is people! He had no
sons living. The two he had--both were slain in the waters of Umzinyati
while striving to escape from the pursuing spears of the Great King--
after Isandhlwana. His people, to whom his word had been law, had now
turned to Babatyana. He himself was a chief no more.

Babatyana was his brother's son, and Babatyana was not old. Since the
teaching of the white people had found footing in the land, and, worse
still, since the teaching of certain black people from a far off country
beyond the salt water, had come among them the old were no longer
respected, no longer listened to. He, Zavula, was old, but Babatyana
was not; wherefore the people turned to listen to the words of
Babatyana. And Babatyana was plotting against the whites--against the
Government. _Whau_! was ever such foolishness known?

What did Babatyana, and the fools who were listening to him, think they
would gain--think they would do? The whites, who overthrew for ever the
House of Senzangakona and the might of Zulu at the very zenith of its
power and glory--were they to be overthrown in their turn by a few
unorganised tribes all unskilled and unpractised in the art of war? The
whites, who could bring guns to bear, each of which could fire a hundred
bullets in every direction while a man could count scarce half that
number--why Baba-tyana and his fools might as well run their heads hard
against the nearest cliff and strive to beat that down as attempt such a
thing as this. _Whau_! was ever such foolishness known?

They reckoned on help from the Amazulu? Well, what then? Even if they
got it, where were the Amazulu now? They were no longer a nation. The
power of the House of Senzangakona was gone for ever; and even if the
splendid army of the last of those Elephants were here to fight on their
side--what then? Even more now--ten times more--were the whites able to
disperse such, like smoke; for their weapons were ten times better than
any they had possessed at the time of the breaking up of the great
House.

_Whau_! was ever such foolishness known!

And for what were the people plotting, these fools? Because they had to
pay a little more in taxes than formerly, to pay for their own
protection? Their own protection, for how would it have been with them
had the Amabuna [Boer] come out best in the late struggle? The rule of
the Amangisi [English], when the very worst had been said against it,
was mild and merciful compare