Chapter 6 We Enter Kukuanaland

' Infadoos,' I said as we walked,' who made this road ?'

' It was made, my lord, many years ago. Nobody knows how or when — not even the wise woman, Gagool, who has lived for hundreds of years.'

' Has the king many soldiers ?' I asked.

'When Twala calls all his soldiers, they cover the land.'

' Has there been a war recently ?'

' There was a war years ago among ourselves. It is our custom that, when two sons are born at the same time, the weaker must die. The king, years ago, had two sons born together. Kafa was stronger. Everyone thought that Twala, the weaker son, was dead. Kafa became king. When he died, his oldest son, Imotu, was made king. But Gagool, the wise and terrible woman, had hidden Twala and now she brought him out. Twala killed Imotu, but Imotu's wife escaped with her baby, Ignosi. Nobody has seen her.'

' Then, if this child, Ignosi, is alive, he is the true king of the Kukuana people ?' I said.

'Yes. The eldest son of the king is marked at birth by a great snake round his waist. We know him by that. If he is alive, he is king - but he must be dead.'

Umbopa was walking just behind me, listening with great interest.

A message had gone ahead of us. In the early afternoon we reached a village. As we came to it we saw large groups of soldiers marching out from its gates. They ran quickly up the hill towards us with shining spears and waving feathers, and made a line on each side of the road. Then, when we came closer, the royal greeting' Koom!' came from hundreds of throats.

These men were known as the Greys, from the colour of their shields. They were the finest soldiers of the Kukuana nation, and Infadoos was their leader.

As we passed, the Greys followed us. They marched with a regular step that shook the ground.

At sunset, from the top of some hills, we saw the city of Loo, capital of Kukuanaland. It was a very large place, five miles round. Near it was a hill with a strange shape, like a half-moon. A hundred miles beyond it stood three mountains. Their tops were sharp, unlike the round tops of Sheba's Breasts, and there was snow on them.

Infadoos saw us looking at these mountains and said, 'The road ends there. The mountains are full of caves. There the wise men of old time used to go. There our dead kings are now taken to the Place of Death.'

After an hour we reached the edge of the town and came to a great gate. Infadoos spoke, and we passed through into the main street. He led us past lines of huts to the gate of a group of huts. We were glad to eat and then sleep; we were very tired after our long journey.

When we woke, the sun was high in the heavens. Infadoos told us that Twala the king was ready to see us.

We took a rifle and some presents for the king and walked a short distance to a very large square. It was filled by seven or eight thousand soldiers. The space in front of a large hut was empty, but facing it there were several seats. At a sign from Infadoos, we sat down.

At last the door of the hut opened and a huge man stepped out, followed by the boy, Scragga, and a kind of animal in a hairy coat. The king sat down and Scragga stood behind him. The animal crept into the shadow of the hut.

There was silence.

Then the king stood up. He had the most frightening face that we had ever seen. He had one angry black eye. The other eye had gone and there was only a hole in his face where it had been. It was a very cruel face, bad in every way. Around his head were a number of white feathers. His body was covered with shining armour. In his right hand was a large spear. On his forehead shone a huge diamond.

Still there was silence, but not for long. The king held up the great spear in his hand and eight thousand spears were lifted in answer. From eight thousand throats came the royal cry of Koom.

There was silence again, then it was broken. A soldier on our left dropped his shield.

Twala turned his cold eye in the direction of the noise.

' Come here, you,' he said, in a voice like thunder.

A young man stepped out and stood in front of him.

' Will you embarrass me in the eyes of these strangers from the stars ? Speak!'

' It was an accident,' he murmured.

' Then you must pay for your accident. Scragga, kill this dog for me.'

Scragga stepped forward. He waved the spear once, twice, and then struck. The young soldier threw up his hands and dropped dead.

' It was a good stroke,' said the king.' Take him away'.

Four men carried away the body of the murdered man.

Sir Henry was red with anger.' Sit down!' I whispered.

Twala sat silently until the body had been carried away. Then he said,' White people, where have you come from, and what do you want ?'

' We come from the stars,' I answered.' We have come to see this land.'

'Remember that the stars are far away and you are near.Why should we not kill you ?'

I laughed — though not in my heart.' Haven't they told you how I can kill from a distance ?' I said.

'They have told me, but I do not believe them. Kill one of those men over there for me.'

' No,' I answered.' We do not kill except to punish. But bring a cow in through the gates and I will strike it dead.'

' It will be done,' he said.

' Now, Sir Henry' I said,' you must shoot. We want to show that I am not the only one.' I gave him the rifle.

There was a pause. Then we saw a cow coming through the gate. It saw the great crowd of people and it stopped.

' Now!' I whispered.

There was a sharp sound, and the animal lay dead.

A whisper of surprise spread through the crowd.

Then I saw the animal-like figure creeping out from the shadow of the hut. When it reached the place where the king sat, I saw its face. It was the face of a very old woman, covered with deep yellow lines. This was Gagool, the witch, who was older than anybody's living memory.

She placed her hand on the shoulder of Twala the king and began to speak:' Listen, King! Listen, soldiers! Listen, men and women! Listen. There is magic in me, and I tell you what will come.'Terror seemed to fill the hearts of all the people. 'Blood! Blood! Blood! Rivers of blood everywhere. I am old! I am old! Your fathers knew me, and their fathers' fathers. I have seen blood. Ha! ha! But I will see more before I die.

'What do you want, White Men of the Stars? Have you come for white stones ? You will find them when the blood is dry. But will you then go away, or will you stay with me ? Ha! ha! ha!

' And you with the dark proud face' — she pointed her finger at Umbopa —' who are you ? I think I know. I think I can smell the blood in your heart. Take off that cloth—'

She suddenly fell, fainting, to the ground.

The king stood up and waved his hand. The soldiers began to march away.

'White people,' the king said, 'perhaps I should kill you. Gagool has spoken strange words.'

I laughed.'Be careful, King.We are not easy to kill.'

He put his hand to his forehead and thought.

'Go in peace,' he said at last. 'Tonight is a great dance.You must see it. Tomorrow I will decide.'

Date: 2015-12-17; view: 899