Tyingoza produced his snuff-box--his Zulu conservatism had restrained him from learning to smoke--and handed it to me. Then he helped himself. "They will not be here long," he said presently. "No? Why not?" I answered, knowing to whom he referred. "Their feet are planted on strange ground. They have built a house where it cannot stand. _Au_! They are even as children these Amangisi." I did not resent the mild suggestion--"Amangisi" meaning English-- because I knew that the speaker did not include myself, practically a son of the land, using the word as applicable to the newly imported emigrant. "They do not understand the people," he went on, "nor do they try to. They treat the people as though they were soldiers under them. Now, Iqalaqala, will that do?" I agreed that it would not; in fact I had more than once ventured to hint as much to Major Sewin--but that veteran, though a dear old man, was likewise a stiff-necked one, and had not taken my well-meant advice in good part. "A nigger, sir," he had answered with heat, "is created to work. If he won't work he must be made to--and, damme, sir, I'm the man to make him." I had ventured to remind him that there were about four hundred thousand of the said "niggers" in the colony of Natal, and that we stood in a precious deal more need of them than they did of us. But, as the last thing in the world I wished was to quarrel with him, I fear I did so half-heartedly. "So," now continued Tyingoza, "they will have to herd their own sheep and milk their own cows themselves, for none will do it for them. Will they not soon become tired of this, and go elsewhere?" This I thought more than likely, but I did not wish it. The chief's words had pretty well summed up the situation. The Natal native, especially there on the Zulu border, is a difficult animal to lead and nearly impossible to drive, and the hot-headed old soldier was of the sort which prefers driving. "All you say is true," I answered. "Yet--We are friends, Tyingoza, wherefore for my sake, use your influence with your people not to join in driving out these. I do not want them to leave. See, I am lonely here, and if I had no neighbours I might leave too." "_Au_! it is difficult," was the answer. "They are like children. Still for your sake, I will do what I can." We were interrupted by the appearance of two young men. Their bronze figures, straight and tall, moved with easy, supple grace as they advanced to where we were seated, and, having saluted the chief with infinite respect, they squatted down at a becoming distance; for they would not interrupt our conversation. However I wanted to get rid of them, so allowing sufficient time for the requirements of etiquette, I asked them what they had come for.