All this multitude received us in respectful silence, though Sammy's
howls caused some of them to smile, while the Zulu war-chant appeared
to excite their wonder, or admiration. At the head of the market-
place, not far from the king's enclosure, fifteen stout posts had been
planted on as many mounds. These mounds were provided so that everyone
might see the show and, in part at any rate, were made of soil
hollowed from fifteen deep graves dug almost at the foot of the
mounds. Or rather there were seventeen posts, an extra large one being
set at each end of the line in order to accommodate the two donkeys,
which it appeared were also to be shot to death. A great number of
soldiers kept a space clear in front of the posts. On this space were
gathered Bausi, his councillors, some of his head wives, Imbozwi more
hideously painted than usual, and perhaps fifty or sixty picked
archers with strung bows and an ample supply of arrows, whose part in
the ceremony it was not difficult for us to guess.
"King Bausi," I said as I was led past that potentate, "you are a
murderer and Heaven Above will be avenged upon you for this crime.
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