'Tween Snow and Fire

me here as I stand. Shoot again, Umlilwane--shoot again, if you dare. Hau! Hear my word.' You have slain my dog--my white hunting dog, the last of his breed--who can outrun every other hunting dog in the land, even as the wind outstrippeth the crawling ox-wagon, and you have shed my blood, the blood of a chief. You had better first have cut off your right hand, for it is better to lose a hand than one's mind. This is my word, ' Umlilwane--bear it in memory, for you have struck a chief--a man of the House of Gcaleka.- [Umlilwane: -Little Fire---Kafirs are fond of bestowing nicknames. This one referred to its bearer's habitually short temper.] -Damn the House of Gcaleka, anyway, - said Carhayes, with a sneer as the savage, having vented his denunciation, stalked scowlingly away with his compatriots. -Look here, isidenge, - [fool], he continued. -This is my word. Keep clear of me, for the next time you fall foul of me I'll shoot you dead. And now, Eustace, - turni