At the appointed time Hendricks and his four companions set off, leaving the waggon under the charge of Umgolo, with directions to keep a strict watch upon it, lest any of Cetchwayo’s brave soldiers should take it into their heads to appropriate the contents. They then proceeded towards the kraal at the side of the hill. The heat was excessive, the sun beat down with intense force upon their heads, so that they were not inclined to move very fast. Having arrived at the kraal, they were ushered into the outer circle, where, in a hut considerably larger than those inhabited by the common people, they found the king seated on a pile of mats, he being utterly unable to squat down in the fashion of his less obese subjects. Hendricks saluted him in due form, and Crawford and Percy imitated their leader as well as they could. They then arranged themselves so as to form part of a circle on one side of His Majesty.
Panda looked at Lionel. “That boy knows how to behave,” he remarked, observing the proper Kaffir salutation which he made on entering.
“Yes, O King! I have long lived in Zululand, and I know good manners,” answered Lionel, with perfect gravity, while Denis turned away his head to indulge in a quiet laugh, to which he could not openly venture to give way.
Presently several girls appeared, each carrying a bowl holding about a gallon of beer, one of which they set down before each of the guests. Others then brought in wooden platters, huge pieces of beef, large masses of which an attendant cut off with an assegai, and handed to the king, who munched away at them with infinite satisfaction. The guests were desired to help themselves with their knives which they carried in their belts. There were, in addition, baskets of mealy cakes, which Percy declared were more to the purpose than the tough half-roasted beef. The king every now and then looked round the circle, exclaiming, “Eat! eat!” The guests did their utmost, but were very soon satisfied.
“Pray tell him that I can do no more,” said Crawford. “This hot day I should prefer some cold lamb and a salad, but this coarse beef beats me.”
Hendricks apologised as best he could.
“Tell them to drink, then,” said the king, “if they cannot eat. The beer will slip down without any difficulty. Don’t you like beer?” asked the king, when he saw that after taking a few mouthfuls they stopped.
“Pray tell him that we like beer in moderation, but shall never be able to finish off one of these bowls,” exclaimed Crawford.
Hendricks assured the king that his young companions were anxious to please him; but that Englishmen’s insides were not of the same magnificent capacity as His Majesty’s, and that therefore it would be impossible for them to do as he desired.
A frown gathered on the king’s brow. “Drink, I say, drink! They must drink,” he exclaimed.