“The prince will hear what you have to say, and will act according to his judgment,” said the chief. “Yield yourselves as prisoners.”
“If you insist on our going, we have no choice in the matter,” said Hendricks, looking round at the large band of savage warriors which had surprised them. “But perhaps the assurance I give, that we are friends to Cetchwayo, and are simply travelling through his country, will satisfy him.”
“The prince wishes to see the great hunter face to face,” answered the chief; “and he and his followers, with his waggon and cattle, will accompany us forthwith. The word has been spoken. The order must be obeyed.”
“We must submit to these fellows,” said Hendricks, turning to his English companions. “But load your rifles, and be prepared to act as I may direct you, though there is, I fear, but little chance of making our escape.”
The Zulus had now gathered closely round their prisoners, whom, however, they did not ill-treat, but allowed them to walk as they liked.
“I fear that my people in the camp, when they see you coming, will take to flight,” said Hendricks to the chief. “Let me go on first, and I will tell them that you come as friends. Will you trust me?”
The chief looked at him. “Yes,” he said, “I know that I can trust the word of a white chief, and you may go forward.”
“Halt here, then, for a few minutes, to give me time to get ahead of you,” said Hendricks, “and I will trust you also with my people, that you will not injure them.”
The chief, on this, ordered his followers to halt, while Hendricks went on with rapid strides towards the camp. On his arrival, he found his people in a state of great consternation, they having just caught sight of the Zulus, and they confessed that in another minute they would have fled, believing that he and those with him had been killed.
He managed, however, to quell their fears by the assurance that Cetchwayo would not injure them, though he might delay their journey. This was of greater consequence to him than to them. In a short time the Zulus were seen advancing. On their arrival, the chief told Hendricks that he must at once inspan and proceed towards Cetchwayo’s camp, which was much nearer than had been supposed. On Hendricks, however, representing to him that he and his people had been without meat the whole day, the chief consented to their waiting until some had been cooked, observing that he would take charge of the remainder. He did so, by dividing it among his followers, who forthwith lighted several fires, and cooking it after their barbarous fashion, quickly ate the whole of it up, scarcely leaving a few scraps for the hungry dogs. This was not a little provoking to the hunters, but it allowed them some time to rest and recover from the fatigue they all felt.