in solitude, for several of the inhabitants of
the town came out to gossip with my "boys", while no less than three
indunas suffered their curiosity to overcome their dignity so far as to
pay me an informal visit and ask me countless questions--for it must be
remembered that, at the time of which I am now writing, it was very
unusual for a white man to cross the border of his own territory into
the wilds, and one of the men who on that occasion spoke to me had only
once before seen such an individual.

It was amusing to note the rapid change of manner in these men as they
conversed with me. Upon their first approach they began to question me
with a certain curt abruptness which I easily interpreted as being
intended to convey the idea that their visit was more or less of an
official character; but all the while their eyes were wandering hither
and thither, taking in every detail of my dress and equipment, as well
as the wagon and its contents, and it was not very long before they
began to enquire what was the use of this, that, and the other. Of
course I answered all their questions as fully as I could, and not only
so, but I also exhibited a few of my gewgaws, hinting that certain of
them might become their own property before long, although I did not
then offer any presents for their acceptance, it being contrary to
savage etiquette to do so before the king had been interviewed and
propitiated. They were, of course, intensely interested in my guns, and
were full of amazement when I bowled over a carrion crow at a distance
of six hundred yards with a rifle bullet; and they did not hesitate to
hint plainly that nothing could possibly be more acceptable to the king
than the gift of one of my fire weapons. I explained, however, that the
fire weapon was very powerful and very dangerous magic, subservient only
to the white man, and that I dared not allow any of them even to touch
one, lest it should turn upon and slay them. But they were quite as
profoundly impressed by my exhibition of the powers of the
burning-glass, several of which I had taken the precaution to include in
my stock; and when they saw me kindle a fire with its assistance they
could find no words in which to express adequately their wonder and
admiration.

It is more than probable that, upon their return to the kraal, they
found means to convey to the king's ear some impression of the wonders
which the white man had revealed to them, for I had scarc