Part 12 (1/2)
”If you beco of the country, you ish to be friends with the English, as Panda is Now it strikes me, the best way to show your friendly intentions is to treat well those who fall into your power I hope therefore, after we have had some breakfast, that you will restore us our rifles and horses, and allow us to return to those who are waiting for us”
”Go back to your hut, and wait until I send for you!” answered Uriht it wise to obey
”What news?” asked Percy, as he entered
”One certain piece of news is that Lionel got off safe; but what the chief intends doing with us is more than I can say I hope he will send us soe for ourselves The fellon there will soon have their meat cooked and their mealy cakes baked
Before they have eaten theo down to one of the fires and claim a portion”
They waited for soer!” cried Denis at last, and he got up intending to proceed to the nearest fire, when just as he crawled through the opening a Kaffir wo a basket on her head
”The chief has sent you this,” she said; ”you are to eat it and be thankful; but he bids me tell you that if you atteed to the chief,” said Denis, as the girl placed the basket on the ground ”Tell hiives us perood-bye”
Denis, however, was too hungry to sayup the basket entered the hut It contained a gourd of whey, some mealy cakes and cooked buffalo flesh
”This isn't bad, after all,” observed Denis as they fell to ”We have got Lionel's share as well as our own; however, we may stow that away in case ant it”
They had just finished their meal when their attention was attracted by a loud hubbub outside
Denis crept out to ascertain the cause of the noise Percy followed hi lines, extending to the farther end of the valley In the distance appeared one of the strangest figures iinable It was that, as the dress betokened, of a woman Slowly she advanced up the centre, between the two lines of warriors, followed by a dozen ainst which they beat with their clubs,a sound like that of drums As she drew near it was seen that she was bedecked in the most curious fashi+on Her nose was painted white, as was one of her eyelids, while the other was dyed with red earth Her long hair was plastered together by a rease and clay blackened with charcoal Round her neck were suspended coils of the entrails of animals stuffed with fat, while her hair was stuck over in all directions with the gall bladders of animals Several dried snakes, a hu suspended from her shoulders, besides which she wore a necklace s of the sa a short kilt hanging fro tails at its end, which she flourished vigorously above her head as she advanced with prancing steps up the valley In her right she carried her ic rattle, which she shook violently, now on one side, now on the other Thestruck either by her wand or rattle, evidently holding her in great awe On she ca no inclination to denounce any of theenerally eot near to Uing forward in theto one side, now to the other, and bounding high in the air, while the charainst her body
Us with intense eagerness, wondering what she would next do Presently her eye fell on Denis and Percy
”I think we should be wise to get into our hut,” exclaimed Percy ”I don't like the look of that hideous creature”
Before, however, they could do so she was up to theical wand she struck theh the blows did not hurt them, the effects were likely to prove disastrous
In another instant she had bounded away, and was apparently about to retire between the lines of soldiers She had not gone far, however, before Umbulazi shouted to her to return
Almost directly she had delivered the blows, several of the Zulu warriors, chiefs and others, rushed with threatening gestures towards the two captives Denis, ell acquainted with the customs of the Zulus, fully expected that a cruel death was instantly to be their lot; but e, he put on as determined a look as he could assume
”We're in for it, Percy,” he said, ”so you must be prepared for the worst; but I'll try what I can do with these abo chiefs he addressed them in an undaunted tone
”What are ye about to do, e woman struck us, are we to be treated as if we had committed some crined; all the expostulations he could offer ithout the slightest effect He and Percy were dragged up to the hut of the chief, before who He had just put the important question for her to anshether if he went to war he should obtain success over his enemies
”Success will attend those who are the bravest and most numerous See yonder host spread out before you Can you doubt, O Prince, that victory will be yours?” she replied, in a loud chanting tone
Uhly pleased at this answer
”You hear what the o to his chiefs