Now, at these somewhat unusual compliments I bowed, and felt myself
colouring a little as I did so, even through my sunburn, but I made no
answer to them, since to do so would have involved a discussion of the
past and its tragical events, into which I had no wish to enter. Panda,
too, remained silent for a while. Then he called to a messenger to
summon the princes, Cetewayo and Umbelazi, and to bid Saduko, the son of
Matiwane, to wait without, in case he should wish to speak with him.
A few minutes later the two princes arrived. I watched their coming with
interest, for they were the most important men in Zululand, and already
the nation debated fiercely which of them would succeed to the throne. I
will try to describe them a little.
They were both of much the same age--it is always difficult to arrive
at a Zulu's exact years--and both fine young men. Cetewayo, however, had
the stronger countenance. It was said that he resembled that fierce and
able monster, Chaka the Wild Beast, his uncle, and certainly I perceived
in him a likeness to his other uncle, Dingaan, Umpanda's predecessor,
whom I had known but too well when I was a lad. He had the same surly
eyes and haughty bearing; also, when he was angry his mouth shut itself
in the same iron fashion.
Of Umbelazi it is difficult for me to speak without enthusiasm. As
Mameena was the most beautiful woman I ever saw in Zululand--although
it is true that old war-dog, Umslopogaas, a friend of mine who does not
come into this story, used to tell me that Nada the Lily, whom I have
mentioned, was even lovelier--so Umbelazi was by far the most splendid
man. Indeed, the Zulus named him "Umbelazi the Handsome," and no wonder.
To begin with, he stood at least three inches above the tallest of them;
from a quarter of a mile away I have recognised him by his great
height, even through the dust of a desperate battle, and his breadth
was proportionate to his stature. Then he was perfectly made, his great,
shapely limbs ending, like Saduko's, in small hands and feet. His face,
too, was well-cut and open, his colour lighter than Cetewayo's, and his
eyes, which always seemed to smile, were large and dark.
Even before they passed the small gate of the inner fence it was easy
for me to see that this royal pair were not upon the best of terms,
for each of them tried to get through it first, to show his right of
precedence. The result was somewhat ludicrous, for they jammed in the
gateway. Here, however, Umbelazi's greater weight told, for, putting out
his strength, he squeezed his brother into the reeds of the fence, and
won through a foot or so in front of him.