Part 35 (1/2)
As ent, I noticed that reat one Two, however, reu Inhlope, that is the ”White shi+elds,”
ere a corps of veterans wearing the ring on their heads, and the Ischlangu Umnyama, that is the ”Black shi+elds,” ere all of theed along the fence of the great open place to our left, and the ”Black shi+elds” were si about fifteen hundred -sticks they were unarround, and found Dingaan seated in his chair with two of his great indunas, U on either side of hi in and about the entrance to the labyrinth through which the king had co in front of Dingaan we saluted hied the salutation with pleasant words and smiles Then Retief, two or three of the other Boers, Thomas Halstead and I went forward, whereon the treaty was produced again and identified as the same document that we had seen on the previous day
At the foot of it soaan” [that is, The aan] In the space left between the words ”iven to hi hireat councillors, ere named Nwara, Yuliwana and Manondo, testified as witnesses for the Zulus, and M Oosthuyzen, A C Greyling and B J Liebenberg, ere standing nearest to Retief, as witnesses for the Boers
This done, Dingaan ordered one of his isibongos, or praisers, to run to and fro in front of the regiranted Natal to the Boers to be their property for ever, inforaan asked Retief if he would not eat, and large trenchers of boiled beef were brought out and handed round This, however, the Boers refused, saying they had already breakfasted Thereon the king said that at least they must drink, and pots of twala, or Kaffir beer, were handed round, of which all the Boers partook
While they were drinking, Dingaan gave Retief a e to the Dutch farmers, to the effect that he hoped they would soon come and occupy Natal, which henceforth was their country Also, black-hearted villain that he was, that they would have a pleasant journey ho war songs, in order to a nearer as they danced
It was at this h the captains ere gathered at the gate of the labyrinth, and delivered soe to one of the indunas, who in turn passed it on to the king
”Ow! is it so?” said the king with a troubled look Then his glance fell on h by accident, and he added: ”Macumazahn, one of my wives is taken very ill suddenly, and says she o away Now, you tell me that you are a new-o and find out what ue”
I hesitated, then translated what he had said to Retief
”You had best go, nephew,” said the commandant; ”but come back quickly, for we ride at once”
Still I hesitated, not liking this business; whereon the king began to grow angry
”What!” he said, ”do you white iven you so much--you who have wonderful o,” said Retief, when he understood his words, ”or he will grow cross and everything h the gateway into the labyrinth
Next moment men pounced on me, and before I could utter a word a cloth was thrown over ht behind ed
CHAPTER XIX DEPART IN PEACE
A tall Kaffir, one of the king's household guards, who carried an assegai, came up to e The king would save you, if he can, because you are not Dutch, but English Yet, know that if you try to cry out, if you even struggle, you die,” and he lifted the assegai so as to be ready to plunge it through my heart
Now I understood, and a cold sweat broke out all over ladly would I have given my life to warn them But alas! I could not, for the cloth upon my mouth was so thick that no sound could pass it
One of the Zulus inserted a stick between the reeds of the fence
Working it to and fro sideways, hejust in a line with my eyes--out of cruelty, I suppose, for now I
For so and beer-drinking went on Then Dingaan rose fro hiently, or in peace
He retreated towards the gate of the labyrinth, and as he went the Boers took off their hats, waving theh it, and I began to breathe again