y likely he gone
to hut to see all safe, and find all gone!" added the savage with a
chuckle. "But he no know which way to follow in dark. Not follow till
to-morrow."

"You have managed very cleverly, Kobo," said Wilmore; "but I must say I
wonder this wizard, or rainmaker, or whatever you call him, consented to
leave us in your charge."

"He not do that," answered Kobo, "only he could not help it. I know how
plague broke out among Dalili's cows. I see rainmaker putting bad stuff
into their sides with a little knife. He know that I saw him, and he
'fraid to speak against Kobo, for fear Kobo speak against him.
Rainmaker bad man. Look, you see that big ant-hill there close by?"

"Yes, we see it plain enough," answered Warley, with a shudder.

"That where rainmaker fasten Patoto 'bout six months ago. Patoto strong
brave man, favourite with Chuma. Maomo jealous. He pretend Patoto
bewitch people. Nyzee, Chuma's young wife, very sick, Maomo say Patoto
bewitched her, and Nyzee believe it and persuade Chuma. Patoto say it
no true, but no one believe him. He sentenced to same death as White
Prophet. Kobo saw him fastened to ant-hill. Six strong posts driven
into ground. Patoto's feet tied with rheims to two; his hands to two
more; broad rhinoceros straps fastened to other two over Patoto's belly.
They strip him naked first, for why--no good to leave clothes on him,
ants eat--"

"I understand, Kobo," exclaimed Warley, interrupting the horrible
narrative, which he could not endure to hear. "But why did not you set
him at liberty, as you have set us?"

"Eh! Patoto only black man--not like White Prophet," answered Kobo,
coolly; "besides, chief set men to watch, for fear Patoto himself get
away when ant begin to eat--"

"Be silent, for Heaven's sake," exclaimed De Walden, who had hitherto
repressed his emotion, but could now bear no more. "Blessed be His holy
name, who has delivered His servant from torments, which are unendurable
even in thought. Let us speak no further of them. How far, and in what
direction, do you propose that we should proceed to-night?"

"We fly towards Basuto country. Basutos and Bechuanas not friends, or
Chuma send message for White Prophet to be given back to him."

"The Basutos! Very good. I can speak their language, and they will
very likely shelter us until we are rested sufficiently to travel to
Cape Town. But the Basuto country lies at some distance, does it not?"

"Ye