child of storm-第3章

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from　my　heart；　if　you　were　a　big　chief　there　is　no　one　I　should　like
better　as　a　son…in…law；　unless　it　were　Macumazahn　here；〃　he　said；
digging　me　in　the　ribs　with　his　elbow；　〃who　would　lift　up　my　House　on
his　white　back。〃

Now；　at　this　speech　Saduko　shifted　his　feet　uneasily；　it　seemed　to　me　as
though　he　felt　there　was　truth　in　Umbezi's　estimate　of　his　daughter's
character。　　But　he　only　said：

〃Cattle　can　be　acquired。〃

〃Or　stolen；〃　suggested　Umbezi。

〃Or　taken　in　war；〃　corrected　Saduko。　　〃When　I　have　a　hundred　head　I　will
hold　you　to　your　word；　O　father　of　Mameena。〃

〃And　then　what　would　you　live　on；　fool；　if　you　gave　all　your　beasts　to
me？　　There；　there；　cease　talking　wind。　　Before　you　have　a　hundred　head
of　cattle　Mameena　will　have　six　children　who　will　not　call　_you_　father。
　Ah；　don't　you　like　that？　　Are　you　going　away？〃

〃Yes；　I　am　going；〃　he　answered；　with　a　flash　of　his　quiet　eyes；　〃only
then　let　the　man　whom　they　do　call　father　beware　of　Saduko。〃

〃Beware　of　how　you　talk；　young　man；〃　said　Umbezi　in　a　grave　voice。　
〃Would　you　travel　your　father's　road？　　I　hope　not；　for　I　like　you　well；
but　such　words　are　apt　to　be　remembered。〃

Saduko　walked　away　as　though　he　did　not　hear。

〃Who　is　he？〃　I　asked。

〃One　of　high　blood；〃　answered　Umbezi　shortly。　　〃He　might　be　a　chief
to…day　had　not　his　father　been　a　plotter　and　a　wizard。　　Dingaan　smelt
him　out〃and　he　made　a　sideways　motion　with　his　hand　that　among　the
Zulus　means　much。　　〃Yes；　they　were　killed；　almost　every　one；　the　chief；
his　wives；　his　children　and　his　headmenevery　one　except　Chosa　his
brother　and　his　son　Saduko；　whom　Zikali　the　dwarf；　the
Smeller…out…of…evil…doers；　the　Ancient；　who　was　old　before　Senzangakona
became　a　father　of　kings；　hid　him。　　There；　that　is　an　evil　tale　to　talk
of；〃　and　he　shivered。　　〃Come；　White　Man；　and　doctor　that　old　Cow　of
mine；　or　she　will　give　me　no　peace　for　months。〃

So　I　went　to　see　the　Worn…out…Old…Cownot　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　policybut
because　I　hoped　to　hear　more　of　Miss　Mameena；　in　whom　I　had　become
interested。

Entering　a　large　hut；　I　found　the　lady　so　impolitely　named　〃the　Old　Cow〃
in　a　parlous　state。　　There　she　lay　upon　the　floor；　an　unpleasant　object
because　of　the　blood　that　had　escaped　from　her　wound；　surrounded　by　a
crowd　of　other　women　and　of　children。　　At　regular　intervals　she
announced　that　she　was　dying；　and　emitted　a　fearful　yell；　whereupon　all
the　audience　yelled　also；　in　short；　the　place　was　a　perfect　pandemonium。

Telling　Umbezi　to　get　the　hut　cleared；　I　said　that　I　would　go　to　fetch
my　medicines。　　Meanwhile　I　ordered　my　servant；　Scowl；　a　humorous…looking
fellow；　light　yellow　in　hue；　for　he　had　a　strong　dash　of　Hottentot　in
his　composition；　to　cleanse　the　wound。　　When　I　returned　from　the　wagon
ten　minutes　later　the　screams　were　more　terrible　than　before；　although
the　chorus　now　stood　without　the　hut。　　Nor　was　this　altogether
wonderful；　for　on　entering　the　place　I　found　Scowl　trimming　up　〃the　Old
Cow's〃　ear　with　a　pair　of　blunt　nail…scissors。

〃O　Macumazana；〃　said　Umbezi　in　a　hoarse　whisper；　〃might　it　not　perhaps
be　as　well　to　leave　her　alone？　　If　she　bled　to　death；　at　any　rate　she
would　be　quieter。〃

〃Are　you　a　man　or　a　hyena？〃　I　answered　sternly；　and　set　about　the　job；
Scowl　holding　the　poor　woman's　head　between　his　knees。

It　was　over　at　length；　a　simple　operation　in　which　I　exhibitedI
believe　that　is　the　medical　terma　strong　solution　of　caustic　applied
with　a　feather。

〃There；　Mother；〃　I　said；　for　now　we　were　alone　in　the　hut；　whence　Scowl
had　fled；　badly　bitten　in　the　calf；　〃you　won't　die　now。〃

〃No；　you　vile　White　Man；〃　she　sobbed。　　〃I　shan't　die；　but　how　about　my
beauty？〃

〃It　will　be　greater　than　ever；〃　I　answered；　〃no　one　else　will　have　an
ear　with　such　a　curve　in　it。　　But；　talking　of　beauty；　where　is　Mameena？〃

〃I　don't　know　where　she　is；〃　she　replied　with　fury；　〃but　I　very　well
know　where　she　would　be　if　I　had　my　way。　　That　peeled　willow…wand　of　a
girl〃here　she　added　certain　descriptive　epithets　I　will　not
repeat〃has　brought　this　misfortune　upon　me。　　We　had　a　slight　quarrel
yesterday；　White　Man；　and；　being　a　witch　as　she　is；　she　prophesied　evil。
　Yes；　when　by　accident　I　scratched　her　ear；　she　said　that　before　long
mine　should　burn；　and　surely　burn　it　does。〃　　（This；　no　doubt；　was　true；
for　the　caustic　had　begun　to　bite。）

〃O　devil　of　a　White　Man；〃　she　went　on；　〃you　have　bewitched　me；　you　have
filled　my　head　with　fire。〃

Then　she　seized　an　earthenware　pot　and　hurled　it　at　me；　saying；　〃Take
that　for　your　doctor…fee。　　Go；　crawl　after　Mameena　like　the　others　and
get　her　to　doctor　you。〃

By　this　time　I　was　half　through　the　bee…hole　of　the　hut；　my　movements
being　hastened　by　a　vessel　of　hot　water　which　landed　on　me　behind。

〃What　is　the　matter；　Macumazahn？〃　asked　old　Umbezi；　who　was　waiting
outside。

〃Nothing　at　all；　friend；〃　I　answered　with　a　sweet　smile；　〃except　that
your　wife　wants　to　see　you　at　once。　　She　is　in　pain；　and　wishes　you　to
soothe　her。　　Go　in；　do　not　hesitate。〃

After　a　moment's　pause　he　went　inthat　is；　half　of　him　went　in。　　Then
came　a　fearful　crash；　and　he　emerged　again　with　the　rim　of　a　pot　about
his　neck　and　his　countenance　veiled　in　a　coating　of　what　I　took　to　be
honey。

〃Where　is　Mameena？〃　I　asked　him　as　he　sat　up　spluttering。

〃Where　I　wish　I　was；〃　he　answered　in　a　thick　voice；　〃at　a　kraal　five
hours'　journey　away。〃

Well；　that　was　the　first　I　heard　of　Mameena。

That　night　as　I　sat　smoking　my　pipe　under　the　flap　lean…to　attached　to
the　wagon；　laughing　to　myself　over　the　adventure　of　〃the　Old　Cow；〃
falsely　described　as　〃worn　out；〃　and　wondering　whether　Umbezi　had　got
the　honey　out　of　his　hair；　the　canvas　was　lifted；　and　a　Kafir　wrapped　in
a　kaross　crept　in　and　squatted　before　me。

〃Who　are　you？〃　I　asked；　for　it　was　too　dark　to　see　the　man's　face。

〃Inkoosi；〃　answered　a　deep　voice；　〃I　am　Saduko。〃

〃You　are　welcome；〃　I　answered；　handing　him　a　little　gourd　of　snuff　in
token　of　hospitality。　　Then　I　waited　while　he　poured　some　of　the　snuff
into　the　palm　of　his　hand　and　took　it　in　the　usual　fashion。

〃Inkoosi；〃　he　said；　when　he　had　scraped　away　the　tears　produced　by　the
snuff；　〃I　have　come　to　ask　you　a　favour。　　You　heard　Umbezi　say　to…day
that　he　will　not　give　me　his　daughter；　Mameena；　unless　I　give　him　a
hundred　head　of　cows。　　Now；　I　have　not　got　the　cattle；　and　I　cannot　earn
them　by　work　in　many　years。　　Therefore　I　must　take　them　from　a　certain
tribe　I　know　which　is　at　war　with　the　Zulus。　　But　this　I　cannot　do
unless　I　have　a　gun。　　If　I　had　a　good　gun；　Inkoosione　that　only　goes
off　when　it　is　asked；　and　not　of　its　own　fancy；　I　who　have　some　name
could　persuade　a　number　of　men　whom　I　know；　who　once　were　servants　of　my
father；　or　their　sons；　to　be　my　companions　in　this　venture。〃

〃Do　I　understand　that　you　wish　me　to　give　you　one　of　my　good　guns　with
two　mouths　to　it　（i。e。　double…barrelled）；　a　gun　worth　at　least　twelve
oxen；　for　nothing；　O　Saduko？〃　I　asked　in　a　cold　and　scandalised　voice。

〃Not　so；　O　Watcher…by…Night；〃　he　answered；　〃not　so；　O
He…who…sleeps…with…one…eye…open〃　（another　free　and　difficult　rendering
of　my　native　name；　Macumazahn；　or　more　correctly；　Macumazana）〃I　should
never　dream　of　offering　such　an　insult　to　your　high…born　intelligence。〃　
He　paused　and　took　another　pinch　of　snuff；　then　went　on　in　a　meditative
voice：　〃Where　I　propose　to　get　those　hundred　cattle　there　are　many　more；
I　am　told　not　less　than　a　thousand　head　in　all。　　Now；　Inkoosi；〃　he
added；　looking　at　me　sideways；　〃suppose　you　gave　me　the　gun　I　ask　for；
and　suppose　you　accompanied　me　with　your　own　gun　and　your　armed　hunters；
it　would　be　fair　that　you　should　have　half　the　cattle；　would　it　not？〃

〃That's　cool；〃　I　said。　　〃So；　young　man；　you　want　to　turn　me　into　a
cow…thief　and　get　my　throat　cut　by　Panda　for　breaking　the　peace　of　his
country？〃

〃Neither；　Macumazahn；　for　these　are　my　own　cattle。　　Listen；　now；　and　I
will　tell　you　a　story。　　You　have　heard　of　Matiwane；　the　chief　of　the
Amangwane？〃

〃Yes；〃　I　answered。　　〃His　tribe　lived　near　the　head　of　the　Umzinyati；　did
they　not？　　Then　they　were　beaten　by　the　Boers　or　the　English；　and
Matiwane　came　under　the　Zulus。　　But　afterwards　Dingaan　wiped　him　out；
with　his　House；　and　now　his　people　are　killed　or　scattered。〃

〃Yes；　his　people　are　killed　and　scattered；　but　his　House　still　lives。　
Macumazahn；　I　am　his　House；　I；　the　only　son　of　his　chief　wife；　for
Zikali　the　Wise　Little　One；　the　Ancient；　who　is　of　the　Amangwane　blood；
and　who　hated　Chaka　and　Dingaanyes；　and　Senzangakona　their　father
before　them；　but　whom　none　of　them　could　kill　because　he　is　so　great　and
has　such　mighty　spirits　for　his　servants；　saved　and　sheltered　me。〃

〃If　he　is　so　great；　why；　then；　did　he　not　save　your　father　also；
Saduko？〃　I　asked；　as　though　I　knew　nothing　of　this　Zikali。

〃I　cannot　say；　Macumazahn。　　Perhaps　the　spirits　plant　a　tree　for
themselves；　and　to　do　so　cut　down　many　other　trees。　　At　least；　so　it
happened。　　It　happened　thus：　Bangu；　chief　of　the　Amakoba；　whispered　into
Dingaan's　ear　that　Matiwane；　my　father；　was　a　wizard；　also　that　he　was
very　rich。　　Dingaan　listened　because　he　thought　a　sickness　that　he　had
came　from　Matiwane's　witchcraft。　　He　said：　'Go；　Bangu；　and　take　a
company　with　you　and　pay　Matiwane　a　visit　of　honour；　and　in　the　night；　O
in　the　night！　　Afterwards；　Bangu；　we　will　divide　the　cattle；　for
Matiwane　is　strong　and　clever；　and　you　shall　not　risk　your　life　for
nothing。'〃

Saduko　paused　and　looked　down　at　the　ground；　brooding　heavily。

〃Macumazahn；　it　was　done；〃　he　said　presently。　　〃They　ate　my　father's
meat；　they　drank　his　beer；　they　gave　him　a　present　from　the　king；　they
praised　him　with　high　names；　yes；　Bangu　took　snuff　with　him　and　called
him　brother。　　Then　in　the　night；　O　in　the　night！

〃My　father　was　in　the　hut　with　my　mother；　and　I；　so　big　only〃and　he
held　his　hand　at　the　height　of　a　boy　of　ten〃was　with　them。　　The　cry
arose；　the　flames　began　to　eat；　my　father　looked　out　and　saw。　　'Break
through　the　fence　and　away；　woman；'　he　said；　'away　with　Saduko；　that　he
may　live　to　avenge　me。　　Begone　while　I　hold　the　gate！　　Begone　to　Zikali；
for　whose　witchcrafts　I　pay　with　my　blood。'

〃Then　he　kissed　me　on　the　brow；　saying　but　one　word；　'Remember；'　and
thrust　us　from　the　hut。

〃My　mother　broke　a　way　through　the　fence；　yes；　she　tore　at　it　with　her
nails　and　teeth　like　a　hyena。　　I　looked　back　out　of　the　shadow　of　the
hut　and　saw　Matiwane　my　father　fighting　like　a　buffalo。　　Men　went　down
before　him；　one；　two；　three；　although　he　had　no　shield：　only　his　spear。　
Then　Bangu　crept　behind　him　and　stabbed　him　in　the　back　and　he　threw　up
his　arms　and　fell。　　I　saw　no　more；　for　by　now　we　were　through　the　fence。
　We　ran；　but　they　perceived　us。　　They　hunted　us　as　wild　dogs　hunt　a
buck。　　They　killed　my　mother　with　a　throwing　assegai；　it　entered　at　her
back　and　came　out　at　her　heart。　　I　went　mad；　I　drew　it　from　her　body；　I
ran　at　them。　　I　dived　beneath　the　shield　of　the　first；　a　very　tall　man；
and　held　the　sp