out'
of _abatagati_, and, indeed, it ended in such. Only I and Nangeza knew
the principal reason of the assembly, and secretly we feared.

"_Whau_! it was a sight, that muster! The warriors, crouching behind
their shields, formed two immense half-circles, and behind them the
women and children, the cloud of fear lying heavy upon their faces. The
_izinduna_ sat in a group a little distance from the King's hut.

"It happened that I was appointed shield-bearer to the King, and this
went far to remove my fears, for had any suspicion attached to me, I
should not have been the man told off to stand behind the Great Great
One on such an occasion as this. As Umzilikazi came forth, I walking
before him with the great white shield held aloft, two _izimbonga_ ran
before us in a crouching attitude shouting aloud the names of the Great
Great One; and the rattle of assegai hafts was as the quiver of the
forest trees in a gale as the great half-circles of warriors bent low,
echoing in a mighty rolling voice the words of the _izimbonga_.

"`_Ho, Yisobantu! Indhlovu 'nkulu! Ho, Inyoka 'mninimandhla! Ho,
Inkunzi 'mnyama! Ho, 'Nkulu-'nkulu_.'"

[O Father of the People! Great Elephant! O All-powerful Serpent! O
Black Bull! O Great One!]

"The King seated himself upon a carved block of wood which was covered
with a leopard's skin, I taking up my position behind him, holding the
white shield. On either side were ranged the young men of the royal
body-guard, fully armed. Then he gave orders that the defaulting
sentinel should be brought before him.

"In the midst of four warriors of his own regiment, unarmed, of course,
but not bound, the man drew near. He was a young man, tall and strong,
and a feeling of profound pity was in the hearts of all; for, fine
warrior as he was, all knew he was doomed. His offence was one which
the King could not pardon. He did obeisance, uttering one word, `Baba!'
[Father!] But as he rose one look at his face, which, though sad, was
full of the dignity of fearlessness, caused my heart to stand still--for
I recognised my brother, Sekweni. I had doomed to death my own father's
son. Then the Great Great One spoke:

"`When a soldier of the King is set to guard the safety of the King, he
has eyes to see with and ears to hear with. He has weapons to fight
with, and strength wherewith to use them. Yet all these are of no use
to him, since, being in full possession of them all, the King's sen