rs--and both fine young men. Cetewayo, however, had
the stronger countenance. It was said that he resembled that fierce and
able monster, Chaka the Wild Beast, his uncle, and certainly I perceived
in him a likeness to his other uncle, Dingaan, Umpanda's predecessor,
whom I had known but too well when I was a lad. He had the same surly
eyes and haughty bearing; also, when he was angry his mouth shut itself
in the same iron fashion.

Of Umbelazi it is difficult for me to speak without enthusiasm. As
Mameena was the most beautiful woman I ever saw in Zululand--although
it is true that old war-dog, Umslopogaas, a friend of mine who does not
come into this story, used to tell me that Nada the Lily, whom I have
mentioned, was even lovelier--so Umbelazi was by far the most splendid
man. Indeed, the Zulus named him "Umbelazi the Handsome," and no wonder.
To begin with, he stood at least three inches above the tallest of them;
from a quarter of a mile away I have recognised him by his great
height, even through the dust of a desperate battle, and his breadth
was proportionate to his stature. Then he was perfectly made, his great,
shapely limbs ending, like Saduko's, in small hands and feet. His face,
too, was well-cut and open, his colour lighter than Cetewayo's, and his
eyes, which always seemed to smile, were large and dark.

Even before they passed the small gate of the inner fence it was easy
for me to see that this royal pair were not upon the best of terms,
for each of them tried to get through it first, to show his right of
precedence. The result was somewhat ludicrous, for they jammed in the
gateway. Here, however, Umbelazi's greater weight told, for, putting out
his strength, he squeezed his brother into the reeds of the fence, and
won through a foot or so in front of him.

"You grow too fat, my brother," I heard Cetewayo say, and saw him scowl
as he spoke. "If I had held an assegai in my hand you would have been
cut."

"I know it, my brother," answered Umbelazi, with a good-humoured laugh,
"but I knew also that none may appear before the King armed. Had it been
otherwise, I would rather have followed after you."

Now, at this hint of Umbelazi's, that he would not trust his brother
behind his back with a spear, although it seemed to be conveyed in jest,
I saw Panda shift uneasily on his seat, while Cetewayo scowled even more
ominously than before. However, no further words passed between them,
and, walking up to th