332 THE ZULUS. 



than these dusky masters of the land keep on the Portuguese 

 colonists who assert a powerless claim to it. Regularly every 

 year they visit Shupanga and Senna in force, prepared to receive 

 or take by force their extortionate tribute. It should not, how- 

 ever, be understood that the Zulus are the meanest people in the 

 world, because they improve the opportunity for securing some 

 return for the accommodation of residence on their shores, which 

 strangers think of value enough to pay for. Even according to 

 the strictest equity, it is questionable whether those who, going 

 from a Christian land, settle among heathen, with such objects 

 and principles as distinguish the emissaries of Portugal, should 

 be better treated. There is, in reality, very much to admire in 

 the Zulu character. They belong to the great Caffre family, 

 and stand complimented in history with the remarkable record, 

 " History does not present another instance in which so much 

 security of life and property has been enjoyed as has been ex- 

 perienced during the whole period of English occupation of 

 Natal by ten thousand colonists in the' midst of one hundred 

 thousand Zulus." They are a good-humored, generous and in- 

 dependent people. Unlike many Africans who envy the white 

 skins of the foreigners, these manly individuals are proud of 

 their dark hue, and if asked, "What is the finest complexion?" 

 reply with ready complacency, " Like my own, black, with a 

 little red." They love to number among the excellencies of 

 their king, that " he chooses to be black," " he might have been 

 white, but would not." The hair and features of the Zulus 

 might easily confound them with the negro tribes, but the more 

 careful view detects the " lofty forehead, the prominent nose 

 and high cheek-bones," and a certain dignity of countenance 

 which decide their claims to superior consideration. It is hardly 

 wonderful that such a life as they lead, in the midst of abun- 

 dance of food, which may be had for the taking it — fruit, grain, 

 and game in abundance — should encourage a carelessness as to 

 the future. And if we add to this the consideration that under 

 the peculiar construction of their government every man's life 

 is in the hands of the king, it is not astonishing that an audience 

 of these people thought an address from the words, " Take no 

 thought for the morrow," entirely superfluous, since they had 

 " never done such a thing, nor ever expected to." They, as in- 



