Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-07-28


it, seeing that the Black One who was
dead had already given it to the Eng
lish, the People of George, and the end |
of the matter would be that the ANA
boona and the People of George would |
light for the land.
Now when l had spoken thus the
heart of Dingaan grew heavy and his
face dark, for my words stuck in his
breast like barbed spear. Still he
made no answer, but dismissed the
council.
On the morrow the king promised to
sign the paper giving the lands they
asked for TO the Beers, and all was
smooth as water when there is no wind.
Before the paper was signed the king
gave great dance, for there were many
regiments gathered at tho kraal, and
for three days this dance went on, but
on the third day he dismissed the regi-
ments, all except one, an imp of lads,
who were commanded to stay. Now all
this while | wondered what was in the
mind of Dingaan and was afraid for the
Amaboona, But he was secret, and told
nothing except to the captains of the
regiment alone-nO, not even TO one of
his council. Yet | knew that he planned
evil, and was half inclined to warn the
Captain Retief but did not fearing to
make myself foolish.
On the fourth morning early Dingaan
sent messenger to the Beers, bidding
them meet him in the cattle kraal, for
there he would mark the paper. So
of ln
gate Of the kraal, for it was death for
any man, white or black, to come armed
before the presence Of the king. Now,
my father, the kraal UmGugundhlovu
was built IN Il great circle, after the
fashion of royal kraals First came the
high outer fence, then the thousands of
huts that ran three parts around be-
tween the great fence and the inner one.
Within this inner fence was the large
open space, big enough to hold five regi-
mcnts, and at the top OF it, opposite the
entrance, stood the cattle kraal itself,
that cut off piece of the open space by
another fence bent like bow. Behind
this again were the Emposeni, the place
of the kings women the guardhousc,
the labyrinth and the Intunkulu, tho
house OF the king. Dingaan came out
on that day and sat on u stool i'll front
of the cattle kraal, and by him stood
man holding a shield over his head to
keep the sun from him. Also we Of the
Amapakati. the council, We're there, and
ranged around tho fence Of the space,
armed with short sticks only-not with
kerries. my father-was that regiment
Of Young men which Dingaan had not
sent away, the captain OF the regiment
being stationed near to the king on the
right
Presently the Beers camo in on foot
and walked mp to the king III Il body,
and Din@aan greeted them well and
shook hands with Retief, their captain.
Then Retief drew the paper from IL
leather pouch which set out the grant
OF land, and it was translated TO the king
by an Interpreter. bingham said that it
was good, and put his mark upon it. and
| Retief and all the Boers were pleased
and smiled across their faces. Now they
would havo said farewell, but Dingaan
forbade them, saying that they must not
90 yet. First they must eat and see
the soldiers dance Il little, and he com
| mandcd dishes Of boiled flesh which
! bad been made ready and bowls of milk
! to be brought TO them. But the Beers
said that they had already eaten: still,
! they drank the milk, passing the bowls
! from hand to hand Now the regiment
! began TO dance. singing the lngOma; that
is the war chant Of us Xulus, my IA
| Their, and the Beers drew back toward
the center of the space to give the sol
dicrs room 10 dance in. 1t was at this
moment that | heard DIgaan give an
order to messenger TO run swiftly tC
the white Doctor of Prayers. who was
staying without the kraal, telling him
not to be afraid, and | wondered what
this might mean, for why should tho
Prayer Doctor fear dance such as he
had often seen before: Presently Din.
gaan rose, and followed by all walked
through the press to where the cap
tain, Rctict, stood, and babe him fare
well, shaking him by the hand and bid
ding him hambla CACHE, to go in peace
Then he turned and walked back again
toward the gateway which led to Iii.
roval house, and | saw that near thi,
! entrance $1,000 me captain OF lllt req
ment, as one stands who waits for orders
Then Of Il sudden, my father, Dingaal
stopped and cried with loud voice
"Bulalani Abatakati" (sluy the wizalds)
and having cried it he covered his fac,
with tho corner Of his blanket and passct
behind the fence.
We, the councillors, stood astounded
like men who had become stone; but be
fore we could speak or act the captain
of the regiment had also cried aloud
"Bulaluni Abatakatim and the sigma
had been caught up from every side
Then, my father, came Il yell and Il rusl
Of thousands Of feet and through tn
dust we saw the soldiers hurl themsclvc
upon the Anaboona, and above tn
shouting we heard the sound Of fallin;
sticks, The Alnuboona drew thei
knives and fought bravcly, but before
man could count q hundred twice il wa
done, and they We're being dragged
some few dead but the most yet living
z