t was not
reassuring to notice ten or a dozen men standing rather conspicuously at
hand, armed with wicked-looking scimitars, also thongs and raw-hide
whips--all most uncomfortably suggestive of their grim vocation.

"You who speak with our tongue," said the King, pointing at Haviland,
"how know you it?"

"In the land of Cetywayo, Great Great One."

"Now thou liest, for Cetywayo is there no more. Your people have upset
his throne long since."

Haviland wondered how on earth that news should have travelled to this
remote, hardly heard-of tribe, but he answered:

"That is true, Ndabezita [A term of honour addressed to royalty]. But
his people still exist."

"Ha! How came ye here, ye two?"

Then, beginning, Haviland narrated all that had befallen them up to
their battle with and capture by Mushad. The King and all within
earshot listened attentively.

"Somala? Where is he?" said the King.

The Arab was pushed forward and stood before the throne. A fell and
menacing scowl overclouded the royal countenance.

"Another of these dogs of Rumaliza's," said the King. "Take him, ye
Black Ones."

The executioners sprang forward to seize the Arab. But, before they
could reach him, Haviland had stepped between.

"Spare him, Burner of the Sun," he said. "He is not of Rumaliza's
tribe. He is no enemy to the people of Inswani."

A great groan went up from the assembly. Men held their breath. Had
such a thing ever before been known, that a man should stand before
another that the King had doomed to die? As for the despot himself, he
had risen from his seat. His towering form seemed to dilate, and the
scowl on his enraged countenance was terrible to behold.

"Thou hast thy head in the lion's mouth," he said, "and dost still dare
to tickle the lion's jaws. Are all white men mad?"

"He is my tried and faithful servant, Ndabezita," pleaded Haviland. "He
is not the enemy of this people--indeed, very much the reverse, for who
delivered him--delivered all of us--out of the hand of Mushad?"

"Ha! Mushad!" exclaimed the King, whom an idea seemed to strike--
perhaps also a little impressed by the absolute fearlessness evinced by
Haviland, and which decided him to spare Somala for the present. "Bring
forward Mushad and his other dogs."

A ferocious murmur of delight hummed through the whole assembly. The
hated slavers were about to suffer. Many willing hands dragged them
forward into the presence of the King