which can summon further troops to any point. It has
all been kept secret, because we are still in the dark ourselves. The
newspaper public knows nothing about any rising, but in two days every
white household in South Africa will be in a panic. Make no mistake,
Mr Crawfurd; this is a grim business. We shall smash Laputa and his
men, but it will be a fierce fight, and there will be much good blood
shed. Besides, it will throw the country back another half-century.
Would to God I had been man enough to put a bullet through his head in
cold blood. But I could not do it--it was too like murder; and maybe I
shall never have the chance now.'

'There's one thing puzzles me,' I said. 'What makes Laputa come up
here to start with? Why doesn't he begin with Zululand?'

'God knows! There's sure to be sense in it, for he does nothing
without reason. We may know to-morrow.'

But as Captain Arcoll spoke, the real reason suddenly flashed into my
mind: Laputa had to get the Great Snake, the necklet of Prester John,
to give his leadership prestige. Apparently he had not yet got it, or
Arcoll would have known. He started from this neighbourhood because
the fetich was somewhere hereabouts. I was convinced that my guess was
right, but I kept my own counsel.

'To-morrow Laputa and Henriques meet at Umvelos', probably at your new
store, Mr Crawfurd. And so the ball commences.'

My resolution was suddenly taken.

'I think,' I said, 'I had better be present at the meeting, as
representing the firm.'

Captain Arcoll stared at me and laughed. 'I had thought of going
myself,' he said.

'Then you go to certain death, disguise yourself as you please. You
cannot meet them in the store as I can. I'm there on my ordinary
business, and they will never suspect. If you're to get any news, I'm
the man to go.'

He looked at me steadily for a minute or so. 'I'm not sure that's such
a bad idea of yours. I would be better employed myself on the Berg,
and, as you say, I would have little chance of hearing anything.
You're a plucky fellow, Mr Crawfurd. I suppose you understand that the
risk is pretty considerable.'

'I suppose I do; but since I'm in this thing, I may as well see it out.
Besides, I've an old quarrel with our friend Laputa.'

'Good and well,' said Captain Arcoll. 'Draw in your chair to the
table, then, and I'll explain to you the disposition of my men. I
should tell you that I have loyal natives in my pay in m