Tourism, Accommodation and Historical Attractions in Natal, South Africa
The Natal Battlefields
Dingane sets a trap for Retief.
NATAL
tourism
Dingane plans to murder Retief, who is warned but continues..
Dingane Plots to Eliminate the Voortekkers
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Retief Walks into the Trap
Retief then prepared to finalize things with Dingane and was in good spirits despite being warned by numbers of people including his own, the settlers at the Port as well as the missionaries about the king's penchant for treachery.
He was advised to either not go himself or take a few men with him but the ratification of the treaty with Dingane was to be the high point of the trek and many wanted to witness the historic occasion. Gert Maritz, who was ill, offered to go in Retief's place and said bluntly to Retief 'I say to you, none of you will return'.
In the event, 67 men and three youths (including Retief's 14 year old son) and 30 servants started the journey with the cattle to Umgungundlovu.
Next: Treachery at Umgungundlovu
