"
"Close the entrance in the wall," cried the Molimo, stung to fury by the
insult; and a voice answered:
"Father, it is already done."
But the Matabele, who should have been frightened, only laughed again,
and their spokesman said:
"See, my brothers, he thinks to trap us who are but three. Well, kill
on, Old Wizard, if you will, but know that if a hand is lifted,
this spear of mine goes through your heart, and that the children of
Lobengula die hard. Know also that then the impi which waits not far
away will destroy you every one, man and woman, youth and maiden,
little ones who hold the hand and infants at the breast; none shall be
left--none at all, to say, 'Here once lived the cowardly Makalanga of
Bambatse.' Nay, be not foolish, but talk softly with us, so that perhaps
we may spare your lives."
Then the three men placed themselves back to back, in such fashion that
they faced every way, and could not be smitten down from behind, and
waited.
"I do not kill envoys," said the Molimo, "but if they are foul-mouthed,
I throw them out of my walls. Your message, men of the Amandabele."
"I hear you. Hearken now to the word of Lobengula."
Then the envoy began to speak, using the pronoun I as though it were the
Matabele king himself who spoke to his vassal, the Makalanga chief: "I
sent to you last year, you slave, who dare to call yourself Mambo of the
Makalanga, demanding a tribute of cattle and women, and warning you that
if they did not come, I would take them.
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