less
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.'
Such was the word of the founder of nations, the eater-up of disobedient
peoples, O Tauane, and councillors of the Bakoni."

I was not sure, _Nkose_ that that moment was not my last. Such a chorus
of rage went up from the armed ranks as I delivered my message as might
have been heard a great way off.

"To death with him!" they roared. "To death with the man who wears the
black ring! Let him be burnt in the fire!"

But of all this I took no notice. I even gave a slight laugh, as I
stood, with my head thrown back, looking down upon Tauane.

"Such is the word of the Great Great One," I repeated, slowly.

"Have you ever done a bolder act, stranger?" said Tauane. "Hear you
these? They howl for the blood of him who has insulted their nation and
chief. Have you ever done a bolder act?"

"I have, indeed--an act which has won me the _isicoco_ I wear--also
this"--holding forth the King's Assegai. "If they howl now, what will
they do when the `word' of Umzilikazi, the mighty King, is not obeyed.
Never does he send forth his `word' twice. Now, when wilt thou _konza_
to the Elephant, O Tauane? The sooner the better!"

The howl that went up now was terrible to hear. The dense lines of
armed warriors sprang to their feet and hurled themselves upon us,
spears uplifted.

Mgwali and I stood back to back, covered by our shields. We would die
like Zulu warriors, but before we did so the King's Assegai should
cleave in twain the heart of the chief. This Tauane knew, and made
furious signs to his people to forbear. But they would not listen, and
it seemed that in a moment more we should fall beneath the weight of the
corpses of the Bakoni whom we would carry with us to the Dark Unknown,
when there arose a new and sudden tumult out beyond the lines of those
who would have slain us.

Up the open square men were running--fleeing as before some great and
unknown terror--calling out wildly and looking back as they ran. Every
hand was stayed, each uplifted weapon lowered. Away, over the plain,
dust-clouds were moving, and soon we could descry among them the
advancing horns of driven cattle. Our hearts leaped. Soon we expected
to behold the avenging spears of our nation. The King had repented him
of our errand of peace. Our army was even now hurrying to sweep this
rebellio