"There is but one among the twelve who wears
the head-ring, and he is the one that shows fear."

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The death sentence in the case of all but three was subsequently
commuted to various terms of imprisonment. Those three were Ukozi,
Ivondwe and Ivuzamanzi. As for the latter, Tyingoza had got up a large
deputation to the Governor, begging that his son's life should be
spared, but without avail. Ivuzamanzi had taken an active part in this
new outlet of a destructive superstition, and it was felt that as the
son of an influential chief, he of all others should be made an example
of.

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I don't know how it was--call it morbid curiosity if you like--but
anyhow I was there when these three paid the last penalty. I had
visited them in the gaol once. Ivondwe had talked as if nothing had
happened, about old times and what not. The witch doctor was cowering
and piteous. Could _I_ do nothing to save him. He would remember it to
the end of his days, and would tell me many things that would be useful
to me. I told him plainly I could do nothing, but in consideration did
not add that I would not if I could, for if ever miscreant deserved his
fate he did. I gave them some tobacco however, poor wretches, and that
was all I could do for them. Ivuzamanzi was stormily abusive, so I did
not waste time over him. Yet for him, I felt pity, as one led away,
and--was not he the son of my old friend?

It had been decided that the execution should, contrary to custom, be a
public one. It was reckoned that the opportunity would be a good one
for striking terror among the natives, as an example of the fate that
would certainly overtake, sooner or later, all who should indulge in
similar practices. Rightly it was argued that a terrible superstition
of this nature, fostered by a secret society and finding its logical
outcome in barbarous and abominable forms of murder, needed to be
sternly stamped out.

On a grey and cloudy morning Ukozi, Ivondwe and Ivuzamanzi were led
forth to die. There had been rain in the night, which had left a raw
chill in the air; while the wind sang mournfully as it drove the low
clouds along the hill tops. A pit had been dug in front of the gaol, to
serve as a drop, and over this the gallows had been erected. From an
early hour natives had been coming in by two