then that, sniffing at the air, like a buck that scents danger. Then he began to talk aloud in his own tongue and as I saw that he was speaking with his Spirit, as those do who are mad, I went away and left him.
Why?
I asked.
Because, as you know, Macumazahn, it is a law among us Zulus never to disturb one who is mad and engaged in talking with his Spirit. Moreover, had I done so, probably he would have shot me, nor should I have complained who would have thrust myself in where I had no right to be.
Then why did you not come to call me, Umslopogaas?
Because then he might have shot you, for, as I have seen for some time he is inspired of heaven and knows not what he does upon the earth, thinking only of the Lady Sad-Eyes who has been stolen away from him, as is but natural. So I left him walking up and down, and when I returned later to look, saw that he was gone, as I thought into this walled hut. Now when Hansi tells me that he is not here, I have come to speak to you about him.
No, certainly he is not here,
I said, and I went to look at the bed where Robertson slept to see if it had been used that evening.
Then for the first time I saw lying on it a piece of paper torn from a pocketbook and addressed to myself. I seized and read it. It ran thus:
The merciful Lord has sent me a vision of Inez and shown me where she is over the cliff-edge away to the west, also the road to her. In my sleep I heard her talking to me. She told me that she is in great danger—that they are going to marry her to some brute—and called to me to come at once and save her; yes, and to come alone without saying anything to anyone. So I am going at once. Don't be frightened or trouble about me. All will be well, all will be quite well. I will tell you the rest when we meet.
Horrorstruck I translated this insane screed to Umslopogaas and Hans. The former nodded gravely.
Did I not tell you that he was talking with his Spirit, Macumazahn?
(I had rendered the merciful Lord
as the Good Spirit.) Well, he has gone and doubtless his Spirit will take care of him. It is finished.
At any rate we cannot, Baas,
broke in Hans, who I think feared that I might send him out to look for Robertson.
