Zululand is a wild region of mountain ranges, deep valleys and gorges,
roaring torrents, rapidly flowing rivers, plains covered with mimosa
bushes, meadows where cattle pasture and grow fat, and level plateaux
extending for many miles across it, several hundred feet above the level
of the ocean; while scattered here and there, in some parts pretty
thickly, are to be seen the kraals or villages and the mealy grounds of
the natives. Wild as is the country, and although roads, properly
speaking, there are none, it is sufficiently practicable for waggons in
various directions.
Some few years back, one of these vehicles, drawn by a span of twelve
oxen, was seen slowly wending its way to the south-west, in the
direction of Natal. It was a loosely yet strongly built machine on four
wheels, fourteen feet long and four wide, formed of well-seasoned stink
wood, the joints and bolts working all ways, so that, as occasionally
happened, as it slowly rumbled and bumped onward, when the front wheel
sank into a deep hole, the others remained perfectly upright. It was
tilted over with thick canvas impervious to rain, the goods or
passengers inside being thus well sheltered from the hardest showers,
and even from the hot rays of the sun.
The oxen pulled steadily together, as became animals long accustomed to
work in company. On a board in front stood a Hottentot driver, his
black visage surmounted by a broad-brimmed straw hat ornamented by a few
ostrich feathers twined round the crown, while his hand held a whip of
Brobdignagian proportions, the stock being fully fourteen feet, and the
lash upwards of twenty-four feet in length, with which he occasionally
urged on the leaders, or drew blood from the animals beneath his feet,
as well as from those intermediate in the span, whenever a rise in the
ground or its unusual roughness required an additional exertion of their
strength.
Several black men, of tall sinewy forms and Kaffir features, each
carrying a gun at his back, and a long pole in his hand, accompanied the
waggon on foot. At some little distance ahead rode a florid,
good-looking man, above the middle height, and of strongly built figure,
dressed in a grey suit, with a broad-brimmed hat on his head. He also
carried a gun at his back and a brace of pistols in a broad belt which
he wore round his waist. Though his hair and beard were slightly
grizzled, yet, by the expression of his countenance and his easy
movements, he appeared to have lost none of the activity of youth, while
his firm-set mouth and bright blue eyes betokened courage and energy.
Some horses followed the waggon, secured by thongs of a length
sufficient to enable them to pick their way. A glance into the interior
of the waggon would have shown that it was fully loaded, the chief
contents being the skins of wild animals, the huge tusks of elephants,
and other spoils of the chase, with which the proprietor was returning
after a hunt of many months' duration, to dispose of them at Maritzburg
or D'Urban.
The horseman was apparently one of those enterprising traders and
hunters who roam over the southern parts of the dark continent to barter
European goods for cattle, skins, ivory, and other produce of the
country. As he was the owner of the waggon and the master of the men
attending it, we will for the present designate him as the Trader. He
generally rode on in silence, amusing himself with his own thoughts, but
occasionally he turned to address a tall Kaffir by his side, whose
leopard-skin robe and head-dress, the long rifle at his back, and the
independent air with which he walked, betokened him to be a leading
hunter, and the familiar way in which he was addressed and replied,
showed that he was held in high esteem by his employer.
"We must look out for a camping-place before long, Umgolo," said the
trader. "The beasts have had a rough journey, and will require plenty
of time for feeding. Do you go on ahead, and select a spot where grass
and water are to be found, and where we may watch them, and defend
ourselves, should any of the people hereabouts take a fancy to the
beasts or to the contents of our waggon."
"The master shall be obeyed," answered the Kaffir. "It may be as well,
as he has said, to be on our guard, for the Zulus in these parts are
arrant thieves, and will not scruple to steal if they have the chance."
The Kaffir, who had of course spoken in his native tongue, hurried ahead
of the team. In a short time the waggon overtook him at a spot which he
had chosen on the slope of a hill forming one side of a valley through
which ran a sparkling stream, the ground in the neighbourhood of its
banks being covered with rich grass. No more favourable spot could have
been selected for the camp, as the stream served as a boundary on one
side, and the hill on the other, so that a man stationed at either end
could effectually prevent the cattle from straying.
Another valley opened into that along which the waggon was travelling,
and on a level space some considerable way from the bottom could be
distinguished in the distance a circular palisade forming a kraal, the
dome-roofed huts just appearing above the enclosure. It was so far off,
however, that the inhabitants were not likely to have discovered the
waggon as it passed along.
At that period, it should be understood, the Zulus and their white
neighbours were on tolerably good terms, though some of the former might
occasionally have carried off a few horses or head of cattle belonging
to the settlers, when they could do so without the risk of being caught.
Sportsmen and traders therefore penetrated fearlessly into the country,
the traders carrying cotton goods, blankets, cutlery, and not
unfrequently firearms and powder and shot, which they exchanged for
skins and oxen.
However, we will return to our friends. At a short distance from the
spot selected by Umgolo for the camp was a wood from which fuel for the
fires could be obtained, and which would have afforded materials for
throwing up a fortification, had such been considered necessary. But
the sturdy owner of the waggon, with his band of expert marksmen,
believed himself well able to cope with any natives who might venture to
interfere with him.
Having outspanned, or in other words the oxen being unyoked, they
hurried of their own accord down to the stream to drink, attended by two
of the men, with their guns in hand, in case any lion or other savage
beast should be lurking in the neighbourhood. The water was too shallow
for crocodiles, which in many parts have to be guarded against. The
rest of the men were engaged in collecting fuel for the fire, and
cutting stakes and poles to form a temporary enclosure in which the oxen
might be penned during the dark hours of night.
Meantime the trader, attended by Umgolo, set off in search of a
springboc or a pallah, called also the rooyaboc, or a wild boar or a
water-buck, whose flesh might serve the party for supper and breakfast.
There was no fear of starving in a country where numberless varieties of
animals abounded. They made their way towards a thicket which extended
from some distance up the hill, across the valley, almost down to the
river. Game of some sort was sure to be found within it, while at the
same time they themselves would be concealed by the thick bushes, and be
enabled to get sufficiently close to an animal to shoot it with
certainty.
It was only, however, in some places that the thicket could be
penetrated; for below the large mimosa trees there grew thorny creepers
and bushes, among which it was impossible to force a passage without the
certainty of having to emerge with garments torn to shreds, and legs
bleeding from lacerations innumerable. Here in wild profusion grew the
creeper known as the "wait-a-bit," because its hooked thorns will catch
the clothes of any person brushing by it, and compel him to wait a bit
until he has released himself by drawing them out one by one. The
natives give it the still more honourable title of "catch tiger," as
they affirm that even that savage creature, who may unwarily leap into
it, will find itself trapped in a way from which there is no escape.
Then there was the cactus with spikes three inches in length, and the
"Come and I'll kiss you," a bush armed with almost equally formidable
thorns, and huge nettles, and numerous other vegetable productions,
offering impracticable impediments to the progress, not only of human
beings, but of every species of animal, with the exception of elephants
and rhinoceroses, which might attempt to force a way through them.
The hunters had not gone far, when, as they were skirting the thicket,
they came on a small herd of water-buck. The trader, raising his rifle,
fired, and one of the graceful animals lay struggling on the grass. The
rest bounded off like lightning, to escape the shot which the native
discharged. Both hurrying forward, soon put the deer out of its misery.
To follow the rest would have been useless, as they were away far out
of range of their firearms. They therefore at once applied themselves
to the task of cutting up the dead animal, so that they might carry back
the best portions of the meat to the camp.
While they were thus employed, a crashing sound was heard coming from
the thicket at no great distance, when springing to their feet they saw
before them a black rhinoceros, the most formidable inhabitant of those
wild regions. It is more dangerous to encounter than even the lion or
the elephant, because the only one which will deliberately chase a human
being whenever it catches sight of him, and will never give up the
pursuit, unless its intended victim can obtain concealment, or it is
itself compelled to bite the dust. Its sight is, however, far from
keen; so that if there are bushes or rocks near at hand, it can be
easily avoided.
Such was, fortunately for the hunters, the case in the present instance.
As on it came thundering over the ground, uttering a roar of
displeasure, the Kaffir, shouting to his master, sprang behind a bush,
near which the deer had fallen. The trader, however, stood firm, his
weapon in his hand, ready to fire, although knowing full well that,
should he miss, the next instant the savage brute would be upon him, and
either gore or trample him to death.
Flight was out of the question with such a pursuer at his heels, while
even should he now attempt to take refuge behind a bush, the rhinoceros,
close as it was, would probably see him. Notwithstanding this, he
remained motionless; not a limb shook, not a nerve quivered. As the
ferocious monster, with its formidable horn lowered, came rushing on,
the trader, raising his rifle, fired, and then, before the smoke had
cleared off, with an agility which could scarcely have been expected in
a man of his proportions, sprang on one side. Almost at the same moment
a crack was heard from Umgolo's rifle, and the rhinoceros sank to the
ground, uttering a loud scream indicative of pain and also of anger at
finding itself foiled in its onslaught.
In vain the brute attempted to rise. Umgolo sprang forward and plunged
his assegai into its breast. The hunters' sharp knives soon cut through
the tough skin, and several slices of the flesh were added to the store
of meat with which they set off on their return to the camp. It was the
leader's intention to send some of his people to bring in the horn and a
further portion of the flesh, should it not in the meantime have been
devoured by jackals, hyenas, and other scavengers of the wilds. Their
arrival was greeted with a shout of satisfaction by the people. While
some eagerly set to work to cook the meat brought to them, others went
out to bring in a further supply. On their return, each man loaded with
as much as he could carry, they reported that they had been only just in
time to drive off a pack of wolves which would soon have left them the
bare bones alone for their share.
Although they had performed a long and rough day's journey, they sat up
round the fire late into the night, cooking and eating the rhinoceros
and water-buck flesh, and relating to each other their oft-told
adventures. As soon as darkness came on, the cattle were driven in and
secured close to the waggon, and sentries, with muskets in their hands,
were placed to watch them, as well as to serve as guards to the rest of
the camp.
The trader's accustomed sleeping-place was inside his waggon, where, by
the light of a lantern hung from the roof, he could sit and read or
write when so disposed. After allowing his followers sufficient time to
amuse themselves, he shouted to them to cease their noise and go to
sleep. To hear with his well-disciplined hunters and drivers was to
obey, and at once rolling themselves up in their blankets or karosses
they lay down round the fire, which had previously been made up, so as
to last some hours without additional fuel. He then, before turning in
himself, took a turn round the camp, stopping occasionally to listen for
any sounds which might indicate that a lion was prowling in the
neighbourhood. He was just about to return to the waggon, when he
observed emerging from behind a clump of trees in the valley below him
numerous dark figures moving slowly over the ground. He watched them
attentively, and was convinced that they were a party of Zulus bent on a
warlike expedition. Others followed, until a large number had assembled
in the open. Whether or not their object was to attack his camp he
could not tell; but he resolved, should they do so, to defend his
property to the last. He at once called up Umgolo, and in a low voice
ordered him to arouse his companions, but on no account to allow them to
show themselves or to make the slightest noise. These orders were
obeyed, and the trader retired to the shade of his waggon, where he
could watch what was going forward without himself being seen. The
fire, from which a few flames occasionally flickered up, must, he knew,
have shown the Zulus the position of the camp.
Though he took these precautions for prudence' sake, he did not consider
it likely that the Zulus, who had hitherto been friendly, would venture
to attack him. His followers, however, appeared not to be so well
satisfied on that point as he was; for each man, as he lay on the
ground, examined his arms to be sure that they were ready for instant
action.
The dark figures moved slowly on, then halted.
"They are considering whether they shall venture to come against us,"
whispered Umgolo. "If they do, we will give them a warmer welcome than
they expect."
Such might have been the interpretation of his remarks.
"I still doubt whether they will attack us," answered his master. "They
know too well the power of the white man's powder and lead."
At that time comparatively few firearms had been introduced among the
Zulus, and they had but an imperfect knowledge of their use.
Again the black figures began to move, but instead of drawing nearer the
camp, apparently supposing that they had not been observed, they
directed their course towards the kraal which had been observed by the
travellers on the hillside just before they unspanned.
"They are about to work no good to yonder kraal, or they would not be
moving thus silently at this time of night," observed Umgolo. "Before
morning dawns, not a man, woman, or child will be left alive, and not a
hoof remain inside."
"I would then that we could give the inhabitants notice of their
impending doom, or save the unhappy wretches by some means or other,"
said the trader, more to himself than his follower, well aware that
Umgolo would scarcely enter into his feelings on the subject.
"It cannot be done," remarked Umgolo. "Any one approaching the kraal
would be discovered by the warriors, and put to death to a certainty."
"Why do you think that the kraal is to be attacked?" asked his master.
"This I know, that yonder kraal is the abode of the brave young chief
Mangaleesu, who possesses numerous head of cattle, and has under him a
band of devoted followers. Perhaps Panda, the king of the Zulus, or
some other great chief, covets Mangaleesu's cattle, or fears his power,
and this expedition has been sent out to destroy him and all his people.
It may be that one of Panda's wives has been ill, and the doctor, not
knowing what else to say, having declared that she was bewitched, was
ordered to go and smell out the culprit; the cunning rogue knowing full
well how best to please the king; or, as I remarked, some other enemy of
Mangaleesu has fixed on him."
"How do you know, Umgolo, that such is the case?" inquired his master.
"I guess it," answered Umgolo. "Perhaps I am wrong. The young chief
may be an enemy of Cetchwayo, and he it is who has sent the army to
destroy him. He knows the bravery and cleverness of Mangaleesu, who,
had he gained an inkling of what is intended, would have made his escape
into Natal. There may be some other cause for the intended attack, but
I am not far wrong, master, you may depend upon that."
"I fear, indeed, that you are right in your conjectures," said the
trader. "I am satisfied that the Zulus do not intend to attack us.
Tell the people that they may again go to sleep, and that they will be
summoned if they are required."
While Umgolo went to execute this order, the trader stood leaning on his
gun at a spot a short distance from the camp, to which he had made his
way the better to watch the proceedings of the Zulu force. He was
considering how he could manage to reach the kraal before the Zulu
warriors had surrounded it, and were ready to commence their work of
slaughter. He might, by following a different direction, and moving
more rapidly over the ground, get to the rear of the kraal, and warn the
doomed inhabitants to flee while there was yet time. Too probably,
however, they would be seen escaping, and would be pursued and
slaughtered before they had time to get to any distance. Still his
generous feelings prompted him to make the attempt. There would be a
considerable amount of risk to himself, though the Zulus at that time
held white men in respect, and himself especially as he had so
frequently traversed their country, and was known to many of them.
Notwithstanding this, if found interfering with their proceedings, they
might, in a sudden fit of anger, put him to death. Leaving the camp,
therefore, he proceeded with rapid steps along the side of the hill, in
the direction the Zulus had taken. Though the kraal was concealed from
view by the shades of night, and no lights issued from it, he well knew
its position. He soon gained a spot whence in daylight he could clearly
have perceived it, when to his grief he saw what might have been
mistaken for a dark shadow creeping over the ground and already
ascending the hill on which the kraal stood. He was now convinced of
the impossibility of getting to it in time to warn the inhabitants of
their impending fate. Perfect stillness reigned around, broken
occasionally by the distant mutterings of a lion, or the melancholy cry
of some beast or bird of prey. Unable to tear himself away from the
spot, he waited, moved by a painful curiosity to learn what would
happen, as he knew that the dusky warriors must have reached the kraal,
though he was unable to see their movements. Still no cry reached his
ear. Had the inhabitants got warning of the intended attack, and beaten
a timely retreat? He hoped that such might have been the case.
A crescent moon and the bright stars shed a faint light over the scene.
He could look far up and down the valley, but the part where the kraal
stood was shrouded in gloom. Presently the silence was broken by a
chorus of shouts and yells, borne by the night wind from the direction
of the kraal, followed by shrieks and cries which continued without
intermission for some minutes, and then he saw lights glimmering here
and there, increasing in intensity, until a circle of flame burst forth,
rising rapidly as the fire caught hold of the combustible material of
which the kraal was composed. By this time all sounds had ceased, and
he knew that the last of the unhappy inhabitants had been killed.
Wishing to avoid the risk of meeting any of the savage warriors, should
they cross the hill, he hastened back to the camp. He found Umgolo, who
had discovered his absence, looking out, wondering what had become of
him.
The Kaffir had heard the yells and shrieks of the savages as they
attacked the kraal, and fearing that his master might have been tempted
to interfere, was proportionally glad to see him return safe.
They were still standing just outside the camp, when the sound of
approaching footsteps reached their ears.
"Here come some of the savage Zulus. We must drive them back, if they
intend to molest us," said the trader.
"No fear of that," replied the Kaffir. "There are but two pair of feet.
See! there they come up the hill."
The next instant the figure of a young warrior, with assegais in hand,
supporting with his left arm a slight girl, came in sight. The flames
from the fire lighted up their figures. Blood streamed from the side
and right arm of the man. Both were panting for breath.
"Mangaleesu claims your protection, white chief, for her he loves, and
for himself, that he may avenge the death of those he has lost. You
will not refuse it?"
"I will gladly conceal you, and afford you all the help I can," answered
the trader. "Come on: there is not a moment to be lost. Your wife can
get into the waggon, and you can lie in the hammock beneath it, where,
even if your enemies come, they will not think of looking for you."
This was said as the young chief and the girl were being conducted to
the waggon. All was done so rapidly and silently, that none of the
sleeping servants were awakened, and only those who had charge of the
cattle could have observed what had happened, while the curtain which
closed the front of the waggon was allowed to remain open, so as not to
excite the suspicion of the Zulus, should they come to the camp.
The trader and Umgolo slowly paced up and down with their rifles in
their hands, waiting the arrival of their pursuers. At length they
began to hope that Mangaleesu had evaded them, and that they had gone
off in a different direction. So satisfied were they that this was the
case, that the trader returned to the waggon to see what assistance he
could render to the wounded chief. Mangaleesu, however, made light of
his hurts, although they were such as any white man would have
considered very serious.
He told his white friend that his wife was uninjured, notwithstanding
the many assegais thrust at her.
"Have any more of your people escaped from your enemies?" asked the
trader.
"No; few even fought for their lives," answered the Zulu chief. "When I
was first awakened out of sleep by the shouting around my kraal, I knew
well what was about to happen; but I resolved for Kalinda's sake, as
well as my own, to struggle for life. To fight my way out and to save
my wife, I knew was impossible, had I dashed out boldly as I at first
thought of doing; but she whispered to me, `Let us make a figure; our
enemies will stab at that, and we meantime may perchance get clear.'
The idea struck me as good. She brought me a mat, and we rolled it up
round a thick stick. We then fastened a shield to it, and on the top a
bundle of assegais, as if held in the hand of a warrior. It was much
too dark for our enemies to discover the deceit. When all was ready, I
held the figure in one hand, while I grasped my weapons in the other,
Kalinda keeping close behind me. I then opened the door, and thrust out
the figure in the midst of those standing near, thirsting for my blood.
They instantly, as I knew they would, gathered round it, piercing it
with their assegais. While they were thus employed, I sprang out, still
holding the figure, and in a few bounds reached the inside of the outer
fence, against which I placed my back, and kept my assailants at bay.
As they drew away from the door to attack me, Kalinda rushed out; and
our enemies, who had supposed that there was only one person in the hut,
seeing another appear, fancied that there might be more, and became
confused, not knowing how to act; for many of them had already felt the
point of my assegai. Kalinda, getting close to me without a wound,
threw the figure over the fence, among those guarding the outside. They
instantly rushed at it, leaving the gate for a few seconds unguarded.
This was all I required. Sheltering my wife with my shield, as she
clung to my arm, I sprang with her through the opening, over the bodies
of my slaughtered followers, and before our enemies knew we had gone we
were running like springbocs down the hill. We knew that if our flight
should be discovered we should be pursued, but we hoped that we had not
been seen at the moment we were rushing out of the kraal. I had been
out hunting until late in the evening, and had discovered the tracks of
your waggon. I guessed therefore whereabouts you would camp, and
determined to place my wife under your protection, knowing that while
with you our pursuers would not molest her. For myself, I intended to
follow up my enemies, and revenge myself by trying to kill some of them.
When morning breaks, and they do not find my dead body, they'll know
that I have made my escape."
"You have acted a brave part," said the trader; "but I would advise you
to let your enemies go their own way. You have saved your young wife
and your own life. You will, I hope, be able to reach Natal in safety,
where you will be free from danger. If you attempt to kill your
enemies, you will very likely be killed yourself, and there will be no
one to protect your wife. You are also now weak from loss of blood, and
although your heart is courageous, your strength may fail you."
One of the servants had in the meantime been employed, by command of his
master, in making some broth over the fire, which he now brought to the
young chief, who notwithstanding his boasting was very glad to obtain
it, being much exhausted from the exertions he had made.
The trader then took some to Kalinda, who lay trembling in the waggon,
expecting every moment the arrival of their pursuers to kill her and her
husband. The trader did his best to soothe her fears by promising that
he would not deliver them up to their enemies, even though it should be
discovered where they had taken refuge.
The remainder of the night passed quietly by. The glare from the
burning kraal could be seen in the distance for some time, but it
gradually died out, and all was dark in that direction. No sounds were
brought down by the night wind to show whether the Zulus were still
surrounding it; but Umgolo, knowing their habits, gave it as his opinion
that they had departed as silently as they had come, after executing
their fell purpose; and that if they had discovered the flight of the
chief and his wife, a party had gone in pursuit of them in the direction
it was supposed they had taken. One thing was certain, it could not
have been suspected that the fugitives had taken refuge in the camp, or
some of their enemies would have arrived before now to demand them.
The trader had previously determined to spend a day where he was now
encamped, in order to rest his cattle from their rough journey, and he
thought it prudent to adhere to his intention the better to deceive the
Zulus, who would be less likely to suspect that he was sheltering the
fugitives should he remain stationary, than were he to be found hurrying
away from the neighbourhood.