"Nay," interrupted Cetewayo, "it was not those eaters of rats who won
him the day, it was the wisdom of this Macumazahn."
"Macumazahn's wisdom would have been of little use without the courage
of Saduko and his rats," commented Umbelazi, and from this moment I saw
that the two brothers were taking sides for and against Saduko, as they
did upon every other matter, not because they cared for the right of
whatever was in question, but because they wished to oppose each other.
"Quite so," went on the King; "I agree with both of you, my sons. But
the point is this: I think Saduko a man of promise, and one who should
be advanced that he may learn to love us all, especially as his House
has suffered wrong from our House, since He-who-is-gone listened to
the evil counsel of Bangu, and allowed him to kill out Matiwane's tribe
without just cause. Therefore, in order to wipe away this stain and
bind Saduko to us, I think it well to re-establish Saduko in the
chieftainship of the Amangwane, with the lands that his father held, and
to give him also the chieftainship of the Amakoba, of whom it seems
that the women and children, with some of the men, remain, although he
already holds their cattle which he has captured in war."
"As the King pleases," said Umbelazi, with a yawn, for he was growing
weary of listening to the case of Saduko.
But Cetewayo said nothing, for he appeared to be thinking of something
else.
"I think also," went on Panda in a rather uncertain voice, "in order to
bind him so close that the bonds may never be broken, it would be wise
to give him a woman of our family in marriage."
"Why should this little Amangwane be allowed to marry into the royal
House?" asked Cetewayo, looking up. "If he is dangerous, why not kill
him, and have done?"
"For this reason, my son. There is trouble ahead in Zululand, and I do
not wish to kill those who may help us in that hour, nor do I wish
them to become our enemies. I wish that they may be our friends; and
therefore it seems to me wise, when we find a seed of greatness, to
water it, and not to dig it up or plant it in a neighbour's garden. From
his deeds I believe that this Saduko is such a seed."
"Our father has spoken," said Umbelazi; "and I like Saduko, who is a man
of mettle and good blood. Which of our sisters does our father propose
to give to him?"
"She who is named after the mother of our race, O Umbelazi; she whom
your own mother bore--your sister Nandie" (in English, "The Sweet").
"A great gift, O my Father, since Nandie is both fair and wise. Also,
what does she think of this matter?"