sed my heart
to beat and my pulses to thrill, for I was young yet, although so high
up in a position of trust. "Not so. Let us see first if they are
coming in to _konza_ to the messengers of the Great Great One; but if
they mean war, my children, by the head ring of Senzangakona, they shall
have as much of it as they can stomach. Let no blow be struck until I
give the word, but raise the song of the Great Great One, and advance in
battle order. When I give the word we will walk through and through
their ranks, leaving a broad path every way."

So each warrior, striking his shield with his knobstick, raised the war
song of Umzilikazi--

"_Yaingahlabi
Leyo 'nkunzi!
Yai ukufa_!"

["That bull did not (merely) gore.
It was death."]

And thus we paced up the slope slowly, and roaring the terrible
battle-song, which had told the tidings of blood and fire and widespread
death along our nation's track, and as the excitement spread over us we
began to "see red," and the aspect of each warrior was so grim and
ferocious, that those in front, hundreds though they were, hesitated
before our unswerving advance, then halted and called for an _indaba_.

As we still advanced, singing loudly, we began to observe more closely
those who opposed us, and all but hemmed us in. They were armed with
spears, which seemed well made, with axes, and hard square shields. In
aspect they were akin to the Bapedi and the people of old Masuka, but
their faces were softer, as those of women, or of men who were not fond
of war; their ranks, too, were loose and open, and in no order: indeed,
I had little doubt but that, in the event of hostilities, we could carry
out our original plan, and hew lanes through and through them. But now
a voice called out to us--

"Who are ye, stranger people, who enter the land of the Bakoni? Who are
ye? so few, yet singing songs of war?"

Our warriors shook their heads and growled like dogs. They understood
not this language, but I understood it moderately well, having been at
pains to learn from old Masuka both the tongues and customs of the
people around, with all of which he was well-acquainted; and, indeed, it
was because of my knowledge of these tongues that the King had sent me
in command of such a small _impi_, which might easily have been led by a
chief of far inferior rank.

"Of the Bakoni? Who is your chief, and where is he?" I cried in
return.

"Ascend hither, strangers, then you m