[92] The hut tax, on the other hand, was payable only to the Magistrate of the district in which it became due.
[93] A gross breach of etiquette and a matter that would at once excite suspicion.
[94] The Native Code prohibits, on pain of severe penalty, the carrying of lethal weapons by persons other than constables on duty.
[95] When going about a district collecting taxes, a Magistrate's staff hardly ever exceeded three or four Europeans and half-a-dozen Native police and messengers.
[96] According to the late Mjongo, a curious phenomenon occurred almost simultaneously with the commission of this murder. "The matter I am now going to tell you (the writer) about," he said, "is of a strange or miraculous description. I am a Kolwa (Christian), and would not tell anyone, but in the most confidential manner.... The instant the firing started, I saw a ball of fire fall from the sky to earth, near where the fighting was going on. It was so brilliant that a darkness arose after it, continuing some little while.... In size, this ball was about 9 or 10 in. in diameter. I was not deceived in any way. It was in no way connected with revolver or rifle fire. Moreover, I was not the only one who observed it. Those present, including the Europeans, must have noticed it. Whilst in gaol in Richmond, I heard Native warders referring to the matter.... The ball fell to earth and disappeared immediately.... When this occurred, it was misty, but still quite light."
We believe Mjongo regarded this as a supernatural intervention, ordained to mark a most unusual incident. It is probable that the other Natives who are said to have seen it hold similar views.
[VI.]
MOBILIZATION AND DEMONSTRATIONS IN FORCE: (a) IN THE SOUTH-WEST; (b) AT MAPUMULO.—EXECUTIONS AT RICHMOND.