y not see it, and I will follow."

His directions were obeyed, and they all breathed more freely when they
found themselves in the open air. They guessed that the courtiers would
not let the king discover that any beer had been left in the bowls, by
drinking it up themselves, and they therefore were not troubled on that
account.

"It is the first time I ever dined with a king, and it's the last, I
hope, ever to have that honour--at least with a black one," exclaimed
Denis, as they strolled back towards the waggon. "I wish we could send
Cetchwayo to sleep as easily as Hendricks has done his fat old father,
and then we might at once continue our journey."

Cetchwayo, however, was not a man to be sent asleep by any amount of
Kaffir beer, whatever might have been the effect of half a dozen of
London stout. He visited the camp in the evening, to have a talk, as he
said, with his friend the great hunter.

He intended, he said, to commence his march at daylight the next
morning, to attack Umbulazi, and he should depend upon his friends to
afford him the assistance of their rifles.

"Do you wish, O Prince, to destroy me and my companions?" exclaimed
Hendricks. "Know you not that I am subject to the laws of my country?
Those laws forbid me to kill my fellow-creatures, except in
self-defence, or in such warfare as is sanctioned by my government. If
I were to kill any of Umbulazi's people, who have not attacked me, and
who are at peace with my country, I should make myself liable to the
penalty of death. Remember, O Prince, that although your warriors are
brave and numerous, yet Umbulazi has a strong force, and should the
fortune of war turn against you, your women and children would be
exposed to great danger. Now if you will place them under my charge, I
will undertake to defend them, and will fight to the last, rather than
allow them to be killed."

To this proposal Cetchwayo would not consent, but at last he agreed that
Hendricks and his men should remain in the reserve, and that in the
event of any of his regiments being defeated, they should afford them
protection, and enable them to rally, so as to renew the attack.

Very unwillingly Hendricks was compelled to consent to this arrangement,
for he feared being drawn into the conflict, which he especially desired
to avoid. Next morning, at daybreak, the army began its march. The
main body advanced so slowly, that the waggon was able to keep up with
it; but act