magical wand she struck them both on the shoulders. Although the
blows did not hurt them, the effects were likely to prove disastrous.
In another instant she had bounded away, and was apparently about to
retire between the lines of soldiers. She had not gone far, however,
before Umbulazi shouted to her to return.

Almost directly she had delivered the blows, several of the Zulu
warriors, chiefs and others, rushed with threatening gestures towards
the two captives. Denis, who was well acquainted with the customs of
the Zulus, fully expected that a cruel death was instantly to be their
lot; but mustering all his courage, he put on as determined a look as he
could assume.

"We're in for it, Percy," he said, "so you must be prepared for the
worst; but I'll try what I can do with these abominable savages."

Then looking boldly at the surrounding chiefs he addressed them in an
undaunted tone.

"What are ye about to do, my friends?" he asked. "Because that strange
woman struck us, are we to be treated as if we had committed some crime
or were your sworn enemies?"

But no reply was deigned; all the expostulations he could offer were
without the slightest effect. He and Percy were dragged up to the hut
of the chief, before whom the woman was standing. He had just put the
important question for her to answer--whether if he went to war he
should obtain success over his enemies.

"Success will attend those who are the bravest and most numerous. See
yonder host spread out before you. Can you doubt, O Prince, that
victory will be yours?" she replied, in a loud chanting tone.

Umbulazi looked highly pleased at this answer.

"You hear what the wise woman says?" he exclaimed, turning to his
chiefs.

"We will fight, we will gain the victory," they shouted.

Denis and Percy were all this time watching the proceedings with the
greatest anxiety, wondering what would happen to them.

"What would you have me do with these white boys?" asked the chief.

"They have come as spies into your camp. They are the sons of those who
have often tried to dispossess you of your lands. Let them, before the
sun sets, be pierced through with assegais, and become as the dust of
the earth."

"What does she say?" asked Percy, observing the expression of Denis's
countenance.

"Something not very pleasant to us. She advises these fellows to kill
us. But she has made a mistake, and not for the first time in her life;
for she declares