THE STORMING OF SECOCOENrS. 



The native allies whose duty it was to have assisted in 

 the storming, went off on a cruise of their own to steal 

 cattle. They captured a large number, and were return- 

 ing with them in high glee, when they met some Ama- 

 swazi warriors. 



" What have you been doing ? " asked the Amaswazi. 



" We have been collecting cattle." 



" Were you not in the fight ? " 



"No." 



" Friends, these are very nice cattle, so we will go 

 halves." 



To this the native allies objected, so the Amaswazi cut 

 the matter short by attacking them and capturing all 

 the cattle. It served the native allies right. 



These Amaswazi were curious fellows. They had not 

 yet had enough of fighting, so about a couple of thousand 

 of them went off to Umsoet's stronghold, and after a 

 terrific fight, in which they were twice repulsed, they 

 captured it. Of those who returned about every other 

 man was wounded ; but they were as happy as sandboys, 

 having had plenty of bloodshed and having captured 

 plenty of booty. 



They do not care for gold or valuables. They prefer 

 iron pots, knives, hoes, blankets, or anything of that 

 sort. 



I speak the Zulu language, of which the Amaswazi 

 tongue is only a dialect, not differing more than the 

 dialect of a broad Scot from that of a Londoner. There 

 are a few idiomatic phrases peculiar to the Amaswazi, 

 but one picks these up in a very short time. 



I had the following conversation with a Swazi 

 warrior : 



" Have you enjoyed yourself? " 



9 



