![]() ![]() Now I am safe from the wolves," said Nada. Perhaps it shall be the Slayers who die, brother." Now, though he said little of it, I must tell you, my father, thatGalazi had made a great slaughter there in the neck of the donga.Afterwards I counted the slain, and they were many the nine men ofthe People of the Axe were hidden in them. To the last, brother, so long as one is left to lead them, after thatI do not know Still they have only fangs to set against spears.Slaughterer, your plan is good. How went it, brother?" asked Umslopogaas. They cameon us thrice, but we held them back till the Lily was safe then, allour men being down, I ran, Umslopogaas, and swam the torrent, for Iwas minded to die here in my own place." ![]() ![]() Not so ill, but all those who stood with me in the way are dead, andwith them a few of the foe. So they rose and numbered their flock, and all were there, though itwas not as it had been years ago when first the WolfBrethren huntedon Ghost Mountain for many of the wolves had died by men's spearswhen they harried the kraals of men, and no young were born to them.Then, as once before, the pack was halved, and half, the shewolves,went with Umslopogaas, and half, the dogwolves, went with Galazi. Now, Chief, speak yourword that I may obey it." ![]() So the fighting will be of the best, if, indeed, they donot run before the fangs of the Grey People. Now the foe draws on, they have travelled round about by theford, for they dared not face the torrent, and they cried to me thatthey are sworn to slay us or be slain, as Dingaan, the king,commanded. If I fall in this fray may you yet live on to fight in manyanother, and at the last to die gloriously with axe aloft and may youfind a brisker man and a better Watcher to serve you in your need.Should you fall and I live on, I promise this: I will avenge you tothe last and guard the Lily whom you love, offering her comfort, butno more. Fromthat source flow these ills, as a river from a spring but so it wasfated. Moreover, it would have endured for many ayear to come had you not sought, Slaughterer, to make good better, andto complete our joy of fellowship and war with the love of women. While it lasted our friendship has been good, andits ending shall be good. Still it is in mymind, Slaughterer, that our brotherhood draws to an end, for the fateof him who bears the Watcher, and which my father foretold, is uponme. Perhaps, at least, there shall be death for some. Presently, as he wended, he heard a long, low howlfar away in the forest then he rejoiced, for he knew the callit wasthe call of Galazi, who had escaped the spears of the Slayers. Also he was mad with rage, and plotted in himself to destroythe Slayers of the king, every man of them but first he must learnwhat they would do. His heart was heavy, for he feared that Galazi wasno more. When Umslopogaas had shut the cave, he moved swiftly down themountain, and with him went certain of the wolves not all, for he hadnot summoned them. ![]()
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