pen the holy place, and bring forth the
Isetembiso sami.[2] As the leader of my people, I will assume the
collar of Umkulunkulu in the name of our God and the spirits of the
great dead.'

'But you don't propose to lead the march in a necklace of rubies,' said
Henriques, with a sudden eagerness in his voice.

Again Laputa spoke gravely, and, as it were, abstractedly. I heard the
voice of one whose mind was fixed on a far horizon.

'When I am acclaimed king, I restore the Snake to its Keeper, and swear
never to clasp it on my neck till I have led my people to victory.'

'I see,' said Henriques. 'What about the purification you mentioned?'

I had missed this before and listened earnestly.

'The vows we take in the holy place bind us till we are purged of them
at Inanda's Kraal. Till then no blood must be shed and no flesh eaten.
It was the fashion of our forefathers.'

'Well, I think you've taken on a pretty risky job,' Henriques said.
'You propose to travel a hundred miles, binding yourself not to strike
a blow. It is simply putting yourself at the mercy of any police
patrol.'

'There will be no patrol,' Laputa replied. 'Our march will be as
secret and as swift as death. I have made my preparations.'

'But suppose you met with opposition,' the Portugoose persisted, 'would
the rule hold?'

'If any try to stop us, we shall tie them hand and foot, and carry them
with us. Their fate will be worse than if they had been slain in
battle.'

'I see,' said Henriques, whistling through his teeth. 'Well, before we
start this vow business, I think I'll go back and settle that
storekeeper.'

Laputa shook his head. 'Will you be serious and hear me? We have no
time to knife harmless fools. Before we start for Ntabakaikonjwa I
must have from you the figures of the arming in the south. That is the
one thing which remains to be settled.'

I am certain these figures would have been most interesting, but I
never heard them. My feet were getting cramped with standing on the
bricks, and I inadvertently moved them. The bricks came down with a
rattle, and unfortunately in slipping I clutched at the trap. This was
too much for my frail prop, and the door slammed down with a great
noise.

Here was a nice business for the eavesdropper! I scurried along the
passage as stealthily as I could and clambered back into the store,
while I heard the sound of Laputa and Henriques ferreting among the
barrels. I managed to th