at which I have been
telling you would seem so much childish folly. Brothers, you will
remember how the indunas of the Amangisi treated the Amabuna [Boers]
when they had conquered them many years ago. They gave them back all
their lands, and went away. They lost hundreds and hundreds of fighting
men at the hands of the Amabuna, yet they gave them back all their
lands, nor did they even exact any tribute. And what happened
yesterday? After three years of fighting, wherein thousands and
thousands of Amangisi were slain, did they not pay the Amabuna largely
to make peace? Are they not preparing even now to give them back their
lands once more? _Whau_! And even so will they deal with us."

"And the King?" put in Babatyana with his head on one side. "The King
of the Amangisi? What will he do with such indunas as they?"

"He will do as his indunas advise, brother, for such is the way with the
Amangisi."

"A king who is ruled by his indunas is as a dog that is wagged by its
tail. U' Tshaka!" returned Baba tyana vehemently, swearing by the name
of the great Zulu. And the others murmured assent.

"Yet it is so, _amadoda_. I, who have seen, I, who know, tell you so."

And the confidence with which the speaker declared this, the certainty
in his whole manner and look, staggered the doubters. In such wise was
the venom drop injected by these snakes in the grass fostered and
educated all unknowingly by the agencies of philanthropy and
civilisation.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Great news have we heard this night, brothers. But, even though we
drive the Amangisi out, have we not to reckon with the Amabuna? They
are terrible fighters. Not all the tribes in the world could drive
_them_ out, _impela_!"

The speaker was Teliso, who had joined a group which was discussing what
they had heard.

"Not all the tribes in the world!" repeated one, derisively. "Hear
that!"

"Even that Lion, Dingane, had to flee before them," urged the detective.

"Ha! Was there not another Lion of Zulu that roared louder, and divided
the nation? But for this they had been driven out themselves."

"M-m!" hummed another. "That is as the preacher says. Combine--do not
divide."

"And this preacher--will he speak again here?" asked Teliso innocently.

"Not here. At Nteseni's Great Place. There will he speak. But many
will go from here to listen."

The detective was on the point