If it be a black woman painted white, doubtless she will fall down dead, as so many have fallen from that rock.

But if it be the Princess of Heaven, then the bullet will pass through her or turn aside and she will take no harm, though whether Macumazahn will take any harm is more than I can say." Now when they heard this many remained silent, but some of the peace party began to clamour that I should be ordered to shoot at the apparition.

At length Cetewayo seemed to give way to this pressure.

I say seemed, because I think he wished to give way.
Whether or not a spirit stood before him, he knew no more than the rest, but he did know that unless the vision were proved to be mortal he would be driven into war with the English.
Therefore he took the only chance that remained to him.
"Macumazahn," he said, "I know you have your pistol on you, for only the other day you brought it into my presence, and through light and darkness you nurse it as a mother does her firstborn.
Now since the Opener of Roads desires it, I command you to fire at that which seems to stand above us.

If it be a mortal woman, she is a cheat and deserves to die.