Darkness!" said Owen, when
he had finished; "yet it would seem that it was permitted to you to find
truth in the pit of sorcery. Obey, obey, and let your heart be turned.
The dead told you that you should be set high above the nation and its
king, and that saying I cannot read, though it may be fulfilled in some
fashion of which to-day you do not think. At the least, the other saying
is true, that in the end comes judgment, and that there shall the
sin and the atonement strive together; therefore for judgment prepare
yourself. And now depart, for I must talk with the king as to this
matter of the onslaught of Hafela."

"Then, that will be the signal for my death, for what king can forgive
one who has plotted such treachery against him?" said Hokosa.

"Fear not," answered Owen, "I will soften his heart. Go you into the
church and pray, for there you shall be less tempted; but before you go,
swear to me that you will work no evil on yourself."

"I swear it, Messenger, since now I desire to live, if only for awhile,
seeing that death shuts every door."

Then he went to the church and waited there. An hour later he was
summoned, and found the king seated with Owen.

"Man," said Nodwengo, "I am told by the Messenger here that you have
knowledge of a plot which my brother the Prince Hafela has made to fall
treacherously upon me and put me and my people to the spear. How you
come to be acquainted with the plot, and what part you have played
in it, I will not now inquire, for so much have I promised to the
Messenger. Yet I warn you it will be well that you should tell me all
you know, and that should you lie to me or attempt to deceive me, then
you shall surely die."

"King, hear all the truth," answered Hokosa in a voice of desperate
calm. "I have knowledge of the plot, for it was I who wove it; but
whether or not Hafela will carry it out altogether I cannot say, for
as yet no word has reached me from him. King, this was the plan that I
made." And he told him everything.

"It is fortunate for you, Hokosa," said Nodwengo grimly when he had
finished, "that I gave my word to the Messenger that no harm should come
to you, seeing that you have repented and confessed. This is certain,
that Hafela has listened to your evil counsels, for I gave my consent to
his flight from this land with all his people, and already his women
and children have crossed the mountain path in thousands. Well, this
I swear, that their feet shall t