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Updated: July 25, 2025
Presently he beckoned to Mapela, "the Wise One", and conferred with him in a low voice for a brief space. Then, turning to me, he said: "I am inclined to believe that what thou hast said as to the impossibility of 'Mfuni conquering the sword is true; for Mapela informs me that he chose the man because of his reputation as the most skilled fighter in the whole Mashona army.
As Mapela conducted me through the serried ranks I idly wondered what these narrow spaces were for. I was to learn their purpose all too soon. "I am glad that thou hast come, Chia'gnosi," murmured my companion in my ear, as we made our way slowly toward the small open space.
"Perhaps thou art right, Mapela the Wise One," answered the king, kindly overlooking or perhaps not noticing the rather lame and impotent conclusion of the induna's high-flown speech. "But there is no reason why I should not at once show myself to my wives; and, by the bones of my royal father, I will!
By this time 'Mfuni was once more armed, while Mapela had left him and was wending his way back to his place among his fellow indunas, whose eyes, like those of the king, and indeed every man in the square, were now intently watching every movement of their champion and myself.
"By the bones of my royal father, thy words, Chia'gnosi, are the words of wisdom, and I will do as thou sayest!" exclaimed the king. "Mapela, give orders that the smellers-out be brought before me."
"Nay," answered I; "I know nothing of them, save that their country lies far to the north, and that they have much gold." "That is true," returned Mapela. "Then, let us start, for delay is dangerous; and if we linger, the Great, Great One may change his mind and not suffer thee to go at all. Yonder is the way, up that valley. Give the word, Chia'gnosi.
You were about to show me how this thing which you call a `sword' should be used. You shall show me now. Mapela, choose you a skilled warrior from your regiment, that he may fight this white man, and that I may thus be able to judge the real value of the white man's gift. The white man shall be armed only with the sword, and the Mashona's weapons shall be his shield and stabbing spear."
The king placed his elbows on his knees and buried his face in his hands for several minutes, evidently overwhelmed by a sense of profound perplexity. At length, however, he looked up again, and, still addressing Mapela, asked: "And think ye, Mapela, that all those," pointing to the long array of slain "suffered unjustly?"
"Nay," interrupted Dick, "there is no need; Sekosini has already voluntarily given me the names of those chiefs who are his partners in the conspiracy against you. They are," Dick drew out his pocket book and read "Ingona, Lambati, Mapela, Moroosi, Amakosa, N'Ampata, and Sekukuni nay, do nothing rashly, I pray you, but sit still and hear what I have to say."
Farewell!" So saying, Mapela saluted and withdrew, making his way toward the regiment of which he was induna. And now, left absolutely to myself in that vast space, I became acutely conscious of the terribly oppressive silence that prevailed, notwithstanding the fact that, according to my estimate, there must have been nearly fifty thousand men in the enclosure.
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