VISIT TO THE ZULU KING.

Colonist, Volume XXII, Issue 2513, 20 February 1879, Page 4

VISIT TO THE ZULU KING.

The following account of a New Zealand colonist's visit to Cetewayo, the Zulu King, is supplied by a correspondent of the New Zealand Herald, from letters received by last San Francisco mail. We have a very interesting account of Natal affairs, from a gentleman who was there some two months ago, and who was at Cetewayo's (pronounced Ketchowayo) place only a month before he left, having gone on a hunting expedition. During his stay at court he was well treated, and described Cetewayo as a very pleasant savage, but terribly cruel, after the manner of all Zulu kings. One of his royal freaks is to send a party of young men to bring him a live lion if they offend him. If they come back without the lion they are killed themselves It is not jvonderful, under such conditions, that many have preferred seeking refuge from the tyranny of the Zulu king by crossing the border. His army is described as wonderfully drilled, and some manoeuvring, which our informant witnessed, was very surprising, such as an immense live of warriors wheeling on the centre with perfect precision. There are many of them armed with best breech-loaders, which -they understand perfectly, and they say they have plenty of ammunition, but will probably break down on this point. Our iuformaut says that the breech-loaders most in favor are those which can be loaded from the muzzle if need be. For some time past there has been free trading in arms and ammunition from the diamond and gold fields at Delagoa Bay, the fruits of which are now to be gathered. The men are drilled to move in masses, and their plan of att&ck is to send one of these masses in close column of about 2000 men, with two other bodies of about the same number in successive columns at a few huudred yards interval. If the first column be checked, it is urged by the rush of that behind. It is seen clearly that artillery oan deal with such masses. Zululaod proper, the territory of Cetewayo, is hilly and bushy for the most part, without roads or settlers, and very difficult for military operations, except for Zulus, who with a little bag of Indian corn meal, can move from 70 to 100 (?) miles a day on foot. Their plantations of Indian corn are in narrow strips, extending mauy miles along the rivers. The Zulus themselves are honest aud industrious, but very warlike, and they, obey to the death. A short time ago 80 ambassadors, Indunans, were sent to Natal by Cetewayo to give hia answer to the Natal Government.- After receiving their ultiaiatum these Indunans made uo secret of Cetewayo's intentions, which were to drive out or kill all the white people in Natal except the coffee aud sugar planters. These he. Would keep to grow coffee and sugar for himself. Let us hope that his Majesty will iind it one thing to entrap and shoot down a few huudred soldiers, unable, probably, even to see the foe by whom they are being slaughtered, and another thing to face the power of England which will now be exerted against him and very speedily abridge his hasty expectations.