The general impression was almost mesmeric.

I felt as though I were going to sleep and yet my mind remained painfully awake, so that I was able to think things out.
I understood clearly that the body of men to my left had come together to decide whether there should be peace or war; that there were divisions of opinion among them; that the king was ready to follow the party which should prove itself the strongest, but that the real voice of decision would speak from behind that fire.

It was the case of the Delphic Oracle over again with a priest instead of a priestess, and what a priest! It was evident to me also that Zikali, who knew human nature, and especially savage human nature, had arranged all this with a view to scenic and indeed supernatural effect.

Moreover, he had done it very well, since I knew myself that in this place and hour words and occurrences would affect me deeply at which I should have laughed in the sunlight and open plain.

Already the Zulus were affected, for I could hear the teeth of some of them chattering, and Goza began to shiver at my side.