CHAPTER XIII. UMBELAZI THE FALLEN

So I stayed on at Nodwengu, who, indeed, had no choice in the matter, and was very wretched and ill at ease. The place was almost deserted, except for a couple of regiments which were quartered there, the Sangqu and the Amawombe. This latter was the royal regiment, a kind of Household Guards, to which the Kings Chaka, Dingaan and Panda all belonged in turn. Most of the headmen had taken one side or the other, and were away raising forces to fight for Cetewayo or Umbelazi, and even the greater part of the women and children had gone to hide themselves in the bush or among the mountains, since none knew what would happen, or if the conquering army would not fall upon and destroy them.

A few councillors, however, remained with Panda, among whom was old Maputa, the general, who had once brought me the "message of the pills." Several times he visited me at night and told me the rumours that were flying about. From these I gathered that some skirmishes had taken place and the battle could not be long delayed; also that Umbelazi had chosen his fighting ground, a plain near the banks of the Tugela.

"Why has he done this," I asked, "seeing that then he will have a broad river behind him, and if he is defeated water can kill as well as spears?"

"I know not for certain," answered Maputa; "but it is said because of a dream that Saduko, his general, has dreamed thrice, which dream declares that there and there alone Umbelazi will find honour. At any rate, he has chosen this place; and I am told that all the women and children of his army, by thousands, are hidden in the bush along the banks of the river, so that they may fly into Natal if there is need."

1. Were there many people at the place?
2. Where has he remained?
3. Who was still there?
4. Anyone else?
5. Was anyone associated with royalty?
6. Whom?
7. What are they?
8. Did any rulers belong to this?
9. How many?
10. Who were they?
11. Did anyone choose sides?
12. Who did this?
13. Did anyone stay with Panda?
14. How many did?
15. Can you name one?
16. What does he do?
17. When would he visit him?
18. To discuss what?
19. Who had chosen a site to battle?
20. Where had he picked?

Provide a numbered list of answers.
1. No
2. Nodwengu,
3. A couple of regiments.
4. Sangqu and the Amawombe.
5. yes
6. The royal regiment.
7. A kind of Household Guards,
8. Yes.
9. Three.
10. The Kings Chaka, Dingaan and Panda all belonged in turn
11. Yes
12. Most of the headmen .
13. Yes
14. A few.
15. Maputa.
16. A general.
17. At night.
18. The rumours that were flying about.
19. Umbelazi
20. A plain near the banks of the Tugela.