Child of Storm

"That I shall not trouble to do, Umbelazi," answered Cetewayo, with a

scowl. "Who are you that spy upon my doings, and with a mouth full of

lies call me to account before the King? I will hear no more of it. Do

you bide here and pay Saduko his price with the person of our sister.

For, as the King has promised her, his word cannot be changed. Only let

your dog know that I keep a stick for him, if he should snarl at me.

Farewell, my Father. I go upon a journey to my own lordship, the land

of Gikazi, and there you will find me when you want me, which I pray

may not be till after this marriage is finished, for on that I will not

trust my eyes to look."

Then, with a salute, he turned and departed, bidding no good-bye to his

brother.

My hand, however, he shook in farewell, for Cetewayo was always friendly

to me, perhaps because he thought I might be useful to him. Also, as I

learned afterwards, he was very pleased with me for the reason that I

had refused my share of the Amakoba cattle, and that he knew I had no

part in this proposed marriage between Saduko and Nandie, of which,

indeed, I now heard for the first time.

"My Father," said Umbelazi, when Cetewayo had gone, "is this to be

borne? Am I to blame in the matter? You have heard and seen--answer me,

my Father."

"No, you are not to blame this time, Umbelazi," replied the King, with a

heavy sigh. "But oh! my sons, my sons, where will your quarrelling end?

I think that only a river of blood can quench so fierce a fire, and then

which of you will live to reach its bank?"

For a while he looked at Umbelazi, and I saw love and fear in his eye,

for towards him Panda always had more affection than for any of his

other children.

"Cetewayo has behaved ill," he said at length; "and before a white man,

who will report the matter, which makes it worse. He has no right

to dictate to me to whom I shall or shall not give my daughters in

marriage. Moreover, I have spoken; nor do I change my word because he

threatens me. It is known throughout the land that I never change my

word; and the white men know it also, do they not, O Macumazana?"

I answered yes, they did. Also, this was true, for, like most weak men,

Panda was very obstinate, and honest, too, in his own fashion.

He waved his hand, to show that the subject was ended, then bade

Umbelazi go to the gate and send a messenger to bring in "the son of

Matiwane."