THE GREAT COUNCIL None had seen or heard him come, and though doubtless he had but crept round the rock and taken his place in the darkness, there appeared to be something mysterious about this sudden appearance of Zikali.

So the Zulu nobles thought at any rate, for they uttered a low "Ow!" of fear and wonder.
There he sat like a huge ape staring at the sky, for the firelight shone on his deep and burning eyes.

The moonlight increased, but now and again it was broken by little clouds which caused strange shadows to appear about the rock.

Some of these shadows looked as though veiled figures were approaching the wizard, bending over him and departing again, after giving him their message or counsel.
"His Spirits visit him," whispered Goza, but I made no answer.
This went on for quite a long time, until the full round of the moon appeared above the hill indeed, and, for the while, the clouds had cleared away.

Still Zikali sat silent and I, who was acquainted with the habits of this people, knew that I was witnessing a conflict between two they considered to be respectively a spiritual and an earthly king.