en
as had done all other nations within our reach.

At length we drew near to Ekupumuleni, and our hearts were light, for
the thoughts of all of us were full of the richness of the country which
lay awaiting our possession; and as we returned to the home of our
wandering nation, the dryness of the land struck us as quite cheerless--
not that it was so really, but only by comparison with the green,
well-watered region we had just left.

Having sent messengers on to announce our arrival, we entered the great
kraal, singing lustily the praises of the King. Umzilikazi was seated
in his wonted place, at the upper end of the great open circle, and as
we flung our weapons to the ground and, tossing our right hands aloft,
roared the _Bayete_, I could see that pleased expression I knew so well
steal over his face.

"Greeting, son of Ntelani," he said, as bending low, I drew near. "Seat
thyself, and tell me what thou hast seen and done."

This I did, and the Great Great One took snuff and listened. Then he
ordered those women and boys whom he had taken as bearers to be brought
before him.

Crouching low to the earth they came, those poor slaves, their eyes
starting from their heads in fear. They had never seen anything like
this--the splendour of our huge kraal and its shapeliness and strength;
so different to their own town, which, though far larger, was utterly
without shape or design--the stature and strength, and fierce bearing of
our warriors, who had mustered in crowds to witness our return, and
above all, the proud majesty of our King, and the roaring volume of
praises which went up from every throat to hail his appearance. They
bent low to the very earth, trembling with fear.

"It is good, it is good," said the King, eyeing them between pinches of
snuff. "These are right well-made specimens, albeit somewhat light of
skin. I ordered thee to take no captives, Untuswa, yet the _impi_
needed bearers for its goods, and thou hast chosen the pick and flower
of the girls. Ah! ah! Untuswa; thou hast ever an eye for all that is
best in that way."

"_Yeh-bo Nkulu 'nkulu_!" I cried, delighted that I had pleased the
King.

"I will choose the best, Untuswa. After that thou canst take the two
that will suit thee; the remainder I will otherwise dispose of."

Then the King dismissed us, ordering cattle to be slain for us to feast
on, and we departed from his presence uttering shouts of _bonga_.

When I gained my hu