ront by numerous white ox-tails. His features
were handsome for a Kaffir; in height he towered above those surrounding
him; and though still young, he was remarkably stout. He was evidently
also a powerful man, and he possessed the supposed attributes of high
birth--wonderfully small hands and feet for a person of his size.

"Who can he be?" asked Crawford.

"A whopping big fellow, at all events," answered Denis; "I'll ask
Hendricks."

"That is no other than Cetchwayo, the real ruler of Zululand," said
Hendricks; "he has come here probably on a visit to his father, and he
it was who ordered our seizure. I have always been on good terms with
him, and must try and induce him not to detain us. It will not do,
however, to approach him on horseback. We must show him some respect,
though we need not bow and cringe as that fellow is doing."

When the party had approached to about a hundred yards or so from the
prince, a halt was called, when Hendricks, dismounting, summoned Umgolo,
and leaving the horses in charge of the other attendants, they proceeded
together towards the prince.

Hendricks saluted him in Kaffir fashion, and having paid the usual
compliments, begged to inquire why he and his party had been summoned.
The prince replied that he wished to see him face to face. That no harm
was intended him, but that he required his services for an important
object. Hendricks asked what that object was, saying at the same time,
that he should be always ready to do anything to serve him.

"That is well!" answered Cetchwayo; "but you are equally ready to do
anything to serve Umbulazi, to whose camp I find you have paid a visit."

Hendricks replied that he had been compelled to visit the camp for the
purpose of rescuing some of his followers who had been made prisoners,
and that he had neither promised his assistance nor expressed his
approbation of the proceedings of Umbulazi.

"You must show which side you espouse by joining me, and assisting in
defeating the traitor who is planning to deprive me of my father's
favour, and to rule the country in my stead," said Cetchwayo.

In vain Hendricks pleaded that although friendly to Cetchwayo, he was
anxious to proceed on his journey for an important object, and that it
was not becoming in white men to interfere in the quarrels of the
natives, with all of whom they wished to be at peace.

Cetchwayo smiled grimly, remarking, "That whether Hendricks and his
followers fough