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Through the smoke I saw his black bulk in the air, and then heard it alight with a thud on the top of the rock behind which I was crouching. "Exit Umbezi," I said to myself, and by way of a requiem let the bull which had hoisted him, as I thought to heaven, have an ounce of lead in the ribs as it passed me.
So I went to see the Worn-out-Old-Cow not because I had any particular interest in her, for, to tell the truth, she was a very disagreeable and antique person, the cast-off wife of some chief whom at an unknown date in the past the astute Umbezi had married from motives of policy but because I hoped to hear more of Miss Mameena, in whom I had become interested.
Saduko had examined the cleft through which they passed, and reported it to be so narrow that we could kill any number of them as they rushed out to escape. "Quite so. I understand," I said. "Well, my opinion is that we had better let them escape. Only four of us, counting Umbezi, are armed with guns, and assegais are not of much use against buffalo. Let them go, I say."
With the exception of some calves, which had been trampled to death in the rush, the herd had gone. Now, like the Roman emperor I think he was an emperor I began to wonder what had become of my legions. "Umbezi," I shouted, or, rather, sneezed through the smoke, "are you dead, Umbezi?" "Yes, yes, Macumazahn," replied a choking and melancholy voice from the top of the rock, "I am dead, quite dead.
So her name was heard no more in the Houses of Saduko and of Umbezi, and when it was necessary for any reason to refer to her, she was given a new name, a composite Zulu word, "O-we-Zulu", I think it was, which is "Storm-child" shortly translated, for "Zulu" means a storm as well as the sky.
Then he spoke, always in the same terrible voice, asking: "Have you more to say about this business, Umbezi? I would hear all before I answer you." "Only this, Saduko," replied Umbezi, who had risen to his feet and was shaking like a reed. "I did no more than any other father would have done. Masapo is a very powerful chief, one who will be a good stick for me to lean on in my old age.
"And therefore is now one who can pay any debt that he owes, Umbezi," I said, taking a pull at the "squareface" and looking at him over the top of the pannikin. "Doubtless he can, Macumazahn, and, between you and me, that is the real reason why I or rather Masapo was so anxious to get those guns.
At this period in our conversation I became suddenly faint and lost count of things, even of the interesting Mameena. When I awoke again she was gone, and in her place was old Umbezi, who, I noticed, took down a mat from the side of the hut and folded it up to serve as a cushion before he sat himself upon the stool. "Greeting, Macumazahn," he said when he saw that I was awake; "how are you?"
At the gate, remembering my manners, I turned to bid that company a polite farewell. By now Masapo had gained his feet, and was roaring out like a bull: "Kill him! Kill the hyena! Umbezi, will you sit still and see me, your guest me, Masapo struck and insulted under the shadow of your own hut? Go forth and kill him, I say!"
With these fierce words he spat in his face and tumbled him backwards. Then, before anyone could stop him, for Umbezi, and even Masapo's headmen, seemed paralysed with surprise, he stalked through the kraal gate, saying as he passed me: "Inkoosi, I have words for you when you are at liberty."
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