ive.

"`_Hau_!' cried Gungana, the second _induna_ in command of our _impi_,
as he stood gazing upon a heap of the slaughtered women, among whom were
several who were young and pleasant to look upon. `_Hau_! I think we
have made too much of a mouthful of the King's enemies. Now, some of
these would have been better alive than dead, for of girls among us we
have none too many. It is a pity we did not save some.'

"`Perhaps so,' said I. `But, deferring to your head-ring, O Gungana, I
seem to have heard the King say he liked not these intermarriages, and
the mingling of the blood of the Amazulu, "the People of the Heavens,"
with that of inferior races.'

"I fancied that Gungana looked at me somewhat askance, and a queer smile
played about his bearded lips. He was that same _induna_ who had come
over to us with Tshaka's force, and him our King had promoted to great
honour.

"`_Whau_, Untuswa! Thou art but a boy, and claimest to know over-much
of the King's mind,' he said.

"`In fear I do so, my father,' I replied deferentially. `I ask nothing
but such a fight as we have had to-day. And have I not fought?' showing
my hacked and charred shield and my body streaming with blood from
several ugly gashes. `Did I not put in the fire that smoked these
wolves out of their den? And now, O my father, will you not whisper it
in the ear of the King that the son of Ntelani, although but a boy, can
fight, can plan?'

"`It may be that I will do so, Untuswa,' he answered.

"But that strange look was still upon his face as he turned away, and I
liked it not. For by this time my continual presence about the King was
looked upon with distrust by many of the _indunas_. Even my father was
jealous of me, and this being so, wherefore should Gungana look upon me
with more favourable eyes? But it was in his power to speak the word
which should obtain for me my head-ring, or not to speak it, wherefore I
treated him almost as deferentially as I would the King himself.
Moreover, I flattered him.

"`_Au_!' I cried, `am I not but a thoughtless boy? Who am I that I
should boast of my own deeds in the presence of an _induna_ of the King,
before the brain which thought for the _impi_, before the eyes which
were the sight of the _impi_? Let it be but whispered in the King's ear
that the son of Ntelani was near the right hand of Gungana throughout
the battle. That will be distinction enough.'

"This told. The _induna_ turned half