Theeffectwasalmostinstantaneous。Achangecameoverthegirl’slovelyface，thelastawfulchangeofdeath。Hercheeksfellin，herchindropped，hereyesopened，andherfleshquiveredconvulsively。
Thewizardsawitallbythebrightmoonlight。Thenhetookuphispartinthisunholydrama。
Allthathedidcannotbedescribed，becauseitisindescribable。TheWitchofEndorrepeatednoformula，butsheraisedthedead;andsodidHokosathewizard。Butheburiedhisfaceinthegreydustofthegrave，heblewwithhislipsintothedust，heclutchedatthedustwithhishands，andwhenheraisedhisfaceagain，lo！itwasgreylikethedust。Nowbeganthemarvel;for，thoughthewomanbeforehimremainedacorpse，fromthelipsofthatcorpseavoiceissued，anditssoundwashorrible，fortheaccentandtoneofitweremasculine，andtheinstrumentthroughwhichitspoke——Noma’sthroat——wasfeminine。YetitcouldberecognisedasthevoiceofUmsukathedeadking。
\"Whyhaveyousummonedmefrommyrest，Hokosa？\"mutteredthevoicefromthelipsofthehuddledcorpse。
\"BecauseIwouldlearnthefuture，Spiritoftheking，\"answeredthewizardboldly，butsalutingashespoke。\"Youaredead，andtoyoursightalltheGatesareopened。BythepowerthatIhave，Icommandyoutoshowmewhatyouseethereinconcerningmyself，andtopointouttomethepaththatIshouldfollowtoattainmyendsandtheendsofherinwhosebreastyoudwell。\"
Atoncetheanswercame，alwaysinthesamehorriblevoice：——
\"Hearkentoyourfateforthisworld，Hokosathewizard。Youshalltriumphoveryourrival，thewhiteman，themessenger;andbyyourhandheshallperish，passingtohisappointedplacewhereyoumustmeetagain。Bythattowhichyouclingyoushallbebetrayed，ah！youshalllosethatwhichyouloveandfollowafterthatwhichyoudonotdesire。Inthegraveoferroryoushallfindtruth，fromthedeepsofsinyoushallpluckrighteousness。Whenthesewordsfalluponyourearsagain，then，Wizard，takethemforasignandletyourheartbeturned。Thatwhichyoudeemaccursedshallliftyouuponhigh。Highshallyoubesetabovethenationanditsking，andfromagetoagethevoiceofthepeopleshallpraiseyou。Yetintheendcomesjudgment;andthereshallthesinandtheatonementstrivetogether，andinthathour，Wizard，youshall————\"
Thusthevoicespoke，stronglyatfirst，butgrowingevermorefeebleasthesparksoflifedepartedfromthebodyofthewoman，tillatlengthitceasedaltogether。
\"Whatshallchancetomeinthathour？\"Hokosaaskedeagerly，placinghisearsagainstNoma’slips。
Noanswercame;andthewizardknewthatifhewoulddraghiswifebackfromthedoorofdeathhemustdelaynolonger。Dashingthesweatfromhiseyeswithonehand，withtheotherheseizedthegourdoffluidthathehadplacedready，andthrustingbackherhead，hepouredofitscontentsdownherthroatandwaitedawhile。Shedidnotmove。
Inanextremityofterrorhesnatchedaknife，andwithasinglecutseveredaveininherarm，thentakingsomeofthefluidthatremainedinthegourdinhishand，herubbeditroughlyuponherbrowandthroatandheart。NowNoma’sfingersstirred，andnow，withhorriblecontortionsandeverysymptomofagony，lifereturnedtoher。Thebloodflowedfromherwoundedarm，slowlyatfirst，thenmorefast，andliftingherheadshespoke。
\"Takemehence，\"shecried，\"orIshallgomad;forIhaveseenandheardthingstooterribletobespoken！\"
\"Whathaveyouseenandheard？\"heasked，whilehecutthethongswhichboundherwristsandfeet。
\"Idonotknow，\"Nomaansweredweeping;\"thevisionofthempassesfromme;butallthedistancesofdeathwereopentomysight;yes，I
travelledthroughthedistancesofdeath。InthemImethimwhowastheking，andhelaycoldwithinme，speakingtomyheart;andashepassedfrommehelookeduponthechildwhichIshallbearandcursedit，andsurelyaccurseditshallbe。Takemehence，Oyoumostevilman，forofyourmagicIhavehadenough，andfromthisdayforthIamhaunted！\"
\"Havenofear，\"answeredHokosa;\"youhavemadethejourneywhencebutfewreturn;andyet，asIpromisedyou，youhavereturnedtowearthegreatnessyoudesireandthatIsentyouforthtowin;forhenceforthweshallbegreat。Look，thedawnisbreaking——thedawnoflifeandthedawnofpower——andthemistsofdeathandofdisgracerollbackbeforeus。Nowthepathisclear，thedeadhaveshownittome，andofwizardryIshallneednomore。\"
\"Ay！\"answeredNoma，\"butnightfollowsdawnasthedawnfollowsnight;andthroughthedarknessandthedaylight，Itellyou，Wizard，henceforthIamhaunted！Also，benotsosure，forthoughIknownotwhatthedeadhavespokentoyou，yetitlingersonmymindthattheirwordshavemanymeanings。Nay，speaktomenomore，butletusflyfromthisdreadhomeofghosts，thishabitationofthespirit—folkwhichwehaveviolated。\"
Sothewizardandhiswifecreptfromthatsolemnplace，andastheywenttheysawthedawn—beamslightinguponthewhitecrossthatwasrearedinthePlainofFire。
CHAPTERXII
THEMESSAGEOFHOKOSA
Theweekspassedby，andHokosasatinhiskraalweavingagreatplot。
Nonesuspectedhimanymore，forthoughhedidnotbelongtoit，hewasheardtospeakwellofthenewfaith，andtoacknowledgethatthegodoffirewhichhehadworshippedwasafalsegod。Hewashumblealsotowardstheking，buthecravedtowithdrawhimselffromallmattersoftheState，sayingthatnowhehadbutonedesire——totendhisherdsandgarden，andtogrowoldinpeacewiththenewwifewhomhehadchosenandwhomheloved。Owen，too，hegreetedcourteouslywhenhemethim，sendinghimgiftsofcornandcattlefortheserviceofhischurch。Moreover，whenamessengercamefromHafela，makingproposalstohim，hedrovehimawayandlaidthematterbeforethecounciloftheking。Yetthatmessenger，whowashuntedfromthekraal，tookbackasecretwordforHafela’sear。
\"Itisnotalwayswinter，\"wastheword，\"anditmaychancethatinthespringtimeyoushallhearfromme。\"Andagain，\"SaytothePrinceHafela，thatthoughmyfacetowardshimislikeastorm，yetbehindthecloudsthesunshinesever。\"
AtlengththerecameadaywhenNoma，hiswife，wasbroughttobed。
Hokosa，herhusband，tendedheralone，andwhenthechildwasbornhegroanedaloudandwouldnotsufferhertolookuponitsface。Yet，liftingherself，shesaw。
\"DidInottellyouitwasaccursed？\"shewailed。\"Takeitaway！\"andshesankbackinaswoon。Sohetookthechild，andburieditdeepinthecattle—yardbynight。
AfterthisitcameaboutthatNoma，who，thoughhermindownedtheswayofhis，hadneverlovedhimovermuch，hatedherhusbandHokosa。
Yethehadthispoweroverherthatshecouldnotleavehim。Buthelovedhermoreandmore，andshehadthispoweroverhimthatshecouldalwaysdrawhimtoher。Greatasherbeautyhadeverbeen，afterthebirthofthechilditgrewgreaterdaybyday，butitwasanevilbeauty，thebeautyofawitch;andthisfatefelluponher，thatshefearedthedarkandwouldneverbealoneafterthesunhadset。
Whenshewasrecoveredfromherillness，Nomasatonenightinherhut，andHokosasattherealsowatchingher。Theeveningwaswarm，butabrightfireburnedinthehut，andshecroucheduponastoolbythefire，glancingcontinuallyoverhershoulder。
\"Whydoyoubidebythefire，seeingthatitissohot，Noma？\"heasked。
\"BecauseIfeartobeawayfromthelight，\"sheanswered;adding，\"Oh，accursedman！foryourownendsyouhavecausedmetobebewitched，ah！andthatwhichwasbornofmealso，andbewitchedIambythoseshadowsthatyoubademeseek，whichnowwillneverleaveme。Nor，isthisall。YousworetomethatifIwoulddoyourwillIshouldbecomegreat，ay！andyoutookmefromonewhowouldhavemademegreatandwhomIshouldhavepushedontovictory。ButnowitseemsthatfornothingImadethatawfulvoyageintothedeepsofdeath;andfornothing，yetliving，amIbecomethesportofthosethatdwellthere。
HowamIgreaterthanIwas——Iwhoambutthesecondwifeofafallenwitch—doctor，whositsinthesun，daybyday，whileagegathersonhisheadlikefrostuponabush？Whereareallyourhighschemesnow？
WhereisthefruitofwisdomthatIgatheredforyou？Answer，Wizard，whomIhavelearnedtohate，butfromwhomIcannotescape！\"
\"Truly，\"saidHokosainabittervoice，\"forallmysinsagainstthemtheheavenshavelaidaheavyfateuponmyhead，thatthuswithfleshandspiritIshouldworshipawomanwholoathesme。Onecomfortonlyislefttome，thatyoudarenottakemylifelestanothershouldbeaddedtothoseshadowswhocompanionyou，andwhatIbidyou，thatyoumuststilldo。Ay，youfearthedark，Noma;yetdidIcommandyoutoriseandgostandalonethroughthelongnightyonderintheburying—
placeofkings，why，youmustobey。Come，Icommandyou——go！\"
\"Nay，nay！\"shewailedinanextremityofterror。Yetsheroseandwenttowardsthedoorsideways，forherhandswereoutstretchedinsupplicationtohim。
\"Comeback，\"hesaid，\"andlisten：Ifahunterhasnurturedupafiercedog，wherewithalonehecangainhislivelihood，hetriestotamethatdogbylove，doeshenot？Andifitwillnotbecomegentle，then，thebrutebeingnecessarytohim，hetamesitbyfear。Iamthehunterand，Noma，youarethehound;andsincethiscurseisonmethatIcannotlivewithoutyou，whyImustmasteryouasbestImay。
Yet，believeme，Iwouldnotcauseyoufearorpain，anditsaddensmethatyoushouldbehauntedbythesesickfancies，fortheyarenothingmore。Ihaveseensuchcasesbeforeto—day，andIhavenotedthattheycanbecuredbymixingwithfreshfacesandtravellinginnewcountries。Noma，Ithinkitwouldbewellthat，afteryourlatesickness，accordingtothecustomofthewomenofourpeople，youshouldpartfrommeawhile，andgouponajourneyofpurification。\"
\"WhithershallIgoandwhowillgowithme？\"sheaskedsullenly。
\"Iwillfindyoucompanions，womendiscreetandskilled。Andastowhereyoushallgo，Iwilltellyou。YoushallgouponanembassytothePrinceHafela。\"
\"AreyounotafraidthatIshouldstopthere？\"sheaskedagain，withaflashofhereyes。\"ItistruethatIneverlearnedallthestory，yetIthoughtthattheprincewasnotsogladtohandmebacktoyouasyouwouldhavehadmetobelieve。Thepriceyoupaidformemusthavebeengood，Hokosa，andmayhapithadtodowiththedeathofaking。\"
\"Iamnotafraid，\"heanswered，settinghisteeth，\"becauseIknowthatwhateveryourheartmaydesire，mywillfollowsyou，andwhileI
livethatisacordyoucannotbreakunlessIchoosetolooseit，Noma。Icommandyoutobefaithfultomeandtoreturntome，andthesecommandsyoumustobey。Hearken：youtauntedmejustnow，sayingthatIsatlikeadotardinthesunandadvancedyounothing。Well，I
willadvanceyou，forbothoursakes，butmostlyforyourown，sinceyoudesireit，anditmustbedonethroughthePrinceHafela。Icannotleavethiskraal，fordayandnightIamwatched，andbeforeIhadgoneanhour’sjourneyIshouldbeseized;alsohereIhaveworktodo。ButthePlaceofPurificationissecret，andwhenyoureachityouneednotbidethere，youcantravelonintothemountainstillyoucometothetownofthePrinceHafela。Hewillreceiveyougladly，andyoushallwhisperthismessageinhisear：——
\"’ThesearethewordsofHokosa，myhusband，whichhehassetinmymouthtodelivertoyou，OPrince。Beguidedbythemandgrowgreat;
rejectthemanddieawanderer，alittlemanofnoaccount。Butfirst，thisisthepricethatyoushallswearbythesacredoathtopaytoHokosa，ifhiswisdomfindsfavourinyoursightandthroughityoucometovictory：Thatafteryou，theking，he，Hokosa，shallbethefirstmaninourland，thegeneralofthearmies，thecaptainofthecouncil，theheadofthedoctors，andthattohimshallbegivenhalfthecattleofNodwengo，whonowisking。Alsotohimshallbegivenpowertostampoutthenewfaithwhichoverrunsthelandlikeaforeignweed，andtodealashethinksfitwiththosewhoclingthereto。’
\"Now，Noma，whenhehasswornthisoathinyourear，callingdownruinuponhisownhead，shouldhebreakonewordofit，andnotbefore，youshallcontinuethemessagethus：’ThesearetheotherwordsthatHokosasetinmymouth：\"Know，OPrince，thattheking，yourbrother，growsverystrong，forheisagreatsoldier，wholearnedhisartinbygonewars;alsothewhitemanthatisnamedMessengerhastaughthimmanythingsastothebuildingoffortsandwallsandthedrillinganddisciplineofmen。Sostrongishethatyoucanscarcelyhopetoconquerhiminopenwar——yetsnakesmaycrawlwheremencannotwalk。
Therefore，Prince，letyourpartbethatofasnake。Doyousendanembassytotheking，yourbrotherandsaytohim：——
\"’Mybrother，youhavebeenpreferredbeforemeandsetuptobekinginmyplace，andbecauseofthismyheartisbitter，sobitterthatI
havegatheredmystrengthtomakewaruponyou。Yet，atthelast，I
havetakenanothercouncil，bethinkingmethat，ifwefight，intheenditmaychancethatneitherofuswillbeleftalivetorule，andthatthepeoplealsowillbebroughttonothing。Tothenorththereliesagoodcountryandawide，wherebutfewmenlive，andthitherI
wouldgo，settingthemountainsandtheriverbetweenus;forthere，farbeyondyourborders，Ialsocanbeaking。Now，toreachthiscountry，ImusttravelbythepassthatisnotfarfromyourGreatPlace，andIprayyouthatyouwillnotattackmy/impis/orthewomenandchildrenthatIshallsend，andaguardbeforethem，toawaitmeintheplainbeyondthemountains，seeingthatthesecanonlyjourneyslowly。Letuspassbyinpeace，mybrother，forsoshallourquarrelbeended;butifyoudosomuchasliftasinglespearagainstme，thenIwillgiveyoubattle，settingmyfortuneagainstyourfortuneandmygodagainstyourGod！’
\"Sucharethewordsthattheembassyshalldeliverintotheearsoftheking，Nodwengo，anditshallcomeaboutthatwhenhehearsthem，Nodwengo，whoseheartisgentleandwhoseeksnotwar，shallanswersoftly，saying：——
\"’Goinpeace，mybrother，andliveinpeaceinthatlandwhichyouwouldwin。’
\"Thenshallyou，Hafela，sendonthemostofyourcattleandthewomenandthechildrenthroughthatpassinthemountains，biddingthemtoawaityouintheplain，andafterawhileyoushallfollowthemwithyour/impis/。Buttheseshallnottravelinwararray，forcarriersmustbeartheirfightingshieldsinbundlesandtheirstabbingspearsshallberolledupinmats。Now，onthesixthdayofyourjourneyyoushallcampatthemouthofthepasswhichthecattleandthewomenhavealreadytravelled，andhisoutpostsandspieswillbringittotheearsofthekingthatyourforceissleepingthere，purposingtoclimbthepassonthemorrow。
\"Butonthatnight，sosoonasthedarknessfalls，youmustriseupwithyourcaptainsandyourregiments，leavingyourfiresburningandmenaboutyourfires，andshalltravelveryswiftlyacrossthevalley，sothatanhourbeforethedawnyoureachthesecondrangeofmountains，andpassitbythegorgewhichistheburying—placeofkings。Hereyoushalllightafire，whichthosewhowatchwillbelievetobebutthefireofaherdsmanwhoisacold。ButI，Hokosa，alsoshallbewatching，andwhenIseethatfireIwillcreep，withsomewhomIcantrust，tothelittlenortherngateoftheouterwall，andwewillspearthosethatguarditandopenthegate，thatyourarmymaypassthrough。Then，beforetheregimentscanstandtotheirarmsorthosewithinitareawakened，youmuststormtheinnerwallsandbythelightoftheburninghuts，putthedwellersintheGreatPlacetothespear，andtheraysoftherisingsunshallcrownyouking。
\"Followthiscounselofmine，OPrinceHafela，andallwillgowellwithyou。Neglectitandbelost。Thereisbutonethingwhichyouneedfear——itisthemagicoftheMessenger，towhomitisgiventoreadthesecretthoughtsofmen。Butofhimtakenoaccount，forheismycharge，andbeforeeveryousetafootwithintheGreatPlaceheshallhavetakenhisanswerbacktoHimWhosenthim。\"
Hokosafinishedspeaking。
\"Haveyouheard？\"hesaidtoNoma。
\"Ihaveheard。\"
\"Thenspeakthemessage。\"
Sherepeateditwordforword，makingnofault。\"Havenofear，\"sheadded，\"IshallforgetnothingwhenIstandbeforetheprince。\"
\"Youareawoman，butyourcounselisgood。Whatthinkyouoftheplan，Noma？\"
\"Itisdeepandwelllaid，\"sheanswered，\"andsurelyitwouldsucceedwereitnotforonething。Thewhiteman，Messenger，willbetoocleverforyou，forasyousay，heisareaderofthethoughtsofmen。\"
\"Canthedeadreadmen’sthoughts，oriftheycan，dotheycrythemonthemarket—placeorintotheearsofkings？\"askedHokosa。\"HaveInottoldyouthat，beforeIseethesignal—fireyonder，theMessengershallsleepsound？Ihaveamedicine，Noma，aslowmedicinethatnonecantrace。\"
\"TheMessengermaysleepsound，Hokosa，andyetperchancehemaypassonhismessagetoanotherand，withit，hismagic。Whocansay？Still，husband，strikeonforpowerandgreatnessandrevenge，lettingtheblowfallwhereitwill。\"
CHAPTERXIII
THEBASKETOFFRUIT
ThreedayslateritwasannouncedthataccordingtothecustomofthewomenofthePeopleofFire，Nomahavinggivenbirthtoastill—bornchild，wasabouttostartuponajourneytotheMountofPurification。
Hereshewouldabideawhileandmakesacrificetothespiritsofherancestors，thattheymightceasetobeangrywithherandinfutureprotectherfromsuchmisfortunes。Thisnotunusualdomesticincidentexcitedlittlecomment，althoughitwasremarkedthatthefourmatronsbywhomshewastobeaccompanied，inaccordancewiththetribaletiquette，wereallofthemthewivesofsoldierswhohaddesertedtoHafela。Indeed，thekinghimselfnoticedasmuchwhenHokosamadethecustomaryformalapplicationtohimtosanctiontheexpedition。
\"Sobeit，\"hesaid，\"thoughmyselfIhavelostfaithinsuchrites。
Also，Hokosa，Ithinkitlikelythatalthoughyourwifegoesoutwithcompany，shewillreturnalone。\"
\"Why，King？\"askedHokosa。
\"Forthisreason——thatthosewhotravelwithherhavehusbandsyonderatthetownofthePrinceHafela，andtheMountofPurificationisontheroadthither。Havinggonesofar，theymaygofarther。Well，letthemgo，forIdesiretohavenoneamongmypeoplewhoseheartsturnotherwhere，anditwouldnotbewonderfuliftheyshouldchoosetoseektheirlords。Butperchance，Hokosa，therearesomeinthistownwhomayusethemasmessengerstotheprince\"——andhelookedathimkeenly。
\"Ithinknot，King，\"saidHokosa。\"Nonebutafoolwouldmakeuseofwomentocarrysecretwordsortidings。Theirtonguesaretoolongandtheirmemoriestoobad，ortoouncertain。\"
\"YetIhaveheard，Hokosa，thatyouhavemadeuseofwomeninmanyastrangework。Saynow，whatwereyoudoinguponanightawhileagowiththatfairwitch—wifeifyoursyonderintheburying—placeofkings，whereitisnotlawfulthatyoushouldsetyourfoot？Nay，denyitnot。Youwereseentoenterthevalleyaftermidnightandtoreturnthenceatthedawn，anditwasseenalsothatasshecamehomewardsyourwifewalkedasonewhoisdrunken，andshe，whomitisnoteasytofrighten，woreafaceoffear。Man，Idonottrustyou，andwereI
wiseIshouldhuntyouhence，orkeepyousoclosethatyoucouldscarcelymovewithoutmyknowledge。
\"WhyshouldItrustyou？\"Nodwengowentonvehemently。\"Canawizardceasefromwizardry，oraplotterfromhisplots？No，notuntilthewatersrunupwardandthesunshinesatnight;notuntilrepentancetouchesyouandyourheartischanged，whichIshouldholdasmuchamarvel。Youweremyfather’sfriendandhemadeyougreat;yetyoucouldplanwithmybrothertopoisonhim，yourking。Nay，besilent;I
knowit，thoughIhavesaidnothingofitbecauseonethatisdeartomehasintercededforyou。Youwerethepriestofthefalsegod，andwiththatgodarefallenfromyourplace，yetyouhavenotrenouncedhim。Yousitstillinyourkraalandpretendtobeasleep，butyourslumberisthatoftheserpentwhichwatcheshistimetostrike。HowdoIknowthatyouwillnotpoisonmeasyouwouldhavepoisonedmyfather，orstiruprebellionagainstme，orbringmybrother’s/impis/
onmyhead？\"
\"IftheKingthinksanyofthesethingsofhisservant，\"answeredHokosainahumblevoice，butwithdignity，\"hispathisplain：lethimputmetodeathandsleepinpeace。WhoamIthatIshouldfulltheearsofakingwithmydefenceagainstthesecharges，ordaretowranglewithhim？\"
\"LongagoIshouldhaveputyoutodeath，Hokosa，\"answeredNodwengosternly，\"haditnotbeenthatonehaspleadedforyou，declaringthatinyouthereisgoodwhichwillovercometheevil，andthatyouwhonowareanaxetocutdownmythrone，intimetocomeshallbearoof—
treeforitssupport。Also，thelawthatIobeydoesnotallowmetotakethebloodofmensaveuponfullproof，andagainstyouasyetI
havenoproof。Still，Hokosa，bewarnedintimeandletyourheartbeturnedbeforethegraveclaimsyourbodyandtheWickedOneyoursoul。\"
\"Ithankyou，King，foryourgentlewordsandyourtendercareformywell—beingbothonearthandafterIshallleaveit。ButItellyou，King，thatIhadratherdieasyourfatherwouldhavekilledmeintheolddays，oryourbrotherwouldkillmenow，dideitherofthemhateorfearme，thanliveoninsafety，owingmylifetoanewlawandanewmercythatdonotbefitthegreatonesoftheworld。King，Iamyourservant，\"andgivinghimtheroyalsalute，Hokosaroseandlefthispresence。
\"Attheleasttheregoesaman，\"saidNodwengo，ashewatchedhimdepart。
\"Ofwhomdoyouspeak，King？\"askedOwen，whoatthatmomententeredtheroyalhouse。
\"Ofhimwhomyoumusthavetouchedinthedoor—way，Messenger，Hokosathewizard，\"answeredtheking，andhetoldhimofwhathadpassedbetweenthem。\"Isaid，\"headded，\"thathewasaman，andsoheis;
yetIholdthatIhavedonewrongtolistentoyourpleadingandtosparehim，forIamcertainthathewillbringbloodsheduponmeandtroubleontheFaith。Thinknow，Messenger，howfullmustbethatman’sheartofsecretrageandhatred，hewhowassogreatandisnowsolittle！Willhenotcertainlystrivetogrowgreatagain？Willhenotstrivetobeavengeduponthosewhohumbledhimandthereligiontheyhavechosen？\"
\"Itmaybe，\"answeredOwen，\"butifso，hewillnotconquer。Itellyou，King，thatlikewaterhiddeninarockthereisgoodinthisman’sheart，andthatIshallyetfindarodwherewithtocauseittogushoutandrefreshthedesert。\"
\"Itismorelikelythathewillfindaspearwherewithtocauseyourbloodtogushoutandrefreshthejackals，\"answeredthekinggrimly;
\"butbeitasyouwill。Andnow，whatofyourbusiness？\"
\"This，King：John，myservant，hasreturnedfromthecoastcountries，andhebringsmealettersayingthatbeforelongthreewhiteteacherswillfollowhimtotakeuptheworkwhichIhavebegun。Ipraythatwhentheycome，formysakeandforthesakeofthetruththatIhavetaughtyou，youwilltreatthemkindlyandprotectthem，rememberingthatatfirsttheycanknowlittleofyourlanguageoryourcustoms。\"
\"Iwillindeed，\"saidtheking，withmuchconcern。\"Buttellme，Messenger，whydoyouspeakofyourselfasofonewhosoonwillbebutamemory？Doyoupurposetoleaveus？\"
\"No，King，butIbelievethaterelongIshallberecalled。Ihavegivenmymessage，mytaskiswell—nighendedandImustbeturninghome。SaveforyoursakesIdonotsorrowatthis，fortospeaktruthIgrowveryweary，\"andhesmiledsadly。
*****
Hokosawenthomealarmedandfullofbitterness，forhehadneverguessedthatthe\"servantoftheMessenger，\"ashecalledNodwengotheKing，knewsomuchabouthimandhisplans。Hisfallwashardtohim，buttobethusmeasuredup，weighed，andcontemptuouslyforgivenwasalmostmorethanhecouldbear。Itwasthewhiteprophetwhohaddonethisthing;hehadtoldNodwengoofhis，Hokosa’s，shareintheplottomurderthelateKingUmsuka，thoughhowhecametoknowofthatmatterwasbeyondguessing。Hehadwatchedhim，orcausedhimtobewatched，whenhewentforthtoconsultspiritsintheplaceofthedead;hehadwarnedNodwengoagainsthim。Worstofall，hehaddaredtotreathimwithcontempt;hadpleadedforhislifeandsafety，sothathewassparedasmenspareasnakefromwhichthecharmerhasdrawnthefangs。Whentheymetinthegateoftheking’shouseyonderthiswhitethief，whohadstolenhisplaceandpower，hadevensmileduponhimandgreetedhimkindly，anddoubtlesswhilehesmiled，byaidofthemagichepossessed，hadreadhimthroughandgoneontotellthestorytotheking。Well，ofthisthereshouldbeanend;hewouldkilltheMessenger，orhimselfbekilled。
WhenHokosareachedhiskraalhefoundNomasittingbeneathafruittreethatgrewinit，idlyemployedinstringingbeads，fortheworkofthehouseholdshelefttohisotherwife，Zinti，anoldandhomelywomanwhothoughtmoreofthebrewingofthebeerandtheboilingoftheporridgethanofreligionsorpoliticsorofthewillofkings。OflateNomahadhauntedtheshadowofthistree，forbeneathitlaythatchildwhichhadbeenborntoher。
\"Doesitpleasethekingtograntleaveformyjourney？\"sheasked，lookingup。
\"Yes，itpleaseshim。\"
\"Iamthankful，\"sheanswered，\"forIthinkthatifIbideheremuchlonger，withghostsandmemoriesforcompany，Ishallgomad，\"andsheglancedataspotnearby，wheretheearthshowedsignsofrecentdisturbance。
\"Hegivesleave，\"Hokosawenton，takingnonoticeofherspeech，\"buthesuspectsus。Listen————\"andhetoldherofthetalkthathadpassedbetweenhimselfandtheking。
\"Thewhitemanhasreadyouashereadsinhiswrittenbooks，\"sheanswered，withalittlelaugh。\"Well，Isaidthathewouldbetoocleverforyou，didInot？Itdoesnotmattertome，forto—morrowI
gouponmyjourney，andyoucansettleitasyouwill。\"
\"Ay！\"answeredHokosa，grindinghisteeth，\"itistruethathehasreadme;butthisIpromiseyou，thatallbooksshallsoonbeclosedtohim。Yethowisittobedonewithoutsuspicionordiscovery？I
knowmanypoisons，butallofthemmustbeadministered，andlethimworkneversocunningly，hewhogivesapoisoncanbetraced。\"
\"Thencausesomeothertogiveitandlethimbeartheblame，\"
suggestedNomalanguidly。
Hokosamadenoanswer，butwalkingtothegateofthekraal，whichwasopen，heleanedagainstitlostinthought。Ashestoodthushesawawomanadvancingtowardshim，whocarriedonherheadasmallbasketoffruit，andknewherforoneofthosewhosebusinessitwastowaitupontheMessengerinhishuts，orratherinhishouse，forbynowhehadbuilthimselfasmallhouse，andnearitachapel。ThiswomansawHokosaalsoandlookedathimsideways，asthoughshewouldliketostopandspeaktohim，butfearedtodoso。
\"Goodmorrowtoyou，friend，\"hesaid。\"Howgoesitwithyourhusbandandyourhouse？\"
NowHokosaknewwellthatthiswoman’shusbandhadtakenadisliketoheranddrivenherfromhishome，fillingherplacewithoneyoungerandmoreattractive。Atthequestionthewoman’slipsbegantotremble，andhereyesswamwithtears。
\"Ah！greatdoctor，\"shesaid，\"whydoyouaskmeofmyhusband？Haveyounotheardthathehasdrivenmeawayandthatanothertakesmyplace？\"
\"DoIhearallthegossipofthistown？\"askedHokosa，withasmile。
\"Butcomeinandtellmethestory;perchanceImaybeabletohelpyou，forIhavecharmstocompelthefancyofsuchfaithlessones。\"
Thewomanlookedround，andseeingthattherewasnooneinsight，sheslippedswiftlythroughthegateofthekraal，whichheclosedbehindher。
\"Noma，\"saidHokosa，\"hereisonewhotellsmethatherhusbandhasdesertedher，andwhocomestoseekmycounsel。Bringhermilktodrink。\"
\"Therearesomewiveswhowouldnotfindthatsogreatanevil，\"
repliedNomamockingly，assherosetodohisbidding。
Hokosawincedatthesarcasm，andturningtohisvisitor，said：——
\"Nowtellmeyourtale;butsayfirst，whyareyousofrightened？\"
\"Iamfrightened，master，\"sheanswered，\"lestanyshouldhaveseenmeenterhere，forIhavebecomeaChristian，andtheChristiansareforbiddentoconsultthewitch—doctors，aswewerewonttodo。Formycase，itis————\"
\"Noneedtosetitout，\"brokeinHokosa，wavinghishand。\"Iseeitwrittenonyourface;yourhusbandhasputyouawayandlovesanotherwoman，yourownhalf—sisterwhomyoubroughtupfromachild。\"
\"Ah！master，youhaveheardaright。\"
\"Ihavenotheard，IlookuponyouandIsee。Fool，amInotawizard？
Tellme————\"andtakingdustintohishand，heblewthegrainsthiswayandthat，regardingthemcuriously。\"Yes，itisso。Lastnightyoucrepttoyourhusband’shut——doyouremember，adoggrowledatyouasyoupassedthegate？——andthereinfrontofthehuthesatwithhisnewwife。Shesawyoucoming，butpretendingnottosee，shethrewherarmsabouthisneck，kissingandfondlinghimbeforeyoureyes，tillyoucouldbearitnolonger，andrevealedyourself，upbraidingthem。
Thenyourrivaltauntedyouandstirredupthemanwithbitterwords，tillatlengthhetookastickandbeatyoufromthedoor，andthereisamarkofituponyourshoulder。\"
\"Itistrue，itistootrue！\"shegroaned。
\"Yes，itistrue。Andnow，whatdoyouwishfromme？\"
\"Master，Iwishamedicinetomakemyhusbandhatemyrivalandtodrawhisheartbacktome。\"
\"Thatmustbeastrongmedicine，\"saidHokosa，\"whichwillturnamanfromonewhoisyoungandbeautifultoonewhoispastheryouthandugly。\"
\"IamasIam，\"answeredthepoorwoman，withatouchofnaturaldignity，\"butatleastIhavelovedhimandworkedforhimforfifteenlongyears。\"
\"Andthatiswhyhewouldnowberidofyou，forwhocumbershiskraalwitholdcattle？\"
\"Andyetattimestheyarethebest，Master。Wrinklesandsmoothskinseemstrangeupononepillow，\"sheadded，glancingatNoma，whocamefromthehutcarryingabowlofmilkinherhand。
\"Ifyouseekcounsel，\"saidHokosaquickly，\"whydoyounotgotothewhiteman，thatMessengerinwhomyoubelieve，andaskhimforapotiontoturnyourhusband’sheart？\"
\"Master，Ihavebeentohim，andheisverygoodtome，forwhenIwasdrivenouthegavemeworktodoandfood。Buthetoldmethathehadnomedicineforsuchcases，andthattheGreatManintheskyalonecouldsoftenthebreastofmyhusbandandcausemysistertoceasefromherwickedness。LastnightIwenttoseewhetherHewoulddoit，andyouknowwhatbefellmethere。\"
\"Thatbefellyouwhichbefallsallfoolswhoputtheirtrustinwordsalone。Whatwillyoupayme，woman，ifIgiveyouthemedicinewhichyouseek？\"
\"Alas，master，Iampoor。Ihavenothingtoofferyou，forwhenI
wouldnotstayinmyhusband’skraaltobeaservanttohisnewwife，hetookthecowandthefivegoatsthatbelongedtome，as，Ibeingchildless，accordingtoourancientlawhehadtherighttodo。\"
\"Youareboldwhocometoaskadoctortoministertoyou，bearingnofeeinyourhand，\"saidHokosa。\"Yet，becauseIhavepityonyou，I
willbecontentwithverylittle。Givemethatbasketoffruit，formywifehasbeensickandlovesitstaste。\"
\"Icannotdothat，Master，\"answeredthewoman，\"foritissentbymyhandasapresenttotheMessenger，andheknowsthisandwilleatofitafterhehasmadeprayerto—day。DidInotgiveittohim，itwouldbediscoveredthatIhadleftitherewithyou。\"
\"Thenbegonewithoutyourmedicine，\"saidHokosa，\"forIneedsuchfruit。\"
Thewomanroseandsaid，lookingathimwistfully：——
\"Master，ifyouwillbesatisfiedwithotherfruitsofthissamesort，IknowwhereIcangetthemforyou。\"
\"Whenwillyougetthem？\"
\"Now，withinanhour。AndtillIreturnIwillleavetheseinpledgewithyou;buttheseandnootherImustgivetotheMessenger，forhehasalreadyseenthemandmightdiscoverthedifference;alsoIhavepromisedsotodo。\"
\"Asyouwill，\"saidHokosa。\"Ifyouarewiththefruitwithinanhour，themedicinewillbereadyforyou，amedicinethatshallnotfail。\"
CHAPTERXIV
THEEATINGOFTHEFRUIT
Thewomanslippedawaysecretly。WhenshehadgoneHokosabadehiswifebringthebasketoffruitintothehut。
\"Itisbestthatthebutchershouldkilltheoxhimself，\"sheansweredmeaningly。
Hecarriedinthebasketandsetitonthefloor。
\"Whydoyouspeakthus，Noma？\"heasked。
\"BecauseIwillhavenohandinthematter，Hokosa。Ihavebeenthetoolofawizard，andwonlittlejoytherefrom。ThetoolofamurdererIwillnotbe！\"
\"IfIkill，itisforthesakeofbothofus，\"hesaidpassionately。
\"Itmaybeso，Hokosa，orforthesakeofthepeople，orforthesakeofHeavenabove——Idonotknowanddonotcare;butIsay，doyourownkilling，forIamsurethatevenlessluckwillhangtoitthanhangstoyourwitchcraft。\"
\"Ofallwomenyouarethemostperverse！\"hesaid，stampinghisfootupontheground。
\"Thusyoumaysayagainbeforeeverythingisdone，husband;butifitbeso，whydoyoulovemeandtiemetoyouwithyourwizardry？Cuttheknot，andletmegomywaywhileyougoyours。\"
\"Woman，Icannot;butstillIbidyoubeware，for，striveasyouwill，mypathmustbeyourpath。Moreover，tillIfreeyou，youcannotliftvoiceorhandagainstme。\"
Then，whileshewatchedhimcuriously，Hokosafetchedhismedicinesandtookfromthemsomepowderfineasdustandtwotinycrowquills。
Placingafruitbeforehim，heinsertedoneofthesequillsintoitssubstance，andfillingthesecondwiththepowder，heshookitscontentsintoitandwithdrewthetube。Thisprocessherepeatedfourtimesoneachofthefruits，replacingthemonebyoneinthebasket。
Sodeftlydidheworkuponthem，thathowevercloselytheywerescannednonecouldguessthattheyhadbeentamperedwith。
\"Willitkillatonce？\"askedNoma。
\"No，indeed;buthewhoeatsthesefruitswillbeseizedonthethirddaywithdysenteryandfever，andthesewillclingtohimtillwithinsevenweeks——orifheisverystrong，threemonths——hedies。Thisisthebestofpoisons，foritworksthroughnatureandcanbetracedbynone。\"
\"Except，perchance，bythatSpiritWhomthewhitemanworships，andWhoalsoworksthroughnature，asyoulearned，Hokosa，whenHerolledthelightningbackuponyourhead，shatteringyourgodandbeatingdownyourcompany。\"
Thenofasuddenterrorseizedthewizard，andspringingtohisfeet，hecursedhiswifetillshetrembledbeforehim。
\"Vilewoman，anddouble—faced！\"hesaid，\"whydoyoupushmeforwardwithonehandandwiththeotherdragmeback？Whydoyouwhisperevilcounselintooneearandintotheotherprophesyofmisfortunestocome？Haditnotbeenforyou，Ishouldhaveletthisbusinesslie;I
shouldhavetakenmyfateandbeencontent。Butdaybydayyouhavetauntedmewithmyfallandgrievedoverthegreatnessthatyouhavelost，tillatlengthyouhavedrivenmetothis。Whycannotyoubeallgoodorallwicked，orattheleast，throughrighteousnessandsin，faithfultomyinterestandyourown？\"
\"BecauseIhateyou，Hokosa，andyetcanstrikeyouonlythroughmytongueandyourmadloveforme。Iamfastinyourpower，butthusatleastIcanmakeyoufeelsomethingofmyownpain。Hark！Ihearthatwomanatthegate。Willyougiveherbackthebasket，orwillyounot？
Whateveryoumaychoosetodo，donotsayinafterdaysthatIurgedyoutothedeed。\"
\"Trulyyouaregreat—hearted！\"heanswered，withcoldcontempt;\"oneforwhomIdidwelltoenterintotreacheryandsin！Sobeit：havinggonesofaruponit，comewhatmay，Iwillnotturnbackfromthisjourney。Letinthatfool！\"
Presentlythewomanstoodbeforethem，bearingwithheranotherbasketoffruit。
\"Thesearewhatyouseek，Master，\"shesaid，\"thoughIwasforcedtowinthembytheft。Nowgivememyownandthemedicineandletmego。\"
Hegaveherthebasket，andwithit，wrappedinapieceofkidskin，someofthesamepowderwithwhichhehaddoctoredthefruits。
\"WhatshallIdowiththis？\"sheasked。
\"Youmustfindmeanstosprinkleituponyoursister’sfood，andthereafteryourhusbandshallcometohateeventhesightofher。\"
\"Butwillhecometolovemeagain？\"
Hokosashruggedhisshoulders。
\"Iknownot，\"heanswered;\"thatisforyoutoseeto。Yetthisissure，thatifatreegrowsupbeforethehouseofaman，shuttingitofffromthesunlight，whenthattreeiscutdownthesunshinesuponhishouseagain。\"
\"Itisnothingtothesunonwhatheshines，\"saidthewoman。
\"Ifthesayingdoesnotpleaseyou，thenforgetit。Ipromiseyouthisandnomore，thatverysoonthemanshallceasetoturntoyourrival。\"
\"Themedicinewillnotharmher？\"askedthewomandoubtfully。\"Shehasworkedmebitterwrongindeed，yetsheismysister，whomInursedwhenshewaslittle，andIdonotwishtodoherhurt。Ifonlyhewillwelcomemebackandtreatmekindly，Iamwillingeventhatsheshoulddwellonbeneathmyhusband’sroof，bearinghischildren，forwilltheynotbeofmyownblood？\"
\"Woman，\"answeredHokosaimpatiently，\"youwearymewithyourtalk。
DidIsaythatthecharmwouldhurther？Isaidthatitwouldcauseyourhusbandtohatethesightofher。Nowbegone，takingorleavingit，andletmerest。Ifyourmindistroubled，throwasidethatmedicine，andgosootheitwithsuchsightsasyousawlastnight。\"
Onhearingthisthewomansprangup，hidawaythepoisoninherhair，andtakingherbasketoffruit，passedfromthekraalassecretlyasshehadenteredit。
\"Whydidyougiveherdeath—medicine？\"askedNomaofHokosa，ashestoodstaringafterher。\"Haveyouahatetosatisfyagainstthehusbandorthegirlwhoisherrival？\"
\"None，\"heanswered，\"fortheyhavenevercrossedmypath。Oh，foolishwoman！cannotyoureadmyplan？\"
\"Notaltogether，Husband。\"
\"Listenthen：thiswomanwillgivetohersisteramedicineofwhichintheendshemustdie。Shemaybediscoveredorshemaynot，butitiscertainthatshewillbesuspected，seeingthatthebitternessofthequarrelbetweenthemisknown。AlsoshewillgivetotheMessengercertainfruits，aftereatingofwhichhewillbetakensickandinduetimedie，ofjustsuchadiseaseasthatwhichcarriesoffthewoman’srival。Now，ifanythinkthatheispoisoned，whichItrustnonewill，whomwilltheysupposetohavepoisonedhim，thoughindeedtheycanneverprovethecrime？\"
\"Theplanisclever，\"saidNomawithadmiration，\"butinitIseeaflaw。Thewomanwillsaythatshehadthedrugfromyou，or，attheleast，willbabbleofhervisittoyou。\"
\"Notso，\"answeredHokosa，\"foronthismatterthegreatesttalkerintheworldwouldkeepsilence。Firstly，she，beingaChristian，darenotownthatshehasvisitedawitch—doctor。Secondly，thefruitshebroughtinpaymentwasstolen，thereforeshewillsaynothingofit。
Thirdly，toadmitthatshehadmedicinefrommewouldbetoadmitherguilt，andthatshewillscarcelydoevenundertorture，whichbythenewlawitisnotlawfultoapply。Moreover，nonesawhercomehere，andIshoulddenyhervisit。\"
\"Theplanisveryclever，\"saidNomaagain。
\"Itisveryclever，\"herepeatedcomplacently;\"neverhaveImadeabetterone。Nowthrowthosefruitstotheshegoatsthatareinthekraal，andburnthebasket，whileIgoandtalktosomeintheGreatPlace，tellingthemthatIhavereturnedfromcountingmycattleonthemountain，whitherIwentafterIhadbowedthekneeinthehouseoftheking。\"