第7章

"Thewizardhasturnedsaint，"shesaid。"Well，then，whatofthewizard’swife？"

"YouweremywifebeforeIbecameChristian;iftheMessengerpermitsit，youcanstillabidewithme。"

"IftheMessengerpermitsit！Soyouhavecometothis，Hokosa，thatyoumustasktheleaveofanothermanastowhetherornoyoushouldkeepyourownwife！ThereisnootherthingthatIcouldnothavethoughtofyou，butthisIwouldneverhavebelievedhadInothearditfromyourlips。Saynow，doyoustillloveme，Hokosa？"

"YouknowwellthatIloveyou，nowandalways，"heanswered，inavoicethatsoundedlikeagroan;"asyouknowthatforloveofyouI

havedonemanysinsfromwhichotherwiseIshouldhaveturnedaside。"

"Grievenotoverthem，Hokosa;afterall，insuchacountasyourstheywillmakebutlittleshow。Well，ifyouloveme，Ihateyou，thoughthroughyourwitchcraftyourwillyethasthemasteryofmine。

Idemandofyounowthatyoushouldloosethatbond，forIdonotdesiretobecomeaChristian;andsurely，Omostgoodandholyman，havingonewifealready，itwillnotpleaseyouhenceforthtoliveinsinwithaheathenwoman。"

NowHokosaturnedtoOwen：——

"Intheolddays，"hesaid，"Icouldhaveansweredher;butnowIamfallen;orraisedup——attheleastIamchangedandcannot。OprophetofHeaven，tellmewhatIshalldo。"

"Severthebondthatyouhaveuponherandlethergo，"answeredOwen。

"Thisloveofyoursisunnatural，unholyandbornofwitchcraft;havedonewithit，orifyoucannot，attheleastdenyit，forsuchawoman，awomanwhohatesyou，canworkyounogood。Moreover，sincesheisasecondwife，youbeingaChristian，areboundtofreehershouldshesodesire。"

"Shecanworkmenogood，Messenger，thatIknow;butIknowalsothatwhileshestrugglesinthenetofmywillshecanworkmenoevil。IfIloosethenetandthefishswimsfree，itmaybeotherwise。"

"Looseit，"answeredOwen，"andleavetheresttoProvidence。

Henceforth，Hokosa，doright，andtakenothoughtforthemorrow，forthemorrowiswithGod，andwhatHedecrees，thatshallbefall。"

"Ihearyou，"saidHokosa，"andIobey。"Forawhileherockedhimselftoandfro，staringattheground，thenheliftedhisheadandspoke：——

"Woman，"hesaid，"theknotisuntiedandthespellisbroken。Begone，forIreleaseyouandIdivorceyou。Fleshofmyfleshhaveyoubeen，andsoulofmysoul，forinthewebofsorceriesareweknittogether。

Yetbewarnedandpresumenottoofar，forrememberthatwhichIhavelaiddownIcantakeup，andthatshouldIchoosetocommand，youmuststillobey。Farewell，youarefree。"

Nomaheard，andwithasighofecstasyshesprangintotheairasaslavemightdofromwhomthefettershavebeenstruckoff。

"Ay，"shecried，"Iamfree！Ifeelitinmyblood，Iwhohavelaininbondage，andthevoiceoffreedomspeaksinmyheartandthebreathoffreedomblowsinmynostrils。Iamfreefromyou，Odarkandaccursedman;buthereinliesmytriumphandrevenge——/you/arenotfreefromme。Inobediencetothatwhitefoolwhomyouhavemurdered，youhaveloosedme;butyouIwillnotlooseandcouldnotifIwould。Listennow，Hokosa：youloveme，doyounot？——nexttothisnewcreedofyours，Iammostofalltoyou。Well，sinceyouhavedivorcedme，I

willtellyou，Igostraighttoanotherman。Now，lookyourlastonme;foryouloveme，doyounot？"andsheslippedthemantlefromhershouldersandexceptforhergirdlestoodbeforehimnaked，andsmiled。

"Well，"shewenton，resumingherrobe，"thelastwordsofthosewelovearealwaysdeartous;therefore，Hokosa，youwhoweremyhusband，Ileaveminewithyou。Youareacowardandatraitor，andyourdoomshallbethatofacowardandatraitor。FormysakeyoubetrayedUmsuka，yourkingandbenefactor;foryourownsakeyoubetrayedNodwengo，whosparedyou;andnow，forthesakeofyourmiserablesoul，youhavebetrayedHafelatoNodwengo。Nay，Iknowthetale，donotanswerme，buttheendofit——ah！thatisyettolearn。

Liethere，snake，andlickthehandthatyouhavebitten，butI，thebirdwhomyouhaveloosed，Iflyafar——takingyourheartwithme！"andsuddenlysheturnedandwasgone。

PresentlyHokosaspokeinathickvoice：——

"Messenger，"hesaid，"thiscrossthatyouhavegivenmetobearisheavyindeed。"

"Yes，Hokosa，"answeredOwen，"fortoityoursinsarenailed。"

CHAPTERXVIII

THEPASSINGOFOWEN

OnceshewasoutsideofOwen’shouse，Nomadidnottarry。FirstshereturnedtoHokosa’skraal，whereshehadalreadylearntfromhisheadwife，Zinti，andothersthenewsofhisbetrayaloftheplotofHafela，ofhisconversiontothefaithoftheChristians，andofthemarchofthe/impi/toambushtheprince。Hereshetookalittlespear，androllingupinaskinblanketasmuchdriedmeatasshecouldcarry，sheslippedunnoticedfromthekraal。HerobjectwastoescapefromtheGreatPlace，butthisshedidnottrytodobyanyofthegates，knowingthemtobeguarded。Somemonthsago，beforeshestartedonherembassy，shehadnotedaweakspotinthefence，wheredogshadtornaholethroughwhichtheypassedouttohuntatnight。

Tothisspotshemadeherwayundercoverofthedarkness——forthoughshestillgreatlyfearedtobealoneatnight，herpressingneedconqueredherfears——andfoundthattheholewasyetthere，foratallweedgrowinginitsmouthhadcausedittobeoverlookedbythosewhosedutyitwastomendthefence。Withherassegaishewideneditalittle，thendrewherlitheshapethroughit，andlyinghiddentilltheguardhadpassed，climbedthetwostonewallsbeyond。Onceshewasfreeofthetown，shesethercoursebythestarsandstartedforwardatasteadyrun。

"IfmystrengthholdsIshallyetbeintimetowarnhim，"shemutteredtoherself。"Ah！friendHokosa，thisnewmadnessofyourshasbluntedyourwitsthatonceweresharpenough。Youhavesetmefree，andnowyoushalllearnhowIcanusemyfreedom。NotfornothinghaveIbeenyourpupil，Hokosathefox。"

BeforethedawnbrokeNomawasthirtymilesfromtheGreatPlace，andbeforethenextdawnshewasahundred。Atsunsetonthatseconddayshestoodamongmountains。Toherrightstretchedagreatdefile，aruggedplaceofrocksandbush，whereinsheknewthattheregimentsofthekingwerehidinambush。Perchanceshewastoolate，perchancethe/impi/ofHafelahadalreadypassedtoitsdoominyondergorge。

Swiftlysheranforwardontothetrailwhichledtothegorge，tofindthatithadbeentroddenbymanyfeetandrecently。Movingtoandfroshesearchedthespoorwithhereyes，thenrosewithasighofjoy。Itwasold，andmarkedthepassageofthegreatcompanyofwomenandchildrenandtheirthousandsofcattlewhich，inexecutionoftheplot，hadtravelledthispathsomedaysbefore。Eitherthe/impi/hadnotyetarrived，orithadgonebysomeotherroad。Wearyasshewas，Nomafollowedtheoldspoorbackwards。Amileormoreawayitcrossedthecrestofahog—backedmountain，fromwhosesummitshesearchedtheplainbeyond，andnotinvain，fortherefarbeneathhertwinkledthewatch—firesofthearmyofHafela。

Threehourslaterawoman，footsoreandutterlyexhausted，staggeredintothecamp，andwavingasidethespearsthatwereliftedtostabher，demandedtobeledtotheprince。Presentlyshewasthere。

"Whoisthiswoman？"askedthegreatwarrior;for，haggardasshewaswithtravel，exhaustion，andtheterrorofherhauntedloneliness，hedidnotknowherintheuncertainfirelight。

"Hafela，"shesaid，"IamNomawhowasthewifeofHokosa，andforwholenightsanddaysIhavejourneyedasnowomaneverjourneyedbefore，totellyouofthetreacheryofHokosaandtosaveyoufromyourdoom。"

"Whattreacheryandwhatdoom？"askedtheprince。

"BeforeIansweryouthatquestion，Hafela，youmustpaymethepriceofmynews。"

"Letmeheartheprice，Noma。"

"Itisthis，Prince：First，theheadofHokosa，whohasdivorcedme，whenyouhavecaughthim。"

"ThatIpromisereadily。Whatmore？"

"Secondly，theplaceofyourchiefwifeto—day;andaweekhence，whenIshallhavemadeyouking，thenameandstateofQueenofthePeopleofFirewithallthathangsthereto。"

"Youareambitious，woman，andknowwellhowtodriveabargain。Well，ifyoucanask，Icangive，forIhaveeverlovedyou，andyourmindisgreatasyourbodyisbeautiful。IfthroughyourhelpIshouldbecomeKingofthePeopleofFire，youshallbetheirQueen，Iswearitbythespiritsofmyfathersandbymyownhead。Andnow——yourtidings。"

"Thesearethey，Hafela。HokosahasturnedChristianandbetrayedtheplottoNodwengo;andthegreatgorgeyonderbutthreehoursmarchawayisambushed。To—morrowyouandyourpeoplewouldhavebeencutofftherehadInotrunsofastandfartowarnyou，afterwhichthe/impis/ofNodwengowerecommandedtofollowyourwomenandcattleoverthemountainpassandcapturethem。"

"Thisisnewsindeed，"saidtheprince。"Saynow，howmanyregimentsarehiddeninthegorge？"

"Eight。"

"Well，Ihavefourteen;so，beingwarned，thereislittletofear。I

willcatchtheseratsintheirownhole。"

"Ihaveabetterplan，"saidNoma;"itisthis：leavesixregimentsposteduponthebrowofyonderhillandletthemstaythere。ThenwhenthegeneralsofNodwengoseethattheydonotenterthegorge，theywillbelievethattheambushisdiscovered，and，afterwaitingonedayorperhapstwo，willmoveouttogivebattle，thinkingthatbeforethemisallyourstrength。Butcommandyourregimentstorunandnottofight，drawingthearmyofNodwengoafterthem。Meanwhile，yes，thisverynight，youyourselfwithallthementhatarelefttoyoumustmarchupontheGreatPlace，which，thoughitbestrong，canbestormed，foritisdefendedbylessthanfivethousandsoldiers。

There，havingtakenit，youshallslayNodwengo，proclaimingyourselfking，andafterwards，bythehelpofthe/impi/thatyouleaveherewhichwillmarchonwardtoyoursuccour，youcandealwithyonderarmy。"

"Agreatschemetruly，"saidHafelainadmiration;"buthowdoIknowwhetherallthistaleistrue，orwhetheryoudobutsetasnareforme？"

"Bidscoutsgooutandcreepintoyondergully，"answeredNoma，"andyouwillseewhetherornoIhavespokenfalsely。Fortherest，Iaminyourhands，andifIlieyoucantakemylifeinpayment。"

"IfImarchupontheGreatPlace，itmustbeatmidnightwhennoneseemego，"saidHafela，"andwhatwillyoudothen，Noma，whoaretoowearytotravelagainsosoon？"

"Iwillbeborneinalittertillmystrengthcomesbacktome，"sheanswered。"AndnowgivemetoeatandletmerestwhileImay。"

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Fivehourslater，Hafelawiththemostofhisarmy，aforceofsomethingovertwentythousandmen，wasjourneyingswiftlybutbyacircuitousroutetowardstheGreatPlaceoftheking。Onthecrestofthehillfacingthegorge，asNomahadsuggested，heleftsixregimentswithinstructionstoflybeforeNodwengo’sgenerals，andwhentheyhadledthemfarenough，tofollowhimasswiftlyastheywereable。Theseorders，orratherthefirstpartofthem，theycarriedout，forasitchancedaftertwodays’flight，theking’ssoldiersgotbehindthembyanightmarch，andfallingonthematdawn，killedhalfofthemanddispersedtherest。ThenitwasthatNodwengo’sgeneralslearnedforthefirsttimethattheywerefollowingonewingofHafela’sarmyonly，whilethemainbodywasstrikingattheheartofthekingdom，andturnedtheirfaceshomewardsinfearandhaste。

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OnthemorningaftertheflightofNoma，Owenpassedintothelaststageofhissickness，anditbecameevident，bothtohimselfandtothosewhowatchedhim，thatatthemosthecouldnotliveformorethanafewdays。Forhispart，heacceptedhisdoomjoyfully，spendingthetimewhichwaslefttohiminwritinglettersthatweretobeforwardedtoEnglandwheneveranopportunityshouldarise。Alsohesetdownonpaperastatementoftheprincipaleventsofhisstrangemission，andotherinformationfortheguidanceofhiswhitesuccessors，whobynowshouldbedrawingneartothelandoftheAmasuka。Intheintervalsoftheselastlabours，fromtimetotimehesummonedthekingandthewisestandtrustiestofthemwhomhehadbaptisedtohisbedside，teachingthemwhattheyshoulddowhenhewasgone，andexhortingthemtoclingtotheFaith。

OntheafternoonofthefourthdayfromthatofthebaptismofHokosahefellintoaquietsleep，fromwhichhedidnotwaketillsundown。

"AmIstillhere？"heaskedwondering，ofJohnandHokosawhowatchedathisbedside。"FrommydreamsIthoughtthatitwasotherwise。John，sendamessengertothekingandaskofhimtoassemblethepeople，allwhocaretocome，intheopenplacebeforemyhouse。Iamabouttodie，andfirstIwouldspeakwiththem。"

Johnwentweepinguponhiserrand，leavingOwenandHokosaalone。

"TellmeknowwhatshallIdo？"saidHokosainavoiceofdespair，"seeingthatitisIandnootherwhohavebroughtthisdeathuponyou。"

"Fretnot，mybrother，"answeredOwen，"forthisandotherthingsyoudidinthedaysofyourblindness，anditwaspermittedthatyoushoulddothemtoanend。Kneeldownnow，thatImayabsolveyoufromyoursinsbeforeIpassaway;forItellyou，Hokosa，IbelievethateremanydaysareoveryoumustwalkonthesamepathwhichItravelto—night。"

"Isitso？"Hokosaanswered。"Well，Iamglad，forIhavenolongeranylustoflife。"

Thenhekneltdownandreceivedtheabsolution。

NowJohnreturnedandNodwengowithhim，whotoldhimthatthepeopleweregatheringinhundredsaccordingtohiswish。

"Thenclothemeinmyrobesandletusgoforth，"hesaid，"forI

wouldspeakmylastwordsintheearsofmen。"

Sotheyputthesurpliceandhooduponhiswastedformandwentout，Johnprecedinghimholdingonhightheivorycrucifix，whilethekingandHokosasupportedhim，oneoneitherside。

Withouthisgatestoodalowwoodenplatform，whenceattimesOwenhadbeenaccustomedtoaddressanycongregationlargerthanthechurchwouldcontain。Onthisplatformhetookhisseat。Themoonwasbrightabovehim，andbyithecouldseethatalreadyhisaudiencenumberedsomethousandsofmen，womenandchildren。Thenewshadspreadthatthewonderfulwhiteman，Messenger，wishedtotakehisfarewellofthenation，thoughevennowmanydidnotunderstandthathewasdying，butimaginedthathewasabouttoleavethecountry，or，foraughttheyknew，tovanishfromtheirsightintoHeaven。ForamomentOwenlookedattheseaofduskyfaces，theninthemidstofanintensestillness，hespokeinavoicelowindeedbutclearandsteady：——

"Mychildren，"hesaid，"hearmylastwordstoyou。Morethanthreeyearsago，inafar，farlandanduponsuchanightasthis，aVoicespoketomefromabovecommandingmetoseekyouout，toturnyoufromyouridolatryandtolightenyourdarkness。IlistenedtotheVoice，andhitherIjourneyedacrossseaandland，thoughhowthisthingmightbedoneIcouldnotguess。ButtoHimWhosentmeallthingsarepossible，andwhileyetIlingereduponthethresholdofyourcountry，inadreamwererevealedtomeeventsthatweretocome。SoIappearedbeforeyouboldly，andknowingthathehadbeenpoisonedandthatI

couldcurehim，Idrewbackyourkingfromthemouthofdeath，andyousaidtoyourselves：’Beholdawizardindeed！Letushearhim。’ThenI

gavebattletoyoursorcerersyonderupontheplain，andfromthefootoftheCrossIteach，thelightningswererolledbackuponthemandtheywerenot。Looknow，theirchiefstandsatmyside，amongmydisciplesoneoftheforemostandmostfaithful。Afterwardstroublesarose：yourkingdiedaChristian，andmanyofthepeoplefellaway;

butstillaremnantremained，andhewhobecamekingwasconvertedtothetruth。NowIhavesowntheseed，andthecornisripebeforemyeyes，butitisnotpermittedthatIshouldreaptheharvest。Myworkisended，mytaskisdone，andI，theMessenger，returntomakereporttoHimWhosentthemessage。

"Hearmeyetalittlewhile，forsoonshallmyvoicebesilent。’I

comenottobringpeace，butasword，’——sosaidtheMasterWhomI

preach，andsosayI，themostunworthyofHisservants。Salvationcannotbeboughtatalittleprice;itmustbepaidforbythebloodandgriefsofmen，andinbloodandgriefsmustyoupay，Omychildren。ThroughmuchtribulationmustyoualsoenterthekingdomofGod。Evennowtheheathenisatyourgates，andmanyofyoushallperishonhisspears，butItellyouthatheshallnotconquer。Befaithful，clingtotheCross，anddonotdaretodoubtyourLord，forHewillbeyourCaptainandyoushallbeHispeople。Cleavetoyourking，forheisgood;andinthedayoftriallistentothecounselofthisHokosawhooncewasthefirstofevil—doers，forwithhimgoesmyspirit，andheismysoninthespirit。

"Mychildren，fareyouwell！Forgetmenot，forIhavelovedyou;orifyouwill，forgetme，butremembermyteachingandhearkentothosewhoshalltreaduponthepathImade。ThepeaceofGodbewithyou，theblessingofGodbeuponyou，andthesalvationofGodawaityou，asitawaitsmeto—night！Friends，leadmehencetodie。"

Theyturnedtohim，butbeforetheirhandstouchedhimThomasOwenfellforwarduponthebreastofHokosaandlaythereawhile。Thensuddenly，forthelasttime，heliftedhimselfandcriedaloud：——

"Ihavefoughtagoodfight！Ihavefinishedmycourse！Ihavekeptthefaith！Henceforththereislaidupformeacrownofrighteousness……andnottomeonly，buttoallthosewholoveHisappearing。"

Thenhisheadfellback，hisdarkeyesclosed，andtheMessengerwasdead。

Hokosa，themanwhohadmurderedhim，havingliftedhimuptoshowhimtothepeople，amidstasoundofmightyweeping，tookthebodyinhisarmsandboreitthencetomakeitreadyforburial。

CHAPTERXIX

THEFALLOFTHEGREATPLACE

OnthemorrowatsundownallthatremainedofThomasOwenwaslaidtorestbeforethealtarofthelittlechurch，NodwengothekingandHokosaloweringhimintothegrave，whileJohn，hisfirstdisciple，readoverhimtheburialserviceoftheChristians，whichithadbeenoneofthedeadman’slastlabourstotranslateintothelanguageoftheAmasuka。

Beforetheceremonywasfinished，asoldier，carryingaspearinhishand，pushedhiswaythroughthedenseandweepingcrowd，andhavingsaluted，whisperedsomethingintotheearoftheking。Nodwengostarted，and，withalastlookoffarewellatthefaceofhisfriend，leftthechapel，accompaniedbysomeofhisgeneralswhowerepresent，mutteringtoHokosathathewastofollowwhenallwasdone。

Accordingly，somefewminuteslater，hewentandwasadmittedintotheCouncilHut，wherecaptainsandmessengersweretobeseenarrivinganddepartingcontinuously。

"Hokosa，"saidtheking，"youhavedealttreacherouslywithmeinthepast，butIbelievenowthatyourheartistrue;attheleastIfollowthecommandsofourdeadmasterandtrustyou。Listen：theoutpostshavesightedan/impi/ofmanyregimentsadvancingtowardstheGreatPlace，thoughwhetherornoitbemyown/impi/returningvictoriousfromthewarwithmybrother，Icannotsay。Thereisthisagainstit，however，thatamessengerhasbutjustarrivedreportingthatthegeneralshaveperceivedthehostofHafelaencampeduponaridgeoveragainstthegorgewheretheyawaitedhim。Ifthatbeso，theycanscarcelyhavegivenhimbattle，forthemessengerisswiftoffootandhastravellednightandday。Yethowcanthisbethe/impi/ofHafela，who，saythegenerals，isencampedupontheridge？"

"Hemayhavelefttheridge，King，havingbeenwarnedoftheambush。"

"Itcannotbe，forwhentherunnerstartedhisfiresburnedthereandhissoldiersweregatheredroundthem。"

"Thenperhapshiscaptainssitupontheridgewithsomeportionofhisstrengthtodeceivethosewhoawaithiminthegorge;while，knowingthatheremenarefew，hehimselfswoopsdownonyouwiththemainbodyofhis/impi/。"

"Atleastweshalllearnpresently，"answeredtheking;"butifitbeasIfearandweareoutwitted，whatistherethatwecandoagainstsomany？"

Nowoneofthecaptainsproposedthattheyshouldstaywheretheywereandholdtheplace。

"Itistoolarge，"answeredtheking，"theywillburstthefencesandbreakourline。"

Anothersuggestedthattheyshouldflyand，avoidingtheregimentsofHafelainthedarknessofthenight，shouldtravelswiftlyinsearchofthemainarmythathadbeensenttolieinambush。

"What，"saidNodwengo，"leavingtheagedandthewomenandchildrentoperish，forhowcanwetakesuchamultitude？No，Iwillhavenoneofthisplan。"

ThenHokosaspoke。"King，"hesaid，"listentomycounsel：Commandnowthatallthewomenandtheoldmen，takingwiththemsuchcattleandfoodasareinthetown，departatonceintotheValleyofDeathandcollectintheopenspacethatliesbeyondtheTreeofDoom，nearthespringofwaterthatisthere。Thevalleyisnarrowandthecliffsaresteep，anditmaychancethatbythehelpofHeavenweshallbeabletoholdittillthearmyreturnstorelieveus，toseekwhichmessengersmustbesentatoncewiththesetidings。"

"Theplanisgood，"saidtheking，thoughnonehadthoughtofit;"butsoweshalllosethetown。"

"Townscanberebuilt，"answeredHokosa，"butwhomayrestorethelivesofmen？"

Asthewordslefthislips，arunnerburstintothecouncil，crying：

"King，the/impi/isthatofHafela，andtheprinceheadsitinperson。AlreadyhisoutpostsrestuponthePlainofFire。"

ThenNodwengoroseandissuedhisorders，commandingthatalltheineffectivepopulationofthetown，togetherwithsuchfoodandcattleascouldbegathered，shouldretreatatonceintotheValleyofDeath。

BythistimethefourorfivethousandsoldierswhowereleftintheGreatPlacehadbeenparadedontheopengroundinfrontoftheking’shouse，wheretheystood，stillandsilent，inthemoonlight。Nodwengoandthecaptainswentouttothem，andastheysawhimcometheyliftedtheirspearslikeoneman，givinghimtheroyalsaluteof"King！"Hehelduphishandandaddressedthem。

"Soldiers，"hesaid，"wehavebeenoutwitted。My/impi/isafar，andthatofHafelaisatourgates。Yonderinthevalley，thoughwebefew，wecandefendourselvestillsuccourreachesus，whichalreadymessengershavegoneouttoseek。Butfirstwemustgivetimeforthewomenandchildren，thesickandtheaged，towithdrawwithfoodandcattle;andthiswecandoinonewayonly，bykeepingHafelaatbaytilltheyhavepassedthearchway，allofthem。Now，soldiers，forthesakeofyourownlives，ofyourhonourandofthoseyoulove，sweartome，intheholyNamewhichwehavebeentaughttoworship，thatyouwillfightoutthisgreatfightwithoutfearorfaltering。"

"WeswearitintheholyName，andbyyourhead，King，"roaredtheregiments。

"Thenvictoryisalreadyours，"answeredNodwengo。"Followme，ChildrenofFire！"andshakinghisgreatspear，heledthewaytowardsthatportionoftheouterfenceuponwhichHafelawasadvancing。

Bynowthetownbehindthemwasasceneofalmostindescribabletumultandconfusion，forthecompaniesdetailedtothetaskwereclearingthenumberlesshutsoftheiroccupants，andcollectingwomen，childrenandoxeninthousands，preparatorytodrivingthemintothedefile。

Panichadseizedmanyofthesepoorcreatures，who，inimagination，alreadysawthemselvesimpaleduponthecruelspearsofHafela’stroops，andindeedinnotafewinstancesbelievedthosewhowereurgingthemforwardtobetheenemy。Womenshriekedandwrungtheirhands，childrenwailedpiteously，oxenlowed，andtheinfirmandagedventedtheirgriefingroansandcriestoHeaven，ortheirancientgod，formercy。Intruth，sodifficultwasthetaskofmarshallingthismotleyarrayatnight，numberingasitdidtenortwelvethousandsouls，thatafullhourwentbybeforethemobevenbegantomove，slowlyanduncertainly，towardstheplaceofrefuge，whereoftheopeningwassonarrowthatbutfewofthemcouldpassitatatime。

MeanwhileHafelawasdevelopingtheattack。Forminghisgreatarmyintotheshapeofawedgeheraisedhisbattle—cryandrusheddownonthefirstlineoffortifications，whichhestormedwithoutdifficulty，fortheyweredefendedbyafewskirmishersonly。Nextheattackedthesecondline，andcarrieditafterheavyfighting，thenhurledhimselfupontheweakestpointofthemainfenceofthevastkraal。Hereitwasthatthefraybeganinearnest，forhereNodwengowaswaitingforhim。Thricethethousandsrolledoninthefaceofastormofspears，andthricetheyfellbackfromthewidefenceofthornsandthewallofstonebehindit。Bynowthebattlehadragedforaboutanhourandahalf，anditwasreportedtothekingthatthefirstofthewomenandchildrenhadpassedthearchwayintothevalley，andthatnearlyallofthemwereclearoftheeasterngateofthetown。

"Thenitistimethatwefollowthem，"saidtheking，"forifwewaithereuntilthewarriorsofHafelaareamongus，ourretreatwillbecomearoutandsoontherewillbenonelefttofollow。Letonecompany，"andhenamedit，"holdthefenceforawhiletogiveustimetowithdraw，takingthewoundedwithus。"

"Wehearyou，king，"saidoneofthatcompany，"butourcaptainiskilled。"

"Whoamongyouwilltakeoverthecommandofthesemenandholdthebreach？"askedNodwengoofthegroupofofficersabouthim。

"I，King，"answeredoldHokosa，liftinghisspear，"forIcarenotwhetherIliveordie。"

"Goto，boaster！"criedanother。"Whoamonguscareswhetherhelivesordieswhenthekingcommands？"

"Thatweshallknowto—morrow，"saidHokosaquietly，andthesoldierslaughedattheretort。

"Sobeit，"saidtheking，andwhilesilentlyandswiftlyheledofftheregiments，keepingintheshadowofthehuts，Hokosaandhishundredmenpostedthemselvesbehindtheweakenedfenceandwall。Now，forthefourthtimetheattackingregimentcameforwardgrimly，onthisoccasionledbytheprincehimself。Astheydrewnear，Hokosaleaptuponthewall，andstandingthereinthebrightmoonlightwhereallcouldseehim，hecalledtothemtohalt。Instinctivelytheyobeyedhim。

"IsitHafelawhomIseeyonder？"heasked。

"Ah！itisI，"answeredtheprince。"Whatwouldyouwithme，wizardandtraitor？"

"Thisonly，Hafela：Iwouldaskyouwhatyouseekhere？"

"Thatwhichyoupromisedme，Hokosa，thecrownofmyfatherandcertainotherthings。"

"Thengetyouback，Hafela，foryoushallneverwinthem……HaveI

prophesiedfalselytoyouatanytime？Notso——neitherdoIprophesyfalselynow。Getyoubackwhenceyoucame，andyourwolveswithyou，elseshallyoubidehereforever。"

"Doyoudaretocalldownevilonme，Wizard？"shoutedtheprincefuriously。"Yourwifeismine，andnowItakeyourlifealso，"andwithallhisstrengthhehurledathimthegreatspearheheld。

IthissedpastHokosa’shead，touchinghisear，butheneverflinchedfromthesteel。

"Apoorcast，Prince，"hesaidlaughing;"butsoitmusthavebeen，forIamguardedbythatwhichyoucannotsee。Mywifeyouhave，andsheshallbeyourruin;mylifeyoumaytake，butereitleavesme，Hafela，Ishallseeyoudeadandyourarmyscattered。TheMessengerispassedaway，buthispowerhasfallenuponmeandIspeakthetruthtoyou，OPrinceandwarriors，whoare——alreadydead。"

Nowashriekofdismayandfuryrosefromthehundredswhoheardthisprophesyofill，forofHokosaandhismagictheywereterriblyafraid。

"Killhim！Killthewizard！"theyshouted，andarainofspearsrushedtowardshimonthewall。

Theyrushedtowardshim，theypassedabove，below，around;but，ofthemall，notonetouchedhim。

"DidInottellyouthatIwasguardedbyThatwhichyoucannotsee？"

Hokosaaskedcontemptuously。Thenslowlyhedescendedfromthewallamidstagreatsilence。

"Whenmenarescarcethetonguemustplayapart，"heexplainedtohiscompanions，whostaredathimwondering。"Bynowthekingandthosewithhimshouldhavereachedtheeasterngate;whereas，hadwefoughtatonce，Hafelawouldbeharduponhisheels，forwearefew，andwhocanholdabuffalowitharopeofgrass？YetIthinkthatIspoketruthwhenItoldhimthatthegarmentoftheMessengerhasfallenuponmyshoulders，andthatdeathawaitshimandhiscompanions，asitawaitsmealsoandmanyofus。Now，friends，beready，forthebullchargesandsoonwemustfeelhishorns。Thisatleastislefttoyou，todiegloriously。"

Whilehewasstillspeakingthefirstfilesoftheregimentrusheduponthefence，tearingasidethethornswiththeirhandstillapassagewasmadethroughthem。Thentheyspranguponthewall，theretobemetbythespearsofHokosaandhismenthrustingupwardfrombeneathitsshelter。Timeaftertimetheysprang，andtimeaftertimetheyfellbackdeadorwounded，tillatlast，dashingforwardinonedensecolumn，theypouredoverthestonesastherisingtidepoursovertherocksonthesea—shore，drivingthedefendersbeforethembythesheerweightofnumbers。

"Thisgameisplayed！"criedHokosa。"Flynowtotheeasterngate，forherewecandonothingmore。"

Sotheyfled，thosewhosurvivedofthem，andafterthemcamethethousandsofthefoe，sackingandfiringthedesertedtownastheyadvanced。

Hokosaandhismen，orratherthehalfofthem，reachedthegateandpasseditinsafety，barringitafterthem，andtherebydelayingtheattackerstilltheycouldbursttheirwaythrough。Nowhundredsofhutswereafire，andtheflamesspreadswiftly，lightingupthecountryfarandwide。Intheglareofthem，Hokosacouldseethatalreadyafulltwo—thirdsofthecrowdoffugitiveshadpassedthenarrowarch;whileNodwengoandthesoldiersweredrawnupincompaniesuponthesteepandrockyslopethatledtoit，protectingtheirretreat。

Headvancedtothekingandreportedhimself。

"Soyouhavelivedthroughit，"saidNodwengo。

"Ishalldiewhenmyhourcomes，andnotbefore，"Hokosaanswered。"Wedidwellyonder，andyetthemostofusarealivetotellthetale，forIknewwhenandhowtogo。Beready，king，forthefoepressusclose，andthatmobbehinduscrawlsonwardlikeasnail。"

Ashespokethepursuersbrokethroughthefenceandgateoftheburningtown，andoncemorethefightbegan。Theyhadtheadvantageofnumbers;butNodwengoandhistroopsstoodinawideroaduponhighergroundprotectedoneithersidebywalls，andwere，moreover，rested，notbreathlessandwearywithtravellikethemenofHafela。Slowly，fighting，everyinchoftheway，Nodwengowaspushedback，andslowlythelongant—likelineofwomenandsickandcattlecreptthroughtheopeningintherock，tillatlengthallofthemweregone。

"Itistime，"saidNodwengo，glancingbehindhim，"forourarmsgrowweary。"

Thenhegaveorders，andcompanybycompanythedefendingforcefollowedonthepathofthefugitives，tillatlengthamidstaroarofrageanddisappointment，thelastofthemvanishedthroughthearch，Hokosaamongthem，andtheplacewasblockedwithstones，abovewhichshoneahedgeofspears。

CHAPTERXX

NOMASETSASNARE

Thusendedthefirstnight’sbattle，sinceforthistimetheenemyhadfoughtenough。Nodwengoandhismenhadalsohadenough，foroutofthefivethousandofthemsomeelevenhundredwerekilledorwounded。

Yettheymightnotrest，forallthatnight，assistedbythewomen，theylaboured，buildingstonewallsacrossthenarrowestpartsofthevalley。Alsothecattle，womenandchildrenweremovedalongthegorge，whichinshapemaybecomparedtoabottlewithtwonecks，oneateitherend，andencampedintheopeningofthesecondneck，wherewasthespringofwater。Thisspotwaschosenbothbecauseherealonewatercouldbeobtained，withoutwhichtheycouldnotholdoutmorethanasingleday，andbecausethekoppiewhereongrewthestrange—

lookingeuphorbiaknownastheTreeofDoomaffordedanaturalrampartagainstattack。

Shortlyafterdawn，whilethesoldierswererestingandeatingofsuchfoodascouldbeprocured——forthemostpartstripsofraworhalf—

cookedmeatcutfromhastilykilledcattle——theonslaughtwasrenewedwithvigour，Hafeladirectinghiseffortstotheforcingofthenaturalarchway。But，striveashewould，thishecouldnotdo，foritwaschokedwithstonesandthornsandguardedbybravemen。

"Youdobutwasteyourlabour，Hafela，"saidNoma，whostoodbyhimwatchingtheassault。

"Whatthenistobedone？"heasked，"forunlesswecomeatthemwecannotkillthem。Itwascleverofthemtotakerefugeinthishole。I

thoughtsurelythattheywouldfightitoutyonder，beneaththefencesoftheGreatPlace。"

"Ah！"sheanswered，"youforgotthattheyhadHokosaontheirside。

Didyouthenthinktocatchhimsleeping？ThisretreatwasHokosa’scounsel。Ilearneditfromthelipsofthatwoundedcaptainbeforetheykilledhim。Now，itseemsthattherearebuttwopathstofollow，andyoucanchoosebetweenthem。Theoneistosendaregimentadayandahalf’sjourneyacrosstheclifftoptoguardthefurthermouthofthevalleyandtowaittillthesejackalsstarveintheirhole，forcertainlytheycannevercomeout。"

"Ithasstartedsixhourssince，"saidHafela，"andthoughtheprecipicesaresteep，havingthemoontotravelby，itshouldreachtherivermouthofthevalleybeforedawnto—morrow，cuttingNodwengoofffromtheplains，ifindeedheshoulddaretoventureoutuponthem，which，withsosmallaforce，hewillnotdo。Yetthisfirstplanofyoursmustfail，Noma，seeingthatbeforetheystarvewithin，thegeneralsofNodwengowillbebackuponusfromthemountains，catchingusbetweenthehammerandtheanvil，andIknownothowthatfightwouldgo。"

"Yet，soonorlate，itmustbefought。"

"Nay，"heanswered，"formyhopeisthatshouldthe/impi/returntofindNodwengodead，theywillsurrenderandacknowledgemeasking，whoamthefirstofthebloodroyal。Butwhatisyoursecondplan？"

Bywayofanswer，shepointedtothecliffabovethem。Ontheright—

handside，facingthearchway，wasaflatledgeoverhangingthevalley，ataheightofaboutahundredfeet。

"Ifyoucancomeyonder，"shesaid，"itwillbeeasytostormthisgate，fortherelierocksinplenty，andmencannotfightwhenstonesaredroppingontheirheads。"

"Buthowcanwecometothathomeofvultures，wherenevermanhassetafoot？Look，thecliffaboveissheer;norock—rabbitcouldstanduponit。"

WithhereyeNomameasuredthedistancefromthebrinkoftheprecipicetothebroadledgecommandingthevalley。

"Sixtypaces，notmore，"shesaid。"Well，yonderareoxeninplenty，andoutoftheirhidesropescanbemade，andoutofropesaladder，downwhichmenmaypass;ten，orevenfive，wouldbeenough。"

"WellthoughtofNoma，"saidHafela。"HokosatolduslastnightthattohimhadpassedthewisdomoftheMessenger;butifthisbeso，I

thinkthattoyouhaspassedtheguileofHokosa。"

"Itseemstomethatsomeofitabideswithhim，"answeredNomalaughing。

Thentheprincegaveorders，and，withmanyworkersofhidestoilingatit，withintwohourstheladderwasready，itsstaves，settwentyinchesapart，beingformedofknob—kerries，orthebrokenshaftsofstabbingspears。Nowtheylowereditfromthetopoftheprecipicesothatitsendrestedupontheledge，anddownitcameseveralmen，whoswunguponitsgiddylengthlikespidersonaweb。Reachingthisgreatshelfinsafetyandadvancingtotheedgeofit，thesemenstartedaboulder，which，althoughasitchancedithurtnoone，fellinthemidstofagroupofthedefendersandboundedawaythroughthem。

"Nowwemustbegoing，"saidHokosa，lookingup，"fornomancanfightagainstrocks，andourspearscannotreachthosebirds。Hadthearmybeentaughttheuseofthebow，asIcounselledinthepastdays，wemightstillhaveheldthearchway;buttheycalleditawoman’sweapon，andwouldhavenoneofit。"

Ashespokeanotherstonefell，crushingthelifeoutofamanwhostoodnexttohim。Thentheyretreatedtothefirstwall，whichhadbeenpiledupduringthenight，whereitwasnotpossibletorollrocksuponthemfromthecliffsabove。Thiswall，andothersrearedatintervalsbehindit，theysettoworktostrengthenasmuchastheycould，makingthemostofthetimethatwaslefttothembeforetheenemycouldclearthewayandmarchontoattack。

PresentlyHafela’smenwerethroughandsweepingdownuponthemwitharoar，thinkingtocarrythewallatasinglerush。Butinthistheyfailed;indeed，itasonlyafteranhour’shardfightingandbytheexpedientofcontinuallyattackingtheworkwithfreshcompaniesthatatlengththeystormedthewall。

WhenHokosasawthathecouldnolongerholdtheplace，butbeforethefoewasuponhim，hedrewoffhissoldierstothesecondwall，aquarterofamileormoreaway，andherethefightbeganagain。Andsoitwentonforhourafterhour，asonebyonethefortificationswerecarriedbytheweightofnumbers，fortheattackersfoughtdesperatelyundertheeyeoftheirprince，caringnothingfortheterriblelosstheysufferedinmen。TwicetheforceofthedefenderswaschangedbyorderofNodwengo，freshmenbeingsentfromthecompaniesheldinreservetotaketheplacesofthosewhohadbornethebruntofthebattle。Thisindeeditwasnecessarytodo，seeingthatitwasimpossibletocarrywatertosomany，andinthatburningvalleymencouldnotfightforlongathirst。OnlyHokosastayedon，fortheybroughthimdrinkinagourd，andwhereverthefraywasfiercesttherehewasalways;noralthoughspearswereraineduponhimbyhundreds，washetouchedbyoneofthem。

Atlengthasthenightfelltheking’smenweredrivenbackfromtheirlastscherminthewesternhalfofthevalley，acrosstheopenspacebackuponthekoppiewherestoodtheTreeofDoom。Heretheystayedawhiletill，overmatchedandoutworn，theywerepushedfromitsrocksacrossthenarrowstretchofbrokengroundintotheshelterofthegreatstoneschermorwallthatranfromsidetosideofthefurtherneckofthevalley，whereonthousandsofwomenandsuchmenascouldbesparedhadbeenworkingincessantlyduringthepastnightandday。

ItwasasheretreatedamongthelastuponthiswallthatHokosacaughtsightofNomaforthefirsttimesincetheypartedinthehouseoftheMessenger。Intheforefrontofhistroops，directingtheattack，wasHafelatheprince，andathissidestoodNoma，carryinginherhandalittleshieldandaspear。Atthismomentalsoshesawhimandcalledaloudtohim：——

"Youhavefoughtwell，Wizard，butto—morrowallyourmagicshallavailyounothing，foritwillbeyourlastdayuponthisearth。"

"Ay，Noma，"heanswered，"andyoursalso。"

Thenofasuddenacompanyoftheking’smenrushedfromtheshelterofthewallupontheattackersdrivingthembacktothekoppieandkillingseveral，sothatintheconfusionandgatheringdarknessHokosalostsightofher，thoughamanathissidedeclaredthathesawherfallbeneaththethrustofanassegai。Thusendedthesecondday。

Nowwhenthewatchhadbeensetthekingandhiscaptainstookcounseltogether，fortheirheartswereheavy。

"Listen，"saidNodwengo："outoffivethousandsoldiersathousandhavebeenkilledandathousandlieamonguswounded。Harktothegroaningofthem！Alsowehavewithuswomenandchildrenandsicktothenumberoftwelvethousand，andbetweenusandthosewhowouldbutcherthemeveryonetherestandsbutasinglewall。Noristhistheworstofit：thespringcannotsupplythewantsofsogreatamultitudeinthishotplace，anditisfearedthatpresentlythewaterwillbedone。Whatwayshallweturn？IfwesurrendertoHafela，perhapshewillsparethelivesofthewomenandchildren;butwhateverhemaypromise，themostofushewillsurelyslay。Ifwefightandaredefeated，thenoncehisregimentsareamongus，allwillbeslainaccordingtotheancientcustomofourpeople。Ihavebethoughtmethatwemightretreatthroughthevalley，buttheriverbeyondisinflood;alsoitiscertainthatbeforethismultitudecouldreachit，theprincewillhavesentaforcetocutusoffwhilehehimselfharassesourrear。Nowlethimwhohascounselspeak。"

"King，Ihavecounsel，"saidHokosa。"WhatwerethewordsthattheMessengerspoketousbeforehedied？Didhenotsay：’Evennowtheheathenisatyourgates，andmanyofyoushallperishonhisspears;

butItellyouthatheshallnotconquer’？Didhenotsay：’Befaithful，clingtotheCross，anddonotdaretodoubtyourLord，forHewillprotectyou，andyourchildrenafteryou，andHewillbeyourCaptainandyoushallbeHispeople’？Didhenotbidyoualsotolistentomycounsel？Thenlistentoit，foritishis：Yourcaseseemsdesperate，buthavenofear，andtakenothoughtforthemorrow，forallshallyetbewell。LetusnowpraytoHimthattheMessengerhasrevealedtous，andWhomnowheimploresonourbehalfinthatplacewhereheistoguideusandtosaveus，forthensurelyHewillhearkentoourprayer。"

"Sobeit，"saidNodwengo，andgoingouthestooduponapillarofstoneinthemoonlightandoffereduphissupplicationinthehearingofthemultitude。

Meanwhile，thoseofthecampofHafelawerealsotakingcounsel。Theyhadfoughtbravelyindeed，andcarriedtheschanses;butatgreatcost，sinceforeverymanthatNodwengohadlost，threeoftheirshadfallen。Moreover，theywereinevilcasewithwearinessandthewantofwater，aseachdroptheydrankmustbecarriedtothemfromtheGreatPlaceinbagsmadeofrawhide，whichcausedittostink，fortheyhadbutfewgourdswiththem。