en, before that hour, you sat in yonder hut bargaining with
the Prince Hafela--the death of a king for the price of a girl--was I
not with you? Nay, threaten me not--in your own words I say it--'lay
down that assegai, or by my spirit your body shall be thrown to the
kites, as that of one who would murder the king'--and the king's guest!"

"White Man," whispered Hokosa throwing down the spear, "how can these
things be? I was alone in the hut with the prince, I was alone beneath
the Tree of Doom, and you, as I know well, were beyond the river. Your
spies must be good, White Man."

"My spirit is my only spy, Hokosa. My spirit watched you, and from your
own lips he learned the secret of the bane and of the antidote. Hafela
mixed the poison as you taught him; I gave the remedy, and saved the
king alive."

Now the knees of Hokosa grew weak beneath him, and he leaned against the
fence of the kraal for support.

"I have skill in the art," he said hoarsely; "but, Messenger, your magic
is more than mine, and my life is forfeit to you. To-morrow morning,
you will tell the king all, and to-morrow night I shall hang upon the
dreadful Tree. Well, so be it; I am overmatched at my own trade, and it
is best that I should die. You have plotted well and you have conquered,
and to you belong my place and power."

"It was you who plotted, and not I, Hokosa. Did you not contrive that I
should reach the Great Place but a little before the poison was given to
the king, so that upon me might be laid the crime of his bewitching? Did
you not plan also that I should be called upon to cure him--a thing
you deemed impossible--and when I failed that I should be straightway
butchered?"

"Seeing that it is useless to lie to you, I confess that it was so,"
answered Hokosa boldly.

"It was so," repeated Owen; "therefore, according to your law your life
is forfeit, seeing that you dug a pit to snare the innocent feet. But
I come to tell you of a new law, and that which I preach I practise.
Hokosa, I pardon you, and if you will put aside your evil-doing, I
promise you that no word of all your wickedness shall pass my lips."

"It has not been my fashion to take a boon at the hand of any man, save
of the king only," said the wizard in a humble voice; "but now it seems
that I am come to this. Tell me, White Man, what is the payment that you
seek of me?"

"None, Hokosa, except that you cease from evil and listen with an open
heart to that message wh