the
advance-guard of swarms upon swarms of that red locust, the devourer,
which had not been known in the land before the Amakiwa had been allowed
to come and settle in the land. The locusts had settled and were
devouring everything--the Amakiwa had settled and were devouring
everything. Let them be stamped out.

Those thus referred to sat still and said nothing. For all the effect
the bloodthirsty howling had upon them outwardly, they might just as
well not have heard it. Lo Bengula sat immovable in frowning
abstraction. The two regiments, waxing more and more excited, began to
close in nearer. As warriors armed for some service, they were allowed
to approach that near the King, with their weapons and shields. They
growled and mouthed around their white visitors, and one, at any rate,
of these expected to feel the assegai through his back any moment.

But at this juncture one of the indunas seated near the King leaned
forward, and spoke. He was a very old man, lean and tall, and, before
the stoop of age had overtaken him must have been very tall indeed.

"Peace, children," he rebuked. "The dogs of the King have other game to
hunt. These Amakiwa are not given to you to hunt. They are the friends
of the Black Elephant."

Growls of dissatisfaction greeted this reproof, which seemed not
supported by Lo Bengula.

"Have done, then," thundered the old induna. "Get back, dogs, who have
but yesterday learned to yap. Offend ye the ears of the Great Great One
with your yelpings? Get back!"

This time the rebuke answered. Respect for age and authority is among
the Bantu races instinctive and immense, and the speaker in this
instance represented both, for he had participated in the exodus from
Zululand, under Umzilikazi, early in the century, and had been one of
that potentate's most trusted indunas before Lo Bengula was born;
wherefore the malcontents shrunk back, with stifled growlings, to take
up their former position at a distance.

Order being restored, Sybrandt judged it time to open the proceedings.

"Kumalo!" he began, saluting the King, his companions joining.

"I see you, Klistiaan," returned Lo Bengula, somewhat surlily. "All of
you."

"The King has sent for us, and we have come," went on Sybrandt.
"Strange messengers entered our camp this morning, three _majara_,
armed. Furthermore, they were rude."

"_Au_!" exclaimed Lo Bengula, with a shake of the head. "See you not,
Klistiaan, my fight