Having finished this speech, which certainly did not lack force and

dignity, Cetewayo sat down again, awaiting the answer in sullen silence.

But, making none, Panda looked at Umbelazi, who, on rising, was greeted

with a great cheer, for although Cetewayo had the larger following in

the land, especially among the distant chiefs, the Zulus individually

loved Umbelazi more, perhaps because of his stature, beauty and kindly

disposition--physical and moral qualities that naturally appeal to a

savage nation.

"My father," he said, "like my brother, Cetewayo, I await your word.

Whatever you may have said to the Amabunu in haste or fear, I do not

admit that Cetewayo was ever proclaimed your heir in the hearing of the

Zulu people. I say that my right to the succession is as good as his,

and that it lies with you, and you alone, to declare which of us shall

put on the royal kaross in days that my heart prays may be distant.

Still, to save bloodshed, I am willing to divide the land with Cetewayo"

(here both Panda and Cetewayo shook their heads and the audience roared

"Nay"), "or, if that does not please him, I am willing to meet Cetewayo

man to man and spear to spear and fight till one of us be slain."

"A safe offer!" sneered Cetewayo, "for is not my brother named

'Elephant,' and the strongest warrior among the Zulus? No, I will not

set the fortunes of those who cling to me on the chance of a single

stab, or on the might of a man's muscles. Decide, O father; say which

of the two of us is to sit at the head of your kraal after you have gone

over to the Spirits and are but an ancestor to be worshipped."

Now, Panda looked much disturbed, as was not wonderful, since, rushing

out from the fence behind which they had been listening, Umqumbazi,

Cetewayo's mother, whispered into one of his ears, while Umbelazi's

mother whispered into the other. What advice each of them gave I do not

know, although obviously it was not the same advice, since the poor man

rolled his eyes first at one and then at the other, and finally put his

hands over his ears that he might hear no more.

"Choose, choose, O King!" shouted the audience. "Who is to succeed you,

Cetewayo or Umbelazi?"

Watching Panda, I saw that he fell into a kind of agony; his fat sides

heaved, and, although the day was cold, sweat ran from his brow.

"What would the white men do in such a case?" he said to me in a hoarse,

low voice, whereon I answered, looking at the ground and speaking so

that few could hear me: "I think, O King, that a white man would do nothing. He would say that

others might settle the matter after he was dead."




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