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If this were not done, said the messengers, the tribe would relapse into heathenism, since the Zulu and anti-Christian party headed by an old witch-doctor, named Menzi, was strong and gaining ground. This was an appeal that could not be neglected, since hitherto the Sisa had been a spot of light in a dark place, as most of the surrounding peoples, who were of the old Zulu stock, remained heathen.
In the same way it was he who sent milk and eggs to Dorcas when she was at her wits' end for both, which more than once were found mysteriously at the door of their hut, and not any of his Christian flock, as Thomas fondly imagined. Thus things went on for a while. Meanwhile Thomas found this same Menzi a stumbling-block and a rock of offence.
Hearing him, Thomas turned in the narrow gateway of the kraal and asked wildly: "What has happened, Witch-doctor?" "This has happened, White-man," answered Menzi, "the Floweret has been bitten by a hooded snake and is about to die.
Thomas made as though he would go away, but Menzi stopped him, saying: "No, doubters must stay to see the end of their doubts. What shall I do? Ah! I have it." Then from one of the bags he drew out a number of crooked black sticks that looked like bent ebony rulers, and built them up criss-cross in a little pile upon the ground.
It was a strange sight to see these great plumed men lifting their broad spears to the beautiful bright-haired child who stood there holding the tall white lily in her hand as though it were a sceptre. When Menzi and his company had departed, vanishing round the corner of the koppie, Thomas again asked the Chief where they were to sleep, an urgent matter as darkness was now approaching.
One day, he told himself, there would be a great change, a veritable landslide, and he would see that church filled with every Zulu in the district. Needless to say, he wished him no ill, but Menzi was an old man, and before long it might please Providence to gather that accursed wizard to his fathers.
It rose, it baa'd and presently began to frisk about its mistress, like Menzi apparently rather brighter than before. A year had gone by, during which time, by the most heroic exertions, Thomas Bull had at length succeeded in rebuilding the church.
This lily Menzi plucked, and stepping forward, presented it to Tabitha, saying: "A flower for the Flower! A gift to a child from one who is childless!" Her father saw and meditated interference. But he was too late; Tabitha had already taken the lily and was thanking Menzi in his own tongue, which she knew well enough, having been brought up by Zulu nurses.
Thus stormed Thomas in his wrath and humiliation, believing that he had been the victim of a plot and not knowing that he would live bitterly to regret his words. "I see that you hate me, Teacher," said Menzi, "and though here I do not find the gentleness you preach, I do not wonder; it is quite natural. Were I you I should do the same.
The little Chieftainess is bitten in the finger by a hooded snake. The Floweret withers! Imba dies!" Almost instantly there was a disturbance in the kraal and Menzi appeared, following by a man carrying a bag. He cried back in the same strange voice: "I hear. I come. Tie string or grass round the lady Imba's finger below the bite. Tie it hard till she screams with pain."
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