On the third morning, that of the day of the full moon, Goza came and informed me that Zikali had arrived at the Valley of Bones before dawn.  I asked him how he, who was so old and feeble, had walked so far.  He answered that he had not walked, or so he understood, but had been carried in a litter, or rather in two litters, one for himself and one for his “spirit.”  This staggered me even where Zikali was concerned, and I inquired what on earth Goza meant.

“Macumazahn, how can I tell you who only know what I myself am told?” he exclaimed.  “Such is the report that the Opener of Roads has made himself by messengers to the king.  None have seen him, for he journeys only in the night.  Moreover, when Zikali passes all men are blind and even women’s tongues grow dumb.  Perchance by ‘his spirit’ he means his medicine or the witch-doctoress, Nombe, whom folks say he created, since none have seen her father or her mother, or heard who begat her; or perchance his snake is hid behind the mats of the second litter, if in truth there was one.”

“It may be so,” I said, feeling that it was useless to pursue the matter.  “Now, Goza, I would see Zikali and at once.”

“That cannot be, Macumazahn, since he has given out that he will see no one, who rests after his journey, and the king has issued orders that any who attempt to approach the Valley of Bones shall die, even if they be of the royal blood.  Yes, if so much as a dog dares to draw near that place, it must die.  The soldiers who ring it round have killed one already, so strict are the orders, also a boy who went towards it searching for a calf, which I think a bad omen.”

“Then I will send a message to him,” I persisted.

“Do so,” mocked Goza.  “Look, yonder sails a vulture.  Ask it to take your message, for nothing else will.  Be not foolish, Macumazahn, but have patience, for to-night you shall see the Opener of Roads when he attends the Council of the king in the Valley of Bones.  This is the order of the king—­that at the rising of the moon I lead you thither, so that you may be present at the Council in case he wishes to ask you any questions about the White People or to give you any message to the Government in Natal.  Therefore at sunset I will come for you.  Till then, farewell.  I have business that cannot wait.”

“Can I see the king?” I cried.

“Not so, Macumazahn.  All to-day he makes sacrifice to the spirits of his ancestors and must not be approached,” Goza called back as he departed.

Availing myself of the permission of the king to go where I would, a little later in the day I walked out of the town towards the Valley of Bones in order to ascertain for myself whether what Goza had told me was true.  So it proved, for about three hundred yards from the mouth of the valley, which at that distance looked like a black hole in the hills, I found soldiers stationed about ten paces apart in a great circle which ran right up the hillside and vanished over the crest.  Strolling up to one of these, whose face I thought I knew, I asked him if he would let me pass to see my friend, the Opener of Roads.