When you will tell me, King, where waking ends and sleep begins, then I will answer." "Macumazahn," he exclaimed, "just now I announced that you were no liar, who perceive that after all you are a liar, for how can you both have seen, and not seen, the dead?
Indeed I remember that you lied long ago, when you gave it out that the witch Mameena was not your lover, and afterwards showed that she was by kissing her before all men, for who kisses a woman who is not his lover, or his mother?
Return, since you will not tell me the truth." So I went back to my stool, feeling very small and yet indignant, for how was it possible to be definite about ghosts, or to explain the exact facts of the Mameena myth which clung to me like a Wait-a-bit thorn.
Then after a little consultation Cetewayo said-- "It is our desire, O Opener of Roads, that you should draw wisdom from the fount of Death, if indeed you can do so.

Now let any who are afraid depart and wait for us who are not afraid, alone and in silence at the mouth of the kloof." At this some of the audience rose, but after hesitating a little, sat down again.

Only Goza actually took a step forward, but on my remarking that he would probably meet the dead coming up that way, collapsed, muttering something about my pistol, for the fool seemed to think I could shoot a spirit.
"If indeed I can do so," repeated Zikali in a careless fashion.
"That is to be proved, is it not?
Perhaps, too, it may be better for every one of you if I fail than if I succeed.

Of one thing I warn you, should the dead appear stir not, and above all touch not, for he who does either of these things will, I think, never live to look upon the sun again.

But first let me try an easier fashion." Then once again he took up the skull that he said had been his daughter's, and whispered to it, only to lay it down presently.
"It will not serve," he said with a sigh and shaking his locks.
"Noma tells me that she died a child, one who had no knowledge of war or matters of policy, and that in all these things of the world she still remains a child.