the kraal where I had left Mgwali and my
four followers. At me came a troop of dogs, opened-mouthed and baying,
but I hammered them soundly with my knobstick, and, recognising me as no
enemy, they slunk away yelping and ashamed. But the people turned out,
in some alarm, wondering at the suddenness of this midnight
disturbance--wondering still more on beholding me; for it was easy to
see that I had been running fast and far.

I went into the hut of the headman, and while I was refreshing myself
with a bowl of _amasi_, I issued my orders.

"Listen, Mgwali. Remember you the two shrubs just below the highest
point of Inkume, beneath which we speared the she-leopard when last we
hunted here?"

"Perfectly, son of my father."

"Good. At that point lie five Amazulu--warriors of Dingane. These are
the eyes of a mighty _impi_ which is advancing against us from the
south. But the eyes of Umzilikazi must take the place of the eyes of
Dingane."

"_Ou_! I am ready, _induna_ of the King!" cried my brother, springing
to his feet, and gripping his shield and weapons.

"_Gahle_!" I said putting out a restraining hand. "Take the four who
accompanied us hither, and, for security's sake, take other four or
five, so shall you be two to one."

Then, Malula, the headman of the kraal, called up two of his sons and
three other young men, and ordered them to proceed with Mgwali.

"Now," I said, "the way is long, but the night is still young, and so
are ye. Hearken, son of my father, and all of you. Before break of day
must this be done. Not one of those warriors of Dingane _must leave his
post_. If but one escapes, why, then shall ye all writhe upon a seat of
pain for many days. When you have taken their places, and they sleep
forever, send down one of your number to pass along the word to me and
to the Great Great One; then shall ye have further orders when to
signal, and how. Mgwali is chief of this party. Now go."

They started, those youths, and I knew that if a single one of
Mhlangana's outlook escaped, it would only be because Mgwali and his
nine followers were all dead.

Now, I started too, being refreshed, and as I went straight as a line
for Kwa'zingwenya, I posted runners at different points of the way, for
such, _Nkose_, is our system when we desire to pass the word quickly;
and, indeed, I think the wonderful speaking wires of you white people
can hardly convey tidings with greater swiftness. Further, I des