By now I had mastered all I could learn by myself, so I joined myself on to the chief medicine-man of our tribe, who was named Noma. He was old, had one eye only, and was very clever.
"Leave the bones alone!" screamed Noma. "We will ask nothing more of our snakes for the good of this son of a dog."
Now, the man was pleased, and said that if my sight was good, and he found the cattle, the gifts should be taken from Noma and given to me; and he asked the people who were sitting round, and there were many, if this was not just.
No; I would drive them straight to the kraal, and denounce Noma before the chief, my father, and all the people.
I went to the corner of my hut, Noma watching me all the while, and took a kerrie and my small shield.
Now the daylight came quickly, and the sun had been up an hour when I reached the spot where I must turn if I wished to hide the cattle in the secret place, as Noma had bid me.
"There he is!" screamed Noma. "There he is!--the clever boy whom I have brought up to bring shame on me.
On came Noma. He struck at me with his stick, but I caught the blow upon my little shield, and hit back.