s that you English are a step
in front of us Boers, even here."

Then he went forward and shook hands with the king, whom, it will be
remembered, he had visited before.

After that the "indaba" or talk began, which I do not propose to set
out at length, for it is a matter of history. It is enough to say that
Dingaan, after thanking Retief for recovering the cattle, asked where
was Sikonyela, the chief who had stolen them, as he wished to kill him.
When he learned that Sikonyela remained in his own country, he became,
or affected to become, angry. Then he asked where were the sixty horses
which he heard we had captured from Sikonyela, as they must be given up
to him.

Retief, by way of reply, touched his grey hairs, and inquired whether
Dingaan thought that he was a child that he, Dingaan, should demand
horses which did not belong to him. He added that these horses had been
restored to the Boers, from whom Sikonyela had stolen them.

When Dingaan had expressed himself satisfied with this answer, Retief
opened the question of the treaty. The king replied however, that the
white men had but just arrived, and he wished to see them dance after
their own fashion. As for the business, it might "sit still" till
another day.

So in the end the Boers "danced" for his amusement. That is, they
divided into two parties, and charged each other at full gallop, firing
their guns into the air, an exhibition which seemed to fill all present
with admiration and awe. When they paused, the king wished them to go on
firing "a hundred shots apiece," but the commandant declined, saying he
had no more powder to waste.

"What do you want powder for in a peaceful country?" asked Dingaan
suspiciously.

Retief answered through me:

"To kill food for ourselves, or to protect ourselves if any evil-minded
men should attack us."

"Then it will not be wanted here," said Dingaan, "since I will give you
food, and as I, the king, am your friend, no man in Zululand dare be
your enemy."

Retief said he was glad to hear it, and asked leave to retire with the
Boers to his camp outside the gate, as they were all tired with riding.
This Dingaan granted, and we said good-bye and went away. Before I
reached the gate, however, a messenger, I remember it was my old friend
Kambula, overtook me, and said that the king wished to speak with me
alone. I answered him that I could not speak with the king alone without
the permission of the commandant. Thereon