Stooping through the doorway, I entered the hut. It was empty.
Everything was in its place as I had left it. But—no Lalusini.
“She has gone about some ordinary business,” I thought; “or has come to welcome me in the path, and we have missed.” But my sinking heart cried aloud that such thoughts told idle tales.
Stepping forth, I beckoned a young man standing near.
“Where is Mgwali?” I inquired.
He replied that he thought my brother must have tarried at the Great Place, for he had seen him there that morning.
“Where is Ncala-cala?” I then asked.
He replied that the old man, who was the responsible head of the kraal under me, had been sent for by the King the day before, and had not yet returned. I asked him no more questions, but entered the hut of one of my other wives.
I found Nxope and Fumana squatted together on the ground. They greeted me in a manner that struck me as showing great if subdued fear.
“Where is Lalusini?” I said.