CHAPTER XII. DINGAAN'S BET 

As I advanced to the wagons accompanied by Kambula and his two companions, I saw that Marais, in a state of great excitement, was engaged in haranguing the two Prinsloo men and Meyer, while the Vrouw Prinsloo and Marie appeared to be attempting to calm him. 

"They are unarmed," I heard him shout. "Let us seize the black devils and hold them as hostages." 

Thereon, led by Marais, the three Boer men came towards us doubtfully, their guns in their hands. 

"Be careful what you are doing," I called to them. "These are envoys," and they hung back a little while Marais went on with his haranguing. 

The Zulus looked at them and at me, then Kambula said: 

"Are you leading us into a trap, Son of George?" 

"Not so," I answered; "but the Boers are afraid of you and think to take you prisoners." 

"Tell them," said Kambula quietly, "that if they kill us or lay a hand on us, as no doubt they can do, very soon every one of them will be dead and their women with them." 

I repeated this ultimatum energetically enough, but Marais shouted: 

"The Englishman is betraying us to the Zulus! Do not trust him; seize them as I tell you." 

What would have happened I am sure I do not know; but just then the Vrouw Prinsloo came up and caught her husband by the arm, exclaiming: 

"You shall have no part in this fool's business. If Marais wishes to seize the Zulus, let him do so himself. Are you mad or drunk that you should think that Allan would wish to betray Marie to the Kaffirs, to say nothing of the rest of us?" and she began to wave an extremely dirty "vatdoek", or dishcloth, which she always carried about with her and used for every purpose, towards Kambula as a sign of peace. 
Who accompanied him toward the wagons?
Who was Marais talking to?
What was Marie doing?
Was anyone else helping her?
who?
Who wasan envoy?
Who was concerned they were being lured into a trap?
Was it a trick?
who wanted to take them prosiner?
Who did Marais want to take prisoner?
Who did Marais assume was betraying them?
Who averted the fight?
How did she do that?
what did she say ot him?
What was she waving?
what is that?
was it clean?
why did she have it with her?
What did Kambula threaten would  happen to the Boers if they attacked?
were the Zulus armed?
Kambula and his two companions
Kambula and his two companions, 
two Prinsloo men and Meyer
 two Prinsloo men and Meyer
attempting to calm him
d Marie appeared to be attempting to calm him. 
yes
 Vrouw Prinsloo and Marie appeared to be attempting to calm him. 
Vrouw Prinsloo
 Vrouw Prinsloo
Kambula and his companions
, the three Boer men came towards us doubtfully, their guns in their hands. 

"Be careful what you are doing," I called to them. "These are envoys,"
Kambula
n Kambula said: 

"Are you leading us into a trap, Son of George?" 
no
"Not so," I answer
the boers
ut the Boers are afraid of you and think to take you prisoners." 
Kambula and his companions
"Let us seize the black devils and hold them as hostages." 
the Englishman
he Englishman is betraying us to the Zulus! Do not trust him; seize them as I tell you." 
Vrouw Prinsloo
 but just then the Vrouw Prinsloo came up and caught her husband by the arm, exclaiming: 
caught her husband by the arm
caught her husband by the arm, exclaiming: 

He wouldn't take part in it
"You shall have no part in this fool's business. I
a vatdoek
xtremely dirty "vatdoek"
dishcloth
r dishcloth, 
no
wave an extremely dirty "vatdoek
she always carried it with her
hich she always carried about with her 
soon they and their women would be dead
ry soon every one of them will be dead and their women with them." 
Tno
They are unarmed," I heard him shout. "Let us seize the black devils and hold them as hostages." 