United States or Mauritania ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Then with his eyes starting almost from his head, Sigananda leapt up and raising his hand, gave the royal salute, the Bayete, to the spirit of Chaka, as though the dead king stood before him. I think that most of those there thought that it did stand before him, for some of them also gave the Bayete and even Cetewayo raised his arm. Sigananda squatted down again and Zikali went on.
"It is nothing," I said, "a scratch, no more, though had not the spear been stopped in its course it might have been otherwise." "Yes," cried Zikali, "but what was it that caused the cut? Take this, Sigananda, and tell me what it may be," and he threw towards him a piece of red wood. Sigananda looked at it.
Let it speak." Then one by one the members of the Council uttered their opinions in order of rank or seniority. I do not remember the names of all who were present, or what each of them said. I recall, however, that Sigananda, a very old chief he must have been over ninety spoke the first. He told them that he had been friend of Chaka and one of his captains, and had fought in most of his battles.
"It is the haft of the Black One's spear," he exclaimed, "which the bullet of Macumazahn has severed from the blade." "Aye," said Zikali, "and the blade has drawn the blood of the Black One's child. Read me this omen, Sigananda; or ask it of her who stands above you." Now all looked to the rock, but it was empty. The figure had vanished. "Your word, King," said Zikali. "Is it for peace or war?"
And but a few months ago that assegai, which old Sigananda knew again, thrown by the hand of the Inkosazana-y-Zulu, drew blood from my body after the white man, Macumazahn, had severed its shaft with his bullet. Now tell me, Opener of Roads, how did it pass from your keeping into that of the spirit Nomkubulwana?"
Then if it can be given I will give it; and if I cannot give it, I will get me back to my own house and show my face no more at Ulundi, who do not desire to listen again to fools who babble like contending waters round a stone and yet never stir the stone because they run two ways at once." Now the Councillors stared at each other, for none knew what sign to ask. At length old Sigananda said
But Umnyamana, the Prime Induna, interposed hurriedly "It is not enough, O King. Zikali may have stolen the spear, for he was living and at the kraal Duguza at that time. Also he may have put about the prophecy whereof Sigananda speaks, or at least so men would say. Let him give us a greater sign than this that all may be content, so that whether we make war or peace it may be with a single mind.
Others still living knew him also, say you, Sigananda there for instance," and he pointed to the old chief who had spoken first. "Yes, Sigananda knew him as a boy knows a great man, as a soldier knows a general. But I knew his heart, aye, I shaped his heart, I was its thought. Had it not been for me he would never have been great.
"Such is the word of Chaka spoken by me who was his secret councillor, the Councillor who was seldom seen, and never heard. Does not Sigananda yonder know the voice which amongst all those present echoes in his ears alone?" "I know it," cried the old chief.
Surely yonder withered thing is Sigananda. I know his eye and the Iziqu on his breast. Yes, I gave it to him after the great battle with Zweede in which he killed five men. Does he remember it, I wonder? Greeting, Sigananda; old as you are you have still twenty and one years to live, and then we will talk of the battle with Zweede.
Word Of The Day