onti--him they must and would put to
death; while others shouted that no difference should be made between
either, that all whites should be stamped from the land, for had not
Umlimo said it. And the abominable sorcerers, hanging on the outskirts
of the crowd, took up this cue and worked it for all it was worth.

"Hear now!" cried Ujojo. "Zwabeka is my father and chief. He placed me
here saying, `Suffer none to enter.' If you can find the chief and
induce him to say to me, `Let those men enter'--then ye enter--not
otherwise."

For a moment the rout looked staggered, then the uproar redoubled. As a
matter of fact Zwabeka was at that moment about four miles away across
the mountains, and, of course, in complete ignorance of the
demonstration which was going on at his camp.

"I have an idea, but a desperate one," said Lamont. "It may be worth
something if only to gain a little time. _Ho, amadoda_!" he called out,
advancing near the entrance, though not showing himself. "Remember what
happened to those who would have plundered my house. Well, the white
doctor and I have enough of the same evil _muti_ to blow half this
mountain away ten times over. Where will ye be then? But we, and these
few men who are obeying their chief, will come to no harm. We and they
will come through it safe, even as I did before, and those that were
with me."

The effect of this statement was greater than its propounder had dared
to hope. The awful effects of the explosion at Lamont's farm had been
sounded throughout the length and breadth of the nation. The clamour,
which had been deafening, was suddenly hushed, only finding vent in a
buzzing murmur. The bloodthirsty fervour of the crowd seemed to have
sizzled.

"May I use anything I find in your medicine chest, Father," said Lamont
hurriedly. "Thanks. Ah, this will do. It may be advisable to set up a
preliminary scare."

He selected nothing more formidable than an ordinary medicine measure, a
ball of cotton wool, and a strand of magnesium wire. Then he advanced
to the entrance and for the first time showed himself.

"Fear nothing, Ujojo. You and your men are safe," he murmured. Then,
aloud: "Now! Will ye all go? You weary us."

The uncanny looking glass, inverted, caught the light. Upon the
upturned bottom of the glass he had placed the ball of wool. Now, as in
full view of them all he ignited the magnesium wire, flashing it within
the inverted glass, the whole