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. She says that I must seek some
one who thought much of them; one, too who still lives in the
heart of a man who is present here, if that be possible, since
from such a heart alone can the strength be drawn to enable the
dead to appear and speak. Now let there be silence--Let there be
silence, and woe to him that breaks it.
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