is another who does--another who does. I have seen him--I have
seen them both--him and thy beautiful wife--"

Eustace had nudged Josane in such wise as to make that individual
understand that the curtain must be rung down on this scene--and that at
once. Simultaneously the "yap" of a puppy dog burst forth almost
beneath his feet. Its effect upon the pair at the pit's brink was
electric.

"_Yau_!" cried Ngcenika, turning toward the sound. "The little dog has
followed me in after all. Ah, the little brute. I will make him taste
the stick!"

"Or throw him down to Umlilwane," laughed her companion. "He will do
for him to play with, two dogs together. _Mawo_!"

Again the "yap" was heard, now several times in rapid succession. So
perfect was the imitation that the watchers themselves were for a moment
taken in.

"_Iza, inja! Injane, izapa_!" ["Come, dog! Little dog--come here!"]
cried the witch-doctress coaxingly, advancing into the lateral gallery,
holding her lantern in front of her. Josane, with his mouth to the
ground was emitting a perfect chorus of yaps.

"Now," he whispered, under cover of the echoes produced, as the width of
the gallery left a clear chance at Hlangani, without endangering the
witch-doctress. "Remember--the female beast, Ngcenika, is for me.
Shoot Hlangani--_Now_!"

Scarce had the word left his mouth than the shots crashed forth
simultaneously.

CHAPTER FORTY SIX.

THE END OF THE WITCH-DOCTRESS.

To convey anything like an adequate idea of what followed is well-nigh
impossible. The stunning, deafening roar of the volley in that narrow
space was as though the very earth had exploded from its foundations.
Through it came the shivering crash of glass, as Hlangani's lantern fell
into the pit, but whether its owner followed it or not could not be
determined through the overpowering din. Still holding the lantern, the
hideous witch-doctress was seen through the sulphurous smoke, standing
there as one turned to stone--then like lightning, a dark, lithe body
sprang through the spectators and with a growl like that of a wild beast
leaped upon the bewildered Ngcenika. There was the gleam of an assegai
in the air--then darkness and the shatter of glass. The lantern fell
from the sorceress' hand.

"Turn on the light, Milne; quick!" cried the other two.

"I'm trying to, but the infernal thing won't work. The slide's jammed--
Oh!"

For he was swept off his feet. Two heavy bo