shouted to them stand firm children of the king stand firm these are no Esodoana these are but the wolf brethren and their pack will ye run from dogs ye who have laughed at the spears of men ring round stand fast the soldiers heard the voice of their captain and they obeyed his voice forming a double circle a ring within a ring they looked to the right there grownmaker aloft the wolf fangs on his brow the worn wolf hides streaming on the wind Bulalio rushed upon them like a storm and with him came his red-eyed company they looked to the left ah well they know that mighty watcher have they not heard his strokes down by the river and well they know the giants who wields it like a wand the wolf king with the strength of ten wow they are here see the people black and grey hear them howl their war chants look how they leap like water leap in a foam of fangs against the hedge of spears the circle is broken grownmaker has broken it ah Galazi is also through the double ring now must men stand back to back or perish how long did it last who can say time flies fast when blows fall thick at length the brethren are beaten back they break out as they broke in and are gone with such of their wolf folk as were left alive yet that impi was somewhat the worst but one third of those lived who looked on the sun without the forest the rest they smitten torn, mangled, dead hidden under the heaps of the bodies of wild beasts now this is a battle of evil spirits that live in the shapes of the wolves and as for the wolf brethren they are sorcerers of the rarest said Faku the captain and such sorcerers I love for they fight furiously yet I will slay them or be slain at the least if there be few of us left the most of the wolves are dead also and the arms of the wizards grow weary so he moved forward up the mountain with those of the soldiers who remained and all the way the wolves harried them pulling down a man here and a man there but though they heard and saw them cheering on their pack the wolf brethren attacked them no more for they saved their strength for the last fight of all the road was long up the mountain and the soldiers knew little of the path and ever the ghost wolves harried on their flanks so it was evening before they came to the feet of the stone witch and began to climb to the platform of her knees there on her knees as it were they saw the wolf brethren standing side by side such a pair as were not elsewhere in the world and they seemed a fire for the sun set to beat upon them and the wolves crept round their feet red with blood and fire a glorious pair quoth great Faku would that I fought with them rather than against them yet they must die then he began to climb to the knees of the witch now one sloper gas glanced up at the stone face of her who sat aloft and it was a light with the sun set said I not that the old witch would smile at this fray he cried though she smiles up Galazi let us spend the remnant of our people on the foe and fight this fight out man to man with no beast to spoil it oh blood and gray snout oh death grip oh wood dwellers gray and black at them my children the wolves heard they were few and they were sorry to see with weariness and wounds but still they were fierce with a howl for the last time they leaped down upon the foe tearing, harrying and killing to lay themselves were dead by the spear every one of them except death grip who crept back sorely wounded to die with Galazi now I am a chief without a people cried Galazi well it has been my lot in life so it was in the Halakazi Krals so it is on ghost mountain at the last and so also shall it be even for the greatest kings when they come to their ends seeing that they too must die alone say slaughterer choose where you will stand to the left or to the right now my father the track below separated because of a boulder and there were two little paths that led to the platform of the witch's knees with perhaps ten paces between them oh Slopagar scarred the left hand path and Galazi took the right then they waited having spears in their hands presently the soldiers came round the rock and rushed up against them some on one path and some on the other then the brethren hurled their spears at them and killed three men now the Asagais were done and the foe was on them um Slopagar bends forward his long arm shoots out the axe gleams and a man who came on falls back one cries um Slopagar one my brother answers Galazi as he draws back the watcher from his blow a soldier rushes forward singing to and fro he moves in front of um Slopagar his spear poised to strike groanmaker swoops down but the man leaps back the blow misses and the slaughterer's guard is down a poor stroke sorcerer cries the man as he rushes in to stab him low the axe wheels in the air it circles swiftly low down by the ground it smites upward before the spearsman can strike the horn of groanmaker has sped up from chin to brain but a good return foe says um Slopagar two cries Galazi from the right two my brother answers um Slopagar again two men come on one against each to find no better luck the cry of three passes from brother to brother and after it rises the cry of four now Faku bids the men who are left to hold their shields together and push the two from the mouths of the paths and this they do losing four more men at the hands of the brethren before it is done now we are on the open ring them round and down with them cries Faku but who shall ring round groanmaker that shines on all sides at once groanmaker who falls heavily no more but pecks and pecks and pecks like a wood bird on a tree and never pecks in vain who shall ring round those feet swifter than the sassaby of the plains wow he is here he is there he is a sorcerer death is in his hand and death looks out of his eyes Galazi lives yet but still there comes the sound of the watcher as it thunders on the shields and the wolf's horse cry of the number of the slain he has a score of wounds yet he fights on his leg is almost hewn from him with an axe yet he fights on his back is pierced again and again yet he fights on but two are left alive before him one twists round and spears him from behind he heeds it not but smites down the foe in front then he turns and whirling the watcher on high brings him down for the last time and so mightily that the man before him is crushed like an egg Galazi brushes the blood from his eyes and glares round on the dead all slaughterer he cries all save to my brother comes the answer sounding above the clash of steel and the sound of smitten shields now the wolf would come to him but cannot for his life ebbs farewell my brother death is good thus indeed I would die for I have made me a matter of men to lie on he cried with a great voice farewell sleep softly wolf came the answer all save one now Galazi fell dying on the dead but he was not altogether gone but he still spoke all save one haha ill for that one then when groanmaker is yet up it is well to have lived so to die victory victory and Galazi the wolf struggled to his knees and for the last time shoot the watcher about his head then fell again and died I'm Sloppa gas the son of Shaka Faku the captain of Dingan gazed on each other they alone were left standing upon the mountain for the rest were all down and Sloppa gas had many wounds Faku was unhurt he was a strong man also armed with an axe Faku laughed aloud so it has come to this slaughterer he said that you and I must settle whether the king's word be done or no well I will say that however it should fall out I counted a great fortune to have seen this fight and the highest of honours to have had to do with two such warriors rest you a little slaughterer before we close that wolf brother of yours died well and if it is given me to conquer in this bout I will tell the tale of his end from Kral to Kral throughout the land and it shall be a tale forever End of Chapter 33 Chapter 34 of Narda the Lily by H. Ryder Haggard this Librivoct recording is in the public domain the lilies fare well I'm Sloppa gas listened but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain though he liked them well he would not waste his breath in talking the light grew low I am ready man of Dingan he said and lifted his axe now for a while the two circled round and round each waiting for a chance to strike presently Faku smote at the head of him Sloppa gas but the slaughterer lifted Grownmaker to ward the blow Faku croaked his arm and let the axe curl downwards so that its keen edge smote some Sloppa gas upon the head severing his man's ring and the scalp beneath made mad with the pain the slaughterer awoke as it were he grasped Grownmaker with both hands and struck thrice the first blow hewed away the plumes and shield of Faku and drove him back a spear's length the second missed its aim the third and mightiest twisted in his wet hands so that the axe smote sideways nevertheless it fell full on the breast of the captain Faku shattering his bones and sweeping him from the ledge of rock onto the slope beneath where he lay still it is finished with the daylight said on Sloppa gas smiling grimly now Dingarn send more slayers to seek your slain and he turned to find Narda in the cave but Faku the captain was not yet dead though he was hurt to the death he sat up and with his last strength he hurled the axe in his hand that him whose might had prevailed against him the axe sped true and on Sloppa gas did not see it fly it sped true and its point struck him on the left temple driving in the bone and making a great hole then Faku fell back dying and on Sloppa gas threw up his arms and dropped as an axe and lay like one dead under the shadow of a stone all day long Narda crouched in the cave listening to the sounds of war that crept faintly up the mountainside howling of wolves shouting of men and the clamour of iron on iron all day long she sat and now evening came a pace and the noise of battle drew near swelled and sank and died away she heard the voices of the wolf brethren as they called to each other like books naming the number of the slain she heard Galazi's dying cry of victory and her heart leapt to it though she knew that there was death in the cry then for the last time she heard the faint ringing of iron on iron and the lights went out and all grew still all grew still as the night there came no more shouting of men and no more clash of arms no howlings of wolves no cries of pain or triumph all was quiet as death the death had taken all for a while Narda the lily sat in the dark of the cave saying to herself presently he will come my husband he will surely come the slayers are slain he does not but tarry to bind his wounds a scratch by chance here and there yes he will come and it is well for I am weary of my loneliness and this place is grim and evil thus she spoke to herself in hope but nothing came except the silence then she spoke again and her voice echoed in the hollow cave now I will be bold I will fear nothing I will push aside the stone and go out to find him I know well he does but linger to tend to some who are wounded perhaps Galasi doubtless Galasi is wounded I must go and nurse him though he never loved me and I do not love him over much who would stand between me and my husband Wolfman is a photo women and most of all a photo me yet I will be kind to him come I will go at once and she rose and pushed at the rock why what was this it did not stir then she remembered that she had pulled it beyond the socket because of her fear of the wolf and that the rock had slipped a little way down the neck of the cave Umslopagas had told her that she must not do this and she had forgotten his words in her foolishness perhaps she could move the stone no, not by the breadth of a grain of corn she was shutting without food or water and here she must bide till Umslopagas came and if he did not come then she must surely die now she shrieked aloud in her fear calling on the name of Umslopagas the walls of the cave answered Umslopagas, Umslopagas and that was all afterwards madness fell upon Nader my daughter and she lay in the cave for days and nights nor knew ever how long she lay and with her madness came visions but she dreamed that the dead one whom Galazi had told her of sat once more aloft in his niche at the end of the cave and spoke to her saying Galazi is dead the fate of him who bears the watcher has fallen on him dead are the ghost wolves I also am dead of hunger in this cave and as I died so shall you die Nader the lily Nader, star of death because of whose beauty and foolishness all this death has come about thus it seemed to Nader in her madness that the shadow of him who had sat in the niche awoke to her from hour to hour it seemed to Nader in her madness that twice the light shone through the hole by the rock and that was day and twice it went out and that was night a third time the ray shone and died away and lo her madness left her and she awoke to know that she was dying and that's a voice she loved spoke without the hole saying in hollow accents Nader, do you still live Nader? Yay! she answered hoarsely Water, give me water next she heard a sound as of a great snake dragging itself along painfully a while passed then a trembling hand thrust a little gourd of water through the hole she drank and now she could speak though the water seemed to flow through her veins like fire is it indeed you, Umsloppegas? she said, are you dead? and do I dream of you? it is I, Nader said the voice Hagen, have you drawn the rock home? alas, yes she answered perhaps if the two of us strive at it it will move I, if our strength were what it was but now, still, let us try so they strove with the rock but the two of them together had not the strength of a girl and it would not stir give over, Umsloppegas said Nader he too, but waste the time that is left to me let us talk for a while there was no answer for Umsloppegas had fainted and Nader beat her breast thinking that he was dead presently he spoke however saying, it may not be we must perish here one on each side of the stone not seeing the other's face the might is as water nor can I stand upon my feet to go and seek for food are you wounded, Umsloppegas? asked Nader aye, Nader, I am pierced through the brain with the point of an axe no fair stroke the captain of Dingan hurled it at me when I thought him dead and I fell I do not know how long I have lain under the shadow of the rock but it must be long for my limbs are wasted and those who fell in the fray are picked clean by the vultures all except Galazi for the old wolf death-grip lies on his breast dying but not dead licking my brother's wounds and scares the fouls away it was the beak of a vulture who had smelt me out at last that woke me from my sleep beneath the stone, Nader and I crept hither wood that he had not waken me wood that I had died as I lay rather than lived a little while till you perished thus like a trapped fox, Nader and presently I follow you it is hard to die so, Umsloppegas she answered aye, who am yet young and fair I love you and hoped to give you children but so it has come about and it may not be put away I am well nigh, sped husband horror and fear have conquered me my strength fails but I suffer little let us talk no more of death let us rather speak of our childhood when we wandered hand in hand let us talk also of our love and of the happy hours that we have spent since your great acts rang upon the rock in the Halakazi caves and my fear told you the secret of my womanhood see, I thrust my hand through the hole can you not kiss it, Umsloppegas now Umsloppegas stooped his shattered head and kissed the lily's little hand then he held it in his own and so they sat till the end she without resting his back against the rock she within lying on her side her arms stretched through the little hole they spoke of their love and tried to forget their sorrow in it he told her also of the fray that had been and how it went ah, she said that was Zinniter's work Zinniter who hated me and justly she setting on on this path a little while gone Umsloppegas and I hoped that your last breath and mine might pass together Narda and that we might go together to seek great Galazi, my brother where he is now I hope that help will find me and that I may live a little while because of a certain vengeance which I would wreak speak not of vengeance husband she answered I too am near to that land where the slayer and the slain the shedder of blood and the avenger of blood are lost in the same darkness I would die with love and love only in my heart and your name and yours only on my lips so that if anywhere we live again it shall be ready to spring forth to greet you yet husband it is in my heart that you will not go with me but that you shall live on to die the greatest of deaths far away from here and because of another woman it seems that as I lay in the dark of this cave I saw you Umsloppegas a great man gaunt and gray stricken to the death and the axe grownmaker wavering aloft and many a man dead upon a white and shining way and about you the fair faces of white women and you had a hole in your forehead husband on the left side that is like to be true if I live he answered but the bone of my temple is shattered now nada ceased speaking and for a long while was silent Umsloppegas was also silent and torn with pain and sorrow because he must lose the lily thus and she must die so wretchedly for one reason only that the cast of Faku had robbed him of his strength alas he who had done many deeds might not save her now he could scarcely hold himself upright against the rock he thought of it and the tears flowed down his face and fell on to the hand of lily she felt them fall and spoke weep not my husband she said I have been all too ill a wife to you do not mourn for me yet remember that I loved you well and again she was silent for a long space then she spoke for the last time of all and her voice came in a gasping whisper through the hole in the rock farewell Umsloppegas my husband and my brother I thank you for your love Umsloppegas ah I tie Umsloppegas could make no answer only he watched the little hand he held twice it's opened twice it's closed upon his own then it's opened for the third time turned gray quivered and was still forever now it was at the hour of dawn that Nader died end of chapter 34