ears up.

"We are dead!" exclaimed my Kaffir in a resigned voice. I shared his
opinion, but thought I might as well die standing as running away.

Now I should explain that though as yet I had never mixed with these
Zulus, I could talk several native dialects kindred to that which they
used very well indeed. Moreover, ever since I had hired men of their
race at Delagoa, I had spent all my spare time in conversing with them
and acquiring a knowledge of their language, history and customs. So by
this time I knew their tongue fairly, although occasionally I may have
used terms which were unfamiliar to them.

Thus it came about that I was able to shout to them, asking what was
their business with us. Hearing themselves addressed in words which they
understood, the men halted, and seeing that I was unarmed, three of them
approached me.

"We come to take you prisoners, white people, or to kill you if you
resist," said their captain.

"By whose order?" I asked.

"By the order of Dingaan our king."

"Is it so? And who told Dingaan that we were here?"

"The Boer who came in front of you."

"Is it so?" I said again. "And now what do you need of us?"

"That you should accompany us to the kraal of Dingaan."

"I understand. We are quite willing, since it lies upon our road. But
then why do you come against us, who are peaceful travellers, with your
spears lifted?"

"For this reason. The Boer told us that there is among you a 'child of
George'" (an Englishman), "a terrible man who would kill us unless we
killed or bound him first. Show us this child of George that we may make
him fast, or slay him, and we will not hurt the rest of you."

"I am the child of George," I answered, "and if you think it necessary
to make me fast, do so."

Now the Zulus burst out laughing.

"You! Why, you are but a boy who weighs no more than a fat girl,"
exclaimed their captain, a great, bony fellow who was named Kambula.

"That may be so," I answered; "but sometimes the wisdom of their fathers
dwells in the young. I am the son of George who saved these Boers from
death far away, and I am taking them back to their own people. We desire
to see Dingaan, your king. Be pleased therefore to lead us to him as he
has commanded you to do. If you do not believe what I tell you, ask this
man who is with me, and his companions who are of your own race. They
will tell you everything."

Then the captain Kambula called my servant apart and talked wi