Chap. XIlI-l SOUTHERN AFRICA. 109 



and during the confusion that ensued, Dingaan as- 

 cended the throne. 



So fell Chaka. The Zooloo nation had too long 

 groaned under the weight of his tyranny, and had 

 superstitiously bowed to the yoke of his oppression, 

 until they could no longer bear up under his 

 insatiable and wanton cruelties. His fall w^as 

 followed by a general rejoicing throughout the 

 country. It afforded to the nation an interval of 

 repose from the horrors of war, and from the terror 

 which his savage decrees had constantly excited. 

 During his life there had been no security either for 

 person or property ; no escape from his barbarous 

 innovations and inhuman butcheries. His subjects 

 each had lived from day to day in increasing dread 

 lest the reeking finger of the tyrant should next 

 point at him as a signal for death and devastation. 



To his savage propensities, Chaka added the 

 most extraordinary caprices and singular whims ; 

 he lay on his belly to eat his meals, and compelled 

 his chiefs to do the same in token of their dignity, 

 and it was his custom to bathe every morning in 

 public at the head of his kraal, first anointing his 

 body with bruised beef, and then with an unguent 

 of sheep's-tail fat^ or native butter. Though not a 

 cannibal, he was a savage in the truest sense of the 

 word, and inherited no redeeming quality. In war 

 an insatiable and exterminating fiend, in peace an 

 unrelenting and sanguinary despot ; he kept his 

 people in awe by his monstrous executions, and was 

 unrestrained in his vicious career because they were 



