he hands of Tshaka, and of a
truth the _impis_ of the Great King would have found it a difficult
matter to travel over the dreadful waste we had left behind us. For we
had carried off all the cattle and destroyed the crops of such tribes as
we had fallen in with, and that designedly, in order to delay and harass
by scarcity of food a force so large as would of necessity be sent in
pursuit of us. Now, moreover, we began to feel great, for our flocks
and herds had become considerable, and many captives had we spared in
order to tend these along the march.

"We had come to a fair land, well watered with flowing streams, and
waving with sweet grass. Here the King ordered a large kraal to be
built, which was done, and this great circle, in size as that of
Nodwengu, stood fair and large upon these plains where surely never such
a royal dwelling was seen before. The huts stood three deep within the
ring-fences of mimosa, and the great open space in the centre served for
mustering the warriors and holding dances and ceremonies of state. At
the upper side was the _Isigodhlo_, or royal enclosure, partitioned off
by palisades of finely woven grass, and containing the King's dwelling,
together with the huts of the royal women and those of the _Izinceku_,
or court attendants, of whom I was now one. It was a noble kraal, and
we who had wandered those many moons a homeless people, looking upon our
work with a shout of pride, named it `Ekupumuleni'--`the place of rest.'

"At that time the jealousy wherewith I was regarded by many, including
some of the _indunas_, grew apace, and by none was it shown more freely
than by my father, Ntelani, and the _induna_ Gungana. These were not
slow to whisper abroad that I, being so young a man and unringed, was
not the one to hold such a position of trust as that of _inceku_, having
free access at all times to the _Isigodhlo_ or royal enclosure; for this
office was usually held by middle-aged or elderly men, and wearing the
ring. But if any of such talk reached the ears of the King, as, indeed,
what did not? he gave no sign of being influenced thereby, for he kept
me about him, showing me the same favour as before. So I troubled not
overmuch about the ill-will of the _izinduna_, but made light of it;
wherein, _Nkose_, I was the very first among fools.

"Another party was there who regarded me with even greater hostility,
and this was that of the _izanusi_; for had I not been the means of