“By whose order?” I asked.
“By the order of Dingaan our king.”
“Is it so? And who told Dingaan that we were here?”
“The Boer who came in front of you.”
“Is it so?” I said again. “And now what do you need of us?”
“That you should accompany us to the kraal of Dingaan.”
“I understand. We are quite willing, since it lies upon our road. But then why do you come against us, who are peaceful travellers, with your spears lifted?”
“For this reason. The Boer told us that there is among you a ‘child of George’” (an Englishman), “a terrible man who would kill us unless we killed or bound him first. Show us this child of George that we may make him fast, or slay him, and we will not hurt the rest of you.”
“I am the child of George,” I answered, “and if you think it necessary to make me fast, do so.”
Now the Zulus burst out laughing.