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Updated: May 26, 2025
Cetchwayo will not dare to kill me, for it will be acknowledged that a chief so brave as I have proved myself could not have been guilty of witchcraft. Then, when I have gathered some people round me, and have built another kraal, I will go back for my Kalinda."
He was anxious for another reason to get clear of them as soon as possible; for, knowing the jealousy which existed between Umbulazi and Cetchwayo, he felt convinced that the former was about to make war on his more favoured brother, and would very likely try to detain him and his people for the purpose of compelling them to fight on his side.
On receiving this information, Cetchwayo ordered his whole army to advance. Hendricks was in hopes of being allowed to remain behind, but the prince would not hear of it. "I will grant you this favour," he answered.
In vain Hendricks pleaded that although friendly to Cetchwayo, he was anxious to proceed on his journey for an important object, and that it was not becoming in white men to interfere in the quarrels of the natives, with all of whom they wished to be at peace.
"What means this?" exclaimed Hendricks, advancing towards the nearest. "We are friends of the Zulus, and desire to traverse their country in peace. You know me; I have often been among you." "Yes, we know you well," said a chief, stepping forward. "We have no desire to injure you or your companions; but you must accompany us to our Prince Cetchwayo, who desires to see you.
The English have always been my friends, and I will not see them ill-treated, notwithstanding what that old woman says. It was not long since that she was seen paying a visit to Cetchwayo, and who can tell that she has not been sent by him to betray us?"
Hendricks asked what that object was, saying at the same time, that he should be always ready to do anything to serve him. "That is well!" answered Cetchwayo; "but you are equally ready to do anything to serve Umbulazi, to whose camp I find you have paid a visit."
Hendricks had still some hopes that Cetchwayo would allow him to continue his journey the next morning; but the prince sent word that he must remain another day, as he was not prepared to commence his march. This was a further trial of temper to Hendricks, and by the way he bore it he set a good example to his young followers.
"I wish we could send Cetchwayo to sleep as easily as Hendricks has done his fat old father, and then we might at once continue our journey." Cetchwayo, however, was not a man to be sent asleep by any amount of Kaffir beer, whatever might have been the effect of half a dozen of London stout. He visited the camp in the evening, to have a talk, as he said, with his friend the great hunter.
"I shall take very good care of that," answered Umbulazi. "Whether the English intend to be friends to me or not, it matters little. I have many followers, some of whom you see here, and many more will join me ere long; so that we shall soon drive Cetchwayo out of the country, and Umbulazi will some day be king of Zululand."
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