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Updated: July 18, 2025
Now, understanding that the King did not wish to stir up these other matters of murder and witchcraft for some reason of his own, we all turned to hear Mameena's answer. "O King," she said in her low, silvery voice, "I cannot deny that I left Saduko for Umbelazi the Handsome, any more than Saduko can deny that he left Umbelazi the beaten for Cetewayo the conqueror."
Umbelazi talked with me a good deal at that time, impressing upon me how friendly he was towards the English white men of Natal, as distinguished from the Boers, and what good treatment he was prepared to promise to them, should he ever attain to authority in Zululand.
He stooped, picked it up, and reset it in its place, saying as he did so, with that ready wit for which some Kafirs are remarkable: "So may I live, O Prince, to set the crown upon the head of Panda's favoured son!" This apt speech served to dispel the general gloom caused by the incident, for those who heard it cheered, while Umbelazi thanked his captain with a nod and a smile.
Just as a little too late I had made up my mind that I would go after my own business, and leave Saduko to manage his, through the fence gateway appeared the great, tall Umbelazi leading by the hand a woman.
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." 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."
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?"
Then Umbelazi spoke in a hollow voice, sobbing out his words: "I thank you, White Man, yet do as this snake bids you this snake that has lived in my kraal and fed out of my cup. Let him have his fill of vengeance because of the woman who bewitched me yes, because of the sorceress who has brought me and thousands to the dust. Have you heard, Macumazahn, of the great deed of this son of Matiwane?
Of Umbelazi it is difficult for me to speak without enthusiasm. As Mameena was the most beautiful woman I ever saw in Zululand although it is true that old war-dog, Umslopogaas, a friend of mine who does not come into this story, used to tell me that Nada the Lily, whom I have mentioned, was even lovelier so Umbelazi was by far the most splendid man.
The noise of their meeting shields came to our ears like that of the roll of thunder, and the sheen of their stabbing-spears shone as shines the broad summer lightning. They hung and wavered on the slope; then from the Amawombe ranks rose a roar of "Umbelazi wins!" Watching intently, we saw the Usutu giving back.
"I hear that you were leading the Amawombe, whom my father, the King, sent down to help Umbelazi, and I am very glad that you have escaped alive. Also my heart is proud of the fight that they made, for you know, Macumazahn, once, next to the King, I was general of that regiment, though afterwards we quarrelled.
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