astor was present, one of the Boer elders took his place and offered
up supplications which, if simple and even absurd in their wording, at
least were hearty enough. Amongst other requests, I remember that he
petitioned for the safety of those who were to go on the mission to
Dingaan and of those who were to remain behind. Alas! those prayers
were not heard, for it pleased the Power to Whom they were addressed to
decree otherwise.

After this meeting, in which I took an earnest share, Retief who just
before it began had ridden in from Doornkop, whither he had been to
visit his wife, held a kind of council, whereat the names of those who
had volunteered or been ordered to accompany him, were finally taken
down. At this council there was a good deal of discussion, since many of
the Boers did not think the expedition wise--at any rate, if it was to
be carried out on so large a scale. One of them, I forget which, an old
man, pointed out that it might look like a war party, and that it would
be wiser if only five or six went, as they had done before, since then
there could be no mistake as to the peaceful nature of their intentions.

Retief himself combated this view, and at last turned suddenly to me,
who was listening near by, and said:

"Allan Quatermain, you are young, but you have a good judgment; also,
you are one of the very few who know Dingaan and can speak his language.
Tell us now, what do you think?"

Thus adjured, I answered, perhaps moved thereto more than I thought
by Hans's talk, that I, too, considered the thing dangerous, and that
someone whose life was less valuable than the commandant's should go in
command.

"Why do you say so, nephew," he said irritably, "seeing that all
white men's lives are of equal value, and I can smell no danger in the
business?"

"Because, commandant, I do smell danger, though what danger I cannot
say, any more than a dog or a buck can when it sniffs something in the
air and barks or runs. Dingaan is a tamed tiger just now, but tigers are
not house cats that one can play with them, as I know, who have felt his
claws and just, only just, come out from between them."

"What do you mean, nephew?" asked Retief in his direct fashion. "Do you
believe that this swartzel" (that is, black creature) "means to kill
us?"

"I believe that it is quite possible," I answered.

"Then, nephew, being a reasonable man as you are, you must have some
ground for your belief. Come now, out wit