al meaning of "Amazulu"] said Dingane.
"Talk we now of the land. As ye say, I have not much use, nor my
people, for this land--yet it is a large country. I know not. I must
consider it further. Yet stay, there is somewhat ye can do for us as a
pledge and an earnest of our future friendship."

"And that?"

"Yonder in the mountains dwells a dog, the head of a tribe of dogs--not
large, but difficult to come at, because of the ruggedness of the
country they inhabit. This dog has stolen much cattle and many horses
from my people and hidden them away in his mountain retreats. Now I am
without warriors, for the army is away on two expeditions to the
northward."

We who listened thought we saw the countenances of the Amabuna change at
this, and inwardly we laughed. If they only knew--ah, if they only
knew!

"Wherefore," went on the King, "if as an earnest of your friendship ye
will go and retake this our property, and restore it to us, then it may
be we may grant you the use of the land ye need."

"And what is the name of the chief of these robbers, King?" asked the
Amabuna.

"U' Sikonyela."

"The cattle shall be restored, King. Do you require Sikonyela to be
delivered up to you?"

"No. I am merciful, and will spare him this time. Only warn him that
now the Amazulu and the Amabuna are brothers. Now, fare-ye-well. When
ye have obtained the restoration of our property, then return hither,
and we will talk further about the land."

Then the Amabuna rose and shook the King by the hand, and we, as they
took leave of us, all called out "_Hambani-gahle_!" ["Go ye in peace"]
with right good-will. So they took their horses and guns and rode away
from Nkunkundhlovu, very pleased with themselves and with the King. But
the multitude of armed warriors concealed within the huts were not
pleased, in that there was no work for their spears that day; but that
was to come. Ah, yea! plenty of work would there be for their spears
before many moons were dead.

And we _izinduna_, how we laughed among ourselves, for we knew the mind
of Dingane. These people must in truth be mad, and worse than mad, to
think that the King would give them a vast tract of country in exchange
for their friendship and a few cattle--would welcome this swarm of
buzzing devouring locusts beating down upon our lands. _Hau_! Mad,
indeed, were they. They opened their mouth wide--very wide--and we
thought we knew how we would fill it, but not wi