ful, or the needs of policy outweighed his pity.

"Take him away," he repeated. Then, with a slow smile on his face
and one word, "Good-night," upon his lips, supported by the arm of a
soldier, the old warrior and statesman shuffled forth to the place of
death.

Hadden watched and listened in amazement not unmixed with fear. "If
he treats his own servants like this, what will happen to me?" he
reflected. "We English must have fallen out of favour since I left
Natal. I wonder whether he means to make war on us or what? If so, this
isn't my place."

Just then the king, who had been gazing moodily at the ground, chanced
to look up. "Bring the stranger here," he said.

Hadden heard him, and coming forward offered Cetywayo his hand in as
cool and nonchalant a manner as he could command.

Somewhat to his surprise it was accepted. "At least, White Man," said
the king, glancing at his visitor's tall spare form and cleanly cut
face, "you are no '_umfagozan_' (low fellow); you are of the blood of
chiefs."

"Yes, King," answered Hadden, with a little sigh, "I am of the blood of
chiefs."

"What do you want in my country, White Man?"

"Very little, King. I have been trading here, as I daresay you have
heard, and have sold all my goods. Now I ask your leave to hunt buffalo,
and other big game, for a while before I return to Natal."

"I cannot grant it," answered Cetywayo, "you are a spy sent by Sompseu,
or by the Queen's Induna in Natal. Get you gone."

"Indeed," said Hadden, with a shrug of his shoulders; "then I hope that
Sompseu, or the Queen's Induna, or both of them, will pay me when I
return to my own country. Meanwhile I will obey you because I must, but
I should first like to make you a present."

"What present?" asked the king. "I want no presents. We are rich here,
White Man."

"So be it, King. It was nothing worthy of your taking, only a rifle."

"A rifle, White Man? Where is it?"

"Without. I would have brought it, but your servants told me that it is
death to come armed before the 'Elephant who shakes the Earth.'"

Cetywayo frowned, for the note of sarcasm did not escape his quick ear.

"Let this white man's offering be brought; I will consider the thing."

Instantly the Induna who had accompanied Hadden darted to the gateway,
running with his body bent so low that it seemed as though at every step
he must fall upon his face. Presently he returned with the weapon in
his hand and presented it to the k