of banishment. He was allowed to erect a small
kraal, and here with such of his wives as chose to cleave unto him, and
just enough cattle to keep him and them alive--but only just--he dwelt,
soon sinking into a state of premature old age and foolishness. Indeed,
he passed out of the life of the nation, and his voice from its
councils.

Once settled in our new country, the King lost no time in establishing
cattle outposts and military kraals, of which latter I was appointed
administrator, being held responsible for their order and efficiency.
We fighting _indunas_, too, were required to form new regiments, levying
upon the youth of the nation at a far earlier age than had hitherto been
customary among us; but our losses during our wars were beginning to
form a serious gap, and the King preferred, where possible, to recruit
our fighting strength among our own blood, rather than among that of our
miserable, poor-spirited slaves. But these youths made up in martial
ardour what they lacked in years, for they were continually worrying the
Great Great One, through us _izinduna_, to allow them to go forth--it
mattered not where--and wet their spears. But Umzilikazi would dismiss
them, laughing, and bidding them be patient; yet at their importunity he
was not ill-pleased. However, they little knew there should shortly
befall that which would give all their fiery mettle as much outlet as it
could take care of.

Just then I was very busy, travelling from kraal to kraal, inspecting,
and, at times, reviewing, the regiments, numbering the cattle and
possessions of the King and the nation--for here, in this land, we
intended to dwell, and already the women--who preferred peace and plenty
to wandering and war--were making the land re-echo with their songs of
gladness, as they laid out new gardens for their corn and melons, and
daily saw the cattle milked at the same place. And the chiefs and heads
of other tribes--learning of the fate which had overwhelmed Tauana and
the Bakoni--hastened to come in and _konza_ to Umzilikazi, realising
that the tread of the Black Elephant of the Amandebeli stamped far, and
that from it there was no escape.

It happened that I was returning from one of my rounds to make my report
to the Great Great One. The morning was yet young; indeed, the sun had
only just risen, and the forest path along which we travelled--I and
Mgwali, who accompanied me--was bright with a golden network of sunshine
thro