p at such a distance that he
might, without difficulty extricate himself should it be necessary.

"Do you come as a friend or a foe?" asked the prince.

"I come as a friend, for such I am to all the Zulu people," answered
Hendricks.

"Well, as a friend I invite you to dismount and partake of a feast which
will speedily be prepared to do you honour," said the prince.

"I cannot at present delay my journey," answered Hendricks, who, his
keen eye having observed the expression on the countenances of several
of the chiefs, greatly doubted the sincerity of the prince. He also
recollected the treacherous way in which a large body of boers had been
massacred a few years before by a relative of this very man, having been
beguiled by a similar invitation.

Again, however, the prince pressed him, assuming so courteous an air,
that he was almost persuaded to yield, when the old prophetess,
disappointed at not seeing the boys put to death, came whirling up,
shaking her rattle and waving her wand, and crying out to her
countrymen, "Beware of the strangers! Beware of the people with pale
faces! They are no friends of the Zulus. Now you have them in your
power, kill them! kill them all!"

Mangaleesu on hearing this cried out to Umbulazi, "Be not deceived by
her. The white men wish to be friends with the Zulus. Harm them not.
If injury is done them, the Zulus will be the sufferers."

Hendricks, who of course understood all that was said, saw that it would
be the height of folly to put himself in the power of Umbulazi and his
followers, and therefore, thanking Mangaleesu, whom he now recognised,
for his good intentions, replied to the prince's invitation, that his
mission being accomplished, he and his party must take their departure.

He was anxious for another reason to get clear of them as soon as
possible; for, knowing the jealousy which existed between Umbulazi and
Cetchwayo, he felt convinced that the former was about to make war on
his more favoured brother, and would very likely try to detain him and
his people for the purpose of compelling them to fight on his side. He
therefore, uttering an "Usaleke," the usual Kaffir salutation at
leaving, turned his horse's head and rode back to his companions.

"Keep ready for a start," he said; "for although we have one friend
among them, I cannot depend upon the rest. Show no hurry until I give
the word."

They rode on slowly, Hendricks ordering the rest of the party to