wo thousand excited
voices, constituted a spectacle as imposing as it was indisputably
awe-inspiring.

"The Imbizo and Induba regiments," said Sybrandt, with a glance at this
martial array.

But with their appearance the song ceased, and the warriors composing
this end of the crescent jumped up, and came crowding around, in much
the same rowdy and threatening fashion which had distinguished the
execution party down in the valley.

"Lay down your arms, Amakiwa!" they shouted. "_Au_! it is death to come
armed within the gates of the Ruler of the World."

"It has never been death before--not for us," replied Sybrandt. "At the
inner gate, yes--we disarm; not at the outer."

The answer only served to redouble the uproar. Assegais were flourished
in the faces of the four white men--for they had already dismounted--
accompanied by blood-curdling threats, in such wise as would surely have
tried the nerves of any one less seasoned. The while Sybrandt had been
looking round for some one in authority.

"Greeting, Sikombo," he cried, as his glance met that of a tall
head-ringed man, who was strolling leisurely towards the racket. "These
boys of thine are in high spirits," he added good-humouredly.

The crowd parted to make way for the new arrival, as in duty bound, for
he was an induna of no small importance, and related to the King by
marriage.

"I see you, Klistiaan," replied the other, extending his greeting to the
rest of the party.

But even the presence of the induna could not restrain the turbulent
aggressiveness of the warriors. They continued to clamour against the
white men, whom they demanded should disarm here instead of at the inner
gate.

To this demand, Sybrandt, who was tacitly allowed by the others to take
the lead in all matters of native etiquette or diplomacy--did not deem
it advisable to accede. But something in Sikombo's face caused him to
change his mind, and, having done so, the next best thing was to do it
with a good grace.

"What does it matter?" he said genially. "A little way here, or a
little way there." And he stood his rifle against the fence, an example
which was followed by the others. The warriors then fell back, still
with muttered threats; and, accompanied by the induna, the four white
men crossed the open space to the gate of the King's stockade.

There perforce they had to wait, for the barbarian monarch of Zulu
descent and tradition is, in practice, in no greater hur