H. Rider Haggard

Black Heart and White Heart H. Rider Haggard

Before the beginning of this story of the most remarkable episodes in his life, Philip Hadden was engaged for several years in transport-riding--carrying goods on ox waggons from Durban or Maritzburg to various points in the interior of Africa. On arriving at the little frontier town of Utrecht in the Transvaal, in charge of two waggon loads of mixed goods consigned to a storekeeper there, it was discovered that five cases of brandy were missing from his waggon. The storekeeper called him a thief and the two men came to blows. Before anybody could interfere, the storekeeper received a nasty wound in his side. That night, Hadden trekked back into Natal, loaded up with Kaffir goods--such as blankets, calico, and hardware--and crossed into Zululand, where no sheriff's officer would be likely to follow. Being well acquainted with the language and customs of the natives, he did good trade with them, and soon found himself possessed of some cash and a small herd of cattle, which he received in exchange for his wares. Meanwhile news reached him that the man whom he had injured still vowed vengeance against him, and was in communication with the authorities in Natal. These reasons making his return to civilisation undesirable for the moment, and further business being impossible until he could receive a fresh supply of trade stuff, Hadden like a wise man turned his thoughts to pleasure. Sending his cattle and waggon over the border to be left in charge of a native headman with whom he was friendly, he went on foot to Ulundi to obtain permission from the king, Cetywayo, to hunt game in his country. Somewhat to his surprise, the Indunas or headmen, received him courteously--for Hadden's visit took place within a few months of the outbreak of the Zulu war in 1878, when Cetywayo was already showing unfriendliness to the English traders and others . . . .