an who is called
Swallow who rules with you are to be handed over to Bull-Head here to do
with as he will, for that is the bargain between him and the king."

"And why are these things to come upon us who have done no wrong?" asked
Sihamba.

"Why, little woman!" answered the chief, "because you have dared to
steal cattle from the king's herd, even the royal white cattle; yes, and
they have been traced to your mountain and seen among your oxen."

"It is true that the cattle are here," said Sihamba, "but it is not true
that we have stolen them, seeing that they were lifted by the white man,
Bull-Head, and mixed up with our herds to bring us into trouble with the
king."

"A fit tale for the king's ears," replied the captain, laughing. "Why it
was Bull-Head who told the king of the theft; but let that pass. Dingaan
the king is merciful, and he makes you this offer through my mouth: If
you will return the cattle together with all your own by way of fine,
and hand over your councillors and head men to be killed, then he will
grant the rest their lives. But all the young men and the girls must
come with me to pass into the service of the king, the married women
and the children going where they will. Perhaps Bull-Head here will
take them with yourself and White Swallow. What is your word, little
chieftainess?"

"My word is that we will have none of such mercy. It is better that we
should die together, but I tell you, men of Dingaan, that these rocks
will be white with your bones before ever you drive our cattle and
maidens back to Dingaan."

"As you will, little chieftainess. We captains of the Zulus have heard
many such proud words in our time, but ah! where are those who spoke
them? Ask the jackals and the vultures, little chieftainess."

CHAPTER XXIX

THIRST

When Sihamba finished her talk with the captains of Dingaan the sun
was already sinking. Still the Umpondwana thought that the Zulus would
attack at once, but these shouted to the defenders that they might rest
easily till the dawn, since they wished to have daylight by which to
divide the spoil. And at daylight the attack came. Driving the men of
Bull-Head in front of them much against their will, for they knew these
to be cowards, and wished to make mock of them, company by company the
Zulus rushed at the stone wall, though many of them were killed and
often they were driven back. But always they came on laughing and
shouting their war-cry till the ar