ath of the King, so
there was no hesitation. In a moment the old man lay stretched on his
back; already the slayers were bringing the stones hot from the fire to
place upon him. Yet these preparations he was watching without the
smallest sign of fear.

"`Hold!' cried the King.

"Those who bore the hot stones--which were carried resting in the middle
of two sticks--paused.

"`Release him.'

"This, too, was immediately done.

"`I was but trying thee, old man,' said Umzilikazi; `I was but trying
thee, and right well hast thou come through the ordeal. Yet, I think,
had I detected but a sign of fear, I would have left thee to the
terrible death of torture. But I see thou art afraid of nothing, and I
love such, wherefore I grant thee thy life.'

"`_Baba! Nkose_!' [`Father! Chief!'] cried old Masuka, prostrating
himself and kissing the King's foot. And all men, with right hand
uplifted, shouted with a mighty voice in praise of the King's justice
and the King's mercy.

"Thus came it about that the Mosutu witch-doctor was adopted as one of
ourselves."

CHAPTER SIX.

A FORMIDABLE RIVAL.

"Shortly after these things happened, it befell that I was alone in
attendance upon the King, in his hut; for although, being on the march,
no kraal could be built, yet if we came to a halting-place he liked,
Umzilikazi would cause a few huts to be erected for himself and his
wives.

"`Well, Untuswa,' he said to me, being in a chatty mood, for he would
ofttimes unbend thus and talk familiarly with me when we were alone
together, while keeping great _indunas_ like my father, or Gungana, at a
distance, and in humble attitude. But, then, me he regarded as a child.
`Well, Untuswa, and what think you of this stranger _izanusi_, whom
Gungana has brought us? Is it for good or for ill that he is among us?'

"`Who am I, that I should presume to answer such a question, O Great
Great One?' I said. `Yet his _muti_ was wonderful--it caused all men
to tremble.'

"The King laughed.

"`Did _I_ tremble, son of Ntelani? Was there fear in my face?' he said.

"`Fear? Fear in the eyes of the Elephant whose tread shaketh the world!
Now, my father, how could such a thing be?' I answered.

"`Good,' he said, filling out a measure of snuff. Then, with his spoon
arrested in mid-air: `I think he has come among us for good, Untuswa.
Gungana did well to spare his life and bring him hither.'

"Now, I bethought me that this praise sho