CHAP. XXI. 
THE GRAND BATTUE. 
209 
a girdle of wild cat or monkey tails strung so close 
together that it forms a complete kilt; round the neck 
is another fringe of cow-tails, and innumerable strings 
of beads of all colours and descriptions. The arms are 
similarly protected with cow-hair round the arm above 
the elbow and also above the biceps muscle ; some have 
ivory bands round this part, to indicate rank ; the head 
likewise is fantastically dressed with stuffed rolls of 
otter-skin—black ostrich feathers and tufts of the 
same of all shapes and sizes, crowned by long feathers 
standing upright or inclined at various angles. On the 
whole the Zulu looks a most formidable warrior. 
The greatest horror of all the scene was presented by 
the 6 Prophetesses,’ a number of whom accompany the 
warriors into battle, and follow them in the field to kill 
the wounded. These she-devils were the most diabolical 
of human creatures, ugly and wrinkled to a degree, 
and they had attached to them all the ‘bewitching’ 
symbols of their craft in the shape of fishes’ bladders, 
reptiles, and filthy charms. They carried long knives 
and battleaxes only, and you saw them going through all 
the mockery of killing wounded men on the field. It 
was most shocking to look at, yet well worth seeing 
as a novelty. 
After the sham fight the Zulus were again drawn 
up in mass, and a second time presented a native salute 
to the Prince. This is done by simultaneously raising 
p 
