[Child of Storm by H. Rider Haggard]@TWC D-Link book
Child of Storm

CHAPTER VII
19/24

And to Mameena say that soon I will come to take her with spears and not with cattle.

Do you understand?
Oh! I see that you do, since already you weep with fear like a woman.

Then farewell to you till that day when I return with the sticks, O Umbezi the cheat and the liar, Umbezi, 'Eater-up-of-Elephants,'" and turning, Saduko stalked away.
I was about to follow in a great hurry, having had enough of this very unpleasant scene, when poor old Umbezi sprang at me and clasped me by the arm.
"O Macumazana," he exclaimed, weeping in his terror, "O Macumazana, if ever I have been a friend to you, help me out of this deep pit into which I have fallen through the tricks of that monkey of a daughter of mine, who I think is a witch born to bring trouble upon men.

Macumazahn, if she had been your daughter and a powerful chief had appeared with a hundred and twenty head of such beautiful cattle, you would have given her to him, would you not, although he is of mixed blood and not very young, especially as she did not mind who only cares for place and wealth ?" "I think not," I answered; "but then it is not our custom to sell women in that fashion." "No, no, I forgot; in this as in other matters you white men are mad and, Macumazahn, to tell you the truth, I believe it is you she really cares for; she said as much to me once or twice.

Well, why did you not take her away when I was not looking?
We could have settled matters afterwards, and I should have been free of her witcheries and not up to my neck in this hole as I am now." "Because some people don't do that kind of thing, Umbezi." "No, no, I forgot.


<<Back  Index  Next>>

D-Link book Top

TWC mobile books