San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-08-17

breast like barDed spear. Still lie
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
gavea great dance, for therewere many
regiments gathered at the kraal, and
for three days this dance went on, but
on the third day he dismissed the regi-
ments, all except one, an impi of lads,
who We're commanded to stay. Now all
this while | wondered what was in the
mind of DingGan and was afraid for the
AmaboOna. Eut lie was secret, and told
nothing except 20 the captains of the
regiment ;,3uc-:.O. not even to one of
his council. Yet | knew that he planned
evil, and was half inclined to warn the
Captain RCtief. but did not, fearing to
make myself foolish.
On the fourth morning early Dingaan
sent a messenger to the Beers, bidding
them meet him in the cattle kraal, for
there he would mark the paper. So
they came, stacking their guns at the
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 a 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-
ments, and at the top of it, opposite the
entrance, stood the cattle kraal itself,
that cut off a piece of the open space by
another fence bent like a bow. Behind
this again We're the Emposeni, the place
of the kings women, the guardhouse,
the labyrinth and the Intunkulu, the
house of the king. Dingaan came out
on that day and sat on a stool in front
of the cattle kraal, and by him stood a
man holding a shield over his head to
keep the sun from him. Also we of the
Amapakati, the council, were there, and
ranged around the 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 came in on foot
and walked up to the king in body,
and Dingaan greeted them well and
shook hands with Retief, their captain.
Then Retief drew the paper from a
leather pouch which set out the grant
of land, and it was translated to the king
by an interpreter. Dingaan said that it
was good, and put his mark upon it, and
Retief and all the Beers were pleased
and smiled across their faces. Now they
would have said farewell, but Dingaan
forbade them, saying that they must not
90 yet. First they must eat and see
the soldiers dance little, and he com.
manded dishes of boiled flesh which
had 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 Zulus, my IA
Their, and the Beers drew back toward
the center of the space to give the sol.
diers room to dance in. 1t was at this
moment that | heard Dingaan give az
order to a messenger to run swiftly to
the white Doctor of Payers, who was
staying without the kraal, telling him
not to be afraid, and ! wondered what
this might mean, for why should the
Prayer Doctor fear a 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, Retief, 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 his
royal house, and l saw that near this
entrance stood the captain of the regi-
ment, as one stands who waits for orders.
Then of sudden, my father, Dingaan
stopped and cried with loud voice,
"Bulalani Abatakati" (slay the wizards),
and having cried it he covered his face
with the corner of his blanket and passed
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,
"Bulalani Abatakati!" and the signal
had been caught up from every side.
Then, my father, came yell and rush
of thousands of feet and through the
dust we saw the soldiers hurl themselves
upon the Amaboona, and above the
shouting we heard the sound of falling
sticks. The Amaboona drew their
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