to me too valuable."

This last the King said rather to himself than to me, yet I understood
his meaning.

"Send me, Father," I said. "I am able to converse with these people,
and who better can explain the mind of the King in such a matter?"

"That is so, Untuswa. But it is like sending thee to thy death; for, if
these people are wallowing in their folly to the extent of refusing to
_konza_ to me, it is as likely as not they will slay my messenger. And
it is not a very great death for a fighting captain."

"When a man dies in the service of the King, any death is a great
death," I answered. "Send me, Black Elephant."

Umzilikazi took snuff a moment and pondered.

"I will send thee, son of Ntelani," he said. "Who now is there to bear
thee company, for thou must go alone, with one other, and four slaves to
carry thy game. I will not that an _induna_ of the King go before the
chief of a numerous nation unattended."

It was, as the King had said, a dangerous service. The Bakoni, I knew,
were relying on their numbers. It was extremely probable they would put
me to death in the first instance, and, at any rate, certain that they
would do so later, when they realised that our _impis_ were actually
drawing near to sweep them off the face of the earth. Yet I felt sure
that the Great Great One had some reason in sending me; and, even had I
not, never was I known to think twice when ordered to any post of
danger. I was the only _induna_ with the King there in our advanced
camp, but among the royal body-guard was that aforementioned younger
brother of mine, Mgwali, son of the same mother as Sekweni, who was put
to death for suffering himself to be overpowered at his post. Him now I
named to the King.

"It is well," said Umzilikazi. "Go now to this chief named Tauane,
which appears to mean in the tongue of his race, `A Young Lion,' and say
that not many days off draweth near an old lion, whose roar is louder--
that unless I behold the usual tribute, brought by himself in person,
before we are within a day's march of his town, he and his people are
already dead. Go!"

I stood before the King, cried aloud the _Bayete_, and strode off. I
armed myself with my great war-shield, several strong assegais, and a
heavy knobstick. Then I took in my hand the King's Assegai, and sent
for my brother Mgwali.

"Pick out four of the slaves, load them with such things as we need for
a long march, and follow me. It is the