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————\"