Chap. XII.] SOUTHERN AFRICA. 101 



charge preferred. On one occasion, in particular, a 

 whole regiment was indiscriminately butchered, 

 together with the wives and families of the warriors 

 that composed it — and who, although they had 

 fought with signal bravery, had been over- 

 powered by superior numbers, and thus compelled 

 to retreat. The scene of this revolting tragedy was 

 designated Umboolalio, or "the place of slaughter," 

 in order to perpetuate its recollection in the minds 

 of the people. But defeat was of rare occurrence. 

 The predictions of the monarch were speedily verified 

 lay the success that attended his arms; and the 

 fame of his troops spread rapidly over the whole 

 country. Every tribe they encountered became 

 an easy conquest ; and no quarter being given, the 

 inhabitants at once abandoned their villages and 

 property to the mercy and rapacity of their insatiable 

 invaders. Thus did Chaka spread devastation and 

 terror throughout the whole country, from the 

 Mapoota as low as the Umzimfoobo, or St. John's 

 River. Tribe after tribe was invaded, routed, and 

 mercilessly butchered: their huts were fired over 

 their devoted heads, and the few that escaped of 

 the ruined inmates, were driven to seek shelter in 

 the depths of the forest — either to perish from 

 hunger and want — to become a prey to wild 

 beasts — or to be ultimately hunted down by the 

 relentless and sanguinary Zooloo. 



