“Macumazahn,” he said, “although it has cost me many oxen, I am glad that your magic prevailed yesterday.  Had it not done so I should have killed all these your friends, which would have been a cause of war between me and the Amaboona.  Now, this morning I have learned that these Amaboona are sending a friendly embassy to me under one of their great chiefs, and I think that you will meet them on the road.  I charge you, therefore, to tell them to come on, having no fear, as I will receive them well and listen to all they have to say.”

I answered that I would do so.

“Good,” he replied.  “I am sending twelve head of cattle with you, six of them for your food during your journey, and six as a present to the embassy of the Amaboona.  Also Kambula, my captain, has charge to see you safely over the Tugela River.”

I thanked him and turned to go, when suddenly his eye fell upon Marie, who, foolishly enough, took this opportunity to advance from among the others and speak to me about something—­I forget what.

“Macumazahn, is that the maiden of whom you spoke to me?” asked Dingaan; “she whom you are going to marry?”

I answered, “Yes.”

“By the head of the Black One,” he exclaimed, “she is very fair.  Will you not make a present of her to me, Macumazahn?”

I answered, “No; she is not mine to give away.”

“Well, then, Macumazahn, I will pay you a hundred head of cattle for her, which is the price of a royal wife, and give you ten of the fairest girls in Zululand in exchange.”

I answered that it could not be.

Now the king began to grow angry.

“I will keep her, whether you wish it or no,” he said.

“Then you will keep her dead, O Dingaan,” I replied, “for there is more of that magic which slew the vultures.”

Of course, I meant that Marie would be dead.  But as my knowledge of the Zulu tongue was imperfect, he understood the words to mean that he would be dead, and I think they frightened him.  At any rate, he said: 

“Well, I promised you all safe-conduct if you won your bet, so hamba gachle (go in peace).  I wish to have no quarrel with the white folk, but, Macumazahn, you are the first of them who has refused a gift to Dingaan.  Still, I bear you no grudge, and if you choose to come back again, you will be welcome, for I perceive that, although so small, you are very clever and have a will of your own; also that you mean what you say and speak the truth.  Tell the People of George that my heart is soft towards them.”  Then he turned and walked away through the gates of the kraal.

Glad enough was I to see the last of him, for now I knew that we were safe, except from such accidents as may overtake any travellers through a wild country.  For the present, at any rate until after he had seen this embassy, Dingaan wished to stand well with the Boers.  Therefore it was obvious that he would never make an irreparable quarrel with them by treacherously putting us to death as we trekked through his country.  Being sure of this, we went on our way with light hearts, thanking Heaven for the mercies which had been shown to us.