The king died, and that same day was buried by Owen in the gloomy
resting-place of the blood-royal of the People of Fire, where a
Christian priest now set foot for the first time.

On the morrow Nodwengo was proclaimed king with much ceremony in face of
the people and of all the army that remained to him. One captain raised
a cry for Hafela his brother. Nodwengo caused him to be seized and
brought before him.

"Man," he said, "on this my coronation day I will not stain my hand with
blood. Listen. You cry upon Hafela, and to Hafela you shall go, taking
him this message. Tell him that I, Nodwengo, have succeeded to the crown
of Umsuka, my father, by his will and the will of the people. Tell him
it is true that I have become a Christian, and that Christians follow
not after war but peace. Tell him, however, that though I am a Christian
I have not forgotten how to fight or how to rule. It has reached my
ears that it is his purpose to attack me with a great force which he is
gathering, and to possess himself of my throne. If he should choose to
come, I shall be ready to meet him; but I counsel him against coming,
for it will be to find his death. Let him stay where he is in peace, and
be my subject; or let him go afar with those that cleave to him, and set
up a kingdom of his own, for then I shall not follow him; but let him
not dare to lift a spear against me, his sovereign, since if he does so
he shall be treated as a rebel and find the doom of a rebel. Begone, and
show your face here no more!"

The man crept away crestfallen; but all who heard that speech broke into
cheering, which, as its purport was repeated from rank to rank, spread
far and wide; for now the army learned that in becoming a Christian,
Nodwengo had not become a woman. Of this indeed he soon gave them ample
proof. The old king's grip upon things had been lax, that of Nodwengo
was like iron. He practised no cruelties, and did injustice to none;
but his discipline was severe, and soon the regiments were brought to a
greater pitch of proficiency than they had ever reached before, although
they were now allowed to marry when they pleased, a boon that hitherto
had been denied to them. Moreover, by Owen's help, he designed an
entirely new system of fortification of the kraal and surrounding hills,
which would, it was thought, make the place impregnable. These and many
other acts, equally vigorous and far-seeing, put new heart into the
nation. Also the report