e," said Tambusa.

"That shall be crushed to-morrow," said the King.

"But the writhings of its tail will shake the earth, bringing another
snake from over the mountains," put in Umhlela, thinking of the waggon
camp and all the Amabuna left there.

"What sayest thou, Untuswa?" said the King, turning to me.

"This, Great Great One. To destroy a locust swarm and to spare the eggs
is of no great use. And the `eggs' of this locust swarm are yonder."

"Ha! Thou art no fool, Untuswa," said the King, knowing that I meant
the women and children of the invaders.

"This is my counsel, Great Great One. When the forerunners of this
locust swarm sleep for ever tomorrow, let those be sent who shall stamp
flat the remainder, sparing none."

All murmured in deep assent, and I continued:

"Let the camp of these plunderers be destroyed as quickly and as
silently as possible. Then let strong bodies of warriors waylay the
return of those outside. Such, suspecting nothing, will walk into the
snare, so shall we be rid of the whole swarm. Thus, on like occasion,
acted he whom I formerly served, and our success was thorough."

"Thou hast the mind of a leader of men Untuswa," said the King, greatly
pleased. "Thou thyself shalt go to-morrow, and see thine own plans
carried out."

I thanked the King, and when we had talked a little longer over our
plans we left the presence and went to our huts to sleep, our hearts
beating with fierce anticipation over the thought of what the morrow was
to bring.

Soon after daybreak Dingane sent word to the Amabuna, who were our
visitors, that the time had come to speak decisively about the land,
that he had talked the matter over in council with the _izinduna_ of the
nation, and now he wanted them all to come into Nkunkundhlovu that all
might hear his word and carry it back to their people, who awaited it
and them.

Accordingly it was not long before the whole company of the Amabuna,
with their slaves and attendants rode up to the gate. But there they
were met by some who told them they must leave their horses and guns
without the gate. This they liked not at all, objecting that on every
other occasion of their visit they had been allowed to enter armed and
mounted.

That was true, but on those occasions there were war dances, and the
white men themselves had delighted their Amazulu brethren with a mounted
display. But this was entirely a peace _indaba_. No warriors were in
Nkunkund