d of a long lance similar to that carried by
the White Kendah, and a straight, cross-handled sword suspended from
a belt. This, as I ascertained afterwards, was the regulation cavalry
equipment among these people. The footmen carried a shorter spear, a
round leather shield, two throwing javelins or assegais, and a curved
knife with a horn handle.

"Greeting, Prophets of the Child!" cried one of them. "We are messengers
from the god Jana who speaks through the mouth of Simba the King."

"Say on, worshippers of the devil Jana. What word has Simba the King for
us?" answered Harut.

"The word of war, Prophet. What do you beyond your southern boundary of
the Tava river in the territory of the Black Kendah, that was sealed
to them by pact after the battle of a hundred years ago? Is not all
the land to the north as far as the mountains and beyond the mountains
enough for you? Simba the King let you go out, hoping that the desert
would swallow you, but return you shall not."

"That we shall know presently," replied Harut in a suave voice. "It
depends upon whether the Heavenly Child or the devil Jana is the more
powerful in the land. Still, as we would avoid bloodshed if we may, we
desire to explain to you, messengers of King Simba, that we are here
upon a peaceful errand. It was necessary that we should convey the white
lords to make an offering to the Child, and this was the only road by
which we could lead them to the Holy Mount, since they come from the
south. Through the forests and the swamps that lie to the east and west
camels cannot travel."

"And what is the offering that the white men would make to the Child,
Prophet? Oh! we know well, for like you we have our magic. The offering
that they must make is the blood of Jana our god, which you have brought
them here to kill with their strange weapons, as though any weapon could
prevail against Jana the god. Now, give to us these white men that we
may offer them to the god, and perchance Simba the King will let you go
through."

"Why?" asked Harut, "seeing that you declare that the white men cannot
harm Jana, to whom indeed they wish no harm. To surrender them to you
that they may be torn to pieces by the devil Jana would be to break the
law of hospitality, for they are our guests. Now return to Simba the
King, and say to Simba that if he lifts a spear against us the threefold
curse of the Child shall fall upon him and upon you his people: The
curse of Heaven by stor