r Kwelanga, from "Kanya Kwelanga," the "Light of the Sun,"
because her hair, all bright as of gold, seemed to reflect that light.

So our nation journeyed on, and more than one moon had waxed and waned.
And there was a brightening up of spirits among the warriors, and talk
and songs of war; for now we knew we were drawing near the country of
the People of the Blue Cattle, the land of richness and promise, the
land which should be ours.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

UNTUSWA'S EMBASSY.

We had halted some days at a convenient place to hunt. The King was in
high good humour, for the land with each day's progress fell off in no
wise from the report I had made upon it.

"In truth, Untuswa, thou art a wise man as well as a brave one, though
young in years," he said one day, as we sat beneath the shade of a great
tree, taking snuff; for Umzilikazi, with a number of his body-guard, and
three or four _izinceku_, had gone on in advance of the remainder of the
nation, intending to hunt before the game was scared out of our path.
But the game we sought was fierce and dangerous game--the lion, and the
elephant, and the buffalo--and in the slaying of such none was bolder or
more skilful than the King himself. I was the only _induna_ of the
party, and, indeed, it seemed to me that Umzilikazi liked to find some
reason for keeping me about him, even as when I was a boy and unringed.

"It seems to me," he went on, after I had uttered my thanks for his word
of approval, "it seems to me that we are drawing near to the country of
the Chief of the Blue Cattle, yet the choicest of those cattle have not
travelled our way, nor have their owners sent to beg to be allowed to
live. How do you explain this, Untuswa?"

"The Bakoni are a nation of fools, Great Great One. Their warriors are
numerous, but they do not look much of warriors. They, in their
ignorance, fear not the might of the all-devouring Amazula. Give but
the word, Father, and the day we sight their town, there shall not be a
man left."

"Thou art a lion-cub, indeed, Untuswa," said the King, with a laugh.
"No. I have another mind in this matter. I will not destroy these
people, for I think to make use of them--that is, I will give them one
more chance. I will send to their chief, that he delay not to come in
and place his neck beneath my foot. But who to send? None but these
slaves speak with the tongue of those people--and who can trust a
slave?--and Masuka is too old, and