The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-12-08

was UAAlAt Ii a 6lOoC VAACACS 81 V0A OAo
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 piece of the open. space by
another fence bent like bow. Behind
this again were the Emposeni, the place
Of the kings women, the guardhorise,
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
man holding 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 tho
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
leather pouch which set out the grant
of land, and twas 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
go yet First they must eat and see
the soldiers dance Q 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 Ingoma; that
Is the war chant of us Zulus, my Ia
ther, and the Beers drew back toward
the center of the space to give the sol
! diers room to dance in. It was at this
moment that heard Dingaan give an
/, order to messenger to run swiftly to
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 the
Prayer Doctor fear dance such as he
!. had often seen before? Presently Dim
! gam 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.
i Then he turned and walked back again
/ toward the gateway which led to his
{, royal house, and saw that near this
/ entrance stood the captain of the regi-
ment, as one stands who waits for orders
I Then of a 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. a
Il We, the councillors, stood astounded,
like men who had become stone; but be-
fore we could speak or act the captain
J 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 q rush
i 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
1 knives and fought bravely, but before a
: man could count hundred twice it was
done, and they were being dragged,
some few dead but the most yet living,
toward the gates of the kraal and out
on to the hill of Slaughter, and there
they were massacred, every one Of
them.
/ Now and the other councillors turned
away and walked silently toward the
house of the King We found him stand
Ing before his great hut, and lifting our
hands we saluted him silently.
"Ah, my captains, he said, 'sthe lard
IL free from the White Wizards Of
whose footsteps the Black One croaked
% he gave M the spirit, or soon shall
be, for this is but . beginning. Ho,
messengersI'' and he turned to some
who stood behind him, ssaway swiftly
to the impis who are gathered behind
tho mountain, away to them, bearing
the kings word to the captains. This
Is the kings word, That tho regiments
gun to the land OF Natal and slay the
Beers there, wiping them out. man,
woman and child Awayl'
Now the messengers cried ont the
royal salute Of Bayete and were gone at
once. But we, the councillors, the men,
bers Of the Amapakati, still stood silent.
Then Dingaan spoke again. address
ing me:
lis thy heart at rest now, Mopo, son
Of Makedama2 Ever hast thou bleated
in my ear of this white people and Of
tho deeds that they shall do. and lo!
they are gone. Say, Mopo. are the Am
booma wizards yonder all dead2 II any
be left alive desire to speak with one
Of Them"
Then looked Dingaan in the face and
spoke
''They are all dead, and thou. o king.
thou also art dead"