Between Snow and Fire — page 208: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

900s — EEN SNOW AND ? F . * 3 -— i F | 3 ad . wv 1, T aon i = ee} nal “Was it war-time when Hlangani entered the Gaika loca- tion to stir up strife? Was it right that he should bring his dogs on to my farm to hunt my bucks?” answered Carhayes fearlessly. ‘‘ Again, was it fair play for four men, armed with assegais, to attack one, who had but two shots? Or was it self-defence? Listen to my words, Kreli, and vou chiefs and amapakati of the House of Gcealéka,”’ he went on, raising his voice till it was audible to the whole assemblage. “Tn the presence of you all I proclaim Hlangani a coward. He has struck and insulted me because I am bound. He | dare not meet me free, I challenge him to doso, Loosen these bonds. [I am weak and wounded. I cannot escape— you need not fear—and let him meet me if he dares, with any weapon he chooses. I challenge him. If he refuses he is nothing but a cowardly dog, and worse than the meanest Fingo. If you, Kreli, refuse my request, it is because you &now this bragging herald of yours to be a coward.” The fierce rapidity of this harangue, the audacity of the request embodied within it, took away the auditors’ breath. Yet the ideaappealed to them—appealed powerfully to their ardently martial sympathies. The very novelty of sucha duel as that proposed invested it with a rare attractiveness. “What does Hlangani say?” observed Kreli, with a partly amused glance at his subordinate. “This, O Great Chief of my father’s house,” replied the warrior, the light of battle springing into his eyes. “‘ Of what man living was Hlangani ever afraid? What man ever had to callhim twice? Yet, O Great Chief, the head of my father’s house, I would ask a boon. When I have whipped this miserable white dog, I would claim possession of his wretched carcase absolutely, alive or dead.” “Ttis granted, Hlangani,’ said the chief. “AndI?” cried Carhayes. ‘‘ What shall be given to me when I have sent this cur, whostrikes helpless men, howling to his hut? My liberty, of course?” “No,” replied Kreli, shortly, “No?” echoed the prisoner. ‘“‘ My life then?” “No,” answered the chief again. “ Be content, umlingu. If you conquer you shall have a swift and mercifui death. If you fail, Hlangani claims you.” Carhayes stared at the chief for a moment, then, as he real- ised that he had nothing to hope for, whether he won in the combat or not—an expression of such deadly ferocity, such Eomileboo ’ i CS (elo) LL