Tabitha, who although so young had strength and understanding and
knew, if she thwarted him, that Menzi would do as he threatened, took
water and made a certain Sign upon the brow of that old witch-doctor,
uttering also certain words that she had often heard used in church at
baptisms.

Perhaps she was wrong; perhaps she transgressed and took too much upon
her. Still, being by nature courageous, she ran the risk and did these
things as afterwards Ivana testified to the followers of Menzi.

"Thank you, Little Flower," said Menzi. "I do not suppose that this
Christian magic will do me any good, but that you wished it is enough.
It will be a rope to tie us together, Little Flower. Also I have another
thought. When it is known that I became a Christian at the last then, if
_you_ bid them, Little Flower, the 'heathen-herd' will follow where the
bull Menzi went before them. They are but broken sherds and scorched
sticks" (i.e. rubbish) "but they will follow and that will please you,
Little Flower, and your father also."

Here Menzi's breath failed, but recovering it, he continued:

"Hearken! O Imba! I give my people into your hand; now let your hand
bend the twig as you would have it grow. Make them Christian if you
will, or leave them heathen if you will; I care nothing. They are yours
to drive upon whatever path you choose to set their feet, _yours_, O
Imba, not Tombool's. Also, I, who lack heirs, give you my cattle, all of
them. Ivana, make known my words, and with them the curse of Menzi, the
King's child, the _Umazisi_, the Seer, on any who dare to disobey. Say
to those of my House and to my people that henceforth the Maiden Imba is
their lady and their mother."

Again he paused a little, then went on:

"Now I charge my Spirit to watch over you, Little Flower, till you die
and we come to talk over these matters otherwhere, and my Spirit as it
departs tells me that it will watch well, and that you will be a very
happy woman, Little Flower."

He shut his eyes and lay still a while. Then he opened them again and
said:

"O Imba, tell your father, the Teacher Tombool, from me that he does not
understand us black people, whom he thinks so common, as you understand
us, Little Flower, and that he would be wise to go to minister to white
ones."

After this, once more he smiled at Tabitha and then shut his eyes again
for the last time, and that was the end of the witch-doctor Menzi.

It may be added that after he