The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-11-03

robes-sometimes the robe is an old Eu-
ropean quilt or a dilapidated English army
blanket-kneels before this and, like other
humbugs Of his class all over the world
and in all ages, looks wise, mumbles incan-
tations and tells his royal dupe what ne
thinks will be the result of his contem-
plated action. These medicine men ure. rs
a rule. very shrewd and know all that is
going on in the country and seldom make a
Dig blunder. Here Is the pioneers story
OF a review at the great military kraal
Buluwayo:
Early in the morning all the English at
the station walked up TO the kings kraal
TO see about as novel a sight as could be
witnessed IN any part of the world. The
Kings private residence, which comprises a
in European fashion, are inclosed together
with his private cattle kraal in a strong
stockade Of about two acres, leaving an
open space of great extent between Loben-
gulaS encampment and the native nuts.
There are several thousand of these closely
packed together. On arriving near the
usual, in close consultation over a dead OK,
with two OF his medicine doctors and rain
maker. The different regiments formed an
immense circle, eight and ten deep about
four thousand in all. They were dressed in
their war dress of black ostrich feathers, a
profusion of these hanging over their Shout
ders. Wildcats and tigers tails reaching
TO the ground clothed their loins and they
had on other skin ornaments. OF course all
They were divided into regiments each
sixty strong, the whole forming a very
picturesque ana novel sight.
For some time the remained mute,
not a sound being heard, but occasionally
they would burst forth with a war song in
ing on the ground with their feet and strik-
ing their shields with their assegais. The
effect was imposing. Occasionally one or
go through the performance of fighting the
enemy, now advancing, now retreating,
now in close combat. making as many stabs
came out and went through the same per-
Torrance, jumping high into the air, and
striking their shields with both ends of their
before touching the ground, the springer
knocking his knees and feet together. Then
and ali the young royal daughters, wear
ing black goatskin kits down to their
knees. They were dressed out with yellow
sion Of many-colored beads, colored
yellow ribbons round their shoul-
ders. They advanced into the arena
with slow, measured steps, keeping excel
lent time chanting native songs, after
which they returned and retired. All this
time the King. was not to be seen: He was
in the cattle kraal with his medicine men,
After they had at length consulted over the
intestines the chief medicine doctor; en-
veloped in long oxtails that completely
cealed his tall figure, and wearing lit
tie jockey cap with fur in front and long
crane feather, marched up and down in
the center OF the inclosuse. singing the
Kings praise.
Then came forth the King himself
Lobengula had his towering headdress
of black ostrich feathers and an immense
cape of the same and a kilt OF wildcats
tails. He carried and assegai He adj
vanced with slow. measured step into the
center of the arena, his sister Nina by his
side-a lady fat and corpulent as her
brother-dressed in a long kilt, profusion
of yellow kerchiefs, ribbons, gold chain
and watch, and blue jay feathers in her
wooly hair. Then the five royal daughters
began to chant native tunes, advancing
tWOS and thraeS at a time and again re-
treating in the same order. The warriors
followed and began singing their war songs,
keeping time with their feet. The scene
soon became quite exciting.
AT length the King called for silence
and the order was given for each regiment
to march out into the open plain and have
a sham fight. Each regiment was COM
manded by the chief induna, the King
being attended by his own particular reg
shields of these were all black, each soldier
not less than six feet"