, or great councillors, who were named
Nwara, Yuliwana and Manondo, testified as witnesses for the Zulus, and
M. Oosthuyzen, A. C. Greyling and B. J. Liebenberg, who were standing
nearest to Retief, as witnesses for the Boers.

This done, Dingaan ordered one of his isibongos, or praisers, to run
to and fro in front of the regiments and others there assembled, and
proclaim that he had granted Natal to the Boers to be their property
for ever, information which the Zulus received with shouts. Then Dingaan
asked Retief if he would not eat, and large trenchers of boiled beef
were brought out and handed round. This, however, the Boers refused,
saying they had already breakfasted. Thereon the king said that at least
they must drink, and pots of twala, or Kaffir beer, were handed round,
of which all the Boers partook.

While they were drinking, Dingaan gave Retief a message to the Dutch
farmers, to the effect that he hoped they would soon come and occupy
Natal, which henceforth was their country. Also, black-hearted villain
that he was, that they would have a pleasant journey home. Next he
ordered the two regiments to dance and sing war songs, in order to amuse
his guests.

This they began to do, drawing nearer as they danced.

It was at this moment that a Zulu appeared, pushing his way through the
captains who were gathered at the gate of the labyrinth, and delivered
some message to one of the indunas, who in turn passed it on to the
king.

"Ow! is it so?" said the king with a troubled look. Then his glance fell
on me as though by accident, and he added: "Macumazahn, one of my wives
is taken very ill suddenly, and says she must have some of the medicine
of the white men before they go away. Now, you tell me that you are a
new-married man, so I can trust you with my wives. I pray you to go
and find out what medicine it is that she needs, for you can speak our
tongue."

I hesitated, then translated what he had said to Retief.

"You had best go, nephew," said the commandant; "but come back quickly,
for we ride at once."

Still I hesitated, not liking this business; whereon the king began to
grow angry.

"What!" he said, "do you white men refuse me this little favour, when I
have just given you so much--you who have wonderful medicines that can
cure the sick?"

"Go, Allan, go," said Retief, when he understood his words, "or he will
grow cross and everything may be undone."

So, having no choice, I went through the g