"Perchance he did not know it.

Perchance it is all an idle tale, but at least it is true that Rezu believed and believes it, and what a man believes is true for him and will certainly befall.

If it were otherwise, what is the use of faith which in a thousand forms supports our race and holds it from the horrors of the Pit?
Only those who believe nothing inherit what they believe--nothing, Allan." "It may be so," I replied prosaically, "but what happened about the axe ?" "In the end it was lost, or as some say stolen by a woman whom Rezu had deserted, and therefore he walks the world in fear from day to day.

Nay, ask no more empty questions" (I had opened my mouth to speak) "but hear the end of the tale.

In my trouble concerning Rezu I remembered this wild legend of the axe and since, when lost in a forest every path that may lead to safety should be explored, I sent my wisdom forth to make inquiry concerning it, as I who am great, have the power to do, of certain who are in tune with me throughout this wide land of Africa.
Amongst others, I inquired of that old wizard whom you named Zikali, Opener of Roads, and he gave me an answer that there lived in his land a certain warrior who ruled a tribe called the People of the Axe by right of the Axe, of which axe none, not even he, knew the beginning or the legend.