They were tall, much taller than the average Zulu, and slighter in their build, also lighter in colour.

Like the Zulus they carried large hide shields and one very broad-bladed spear.
Throwing assegais seemed to be wanting, but in place of them I saw that they were armed with short bows, which, together with a quiver of arrows, were slung upon their backs.

The officers wore a short skin cloak or kaross, and the men also had cloaks, which I found out afterwards were made from the inner bark of trees.
They advanced in the most perfect silence and very slowly.

Nobody said anything, and if orders were given this must have been done by signs.

I could not see that any of them had firearms.
"Now," I said to Stephen, "perhaps if we shot and killed some of those fellows, they might be frightened and run away.