rriors should creep upon their bellies down this way
and that, as though they were also numbered with the slain. This done,
you shall despatch a herald to call in the ears of the king that you
desire to treat with him of peace. Then he will answer that if this be
so you can come beneath the walls of his camp, and your herald shall
refuse, saying that you fear treachery. But he must add that if Nodwengo
will bid Hokosa to advance alone to the flat rock, you will bid me,
Noma, whom none can fear, to do likewise, and that there we can talk in
sight of both armies, and returning thence, make report to you and to
Nodwengo. Afterwards, so soon as Hokosa has set his foot upon the rock,
those men who seem to be dead shall spring upon him and drag him to
our camp, where we can deal with him; for once the wizard is taken, the
cause of Nodwengo is lost."

"A good pitfall," said the prince; "but will Hokosa walk into the trap?"

"I think so, Hafela, for three reasons. He is altogether without fear;
he will desire, if may be, to make peace on behalf of the king; and he
has this strange weakness, that he still loves me, and will scarcely
suffer an occasion of speaking with me to go past, although he has
divorced me."

"So be it," said the prince; "the game can be tried, and if it fails,
why we lose nothing, whereas if it succeeds we gain Hokosa, which is
much; for with you I think that our arms will never prosper while that
accursed wizard sits yonder weaving his spells against us, and bringing
our men to death by hundreds and by thousands."

Then he gave his orders, and presently, when a cloud passed over the
face of the moon, six chosen men crept forward under the lee of the flat
rock and threw themselves down here and there amongst the dead.

Soon the cloud passed, and the herald advanced across the open space
blowing a horn, and waving a branch in his hand to show that he came
upon a mission of peace.

CHAPTER XXI

HOKOSA IS LIFTED UP

"What would you?" asked Hokosa of the herald as he halted a short
spear-cast from the wall.

"My master, the Prince Hafela, desires to treat with your master,
Nodwengo. Many men have fallen on either side, and if this war goes on,
though victory must be his at last, many more will fall. Therefore, if
any plan can be found, he desires to spare their lives."

Now Hokosa spoke with the king, and answered:--

"Then let Hafela come beneath the wall and we will talk with him."

"Not so