Part 26 (2/2)
”Kill U that the ent and that it was a question of my life or theirs, I came into action
In un loaded e used to call ”loopers,” or BB shot, of which but a feent to each charge, for I had hoped to meet with a small buck on un and fired, the right barrel at one of the in each case at the centre of the s shi+elds, which from force of habit they held stretched out to protect their throats and breasts At that distance, of course, the loopers sank through the soft hide of the shi+elds and deep into the bodies of those who carried the so close that he fell against h and bruising er was over for thethe spurs intobetween the groups of strugglingunharmed at the town, I went instantly to the royal huts and de, who sent word that I was to be ad before him I told him exactly what had happened--that I had killed two of Cetewayo's men in order to save my own life, and on that account submitted reat distress, ”I knoell that you are not to blahting, with coht before lad indeed, Macumazahn, that you have escaped without harm, but I er, since all the Usutu party will hold it forfeit if they can catch you While you are in uard about your camp; but here you will have to stay until these troubles are done with, since if you leave you may be murdered on the road”
”I thank you for your kindness, King,” I answered; ”but all this is very aard for me, who hoped to trek for Natal to-morrow”
”Well, there it is, Macumazahn, you will have to stay here unless you wish to be killed He alks into a storm must put up with the hailstones”
So it caed me into the Zulu maelstrom
On the morroas summoned to the trial, half as a witness and half as one of the offenders Going to the head of the Nodwengu kraal, where Panda was sitting in state with his Council, I found the whole great space in front of him croith a dense concourse of fierce-faced partisans, those who favoured Cetewayo--the Usutu--sitting on the right, and those who favoured U on the left At the head of the right-hand section sat Cetewayo, his brethren and chief men At the head of the left-hand section sat Ust whom I saw Saduko take a place immediately behind the Prince, so that he could whisper into his ear
To ht hunters, who by Panda's express peruns, as I did also, for I was determined that if the necessity arose ould sell our lives as dearly as we could, was appointed a place al and between the two factions When everyone was seated the trial began, Panda deht
I cannot set out what followed in all its details, for it would be too long; also I have forgotten many of them I remember, however, that Cetewayo's people said that Uressors, and that Uressors, and that each of their parties backed up these stateth, with loud shouts
”How am I to know the truth?” exclaimed Panda at last ”Macumazahn, you were there; step forward and tell it towhat I had seen, naun the quarrel by striking the captain who favoured Umbelazi, but that in the end Uhting commenced
”Then it would seerounds do you say so,up ”Upon the testimony of this white man, who is well known to be the friend of Umbelazi and of his henchman Saduko, and who himself killed two of those who called ht?”
”Yes, Cetewayo,” I broke in, ”because I thought it better that I should kill them than that they should kill me, whom they attacked quite unprovoked”
”At any rate, you killed them, little White Man,” shouted Cetewayo, ”for which cause your blood is forfeit Say, did U accouns, ho are his sons must come with sticks only? If so, let him protect you!”
”That I will do if there is need!” exclaimed Umbelazi
”Thank you, Prince,” I said; ”but if there is need I will protectmy double-barrelled rifle, I looked full at Cetewayo
”When you leave here, then at least I will co through his teeth, as was his hen mad with passion
For he was beside hih in truth he and I were always good friends
”If so I shall stop where I a, your father Moreover, are you so lost in folly, Cetewayo, that you should wish to bring the English about your ears? Know that if I aive account of my blood”
”Aye,” interrupted Panda, ”and know that if anyone lays a finger on Macuuest, he shall die, whether he be a common man or a prince and my son Also, Cetewayo, I fine you twenty head of cattle, to be paid to Macumazana because of the unprovoked attack which your htly slew them”
”The fine shall be paid, my father,” said Cetewayome he had pushed ave judg As it was impossible to decide which party was most to bla the fine with a lecture on their ill-behaviour, which was listened to indifferently