ent, he ought to be given the salute
royal, "_Bayete_."

The magistrate was seated in the verandah, with a table in front of him
covered with papers; on his right was the clerk, and two members of the
Natal Police stood on the other side. But before everything had been
got into order Sergeant Meyrick had remarked to Trooper Francis--

"What's the odds we're here to draw our next month's pay, Frank?
Sapazani's an awful rascal, and he don't bring a whole crowd like that
here for nothing."

"Depends upon how much Downes can keep his rag in," was the answer. But
their revolvers were loaded, and they had other ammunition handy.

The _indaba_ began upon small matters, a recent dispute or two as to the
ownership of cattle, or of land commonage, and so forth. Over the way
people were gazing with faint curiosity at the new arrivals, and one or
two storekeepers were trying to inveigle them into a trade. But it was
difficult to scare up much interest in Esifeni. It was not a township
addicted to excitement, and Sapazani was not a popular potentate among
the storekeepers, in that his conservative soul discouraged the purchase
of European goods on the part of his people.

In the preliminary questions Undhlawafa did most of the talking,
referring now and then to the chief, who had been accommodated with a
chair by virtue of his rank. Then the magistrate said--

"Come we now to a weightier matter--"

He was interrupted, brusquely, unexpectedly.

"I talk not before my own dogs," said Sapazani, with a wave of the hand
towards the court induna who was standing at the end of the verandah,
the same man who had brought him a summons to his own kraal, also
towards two native constables who were hanging on the offskirts. The
tone was curt, peremptory, not to say haughty. The magistrate stared at
the speaker, frowned, then said, sarcastically--

"Is this my court or has Sapazani suddenly been chosen to represent the
Government instead?"

But the chief's face underwent no change. He returned the official's
gaze with a straight, haughty stare.

"I talk not before my own dogs," he repeated.

Downes was nonplussed.

"Well, if you prefer it, come within my own room," he said. But the
other curtly refused. He did not know what trap might have been laid
for him there. Once out of sight of his people and where was he?
Certainly between four walls anything might happen, outside, well--he
knew where he was.

"If I talk I ta