But it would be useless, for knowing you well, I am sure that you would only hand them over to the British Government, as once you handed over the cattle of Bangu, being fashioned that way by the Great-Great, Macumazahn." "Perhaps I might, but then what should I gain, Zikali ?" "This: you would so bring things about that, being broken by war, the Zulu power could never again menace the white men, which would be a great and good deed, Macumazahn." "Mayhap--I am not sure.

But of this I am sure, that I will not thrust my face into your nest of wasps, that the English hornets may steal the honey when they are disturbed.

I leave such matters to the Queen and those who rule under her.

So have done with such talk, for you do but waste your breath, Zikali." "It is as I guessed it would be," he answered, shaking his great head.

"You are too honest to prosper in the world, Macumazahn.
Well, I must find other means to bring the House of Cetewayo to the end that he deserves, who has been an evil and a cruel king." All this he said, showing neither surprise nor resentment, which convinced me of what I had suspected throughout, that never for an instant did he believe that I should fall in with his suggestions and try to influence the Zulus to declare war.