e, as though they would
have sprung to their feet; but the King's hand restrained them, and they
sank back. Dingane went on:

"When we destroy a locust swarm which is devouring our lands, we do not
destroy the flying insects only. The young which appear after them,
too, we stamp flat. So shall it be with this locust swarm. Stamp it
flat. Make an end of it utterly. Let none escape. Go, my children!"

As one man that dense mass of warriors rose to its feet. As from one
man the "_Bayete_" thundered forth from every throat; and the winnowing
of shields and quivering rattle of spear-hafts was as a great gale
sweeping through a forest. They poured forth from the gates, those
terrible ones, broadening out upon the plain beyond, in a great stream
of rushing men--of lions, of leopards, hungry for blood; and we
_izinduna_, who followed more leisurely, could see in the distance the
white _Umfundisi_ standing at the door of his house, looking upon our
movements.

"_Whau_!" growled Tambusa, scowling towards the white man. "Such as
that should long since have travelled the way of the spear. It is such
evil crows whose croak brings our enemies upon us."

"Yet that is not ill-doing," I said, "for without enemies how should
these lion-cubs find meat for their teeth?"

"There is that without these swarms of white carrion," replied Tambusa,
and his voice was as the snarling of a beast. "_Whau_! It is all
alike. It licks the feet of the King when it thinks to get land from
him. When it has got it, the Great Great One should be its dog, even as
yonder crow dared to croak not many days since. My heart has been heavy
ever since that he was not sent to take the place of those upon the
stakes."

On they sped, those messengers of death, on through the burning glare of
mid-day; on through the black gloom of night; on ever, over rugged
height, through tangled valley and rushing river, pausing but little to
take rest.

After many days we saw signs that we were near the camp of the Amabuna.
We rested then, and pushed on cautiously during the night, until within
striking distance. Then we paused. Little sleep was ours that night.
In silence they lay, that black army of terrible ones, with eyes
strained upon the first streak of dawn that should reveal to them their
prey.

It came at last, that dawn. No sound from the camp of those whites told
that any were awake and watching. They slept as though safe in their
own land,