Is it true, as men say, that in the battle of Endondakusuka you went over to the Usutu with your regiments because you thought that Indhlovu-ene-Sihlonti would be beaten, and wished to be on the side of him who won ?" "What, Toad! More slander ?" cried Saduko.

"I went over for one reason only--to be revenged upon the Prince because he had taken from me her who was more to me than life or honour.

Aye, and when I went over Umbelazi was winning; it was because I went that he lost and died, as I meant that he should die, though now," he added sadly, "I would that I had not brought him to ruin and the dust, who think that, like myself, he was but wet clay in a woman's fingers.
"O King," he added, turning to Panda, "kill me, I pray you, who am not worthy to live, since to him whose hand is red with the blood of his friend, death alone is left, who, while he breathes, must share his sleep with ghosts that watch him with their angry eyes." Then Nandie sprang up and said: "Nay, Father, listen not to him who is mad, and therefore holy.[*] What he has done, he has done, who, as he has said, was but a tool in another's hand.

As for our babe, I know well that he would have died sooner than harm it, for he loved it much, and when it was taken away, for three whole days and nights he wept and would touch no food.

Give this poor man to me, my Father--to me, his wife, who loves him--and let us go hence to some other land, where perchance we may forget." [*--The Zulus suppose that insane people are inspired.
-- A.Q.] "Be silent, daughter," said the King; "and you, O Zikali, the Nyanga, be silent also." They obeyed, and, after thinking awhile, Panda made a motion with his hand, whereon the two councillors lifted the kaross from off Mameena, who looked about her calmly and asked if she were taking part in some child's game.
"Aye, woman," answered Panda, "you are taking part in a great game, but not, I think, such as is played by children--a game of life and death.
Now, have you heard the tale of Zikali the Little and Wise, and the words of Saduko, who was once your husband, or must they be repeated to you ?" "There is no need, O King; my ears are too quick to be muffled by a fur bag, and I would not waste your time." "Then what have you to say, woman ?" "Not much," she answered with a shrug of her shoulders, "except that I have lost in this game.