ime to think before he saw
Tifum's body in the air, nor time to utter the thought of pardon which
he wished to say, before he saw the man dashed with the force of a
cannon ball against the body of warriors who had hurried up to lend
assistance to Tifum--laying half a dozen of them prostrate on the
ground.

Ferodia had seen the giant form of Simba hurrying to the rescue of the
white slave, and comprehending at a glance that something would happen,
he snatched his spear and started after him. But he had never imagined
that such a thing as he saw could have been done by living man; and the
wonder of it all paralysed his arm, which tingled but a moment before to
send his spear through the man's body. While Ferodia thus stood, lost
in wonder at such human power, three new-comers had appeared on the
scene--Moto, who had hurried after Ferodia, and stood behind him,
seemingly careless and unconcerned; Kalulu and Katalambula, the King,
who appeared on the threshold, the former of whom had dragged Selim
behind him.

Katalambula, though old and on the verge of infirmity, could demean
himself royally enough upon occasions; and this was one of them
evidently; for he advanced and stood before Simba and Ferodia, spear in
hand, with a bearing seldom witnessed.

"What means this, Ferodia?" he asked in a cool, quiet tone.

"It means, O King, that I sent Tifum to catch that runaway slave who
deserted me in the great forest; that the slave ran towards thy house,
and Tifum ran after him, only to meet with this man, who caught up Tifum
as if he had been a piece of wood, and sent him flying against those
warriors of mine, who are now picking themselves up."

"Indeed! Who art thou? Oh, I remember, thou art the friend of the
stranger who saved Kalulu in Urori! Thou art very strong."

Then turning toward the group which had been prostrated, he asked if any
of them had been hurt. One replied that he felt a pain in the chest,
another that he could not breathe; one felt his head swim, another a
pain in the abdomen; one felt a lump in his throat, another replied that
he had a sore back; while Tifum declared he felt bruised all over, and
all looked at Simba with terror.

Ferodia now advanced, and made as if he would lay a hand on Selim; but
Kalulu interposed his slight form with a drawn bow and fixed arrow in
his hand, and a dangerous glitter in his eyes.

"Keep away, Ferodia; or, by the grave of Mostana my father, I will send
this ar