Are you mad or drunk that you should think that Allan would wish to betray Marie to the Kaffirs, to say nothing of the rest of us ?" and she began to wave an extremely dirty "vatdoek", or dishcloth, which she always carried about with her and used for every purpose, towards Kambula as a sign of peace.
Now the Boers gave way, and Marais, seeing himself in a minority, glowered at me in silence.
"Ask these white people, O Macumazahn," said Kambula, "who is their captain, for to the captain I would speak." I translated the question, and Marais answered: "I am." "No," broke in Vrouw Prinsloo, "_I_ am.

Tell them, Allan, that these men are all fools and have given the rule to me, a woman." So I told them.

Evidently this information surprised them a little, for they discussed together.

Then Kambula said: "So be it.

We have heard that the people of George are now ruled by a woman, and as you, Macumazahn, are one of that people, doubtless it is the same among your party." Here I may add that thenceforward the Zulus always accepted the Vrouw Prinsloo as the "Inkosikaas" or chieftainess of our little band, and with the single exception of myself, whom they looked upon as her "mouth," or induna, would only transact business with or give directions to her.