"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。