tribe. It was he who had told of the coming of
the white men, and it was his now to decide their fate. The ox was
driven into the cattle enclosure belonging to the hut, as a present to
Koomalayoo, who at once made his appearance.

This man was an Amatonga, and possessed to a rare degree the distinctive
ugliness of the race. His flat nose, monkey-like forehead, and huge
slit of a mouth, surmounted a body literally a skeleton. The face was
that of the living dead, so emaciated was it; the body seemed a
framework, with a black skin drawn tightly over it. The eyes alone were
bright and restless. A collar and waist-belt of human bones, with
anklets and wristbands of the same material, made a clatter as he
walked, while in his hand he held a short wand, apparently of pure gold.
Such was the noted Koomalayoo, who now glanced over the group of
captives, his restless eyes fixing themselves on Luji's face, with an
expression which boded him no good. A circle was formed, the captives
being inside it at one end, Umhleswa and the sorcerer at the other.

Umhleswa now made a long speech, telling of the coming of the strangers,
and of their having by chance stumbled upon the sacred ruins, profaning
them by their presence. The history of the council was given fairly
enough, and of Sgalam's hatred to the Europeans.

The incident of the monkey and of Luji's threats was largely dwelt on,
and Koomalayoo's eyes grew intensely bright as he fixed them on the
unlucky Hottentot, whose face turned a yellow livid colour with fear.
The Umhleswa then proceeded to point out that the white chiefs were not
present at the council, again referred to the threats used by Luji, and
to the mysterious character of the baboon, winding up artfully with a
defence of his policy, because of the benefits which would result from
trade with the white men.

Calico, beads, guns, knives, he spoke of as falling to the lot of the
poorest Amatonga, and having thus worked on their cupidity, the wily
savage ceased speaking.

Koomalayoo rose, and without a word stalked out of the circle, which
opening to let him pass, closed again. All kept silence--a deep dead
silence--as the diviner entered his hut; and so great was the stillness
that his monotonous voice could be heard reciting incantations, as the
sorcerer mixed the potion which was to give him clairvoyance. About a
quarter of an hour passed--not a soul moving--before he again appeared,
holding a gourd in h