“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.”
“I am not afraid,” I answered. “What is the use of being afraid in a place like this?”
“Ask that Kaffir if the king gives you safe conduct,” said Retief.
I did so, and Kambula answered:
“Yes, for this visit. Who am I that I can speak the king’s unspoken words?” [which meant, guarantee his will in the future.]