.

THE DEATH OF CHAKA.
Now, on the morrow, two hours before midday, Chaka came from the hut where he had sat through the night, and moved to a little kraal surrounded by a fence that was some fifty paces distant from the hut.
For it was my duty, day by day, to choose that place where the king should sit to hear the counsel of his indunas, and give judgment on those whom he would kill, and to-day I had chosen this place.

Chaka went alone from his hut to the kraal, and, for my own reasons, I accompanied him, walking after him.

As we went the king glanced back at me over his shoulder, and said in a low voice:-- "Is all prepared, Mopo ?" "All is prepared, Black One," I answered.

"The regiment of the Slayers will be here by noon." "Where are the princes, Mopo ?" asked the king again.
"The princes sit with their wives in the houses of their women, O King," I answered; "they drink beer and sleep in the laps of their wives." Chaka smiled grimly, "For the last time, Mopo!" "For the last time, O King." We came to the kraal, and Chaka sat down in the shade of the reed fence, upon an ox-hide that was brayed soft.