\"Thewizardhasturnedsaint，\"shesaid。\"Well，then，whatofthewizard’swife？\"
\"YouweremywifebeforeIbecameChristian;iftheMessengerpermitsit，youcanstillabidewithme。\"
\"IftheMessengerpermitsit！Soyouhavecometothis，Hokosa，thatyoumustasktheleaveofanothermanastowhetherornoyoushouldkeepyourownwife！ThereisnootherthingthatIcouldnothavethoughtofyou，butthisIwouldneverhavebelievedhadInothearditfromyourlips。Saynow，doyoustillloveme，Hokosa？\"
\"YouknowwellthatIloveyou，nowandalways，\"heanswered，inavoicethatsoundedlikeagroan;\"asyouknowthatforloveofyouI
havedonemanysinsfromwhichotherwiseIshouldhaveturnedaside。\"
\"Grievenotoverthem，Hokosa;afterall，insuchacountasyourstheywillmakebutlittleshow。Well，ifyouloveme，Ihateyou，thoughthroughyourwitchcraftyourwillyethasthemasteryofmine。
Idemandofyounowthatyoushouldloosethatbond，forIdonotdesiretobecomeaChristian;andsurely，Omostgoodandholyman，havingonewifealready，itwillnotpleaseyouhenceforthtoliveinsinwithaheathenwoman。\"
NowHokosaturnedtoOwen：——
\"Intheolddays，\"hesaid，\"Icouldhaveansweredher;butnowIamfallen;orraisedup——attheleastIamchangedandcannot。OprophetofHeaven，tellmewhatIshalldo。\"
\"Severthebondthatyouhaveuponherandlethergo，\"answeredOwen。
\"Thisloveofyoursisunnatural，unholyandbornofwitchcraft;havedonewithit，orifyoucannot，attheleastdenyit，forsuchawoman，awomanwhohatesyou，canworkyounogood。Moreover，sincesheisasecondwife，youbeingaChristian，areboundtofreehershouldshesodesire。\"
\"Shecanworkmenogood，Messenger，thatIknow;butIknowalsothatwhileshestrugglesinthenetofmywillshecanworkmenoevil。IfIloosethenetandthefishswimsfree，itmaybeotherwise。\"
\"Looseit，\"answeredOwen，\"andleavetheresttoProvidence。
Henceforth，Hokosa，doright，andtakenothoughtforthemorrow，forthemorrowiswithGod，andwhatHedecrees，thatshallbefall。\"
\"Ihearyou，\"saidHokosa，\"andIobey。\"Forawhileherockedhimselftoandfro，staringattheground，thenheliftedhisheadandspoke：——
\"Woman，\"hesaid，\"theknotisuntiedandthespellisbroken。Begone，forIreleaseyouandIdivorceyou。Fleshofmyfleshhaveyoubeen，andsoulofmysoul，forinthewebofsorceriesareweknittogether。
Yetbewarnedandpresumenottoofar，forrememberthatwhichIhavelaiddownIcantakeup，andthatshouldIchoosetocommand，youmuststillobey。Farewell，youarefree。\"
Nomaheard，andwithasighofecstasyshesprangintotheairasaslavemightdofromwhomthefettershavebeenstruckoff。
\"Ay，\"shecried，\"Iamfree！Ifeelitinmyblood，Iwhohavelaininbondage，andthevoiceoffreedomspeaksinmyheartandthebreathoffreedomblowsinmynostrils。Iamfreefromyou，Odarkandaccursedman;buthereinliesmytriumphandrevenge——/you/arenotfreefromme。Inobediencetothatwhitefoolwhomyouhavemurdered，youhaveloosedme;butyouIwillnotlooseandcouldnotifIwould。Listennow，Hokosa：youloveme，doyounot？——nexttothisnewcreedofyours，Iammostofalltoyou。Well，sinceyouhavedivorcedme，I
willtellyou，Igostraighttoanotherman。Now，lookyourlastonme;foryouloveme，doyounot？\"andsheslippedthemantlefromhershouldersandexceptforhergirdlestoodbeforehimnaked，andsmiled。
\"Well，\"shewenton，resumingherrobe，\"thelastwordsofthosewelovearealwaysdeartous;therefore，Hokosa，youwhoweremyhusband，Ileaveminewithyou。Youareacowardandatraitor，andyourdoomshallbethatofacowardandatraitor。FormysakeyoubetrayedUmsuka，yourkingandbenefactor;foryourownsakeyoubetrayedNodwengo，whosparedyou;andnow，forthesakeofyourmiserablesoul，youhavebetrayedHafelatoNodwengo。Nay，Iknowthetale，donotanswerme，buttheendofit——ah！thatisyettolearn。
Liethere，snake，andlickthehandthatyouhavebitten，butI，thebirdwhomyouhaveloosed，Iflyafar——takingyourheartwithme！\"andsuddenlysheturnedandwasgone。
PresentlyHokosaspokeinathickvoice：——
\"Messenger，\"hesaid，\"thiscrossthatyouhavegivenmetobearisheavyindeed。\"
\"Yes，Hokosa，\"answeredOwen，\"fortoityoursinsarenailed。\"
CHAPTERXVIII
THEPASSINGOFOWEN
OnceshewasoutsideofOwen’shouse，Nomadidnottarry。FirstshereturnedtoHokosa’skraal，whereshehadalreadylearntfromhisheadwife，Zinti，andothersthenewsofhisbetrayaloftheplotofHafela，ofhisconversiontothefaithoftheChristians，andofthemarchofthe/impi/toambushtheprince。Hereshetookalittlespear，androllingupinaskinblanketasmuchdriedmeatasshecouldcarry，sheslippedunnoticedfromthekraal。HerobjectwastoescapefromtheGreatPlace，butthisshedidnottrytodobyanyofthegates，knowingthemtobeguarded。Somemonthsago，beforeshestartedonherembassy，shehadnotedaweakspotinthefence，wheredogshadtornaholethroughwhichtheypassedouttohuntatnight。
Tothisspotshemadeherwayundercoverofthedarkness——forthoughshestillgreatlyfearedtobealoneatnight，herpressingneedconqueredherfears——andfoundthattheholewasyetthere，foratallweedgrowinginitsmouthhadcausedittobeoverlookedbythosewhosedutyitwastomendthefence。Withherassegaishewideneditalittle，thendrewherlitheshapethroughit，andlyinghiddentilltheguardhadpassed，climbedthetwostonewallsbeyond。Onceshewasfreeofthetown，shesethercoursebythestarsandstartedforwardatasteadyrun。
\"IfmystrengthholdsIshallyetbeintimetowarnhim，\"shemutteredtoherself。\"Ah！friendHokosa，thisnewmadnessofyourshasbluntedyourwitsthatonceweresharpenough。Youhavesetmefree，andnowyoushalllearnhowIcanusemyfreedom。NotfornothinghaveIbeenyourpupil，Hokosathefox。\"
BeforethedawnbrokeNomawasthirtymilesfromtheGreatPlace，andbeforethenextdawnshewasahundred。Atsunsetonthatseconddayshestoodamongmountains。Toherrightstretchedagreatdefile，aruggedplaceofrocksandbush，whereinsheknewthattheregimentsofthekingwerehidinambush。Perchanceshewastoolate，perchancethe/impi/ofHafelahadalreadypassedtoitsdoominyondergorge。
Swiftlysheranforwardontothetrailwhichledtothegorge，tofindthatithadbeentroddenbymanyfeetandrecently。Movingtoandfroshesearchedthespoorwithhereyes，thenrosewithasighofjoy。Itwasold，andmarkedthepassageofthegreatcompanyofwomenandchildrenandtheirthousandsofcattlewhich，inexecutionoftheplot，hadtravelledthispathsomedaysbefore。Eitherthe/impi/hadnotyetarrived，orithadgonebysomeotherroad。Wearyasshewas，Nomafollowedtheoldspoorbackwards。Amileormoreawayitcrossedthecrestofahog—backedmountain，fromwhosesummitshesearchedtheplainbeyond，andnotinvain，fortherefarbeneathhertwinkledthewatch—firesofthearmyofHafela。
Threehourslaterawoman，footsoreandutterlyexhausted，staggeredintothecamp，andwavingasidethespearsthatwereliftedtostabher，demandedtobeledtotheprince。Presentlyshewasthere。
\"Whoisthiswoman？\"askedthegreatwarrior;for，haggardasshewaswithtravel，exhaustion，andtheterrorofherhauntedloneliness，hedidnotknowherintheuncertainfirelight。
\"Hafela，\"shesaid，\"IamNomawhowasthewifeofHokosa，andforwholenightsanddaysIhavejourneyedasnowomaneverjourneyedbefore，totellyouofthetreacheryofHokosaandtosaveyoufromyourdoom。\"
\"Whattreacheryandwhatdoom？\"askedtheprince。
\"BeforeIansweryouthatquestion，Hafela，youmustpaymethepriceofmynews。\"
\"Letmeheartheprice，Noma。\"
\"Itisthis，Prince：First，theheadofHokosa，whohasdivorcedme，whenyouhavecaughthim。\"
\"ThatIpromisereadily。Whatmore？\"
\"Secondly，theplaceofyourchiefwifeto—day;andaweekhence，whenIshallhavemadeyouking，thenameandstateofQueenofthePeopleofFirewithallthathangsthereto。\"
\"Youareambitious，woman，andknowwellhowtodriveabargain。Well，ifyoucanask，Icangive，forIhaveeverlovedyou，andyourmindisgreatasyourbodyisbeautiful。IfthroughyourhelpIshouldbecomeKingofthePeopleofFire，youshallbetheirQueen，Iswearitbythespiritsofmyfathersandbymyownhead。Andnow——yourtidings。\"
\"Thesearethey，Hafela。HokosahasturnedChristianandbetrayedtheplottoNodwengo;andthegreatgorgeyonderbutthreehoursmarchawayisambushed。To—morrowyouandyourpeoplewouldhavebeencutofftherehadInotrunsofastandfartowarnyou，afterwhichthe/impis/ofNodwengowerecommandedtofollowyourwomenandcattleoverthemountainpassandcapturethem。\"
\"Thisisnewsindeed，\"saidtheprince。\"Saynow，howmanyregimentsarehiddeninthegorge？\"
\"Eight。\"
\"Well，Ihavefourteen;so，beingwarned，thereislittletofear。I
willcatchtheseratsintheirownhole。\"
\"Ihaveabetterplan，\"saidNoma;\"itisthis：leavesixregimentsposteduponthebrowofyonderhillandletthemstaythere。ThenwhenthegeneralsofNodwengoseethattheydonotenterthegorge，theywillbelievethattheambushisdiscovered，and，afterwaitingonedayorperhapstwo，willmoveouttogivebattle，thinkingthatbeforethemisallyourstrength。Butcommandyourregimentstorunandnottofight，drawingthearmyofNodwengoafterthem。Meanwhile，yes，thisverynight，youyourselfwithallthementhatarelefttoyoumustmarchupontheGreatPlace，which，thoughitbestrong，canbestormed，foritisdefendedbylessthanfivethousandsoldiers。
There，havingtakenit，youshallslayNodwengo，proclaimingyourselfking，andafterwards，bythehelpofthe/impi/thatyouleaveherewhichwillmarchonwardtoyoursuccour，youcandealwithyonderarmy。\"
\"Agreatschemetruly，\"saidHafelainadmiration;\"buthowdoIknowwhetherallthistaleistrue，orwhetheryoudobutsetasnareforme？\"
\"Bidscoutsgooutandcreepintoyondergully，\"answeredNoma，\"andyouwillseewhetherornoIhavespokenfalsely。Fortherest，Iaminyourhands，andifIlieyoucantakemylifeinpayment。\"
\"IfImarchupontheGreatPlace，itmustbeatmidnightwhennoneseemego，\"saidHafela，\"andwhatwillyoudothen，Noma，whoaretoowearytotravelagainsosoon？\"
\"Iwillbeborneinalittertillmystrengthcomesbacktome，\"sheanswered。\"AndnowgivemetoeatandletmerestwhileImay。\"
*****
Fivehourslater，Hafelawiththemostofhisarmy，aforceofsomethingovertwentythousandmen，wasjourneyingswiftlybutbyacircuitousroutetowardstheGreatPlaceoftheking。Onthecrestofthehillfacingthegorge，asNomahadsuggested，heleftsixregimentswithinstructionstoflybeforeNodwengo’sgenerals，andwhentheyhadledthemfarenough，tofollowhimasswiftlyastheywereable。Theseorders，orratherthefirstpartofthem，theycarriedout，forasitchancedaftertwodays’flight，theking’ssoldiersgotbehindthembyanightmarch，andfallingonthematdawn，killedhalfofthemanddispersedtherest。ThenitwasthatNodwengo’sgeneralslearnedforthefirsttimethattheywerefollowingonewingofHafela’sarmyonly，whilethemainbodywasstrikingattheheartofthekingdom，andturnedtheirfaceshomewardsinfearandhaste。
*****
OnthemorningaftertheflightofNoma，Owenpassedintothelaststageofhissickness，anditbecameevident，bothtohimselfandtothosewhowatchedhim，thatatthemosthecouldnotliveformorethanafewdays。Forhispart，heacceptedhisdoomjoyfully，spendingthetimewhichwaslefttohiminwritinglettersthatweretobeforwardedtoEnglandwheneveranopportunityshouldarise。Alsohesetdownonpaperastatementoftheprincipaleventsofhisstrangemission，andotherinformationfortheguidanceofhiswhitesuccessors，whobynowshouldbedrawingneartothelandoftheAmasuka。Intheintervalsoftheselastlabours，fromtimetotimehesummonedthekingandthewisestandtrustiestofthemwhomhehadbaptisedtohisbedside，teachingthemwhattheyshoulddowhenhewasgone，andexhortingthemtoclingtotheFaith。
OntheafternoonofthefourthdayfromthatofthebaptismofHokosahefellintoaquietsleep，fromwhichhedidnotwaketillsundown。
\"AmIstillhere？\"heaskedwondering，ofJohnandHokosawhowatchedathisbedside。\"FrommydreamsIthoughtthatitwasotherwise。John，sendamessengertothekingandaskofhimtoassemblethepeople，allwhocaretocome，intheopenplacebeforemyhouse。Iamabouttodie，andfirstIwouldspeakwiththem。\"
Johnwentweepinguponhiserrand，leavingOwenandHokosaalone。
\"TellmeknowwhatshallIdo？\"saidHokosainavoiceofdespair，\"seeingthatitisIandnootherwhohavebroughtthisdeathuponyou。\"
\"Fretnot，mybrother，\"answeredOwen，\"forthisandotherthingsyoudidinthedaysofyourblindness，anditwaspermittedthatyoushoulddothemtoanend。Kneeldownnow，thatImayabsolveyoufromyoursinsbeforeIpassaway;forItellyou，Hokosa，IbelievethateremanydaysareoveryoumustwalkonthesamepathwhichItravelto—night。\"
\"Isitso？\"Hokosaanswered。\"Well，Iamglad，forIhavenolongeranylustoflife。\"
Thenhekneltdownandreceivedtheabsolution。
NowJohnreturnedandNodwengowithhim，whotoldhimthatthepeopleweregatheringinhundredsaccordingtohiswish。
\"Thenclothemeinmyrobesandletusgoforth，\"hesaid，\"forI
wouldspeakmylastwordsintheearsofmen。\"
Sotheyputthesurpliceandhooduponhiswastedformandwentout，Johnprecedinghimholdingonhightheivorycrucifix，whilethekingandHokosasupportedhim，oneoneitherside。
Withouthisgatestoodalowwoodenplatform，whenceattimesOwenhadbeenaccustomedtoaddressanycongregationlargerthanthechurchwouldcontain。Onthisplatformhetookhisseat。Themoonwasbrightabovehim，andbyithecouldseethatalreadyhisaudiencenumberedsomethousandsofmen，womenandchildren。Thenewshadspreadthatthewonderfulwhiteman，Messenger，wishedtotakehisfarewellofthenation，thoughevennowmanydidnotunderstandthathewasdying，butimaginedthathewasabouttoleavethecountry，or，foraughttheyknew，tovanishfromtheirsightintoHeaven。ForamomentOwenlookedattheseaofduskyfaces，theninthemidstofanintensestillness，hespokeinavoicelowindeedbutclearandsteady：——
\"Mychildren，\"hesaid，\"hearmylastwordstoyou。Morethanthreeyearsago，inafar，farlandanduponsuchanightasthis，aVoicespoketomefromabovecommandingmetoseekyouout，toturnyoufromyouridolatryandtolightenyourdarkness。IlistenedtotheVoice，andhitherIjourneyedacrossseaandland，thoughhowthisthingmightbedoneIcouldnotguess。ButtoHimWhosentmeallthingsarepossible，andwhileyetIlingereduponthethresholdofyourcountry，inadreamwererevealedtomeeventsthatweretocome。SoIappearedbeforeyouboldly，andknowingthathehadbeenpoisonedandthatI
couldcurehim，Idrewbackyourkingfromthemouthofdeath，andyousaidtoyourselves：’Beholdawizardindeed！Letushearhim。’ThenI
gavebattletoyoursorcerersyonderupontheplain，andfromthefootoftheCrossIteach，thelightningswererolledbackuponthemandtheywerenot。Looknow，theirchiefstandsatmyside，amongmydisciplesoneoftheforemostandmostfaithful。Afterwardstroublesarose：yourkingdiedaChristian，andmanyofthepeoplefellaway;
butstillaremnantremained，andhewhobecamekingwasconvertedtothetruth。NowIhavesowntheseed，andthecornisripebeforemyeyes，butitisnotpermittedthatIshouldreaptheharvest。Myworkisended，mytaskisdone，andI，theMessenger，returntomakereporttoHimWhosentthemessage。
\"Hearmeyetalittlewhile，forsoonshallmyvoicebesilent。’I
comenottobringpeace，butasword，’——sosaidtheMasterWhomI
preach，andsosayI，themostunworthyofHisservants。Salvationcannotbeboughtatalittleprice;itmustbepaidforbythebloodandgriefsofmen，andinbloodandgriefsmustyoupay，Omychildren。ThroughmuchtribulationmustyoualsoenterthekingdomofGod。Evennowtheheathenisatyourgates，andmanyofyoushallperishonhisspears，butItellyouthatheshallnotconquer。Befaithful，clingtotheCross，anddonotdaretodoubtyourLord，forHewillbeyourCaptainandyoushallbeHispeople。Cleavetoyourking，forheisgood;andinthedayoftriallistentothecounselofthisHokosawhooncewasthefirstofevil—doers，forwithhimgoesmyspirit，andheismysoninthespirit。
\"Mychildren，fareyouwell！Forgetmenot，forIhavelovedyou;orifyouwill，forgetme，butremembermyteachingandhearkentothosewhoshalltreaduponthepathImade。ThepeaceofGodbewithyou，theblessingofGodbeuponyou，andthesalvationofGodawaityou，asitawaitsmeto—night！Friends，leadmehencetodie。\"
Theyturnedtohim，butbeforetheirhandstouchedhimThomasOwenfellforwarduponthebreastofHokosaandlaythereawhile。Thensuddenly，forthelasttime，heliftedhimselfandcriedaloud：——
\"Ihavefoughtagoodfight！Ihavefinishedmycourse！Ihavekeptthefaith！Henceforththereislaidupformeacrownofrighteousness……andnottomeonly，buttoallthosewholoveHisappearing。\"
Thenhisheadfellback，hisdarkeyesclosed，andtheMessengerwasdead。
Hokosa，themanwhohadmurderedhim，havingliftedhimuptoshowhimtothepeople，amidstasoundofmightyweeping，tookthebodyinhisarmsandboreitthencetomakeitreadyforburial。
CHAPTERXIX
THEFALLOFTHEGREATPLACE
OnthemorrowatsundownallthatremainedofThomasOwenwaslaidtorestbeforethealtarofthelittlechurch，NodwengothekingandHokosaloweringhimintothegrave，whileJohn，hisfirstdisciple，readoverhimtheburialserviceoftheChristians，whichithadbeenoneofthedeadman’slastlabourstotranslateintothelanguageoftheAmasuka。
Beforetheceremonywasfinished，asoldier，carryingaspearinhishand，pushedhiswaythroughthedenseandweepingcrowd，andhavingsaluted，whisperedsomethingintotheearoftheking。Nodwengostarted，and，withalastlookoffarewellatthefaceofhisfriend，leftthechapel，accompaniedbysomeofhisgeneralswhowerepresent，mutteringtoHokosathathewastofollowwhenallwasdone。
Accordingly，somefewminuteslater，hewentandwasadmittedintotheCouncilHut，wherecaptainsandmessengersweretobeseenarrivinganddepartingcontinuously。
\"Hokosa，\"saidtheking，\"youhavedealttreacherouslywithmeinthepast，butIbelievenowthatyourheartistrue;attheleastIfollowthecommandsofourdeadmasterandtrustyou。Listen：theoutpostshavesightedan/impi/ofmanyregimentsadvancingtowardstheGreatPlace，thoughwhetherornoitbemyown/impi/returningvictoriousfromthewarwithmybrother，Icannotsay。Thereisthisagainstit，however，thatamessengerhasbutjustarrivedreportingthatthegeneralshaveperceivedthehostofHafelaencampeduponaridgeoveragainstthegorgewheretheyawaitedhim。Ifthatbeso，theycanscarcelyhavegivenhimbattle，forthemessengerisswiftoffootandhastravellednightandday。Yethowcanthisbethe/impi/ofHafela，who，saythegenerals，isencampedupontheridge？\"
\"Hemayhavelefttheridge，King，havingbeenwarnedoftheambush。\"
\"Itcannotbe，forwhentherunnerstartedhisfiresburnedthereandhissoldiersweregatheredroundthem。\"
\"Thenperhapshiscaptainssitupontheridgewithsomeportionofhisstrengthtodeceivethosewhoawaithiminthegorge;while，knowingthatheremenarefew，hehimselfswoopsdownonyouwiththemainbodyofhis/impi/。\"
\"Atleastweshalllearnpresently，\"answeredtheking;\"butifitbeasIfearandweareoutwitted，whatistherethatwecandoagainstsomany？\"
Nowoneofthecaptainsproposedthattheyshouldstaywheretheywereandholdtheplace。
\"Itistoolarge，\"answeredtheking，\"theywillburstthefencesandbreakourline。\"
Anothersuggestedthattheyshouldflyand，avoidingtheregimentsofHafelainthedarknessofthenight，shouldtravelswiftlyinsearchofthemainarmythathadbeensenttolieinambush。
\"What，\"saidNodwengo，\"leavingtheagedandthewomenandchildrentoperish，forhowcanwetakesuchamultitude？No，Iwillhavenoneofthisplan。\"
ThenHokosaspoke。\"King，\"hesaid，\"listentomycounsel：Commandnowthatallthewomenandtheoldmen，takingwiththemsuchcattleandfoodasareinthetown，departatonceintotheValleyofDeathandcollectintheopenspacethatliesbeyondtheTreeofDoom，nearthespringofwaterthatisthere。Thevalleyisnarrowandthecliffsaresteep，anditmaychancethatbythehelpofHeavenweshallbeabletoholdittillthearmyreturnstorelieveus，toseekwhichmessengersmustbesentatoncewiththesetidings。\"
\"Theplanisgood，\"saidtheking，thoughnonehadthoughtofit;\"butsoweshalllosethetown。\"
\"Townscanberebuilt，\"answeredHokosa，\"butwhomayrestorethelivesofmen？\"
Asthewordslefthislips，arunnerburstintothecouncil，crying：
\"King，the/impi/isthatofHafela，andtheprinceheadsitinperson。AlreadyhisoutpostsrestuponthePlainofFire。\"
ThenNodwengoroseandissuedhisorders，commandingthatalltheineffectivepopulationofthetown，togetherwithsuchfoodandcattleascouldbegathered，shouldretreatatonceintotheValleyofDeath。
BythistimethefourorfivethousandsoldierswhowereleftintheGreatPlacehadbeenparadedontheopengroundinfrontoftheking’shouse，wheretheystood，stillandsilent，inthemoonlight。Nodwengoandthecaptainswentouttothem，andastheysawhimcometheyliftedtheirspearslikeoneman，givinghimtheroyalsaluteof\"King！\"Hehelduphishandandaddressedthem。
\"Soldiers，\"hesaid，\"wehavebeenoutwitted。My/impi/isafar，andthatofHafelaisatourgates。Yonderinthevalley，thoughwebefew，wecandefendourselvestillsuccourreachesus，whichalreadymessengershavegoneouttoseek。Butfirstwemustgivetimeforthewomenandchildren，thesickandtheaged，towithdrawwithfoodandcattle;andthiswecandoinonewayonly，bykeepingHafelaatbaytilltheyhavepassedthearchway，allofthem。Now，soldiers，forthesakeofyourownlives，ofyourhonourandofthoseyoulove，sweartome，intheholyNamewhichwehavebeentaughttoworship，thatyouwillfightoutthisgreatfightwithoutfearorfaltering。\"
\"WeswearitintheholyName，andbyyourhead，King，\"roaredtheregiments。
\"Thenvictoryisalreadyours，\"answeredNodwengo。\"Followme，ChildrenofFire！\"andshakinghisgreatspear，heledthewaytowardsthatportionoftheouterfenceuponwhichHafelawasadvancing。
Bynowthetownbehindthemwasasceneofalmostindescribabletumultandconfusion，forthecompaniesdetailedtothetaskwereclearingthenumberlesshutsoftheiroccupants，andcollectingwomen，childrenandoxeninthousands，preparatorytodrivingthemintothedefile。
Panichadseizedmanyofthesepoorcreatures，who，inimagination，alreadysawthemselvesimpaleduponthecruelspearsofHafela’stroops，andindeedinnotafewinstancesbelievedthosewhowereurgingthemforwardtobetheenemy。Womenshriekedandwrungtheirhands，childrenwailedpiteously，oxenlowed，andtheinfirmandagedventedtheirgriefingroansandcriestoHeaven，ortheirancientgod，formercy。Intruth，sodifficultwasthetaskofmarshallingthismotleyarrayatnight，numberingasitdidtenortwelvethousandsouls，thatafullhourwentbybeforethemobevenbegantomove，slowlyanduncertainly，towardstheplaceofrefuge，whereoftheopeningwassonarrowthatbutfewofthemcouldpassitatatime。
MeanwhileHafelawasdevelopingtheattack。Forminghisgreatarmyintotheshapeofawedgeheraisedhisbattle—cryandrusheddownonthefirstlineoffortifications，whichhestormedwithoutdifficulty，fortheyweredefendedbyafewskirmishersonly。Nextheattackedthesecondline，andcarrieditafterheavyfighting，thenhurledhimselfupontheweakestpointofthemainfenceofthevastkraal。Hereitwasthatthefraybeganinearnest，forhereNodwengowaswaitingforhim。Thricethethousandsrolledoninthefaceofastormofspears，andthricetheyfellbackfromthewidefenceofthornsandthewallofstonebehindit。Bynowthebattlehadragedforaboutanhourandahalf，anditwasreportedtothekingthatthefirstofthewomenandchildrenhadpassedthearchwayintothevalley，andthatnearlyallofthemwereclearoftheeasterngateofthetown。
\"Thenitistimethatwefollowthem，\"saidtheking，\"forifwewaithereuntilthewarriorsofHafelaareamongus，ourretreatwillbecomearoutandsoontherewillbenonelefttofollow。Letonecompany，\"andhenamedit，\"holdthefenceforawhiletogiveustimetowithdraw，takingthewoundedwithus。\"
\"Wehearyou，king，\"saidoneofthatcompany，\"butourcaptainiskilled。\"
\"Whoamongyouwilltakeoverthecommandofthesemenandholdthebreach？\"askedNodwengoofthegroupofofficersabouthim。
\"I，King，\"answeredoldHokosa，liftinghisspear，\"forIcarenotwhetherIliveordie。\"
\"Goto，boaster！\"criedanother。\"Whoamonguscareswhetherhelivesordieswhenthekingcommands？\"
\"Thatweshallknowto—morrow，\"saidHokosaquietly，andthesoldierslaughedattheretort。
\"Sobeit，\"saidtheking，andwhilesilentlyandswiftlyheledofftheregiments，keepingintheshadowofthehuts，Hokosaandhishundredmenpostedthemselvesbehindtheweakenedfenceandwall。Now，forthefourthtimetheattackingregimentcameforwardgrimly，onthisoccasionledbytheprincehimself。Astheydrewnear，Hokosaleaptuponthewall，andstandingthereinthebrightmoonlightwhereallcouldseehim，hecalledtothemtohalt。Instinctivelytheyobeyedhim。
\"IsitHafelawhomIseeyonder？\"heasked。
\"Ah！itisI，\"answeredtheprince。\"Whatwouldyouwithme，wizardandtraitor？\"
\"Thisonly，Hafela：Iwouldaskyouwhatyouseekhere？\"
\"Thatwhichyoupromisedme，Hokosa，thecrownofmyfatherandcertainotherthings。\"
\"Thengetyouback，Hafela，foryoushallneverwinthem……HaveI
prophesiedfalselytoyouatanytime？Notso——neitherdoIprophesyfalselynow。Getyoubackwhenceyoucame，andyourwolveswithyou，elseshallyoubidehereforever。\"
\"Doyoudaretocalldownevilonme，Wizard？\"shoutedtheprincefuriously。\"Yourwifeismine，andnowItakeyourlifealso，\"andwithallhisstrengthhehurledathimthegreatspearheheld。
IthissedpastHokosa’shead，touchinghisear，butheneverflinchedfromthesteel。
\"Apoorcast，Prince，\"hesaidlaughing;\"butsoitmusthavebeen，forIamguardedbythatwhichyoucannotsee。Mywifeyouhave，andsheshallbeyourruin;mylifeyoumaytake，butereitleavesme，Hafela，Ishallseeyoudeadandyourarmyscattered。TheMessengerispassedaway，buthispowerhasfallenuponmeandIspeakthetruthtoyou，OPrinceandwarriors，whoare——alreadydead。\"
Nowashriekofdismayandfuryrosefromthehundredswhoheardthisprophesyofill，forofHokosaandhismagictheywereterriblyafraid。
\"Killhim！Killthewizard！\"theyshouted，andarainofspearsrushedtowardshimonthewall。
Theyrushedtowardshim，theypassedabove，below，around;but，ofthemall，notonetouchedhim。
\"DidInottellyouthatIwasguardedbyThatwhichyoucannotsee？\"
Hokosaaskedcontemptuously。Thenslowlyhedescendedfromthewallamidstagreatsilence。
\"Whenmenarescarcethetonguemustplayapart，\"heexplainedtohiscompanions，whostaredathimwondering。\"Bynowthekingandthosewithhimshouldhavereachedtheeasterngate;whereas，hadwefoughtatonce，Hafelawouldbeharduponhisheels，forwearefew，andwhocanholdabuffalowitharopeofgrass？YetIthinkthatIspoketruthwhenItoldhimthatthegarmentoftheMessengerhasfallenuponmyshoulders，andthatdeathawaitshimandhiscompanions，asitawaitsmealsoandmanyofus。Now，friends，beready，forthebullchargesandsoonwemustfeelhishorns。Thisatleastislefttoyou，todiegloriously。\"
Whilehewasstillspeakingthefirstfilesoftheregimentrusheduponthefence，tearingasidethethornswiththeirhandstillapassagewasmadethroughthem。Thentheyspranguponthewall，theretobemetbythespearsofHokosaandhismenthrustingupwardfrombeneathitsshelter。Timeaftertimetheysprang，andtimeaftertimetheyfellbackdeadorwounded，tillatlast，dashingforwardinonedensecolumn，theypouredoverthestonesastherisingtidepoursovertherocksonthesea—shore，drivingthedefendersbeforethembythesheerweightofnumbers。
\"Thisgameisplayed！\"criedHokosa。\"Flynowtotheeasterngate，forherewecandonothingmore。\"
Sotheyfled，thosewhosurvivedofthem，andafterthemcamethethousandsofthefoe，sackingandfiringthedesertedtownastheyadvanced。
Hokosaandhismen，orratherthehalfofthem，reachedthegateandpasseditinsafety，barringitafterthem，andtherebydelayingtheattackerstilltheycouldbursttheirwaythrough。Nowhundredsofhutswereafire，andtheflamesspreadswiftly，lightingupthecountryfarandwide。Intheglareofthem，Hokosacouldseethatalreadyafulltwo—thirdsofthecrowdoffugitiveshadpassedthenarrowarch;whileNodwengoandthesoldiersweredrawnupincompaniesuponthesteepandrockyslopethatledtoit，protectingtheirretreat。
Headvancedtothekingandreportedhimself。
\"Soyouhavelivedthroughit，\"saidNodwengo。
\"Ishalldiewhenmyhourcomes，andnotbefore，\"Hokosaanswered。\"Wedidwellyonder，andyetthemostofusarealivetotellthetale，forIknewwhenandhowtogo。Beready，king，forthefoepressusclose，andthatmobbehinduscrawlsonwardlikeasnail。\"
Ashespokethepursuersbrokethroughthefenceandgateoftheburningtown，andoncemorethefightbegan。Theyhadtheadvantageofnumbers;butNodwengoandhistroopsstoodinawideroaduponhighergroundprotectedoneithersidebywalls，andwere，moreover，rested，notbreathlessandwearywithtravellikethemenofHafela。Slowly，fighting，everyinchoftheway，Nodwengowaspushedback，andslowlythelongant—likelineofwomenandsickandcattlecreptthroughtheopeningintherock，tillatlengthallofthemweregone。
\"Itistime，\"saidNodwengo，glancingbehindhim，\"forourarmsgrowweary。\"
Thenhegaveorders，andcompanybycompanythedefendingforcefollowedonthepathofthefugitives，tillatlengthamidstaroarofrageanddisappointment，thelastofthemvanishedthroughthearch，Hokosaamongthem，andtheplacewasblockedwithstones，abovewhichshoneahedgeofspears。
CHAPTERXX
NOMASETSASNARE
Thusendedthefirstnight’sbattle，sinceforthistimetheenemyhadfoughtenough。Nodwengoandhismenhadalsohadenough，foroutofthefivethousandofthemsomeelevenhundredwerekilledorwounded。
Yettheymightnotrest，forallthatnight，assistedbythewomen，theylaboured，buildingstonewallsacrossthenarrowestpartsofthevalley。Alsothecattle，womenandchildrenweremovedalongthegorge，whichinshapemaybecomparedtoabottlewithtwonecks，oneateitherend，andencampedintheopeningofthesecondneck，wherewasthespringofwater。Thisspotwaschosenbothbecauseherealonewatercouldbeobtained，withoutwhichtheycouldnotholdoutmorethanasingleday，andbecausethekoppiewhereongrewthestrange—
lookingeuphorbiaknownastheTreeofDoomaffordedanaturalrampartagainstattack。
Shortlyafterdawn，whilethesoldierswererestingandeatingofsuchfoodascouldbeprocured——forthemostpartstripsofraworhalf—
cookedmeatcutfromhastilykilledcattle——theonslaughtwasrenewedwithvigour，Hafeladirectinghiseffortstotheforcingofthenaturalarchway。But，striveashewould，thishecouldnotdo，foritwaschokedwithstonesandthornsandguardedbybravemen。
\"Youdobutwasteyourlabour，Hafela，\"saidNoma，whostoodbyhimwatchingtheassault。
\"Whatthenistobedone？\"heasked，\"forunlesswecomeatthemwecannotkillthem。Itwascleverofthemtotakerefugeinthishole。I
thoughtsurelythattheywouldfightitoutyonder，beneaththefencesoftheGreatPlace。\"
\"Ah！\"sheanswered，\"youforgotthattheyhadHokosaontheirside。
Didyouthenthinktocatchhimsleeping？ThisretreatwasHokosa’scounsel。Ilearneditfromthelipsofthatwoundedcaptainbeforetheykilledhim。Now，itseemsthattherearebuttwopathstofollow，andyoucanchoosebetweenthem。Theoneistosendaregimentadayandahalf’sjourneyacrosstheclifftoptoguardthefurthermouthofthevalleyandtowaittillthesejackalsstarveintheirhole，forcertainlytheycannevercomeout。\"
\"Ithasstartedsixhourssince，\"saidHafela，\"andthoughtheprecipicesaresteep，havingthemoontotravelby，itshouldreachtherivermouthofthevalleybeforedawnto—morrow，cuttingNodwengoofffromtheplains，ifindeedheshoulddaretoventureoutuponthem，which，withsosmallaforce，hewillnotdo。Yetthisfirstplanofyoursmustfail，Noma，seeingthatbeforetheystarvewithin，thegeneralsofNodwengowillbebackuponusfromthemountains，catchingusbetweenthehammerandtheanvil，andIknownothowthatfightwouldgo。\"
\"Yet，soonorlate，itmustbefought。\"
\"Nay，\"heanswered，\"formyhopeisthatshouldthe/impi/returntofindNodwengodead，theywillsurrenderandacknowledgemeasking，whoamthefirstofthebloodroyal。Butwhatisyoursecondplan？\"
Bywayofanswer，shepointedtothecliffabovethem。Ontheright—
handside，facingthearchway，wasaflatledgeoverhangingthevalley，ataheightofaboutahundredfeet。
\"Ifyoucancomeyonder，\"shesaid，\"itwillbeeasytostormthisgate，fortherelierocksinplenty，andmencannotfightwhenstonesaredroppingontheirheads。\"
\"Buthowcanwecometothathomeofvultures，wherenevermanhassetafoot？Look，thecliffaboveissheer;norock—rabbitcouldstanduponit。\"
WithhereyeNomameasuredthedistancefromthebrinkoftheprecipicetothebroadledgecommandingthevalley。
\"Sixtypaces，notmore，\"shesaid。\"Well，yonderareoxeninplenty，andoutoftheirhidesropescanbemade，andoutofropesaladder，downwhichmenmaypass;ten，orevenfive，wouldbeenough。\"
\"WellthoughtofNoma，\"saidHafela。\"HokosatolduslastnightthattohimhadpassedthewisdomoftheMessenger;butifthisbeso，I
thinkthattoyouhaspassedtheguileofHokosa。\"
\"Itseemstomethatsomeofitabideswithhim，\"answeredNomalaughing。
Thentheprincegaveorders，and，withmanyworkersofhidestoilingatit，withintwohourstheladderwasready，itsstaves，settwentyinchesapart，beingformedofknob—kerries，orthebrokenshaftsofstabbingspears。Nowtheylowereditfromthetopoftheprecipicesothatitsendrestedupontheledge，anddownitcameseveralmen，whoswunguponitsgiddylengthlikespidersonaweb。Reachingthisgreatshelfinsafetyandadvancingtotheedgeofit，thesemenstartedaboulder，which，althoughasitchancedithurtnoone，fellinthemidstofagroupofthedefendersandboundedawaythroughthem。
\"Nowwemustbegoing，\"saidHokosa，lookingup，\"fornomancanfightagainstrocks，andourspearscannotreachthosebirds。Hadthearmybeentaughttheuseofthebow，asIcounselledinthepastdays，wemightstillhaveheldthearchway;buttheycalleditawoman’sweapon，andwouldhavenoneofit。\"
Ashespokeanotherstonefell，crushingthelifeoutofamanwhostoodnexttohim。Thentheyretreatedtothefirstwall，whichhadbeenpiledupduringthenight，whereitwasnotpossibletorollrocksuponthemfromthecliffsabove。Thiswall，andothersrearedatintervalsbehindit，theysettoworktostrengthenasmuchastheycould，makingthemostofthetimethatwaslefttothembeforetheenemycouldclearthewayandmarchontoattack。
PresentlyHafela’smenwerethroughandsweepingdownuponthemwitharoar，thinkingtocarrythewallatasinglerush。Butinthistheyfailed;indeed，itasonlyafteranhour’shardfightingandbytheexpedientofcontinuallyattackingtheworkwithfreshcompaniesthatatlengththeystormedthewall。
WhenHokosasawthathecouldnolongerholdtheplace，butbeforethefoewasuponhim，hedrewoffhissoldierstothesecondwall，aquarterofamileormoreaway，andherethefightbeganagain。Andsoitwentonforhourafterhour，asonebyonethefortificationswerecarriedbytheweightofnumbers，fortheattackersfoughtdesperatelyundertheeyeoftheirprince，caringnothingfortheterriblelosstheysufferedinmen。TwicetheforceofthedefenderswaschangedbyorderofNodwengo，freshmenbeingsentfromthecompaniesheldinreservetotaketheplacesofthosewhohadbornethebruntofthebattle。Thisindeeditwasnecessarytodo，seeingthatitwasimpossibletocarrywatertosomany，andinthatburningvalleymencouldnotfightforlongathirst。OnlyHokosastayedon，fortheybroughthimdrinkinagourd，andwhereverthefraywasfiercesttherehewasalways;noralthoughspearswereraineduponhimbyhundreds，washetouchedbyoneofthem。
Atlengthasthenightfelltheking’smenweredrivenbackfromtheirlastscherminthewesternhalfofthevalley，acrosstheopenspacebackuponthekoppiewherestoodtheTreeofDoom。Heretheystayedawhiletill，overmatchedandoutworn，theywerepushedfromitsrocksacrossthenarrowstretchofbrokengroundintotheshelterofthegreatstoneschermorwallthatranfromsidetosideofthefurtherneckofthevalley，whereonthousandsofwomenandsuchmenascouldbesparedhadbeenworkingincessantlyduringthepastnightandday。
ItwasasheretreatedamongthelastuponthiswallthatHokosacaughtsightofNomaforthefirsttimesincetheypartedinthehouseoftheMessenger。Intheforefrontofhistroops，directingtheattack，wasHafelatheprince，andathissidestoodNoma，carryinginherhandalittleshieldandaspear。Atthismomentalsoshesawhimandcalledaloudtohim：——
\"Youhavefoughtwell，Wizard，butto—morrowallyourmagicshallavailyounothing，foritwillbeyourlastdayuponthisearth。\"
\"Ay，Noma，\"heanswered，\"andyoursalso。\"
Thenofasuddenacompanyoftheking’smenrushedfromtheshelterofthewallupontheattackersdrivingthembacktothekoppieandkillingseveral，sothatintheconfusionandgatheringdarknessHokosalostsightofher，thoughamanathissidedeclaredthathesawherfallbeneaththethrustofanassegai。Thusendedthesecondday。
Nowwhenthewatchhadbeensetthekingandhiscaptainstookcounseltogether，fortheirheartswereheavy。
\"Listen，\"saidNodwengo：\"outoffivethousandsoldiersathousandhavebeenkilledandathousandlieamonguswounded。Harktothegroaningofthem！Alsowehavewithuswomenandchildrenandsicktothenumberoftwelvethousand，andbetweenusandthosewhowouldbutcherthemeveryonetherestandsbutasinglewall。Noristhistheworstofit：thespringcannotsupplythewantsofsogreatamultitudeinthishotplace，anditisfearedthatpresentlythewaterwillbedone。Whatwayshallweturn？IfwesurrendertoHafela，perhapshewillsparethelivesofthewomenandchildren;butwhateverhemaypromise，themostofushewillsurelyslay。Ifwefightandaredefeated，thenoncehisregimentsareamongus，allwillbeslainaccordingtotheancientcustomofourpeople。Ihavebethoughtmethatwemightretreatthroughthevalley，buttheriverbeyondisinflood;alsoitiscertainthatbeforethismultitudecouldreachit，theprincewillhavesentaforcetocutusoffwhilehehimselfharassesourrear。Nowlethimwhohascounselspeak。\"
\"King，Ihavecounsel，\"saidHokosa。\"WhatwerethewordsthattheMessengerspoketousbeforehedied？Didhenotsay：’Evennowtheheathenisatyourgates，andmanyofyoushallperishonhisspears;
butItellyouthatheshallnotconquer’？Didhenotsay：’Befaithful，clingtotheCross，anddonotdaretodoubtyourLord，forHewillprotectyou，andyourchildrenafteryou，andHewillbeyourCaptainandyoushallbeHispeople’？Didhenotbidyoualsotolistentomycounsel？Thenlistentoit，foritishis：Yourcaseseemsdesperate，buthavenofear，andtakenothoughtforthemorrow，forallshallyetbewell。LetusnowpraytoHimthattheMessengerhasrevealedtous，andWhomnowheimploresonourbehalfinthatplacewhereheistoguideusandtosaveus，forthensurelyHewillhearkentoourprayer。\"
\"Sobeit，\"saidNodwengo，andgoingouthestooduponapillarofstoneinthemoonlightandoffereduphissupplicationinthehearingofthemultitude。
Meanwhile，thoseofthecampofHafelawerealsotakingcounsel。Theyhadfoughtbravelyindeed，andcarriedtheschanses;butatgreatcost，sinceforeverymanthatNodwengohadlost，threeoftheirshadfallen。Moreover，theywereinevilcasewithwearinessandthewantofwater，aseachdroptheydrankmustbecarriedtothemfromtheGreatPlaceinbagsmadeofrawhide，whichcausedittostink，fortheyhadbutfewgourdswiththem。
