p them,
for other deadly machines had these whites, which could throw great bags
of bullets into the air to fall and scatter wherever they chose, and
that at well-nigh any distance. All of this Lo Bengula knew and
appreciated, but his people did not, and now from without, ever and
increasing upon his ears, fell the din and thunder of their boasting
songs of war.

"_Au_! They are poor, lean dogs!" he growled to himself. "They will be
even as dogs who snarl and run away, when they get up to these whites.
They bark loudly now and show their teeth. Will they be able to bite?"

Personally, too, he liked the English. He had been on very friendly
terms with several of them. They were always bringing him presents,
things that it was good to have, and of which now he owned considerable
store. He liked conversing with them too, for these were men who had
travelled far and had seen things--and could tell him wonders about
other lands, inhabited by other whites, away beyond the great sea. They
were not fools, these English. And their bravery! Who among dark races
would go and place themselves in the power of a mighty and warrior race
as these did? What three or four men of such would dare to stand before
him here--at this very place, calm, smiling, unmoved, while thousands of
his warriors were standing around, howling and clamouring for their
blood? Not one. Then, too, their knowledge was wonderful. Had not
several of them, from time to time, done that which had eased him of his
gout, and of the shooting pains which afflicted his eyes, and threatened
to deprive him of his sight? No, of a truth he desired not to quarrel
with such. Well, it might be, that when these dogs of his had been
whipped back--when they had thought to hunt bucks and found that they
had assailed instead, a herd of fierce and fearless buffalo bulls--that
then he might order them to lie down, and that peace between himself and
the whites might again prevail.

Having arrived at this conclusion, and also at that of his repast, the
King gave utterance to a call, and immediately there appeared two
_izinceku_, or personal attendants of the royal household. These ran
forward in a crouching attitude, with bodies bent low, and while one
removed the utensils and traces of the feast, the other produced a great
bowl of baked clay, nearly filled with fresh water. Into this the King
plunged his hands, throwing the cold water over his face and head with
gr