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Then； seeing that the matter was urgent and that it was a question of my
life or theirs； I came into action。
In my hand I held a double…barrelled shotgun loaded with what we used to
call 〃loopers；〃 or B。B。 shot； of which but a few went to each charge；
for I had hoped to meet with a small buck on my way to camp。 So； as
these soldiers came； I lifted the gun and fired； the right barrel at one
of them and the left barrel at the other； aiming in each case at the
centre of the small dancing shields； which from force of habit they held
stretched out to protect their throats and breasts。 At that distance；
of course； the loopers sank through the soft hide of the shields and
deep into the bodies of those who carried them； so that both of them
dropped dead； the left…hand man being so close that he fell against my
pony； his uplifted kerry striking me upon the thigh and bruising me。
When I saw what I had done； and that my danger was over for the moment；
without waiting to reload I dug the spurs into my horse's sides and
galloped off to Nodwengu； passing between the groups of struggling men。
On arriving unharmed at the town； I went instantly to the royal huts and
demanded to see the King； who sent word that I was to be admitted。 On
coming before him I told him exactly what had happenedthat I had
killed two of Cetewayo's men in order to save my own life； and on that
account submitted myself to his justice。
〃O Macumazana；〃 said Panda in great distress； 〃I know well that you are
not to blame； and already I have sent out a regiment to stop this
fighting； with command that those who caused it should be brought before
me to…morrow for judgment。 I am glad indeed； Macumazahn； that you have
escaped without harm； but I must tell you that I fear henceforth your
life will be in danger； since all the Usutu party will hold it forfeit
if they can catch you。 While you are in my town I can protect you； for
I will set a strong guard about your camp； but here you will have to
stay until these troubles are done with； since if you leave you may be
murdered on the road。〃
〃I thank you for your kindness； King；〃 I answered； 〃but all this is very
awkward for me； who hoped to trek for Natal to…morrow。〃
〃Well； there it is； Macumazahn； you will have to stay here unless you
wish to be killed。 He who walks into a storm must put up with the
hailstones。〃
So it came about that once again Fate dragged me into the Zulu
maelstrom。
On the morrow I was summoned to the trial； half as a witness and half as
one of the offenders。 Going to the head of the Nodwengu kraal； where
Panda was sitting in state with his Council； I found the whole great
space in front of him crowded with a dense concourse of fierce…faced
partisans； those who favoured Cetewayothe Usutusitting on the right；
and those who favoured Umbelazithe Isigqosasitting on the left。 At
the head of the right…hand section sat Cetewayo； his brethren and chief
men。 At the head of the left…hand section sat Umbelazi； his brethren
and his chief men； amongst whom I saw Saduko take a place immediately
behind the Prince； so that he could whisper into his ear。
To myself and my little band of eight hunters； who by Panda's express
permission； came armed with their guns； as I did also； for I was
determined that if the necessity arose we would sell our lives as dearly
as we could； was appointed a place almost in front of the King and
between the two factions。 When everyone was seated the trial began；
Panda demanding to know who had caused the tumult of the previous night。
I cannot set out what followed in all its details； for it would be too
long； also I have forgotten many of them。 I remember； however； that
Cetewayo's people said that Umbelazi's men were the aggressors； and that
Umbelazi's people said that Cetewayo's men were the aggressors； and that
each of their parties backed up these statements； which were given at
great length； with loud shouts。
〃How am I to know the truth？〃 exclaimed Panda at last。 〃Macumazahn； you
were there； step forward and tell it to me。〃
So I stood out and told the King what I had seen； namely that the
captain who favoured Cetewayo had begun the quarrel by striking the
captain who favoured Umbelazi； but that in the end Umbelazi's man had
killed Cetewayo's man； after which the fighting commenced。
〃Then it would seem that the Usutu are to blame；〃 said Panda。
〃Upon what grounds do you say so； my father？ asked Cetewayo； springing
up。 〃Upon the testimony of this white man； who is well known to be the
friend of Umbelazi and of his henchman Saduko； and who himself killed
two of those who called me chief in the course of the fight？〃
〃Yes； Cetewayo；〃 I broke in； 〃because I thought it better that I should
kill them than that they should kill me； whom they attacked quite
unprovoked。〃
〃At any rate； you killed them； little White Man；〃 shouted Cetewayo； 〃for
which cause your blood is forfeit。 Say； did Umbelazi give you leave to
appear before the King accompanied by men armed with guns； when we who
are his sons must come with sticks only？ If so； let him protect you！〃
〃That I will do if there is need！〃 exclaimed Umbelazi。
〃Thank you； Prince；〃 I said； 〃but if there is need I will protect myself
as I did yesterday；〃 and； cocking my double…barrelled rifle； I looked
full at Cetewayo。
〃When you leave here； then at least I will come even with you；
Macumazahn！〃 threatened Cetewayo； spitting through his teeth； as was his
way when mad with passion。
For he was beside himself； and wished to vent his temper on someone；
although in truth he and I were always good friends。
〃If so I shall stop where I am；〃 I answered coolly； 〃in the shadow of
the King； your father。 Moreover； are you so lost in folly； Cetewayo；
that you should wish to bring the English about your ears？ Know that if
I am killed you will be asked to give account of my blood。〃
〃Aye；〃 interrupted Panda； 〃and know that if anyone lays a finger on
Macumazana； who is my guest； he shall die； whether he be a common man or
a prince and my son。 Also； Cetewayo； I fine you twenty head of cattle；
to be paid to Macumazana because of the unprovoked attack which your men
made upon him when he rightly slew them。〃
〃The fine shall be paid； my father；〃 said Cetewayo more quietly； for he
saw that in threatening me he had pushed matters too far。
Then； after some more talk； Panda gave judgment in the cause； which
judgment really amounted to nothing。 As it was impossible to decide
which party was most to blame； he fined both an equal number of cattle；
accompanying the fine with a lecture on their ill…behaviour； which was
listened to indifferently。
After this matter was disposed of the real business of the meeting
began。
Rising to his feet； Cetewayo addressed Panda。
〃My father；〃 he said； 〃the land wanders and wanders in darkness； and you
alone can give light for its feet。 I and my brother； Umbelazi； are at
variance； and the quarrel is a great one； namely； as to which of us is
to sit in your place when you are 'gone down；' when we call and you do
not answer。 Some of the nation favour one of us and some favour the
other； b