d themselves in my memory, the vision faded; and,
opening my eyes, I found myself staring into those of Bimbane, who was
still bending over me.

"Well, Chia'gnosi," said she, with a smile that, even on her withered
features, I somehow thought very sweet and engaging, "you have slept
long. Have you seen aught?"

"Yes," said I, rising to my feet. "I have seen the way from this place
to the spot where my friend's little daughter may be found; and I thank
you most heartily for granting me the vision. It is very wonderful, and
I wish that I possessed the power to gain such information by means of
self-induced dreams. I suppose the power lies in that ring, does it
not?"

"Nay," answered Bimbane, quickly placing her right hand behind her, "the
power is in myself; the ring is but a means, and any bright thing would
do as well." (And then I suddenly remembered the bright disk by means
of which Mafuta, the Basuto nyanga, had produced the vision that I had
witnessed in his hut.)

"And wish not for any such power, my friend," continued the queen,
seating herself upon the divan from which I had risen; "for while the
information so gained is sometimes useful, it is more often of a
distressing nature, and many times have I thus learned that those whom I
deemed my stanch friends were really secret enemies, industriously
plotting evil against me. One is far happier without such knowledge,
therefore I make use of my gift as seldom as possible. And now, go,
Chia'gnosi, for the exercise of my power has rendered me very weary, and
I must rest. But come to me again to-morrow; for although my magic has
enabled me to learn much of what happens in the world outside Bandokolo,
there are many things which I have never been able to understand until
now, when you have explained them to me, and I wish to learn all I can
while you are here to teach me."

I retreated to my own apartments more puzzled than ever as to the true
character of the queen; for while I could not help feeling that Anuti
was perfectly sincere in his denunciation of her, the more I saw of her
the more convinced did I become that there was some frightful
misunderstanding somewhere, and that she was in reality a true,
tender-hearted, generously disposed woman. Finally, I called for
Prince, and took a long ride up the valley, seeking for light; but none
came, and when about sunset I returned to the palace, I was as much
befogged as ever.

When on the following day I