sheltered from the frost of the night by the dust of those to whom I

had given life. Such were the things that befell us in the days of

Chaka, my father; yes, not to me alone, but to many another also.

I lay among the ashes and groaned with the pain of my burn, and

groaned also from the desolation of my heart. Why had I not tasted the

poison, there in the hut of Chaka, and before the eyes of Chaka? Why

did I not taste it now and make an end? Nay, I had endured the agony;

I would not give him this last triumph over me. Now, having passed the