KITCIIWAYO. 
137 
it was impossible to avoid them any longer. The Kaffirs 
walked very quickly, and never answered once any 
remark I made, appearing frightened as well as in¬ 
tensely disgusted, and no bribe that could be offered 
would induce a Kaffir to touch one. I saw many 
instances of mothers with babies on their hacks, with 
assegais through both, and children of all ages 
assegaied between the shoulder-blades. 
I met a portion of the victorious army returning, 
carrying branches of trees over Kitchwayo, walking 
very stately and slowly, teaching him to be a king, as 
they said. 
I was a little nervous as to my reception, but put a 
bold face on the matter, grounded my gun about 
forty yards off, and asked 4 Is all well P ’ when they 
did the same with their assegais, said 4 All is well with 
you,’ and we advanced and had a long parley, my 
fellows treading on my heels. They were very civil, 
and told me that as I had taken no part in the fight 
I was free to go and come wherever and whenever I 
liked, and all the oxen taken from the Englishmen 
should be sent to a large cattle-station on the Ums- 
latoose, and the owners must come in and claim them, 
and that those that had been slaughtered for food 
should be made good. Beer was broached, and, after 
some heavy pulls, we parted on the most amicable 
terms. 
On arriving at the river, I saw about 150 poor 
wretches on the banks waiting to come across, as the 
river was full, and I had great difficulty in getting 
