s axe and watching them with a contemptuous smile.

This reply did not seem to please the man for he withdrew to consult
again with his companions. After a debate which I suppose was animated
for the Amahagger, men of few words who did not indulge in oratory, all
of them advanced on us and the spokesman said,

"The choice of a General does not please us, Hiya. We know that the
white man is brave because of the fight he made against the men of Rezu
over the mountain yonder; also that he and his followers have weapons
that deal death from afar. But there is a prophecy among us of which
none know the beginning, that he who commands in the last great battle
between Lulala and Rezu must produce before the eyes of the People of
Lulala a certain holy thing, a charm of power, without which defeat will
be the portion of Lulala. Of this holy thing, this spirit-haunted shape
of power, we know the likeness and the fashion, for these have come down
among our priests, though who told it to them we cannot tell, but of it
I will say this only, that it speaks both of the spirit and the body, of
man and yet of more than man."

"And if this wondrous charm, this talisman of might, cannot be shown by
the white lord here, what then?" asked Ayesha coldly.

"Then, Hiya, this is the word of the People of Lulala, that we will not
serve under him in the battle, and this also is their word that we will
not go up against Rezu. That thou art mighty we know well, Hiya,
also that thou canst slay if thou wilt, but we know also that Rezu is
mightier and that against him thou hast no power. Therefore kill us if
thou dost so desire, until thy heart is satisfied with death. For it
is better that we should perish thus than upon the altar of sacrifice
wearing the red-hot crowns of Rezu."

"So say we all," exclaimed the rest of the company when he had finished.

"The thought comes to me to begin to satisfy my heart with thy coward
blood and that of thy companions," said Ayesha contemptuously. Then she
paused and turning to me, added, "O Watcher-by-Night, what counsel? Is
there aught that will convince these chicken-hearted ones over whom I
have spread my feathers for so long?"

I shook my head blankly, whereat they murmured together and made as
though they would go.

Then it was that Hans, who understood something of Arabic as he did of
most African tongues, pulled my sleeve and whispered in my ear.

"The Great Medicine, Baas! Show them Zikali's Grea