Yet if it pleases you, O king, I am ready to die, and so is my son.

Yet we pray you to spare the little one.

He is but a boy, who may grow up to do you good service, as I have done to you and your House for many years." "Be silent, you white-headed dog!" answered Dingaan fiercely.

"This lad is a wizard, like the rest of you, and would grow up to bewitch me and to plot with my enemies.

Know that I have stamped out all your family, and shall I then leave him to breed another that would hate me?
Begone to the World of Spirits, and tell them how Dingaan deals with sorcerers." The old man tried to speak again, for evidently he loved this grandchild of his, but a soldier struck him in the face, and Dingaan shouted: "What! Are you not satisfied?
I tell you that if you say more I will force you to kill the boy with your own hand.