He received it, in the hollow of both hands, as the native way is. I saw before me in the moonlight what was not at all the popular conception of the witch doctor--a little shrivelled being with furtive, cunning looks, and snaky eyes. No. This was a middle-aged man of fine stature, and broadly and strongly built: destitute too of charms or amulets in the way of adornments. His head-ring glistened in the moonlight, and for all clothing he wore the usual _mutya_. In fact the only peculiarity about him was that he had but one eye. "What has become of Nyamaki?" I said, filling and lighting my pipe. "U' Nyamaki? Has he gone then?" was the answer which, of course, was a bit of assumed ignorance. "Now how can the father of wisdom ask such a question?" I said. "He-- to whom nothing is dark!" Ukozi's face was as a mask. He uttered a single grunt--that was all. "The whites will offer large reward to the man who finds him," I went on. "Will he who sits yonder"--meaning my recent entertainer--"offer large reward?" was the answer, a sudden whimsical flash illuminating the dark, impassive face. "That I cannot say. But I should think it probable. And now you are seeking midnight _muti_ so as to obtain such reward. Take care," I went on, chaffing him. "To wander at midnight would not be safe _la pa_," pointing in the direction of the Zulu country. "But here we are under the Queen." "The Queen! _Au_! Even the Queen cannot do everything." "She just about can though," I answered decisively. "Can she find Nyamaki?" he said, putting his head on one side. This was a facer. I didn't know what the deuce to answer. While I was hesitating he went on: "_Au_! Well, Iqalaqala, turn back and make your bed with him yonder, for you will not go home to-night _Hamba gahle_." "_Hlala gahle_, father of mystery," I answered lightly touching my horse with the spur. You will think it strange I should make so light of his warning, yet as I resumed my way up the valley, no thought of material danger came into my mind as I pondered over it. I would show him that wise as he was, and great his reputation, yet he did not know everything. I would have the crow of him next time we met, when-- My horse had suddenly cocked his ears, then uttering a loud snort he stopped dead--so suddenly indeed that I as nearly as possible pitched over his head. Yet, there was nothing in sight. The path, here rather steep, narrowed between high thick bush, just over which on either hand, rose two straight but entirely insignificant krantzes. "He has seen a snake, a big mamba perhaps," I decided. "Well, let the brute crawl away, as he's sure to do if alarmed. Then we'll get on again." But we didn't. I shouted a little, and swished at the bushes with my whip. Then I spurred my horse forward again. The confounded animal wouldn't budge.