96 EXPEDITION INTO [Chap. XII. 



and shouted for war from their love of phinder. 

 The magic of his name gained for them even more 

 renown than their actual prowess in arms, which 

 nevertheless w^as rendered desperately reckless by 

 the alternative he extended to them, of either re- 

 turning victorious to participate in the spoils they 

 w^on, or being condemned to a cruel and immediate 

 death for alleged cowardice. 



Chaka's army amounting altogether to near one 

 hundred thousand men, fifty thousand were mar- 

 shalled into regiments, and held in constant readi- 

 ness for battle. These were formed into three 

 divisions, called Umbalabale, or the invincibles, 

 Umboolatio , or the slaughterers, and Foogooso, or 

 the hide-aways ; a portion of each being incor- 

 porated with every force that took the field. Each 

 regiment was distinguished by shields of a different 

 colour, the great warriors having white ox-hides, 

 with one or two black spots ; the young soldiers, 

 black ; and those who possessed wives, were hence 

 denominated Umfaundas, or inferiors, red. In- 

 dividuals distinguishing themselves in battle, were 

 honoured with a title, by which they were ever 

 afterwards accosted. 



Having thus organized his army, the despot next 

 introduced a totally new system of discipline. The 

 slender javelins hitherto employed for throwing, 

 were abolished, and their use interdicted on pain of 

 death ; a single stabbing spear of stouter materials 

 being introduced in place of them. The superior 

 efficacy of this novel equipment, had previously been 



