that in the event of
a quarrel between us I could count upon even more, for Sifadu was but
indifferently liked. His bravery was beyond suspicion; indeed, it was
through fear of his prowess that none disputed his supremacy. But he
was of a quarrelsome disposition, fierce and terrible when roused, and
had a sullen and gloomy mind; whereas I, for my part, have ever got on
well among fighting-men, and as for gloomy thoughts, _whau_! they are
the worst kind of _muti_, worse than useless indeed. True, I who once
had been among the first of a great nation was now an outlaw and an
exile from two great nations; but men's fortunes change, and it might
well be that in the near future my serpent would remember me, and my
place be higher than ever--indeed I dared not think how high.

News at length reached us of another great battle. The Amabuna had
again advanced upon Nkunkundhlovu, but before they could reach it a
large _impi_ sent by Dingane had reached them. _Whau_! that was a
fight, said our informants. The Amabuna had drawn their waggons
together, as their manner is, and the Amazulu strove for half a day to
carry their camp with a rush. But it was of no use. The long guns shot
hard and quick, and when the _impi_ got almost within striking distance,
and would have swarmed over the waggons, the Amabuna loaded their guns
with several small bullets at a time, instead of only one, and our
warriors went down in heaps. They could not stand against it, and this
time a tale of defeat was brought back to the King.

Now the Amabuna, quick to take advantage of their success, pressed on
immediately. But Dingane this time did not wait for them. He was
warned that his brother, Mpande, was plotting against him, and he knew
better than to be caught between the Amabuna on one side and his own
rebellious people on the other. So he had decided to retire.

This was the news which reached us in our retreat, and whereas this
would be the tract of country for which the King would make, it would be
our retreat no longer. So we were forced to take a line.

Now, Sifadu's plan was to hand over the whole band of refugees to
Mpande, whose emissaries had been among us of late trying to win us over
to the side of that prince. But my mind on the matter was different. I
had no great opinion of Mpande, whereas Dingane was a real King--one to
whom it was good to _konza_. My flight had been due to the hostility
and intriguing of Tambusa, not t