e lands which, bit by bit, we have added to the greatness of our
nation--a people which knows not how to keep faith--a people which, in
its greed, knows not how to observe its own agreements--a nation which
slays ambassadors bearing a peace message. But worse. With that
people, who comes? Who but they who would divide the nation--who, to do
this, have not scrupled to place their neck beneath the foot of this
other race--of these Amabuna, the scum and refuse of all white peoples--
they of our own blood--they who have grown great under the shadow of the
House of Senzangakona. These indeed are worse than dogs, for even a dog
will not bite the hand that fattens him. Ha! and with them is one of
the House of Senzangakona--yet not, for it cannot be that a real bough
of that great and royal tree can have joined with the refuse of all the
white races, to turn and destroy his father's house. Some bastard must
it be--changed at birth--some low, base bastard, foisted by fraud upon
the House of Senzangakona. And he, he who would, by the favour of the
Amabuna, call himself King, where is he? Not among those who come
against us. He is not even a leader of men. See him skulk behind the
guns of the Amabuna while my dog, Nongalaza, leads his army for him.
His army! _Hau_! a pack of cur dogs whom the lion-cubs of Zulu shall
disperse howling, for how shall so base and traitorous a band of
runaways face and stand against the might of these?"

And as Dingane waved his hand over the assembled army a sound went up
like the sullen roar of a sea-wave that curls and breaks. The King went
on:

"My children! this is a time, not for talking, but for doing. I, your
father, am here with you--I, your leader. Let the lion-cubs of Zulu
fall on bravely under the eye of the lion. Lo! those who direct you are
men to follow. Where is Umhlela? where is Silwane? where Nomapela and
Untuswa?" And with each name a storm of applause rolled from the
warriors. "Where they are, there follow. Lo! I see the enemy. Lo!
there are they who come against us. In perfect order, rank upon rank,
go now to meet them. Fall on and strike--and strike hard. Strike until
not one of them is left. Go, my children! Go, lion-cubs of Zulu!"

Away in the distance a dust-cloud was advancing, and through it the
sheen and flash of spears. With a great roar the whole army sprang to
its feet and saluted the King, who stood, with head thrown back and
outstretched arm