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meat having now been duly apportioned, he slowly approached the place where we were seated, and in solemn silence stood motionless like a statue before me until a chair was brought from within, when he at last sat down and commenced a long conversation. His first inquiries were respecting the conduct of the guides, who were also present, seated in a group, but who were readily pardonwere attached it must entirely rest with me, as I had mistaken the road while in advance of the party. He then requested to know the object of my visit, which I found great difficulty in explaining.

towards a gate in the outer fence of the town, still under the idea that the party were in advance, and fearing that I should be deprived of the advantages of an interpreter at the very time when his services would be the most needed. At this moment, a person suddenly came up, and seizing the bridle of my horse, without further ceremony, turned him short round. The effect was so immediate and unexpected, that I did not at first re-ed on the assurance which I gave that if blame cognise the individual, and struck at his hand with a stick; but in a moment I found that it was my servant, Umpondombeeni, and from the hurry of his demeanor, and the extense anxiety he portrayed by his countenance, felt at once convinced that all was not right. Submitting therefore to his guidance, he soon conducted me to the party, anxiously awaiting my return upon the road which I should have taken, and where I found many of the baggage-bearers actually in tears, and all under the highest state of agitation and alarm.

No causeless fears were theirs, for had I proceeded and entered by the gate I was approaching, they would all, it appears, by the custom of the country have atoned for my mistake by their lives, and, as it was, there was still an apprehension that some at least would be capitally punished. We soon after entered the town, and on application to the principal Indoona (Umthlella) two huts not far from his own dwelling were appointed, into one of which I was not sorry to creep after the fatigues of the journey, having walked and ridden alternately since leaving the Tugala.

A bundle of imphi and a large bowl of outchualla (native beer) was sent to my hut by order of Dingarn, and a messenger soon after signified his wish to see me. Crossing the area of the circular town, accompanied by the chief who had been despathed by Dingarn to conduct me to the capital, we were desired to sit at a short distance from the fence which surrounds the Issigōrdlo (or palace). After a little pause the bust only of a very stout personage appeared above the fence, which I was soon informed was the despot himself; he eyed me for a considerable time with the utmost gravity without uttering a word; at last pointing to an ox that had been driven near, he said, "There is the beast I give you to slaughter," and on this important announcement he disappeared. The carcasses of several oxen, recently killed, were at this time lying in separate heaps not far from the gate of his fence, the quarters divided and piled one upon another, and in order, no doubt, to exhibit at once his wealth and his munificence; he again appeared slowly emerging from the arched gateway, and advancing with a measured step to the nearest animal mound. Instantly he was surrounded by fourteen or fifteen men who ran from a distance and crouched before him; a word and a nod were then given, and as quickly they arose and carried off the meat at full speed, holding it up the whole way with extended arms, and singing as they went. Another heap was then approached, and as systematically distributed, and so on until the whole had been conveyed away in a similar pantomimic manner. Dingarn was habited in a blue dungaree cloak relieved by a white border and devices at the back; the train swept the ground, and, although tarnished and worn, well became his height and portly figure. The soldiers'

That my views were not in any degree connected with trade he could understand, but what was God, and God's word, and the nature of the instruction I proposed, were subjects which he could not at all comprehend. In order to give him some illustration, I related a few of the leading circumstances which in other heathen countries had led to the worship of God, and contrasted their superior character, and the many advantages which they possessed since their reception of Christianity, with their former condition. He asked if his people could learn also, and seemed to regard the whole as an impossibility. The subject of the presents was then adverted to; but on this unfortunately I had little to say, but that they were on their way, and I hoped would arrive safely; still he was not satisfied until I had not only enumerated every article, but entered into a minute description of each. The mention of a red cloak quite filled his mind, and seemed likely to suit his fancy more than all the rest. He then asked if my king's name was George, and, on the mention of our gracious sovereign, inquired how he governed his people. With so many decided proofs of despotism around, I considered this as rather a delicate question, and therefore avoided the circumstance of parliamentary interference altogether, by informing him that king William governed his people by means of his great men. He smiled and seemed evidently to regard even this as an inconvenient approximation to popular institutions. Finding that he had now sufficiently relaxed in state reserve, I thought it a favorable opportunity again to revert to the subject of teaching, and requested permission to build a house for that purpose; but this was a knotty point, the objections to which I had yet to learn; no denial however was given, and I took my leave with a full understanding that a person should accompany me on the following day to direct me in the selection of the spot. Dingarn had already expressed a desire to see "the Book," of which I had spoken so much, and now reminded me to bring it with me on my next visit.

For three days subsequently he was unwell, and on the second sent to apologize for not seeing me. My next interview was in the Issigōrdlo, where I found the king reclining on a head-stool at the door of his house before which I was desired to seat myself on a mat. His first question was whether I had brought "the Book," on which my pocket testament was produced, and at his desire delivered into his hand; but after turning over the leaves with much curiosity for a few minutes, returned to me again. On requesting that I would

then read the words of the Book, I read in order a number of passages previously selected, as exhibiting the nature and penalty of sin, the power and omniscience of God, and the auful day of account when he will judge the world in righteousness. At the conclusion he asked several very pertinent questions, such as,-"Where is God? How did he give his Word? Who will be judged at the last day? What nations will appear? Will mine be there? Shall I live for ever if I learn his Word?" Two women only were in his house, and but one chief attended me, so that it might be considered a confidential meeting, and to me was particularly interesting. Before I left I reminded him of his promise respecting the house, on which he inquired if the open court in which I was then standing would do, and from the friendly manner in which it was expressed, I almost thought it possible that he might take my hint, and roof it in for the purpose, but now for the first time he mentioned a reference to the Indoonas as requisite before this matter could be finally decided. Hitherto I had been treated with great civilty by all, but an unaccountable change was now but too apparent. Although the government is absolute, a considerable share of power is vested in the hands of the two principal Indoonas of the nation, who are always consulted and generally supposed to sanction every important measure of their sovereign, and in this manner it becomes a convenient triumvirate, contracting or expanding its powers within itself according to the humor of the ruling despot. These two important personages, Umthlella and Tambooza, I must now introduce-the one a chief of hereditary rank, of a slight person, and a mild and intelligent countenance; the other sufficiently indicating, without the science of Lavater, a character for tyranny and insolence but too exactly corresponding with his scowling profile. From some cause or other of which I was perfectly unconscious, unless it was my determination not to make confidants of either, but to treat only with the king on the object of my visit, they not only treated me about this time with every indignity, but by their rude example induced the people to accost us with insolence, and often to salute us with opprobrious epithets as we passed. Even my walks were distributed, and often, while seated under my favorite tree,* about three quarters of a mile from the town, a message would be sent in the king's name to desire that I would immediately return. On one of these occasions my interpreter happened to be near Umthlella's house when the order was issued, and heard Tambooza's further instructions that in case I should not willingly come they were to drag me along. Doubtful how far they had the power, or to what extent they might be acting under the king's directions as I had not been able to approach him for some days, and they assured me that without their sanction I should not have another interview-I thought it prudent to bear all without reproaching them, with a full intention of stating the whole circumstances to Dingarn on the very first opportunity that should

This extraordinary tree, of which I have only met with a few, has no leaves, but the branches protrude numbers of green pipes containing a milky liquid.

occur. Nothing seemed to gratify them more than to find that I returned to the town when thus summarily ordered, or to announce on my application to Umthlella for the cause of this intrusion that they had directed it, palliating the affront by merely saying that they wished me to sit down and talk with them. So systematic was this species of persecution, that on one occasion, as I was leaving the town, one of the inferior Indoonas, a very powerful man, more than six feet high, took me by the shoulder and attempted to obstruct my passage in the gate. I immediately walked up to Umthlella and Tambooza, seated with a group of people round them, not far distant, and inquired if it was by their sanction that strangers were thus ill treated. The only reply was that they had sent him to call me, as they wished me to join them, and converse.

Supposing that the non-appearance of the presents might have greatly contributed to place me in my present dilemma, I waived the opportunity which soon after occurred, of making a direct complaint to Dingarn, and contented myself with hinting the advantage of sending a messenger to Port Ñatal, to ascertain whether the wagon had yet arrived; adding that, should that be the case, the presents might be forwarded without delay. This arrangement was no sooner proposed, than messengers were appointed; and by this means I also succeeded in sending a letter to England, which, under my present circumstances, was a great relief. Had this letter reached its destination, it would have been a singular production. It was written upon the only half sheet of paper that I possessed, by the light of a lamp made by placing native butter in a small calabash, and inserting a rag wick. Some essidoodo (my usual meal) supplied the paste for a wafer. The shed hoof of a calf is not a bad substitute for a lamp when a calabash cannot be procured. On this occasion I fully thought some treachery was meditated. Umthella had again taken upon himself to send for me, and on reaching his hut, I hesitated, when required to enter, begging that he would himself come out. The messenger who had called me, and whom I knew to be a principal person, assured me that Umthella was alone in the hut, but, to my surprise, on crawling in, the sides were lined with men. Umthella commenced a long preamble, by informing me, as he had often done before, that Tambooza and himself were the King's eyes and ears, and that all matters of importance must be first notified to them before they could be expressed to him. He then pointed to the messengers about to proceed to Port Natal, and who were then present, saying, that whatever message I wished them to take must be delivered to them now. There ap peared to be no alternative, and, surrounded as I was by so unexpected a party, I delivered a short message, reserving the remainder for a note, which was given to them on their departure. From this time, matters gradually assumed a more pacific character: they had in vain attempted to wear out my patience; and, probably, finding that they could not irritate me into any overt act of retaliation, the system of annoyance was dropped, and the change in their manner so apparent, that I cannot but think they had received some positive rebuke from the Dingarn on the subject. My in

terviews with the King were now more frequent; but although I made it a point never to leave him without giving him a hint respecting my desire to commence teaching his people, and constructing a house for the purpose, no decisive answer could ever be extracted that he would take an opportunity of consulting with the Indoonas, was the invariable reply. Since my return to Port Natal, the following story has been related to me, which, I doubt not, has operated much to my disadvantage, and will in a great measure account for the recent strange conduct of the two Indoonas.Jacob, the native intepreter of the late Lieutenant Farewell, who was the first settler at Port Natal, from some cause became greatly incensed against the settlers, and took every opportunity to prejudice them in the eyes of Charka, at that time the sovereign of this country. He assured him that a white man, assuming the character of a teacher or missionary, would arrive among them, and obtain permission to build a house; that, shortly after, he would be joined by one or two more white men; and in the course of time, an army would enter his country, which would subvert his government, and, eventually, the white people would rule in his stead.

One afternoon, while occupied in what may be esteemed a very puerile amusement, planning out the rooms of a house, with stones laid together on the ground on the spot, which (if permission could be obtained) I had selected for the mission buildings, a messenger, running and breathless, came to inform me that Dingarn was waiting to see me. I found the King seated near the fence of some detached houses at the back of the Issigōrdlo, where I was joined by my interpreter, who informed me that several messengers had already been despatched for me in different directions. Dingarn appeared in high good-humor, but with a degree of mystery which rather prepared me for some strange antic. He began some trifling conversation to eke out the time, when suddenly the head of a column of the most grotesque looking figures debouched from their ambush on the right, and marched past four deep, raising and lowering their bent arms, as though in the act of tugging at steeple bell-ropes, and repeating two lines of a song as they passed, which may be thus translated:

"Arise, vulture!

Thou art the bird that eateth other birds." When they had passed and repassed in this order, they appeared again, broken into irregular companies, according to the color of their dresses, -and seeing that I admired the arrangement of the beads, with which they were literally covered, they were ordered to advance in files, and approach nearer, that their dresses might be inspected. They proved to be no other than the King's women, about ninety in number, decorated as they usually are previous to the army taking the field. Their faces were veiled with pendants of beads, with which also the petticoat was covered, forming an elegant checkered pattern, while their throats and arms were adorned with large brass rings. Some wore short cloaks also covered with different-colored beads, and all two strange head feathers, which gave them a very uncouth appear

ance. For women, they seemed to be in a high state of discipline, and rather enjoyed the display than otherwise; and Dingarn seemed highly grati fied at the well-merited encomiums which I paid to his taste, every one of these devices having originated in his fertile imagination. It was nearly dark before this extraordinary exhibition was ended, Dingarn, during the latter part, frequently turning round, and addressing me thus:-"Are we not a merry people? What black nations can vie with us? Who among them can dress as we do?" It was some of these ladies whom I met on my first approach to the town, after missing my party-they had then been bathing; but have frequently met large parties of them carrying burdens for the use of the Issigōrdlo, and more than once seen them march out, with Dingarn at their head, and employ themselves in weeding his corn and imphi grounds, while he inspected the crop.

CHAPTER II.

My mind was much relieved by the return of the messengers, who not only brought the welcome intelligence of Mr. Berken's safe arrival with the wagons at Port Natal, but some substantial proofs of my integrity to Dingarn in the longpromised presents, some of which, indeed, had so deteriorated in their various submersions by the way, that they were scarcely produceable, while, to my great satisfaction, that which was most prized, the red cloak, was in the best preservation. For the selection of this article, which was composed of red baize, with a long silky nap, such as is often used in lining the collars of boat cloaks, I am indebted to Mr. Fynn, who kindly recommended it to me, in Graham's Town, as a description of cloth in color and texture more likely to please his Zoolu majesty than any other that could be procured; and, certainly, no advice could have been more correctly given. No sooner was it opened, than it was displayed in every possible manner; first, on the king's shoulders, then on one of his servants, who was ordered to turn and twist about in all directions, that its every bearing and fold might be shown off to the best advantage; it was then stretched to its widest extent, and two men, holding it up at arm's length, were directed to run at full speed backwards and forwards, that he might witness its appearance while flowing in the air; at length, for some minutes it was hung upon the fence opposite his own house, that the curiosity of the people who were viewing it from a distance might be satisfied. Strange to say, after all this display, he never even wore it, but has had it carefully preserved ever since for the grand national assembly at the feast of the first fruits, which takes place annually about the first week in January. In the evening I received the important information, by special messenger, that it was neither too long nor too short, but exactly suited.

Dingarn, with all his barbarity, is dearly fond of a joke, and one morning sent for me and my interpreter, for the sole purpose of affording some amusement. The open court which surrounds

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his house, into which we were admitted, was lined with seventy or eighty women, seated on mats, while he himself was standing on an earth mound, about the size of an ant-hill, from which he is enabled not only to overlook the fence, but to take a general view of the whole town; and it is from this rude pedestal that his orders are frequently given to the people without.

"There has been a contest," was his first observation. "My women will not believe that you can do the things that are written down, unless you were present when the directions were noted -but I tell them you can."

In order to place this knotty question beyond all further dispute, I was requested to remain at a sufficient distance outside the fence, while my interpreter, at their dictation, wrote in pencil the names of twelve or fourteen of the women, describing their relative situations, when I was again admitted. The accuracy with which I was enabled at once to point to each individual named on the paper was a source of great merriment and surprise, but still they were not satisfied, and devised another plan, which they thought would certainly puzzle. On my return, after a considerable interval, it appeared that several articles had been hid, and for which I was required to search, according to the direction given. My first essay was to produce a broom, which had been rolled up in the end of a mat; then a bead, in the closed hand of one of the ladies; afterwards, an ear ornament, concealed in the skirt of Dingarn's cloak, but here I was at default-pointing to the cloak, he shook it loose, to show that nothing was there; still I pointed at the same spot near his feet; at last, with a laugh of triumph, he lifted up one of his feet, which had been purposely placed upon the article in question. This, of course, all acknowledged was an unfair advantage; and I then proceeded to pronounce the name of his favorite dog, Marquillana, and to watch the first lizard which happened to run over the thatch of the king's house; on noticing which, my task was ended, and I doubt not my reputation for literary acquirements wonderfully enhanced. Dingarn, it appears, had on some former occasion, proved the skill of a white man in deciphering his own language.

on the brow of the hill, where the horrid purpose was completed by additional blows on the head. Goujuana, I understand, made no resistance, and only requested, as he was led along, that in consideration of his being a king's son, he might be strangled, in lieu of being struck with the knobbed sticks, which was granted.

Much affected by what I had witnessed, I could scarcely take my eyes from the spot, and was still standing in the same place, when the principal executioner entered the town on his return, holding in his hand the brass ornaments which had been taken from the necks of the deceased. He advanced directly towards me, and for a second or two, as he was approaching, the thought crossed my mind that I was to be the next victim; but it appeared he was only actuated by curiosity, and after displaying the brass rings, passed on. The following afternoon I took an opportunity of visiting the spot, but so effectually had the hyenas and the vultures performed their office, that the skeletons only remained to add to the number of skulls and bones with which the whole slope of the hill was strewed. Goujuana was one of the most intelligent looking men I have ever seen, of an open and engaging countenance, and, although the next in succession to Dingarn, was so unassuming in his manners, that I have often had great pleasure in his conversation, and had indeed indulged in the hope that it might please God to make him the first convert to Christianity. A mystery hangs over his death; but whether true or false, the alleged offence is an intrigue against the king, in which two other of his brothers were also said to have been implicated, and about a year ago suffered the same fate. Dingarn, according to report, had hitherto spared his life, contrary to the wishes of the two Indoonas, but so determined was Umthlella to effect his death, that, because his recommendations in this particular were not attended to, he had for some time refrained from visiting the king, excepting on matters of business; and the other day plainly told him that it was impossible that they could ever go out to war while the prisoner (as he termed Goujuana,) lived.

But even here the matter was not allowed to rest. When a chief falls by the hand of the exBut a more tragical scene was about to be ex-ecutioner, all his property is confiscated, and every hibited. Early one morning, my servant came to individual, of whatever age, who is in the remotest inform me that they were killing a man; and on degree connected with him by family or dependleaving my hut to ascertain the truth of the re-ence, is summarily put to death. An Indoona, port, I found that Goujaana, one of the king's who lived in an adjoining hut to mine, was orderbrothers, had already been hurried through the ed upon this revolting duty, and from his lips, on gate to the place of execution, and was at that his return, the following account is given. The time followed by his two servants in charge of a principal property belonging to Goujūāna was in party of executioners, armed with knobbed sticks. the neighborhood of the Tugala, and thither he Partly dragged and partly goaded on, they were was sent with a party of men, not exceeding distinctly traced across the stream, and ascending thirty, to destroy the entire population of ten vilthe opposite hill. Here, however, they stopped, lages. On reaching the first of these devoted and a horrid scene took place. The two servants places, he entered with one man only, to avoid naturally enough had endeavored to effect their suspicion; in the course of the evening one or escape; but instead of binding them, they deter- two more dropped in, and so on, until the whole mined, as they called it, to take away their had arrived. He then informed the principal men strength by throwing them down, and striking that he had a message to deliver from the king, them violently on all parts of the body with sticks and as it was addressed to all, it would be better -their blows I could distinctly hear. Again they for the men to assemble in a place together, were placed upon their feet, and urged on less ra- where all could hear. This arrangement being pidly to the fatal spot, near a large euphorbia tree made, he so contrived it that his men, with whom

a previous signal had been concerted, should intermingle with the party, and endeavor to divert their attention by offering them snuff. While thus apparently on the most friendly terms, the fatal blow was given, each of the Indoona's party, on noticing the signal, rising and stabbing his fellow with an assagai. The houses were instantly fired, and the women and children indiscriminately butchered. The same horrors were perpetrated at each of the remaining villages, and it is said that but a very few escaped by flight out of the whole number!

It is truly lamentable to reflect on the numbers of cold-blooded murders which are thus systematically occurring, and that under the highest sanction, in these habitations of cruelty, going far to depopulate many flourishing districts; and surely it should be the earnest and the constant prayer of Christians, that the glorious light of the Gospel may illumine their dark mountains, producing "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will towards men."

A few days after this painful occurrence, a chief named Georgo, at the head of a large detachment from his regiment, came from a distant part of the country, for the purpose of begging shields. As all the cattle folded in the military towns belong to the king, and but few are killed there in proportion to the numbers which are daily slaughtered at the capital, this is, in consequence, the great deposit of shields, the manufacture of which is constant and almost the only occupation of the men; two being formed from each hide. The reception of this party, which was somewhat curious, I shall now describe. Their arrival at the principal gate of the town having been notified to the king, an order was soon after sent for their admission, when they all rushed up with a shout, brandishing their sticks in a most violent manner, until within a respectable distance of the Issigördlo, when they halted. Dingarn soon mounted his pedestal and showed himself over the fence, on which a simultaneous greeting of Byǎte ran through the line into which they were now formed. He soon disappeared, and the whole party then seated themselves on the ground they occupied. Dingarn shortly after came out, the two Indoonas and a number of his great men having already arrived, and seated themselves in semicircular order on each side of his chair, from whom he was, however, removed to a dignified distance. Tambooza, who is the great speaker on all these occasions, and the professed scolder whenever necessity requires, was now on his legs; to speak publicly in any other posture would, I am convinced, be painful to a Zoolu; nor is he content with mere jesticulation-actual space is necessary-I had almost said sufficient for a cricket-ball to bound in, but this would be hyperbole; a run however he must have, and I nave been surprised at the grace and effect which this novel accompaniment to the art of elocution has often given to the point and matter of the discourse. In this character Tambooza is inimitable, and shone especially on the present occasion, having doubtless been instructed by the king, in whose name he addressed Georgo and his party, to interlard his oration with as many pungent reproofs and cutting invectives as his fertile imagination could invent, or his natural disposition

suggest. On a late expedition it appears, that the troops now harangued had not performed the service expected they had entered the territory of Umselekaz, and, instead of surrounding and capturing the herds within their reach, had attended to some pretended instructions to halt and return; some palliating circumstances had no doubt screened them from the customary rigor on such occasions, and this untoward occurrence was now turned to the best advantage. After a long tirade, in which Tambooza ironically described their feeble onset and fruitless effort, advancing like a Mercury to fix his dart, and gracefully retiring as though to point a fresh barb for the attack; now slacking his wrath by a journey to the right, and then as abruptly recoiling to the left-by each detour increasing in vehemence-the storm was at length at its height, and in the midst of the tempest he had stirred, he retired to the feet of his sovereign, who I remarked could scarcely refrain from smiling at many of the taunting expressions that were used. Georgo's countenance can better be imagined than described at this moment. Impatient to reply, he now rose from the centre of the line, his person decorated with strings of pink beads worn over his shoulders like a cross-belt, and large brass rings on his arms and throat. "Amanka," (it is false,) was the first word he uttered. The various chivalrous deeds of himself and his men were then set forth in the most glowing colors, and a scene ensued which I scarcely know how to describe. Independent of his own energetic gesticulations, his violent leaping and sententious running, on the first announcement of any exculpatory fact indicating their prowess in arms, one or more of the principal warriors would rush from the ranks to corroborate the statement by a display of muscular power in leaping, charging, and pantomimic conflict, which quite made the ground to resound under his feet; alternately leaping and galloping, (for it is not running,) until frenzied by the tortuous motion, their nerves were sufficiently strong for the acme posture-vaulting several feet in the air, drawing the knees towards the chin, and at the same time passing the hands between the ankles. In this singular manner were the charges advanced and rebutted for a considerable time; Dingarn acting behind the scene as a moderator, and occasionally calling off Tambooza as an unruly bulldog from the bait. At length, as though imperceptibly drawn into the argument, he concluded the business in these words, "When have we ever heard any thing good of Georgo? What has Georgo done? It is a name that is unknown to us. I shall give you no shields until you have proved yourself worthy of them; go and bring me some cattle from Umselekaz, and then shields shall be given you." A burst of applause rang from all sides on this unexpected announcement; under which, in good taste, the despot made his exit, retiring into the Issigōrdlo, while bowls of beer were served out to the soldiers, who with their Indoona were soon after observed marching over the hills, on their way to collect the remainder of their regiment, for the promised expedition. I am inclined to think that there was much of state policy in the whole of these proceedings, particularly as the order for the attack on Zmselekäz was shortly after countermanded,

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