e
in the moonlight and offered up his supplication in the hearing of the
multitude.

Meanwhile, those of the camp of Hafela were also taking counsel. They
had fought bravely indeed, and carried the schanses; but at great cost,
since for every man that Nodwengo had lost, three of theirs had fallen.
Moreover, they were in evil case with weariness and the want of water,
as each drop they drank must be carried to them from the Great Place in
bags made of raw hide, which caused it to stink, for they had but few
gourds with them.

"Now it is strange," said Hafela, "that these men should fight so
bravely, seeing that they are but a handful. There can be scarce three
thousand of them left, and yet I doubt not that before we carry those
last walls of theirs as many of us or more will be done. Ay! and after
they are done with, we must meet their great _impi_ when it returns, and
of what will befall us then I scarcely like to think."

"Ill-fortune will befall you while Hokosa lives," broke in Noma. "Had it
not been for him, this trouble would have been done with by now; but
he is a wizard, and by his wizardries he defeats us and puts heart into
Nodwengo and the warriors. You, yourself, have seen him this day defying
us, not once but many times, for upon his flesh steel has no power. Ay!
and this is but the beginning of evil, for I am sure that he leads you
into some deep trap where you shall perish everlastingly. Did he not
himself declare that the power of that dead white worker of miracles has
fallen upon him, and who can fight against magic?"

"Who, indeed?" said Hafela humbly; for like all savages he was
very superstitious, and, moreover, a sincere believer in Hokosa's
supernatural capacities. "This wizard is too strong for us; he is
invulnerable, and as I know well he can read the secret thoughts of men
and can suck wisdom from the dead, while to his eyes the darkness is no
blind."

"Nay, Hafela," answered Noma, "there is one crack in his shield. Hear
me: if we can but catch him and hold him fast we shall have no need to
fear him more, and I think that I know how to bait the trap."

"How will you bait it?" asked Hafela.

"Thus. Midway between the koppie and the wall behind which lie the men
of the king stands a flat rock, and all about that rock are stretched
the bodies of dead soldiers. Now, this is my plan: that when next one
of those dark storm-clouds passes over the face of the moon six of the
strongest of our wa