rbid
the Teacher Tombool from doing anything of the sort."

"Why, friend?" asked the Bishop.

"Because, Great Priest, this place is haunted by the spirits of the
dead, and those who live here will be haunted also. Hearken. I myself
when I was young have seen evil-doers brought from Zululand and hurled
from that rock, blinded and broken-armed, by order of the King. I say
that scores have been thrown thence to be devoured by the crocodiles in
the pool below. Will such a sight as this be pleasant for white eyes to
look upon, and will such cries as those of the evil-doers who have 'gone
down' be nice for white ears to hear in the silence of the night?"

"But, my good man," said the Bishop, "what you say is nonsense. These
poor creatures are dead, 'gone down' as you say, and do not return. We
Christians have no belief in ghosts, or if they exist we are protected
from them."

"None at all," interposed Thomas boldly and speaking in Zulu. "This man,
my Lord, is at his old tricks. For reasons of his own he is trying
to frighten us; for my part I will not be frightened by a native
witch-doctor and his rubbish, even if he does deal with Satan. With your
permission I shall certainly build the mission-house here."

"Quite right, of course, quite right," said the Bishop, though within
himself he reflected that evidently the associations of the spot were
disagreeable, and that were he personally concerned, perhaps he should
be inclined to consider an alternative site. However, it was a matter
for Mr. Bull to decide.

"I hear that Tombool will not be turned from his purpose. I hear that he
will still build his house upon this rock. So be it. Let him do so and
see. But this I say, that Imba, the Floweret, shall not be haunted by
the _Isitunzi_ (the ghosts of the dead) who wail in the night," said
Menzi.

He advanced to Tabitha, and holding his hands over her he cried out:

"Sweet eyes, be blind to the _Isitunzi_. Little ears, do not hear their
groans. Spirits, build a garden fence about this flower and keep her
safe from all night-prowling evil things. Imba, little Flower, sleep
softly while others lie awake and tremble."

Then he turned and departed swiftly.

"Dear me!" said the Bishop. "A strange man, a very strange man. I don't
know quite what to make of him."

"I do," answered Thomas, "he is a black-hearted villain who is in league
with the devil."

"Yes, I dare say--I mean as to his being a villain, that is according