A ZULU IN DIFFICULTIES.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2093, 6 December 1879, Page 2

A ZULU IN DIFFICULTIES.

Considerable fun was created not many evenings ago in Timaru, by Ibe spectacle of a Zulu in difficulties. The facts, as related tons, are as follows: — The steward of the John Watson which was beached in deep water, a Frenchman, Memma by name, was induced to attempt the recuperation of his slender fortune by exhibiting his Madagascar cats and some curios that he had collected on the coast of Africa. Among them was a Zulu costume, an assegai, and several clubs. An enterprising car-driver undertook the duties of agent, business manager, and lecturer. The Theatre lioyal was engaged and the streets placarded. At the instigation of the agent the proprietor of the small menagerie consented to blacklcad his face, arms, and legs and impersonate a Zulu chief. The doors wore opened, a number of visitors were admitted, and, of course, their attention was divided between the Madagascar cats and the warlike Zulu, who wore a cap with horns, a kind of mat over his waist and shoulders, and carried the favorite Zulu weapon. All went tolerably well till the agent began his lecture. “Gentlemen,” he exclaimed, “the American Constitution has undergone some strange changes since seventeen eighty four. Some of these changes I intend to explain when I return in half an hour.’ ’ With that the lecturer, politely bowing, withdrew, but it is said that at the door ho inspected the money-taker, to sec if there was any available “ change ” in that direction. For two or three hours the unlucky “Zulu” paced the floor, the most conspicuous figure in the show, but suffering inconceivable agonies, and every moment becoming more and more exasperated at his absent agent. At length the latter returned, with a fragrant aroma of the “ bloom on the rye,” and picking up a small trinket he advanced to the French Zulu exclaiming, “ what _ is this, Neemah? “You are a fool hissed the Zulu sotto voce. “Whats this, Neomak?” bawled the lecturer, and “Ncomah” looked daggers. “Now, Neemah, that’s a good lad, tell the audience what it is?” “Ncemah’s” pent _ up rage could stand it no longer, and forgetting he was a Zulu he yelled out, “ Yon snuff-box you shim-crack son of yon seacock. \ r at you come back for like dis ? You fool yourself! you f°ol me ! Other choice superlatives were added, and when the audience were summarily discharged and the doors closed the

scene was renewed, the “ Zulu” vigorously upbraiding bis lecturer with nicknaming him “ Neemah.” The exhibition, it is needless to say, turned out somewhat unprofitable, and after the scene alluded to, suddenly collapsed.