at agglomeration being represented hither to
by the inferior tribes, which they had reduced and decimated ever since
the exodus from Zululand. Now these troublesome whites were coming into
the country by threes and fours--why not make an end of them before they
became too numerous? Umzilikazi would have done this--Umzilikazi, that
Elephant who had made the nation what it was. So they murmured against
Lo Bengula, in so far as they dared, and that was a good deal, for the
voice of a nation can make itself heard, even against a despot, when the
potentate thinks fit to run counter to its sense.

Now, three out of the four knew the King intimately; the other,
Blachland to wit, fairly well. They had frequently visited him at
Bulawayo, either spontaneously, or in compliance with a request. But
never had they been sent for in such fashion that a trio of armed and
insolent youths were thought good enough to be the bearers of the King's
message.

Upon this circumstance, and the disappearance of Hlangulu, Christian
Sybrandt was expatiating, as they took their way leisurely along the
slope where the business part of the present town of Bulawayo now
stands, for Lo Bengula's great place crowned the rise some two miles to
the eastward. And here signs of busy life were already apparent. Files
of women, bearers of wood or water, were stepping along; bunches of
cattle being driven or herded; here and there, men, in groups or singly,
proceeding to, or returning from the great kraal, their deep-toned
voices rising upon the air in contrast to the clearer trebles of the
feminine ones, though none the less rich and melodious.

And above the immense kraal, with its ring of clustering huts, a blue
smoke cloud, drifting lazily to leeward, as though the place were in a
state of conflagration. A peaceful, pastoral scene, but that the sun
glinted on the blades of the assegais carried by the men, and on the
sheen of their miniature shields.

Nor were other symptoms wanting, and those of a far more ominous
character, which should bring home to our party the full fact that they
were in the heart of a nation of turbulent and ruthless barbarians; for
as they drew nearer to the great kraal, a mighty hubbub arose within its
precincts, and there emerged from the stockade a dark surging crowd of
armed warriors. These, uttering a ferocious shout, made straight for
the new arrivals.

"Steady, Blachland," enjoined Sybrandt, in a low tone. "Don't