sound, Hokosa, and yet perchance he may pass
on his message to another and, with it, his magic. Who can say? Still,
husband, strike on for power and greatness and revenge, letting the blow
fall where it will."

CHAPTER XIII

THE BASKET OF FRUIT

Three days later it was announced that according to the custom of the
women of the People of Fire, Noma having given birth to a still-born
child, was about to start upon a journey to the Mount of Purification.
Here she would abide awhile and make sacrifice to the spirits of her
ancestors, that they might cease to be angry with her and in future
protect her from such misfortunes. This not unusual domestic incident
excited little comment, although it was remarked that the four matrons
by whom she was to be accompanied, in accordance with the tribal
etiquette, were all of them the wives of soldiers who had deserted to
Hafela. Indeed, the king himself noticed as much when Hokosa made the
customary formal application to him to sanction the expedition.

"So be it," he said, "though myself I have lost faith in such rites.
Also, Hokosa, I think it likely that although your wife goes out with
company, she will return alone."

"Why, King?" asked Hokosa.

"For this reason--that those who travel with her have husbands yonder at
the town of the Prince Hafela, and the Mount of Purification is on the
road thither. Having gone so far, they may go farther. Well, let
them go, for I desire to have none among my people whose hearts turn
otherwhere, and it would not be wonderful if they should choose to seek
their lords. But perchance, Hokosa, there are some in this town who may
use them as messengers to the prince"--and he looked at him keenly.

"I think not, King," said Hokosa. "None but a fool would make use of
women to carry secret words or tidings. Their tongues are too long and
their memories too bad, or too uncertain."

"Yet I have heard, Hokosa, that you have made use of women in many a
strange work. Say now, what were you doing upon a night a while ago
with that fair witch-wife if yours yonder in the burying-place of kings,
where it is not lawful that you should set your foot? Nay, deny it not.
You were seen to enter the valley after midnight and to return thence
at the dawn, and it was seen also that as she came homewards your wife
walked as one who is drunken, and she, whom it is not easy to frighten,
wore a face of fear. Man, I do not trust you, and were I wise I should
hun