who had
the care of Kwelanga?"

"That is so, Black Elephant," I answered.

"There are thy three wives and two Bakoni slave-girls--five in all,"
went on the King. "Five women, and they are not able to custody one
little child! Ha! If a woman is unable to do this, of what use is she?
Not to give us the aid of her counsels in war," with a frown at
Nangeza. "Clearly these are of no use at all. Away with them! The
alligators are hungry!"

But before the slayers could spring forward, my two younger wives flung
themselves on the ground at the King's feet.

"Spare us, father!" they wailed.

"She who is gone was more to me than my own children," howled Fumana.

"Our own children will die of grief for loss of her," groaned Nxope.

"Spare us, Great Great One, that we may never rest until she is found,"
cried Fumana.

"No _tagati_ is there among us two, Father--among us two," screamed
Nxope.

"What mean you--witch? Ha, Nangeza, _inkosikazi_ of Untuswa! Hast thou
nothing to say, no tears for Kwelanga--for thine own life?"

While the others had thus been bemoaning and praying for mercy, Nangeza
was watching them with contempt in her eyes, which latter would flash
into the most intense hate and menace as she met my glance. Now she
answered:

"I have much to say, if the King will hear it--ah, much to say;" and her
glittering eyes sought my face in the triumph of their hate.

"I think we have heard enough of this babble," said Umzilikazi, with a
bitter sneer; for he loved not women, deeming them, though in some ways
necessary, yet of no account whatever, and only producing mischief if
allowed to raise their voices at all. But even the Great Great One had
reckoned without the length of Nangeza's tongue. Hardily she went on:

"There has been _tagati_ indeed; but not among us wives of Untuswa must
such be sought. Ho, Untuswa! Where is the witch thou didst save alive
from the slaughter of the Bakoni? Ha, ha, Untuswa, where is she?"

Now, _Nkose_, my heart turned to water within me; for such a suspicion,
once implanted in the King's mind, would surely bear fruit sooner or
later. And the offence was among the most deadly I could commit. But
at the words, I laughed; threw back my head and laughed softly, while
murmurs of amazement went up from those who heard.

"Hear you the words of this woman, Untuswa?" said the King.

"I hear them, Black Elephant."

"They are strange words, son of Ntelani. Hast thou no