So the Usutu left me alone, perhaps because they were satisfied with fighting for a while, and thought it wisest to be content with what they had won.
Indeed, they had won everything, for Cetewayo was now supreme--by right of the assegai--and his father but a cipher.

Although he remained the "Head" of the nation, Cetewayo was publicly declared to be its "Feet," and strength was in these active "Feet," not in the bowed and sleeping "Head." In fact, so little power was left to Panda that he could not protect his own household.

Thus one day I heard a great tumult and shouting proceeding apparently from the Isigodhlo, or royal enclosure, and on inquiring what it was afterwards, was told that Cetewayo had come from the Amangwe kraal and denounced Nomantshali, the King's wife, as "umtakati", or a witch.

More, in spite of his father's prayers and tears, he had caused her to be put to death before his eyes--a dreadful and a savage deed.

At this distance of time I cannot remember whether Nomantshali was the mother of Umbelazi or of one of the other fallen princes.[*] [*--On re-reading this history it comes back to me that she was the mother of M'tonga, who was much younger than Umbelazi.