"Oh, obey orders and stop here, I suppose. Unless," I added doubtfully,
"these Amawombe take the bit between their teeth and run away with me."
"They'll do that before nightfall, Mr. Quatermain, if I know anything of
the Zulus. Look here, why don't you get on your horse and come off with
me? This is a queer place for you."
"Because I promised not to," I answered with a groan, for really, as
I looked at those savages round me, who were already fingering their
spears in a disagreeable fashion, and those other thousands of savages
advancing towards us, I felt such little courage as I possessed sinking
into my boots.
"Very well, Mr. Quatermain, you know your own business best; but I hope
you will come out of it safely, that is all."
"Same to you," I replied.
Then John Dunn turned, and in my hearing asked Umbelazi what he knew of
the movements of the Usutu and of their plan of battle.
The Prince replied, with a shrug of his shoulders: "Nothing at present, Son of Mr. Dunn, but doubtless before the sun is
high I shall know much."
As he spoke a sudden gust of wind struck us, and tore the nodding
ostrich plume from its fastening on Umbelazi's head-ring. Whilst a
murmur of dismay rose from all who saw what they considered this very
ill-omened accident, away it floated into the air, to fall gently to the
ground at the feet of Saduko. He stooped, picked it up, and reset it
in its place, saying as he did so, with that ready wit for which some
Kafirs are remarkable: "So may I live, O Prince, to set the crown upon the head of Panda's
favoured son!"
This apt speech served to dispel the general gloom caused by the
incident, for those who heard it cheered, while Umbelazi thanked his
captain with a nod and a smile. Only I noted that Saduko did not mention
the name of "Panda's favoured son" upon whose head he hoped to live to
set the crown. Now, Panda had many sons, and that day would show which
of them was favoured.
A minute or two later John Dunn and his following departed, as he said,
to try to make peace with the advancing Usutu. Umbelazi, Saduko and
their escort departed also towards the main body of the host of the
Isigqosa, which was massed to our left, "sitting on their spears," as
the natives say, and awaiting the attack. As for me, I remained alone
with the Amawombe, drinking some coffee that Scowl had brewed for me,
and forcing myself to swallow food.
I can say honestly that I do not ever remember partaking of a more
unhappy meal. Not only did I believe that I was looking on the last sun
I should ever see--though by the way, there was uncommonly little of
that orb visible--but what made the matter worse was that, if so, I
should be called upon to die alone among savages, with not a single
white face near to comfort me. Oh, how I wished I had never allowed
myself to be dragged into this dreadful business. Yes, and I was even
mean enough to wish that I had broken my word to Panda and gone off with
John Dunn when he invited me, although now I thank goodness that I did
not yield to that temptation and thereby sacrifice my self-respect.