differently, and I suppose it will always be so. Dingane and the Zulu
people did not choose these invaders to seize their land, so they used
what they thought was the quickest and easiest way of preventing them
from doing so.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

THE CRUSHING OF THE SNAKE.

As we sat there, we _izinduna_, watching the place of slaughter where
those evil-doers had found death, we heard the volume of a mighty
war-song approaching. Those within Nkunkundhlovu hushed their own
singing and gazed outward. A great _impi_ drew near, marching in
columns like unto broad black snakes gliding over the ground. Yet, not
all black, but spotted; for the white and red of shields, the streaming
of cowhair tufts, the rustling of feather capes, showed forth above the
blackness of marching bodies. The wavy glint of spear-points in the sun
was as a sea of light--the tramp of feet as the dark and terrible array
swung onward--the thunder of the war song! _Hau_! I could feel all the
blood tingling within me, and my eyes were aglow as I gazed. Here was a
force, indeed. That which had been led against us by Mhlangana might
equal it, but could hardly surpass it.

On they came--and as this vast mass of warriors poured in by the lower
gate of Nkunkundhlovu they raised the war song of Dingane:

"Us'eziteni,
Asiyikuza sababona."

Soon the great open space within was crowded. Rank upon rank the
warriors squatted there, crouching behind their shields, their eyes
glaring like those of lions as they awaited the word which should let
them loose upon their prey. When the roar of the "_Bayete_," which
greeted the King's appearance, had sunk into silence, Dingane addressed
them:

"Lion cubs of Zulu, you are here in your might, for yonder lies prey
worthy of your fangs. Yonder is an enemy who has swarmed down upon our
land like the deadly locust pest--an enemy who comes with soft words,
but never fails to devour that people who is fool enough to believe
those words.

"There is not room for two nations in the land of Zulu. Two bulls
cannot rule in one kraal. Yonder is another bull who would bellow
loudest in the Zulu fold. The horns of that bull are cut off, but there
is enough of him left to attract by his roarings other bulls like unto
himself. Go now, therefore, and slay that bull. Make an end of him
utterly."

As the King paused, with a wave of the hand in the direction of the
distant camp of the Amabuna, the warriors mad