ing, holding it so that the muzzle was
pointed straight at the royal breast.

"I crave leave to say, O Elephant," remarked Hadden in a drawling voice,
"that it might be well to command your servant to lift the mouth of that
gun from your heart."

"Why?" asked the king.

"Only because it is loaded, and at full cock, O Elephant, who probably
desires to continue to shake the Earth."

At these words the "Elephant" uttered a sharp exclamation, and rolled
from his stool in a most unkingly manner, whilst the terrified Induna,
springing backwards, contrived to touch the trigger of the rifle and
discharge a bullet through the exact spot that a second before had been
occupied by his monarch's head.

"Let him be taken away," shouted the incensed king from the ground, but
long before the words had passed his lips the Induna, with a cry that
the gun was bewitched, had cast it down and fled at full speed through
the gate.

"He has already taken himself away," suggested Hadden, while the
audience tittered. "No, King, do not touch it rashly; it is a repeating
rifle. Look----" and lifting the Winchester, he fired the four remaining
shots in quick succession into the air, striking the top of a tree at
which he aimed with every one of them.

"_Wow_, it is wonderful!" said the company in astonishment.

"Has the thing finished?" asked the king.

"For the present it has," answered Hadden. "Look at it."

Cetywayo took the repeater in his hand, and examined it with caution,
swinging the muzzle horizontally in an exact line with the stomachs of
some of his most eminent Indunas, who shrank to this side and that as
the barrel was brought to bear on them.

"See what cowards they are, White Man," said the king with indignation;
"they fear lest there should be another bullet in this gun."

"Yes," answered Hadden, "they are cowards indeed. I believe that if they
were seated on stools they would tumble off them just as it chanced to
your Majesty to do just now."

"Do you understand the making of guns, White Man?" asked the king
hastily, while the Indunas one and all turned their heads, and
contemplated the fence behind them.

"No, King, I cannot make guns, but I can mend them."

"If I paid you well, White Man, would you stop here at my kraal, and
mend guns for me?" asked Cetywayo anxiously.

"It might depend on the pay," answered Hadden; "but for awhile I am
tired of work, and wish to rest. If the king gives me the permission
to h