ave murdered me, be deposed from his
place as heir to my throne, and that Nodwengo, his brother, be set in
that place, to rule the People of Fire after me when I die."

"It is good, it is just!" said the council. "Let the king's word be
done."

"Hearken again," said Umsuka. "Let this white man, who is named
Messenger, be placed in the House of Guests and treated with all honour;
let oxen be given him from the royal herds and corn from the granaries,
and girls of noble blood for wives if he wills them. Hokosa, into your
hand I deliver him, and, great though you are, know this, that if but
a hair of his head is harmed, with your goods and your life you shall
answer for it, you and all your house."

"Let the king's word be done," said the councillors again.

"Heralds," went on Umsuka, "proclaim that the feast of the first-fruits
is ended, and my command is that every regiment should seek its
quarters, taking with it a double gift of cattle from the king, who has
been saved alive by the magic of this white man. And now, Messenger,
farewell, for my head grows weary. To-morrow I will speak with you."

Then the king was led away into the royal house, and save those who were
quartered in it, the regiments passed one by one through the gates of
the kraal, singing their war-songs as they went. Darkness fell upon the
Great Place, and through it parties of men might be seen dragging thence
the corpses of those who had fallen in the fight with sticks, or been
put to death thereafter by order of the king.

"Messenger," said Hokosa, bowing before Owen, "be pleased to follow
me." Then he led him to a little kraal numbering five or six large and
beautifully made huts, which stood by itself, within its own fence, at
the north end of the Great Place, not far from the house of the king.
In front of the centre hut a fire was burning, and by its light women
appeared cleaning out the huts and bringing food and water.

"Here you may rest in safety, Messenger," said Hokosa, "seeing that
night and day a guard from the king's own regiment will stand before
your doors."

"I do not need them," answered Owen, "for none can harm me till my hour
comes. I am a stranger here and you are a great man; yet, Hokosa, which
of us is the safest this night?"

"Your meaning?" said Hokosa sharply.

"O man!" answered Owen, "when in a certain hour you crept up the valley
yonder, and climbing the Tree of Death gathered its poison, went I not
with you? Wh