Presently Saduko arrived, looking very stately and composed as he lifted

his right hand and gave Panda the "Bayéte"--the royal salute.

"Be seated," said the King. "I have words for your ear."

Thereon, with the most perfect grace, without hurrying and without undue

delay, Saduko crouched himself down upon his knees, with one of his

elbows resting on the ground, as only a native knows how to do without

looking absurd, and waited.

"Son of Matiwane," said the King, "I have heard all the story of how,

with a small company, you destroyed Bangu and most of the men of the

Amakoba, and ate up their cattle every one."

"Your pardon, Black One," interrupted Saduko. "I am but a boy, I did

nothing. It was Macumazahn, Watcher-by-Night, who sits yonder. His

wisdom taught me how to snare the Amakoba, after they were decoyed from

their mountain, and it was Tshoza, my uncle, who loosed the cattle from

the kraals. I say that I did nothing, except to strike a blow or two

with a spear when I must, just as a baboon throws stones at those who

would steal its young."

"I am glad to see that you are no boaster, Saduko," said Panda. "Would

that more of the Zulus were like you in that matter, for then I must not

listen to so many loud songs about little things. At least, Bangu was

killed and his proud tribe humbled, and, for reasons of state, I am glad

that this happened without my moving a regiment or being mixed up with

the business, for I tell you that there are some of my family who loved

Bangu. But I--I loved your father, Matiwane, whom Bangu butchered, for

we were brought up together as boys--yes, and served together in the

same regiment, the Amawombe, when the Wild One, my brother, ruled"

(he meant Chaka, for among the Zulus the names of dead kings are

hlonipa--that is, they must not be spoken if it can be avoided).

"Therefore," went on Panda, "for this reason, and for others, I am glad

that Bangu has been punished, and that, although vengeance has crawled

after him like a footsore bull, at length he has been tossed with its

horns and crushed with its knees."

"Yebo, Ngonyama!" (Yes, O Lion!) said Saduko.

"Now, Saduko," went on Panda, "because you are your father's son, and

because you have shown yourself a man, although you are still little

in the land, I am minded to advance you. Therefore I give to you the

chieftainship over those who remain of the Amakoba and over all of the

Amangwane blood whom you can gather."

"Bayéte! As the King pleases," said Saduko.

"And I give you leave to become a kehla--a wearer of the

head-ring--although, as you have said, you are still but a boy, and with

it a place upon my Council."




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