Chap. XII] SOUTHERN AFRICA. 95 



his vassals. In a few years Chaka had depopulated 

 the whole of the coast from the Amapoota River to 

 the Ootagale — signal success also attending his 

 incursions among the interior tribes, over which he 

 exercised the most sanguinary persecution — pur- 

 suing them with a refinement in fiendish ferocity, 

 too harrowing to be detailed. 



Arriving at the zenith of his pride and ambition, 

 and having, for a brief space, sated himself with 

 the blood of bis neighbours, the savage despot 

 began to direct his thoughts towards the internal 

 government of his realm — a measure which was 

 rendered more than ever imperative from the cir- 

 cumstance of his extensive victories having placed 

 him at the head of a gigantic and overgrowing 

 nation. His first care was to discipline his rabble 

 forces, which were already elated with achievements, 

 originating chiefly from the dauntless and irresistible 

 spirit of their leader. Ever in his own person did 

 Chaka, surnamed " the bloody," set an example in 

 the field well worthy the imitation of his followers ; 

 and whilst his ferocity kept his people in abject awe, 

 dauntless intrepidity rendered him the terror of his 

 opponents. Having once entered upon hostilities 

 against a native power, his whole soul and energies 

 were irrevocably bent on its extermination. Mercy 

 was never for a moment an inmate of his bosom, 

 and nothing short of rivers of blood, caused by the 

 most lavish sacrifice of human life, was capable of 

 gratifying his monstrous appetite. Partaking of 

 this taste, his warriors were ever eager for battle. 



