patched
messengers to every kraal on that side of the country, that every man
should proceed swiftly, but secretly, to Shushuya, the military kraal of
the "Scorpions" regiment, but for the rest none were to flee, and the
women and cattle were to go about as usual, and that, did any fail to do
this, or seek to flee in panic, assuredly that kraal should be eaten up
and its people given over to the assegai. This, in case Mhlangana had
other pickets out overlooking our country, for, did the royal general
learn that we were not unprepared, it might bring about an entire
alteration in his plans, and, of course, in mine. All these orders I
gave without halting, they who received them running by my side as I
ran. Nor did I fear failure to obey them; for the women, however they
might dread the chance of the spears of Mhlangana, would still more fear
the certainty of those of Umzilikazi. And the word of a war-captain of
my standing at such a time was as the word of the King himself.

Now, as I ran, my mind was busy with the plan I had formed, which was
simple. The _impi_ from Zululand should be signalled to advance by
Mgwali and our people, who had slain and taken the place of its own
outpost. Once in the hollow formed by the spurs of the mountain closing
down upon the Place of the Three Rifts, it should be fallen upon by our
entire force--save a portion placed in reserve at the narrowest point in
the pass; and, being thus taken completely by surprise, I had little
doubt but that a panic would ensue which should place it entirely at our
mercy. _Whau_! In that event not many warriors would return to Dingane
to tell how deadly was the goring of the horns of the Black Bull whose
kraal lay in the north. Nor had I much fear lest the invader's plan
should be altered; for the counsels of Silwane and the others would
weigh with Mhlangana; and the bent of those counsels I had fully
gathered what time I was receiving royal homage when the moon grew
black.

Never had I known till then, _Nkose_, how great was the secret dread
which our King had entertained for the might of Dingane. For when I
reached Kwa'zingwenya, and unfolded to him my discovery--the peril that
threatened us, and the steps I had taken to meet it--his whole mien grew
dark as the moon had done over the Place of the Three Rifts, as troubled
as the stirring of shrill winds among the scud of the storm wrack.

"Know you, Untuswa, that we have little more than half ou