Central High School - Mirror Yearbook (Birmingham, AL)

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The Captain of the Zulus m K HAD hunted through Natal and were far in the interior of Africa, when we lost our horses. While trailing an elephant on foot, the horses strayed. After a fruitless search we returned to the village and there decided to consult a native who had the reputation of locating strayed cattle and curing the sick. )f course, we did not believe the story, but as there could be no harm in trying, we set out to his hut. We found ourselves in a dark, bare hut looking upon a very old feeble savage, lie was not the ordinary negro; he was lighter-complected and had a more intelligent face. After the customary greetings, we were very much surprised by the remarks he made, for he said. I know you come here. W hite Man. to find your lost horses, and although you do not think I have the power, I will direct you to them.' He then gave us certain directions and we. doubting, thanked him and left, hollowing his orders we were astonished to find our ponies. Naturally we were very envious concerning the old savage, so we decided to pay him a visit. We did. and after a long time he told the following story emphasized by many gestures. How old am I. you ask?” I do not know. No one knows. You have heard the name T'Chaka. King of Zululand? Yes. He and 1 were almost the same age. Now he has been dead many years. Mice his nation would have given much for the man who killed him. Hut they Could neved find him. Also I' Klywayo has ruled and died, not so long ago. a prisoner in hng-lish hands despised by our people. Our people, did I say. What are they? Slaves, my father slaves. Mice it was not so. (Mice at our name, tribes shivered. ( Mice our impis left at the new moon, and at the full moon they would return, bearing captives and treasure. Not all would return. Many dropped of the fever; the stabbing spear found many. 'I hey were not thought of. The laud ran blood, man’s life was not bis own. it was the king's. Then, my father, we were men. The king said. ’Ho, my children, and do nor return defeated.’ ‘They went. They fought. They conquered or died. Heaton they never returned, for it was death to return beaten. ” There were then few tribes who bad not heard the Zulu war cry, s’gcc, •S gee. which was hissed as the assegai found the enemy. It was great to die. “Ah! mv father. I am old. I roam from mv subject. I love to talk ..f the glory of my people. Il.it if only before I I coithl see the lonK lines of waving plumes, the shaking shields, the stabbing spears, see the impis stamp their feet and raise their shields; sec them shake the earth with the royal salute. I laved the fight. I loved one woman. It was in the battle 29

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fane beyond Puritan comprehension. Priscilla cried at the idea of all men and women being players. She an actress? That thought was more distressing than Malvolio’s knocking off ltcr cap with bows. Her tears were hitter when someone said. “Some arc horn great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them.” Was anything ever done except by Providence? One afternoon Touchstone met John in the wood and they wont home together. Soon Touchstone was narrating the incident and began. “A fool, a fool! I met a fool i‘ the forest.” In vain Priscilla pulled John's coat and loudly whispered “Speak for yourself, John,” But lie could utter no retort. On the “Twelfth Night,” the party was ready to leave, when Maria turned to Priscilla and said, “We arc ready and wish to go home, but we will stay longer if von want us to.” Priscilla, smiled faintly and said, “As You Like It.” ROBBIE GRIGGS. ‘17. A SPRING MORNING. Everv morning zephyr blows a tendril leaf in view. The tree has had its morning bath of cool and sparkling dew. Its branches wave before the breeze to greet the coming day. As from the summit of a hill the sun sends forth a ray Which frolics on the tiny buds as if to haste their bloom. The robin long hath sung of love to bis mate upon a bough. As on the freshening breezes come the lowing of a cow. Far, far away, in purple haze the mountain newly green Blends softly in the crimsoned sky Where cloudlets float serene. Reflected in a crystal brook the skv and verdue bright. The dark night shadows baste away Front God’s bright morning light. 28 E. 1.. M.. i7.

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I found her. and in the battle I lost her. The man who would have snatched her from me died, and lie a king. -Von would like to hear the story? I will be brief. My tale of sorrow will weary von. nce when 1 thought of it I wept. Now my heart is made hard by sorrow. I do not weep. '‘Early one morning I left the king's city with a full regiment. I was a captain then. Three thousand men followed me .eager f« r the fight. We traveled far. For about a month we struck towards the north, farther than anv ot our people had been before. t last we came to a beautiful stretch of veldt. Here, crouched a village, surrounded In high grass, at this time of the year, very dry. Armed men. moved to and ft , awaiting us. for runners had told of our arrival. At once 1 prepared for the fight. A king’s orders were mine to execute. The men were to charge by the company, a captain leading each. But. lo! as we waited, the dry grass around the village burst into flame, lighted by a hundred torches. The wind was quiet and the way to the village led thn ugh the flames. The defenders roared taunts at us. such as ‘Fight the fire, then us.’ My blood boiled within me. There was no time to wait. Night was falling and the village must be a ruin by dark. Yet. it was foolish to charge the flames. Behind them stood the enemy leaning on their spears, waiting for the slaughter. It must be done though. With a shout I leaped to the front, waving my spear: ‘Yonder, children of the Zulu.' I cried, 'wait the enemy. They wait for vour spear. 'They are as children. Let the jackals feed upon them. On. children of Chaka, oil!’ “With a roar the first company leaped forward toward certain death. They ran swiftly, heads low and spears outstretched. 'They were on the flames. 'They raised their shields for protection, ami vanished into the smoke and flames. Alive we never saw them again. They died as men should. “'Then mv blood was on fire. I rushed forward. After came the impis. The fire had been smothered 1 the first company, but the ground was hot. The suit ke blinded. Somehow we passed through, and fell on the enemy. We struck. Their nation was stamped flat- all except one. She was a maid. Her beauty blinded my eyes. It was fitting 1 should have her. I loved her, she learned to love me. After a short rest, we returned to Zululaud. Through the gates 1 led less than fifteen hundred men. 'That was all left out of three thousand. “At last I had found a greater joy than war. My wife was all. For her. a king died, and for her 1 am an exile. The king saw her. he wanted her for his own. She hated him. She loved me. So I decided to flee the country with her. I he night came ami carefully we made our way to the gate. We were almost there, when three forms stepped forward and I recognized the king and two of his men. He knew at once my intention. He spoke. ‘So. ungrateful ettr, whom I have nursed, von would leave in the dark? Then go.’ His spear flashed forward, missed me. hut struck my wife. With a moan she fell at my side. Then 1 went mad. Swinging my kerry. I struck down the two captains. Then through a mist I saw Chaka advancing with knife raised. As lie struck 1 raised mv shield. 'The short knife stuck in the tough hide, and left him helpless. He leaped quickly hack, but as he leaped he fell. I was quick with the war club. Then I turned and ran far out into the night. Since then I have been litre.” EDWARD DCHGER, ‘14. M)