wrought such havoc among us Zulus
yonder at Kambula. Another and another followed, and then the blackness
of the smoke ceased, and it rose blue and clear, and a gasp and shiver
of wonder ran through our people, for the grass around the old Mosutu
was blazing. He was standing in a ring of flame.

"`Bid your _izanusi_ put out this fire, O King of a new nation, if they
dare approach the spot whence the Fire Spirit, who dwells in the heart
of the world, has lifted up his voice,' cried Masuka, stepping through
the flaming circle and advancing towards us.

"Though thrilling with awe and wonderment myself, I had not omitted to
watch Umzilikazi's countenance during the witch-doctor's manifestation:
Fear was upon all other faces, but upon that of the King was only
curiosity, and I thought triumph. Now he turned to the _izanusi_, and
said:

"`Do his bidding.'

"Their countenances told as plainly as possible that they liked not
their errand. But to hesitate meant death, for Umzilikazi would not
tolerate so much as a moment of hesitation in obeying his orders, not
even from an _izanusi_. So with loud yells the whole band dashed
forward, and with their green boughs beat out the flames, which, indeed,
were spreading fiercely in the dry grass.

"`Is the King satisfied?' said Masuka, as, having prostrated himself, he
rose to his knees.

"Umzilikazi looked at him steadily for a moment. Then his eyes grew
stern, and we who saw it trembled.

"`Do you know what we do with _abatagati_?' he said.

"`My life is in the King's hands,' answered the old Mosutu without
flinching.

"`Ha! the death of the hot stones. Let us see now if the fire-maker can
also be the fire-quencher!' said the King, giving a sign. And in
obedience thereto those in attendance for such purposes sprang forward
to seize the old man; while others, with incredible rapidity, kindled
fire and fanned it to a roaring blaze. Into this several flat stones
were placed. _Au! Nkose_, it is a terrible thing, the death of the hot
stones! A man may live a whole day in agony of torment, for the stones
are placed upon his naked body and held on him with sticks until they
burn their own way into his vitals.

"Those whose work it was to hold down the _Umtagati_ while he underwent
this torment were not over-fond of the task, for the manifestation of
his powers which old Masuka had afforded had struck fear into us all.
But even this was small in comparison with the wr