I crawled into the hut and put the board over the bee-hole-like
entrance behind me. Then I began to hunt for the matches in my
pocket and pricked my finger with the point of Chaka's historical
assegai. While I was sucking it to my amazement I heard the
sound of some one breathing on the further side of the hut. At
first I thought of calling the guard, but on reflection found the
matches and lit the candle, which stood by the blankets that
served me as a bed. As soon as it burned up I looked towards the
sound, and to my horror perceived the figure of a sleeping woman,
which frightened me so much that I nearly dropped the candle.
To tell the truth, so obsessed was I with Zikali and his ghosts
that for a few moments it occurred to me that this might be the
Shape with which I had talked an hour or two before. I mean that
which had seemed to resemble the long-dead lady Mameena, or
rather the person made up to her likeness, come here to continue
our conversation. At any rate I was sure, and rightly, that here
was more of the handiwork of Zikali who wished to put me in some
dreadful position for reasons of his own.
Pulling myself together I advanced upon the lady, only to find
myself no wiser, since she was totally covered by a kaross. Now
what was to be done? To escape, of which of course I had thought
at once, was impossible since it meant an assegai in my ribs. To
call to the guard for help seemed indiscreet, for who knew what
those fools might say? To kick or shake her would undoubtedly be
rude and, if it chanced to be the person who had played Mameena,
would certainly provoke remarks that I should not care to face.
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