I see him die in pain and misery; but his
grave I see not, for no man shall know it. I see the white man take his
land and all his wealth; yea, to them and to no son of his shall his
people give the Bayete, the royal salute. Of his greatness and his
power, this alone shall remain to him--a name accursed from generation
to generation. And last of all I see peace upon the land and upon my
children's children." He paused, then added: "For you, cruel dog that
you are, this message also from the Munwali, by the lips of his Molimo.
I lift no hand against you, but you shall not live to look again upon
your king's face. Begone now, and do your worst."
For a moment the three Matabele seemed to be frightened, and Benita
heard one of them say to his companions:
"The Wizard has bewitched us! He has bewitched the Great Elephant and
all his people! Shall we kill him?"
But quickly shaking off his fears their spokesman laughed, and answered:
"So that is what you have brought the white people here for, old
traitor--to plot against the throne of Lobengula."
He wheeled round and stared at Mr. Clifford and Jacob Meyer; then added:
"Good, Grey-beard and Black-Beard: I myself will put you both to such a
death as you have never heard of, and as for the girl, since she is well
favoured, she shall brew the king's beer, and be numbered amongst the
king's wives--unless, indeed, he is pleased to give her to me.
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