The Magic of Indaba-Zimbi

"Indaba-zimbi," I said, "you say that you can send your spirit through
the doors of space and see what we cannot see. At the least I know that
you can do strange things. Can you not help me now? If you can, and will
save her, I will give you half the cattle that we have here."

"I never said anything of the sort, Macumazahn," he answered. "I do
things, I do not talk about them. Neither do I seek reward for what I do
like a common witch-doctor. It is well that you have asked me to use my
wisdom, Macumazahn, for I should not have used it again without being
asked--no, not even for the sake of the Star and yourself, whom I love,
for if so my Spirit would have been angry. In the other matters I had a
part, for my life was concerned as well as yours; but in this matter I
have no part, and therefore I might not use my wisdom unless you thought
well to call upon my Spirit. However, it would have been no good to ask
me before, for I have only just found the herb I want," and he produced
a handful of the leaves of a plant that was unfamiliar to me. It had
prickly leaves, shaped very much like those of the common English
nettle.

"Now, Macumazahn," he went on, "bid the men leave us alone, and then
follow me presently to the little glade down there by the water."

I did so. When I reached the glade I found Indaba-zimbi kindling a small
fire under the shadow of a tree by the edge of the water.