Meanwhile news reached him that the man whom he had injured still vowed
vengeance against him, and was in communication with the authorities in
Natal. These reasons making his return to civilisation undesirable for
the moment, and further business being impossible until he could
receive a fresh supply of trade stuff, Hadden like a wise man turned his
thoughts to pleasure. Sending his cattle and waggon over the border to
be left in charge of a native headman with whom he was friendly, he went
on foot to Ulundi to obtain permission from the king, Cetywayo, to hunt
game in his country. Somewhat to his surprise, the Indunas or headmen,
received him courteously--for Hadden's visit took place within a few
months of the outbreak of the Zulu war in 1878, when Cetywayo was
already showing unfriendliness to the English traders and others, though
why the king did so they knew not.
On the occasion of his first and last interview with Cetywayo, Hadden
got a hint of the reason. It happened thus. On the second morning after
his arrival at the royal kraal, a messenger came to inform him that
"the Elephant whose tread shook the earth" had signified that it was
his pleasure to see him.
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