“Ow! is it so?” said the king with a troubled look.  Then his glance fell on me as though by accident, and he added:  “Macumazahn, one of my wives is taken very ill suddenly, and says she must have some of the medicine of the white men before they go away.  Now, you tell me that you are a new-married man, so I can trust you with my wives.  I pray you to go and find out what medicine it is that she needs, for you can speak our tongue.”

I hesitated, then translated what he had said to Retief.

“You had best go, nephew,” said the commandant; “but come back quickly, for we ride at once.”

Still I hesitated, not liking this business; whereon the king began to grow angry.

“What!” he said, “do you white men refuse me this little favour, when I have just given you so much—­you who have wonderful medicines that can cure the sick?”

“Go, Allan, go,” said Retief, when he understood his words, “or he will grow cross and everything may be undone.”

So, having no choice, I went through the gateway into the labyrinth.

Next moment men pounced on me, and before I could utter a word a cloth was thrown over my mouth and tied tight behind my head.

I was a prisoner and gagged.

CHAPTER XIX

DEPART IN PEACE

A tall Kaffir, one of the king’s household guards, who carried an assegai, came up to me and whispered: 

“Hearken, little Son of George.  The king would save you, if he can, because you are not Dutch, but English.  Yet, know that if you try to cry out, if you even struggle, you die,” and he lifted the assegai so as to be ready to plunge it through my heart.

Now I understood, and a cold sweat broke out all over me.  My companions were to be murdered, every one!  Oh! gladly would I have given my life to warn them.  But alas!  I could not, for the cloth upon my mouth was so thick that no sound could pass it.

One of the Zulus inserted a stick between the reeds of the fence.  Working it to and fro sideways, he made an opening just in a line with my eyes—­out of cruelty, I suppose, for now I must see everything.

For some time—­ten minutes, I dare say—­the dancing and beer-drinking went on.  Then Dingaan rose from his chair and shook the hand of Retief warmly, bidding him “Hamba gachle,” that is, Depart gently, or in peace.  He retreated towards the gate of the labyrinth, and as he went the Boers took off their hats, waving them in the air and cheering him.  He was almost through it, and I began to breathe again.

Doubtless I was mistaken.  After all, no treachery was intended.

In the very opening of the gate Dingaan turned, however, and said two words in Zulu which mean: 

“Seize them!”

Instantly the warriors, who had now danced quite close and were waiting for these words, rushed upon the Boers.  I heard Thomas Halstead call out in English: