So if you wish to fight I shall fight with
such weapons as I have. No, do not look at the spears--not with spears.
But, if you leave me and my following alone, we shall leave you alone.
If you are wise I think that you will do well to walk your own road and
suffer us to walk ours."
"On the contrary," answered Thomas, "I intend that all the Sisa people
shall walk one road, the road that leads to Heaven."
"Is it so, Teacher?" Menzi replied with a mysterious smile.
Then he turned his head and looked at the darkling river that just here,
where it ran beneath an overhanging ledge of the koppie, was very deep
and still. Thomas felt that there was a world of meaning in his look,
though what it might be he did not know. Suddenly he remembered that
this river was named Death.
After Menzi had looked quite a long while, once more he saluted as
though in farewell, searching the faces of the three white people,
especially Tabitha's, with his dreamy eyes and, letting them fall,
searching the ground also. Near to where he stood grew a number of veld
flowers, such as appear in their glory after the rains in Africa. Among
these was a rare and beautiful white lily. This lily Menzi plucked, and
stepping forward, presented it to Tabitha, saying:
"A flower for the Flower! A gift to a child from one who is childless!"
Her father saw and meditated interference.
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