Looking out of the wagon, to my surprise I saw Scowl and the hunters, who should have been snoring, standing in a group and talking to each other in frightened whispers.

I called Scowl to me and asked what was the matter.
"Nothing, Baas," he said with a shamefaced air; "only there are so many spooks about this place.

They have been passing in and out of it all night." "Spooks, you idiot!" I answered.

"Probably they were people going to visit the Nyanga, Zikali." "Perhaps, Baas; only then we do not know why they should all look like dead people--princes, some of them, by their dress--and walk upon the air a man's height from the ground." "Pooh!" I replied.

"Do you not know the difference between owls in the mist and dead kings?
Make ready, for we trek at once; the air here is full of fever." "Certainly, Baas," he said, springing off to obey; and I do not think I ever remember two wagons being got under way quicker than they were that morning.
I merely mention this nonsense to show that the Black Kloof could affect other people's nerves as well as my own.
In due course I reached Nodwengu without accident, having sent forward one of my hunters to report my approach to Panda.