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."