A strange contrast we must have made, this huge, black tyrant with the royal air, for to do him justice he had that, at whose nod hundreds went the way of death, and I, a mere insignificant white boy, for in appearance, at any rate, I was nothing more.
"O Dingaan," I said coolly, knowing that coolness was my only chance, "I answer you in the words of the Commandant Retief, the great chief.
Do you take me for a child that I should give up my own wife to you who already have so many?
Moreover, you cannot kill me because I have the word of your captain, Kambula, that I am safe with you." This reply seemed to amuse him.

At any rate, with one of those almost infantile changes of mood which are common to savages of every degree, he passed from wrath to laughter.
"You are quick as a lizard," he said.

"Why should I, who have so many wives, want one more, who would certainly hate me?
Just because she is white, and would make the others, who are black, jealous, I suppose.
Indeed, they would poison her, or pinch her to death in a month, and then come to tell me she had died of fretting.

Also, you are right; you have my safe conduct, and must go hence unharmed this time.

But look you, little lizard, although you escape me between the stones, I will pull off your tail.