“I did not know that there was a lion, Umslopogaas.”
“That is why you are not so clever as I thought, since of one sort or another there is always a lion which wise men should be prepared to meet, Macumazahn.”
“You are right again,” I replied.
At that moment Hans arrived upon the scene, followed at a discreet distance by the waggon boys, and took in the situation at a glance.
“The Great Medicine of the Opener-of-Roads has worked well,” was all he said.
“The great medicine of the Opener-of-Heads has worked better,” remarked Umslopogaas with a little laugh and pointing to his red axe. “Never before since she came into my keeping has Inkosikaas (i.e. ‘Chieftainess,’ for so was this famous weapon named) sunk so low as to drink the blood of beasts. Still, the stroke was a good one so she need not be ashamed. But, Yellow Man, how comes it that you who, I have been told, are cunning, watch your master so ill?”
“I was asleep,” stuttered Hans indignantly.
“Those who serve should never sleep,” replied Umslopogaas sternly. Then he turned and whistled, and behold! out of the long grass that grew at a little distance, emerged twelve great men, all of them bearing axes and wearing cloaks of hyena skins, who saluted me by raising their axes.
“Set a watch and skin me this beast by dawn. It will make us a mat,” said Umslopogaas, whereon again they saluted silently and melted away.
“Who are these?” I asked.