ethren, and turned over to
the slayers.

Now, when the three witch-finders had completed their task, and returned
once more into the presence of the King, an immense sigh of gladness
went up from all the people--a very heave of the bosom of a whole nation
relieved; and with one voice all broke forth into a fierce song of
thanksgiving that so many _abatagati_ had been removed from their midst.
But I, if nobody else, knew that they were crying aloud their thanks
too soon. For among those thus named was no man of any great
distinction, albeit a petty chief or two. I knew, however, that the
greater number of them were of the families of chiefs, some of great
note. There was to be yet another stage in this grim game, whose stakes
were the lives of men. "Ye have done well, sons of the stranger's
magic," said the King, as the three young _izanusi_ returned to his
presence, their eyeballs rolling, and their mouths still drooping foam
after the frenzied excitement attendant upon the discharge of their
dread office. "Well have ye done; and the wizard spells of those ye
have named soar aloft to the heavens beneath the wings of yonder
vultures?"--with a glance in the direction of the hill of slaughter,
upon which already multitudes of the great white pinions were beating
down. "Still the blood which has been shed is not dry. Who am I, that
others claim the right to slay--here, at my very gates? _Hau_! I am no
King!"--and now the tone was fierce and bitter, and those who listened
trembled once more. "I am a servant--a slave--lower than the lowest of
the Amaholi--until those who shed this blood at my gates are made known.
Wherefore, now, Masuka, hasten to rid us of them, so that we may sleep
in peace once more. There are yet those who have not been within touch
of the wand."

A dead silence of eagerness and awe fell upon all the people at these
words. For the only ones who had not been within touch of the
witch-finder's wand were the _izinduna_ grouped at the side of the King,
and the _izanusi_ themselves. Could it be that from these more victims
were to be chosen? A flash of anxiety was to be seen on the faces of
more than one of the councillors; and I, from where I stood, a little
way down the circle of armed men, saw just such a shade of fear flit
across that of Tyuyumane. My father's lined features, however, only
puckered into a contemptuous grin. But before Masuka had time to obey
the King's behest, Notalwa rus