78 EXPEDITION INTO 



miraculous event, and the child in consequence was held 

 by the nation to be something- superhuman. Advancing- 

 towards manhood he did not disappoint the expectations 

 formed of him. His streng'th became Herculean, his 

 disposition turbulent, his heart iron, his soul a warring* 

 element, and his ambition boundless. 



The precocity, shrewdness, and cunning* of Chaka speedily 

 attracted the notice and jealousy of his father. Knowing* 

 full well from the fate of his own prog-enitors that among'st 

 the Zooloos, the son, whose ripening* energies and developing* 

 phj'sical powers render him capable of setting* an example 

 for his subjects to imitate, experiences little difficulty in 

 dethroning* his ag-ed and g-rey -headed sire, whose declining* 

 years render him no long-er fit for feats of prowess, he resol- 

 ved that the yourig* prince should die, and beg-an to plot his 

 destruction. Discovering- this, Chaka fled with Umg-artie, 

 his young*er and illegitimate brother, to a neig-hbouring* tribe 

 called the Umtatwas ; by whose chief. Ting-is waa, he was 

 hospitabl}^ received. He soon distinguished himself, as well 

 amongst the warriors by deeds of daring, as by his surpassing* 

 skill in punning and singing, both of which accomplishments 

 are held in rare estimation — being, with the exception of 

 dancing, almost the only amusements in which the Africans 

 ever indulo-e. 



On the sudden decease of Essenzinconyarna, one of his 

 youngest sons assuming the crown of the Zooloos, Chaka at 

 once resolved to dethrone him, in order to usurp his place at 

 the head of the nation — and with this view he formed a pro- 

 ject which was speedily put in execution. Umgartie, his 

 fraternal companion in exile, repaired to the residence of the 

 young monarch with a story that Tingiswaa had slain Chaka, 

 in consequence of which he had himself been obliged to fly 

 for life and throw himself at his brother's feet for protec- 

 tion. This important and much wished for information being* 



