Already I had sent messengers summoning to Durban from Zululand and the upper districts of Natal various hunters who had accompanied me on other expeditions.

To the number of a dozen or so they arrived in due course.

I have always had the good fortune to be on the best of terms with my Kaffirs, and where I went they were ready to go without asking any questions.

The man whom I had selected to be their captain under me was a Zulu of the name of Mavovo.

He was a short fellow, past middle age, with an enormous chest.