spears had grown rusty
through remaining so long unwashed in blood, while they were growing
ever poorer for lack of their neighbours' cattle, under Seketulo's
peaceful rule; and that M'Bongwele was far better as a king than had
been Seketulo.

"Then spake M'Buta, one of the few chiefs who, with us, had refrained
from declaring in M'Bongwele's favour, asking what would happen to the
nation, when the four Spirits of the Winds should return and find
M'Bongwele again in power, and Seketulo slain. And M'Bongwele laughed
scornfully, and answered that the four Spirits were not likely to
return--for how should they find their way back, having once left the
country--but that, even if they did, he, M'Bongwele, would again find
means to get them into his power, as he had once before done, and that
this time he would see that they did not escape him.

"And, thereupon, the majority declared for M'Bongwele; while we who were
opposed to him agreed to bide our time and await the return of the
Spirits, recognising the futility of resistance at the moment, which,
indeed, could but have ended in M'Bongwele's triumph and our destruction
to no purpose."

"You did well, O Lobelalatutu," answered von Schalckenberg, approvingly.
"To engage in a hopeless fight is but folly. And now, tell me, I pray
you, has M'Bongwele in any wise profited from the lesson which we gave
him, or has he reverted to his former barbarous methods of ruling you?"

"His rule is even as it was aforetime," answered the savage. "On the
morrow of the day upon which he was re-elected king, he slew M'Buta with
his own hand, saying he would have no discontented chiefs under him; and
he would have slain the rest of us but for the interposition of those
who had gone over to his side, many of whom were our friends. Also he
re-established the witch-doctors in their former power and authority,
with the result that many who paid them what they deemed an insufficient
tribute have died long-lingering deaths, upon the charge that they were
plotting against the king's authority. And, but for the fact that I am
a powerful chief, with many friends, 'tis certain that I, even I,
Lobelalatutu, would also have been sent along the dark path ere now.
And now, behold, my life is forfeit. For well I know that M'Bongwele
too truly suspects my intention to come out and acquaint the Great
Spirits with what has happened; for see ye those warriors searching
hither and thither? They are look