thou fear, O
great _izanusi_ who cannot die?"

I was but mocking him, _Nkose_, for now I saw through the plot. He had
purposely been allowed to escape in the turmoil what time all the other
_izanusi_ had been slain; and I laughed at myself for my fears on first
beholding him.

We left Tola lying there helpless; and, removing a little distance, we
said out all we had to say. Then we took leave of each other.

"Use care, Untuswa, for it is that man's life or thine," said Lalusini,
as we parted. "On no account let him escape."

"Have no fear as to that, Lalusini," I answered. "There is one who will
take even better care of him than I could."

When she had gone I unbound Tola's ankles, and told him to walk. Now,
seeing himself in my power, he began to talk fair. He promised to do
all for me if I would but let him go--to rid me of my enemies, to make
me the greatest man, next to the King. But I only mocked him.

"A live _izanusi_ may do great things," I said. "But a dead
_izanusi_--_whau_!--of what use is he? And, Tola, I seem to remember
that thou art dead--dead by order of the Great Great One. How then
canst thou serve me?"

Then he began on another story. He could teach me things--could reveal
mysteries which would render me all-powerful against every form of harm.
But I only laughed at this, saying that he would soon have an
opportunity of testing his powers in his own favour; and thus, ever with
a watchful eye upon him, we travelled on together until we entered the
hollow where were the kraals of the Bapongqolo.

"There are many here who will give thee warm greeting, chief of the
_izanusi_," I said. "Some even, upon whom thou hast looked before."

Now people began to crowd around us, and, recognising my prisoner,
shouts of hatred and threats were hurled at him. They would have torn
him from me, but I restrained them.

"Go, call Sifadu," I said. "I have brought him a long-desired guest."

At the mention of Sifadu's name the terror stamped upon the face of Tola
was frightful to behold. We, standing around, enjoyed this, for
scarcely a man there but had seen some relative haled to the place of
doom at the bidding of this hyena; some indeed to writhe in torment for
long before they died. Then Tola, foaming at the mouth, rolled on the
ground in convulsions; but for this they cared nothing, as a mere
witch-finding trick. They pricked him with their assegais until he came
to again, roaring with la