he thought.

From day to day our spies brought in word to the King. The Amabuna
continued to advance, and they were in great force. Their leaders and
picked men were stern, determined-looking fighters, fierce of aspect,
with their long guns and leather breeches and shaggy beards; and our
warriors, listening, lay under arms, their eyes glaring like those of
lions, as they awaited the word that should let them loose.

Then came tidings that the Amabuna had formed a great camp some ten days
distant from Nkunkundhlovu, and that several of their leaders were
advancing to talk with the King.

Soon they arrived. They were but a few men, with their servants.
Dingane received them in but quiet state, seated at the head of the
great open space of the kraal. Save the King's body-guard, but few
warriors were visible, yet so little did we trust the Amabuna that every
hut in Nkunkundhlovu held two or three armed men ready to spring forth
on a given signal, the while relays of spies watched their distant camp,
so as to pass the word should any sudden and hostile movement be made
thence.

The leaders of the Amabuna rode into the kraal. They were required to
leave their guns with their horses in the centre of the kraal. This
they did not at all like, even when told that it was death for any man--
black or white--to come armed into the presence of the King. But they
had to do it, or return as they came.

"Ah, ah! This is not the head of the snake, only its tongue," growled
Tambusa aside to some of us as we watched the approach of the white men.
"Soon shall we have its head."

Dingane was seated in his chair of state, and received the Amabuna
pleasantly. Bowls of _tywala_ were handed round, and then, sitting in a
half circle in front of him, the _indaba_ commenced.

They had travelled far, they said, even as the People of God in old
times, seeking a land where they might dwell in peace. Such a land they
had found, a land over which the Zulu King claimed ownership, but which
was little used, if at all, by him or his people. Now this land, which
lay between the Tugela and the Umzimvubu, they desired to treat for.
For it they would give part payment in cattle and horses, and part
payment in acting as friends to the Zulu people, supporting them by
force of arms in all their lawful quarrels. So should two peoples
flourish and grow great, dwelling in peace side by side, the waters of
the Tugela alone dividing them.

"I kno