AlthoughIwasafar，herspiritwarnedme，andIreturned，buttoolate;forshewassealedtoyouoftheblood—royal，andthatisalawwhichmaynotbebroken。
"Hafela，Iprayedyoutoreturnhertome，andyoumockedme。Iwouldhavebroughtyoutoyourdeath，butitcouldnothaveavailedme：forthen，bythatsamelaw，whichmaynotbebroken，shewhowassealedtoyoumustdiewithyou;andthoughthereafterherspiritwouldsitwithmetillIdiedalso，itwasnotenough，sinceIwhohaveconqueredall，yetcannotconquerthefirethatwastesmyheart，norceasetolongbynightanddayforawomanwhoislosttome。Thenitwas，Hafela，thatIplottedvengeanceagainstyou。Ithrewmyspelloverthemindoftheking，tillhelearnttohateyouandyourevildeeds;
andI，evenI，havebroughtitaboutthatyourbrothershouldbepreferredbeforeyou，andthatyoushallbetheservantinhishouse。
Thisisthepricethatyoumustpayforherofwhomyouhaverobbedme;andbymyspiritandherspirityoushallpay！Yetlisten。Handbackthegirl，asyoumaydo——forsheisnotyetyourwife——andchooseanotherforyourqueen，andIwillundoallthatIhavedone，andI
willfindyouameans，Hafela，tocarryoutyourwill。Ay，beforesixsunshaveset，theregimentsrushingpastyoushallhailyouKingoftheNationoftheAmasuka，LordoftheancientHouseofFire！"
"Icannot，"groanedtheprince;"deathwerebetterthanthis！"
"Ay，deathwerebetter;butyoushallnotdie，youshallliveaservant，andyournameshallbecomeamockery，anameforwomentomakerhymeson。"
Nowtheprincesprangup。
"Takeher！"hehissed;"takeher！you，whoareanevilghost;you，beneathwhoseeyeschildrenwail，andatwhosepassingthehairsonthebacksofhoundsstandup！Takeher，priestofdeathandill;buttakemycursewithher！Ah！Ialsocanprophecy;andItellyouthatthiswomanwhomyouhavetaught，thiswitchofmanyspells，whoseglancecanshriveltheheartsofmen，shallgiveyoutodrinkofyourownmedicine;ay，sheshalldogyoutothedeath，andmockyouwhileyouperishbyanendofshame！"
"What，"laughedthewizard，"haveIarivalinmyownarts？Nay，Hafela，ifyouwouldlearnthetrade，paymewellandIwillgiveyoulessons。YetIcounselyounot;foryouareflesh，nothingbutflesh，andhewhowouldruletheairmustcultivatethespirit。Why，Itellyou，Prince，thateventheloveforherwhoismyheart，theladywhomwebothwouldwed，partakingofthefleshas，alas！itdoes，hascostmehalfmypowers。Nowletusceasefromemptyscoldings，andstrikeourbargain。
"Listen。Onthelastdayofthefeast，whenalltheregimentsaregatheredtosalutethekingthereinhisGreatPlaceaccordingtocustom，youshallstandforthbeforethekingandrenounceNoma，andsheshallpassbacktothecareofmyhousehold。YouyourselfshallbringhertowhereIstand，andasItakeherfromyouIwillputintoyourhandacertainpowder。Thenyoushallreturntothesideoftheking，andafterourfashionshallgivehimtodrinkthebowlofthefirst—fruits;butasyoustirthebeer，youwillletfallintoitthatpowderwhichIhavegivenyou。Thekingwilldrink，andwhatheleavesundrunkyouwillthrowoutuponthedust。
"Nowhewillrisetogiveouttothepeoplehisroyaldecree，whereby，Prince，youaretobedeposedfromyourplaceasheir，andyourbrother，Nodwengo，istobesetinyourseat。Butofthatdecreeneverawordshallpasshislips;ifitdoes，recallyoursayingandtakebacktheladyNomafromwhereshestandsbesideme。Itellyouthatneverawordwillpasshislips;forevenasherisesastrokeshalltakehim，suchastrokeasoftenfallsuponthefatandaged，andhewillsinktothegroundsnoringthroughhisnostrils。Forawhilethereafter——itmaybesixhours，itmaybetwelve——heshalllieinsensible，andthenacrywillarisethatthekingisdead！"
"Ay，"saidHafela，"andthatIhavepoisonedhim！"
"Why，Prince？Fewknowwhatisinyourfather’smind，andwiththose，beingking，youwillbeabletodeal。AlsothisisthevirtueofthepoisonwhichIchoose，thatitisswift，yetthesymptomsofitarethesymptomsofanaturalsickness。Butthatyoursafetyandminemaybeassured，Ihavemadeyetanotherplan，thoughofthistherewillbelittleneed。Youwerepresenttwodayssincewhenarunnercamefromthewhitemanwhosojournsbeyondourborder，hewhoseekstoteachus，theChildrenofFire，anewfaith，andgivesoutthatheisthemessengeroftheKingofheaven。ThisrunneraskedleaveforthewhitemantovisittheGreatPlace，and，speakingintheking’sname，Igavehimleave。ButIwarnedhisservantthatifhismastercame，asignshouldberequiredofhimtoshowthathewasatrueman，andhadofthewisdomoftheKingofHeaven;andthatifhefailedtherein，thenthatheshoulddieasthatwhiteliardiedwhovisitedusinbygoneyears。
"NowIhavesoorderedthatthiswhiteman，passingthroughtheValleyofDeathyonder，shallreachtheGreatPlacenotlongbeforethekingdrinksofthecupofthefirst—fruits。Thenifanythinkthatsomethingoutofnaturehashappenedtotheking，theywillsurelythinkalsothatthisstrangeprayer—doctorhaswroughttheevil。ThenalsoIwillcallforasignfromthewhiteman，prayingofhimtorecoverthekingofhissickness;andwhenhefails，heshallbeslainasaworkerofspellsandthefalseprophetofafalsegod，andsoweshallberidofhimandhisnewfaith，andyoushallbeclearedofdoubt。Isnottheplangood，Prince？"
"Itisverygood，Hokosa——saveforonethingonly。"
"Forwhatthing？"
"This：thewhitemanwhoisnamedMessengermightchancetobeatrueprophetofatrueGod，andtorecovertheking。"
"Oho，lethimdoit，ifhecan;buttodoit，firsthemustknowthepoisonanditsantidote。Thereisbutone，anditisknowntomeonlyofallmeninthisland。Whenhehasdonethat，thenI，yes，evenI，Hokosa，willbegintoinquireconcerningthisGodofhis，whoshowsHimselfsomightyinpersonofHismessenger。"Andhelaughedlowandscornfully。
"Prince，farewell！Igoforthalone，whitheryoudarenotfollowatthishour，toseekthatwhichweshallneed。Oneword——thinknottoplaymefalse，ortocheatmeofmyprice;forwhate’erbetides，besureofthis，thathourshallbethehourofyourdooming。Hailtoyou，SonoftheKing！Hail！andfarewell。"Then，removingthedoor—
board，thewizardpassedfromthehutandwasgone。
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Thevisionchanged。Nowthereappearedavalleywalledinoneithersidewithslopingcliffsofgranite;adesolateplace，sandyand，saveforasinglespring，withoutwater，strewnwithbouldersofrock，someofthempiledfantasticallyoneupontheother。Atacertainspotthisvalleywidenedout，andinthemouthofthespacethusformed，midwaybetweenthecurvedlinesoftherecedingcliffs，stoodalittlehillorkoppie，alsobuiltupofboulders。Itwasaplaceofdeath;forallaroundthehill，andpiledinhundredsbetweenthecrevicesofitsstones，laythewhitebonesofmen。
Norwasthisall。Itssummitwasflat，andinthemidstofitstoodahugetree。Evenhaditnotbeenforthefruitwhichhungfromitsbranches，theaspectofthattreemusthavestruckthebeholderasuncanny，evenashorrible。Thebarkonitsgreatbolewasleprouswhite;andfromitsgauntandspreadingrungsrosebranchesthatsubdividedthemselvesagainandagain，tillatlasttheyterminatedinroundgreenfingers，springingfromgrey，flatslabsofbark，inshapenotunlikethatofahumanpalm。Indeed，fromalittledistancethistree，especiallyifviewedbymoonlight，hadtheappearanceofbearingonithundredsorthousandsofthearmsandhandsofmen，allofthemstretchedimploringlytoHeaven。
Wellmighttheyseemtodoso，seeingthattoitsnakedlimbshungthebodiesofatleasttwentyhumanbeingswhohadsuffereddeathbyorderofthekingorhiscaptains，orbythedecreeofthecompanyofwizards，whereofHokosawasthechief。ThereontheHillofDeathstoodtheTreeofDeath;andthatinitsdankshade，orpileduponthegroundbeneathit，hungandlaythepitifulremnantsofthemultitudeswhoforgenerationshadbeenledthithertotheirdoom。
Now，inOwen’svisionamanwasseenapproachingbythelittlepathwaythatranupthesideofthemount——theRoadofLostFootstepsitwascalled。ItwasHokosathewizard。Outsidethecircleofthetreehehalted，anddrawingatannedskinfromabundleofmedicineswhichhecarried，hetieditabouthismouth;fortheverysmellofthattreeispoisonousandmustnotbesufferedtoreachthelungs。
Presentlyhewasunderthebranches，whereonceagainhehalted;thistimeitwastogazeatthebodyofanoldmanwhichswungtoandfrointhenightbreeze。
"Ah！friend，"hemuttered，"westroveformanyyears，butitseemsthatIhaveconqueredatthelast。Well，itisjust;forifyoucouldhavehadyourway，yourendwouldhavebeenmyend。"
Thenveryleisurely，asonewhoissurethathewillnotbeinterrupted，Hokosabegantoclimbthetree，tillatlengthsomeofthegreenfingerswerewithinhisreach。Restinghisbackagainstabough，onebyonehebrokeoffseveralofthem，andavertinghisfacesothatthefumesofitmightnotreachhim，hecausedthethickmilk—
whitejuicethattheycontainedtotrickleintothemouthofalittlegourdwhichwashungabouthisneckbyastring。Whenhehadcollectedenoughofthepoisonandcarefullycorkedthegourdwithaplugofwood，hedescendedthetreeagain。Atthegreatforkwherethemainbranchessprangfromthetrunk，hestoodawhilecontemplatingacreepingplantwhichranupthem。Itwasaplantofnakedstem，likethetreeitgrewupon;and，alsolikethetree，itsleavesconsistedofbunchesofgreenspikeshavingamilkyjuice。
"Strange，"hesaidaloud，"thatNatureshouldsetthebaneandtheantidotesidebyside，theonetwinedabouttheother。Well，soitisineverything;yes，evenintheheartofman。ShallIgathersomeofthisjuicealso？No;forthenImightrepentandsavehim，rememberingthathehaslovedme，andthusloseherIseek，herwhomImustwinbackorbewithered。LetthemessengeroftheKingofHeavensavehim，ifhecan。Thistreeliesonhispath;perchancehemayprevailuponitsdeadtotellhimofthebaneandoftheantidote。"Andoncemorethewizardlaughedmockingly。
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Thevisionpassed。AtthismomentThomasOwen，recoveringfromhisswoon，liftedhisheadfromthewindow—place。Thenightbeforehimwasasblackasithadbeen，andbehindhimthelittleAmericanclockwasstillstrikingthehourofmidnight。Thereforehecouldnothaveremainedinsensibleforlongerthanafewseconds。
Afewseconds，yethowmuchhehadseeninthem。Trulyhiswantoffaithhadbeenreproved——trulyhealsohadbeen"warnedofGodinadream，"——truly"hisearshadbeenopenedandhisinstructionsealed。"
Hissoulhadbeen"keptbackfromthepit，"andhislifefrom"perishingbythesword";andthewayofthewickedhadbeenmadecleartohim"inadream，inavisionofthenightwhendeepsleepfallethuponmen。"
Notfornothinghadheenduredthatagony，andnotfornothinghadhestruggledinthegripofdoubt。
CHAPTERV
THEFEASTOFTHEFIRST—FRUITS
Onthethirdmorningfromthisnightwhereofthestrangeeventshavebeendescribed，anox—waggonmighthavebeenseenoutspannedonthehithersideofthoserangesofhillsthatwerevisiblefromtheriver。
Thesemountains，whichalthoughnothighareverysteep，formtheouterbarrieranddefenceofthekingdomoftheAmasuka。Withinfivehundredyardsofwherethewaggonstood，however，asheercliffedgorge，fire—rivenandwater—hewn，piercedtherange，andlookingonit，Owenknewitforthegorgeofhisdream。Nightanddaythemouthofitwasguardedbyacompanyofarmedsoldiers，whosehutswerebuilthighonoutlookplacesinthemountains，whencetheirkeeneyescouldscanthevastexpansesofplain。Afulldaybeforeitreachedthem，theyhadseenthewhite—cappedwaggoncrawlingacrosstheveldt，andswiftrunnershadreporteditsadventtothekingathisGreatPlace。
Backcamethewordofthekingthatthewhiteman，withthewaggonandhisservant，weretobeledontowardstheGreatPlaceatsuchspeedaswouldbringhimthereintimeforhimtobeholdthelastceremonyofthefeastoffirst—fruits;but，forthepresent，thatthewaggonitselfandtheoxenweretobeleftatthemouthofthegorge，inchargeofaguard，whowouldbeanswerableforthem。
Now，onthismorningthecaptainoftheguardandhisorderliesadvancedtothewaggonandstoodinfrontofit。Theyweresplendidmen，armedwithgreatspearsandshields，andadornedwithfeatherhead—dressesandallthewildfineryoftheirregiment。Owendescendedfromthewaggonandcametomeetthem，andsoforafewmomentstheyremained，facetoface，insilence。Astrangecontrasttheypresentedastheystoodthere;thebare—headedwhitemanfrail，delicate，spiritualofcountenance，andthewarriorsgreat，grave，powerful，averyembodimentoftheessenceofuntamedhumanity，anincarnatepresentationofthespiritofsavagewarfare。
"Howareyounamed，WhiteMan？"askedthecaptain。
"Chief，IamnamedMessenger。"
"Thepeaceofthekingbewithyou，Messenger，"saidthecaptain，liftinghisspear。
"ThepeaceofGodbewithyou，Chief，"answeredOwen，holdinguphishandsinblessing。
"WhoisGod？"askedthecaptain。
"Chief，HeistheKingIserve，andHiswordisbetweenmylips。"
"Thenpasson，MessengerofGod，anddeliverthewordofGodyourKingintotheearsofmyking，athisGreatPlaceyonder。Passonridingthebeastyouhavebroughtwithyou，forthewayisrough;butyourwaggon，youroxen，andyourservants，savethismanonlywhoisoftheChildrenofFire，muststayhereinmykeeping。Fearnot，Messenger，I
willholdthemsafe。"
"Idonotfear，Chief，thereishonourinyoureyes。"
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Somehourslater，Owen，mountedonhismule，wasridingthroughthegorge，aguardinfrontofandbehindhim，andwiththemcarrierswhohadbeensenttobearhisbaggage。AthissidewalkedhisdiscipleJohn，andhisfacewassad。
"Whyareyoustillafraid？"askedOwen。
"Ah！father，becausethisisaplaceoffear。Hereinthisvalleymenareledtodie;presentlyyouwillsee。"
"Ihaveseen，"answeredOwen。"Yonderwhereweshallhaltisamount，andonthatmountstandsatree;itiscalledtheTreeofDeath，anditstretchesathousandhandstoHeaven，prayingformercythatdoesnotcome，andfromitsboughstherehangsfruit，afruitofdeadmen——
yes，twentyofthemhangtherethisday。"
"Howknowyouthesethings，myfather，"askedthemanamazed，"seeingthatIhaveneverspokentoyouofthem？"
"Nay，"heanswered，"Godhasspokentome。MyGodandyourGod。"
Anotherhourpassed，andtheywererestingbythespringofwater，neartotheshadowofthedreadfultree，forinthatgorgethesunburnedfiercely。Johncountedthebodiesthatswunguponit，andagainlookedfearfullyatOwen，forthereweretwentyofthem。
"Idesiretogouptothattree，"Owensaidtotheguard。
"Asyouwill，Messenger，"answeredtheirleader;"Ihavenoorderstopreventyoufromsodoing。Still，"headdedwithasolemnsmile，"itisaplacethatfewseekoftheirownwill，and，becauseIlikeyouwell，Messenger，Iprayitmayneverbemydutytoleadyouthereoftheking’swill。"
ThenOwenwentuptothetreeandJohnwithhim，onlyJohnwouldnotpassbeneaththeshadowofitsbranches;butstoodbywondering，whilehismasterboundahandkerchiefabouthismouth。
"Howdidheknowthatthebreathofthetreeispoisonous？"Johnwondered。
Owenwalkedtotheboleofthetree，andbreakingoffsomeofthefinger—likeleavesofthecreeperthattwinedaboutit，hepressedtheirmilkyjuiceintoalittlebottlethathehadmadeready。Thenhereturnedquickly，forthesightsandodoursoftheplacewerenottobeborne。
Outsidethecircleofthebrancheshehalted，andremovedthehandkerchieffromhismouth。
"Beofgoodcheer，"hesaidtoJohn，"andifitshouldchancethatI
amcalledawaybeforemywordscometrue，yetremembermywords。I
tellyouthatthisTreeofDeathshallbecometheTreeofLifeforallthechildrenofyourpeople。Look！thereaboveyouisitssignandpromise。"
Johnliftedhiseyes，followingthelineofOwen’soutstretchedhand，andsawthis。Highupuponthetree，andstandingclearofalltheotherbranches，wasonestraight，deadlimb，andfromthisdeadlimbtwoarmsprojectedatrightangles，alsodeadandsnappedoffshort。
Hadacarpenterfashionedacrossofwoodandsetitthere，itsproportionscouldnothavebeenmoreproperandexact。ItwasverystrangetofindthissymboloftheChristianhopetoweringabovethatplaceofhumanterror，andstrangerstillwasthepurposewhichitmustserveinadaytocome。
OwenandJohnreturnedtotheguardinsilence，andpresentlytheysetforwardontheirjourney。Atlength，passingbeneathanaturalarchofrock，theywereoutoftheValleyofDeath，andbeforethem，notfivehundredpacesaway，appearedthefenceoftheGreatPlace。
ThisGreatPlacestooduponahighplateau，inthelapofthesurroundinghills，allofwhichwerestronglyfortifiedwithschanses，pitfalls，androughwallsofstone。Thatplateaumayhavemeasuredfifteenmilesincircumference，andthefenceofthetownitselfwasaboutfourmilesincircumference。Withinthefenceandfollowingitscurve，foritwasround，stoodthousandsofdome—shapedhutscarefullysetoutinstreets。Withintheseagainwasastoutstockadeoftimber，enclosingavastarenaoftroddenearth，largeenoughtocontainallthecattleofthePeopleofFireintimesofdanger，andtoserveasareviewgroundfortheir/impis/intimesofpeaceorfestival。
Attheoutergateofthekraaltherewasahalt，whilethekeepersofthegatedespatchedamessengertotheirkingtoannouncetheadventofthewhiteman。OfthispauseOwentookadvantagetoarrayhimselfinthesurpliceandhoodwhichhehadbroughtwithhiminreadinessforthathour。ThenhegavethemuletoJohntoleadbehindhim。
"Whatdoyou，Messenger？"askedtheleaderoftheguard，astonished。
"Iclothemyselfinmywar—dress，"heanswered。
"Wherethenisyourspear，Messenger？"
"Here，"saidOwen，presentingtohiseyesacrucifixofivory，mostbeautifullycarved。
"Iperceivethatyouareofthefamilyofwizards，"saidtheman，andfellback。
Nowtheyenteredthekraalandpassedforthreehundredyardsormorethroughrowsofhuts，tilltheyreachedthegateofthestockade，whichwasopenedtothem。Oncewithinit，Owensawawonderfulsight，suchasightasfewwhitemenhaveseen。Thegroundoftheenormousovalbeforehimwasnotflat。Eitherfromnaturalaccidentorbydesignitslopedgentlyupwards，sothatthespectator，standingbythegateorattheheadofitbeforethehouseoftheking，couldtakeinitswholeexpanse，and，ifhissightwerekeenenough，couldseeeveryindividualgatheredthere。
OntheparticulardayofOwen’sarrivalitwascrowdedwithregiments，twelveofthem，alldressedintheirdifferentuniformsandbearingshieldstomatch，notoneofwhichwaslessthan2500strong。Atthismomenttheregimentsweremassedindeeplines，eachbattalionbyitself，oneithersideofthebroadroadwaythatranstraightupthekraaltowheretheking，hissons，hisadvisersandguards，togetherwiththecompanyofwizards，wereplacedinfrontoftheroyalhouse。
Theretheystoodinabsolutesilence，liketensofthousandsofbronzestatues，andOwenperceivedthateithertheywererestingorthattheyweregatheredthustoreceivehim。Thatthelatterwasthecasesoonbecameevident，forasheappeared，awhitespotatthefootoftheslope，countlessheadsturnedandmyriadsofeyesfastenedthemselvesuponhim。Foraninstanthewasdismayed;therewassomethingterrifyinginthisnumberlessmultitudeofwarriors，andthethoughtofthetaskthathehadundertakencrushedhisspirit。Thenheremembered，andshakingoffhisfearanddoubt，alone，saveforhisdiscipleJohn，holdingthecrucifixaloft，hewalkedslowlyupthewideroadtowardstheplacewhereheguessedthatthekingmustbe。
Hisarmwaswearyereeverhereachedit，butatlengthhefoundhimselfstandingbeforeathicksetoldman，whowascladinleopardskinsandseateduponastoolofpolishedwood。
"Itistheking，"whisperedJohnbehindhim。
"Peacebetoyou，"saidOwen，breakingthesilence。
"Thewishisgood，mayitbefulfilled，"answeredthekinginadeepvoice，sighingashesaidthewords。"Yetyoursisastrangegreeting，"headded。"Whencecameyou，WhiteMan，howareyounamed，andwhatisyourmissiontomeandtomypeople？"
"King，Icomefrombeyondthesea;IamnamedMessenger，andmymissionistodelivertoyouthesayingofGod，myKingand——yours。"
Atthesewordsagaspofastonishmentwentupfromthosewhostoodwithinhearing，expectingastheydidtoseethemrewardedbyinstantdeath。ButUmsukaonlysaid：——
"’MyKingandyours’？Boldwords，Messenger。WherethenisthisKingtowhomI，Umsuka，shouldbowtheknee？"
"Heiseverywhere——intheheavens，ontheearth，andbelowtheearth。"
"IfHeiseverywhere，thenHeishere。ShowmethelikenessofthisKing，Messenger。"
"Beholdit，"Owenanswered，thrustingforwardthecrucifix。
Nowallthegreatonesaboutthekingstaredatthisfigureofadyingmancrownedwiththornsandhangingonacross，andthendrewuptheirlipstolaugh。Butthatlaughneverleftthem;asuddenimpulse，amysteriouswaveoffeelingchokeditintheirthroats。Asenseofthestrangenessofthecontrastbetweenthemselvesintheirarmedmultitudesandthisonewhite—robedmaninhislonelinesstookholdofthem，andwithitanothersenseofsomethingnotfarremovedfromfear。
"Awizardindeed，"theythoughtintheirhearts，andwhattheythoughtthekinguttered。
"Iperceive，"hesaid，"thatyouareeithermad，WhiteMan，oryouareaprinceofwizards。Madyoudonotseemtobe，foryoureyesarecalm，thereforeawizardyoumustbe。Well，standbehindme：by—and—byIwillhearyourmessageandaskofyoutoshowmeyourpowers;butbeforethentherearethingswhichImustdo。Aretheladsready？Ho，you，loosethebull！"
Atthecommandalineofsoldiersmovedfromtheright，formingitselfupinfrontofthekingandhisattendants，revealinganumberofyouths，offromsixteentoseventeenyearsofage，armedwithsticksonly，whostoodincompaniesoutsideamassivegate。Presentlythisgatewasopened，andthroughit，withamadbellow，rushedawildbuffalobull。Onseeingthemthebrutehalted，andforafewmomentsstoodpawingtheearthandtearingitwithitsgreathorns。Thenitputdownitsheadandcharged。Insteadofmakingwayforit，utteringashrillwhistlingsound，theyouthsrushedatthebeast，strikingwiththeirsticks。
Anotherinstant，andoneofthemappearedabovetheheadsofhiscompanions，thrownhighintotheair，tobefollowedbyasecondandathird。Nowtheanimalwasthroughthethrongandcarryingapoorboyonitshorn，whencepresentlyhefelldead;throughandthroughtheranksoftheregimentsitchargedfuriouslybackwardandforward。
Watchingitfascinated，Owennotedthatitwasapointofhonourfornomantostirbeforeitsrush;theretheystood，andifthebullgoredthem，theretheyfell。Atlength，exhaustedandterrified，thebruteheadedbackstraightupthelanewherethemainbodyoftheyouthswerewaitingforit。Nowitwasamongthem，and，recklessofwoundsordeath，theyswarmedaboutitlikebees，seizingitbylegs，nose，hornsandtail，tillwithdesperateeffortstheydraggedittothegroundandbeatthelifeoutofitwiththeirsticks。Thisdone，theyformedupbeforethekingandsalutedhim。
"Howmanyarekilled？"heasked。
"Eightinall，"wastheanswer，"andfifteengored。"
"Agoodbull，"hesaidwithasmile;"thatoflastyearkilledbutfive。Well，theladsfoughthimbravely。Letthedeadbeburied，thehurttended，or，iftheirharmsarehopeless，slain，andtotherestgiveadoublerationofbeer。Ho，now，fallback，men，andmakeaspacefortheBeesandtheWaspstofightin。"
Someordersweregivenandagreatringwasformed，leavinganarenaclearthatmayhavemeasuredahundredandfiftyyardsindiameter。
Thensuddenly，fromoppositesides，thetworegiments，knownastheBeesandtheWaspsrespectively，rusheduponeachother，utteringtheirwar—cries。
"IputtenheadofcattleontheBees;whowagersontheWasps？"criedtheking。
"I，Lord，"answeredthePrinceHafela，steppingforward。
"You，Prince！"saidthekingwithaquickfrown。"Well，youarerighttobackthem，theyareyourownregiment。Ah！theyareatit。"
Bythistimethescenewasthatofahellbrokenlooseupontheearth。
Thetworegiments，numberingsome5000meninall，hadcometogether，andtheroaroftheirmeetingshieldswasliketheroarofthunder。
Theywerearmedwithkerriesonly，andnotwithspears，forthefightwassupposedtobeamimicone;buttheseweaponstheyusedwithsucheffectthatsoonhundredsofthemweredowndeadorwithshatteredskullsandbruisedlimbs。Fiercelytheyfought，whilethewholearmywatched，fortheirrivalrywaskeenandformanymonthstheyhadknownthattheyweretobepittedoneagainsttheotheronthisday。
Fiercelytheyfought，whilethecaptainscriedtheirorders，andthedustroseupincloudsastheyswungtoandfro，breastthrustingagainstbreast。Atlengththeendcame;theBeesbegantogive，theyfellbackevermorequicklytilltheirretreatwasarout，and，leavingmanystretchedupontheground，amidthemockingcriesofthearmytheyweredriventothefence，bytouchingwhichtheyobtainedpeaceatthehandsoftheirvictors。
Thekingsaw，andhissomewhatheavy，quietfacegrewalivewithrage。
"Searchandsee，"hesaid，"ifthecaptainoftheBeesisaliveandunhurt。"
Messengerswenttodohisbidding，andpresentlytheyreturned，bringingwiththemamanofmagnificentappearanceandmiddleage，whoseleftarmhadbeenbrokenbyablowfromakerry。Withhisrighthandhesalutedfirsttheking，thenthePrinceNodwengo，akindly—
faced，mild—eyedman，inwhosecommandhewas。
"Whathaveyoutosay？"askedtheking，inacoldvoiceofanger。
"Knowyouthatyouhavecostmetenheadoftheroyalwhitecattle？"
"King，Ihavenothingtosay，"answeredthecaptaincalmly，"exceptthatmymenarecowards。"
"Thatiscertainlyso，"saidtheking。"Letallthewoundedamongthembecarriedaway;andforyou，captain，whoturnmysoldiersintocowards，youshalldieadog’sdeath，hangingto—morrowontheTreeofDoom。Asforyourregiment，Ibanishittothefevercountry，theretohuntelephantsforthreeyears，sinceitisnotfittofightwithmen。"
"Itiswell，"repliedthecaptain，"sincedeathisbetterthanshame。
OnlyKing，Ihavedoneyougoodserviceinthepast;Iaskthatitmaybepresentlyandbythespear。"
"Sobeit，"saidtheking。
"Icravehislife，father，"saidthePrinceNodwengo;"heismyfriend。"
"Aprinceshouldnotchoosecowardsforhisfriends，"repliedtheking;"lethimbekilled，Isay。"
ThenOwen，whohadbeenwatchingandlistening，hisheartsickwithhorror，stoodforwardandsaid：——
"King，inthenameofHimIserve，Iconjureyoutosparethismanandthoseothersthatarehurt，whohavedonenocrimeexcepttobedrivenbackbysoldiersstrongerthanthemselves。"
"Messenger，"answeredtheking，"Ibearwithyoubecauseyouareignorant。Knowthat，accordingtoourcustoms，thiscrimeisthegreatestofcrimes，forhereweshownomercytotheconquered。"
"Yetyoushoulddoso，"saidOwen，"seeingthatyoualsomusterelongbeconqueredbydeath，andthenhowcanyouexpectmercywhohaveshownnone？"
"Lethimbekilled！"saidtheking。
"King！"criedOwenoncemore，"dothisdeed，andItellyouthatbeforethesunisdowngreatevilwillovertakeyou。"
"Doyouthreatenme，Messenger？Well，wewillsee。Lethimbekilled，Isay。"
Thenthemanwasledaway;but，beforehewenthefoundtimetothankOwenandNodwengotheprince，andtocalldowngoodfortuneuponthem。
CHAPTERVI
THEDRINKINGOFTHECUP
Nowtheking’swordwasdone，theangerwentoutofhiseyes，andoncemorehiscountenancegrewweary。Acommandwasissued，and，withthemostperfectorder，movinglikeoneman，theregimentschangedtheirarray，formingupbattalionuponbattalioninfaceoftheking，thattheymightgivehimtheroyalsalutesosoonashehaddrunkthecupofthefirst—fruits。
Aheraldstoodforwardandcried：——
"Hearken，youSonsofFire！Hearken，youChildrenofUmsuka，ShakeroftheEarth！Haveanyofyouaboontoaskoftheking？"
Menstoodforward，andhavingsaluted，onebyoneaskedthisthingorthat。Thekingheardtheirrequests，andashenoddedorturnedhisheadaway，sotheyweregrantedorrefused。
Whenallhaddone，thePrinceHafelacameforward，liftedhisspear，andcried：——
"Aboon，King！"
"Whatisit？"askedhisfather，eyeinghimcuriously。
"Asmallmatter，King，"hereplied。"AwhileagoInamedacertainwoman，Noma，thewardofHokosathewizard，andshewassealedtometofilltheplaceofmyfirstwife，thequeenthatistobe。ShepassedintotheHouseoftheRoyalWomen，and，byyourcommand，King，itwasfixedthatIshouldmarryheraccordingtoourcustomsto—morrow，afterthefeastofthefirst—fruitsisended。King，myheartischangedtowardsthatwoman;Inolongerdesiretotakehertowife，andIpraythatyouwillorderthatsheshallnowbehandedbacktoHokosaherguardian。"
"Youblowhotandcoldwiththesamemouth，Hafela，"saidUmsuka，"andinloveorwarIdonotlikesuchmen。Whathaveyoutosaytothisdemand，Hokosa？"
NowHokosasteppedforwardfromwherehestoodattheheadofthecompanyofwizards。Hisdress，likethatofhiscompanions，wassimple，butinitswaystriking。Onhisshouldersheworeacloakofshiningsnakeskin;abouthisloinswasashortkiltofthesamematerial;androundhisforehead，armsandkneeswerefilletsofsnakeskin。Athissidehunghispouchofmedicines，andinhishandheheldnospear，butawandofivory，whereofthetopwasroughlycarvedsoastoresembletheheadofacobrareareduptostrike。
"King，"hesaid，"Ihaveheardthewordsoftheprince，andIdonotthinkthatthisinsultshouldhavebeenputupontheLadyNoma，myward，oruponme，herguardian。Still，letitbe，forIwouldnotthatoneshouldpassfromundertheshadowofmyhousewhithersheisnotwelcome。Withoutmyleavetheprincenamedthiswomanashisqueen，ashehadtherighttodo;andwithoutmyleaveheunnamesher，ashehastherighttodo。Weretheprinceacommonman，accordingtocustomheshouldpayafineofcattletobeheldbymeintrustforherwhomhediscards;butthisisamatterthatIleavetoyou，King。"
"Youdowell，Hokosa，"answeredUmsuka，"toleavethistome。Prince，youwouldnotwishthefinethatyoushouldpaytobethatofanycommonman。Withthegirlshallbehandedovertwohundredheadofcattle。More，Iwilldojustice：unlesssheherselfconsents，sheshallnotbeputaway。LettheLadyNomabesummoned。"
NowthefaceofHafelagrewsullen，andwatching，OwensawaswiftchangepassoverthatofHokosa。Evidentlyhewasnotcertainofthewoman。Presentlytherewasastir，andfromthegatesoftheroyalhousetheLadyNomaappeared，attendedbywomen，andstoodbeforetheking。Shewasatallandlovelygirl，andthesunlightflasheduponherbronze—huedbreastandherornamentsofivory。Herblackhairwasfastenedinaknotuponherneck，herfeatureswerefineandsmall，hergaitwasdelicateandsureasthatofanantelope，andhereyeswerebeautifulandfullofpride。Thereshestoodbeforetheking，lookingroundherlikeastag。Seeingherthus，Owenunderstoodhowitcameaboutthatsheheldtwomensostrangelydifferentinthehollowofherhand，forhercharmwasofanaturetoappealtobothofthem——
acharmofthespiritaswellasoftheflesh。Andyetthefacewashaughty，afacethatuponoccasionmightevenbecomecruel。
"YousentformeandIamhere，OKing，"shesaid，inaslowandquietvoice。
"Listen，girl，"answeredtheking。"AwhileagothePrinceHafela，myson，namedyouasherwhoshouldbehisqueen，whereonyouweretakenandplacedintheHouseoftheRoyalWomen，toabidethedayofyourmarriage，whichshouldbeto—morrow。"
"Itistruethattheprincehashonouredmethus，andthatyouhavebeenpleasedtoapproveofhischoice，"shesaid，liftinghereyebrows。"Whatofit，OKing？"
"This，girl：theprincewhowaspleasedtohonouryouisnowpleasedtodishonouryou。Here，inthepresenceofthecouncilandarmy，hepraysofmetoannulhissealingtoyou，andtosendyoubacktothehouseofyourguardian，Hokosathewizard。"
Nomastarted，andherfacegrewhard。
"Isitso？"shesaid。"ThenitwouldseemthatIhavelostfavourintheeyesofmylordtheprince，orthatsomefairerwomanhasfoundit。"
"OfthesemattersIknownothing，"repliedtheking;"butthisIknow，thatifyouseekjusticeyoushallhaveit。Saybuttheword，andhetowhomyouwerepromisedinmarriageshalltakeyouinmarriage，whetherhewillsorwillsitnot。"
Atthisspeech，thefaceofHafelawassuddenlylitupaswiththefireofhope，whileoverthatofHokosatherepassedanothersubtlechange。Thegirlglancedatthembothandwassilentforawhile。Herbreastheavedandherwhiteteethbituponherlip。ToOwen，whonotedall，itwasclearthatrivalpassionswerestrugglinginherheart：
thepassionofpowerandthepassionoflove，orofsomeemotionwhichhedidnotunderstand。Hokosafixedhiscalmeyesuponherwithastrangeintensityofgaze，andwhilehegazedhisformquiveredwithasuppressedexcitement，muchasasnakequiversthatisabouttostrikeitsprey。Tothecarelesseyetherewasnothingremarkableabouthislookandattitude;totheobserveritwasevidentthatbothwerefullofextraordinarypurpose。Hewastalkingtothegirl，notwithwords，butinsomesecretlanguagethatheandsheunderstoodalone。Shestartedasonestartswhocatchesthetoneofawell—rememberedvoiceinacrowdofstrangers，andliftinghereyesfromtheground，whithershehadturnedtheminmeditation，shelookedupatHokosa。
Instantlyherfacebegantochange。Thehaughtinessandangerwentoutofit，itgrewtroubled，thelipspartedinasigh。Firstshebentherheadandbodytowardshim，thenwithoutmoreadoshewalkedtowherehestoodandtookhimbythehand。Here，atsomewhisperedwordorsign，sheseemedtorecoverherself，andagainresumingthecharacterofaproudoffendedbeauty，shecurtseyedtoUmsuka，andspoke：——
"OKing，asyousee，Ihavemademychoice。Iwillnotforcemyselfuponamanwhoscornsme，no，noteventosharehisplaceandpower，thoughitistruethatIlovethemboth。Nay，IwillreturntoHokosamyguardian，andtohiswife，Zinti，whohasbeenasmymother，andwiththembeatpeace。"
"Itiswell，"saidtheking，"andperhaps，girl，yourchoiceiswise;
perhapsyourlossisnotsogreatasyouhavethought。Hafela，takeyouthehandofHokosaandreleasethegirlbacktohimaccordingtothelaw，promisingintheearsofmenbeforethefirstmonthofwintertopayhimtwohundredheadofcattleasforfeit，tobeheldbyhimintrustforthegirl。"
Inasullenvoice，hislipstremblingwithrage，Hafeladidasthekingcommanded;andwhenthehandsoftheconspiratorsunclasped，Owenperceivedthatinthatoftheprincelayatinypacket。
"Mixmethecupofthefirst—fruits，andswiftly，"saidthekingagain，"forthesungrowslowintheheavens，andereitsinksIhavewordstosay。"
NowapolishedgourdfilledwithnativebeerwashandedtoNodwengo，thesecondsonoftheking，andonebyonethegreatcouncillorsapproached，and，withappropriatewords，letfallintoitofferingsemblematicoffertilityandincrease。Thefirstcastinagrainofcorn;thesecond，abladeofgrass;thethird，ashavingfromanox’shorn;thefourth，adropofwater;thefifth，awoman’shair;thesixth，aparticleofearth;andsoon，untileveryingredientwasaddedtoitthatwasnecessarytothemagicbrew。
ThenHokosa，aschiefofthemedicinemen，blessedthecupaccordingtotheancientforms，prayingthathewhosebodywastheheavens，whoseeyeswerelightning，andwhosevoicewasthunder，thespiritwhomtheyworshipped，mightincreaseandmultiplytothemduringthecomingyearallthosefruitsandelementsthatwerepresentinthecup，andthateveryvirtuewhichtheycontainedmightcomfortthebodyoftheking。
Hisprayerfinished，itwastheturnofHafelatoplayhispartastheeldestbornoftheking。Kneelingoverthecupwhichstoodupontheground，aspearwashandedtohimthathadbeenmaderedhotinthefire。Takingthespear，hestabbedwithittowardsthefourquartersofthehorizon;then，mutteringsomeinvocation，heplungeditintothebowl，stirringitscontentstilltheirongrewblack。Nowhethrewasidethespear，andliftingthebowlinbothhands，hecarriedittohisfatherandofferedittohim。
Althoughhehadbeenunabletoseehimdropthepoisonintothecup，aglanceatHafelatoldOwenthatitwasthere;forthoughhekepthisfaceundercontrol，hecouldnotpreventhishandsfromtwitchingorthesweatfromstartinguponhisbrowandbreast。
Thekingrose，andtakingthebowl，helditonhigh，saying：——
"Inthiscup，whichIdrinkonbehalfofthenation，Ipledgeyou，mypeople。"
Itwasthesignalfortheroyalsalute，forwhicheachregimenthadbeenprepared。Asthelastwordlefttheking’slips，everyoneofthethirtythousandmenpresentinthatgreatplacebegantorattlehiskerryagainstthesurfaceofhisox—hideshield。Atfirstthesoundproducedresembledthatofthemurmurofthesea;butbyslowandjustdegreesitgrewlouderandeverlouder，tilltheroarofitwaslikethedeepestvoiceofthunder，asoundawe—inspiring，terrible。
Suddenly，whenitsvolumewasmost，fourspearswerethrownintotheair，andatthissignaleverymanceasedtobeatuponhisshield。Intheplaceitselftherewassilence，butfromthemountainsaroundtheechoesstillcrashedandvolleyed。Whenthelastofthemhaddiedaway，thekingbroughtthecuptothelevelofhislips。Owensaw，andknowingitscontents，wasalmostmovedtocryoutinwarning。Indeed，hisarmwasliftedandhismouthwasopen，whenbychancehenotedHokosawatchinghim，andremembered。Toactnowwouldbemadness，histimehadnotyetcome。
Thecuptouchedtheking’slips，andatthesignfromeverythroatinthatcountlessmultitudesprangtheword"/King！/"andeveryfootstampedupontheground，shakingthesolidearth。Thricethemonarchdrank，andthricethistremendoussalute，thesaluteofthewholenationtoitsruler，wasrepeated，eachtimemoreloudlythanthelast。Thenpouringtherestoftheliquorontheground，Umsukasetasidethecup，andinthemidstofasilencethatseemeddeepafterthecrashofthegreatsalute，hebegantoaddressthemultitude：——
"Hearken，CouncillorsandCaptains，andyou，mypeople，hearken。Asyouknow，Ihavetwosons，calvesoftheBlackBull，princesoftheland——mysonHafela，theeldestborn，andmysonNodwengo，hishalf—
brother————"
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