, one of the principal advisers of his
royal mother, was actually expressing a wish that she might die! It
occurred to me, too, that if her advisers were antagonistic towards her,
might not the poor, oppressed and afflicted people also be of the same
mind?

"Speak, O Goliba," Omar said. "Is the balance of popular feeling actually
against the Naya?"

"Entirely. Within the past few years the loyal spirit hath, on account of
the revolting cruelties practised by thy royal mother, turned utterly
against her. Before thy departure to the land beyond the black water the
loyal feeling was uppermost because of the efforts of Moloto to obtain
the crown. Now, however, that the power of his party is broken and the
Naya, feeling her position invulnerable, hath commenced a reign of
terror, disgust and despair are felt on every hand."

"What must I do?" Omar asked.

"Remain here," the sage replied. "Thou art banished from the royal
presence, it is true, but heed not her words, and remain with thy
followers in Mo. Guard vigilantly against the attempts of secret
assassins that are certain to be made when the Naya is aware of thy
defiance, but remember thou art heir to the Emerald Throne, and although
some of the regiments may remain loyal unto their queen, the majority of
our fighting-men are thine to command."

Omar knit his brows, and thought deeply for several moments. It was
apparent that this suggestion to oppose the Naya by force of arms had
never before entered his mind.

"Is this really true?" he asked in a doubting tone.

"O Master, let thy servant Goliba perish rather than his word be
questioned. As councillor of thy queen-mother, have I not greater
facilities for testing the popular feeling than any other man in Mo? I
swear by Zomara's wrath that what I have uttered is truth. If thou
remainest here--in hiding for a time it may be--thou shalt either be
restored to the royal favour and thy friends recognized, or thou shalt
assuredly occupy the royal stool. The people, living as they do in
constant dread of the Naya's cruelties, would hail with satisfaction any
change of rule that would ensure safety to their persons and property.
Thou art their saviour."

"Take the advice of our friend Goliba," I urged. "Let us remain and defy
her."

"Yea," cried Kona, displaying his even white teeth. "The Dagombas are
here and likely to remain. They will fight and die to a man in thy cause.
I, their head-man, speak for them."

"Is