. "In the presence of you all I
proclaim Hlangani a coward. He has struck and insulted me because I am
bound. He dare not meet me free. I challenge him to do so. Loosen
these bonds. I am weak and wounded. I cannot escape--you need not
fear--and let him meet me if he dares, with any weapon he chooses. I
challenge him. If he refuses he is nothing but a cowardly dog, and
worse than the meanest Fingo. If you, Kreli, refuse my request, it is
because you _know_ this bragging herald of yours to be a coward."

The fierce rapidity of this harangue, the audacity of the request
embodied within it, took away the auditors' breath. Yet the idea
appealed to them--appealed powerfully to their ardently martial
sympathies. The very novelty of such a duel as that proposed invested
it with a rare attractiveness.

"What does Hlangani say?" observed Kreli, with a partly amused glance at
his subordinate.

"This, O Great Chief of my father's house," replied the warrior, the
light of battle springing into his eyes. "Of what man living was
Hlangani ever afraid? What man ever had to call him twice? Yet, O
Great Chief, the head of my father's house, I would ask a boon. When I
have whipped this miserable white dog, I would claim possession of his
wretched carcase absolutely, alive or dead."

"It is granted, Hlangani," said the chief.

"And I?" cried Carhayes. "What shall be given to me when I have sent
this cur, who strikes helpless men, howling to his hut? My liberty, of
course?"

"No," replied Kreli, shortly.

"No?" echoed the prisoner. "My life then?"

"No," answered the chief again. "Be content, _umlungu_. If you conquer
you shall have a swift and merciful death. If you fail, Hlangani claims
you."

Carhayes stared at the chief for a moment, then, as he realised that he
had nothing to hope for, whether he won in the combat or not--an
expression of such deadly ferocity, such fell and murderous purpose
swept across his face, that many of those who witnessed it realised that
their countryman was going to snatch no easy victory.

The stout rawhide _reims_ which bound his hands behind him were
loosened--and that which secured his feet was removed. He stood
swinging his arms and stamping to hasten the circulation--then he asked
for some water, which was brought him.

"_Ha, umlungu_!" jeered Ngcenika, addressing Eustace, as the two white
men stood talking together. "Give this valiant fighter some white magic
to st