Retief, by way of reply, touched his grey hairs, and inquired whether Dingaan thought that he was a child that he, Dingaan, should demand horses which did not belong to him.  He added that these horses had been restored to the Boers, from whom Sikonyela had stolen them.

When Dingaan had expressed himself satisfied with this answer, Retief opened the question of the treaty.  The king replied however, that the white men had but just arrived, and he wished to see them dance after their own fashion.  As for the business, it might “sit still” till another day.

So in the end the Boers “danced” for his amusement.  That is, they divided into two parties, and charged each other at full gallop, firing their guns into the air, an exhibition which seemed to fill all present with admiration and awe.  When they paused, the king wished them to go on firing “a hundred shots apiece,” but the commandant declined, saying he had no more powder to waste.

“What do you want powder for in a peaceful country?” asked Dingaan suspiciously.

Retief answered through me: 

“To kill food for ourselves, or to protect ourselves if any evil-minded men should attack us.”

“Then it will not be wanted here,” said Dingaan, “since I will give you food, and as I, the king, am your friend, no man in Zululand dare be your enemy.”

Retief said he was glad to hear it, and asked leave to retire with the Boers to his camp outside the gate, as they were all tired with riding.  This Dingaan granted, and we said good-bye and went away.  Before I reached the gate, however, a messenger, I remember it was my old friend Kambula, overtook me, and said that the king wished to speak with me alone.  I answered him that I could not speak with the king alone without the permission of the commandant.  Thereon Kambula said: 

“Come with me, I pray you, O Macumazahn, since otherwise you will be taken by force.”

Now, I told Hans to gallop on to Retief, and tell him of my predicament, for already I saw that at some sign from Kambula I was being surrounded by Zulus.  He did so, and presently Retief came back himself accompanied only by one man, and asked me what was the matter now.  I informed him, translating Kambula’s words, which he repeated in his presence.

“Does the fellow mean that you will be seized if you do not go, or I refuse to allow you to do so?”

To this question Kambula’s answer was: 

“That is so, Inkoos, since the king has private words for the ear of Macumazahn.  Therefore we must obey orders, and take him before the king, living or dead.”

“Allemachte!” exclaimed Retief, “this is serious,” and, as though to summon them to my help, he looked behind him towards the main body of the Boers, who by this time were nearly all of them through the gate, which was guarded by a great number of Zulus.  “Allan,” he went on, “if you are not afraid, I think that you must go.  Perhaps it is only that Dingaan has some message about the treaty to send to me through you.”