From these I gathered that some skirmishes had taken place and the battle could not be long delayed; also that Umbelazi had chosen his fighting ground, a plain near the banks of the Tugela.
"Why has he done this," I asked, "seeing that then he will have a broad river behind him, and if he is defeated water can kill as well as spears ?" "I know not for certain," answered Maputa; "but it is said because of a dream that Saduko, his general, has dreamed thrice, which dream declares that there and there alone Umbelazi will find honour.

At any rate, he has chosen this place; and I am told that all the women and children of his army, by thousands, are hidden in the bush along the banks of the river, so that they may fly into Natal if there is need." "Have they wings," I asked, "wherewith to fly over the Tugela 'in wrath,' as it well may be after the rains?
Oh, surely his Spirit has turned from Umbelazi!" "Aye, Macumazahn," he answered, "I, too, think that ufulatewe idhlozi [that is, his own Spirit] has turned its back on him.

Also I think that Saduko is no good councillor.

Indeed, were I the prince," added the old fellow shrewdly, "I would not keep him whose wife I had stolen as the whisperer in my ear." "Nor I, Maputa," I answered as I bade him good-bye.
Two days later, early in the morning, Maputa came to me again and said that Panda wished to see me.

I went to the head of the kraal, where I found the King seated and before him the captains of the royal Amawombe regiment.
"Watcher-by-Night," he said, "I have news that the great battle between my sons will take place within a few days.