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 Cetewayo--the Usutu--sitting on the right,

and those who favoured Umbelazi--the Isigqosa--sitting 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!"




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