hat, Master," answered the woman, "for it is sent by my
hand as a present to the Messenger, and he knows this and will eat of it
after he has made prayer to-day. Did I not give it to him, it would be
discovered that I had left it here with you."

"Then begone without your medicine," said Hokosa, "for I need such
fruit."

The woman rose and said, looking at him wistfully:--

"Master, if you will be satisfied with other fruits of this same sort, I
know where I can get them for you."

"When will you get them?"

"Now, within an hour. And till I return I will leave these in pledge
with you; but these and no other I must give to the Messenger, for he
has already seen them and might discover the difference; also I have
promised so to do."

"As you will," said Hokosa. "If you are with the fruit within an hour,
the medicine will be ready for you, a medicine that shall not fail."

CHAPTER XIV

THE EATING OF THE FRUIT

The woman slipped away secretly. When she had gone Hokosa bade his wife
bring the basket of fruit into the hut.

"It is best that the butcher should kill the ox himself," she answered
meaningly.

He carried in the basket and set it on the floor.

"Why do you speak thus, Noma?" he asked.

"Because I will have no hand in the matter, Hokosa. I have been the tool
of a wizard, and won little joy therefrom. The tool of a murderer I will
not be!"

"If I kill, it is for the sake of both of us," he said passionately.

"It may be so, Hokosa, or for the sake of the people, or for the sake
of Heaven above--I do not know and do not care; but I say, do your own
killing, for I am sure that even less luck will hang to it than hangs to
your witchcraft."

"Of all women you are the most perverse!" he said, stamping his foot
upon the ground.

"Thus you may say again before everything is done, husband; but if it
be so, why do you love me and tie me to you with your wizardry? Cut the
knot, and let me go my way while you go yours."

"Woman, I cannot; but still I bid you beware, for, strive as you will,
my path must be your path. Moreover, till I free you, you cannot lift
voice or hand against me."

Then, while she watched him curiously, Hokosa fetched his medicines and
took from them some powder fine as dust and two tiny crowquills. Placing
a fruit before him, he inserted one of these quills into its substance,
and filling the second with the powder, he shook its contents into it
and withdrew the tube. This p