Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1879-03-01
Some Facts About the Zulus.

we WcTc Cdilcu upou yOSoCiuoy W
Mr.. j. d. Caldon, who has recently
spent several years In Southern Africa,
and especially in the Natal and Zulu
country, the present seat of war. He
left there in November, 1877, meeting
Stanley at Natal when on his way to
San sibar, after his last great expedition,
to return the natives in his employ to
their homes. Just at thst time, ketcsh-
waio, whom the British had made King
of Zuzuland, had sent a sack OF maize
to the Governor of Natal, Sir Henry
Bulwer-sFhisb meant declaration of
war Ga sack of meal meaning peace).
The occasion of the war was Claim set
up by the British to tract of land call
ed Utrecht, and said to have been clalm-
ed by the Dutch from whom the Trans
vaal Republic (of which Pretoria is the
capitaD was conveyed In 1876. Sir
Theophilus Shepstone, who then sue
ceeded Gov. Burgos, the Dutch Govern
or, invited Ketcshwaio, the Zulu Chief,
to take part in running the line between
their territory, but hc refused saying,
(" Only dog follows his master"
The Zulu country extends along the
coast northeastwardly from the Tugalo
River, about 250 miles, to the Crocodile
River, and from the ocean to the Dra-
gonsberg (mountains), north of which
lies the Transvaal Republic. The pop
ulation Is estimated at 100000. The
zulus are the finest tribe of natives in
Southern Africa, though in savage
state. PolygamJ prevails, and missions
have gained little foothold among them
They live in huts formed of bent poles
thatched with straw. The climate Is
very warm and the soil productive. The
poorest MAN among them can have his
sixty head of cattle. There is abun-
dance of coal near the mountains, and
gold is found in the vicinity. The
Orange River country, with its diamond
fields, is not far away. The territory in
dispute, near the Dragonsberg, is tract
quite valuable for agricultural and min
eral resources. The Zulus are deter
mined to regain and keep possession of
this land, and single-handed assume the
aggressive, as we have seen, after hay-
ing vainly sought the alliance OF o
neighboring tribe. Mr.. Caldon, who is
an intelligent gentleman, and well in,
formed as to the whole situation, be-
lieves the other tribes will join Ketsh-
waio since his late success, and that the
British in that quarter have serious
work before them This Chief is very
large, powerful man, near 60 years o.
age. He has a Secretary, an English
adventurer named Brown, who has the
credit Of being the power behind the
throne.
OF the skill and courage of the Zulu:
many anecdotes are told, of which th'
following is specimen: Some few
| V,lt, bnntar hnarlnO
young British officer speak somewha
lightly of native prowess, offered to give
him specimen of it by killing single
handed huge lion which infested the
neighborhood. The challenge was &C
cepted, and the brave fellow at once Sc
forth upon his dangerous errand, TN
officer and several of his comrades fol
lowing at distance. Having drawn tn
beast from his lair, the hunter wounded
: him with well flung spear, and IN
stantly fell fiat on the ground beneath hi
huge shield of rhinoceros hide, whic
covered his whole body like the lid OF
: dish. The lion, having vainly expended
% his fury upon it, at length drew back
: few PAGES. Instantly the shield ros
0 again, second lance struck him, an
!, his furious rush encountered only tn
< impenetrable buckler. Foiied agall
D the lion crouched close beside his an
$ pushed enemy, as if meditatiug siege
r but the wil> savage raised the furthl
S end of the shield just enough to let hi
Il creep noiselessly away in the darkness
n leaving his buckler unmoved. Arrive
:. at n safe distance, he leveled his thil
n spear at the broad yellow flank of Il
n royal beast with slch unerring aim
L to lay him dead on the spot, and th'
l. returned composedIy to receive the ap'
n ogies and congratulations of the wo
" dering Spectators Cincinnati San.