Then they began to hunt me, but,
Macumazahn, I who am named "The Buck," because I am swifter of foot than
any man in Zululand, outpaced them all and got away safe.'
"'Well done, Magepa,' I said. 'Still, remember the saying of your
people, "At last the strong swimmer goes with the stream and the swift
runner is run down."'
"'I know it, Macumazahn,' he answered, with a nod, 'and perhaps in a day
to come I shall know it better.'
"I took little heed of his words at the time, but more than thirty years
afterwards I remembered them.
"Such was my first acquaintance with Magepa. Now, friends, I will tell
you how it was renewed at the time of the Zulu War.
"As you know, I was attached to the centre column that advanced into
Zululand by Rorke's Drift on the Buffalo River. Before war was declared,
or at any rate before the advance began, while it might have been and
many thought it would be averted, I was employed transport-riding
goods to the little Rorke's Drift Station, that which became so famous
afterwards, and incidentally in collecting what information I could of
Cetewayo's intentions. Hearing that there was a kraal a mile or so
the other side of the river, of which the people were said to be very
friendly to the English, I determined to visit it.
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