Accordingly, when we had done dinner, for we were at table at the time, I told Khiva to bring him in.

Presently a tall, handsome-looking man, somewhere about thirty years of age, and very light-coloured for a Zulu, entered, and lifting his knob-stick by way of salute, squatted himself down in the corner on his haunches, and sat silent.

I did not take any notice of him for a while, for it is a great mistake to do so.

If you rush into conversation at once, a Zulu is apt to think you a person of little dignity or consequence.

I observed, however, that he was a "Keshla" or ringed man; that is, he wore on his head the black ring, made of a species of gum polished with fat and worked up in the hair, which is usually assumed by Zulus on attaining a certain age or dignity.