r would be
likely to follow him.
Being well acquainted with the language and customs of the natives, he
did good trade with them, and soon found himself possessed of some cash
and a small herd of cattle, which he received in exchange for his wares.
Meanwhile news reached him that the man whom he had injured still vowed
vengeance against him, and was in communication with the authorities in
Natal. These reasons making his return to civilisation undesirable for
the moment, and further business being impossible until he could
receive a fresh supply of trade stuff, Hadden like a wise man turned his
thoughts to pleasure. Sending his cattle and waggon over the border to
be left in charge of a native headman with whom he was friendly, he went
on foot to Ulundi to obtain permission from the king, Cetywayo, to hunt
game in his country. Somewhat to his surprise, the Indunas or headmen,
received him courteously--for Hadden's visit took place within a few
months of the outbreak of the Zulu war in 1878, when Cetywayo was
already showing unfriendliness to the English traders and others, though
why the king did so they knew not.
On the occasion of his first and last interview with Cetywayo, Hadden
got a hint of the reason. It happened thus. On the second morning after
his arrival at the royal kraal, a messenger came to inform him that
"the Elephant whose tread shook the earth" had signified that it was
his pleasure to see him. Accordingly he was led through the thousands of
huts and across the Great Place to the little enclosure where Cetywayo,
a royal-looking Zulu seated on a stool, and wearing a kaross of leopard
skins, was holding an _indaba_, or conference, surrounded by his
counsellors. The Induna who had conducted him to the august presence
went down upon his hands and knees, and, uttering the royal salute of
_Bayete_, crawled forward to announce that the white man was waiting.
"Let him wait," said the king angrily; and, turning, he continued the
discussion with his counsellors.
Now, as has been said, Hadden thoroughly understood Zulu; and, when
from time to time the king raised his voice, some of the words he spoke
reached his ear.
"What!" Cetywayo said, to a wizened and aged man who seemed to be
pleading with him earnestly; "am I a dog that these white hyenas should
hunt me thus? Is not the land mine, and was it not my father's before
me? Are not the people mine to save or to slay? I tell you that I will
stamp out t
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