We found him standing before his great
hut, and, lifting our hands, we saluted him silently, saying no word.
It was Dingaan who spoke, laughing a little as he spoke, like a man
who is uneasy in his mind.
"Ah, my captains," he said, "when the vultures plumed themselves this
morning, and shrieked to the sky for blood, they did not look for such
a feast as I have given them. And you, my captains, you little guessed
how great a king the Heavens have set to rule over you, nor how deep
is the mind of the king that watches ever over his people's welfare.
Now the land is free from the White Wizards of whose footsteps the
Black One croaked as he gave up his life, or soon shall be, for this
is but a beginning. Ho! Messengers!" and he turned to some men who
stood behind him, "away swiftly to the regiments that are gathered
behind the mountains, away to them, bearing the king's words to the
captains. This is the king's word: that the impi shall run to the land
of Natal and slay the Boers there, wiping them out, man, woman, and
child. Away!"
Now the messengers cried out the royal salute of Bayete, and, leaping
forward like spears from the hand of the thrower, were gone at once.
But we, the councillors, the members of the Amapakati, still stood
silent.
Then Dingaan spoke again, addressing me:--
"Is thy heart at rest now, Mopo, son of Makedama? Ever hast thou
bleated in my ear of this white people and of the deeds that they
shall do, and lo! I have blown upon them with my breath and they are
gone.
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