iefs, or colonels, as they
really were, advanced from the woods on either side in due order; the
tall plumes of the chiefs, their skin cloaks, and ox-tail adornments,
fluttering in the breeze. They advanced, singing a monotonous chant,
describing the heroic deeds they were about to perform, till each
regiment in turn came in front of Cetchwayo, when halting, the men
formed a semi-circle, and began slowly moving their feet and arms. As
they grew more excited, their action increased in energy and fierceness,
and their songs became louder, until at length there was a perfect storm
of singing, yelling, and stamping. At the same time the utmost
regularity was kept up; their feet, for they did not move from their
positions, leaving deep dents in the ground. Notwithstanding the
turmoil and apparent disorder which prevailed, they kept perfect time
with their voices, arms, and feet. At length, when well-nigh exhausted
from their exertions, having received the approval of their general,
they moved on to give place to another regiment, which performed
precisely the same manoeuvres, except that the men endeavoured to outdo
their predecessors in loudness of voice and vehemence of action.

Ten regiments were thus passed in review, forming a force of as many
thousand men.

"I suspect poor Umbulazi will have very little chance against these
fellows, if they once come up with him," observed Denis to Crawford.
"His best chance will be to escape across the border, where I do not
suppose that Cetchwayo will venture to follow him."

"From your account, he and his followers are perfect savages, and these
fellows are much of the same description," answered Crawford. "For my
part, I wish we were out of the country. I am surprised that Captain
Broderick should have ventured to settle in the neighbourhood of such
people. I had formed a very different notion of them before I came
out."

"Of course they are very much like other Kaffirs," said Denis. "They
have no more regard for human life than they have for that of the
animals they chase. They have become formidable from the way they have
been trained by a succession of clever chiefs like Cetchwayo, though I
don't suppose that old Panda has ever done much to maintain good
discipline in his army. However, as Cetchwayo is well disposed towards
the English, he will not give much trouble to the colony."

"Not as long as he considers it to his advantage to keep friends with
the Englis