Thomas would have passed him without notice
as one with whom he was not on speaking terms, but the Bishop, having
been informed by Tabitha who he was, was moved by curiosity to stop and
interchange some words with him, as knowing his tongue perfectly, he
could do.
"_Sakubona_" (that is, "good day"), he said politely.
Menzi rose and saluted with his habitual courtesy, first the Bishop,
then the others, as usual reserving his sweetest smile for Tabitha.
"Great Priest," he said at once, "I understand that the Teacher Tombool
intends to build his house upon this place."
The Bishop wondered how on earth the man knew that, since the matter had
only just been decided by people talking in English, but answered that
perhaps he might do so.
"Great Priest," went on Menzi in an earnest voice, "I pray you to forbid
the Teacher Tombool from doing anything of the sort."
"Why, friend?" asked the Bishop.
"Because, Great Priest, this place is haunted by the spirits of the
dead, and those who live here will be haunted also. Hearken. I myself
when I was young have seen evil-doers brought from Zululand and hurled
from that rock, blinded and broken-armed, by order of the King. I say
that scores have been thrown thence to be devoured by the crocodiles in
the pool below.
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