is pool had been turned
into a place of execution. No longer were those adjudged to doom led
forth to die beneath the knobsticks of the slayers, as formerly, but
were forced to leap, or were thrown into the pool, and from it none
emerged alive. As I sat and talked with Masuka, I remembered that the
Pool of the Alligators lay at no great distance from us, and between
ourselves and the great kraal. Upon it the old Mosutu seemed to be
concentrating his attention; and, as I listened, sounds were wafted
thence.

"Evil-doers are about to meet death!" he said, at last. "Come, we will
witness it."

We rose and took our way along the river-bank. As we crested the rise,
which brought us near the brow of the cliff from which the victims were
thrown, we saw a multitude streaming down from the great kraal, and in
the forefront of the crowd were men armed with sticks, and driving
before them two other men, who were bound.

These were already half-dead with fear, and could scarcely walk, but the
blows of the slayers urged them onward until they stood right upon the
spot whence they should leap into the jaws of the hungry alligators. We
could see at a glance that they were slaves, and sadly, indeed, they
looked. From the people we learned that these two, being in charge of a
flock of the King's goats, had suffered wild dogs to break into the fold
at night, whereby upwards of a score were slain. So Umzilikazi,
declaring that if his goats were only fit to feed wild dogs with,
assuredly to base Bakoni were only fit two feed alligators with; and
they had been led forth.

Now, this scene did not move us in any way, _Nkose_, for the death of a
slave more or less was nothing. But we just lingered to see these leap
in.

Yet they would not. When driven to the edge they hung back, then cast
themselves on the ground weeping and groaning for mercy. Already the
surface of the pool below was alive with slimy, stealthy life. Widening
lines upon the water told that the alligators well understood the cause
of the tumult overhead. They moved silently to and fro, awaiting the
plunge which should bring them the prey they had learned to love best--
the flesh of men.

Now the slayers had grasped the screaming wretches, and were about to
fling them out, when between the cliff brow and the victims a figure
suddenly sprang forth, arising, as it were, by magic. All gave a shout
of wonder, and the executioners paused in their work. The bla