, and who but last night betrayed Hokosa to his death of
torment. All shall go free, I say, save the witch; and for you, you
shall be given cattle and such servants as will cling to you to the
number of a hundred, and driven from the land. Now, what say you? Will
you yield or be slain? Swift with your answer; for the sun sinks, and
ere it is set there must be an end in this way or in that."

The regiments of Hafela heard, and shouted in answer as with one
voice:--

"We take your mercy, King! We fought bravely while we could, and now we
take your mercy, King!"

"What say you, Hafela?" repeated Nodwengo, addressing the prince, who
stood upon a point of rock above him in full sight of both armies.

Hafela turned and looked at Hokosa hanging high in mid-air.

"What say I?" he answered in a slow and quiet voice. "I say that the
Cross and its Prophet have been too strong for me, and that I should
have done well to follow the one and to listen to the counsel of the
other. My brother, you tell me that I may go free, taking servants with
me. I thank you and I will go--alone."

And setting the handle of his spear upon the rock, with a sudden
movement he fell forward, transfixing his heart with its broad blade,
and lay still.

"At least he died like one of the blood-royal of the Sons of Fire!"
cried Nodwengo, while the armies stood silent and awestruck, "and with
the blood-royal he shall be buried. Lay down your arms, you who followed
him and fought for him, fearing nothing, and give over to me the witch
that she may be slain."

"She hides under the tree yonder!" cried a voice.

"Go up and take her," said Nodwengo to some of his captains.

Now Noma, crouched on the ground beneath the tree, had seen and heard
all that passed. Perceiving the captains making their way towards her
through the lines of the soldiers, who opened out a path for them, she
rose and for a moment stood bewildered. Then, as though drawn by some
strange attraction, she turned, and seizing hold of the creeper that
clung about it, she began to climb the Tree of Doom swiftly. Up she went
while all men watched, higher and higher yet, till passing out of the
finger-like foliage she reached the cross of dead wood whereto Hokosa
hung, and placing her feet upon one arm of it, stood there, supporting
herself by the broken top of the upright.

Hokosa was not yet dead, though he was very near to death. Lifting his
glazing eyes, he knew her and said, speaking