"Nowitisstrange，"saidHafela，"thatthesemenshouldfightsobravely，seeingthattheyarebutahandful。Therecanbescarcethreethousandofthemleft，andyetIdoubtnotthatbeforewecarrythoselastwallsoftheirsasmanyofusormorewillbedone。Ay！andaftertheyaredonewith，wemustmeettheirgreat/impi/whenitreturns，andofwhatwillbefallusthenIscarcelyliketothink。"
"Ill—fortunewillbefallyouwhileHokosalives，"brokeinNoma。"Haditnotbeenforhim，thistroublewouldhavebeendonewithbynow;
butheisawizard，andbyhiswizardrieshedefeatsusandputsheartintoNodwengoandthewarriors。You，yourself，haveseenhimthisdaydefyingus，notoncebutmanytimes，foruponhisfleshsteelhasnopower。Ay！andthisisbutthebeginningofevil，forIamsurethatheleadsyouintosomedeeptrapwhereyoushallperisheverlastingly。
Didhenothimselfdeclarethatthepowerofthatdeadwhiteworkerofmiracleshasfallenuponhim，andwhocanfightagainstmagic？"
"Who，indeed？"saidHafelahumbly;forlikeallsavageshewasverysuperstitious，and，moreover，asincerebelieverinHokosa’ssupernaturalcapacities。"Thiswizardistoostrongforus;heisinvulnerable，andasIknowwellhecanreadthesecretthoughtsofmenandcansuckwisdomfromthedead，whiletohiseyesthedarknessisnoblind。"
"Nay，Hafela，"answeredNoma，"thereisonecrackinhisshield。Hearme：ifwecanbutcatchhimandholdhimfastweshallhavenoneedtofearhimmore，andIthinkthatIknowhowtobaitthetrap。"
"Howwillyoubaitit？"askedHafela。
"Thus。Midwaybetweenthekoppieandthewallbehindwhichliethemenofthekingstandsaflatrock，andallaboutthatrockarestretchedthebodiesofdeadsoldiers。Now，thisismyplan：thatwhennextoneofthosedarkstorm—cloudspassesoverthefaceofthemoonsixofthestrongestofourwarriorsshouldcreepupontheirbelliesdownthiswayandthat，asthoughtheywerealsonumberedwiththeslain。Thisdone，youshalldespatchaheraldtocallintheearsofthekingthatyoudesiretotreatwithhimofpeace。Thenhewillanswerthatifthisbesoyoucancomebeneaththewallsofhiscamp，andyourheraldshallrefuse，sayingthatyoufeartreachery。ButhemustaddthatifNodwengowillbidHokosatoadvancealonetotheflatrock，youwillbidme，Noma，whomnonecanfear，todolikewise，andthattherewecantalkinsightofbotharmies，andreturningthence，makereporttoyouandtoNodwengo。Afterwards，sosoonasHokosahassethisfootupontherock，thosemenwhoseemtobedeadshallspringuponhimanddraghimtoourcamp，wherewecandealwithhim;foroncethewizardistaken，thecauseofNodwengoislost。"
"Agoodpitfall，"saidtheprince;"butwillHokosawalkintothetrap？"
"Ithinkso，Hafela，forthreereasons。Heisaltogetherwithoutfear;
hewilldesire，ifmaybe，tomakepeaceonbehalfoftheking;andhehasthisstrangeweakness，thathestilllovesme，andwillscarcelysufferanoccasionofspeakingwithmetogopast，althoughhehasdivorcedme。"
"Sobeit，"saidtheprince;"thegamecanbetried，andifitfails，whywelosenothing，whereasifitsucceedswegainHokosa，whichismuch;forwithyouIthinkthatourarmswillneverprosperwhilethataccursedwizardsitsyonderweavinghisspellsagainstus，andbringingourmentodeathbyhundredsandbythousands。"
Thenhegavehisorders，andpresently，whenacloudpassedoverthefaceofthemoon，sixchosenmencreptforwardundertheleeoftheflatrockandthrewthemselvesdownhereandthereamongstthedead。
Soonthecloudpassed，andtheheraldadvancedacrosstheopenspaceblowingahorn，andwavingabranchinhishandtoshowthathecameuponamissionofpeace。
CHAPTERXXI
HOKOSAISLIFTEDUP
"Whatwouldyou？"askedHokosaoftheheraldashehaltedashortspear—castfromthewall。
"Mymaster，thePrinceHafela，desirestotreatwithyourmaster，Nodwengo。Manymenhavefallenoneitherside，andifthiswargoeson，thoughvictorymustbehisatlast，manymorewillfall。
Therefore，ifanyplancanbefound，hedesirestosparetheirlives。"
NowHokosaspokewiththeking，andanswered：——
"ThenletHafelacomebeneaththewallandwewilltalkwithhim。"
"Notso，"answeredtheherald。"Doesabuckwalkintoanopenpit？
Weretheprincetocomehereitmightchancethatyourspearswouldtalkwithhim。LetNodwengofollowmetothecampyonder，wherewepromisehimsafeconduct。"
"Notso，"answeredHokosa。"’Doesabuckwalkintoanopenpit？’Setoutyourmessage，andwewillconsiderit。"
"Nay，Iambutacommonmanwithoutauthority;butIamchargedtomakeyouanotheroffer，andifyouwillnothearitthenthereisanend。LetHokosaadvancealonetothatflatrockyouseeyonder，andthereheshallbemet，alsoalone，byonehavingpowertotalkwithhim，namely，bytheLadyNoma，whowasoncehiswife。Thustheycanconfertogethermidwaybetweenthecampsandinfullsightofbothofthem，nor，nomanbeingnear，canhefindcausetobeafraidofanunarmedgirl。Whatsayyou？"
Hokosaturnedandtalkedwiththeking。
"Ithinkitwellthatyoushouldnotgo，"saidNodwengo。"Theofferseemsfair，andthestoneisoutofreachoftheirspears;still，behinditmaylurkaschemetokillorcaptureyou，forHafelaisverycunning。"
"Itmaybeso，King，"answeredHokosa;"still，myhearttellsmeitiswisestthatIshoulddothisthing，forourcaseisdesperate，andifIdoitnot，thatmaybethecauseofthedeathofallofusto—morrow。Attheworst，Iambutoneman，anditmatterslittlewhatmaychancetome;norshallIcometoanyharmunlessitisthewillofHeaventhatitshouldbeso;andbesureofthis，thatoutoftheharmwillarisegood，forwhereIgotherethespiritoftheMessengergoeswithme。RememberthathebadeyoulistentomycounselwhileI
remainwithyou，seeingthatIdonotspeakofmyownwisdom。
Thereforeletmego，andifitshouldchancethatIamtaken，troublenotaboutthematter，forthusitwillbefatedtosomegreatend。
Aboveall，thoughoftenenoughIhavebeenatraitorinthepast，donotdreamthatIbetrayyou，keepinginmindthatsotodowouldbetobetraymyownsoul，whichverysoonmustrenderitsaccountonhigh。"
"Asyouwill，Hokosa，"answeredtheking。"AndnowtellthoserebeldogsthatonthesetermsonlywillImakepeacewiththem——thattheywithdrawacrossthemountainsbythepathwhichtheirwomenandchildrenhavetaken，leavingthislandforeverwithoutliftinganotherspearagainstus。Iftheywilldothis，notwithstandingallthewickednessandslaughterthattheyhaveworked，Iwillsendcommandtomy/impi/toletthemgounharmed。Iftheywillnotdothis，IputmytrustintheGodIworshipandwillfightthisfrayouttotheend，knowingthatifIandmypeopleperish，theyshallperishalso。"
NowNodwengohimselfspoketotheheraldwhowaswaitingbeyondthewall。
"Gobacktohimyouserve，"hesaid，"andsaythatHokosawillmeetherwhowashiswifeupontheflatstoneandtalkwithherinthesightofbotharmies，bearingmywordwithhim。Atthesoundoftheblowingofahornshalleachofthemadvanceunarmedandalonefromeithercamp。SaytomybrotheralsothatitwillindeedbeillforhimifheattemptstreacheryuponHokosa，forthemanwhocauseshisbloodtoflowwillsurelydie，andafterdeathshallbeaccursedforever。"
Theheraldwent，andpresentlyahornwasblown。
"Nowitcomesintomymindthatwepartforthelasttime，"saidNodwengoinatroubledvoiceashetookthehandofHokosa。
"Itmaybeso，King;inmyheartIthinkthatitisso;yetIdonotaltogethergrievethereat，fortheburdenofmypastsinscrushesme，andIamwearyandseekforrest。Yetwedonotpartforthelasttime，becausewhateverchances，intheendIshallmakemyreporttoyouyonder"——andhepointedupwards。"Reignonforlongyears，King——
reignwellandwisely，clingingtotheFaith，forthusatthelastshallyoureapyourreward。Farewell！"
Nowagainthehornblew，andinthebrightmoonlighttheslightfigureofNomacouldbeseenadvancingtowardsthestone。
ThenHokosasprangfromthewallandadvancedalso，tillatthesamemomenttheyclimbeduponthestone。
"Greeting，Hokosa，"saidNoma，andshestretchedoutherhandtohim。
Bywayofanswerheplacedhisownbehindhisback，saying："Toyourbusiness，woman。"Yethiseyessearchedherface——thefacewhichinhisfollyhestillloved;andthusitcameaboutthatheneversawsundryofthedeadbodies，whichlayintheshadowofthestone，begintoquickenintolife，andinchbyinchtoarise，firsttotheirkneesandnexttotheirfeet。Heneversaworheardthem，yet，asthewordslefthislips，theyspranguponhimfromeveryside，holdinghimsothathecouldnotmove。
"Awaywithhim！"criedNomawithalaughoftriumph;andathercommandhewashalf—draggedandhalf—carriedacrosstheopenspaceandthrustviolentlyoverastonewallintothecampofHafela。
NowNodwengoandhissoldierssawwhathadhappened，andwithashoutof"Treachery！"somehundredsofthemleaptintotheplainandbegantoruntowardsthekoppietorescuetheirenvoy。
Hokosaheardtheshout，andwrenchinghimselfround，beheldthem。
"Back！"hecriedinaclear，shrillvoice。"Back！childrenofNodwengo，andleavemetomyfate，forthefoewaitsforyoubythousandsbehindthewall！"
Asoldierstruckhimacrossthemouth，biddinghimbesilent;buthiswarninghadcometotheearsofNodwengo，causinghimandhiswarriorstohaltandbeginaretreat。Itwaswellthattheydidso，forseeingthattheywouldnotcomeon，fromundertheshelterofthewallandofeveryrockandstonesoldiersjumpedupbycompaniesandcharged，drivingthembacktotheirownschanse。Buttheking’smenhadthestartofthem，andhadtakenshelterbehindit，whencetheygreetedthemwithavolleyofspears，killingtenandwoundingtwiceasmanymore。
NowitwasHokosa’sturntolaugh，andlaughhedid，saying：——
"Mytakingiswellpaidforalready，Prince。Ascoreofyourbestwarriorsisaheavypricetogiveforthecarcaseofonewearyandagingman。ButsinceIamhereamongyou，capturedwithsomuchpainandloss，tellmeofyourcourtesywhyIhavebeenbrought。"
Thentheprinceshookhisspearathimandcursedhim。
"Wouldyoulearn，wizardandtraitor？"hecried。"Wehavecaughtyoubecauseweknowwellthatwhileyoustayyonderyourmagiccounselwillprevailagainstourmight;whereas，whenonceweholdyoufast，Nodwengowillwandertohisruinlikeablindandmoonstruckman，foryouweretohimbotheyesandbrain。"
"Iunderstand，"saidHokosacalmly。"But，Prince，howifIleftmywisdombehindme？"
"Thatmaynotbe，"answeredHafela，"sinceevenawizardcannotthrowhisthoughtsintotheheartofanotherfromafar。"
"Ah！youthinkso，Prince。Well，askNomayonderifIcannotthrowmythoughtsintoherheartfromafar：thoughoflateIhavenotchosentodoso，havingputasidesuchspells。Butletitpass，andtellme，havingtakenme，whatisityouproposetodowithme？First，however，IwillgiveyoufornothingsomeofthatwisdomwhichyougrudgetoNodwengotheking。Beadvisedbyme，Prince，andtakethetermsthatheofferstoyou——namely，toturnthisverynightandbegonefromthelandwithoutharmorhindrance。Willyoureceivemygift，Hafela？"
"WhatwillhappenifIrefuseit？"askedtheprinceslowly。
NowHokosalookedatthedustathisfeet，thenhegazedupwardssearchingtheheavens，andanswered：——
"DidnotItellyouyesterday？Ithinkthatthiswillhappen。Ithink——butwhocanbequitesureofthefuture，Hafela？——thatyouandthemostofyourarmybythishourto—morrownightwillbelyingfastasleepaboutthisplace，withjackalsforyourbedfellows。"
Theprinceheardandtrembledathiswords，forhebelievedthatifhewilledit，Hokosacouldprophesythetruth。
"Accurseddog！"hesaid。"Iammindedtobeguidedbyyoursaying;butbesureofthis，thatifIfollowit，youshallstayheretosleepwithjackals，yes，thisverynight。"
ThenNomabrokein。
"Benotmad，Hafela！"shesaid。"Willyoulistentotheliesthatthisrenegadetellstoworkuponyourfears？Willyouabandonvictorywhenitlieswithinyourgrasp，andinplaceofagreatkingbecomeafugitivewhomallmenmockat，anoutcasttobehunteddownatleisurebythatbrotheragainstwhomyoudaredtorebel，butonwhomyoudidnotdaretoshutyourhandwhenhelayinitshollow？Silencethetongueofthiscaptiverogueforeverandbecomeamanagain，withtheheartofaman。"
"Now，"saidHokosagently;"manywouldfindithardtobelievethatI
rearedthiswomanfromchildhood，nursingherwithmyownhandswhenshewassickandgivingherofthebestIhad;thatafterwards，whenyoustoleherfromme，Prince，Isinneddeeplytowinherback。ThatI
marriedherandsinnedyetmoredeeplytogiveherthegreatnessshedesired;andatlast，ofmyownwill，IloosedthebondsbywhichI
heldher，althoughIcouldnotthrusthermemoryfrommyheart。YetI
haveearneditall，forImadeherthetoolofmywitchcraft，andthereforeitisjustthatsheshouldturnandrendme。Well，ifyoulikeit，takehercounsel，Prince，andletminego，forIcarenothingwhichyoutake;only，forgivemeifIprophesyoncemoreandforthelasttime——IamsurethatNodwengoyonderspoketruthwhenhebadeyourheraldtellmethathewhocausesmybloodtoflowshallsurelydieandforitbecalledtoastrictaccount。Prince，IamaChristiannow，andbelieveme，whateveryoumaydo，Iseeknorevengeuponyou;
havingbeenmyselfforgivensomuch，inmyturnIhavelearnedtoforgive。Yetitmaybeillforthatmanwhocausesmybloodtoflow。"
"Lethimbestrangled，"saidacaptainwhostoodnearby，"andthentherewillbenobloodinthematter。"
"Friend，"answeredHokosa，"youshouldhavebeennotasoldierbutapleaderofcauses。Trueitisthenthattheprincewillonlycausemylifetofly，butwhetherthatisasmallersinIleaveyoutojudge。"
"Keephimprisoner，"saidanother，"tillwelearnhowthesemattersend。"
"Nay，"answeredHafela，"forthenhewillsurelyoutwitusandescape。
Noma，whatshallwedowiththismanwhowasyourhusband？Tellus，foryoushouldknowbesthowtodealwithhim。"
"Letmethink，"sheanswered，andshelookedfirstatthegroundbeneathher，nextaroundher，thenupwardstowardtheskies。
Nowtheystoodatthefootofthekoppie，ontheflattopofwhichgrewthegreatTreeofDoom，thatforgenerationshadservedthePeopleofFireasaplaceofexecutionoftheircriminals，orofthosewhofellunderthebanofthekingorofthewitch—doctors。Amongandabovethefinger—likefrondsofthisstrangeanddreadful—lookingtreetoweredthatwhitedeadlimbshapedlikeacross，whichOwenhadpointedouttohisdiscipleJohn，takingittobeasignandapromise。Thiscrossstoodoutclearagainstthesinkingmoon。ItcaughtNoma’seye，andadevilishthoughtenteredintoherheart。
"Youwouldkeepthisfellowalive？"shesaid，"andyetyouwouldnotsufferhimtoescape。See，thereaboveyouisacrosssuchasheworships。BindhimtoitashesaystheManwhomheworshipswasbound，andletthatdeadManhelphimifhemay。"
TheprinceandthoseaboutNomashrankbackalittleinhorror。Theywerecruelmenrenderedmorecruelbytheirsuperstitiousfearofonewhomtheybelievedtobeuncanny;onetowhomtheyattributedinhumanpowerswhichhewasexercisingtotheirdestruction，butstillthisdoomseemeddreadfultothem。Nomareadtheirmindsandwentonpassionately：——
"Youdeemmeunmerciful，butyoudonotknowwhatIhavesufferedatthiswizard’shands。ForhissakeandbecauseofhimIamhaunted。ForhisownpurposesheopenedthegatesofDistance，hesentmedownamongthedwellersinDeath，causingmetointerprettheirwordsforhim。Ididso，butthedwellerscamebackoutofDeathwithme，andfromthathourtheyhavenotleftme，norwilltheyeverleaveme;fornightbynighttheysojournatmyside，tormentingmewithterrors。Hehastoldmethatthroughmymouththatspiritwhomhedrewintomybodyprophesiedthatheshouldbe’liftedupabovethepeople。’Lettheprophecybefulfilled，lethimbeliftedup，forthenperchancetheghostswilldepartfrommeandIshallwinpeaceandsleep。Also，thusalonecanyouholdhimsafeandyetshednoblood。"
"Beitso，"saidtheprince。"Whenweplottedtogetherofthedeathoftheking，andasyourprice，Hokosa，youbargainedforthegirlwhomI
hadchosentowife，didInotwarnyouthatthiswitchofmanyspells，whoholdsbothourheartsinherlittlehands，shouldyethoundyoutodeathandmockyouwhileyouperishedbyanendofshame？WhatdidI
tellyou，Hokosa？"
Nowwhenheheardhisfate，Hokosabowedhisheadandtrembledalittle。Thenheliftedit，andexclaimedinaclearvoice：——
"Itistrue，Prince，butIwilladdtoyourwords。Sheshallbring/both/ofustodeath。Forme，IamhonouredindeedinthattherehasbeenallottedtomethatsameendwhichmyMasterchose。Tothatcrossletmysinsbefastenedandwiththemmybody。"
Nowthemoonsank，butinthedarknessmenwerefoundwhodaredtoclimbthetree，takingwiththemstripsofrawhide。Theyreachedthetopofit，fourofthem，andseatingthemselvesuponthearmsofthecross，theyletdownarope，thenooseofwhichwasplacedaboutthebodyofHokosa。Asittighteneduponhim，heturnedhiscalmanddreadfuleyesontotheeyesofNomaandsaidtoher：——
"Woman，Idonotreproachyou;butIlaythisfateuponyou，thatyoushallwatchmedie。Thereafter，letGoddealwithyouasHemaychoose。"
Now，whensheheardthesewordsNomashriekedaloud，forofasuddenshefeltthatthepowerofthewillofHokosa，fromwhichshehadbeenfreedbyhim，hadoncemorefallenuponher，andthatcomewhatmightshewasdoomedtoobeyhislastcommands。
Littlebylittlethesoldiersdrewhimupandinthedarknesstheyboundhimfastthereupontheloftycross。Thentheydescendedandlefthim，andwouldhaveledNomawiththemfromthetree。Butthistheycouldnotdo，foralwaysshebrokefromthemscreaming，andfledbacktoitsshadow。
Then，seeingthatshewasbewitched，Hafelacommandedthattheyshouldbindaclothabouthermouthandleavehertheretillhersensesreturnedtoherinthesunlight——fornoneofthemdaredtostopwithherintheshadowofthattree，sincetheodoursofitwerepoisonoustoman。Alsotheybelievedtheplacetobehauntedbyevilspirits。
CHAPTERXXII
THEVICTORYOFTHECROSS
Thesunrosesuddenlyovertheedgeofthecliffs，andwhileitwasyetdeepshadowinthevalley，itsredlightstruckuponthewhitecrossofperishedwoodthattoweredabovetheTreeofDoomandontheblackshapeofHokosacrucifiedtoitliving。Thecampofthekingsawandunderstood，andfromeverythroatofthethousandsofmen，womenandchildrengatheredthere，wentuparoarofrageandhorror。Thekingliftedhishand，andsilencefellupontheplace;thenhemountedonthewallandcriedaloud：——
"Doyouyetlive，Hokosa，orisityourbodyonlythatthosetraitorshavefastenedtothetree？"
Backcametheanswerthroughtheclearstillair：——
"Ilive，OKing！"
"Endurethenalittlewhile，"calledNodwengo，"andwewillstormthetreeandsaveyou。"
"Nay，"answeredHokosa，"youcannotsaveme;yetbeforeIdieIshallseeyousaved。"
Thenhiswordswerelostintumult，forthethirdday’sfightingbegan。DesperatelytheregimentsofHafelarushingacrosstheopenspace，hurledthemselvesuponthefortifications，which，duringthenight，hadbeenstrengthenedbythebuildingoftwoinnerwalls。Norwasthisall，forsuddenlyacrytoldthoseinfrontthattheregimentwhichHafelahaddespatchedacrossthemountainshadtravelleduptheeasternneckofthevalley，andwereattackingthepositionintheirrear。WellwasitforNodwengonowthathehadlistenedtothecounselofHokosa，and，weariedashissoldierswere，hadcommandedthatherealsoagreatwallshouldbebuilt。
Fortwohoursthefightraged，andthenoneithersidethefoefellback，notbeatenindeed，thoughtheirdeadweremany，buttorestandtakecounsel。Butnowanewtroublearose：fromallthecampofNodwengotherewentupamoanofpaintoHeaven，forsincetheeveningofyesterdaythespringhadgivenout，andtheyhadfoundnowaterwherewithtowettheirlips。Duringthenighttheyboreit;butnowthesunbeatingdownontheblackrockswithfearfulforcescorchedthemtothemarrow，tilltheybegantowitherlikefallenleaves，andalreadywoundedmenandchildrendied，whilethewarriorscutthethroatsofoxenanddranktheirblood。
Hokosahangingonhiscrossheardthismoaninganddivineditscause。
"Beofgoodcomfort，childrenofNodwengo，"hecried;"forIwillpraythatrainbesentuponyou。"Andheliftedhisheadandprayed。
Now，whetheritwasbychanceorwhetherhisprayerwasheard，whocansay？AtleastithappenedthatimmediatelythereaftercloudsbegantogatherandtothickenintheblueofHeaven，andwithintwohoursrainfellintorrents，sothateveryonecoulddrinkhisfill，andthespringbeingreplenishedatitssources，flowedagainstrongly。
Aftertheraincamecoldandmoaningwinds，andafterthewindagreatgloomandthunder。
Now，takingadvantageoftheshadow，theregimentsofHafelarenewedtheirattack，andthistimetheycarriedthefirstofthethreewalls，foritsdefendersgrewfeebleandfewinnumber。Theretheypausedawhile，andsaveforthecriesofthewoundedandoffrightenedwomen，thesilencewasgreat。
"Letyourheartsbefilledup！"criedthevoiceofHokosathroughthesilence;"forthesunlightshinesupontheplainoftheGreatPlaceyonder，andinitIseethesheenofspears。The/impi/travelstoyouraid，OchildrenofNodwengo。"
Now，atthistidingsthepeopleofthekingshoutedforjoy;butHafelacalledtohisregimentstomakeanendofthem，andtheyhurledthemselvesuponthesecondwall，fightingdesperately。Againandagaintheywerebeatenback，andagainandagaintheycameon，tillatlengththeycarriedthiswallalso，drivingitsdefenders，orthosewhoremainedaliveofthem，intothethirdentrenchment，andpausedtorestawhile。
"Prayforus，OProphetwhoaresetonhigh！"criedavoicefromthecamp，"forifsuccourdonotreachusspeedily，wearesped。"
Beforetheechoesofthevoicehaddiedaway，aflashoflightningflaredthroughthegloom，andinthelightofitHokosasawthattheking’s/impi/wasrushingupthegorge。
"Fighton！Fighton！"hecalledinanswer。"IhaveprayedtoHeaven，andyoursuccourisathand。"
Then，withahowlofrage，Hafela’sregimentshurledthemselvesuponthethirdandlastentrenchment，attackingitatonceinfrontandrear。Twicetheynearlycarriedit，buteachtimethewildscreamofHokosaonhighwasheardabovethedin，conjuringitsdefenderstofightonandfearnot，forHeavenhadsentthemhelp。Theyfoughtasmenhaveseldomfoughtbefore，andwiththemfoughtthewomenandeventhechildren。Theywerefewandthefoewasstillmany，buttheylistenedtotheurgingofhimwhomtheybelievedtobeinspiredinhisdeath—agonyuponthecrossabovethem，andstilltheyheldtheirown。
Twiceportionsofthewallweretorndown，buttheyfilledthebreachwiththecorpsesofthedead，ay！andwiththebodiesoftheliving，forthewounded，theoldmenandtheverywomenpiledthemselvesthereintheplaceofstones。NosuchfraywastoldofintheannalsofthePeopleofFireasthis，thelaststandofNodwengoagainstthethousandsofHafela。Nowalltheshoutinghaddiedaway，formenhadnobreathleftwherewithtoshout，onlyfromthegloomyplaceofbattlecamelowgroansandthedeepsobbingsighsofwarriorsgrippedinthedeath—hug。
"/Fighton！Fighton！/"shrilledthevoiceofHokosaonhigh。"Lo！theskiesareopentomydyingsight，andIseethe/impis/ofHeavensweepingtosuccouryou。/Behold！/"
Theydashedthesweatfromtheireyesandlookedforth，andastheylooked，thepallofgloomwaslifted，andinthegoldenglowofmany—
shaftedlight，theysaw，notthelegionsofHeavenindeed，buttheregimentsofNodwengorushingroundthebendofthevalley，asdogsrushuponascent，withheadsheldlowandspearsoutstretched。
Hafelasawthemalso。
"Backtothekoppie，"hecried，"theretodielikemen，forthewizardriesofHokosahavebeentoostrongforus，andlostisthismylastbattleandthecrownIcametoseek！"
Theyobeyed，andallthatwereleftofthem，sometenthousandmen，theyrantothekoppieandformedthemselvesuponit，ringabovering，andherethesoldiersofNodwengoclosedinuponthem。
AgainandforthelasttimethevoiceofHokosarangoutabovethefray。
"Nodwengo，"hecried，"withmypassingbreathIchargeyouhavemercyandsparethesemen，somanyofthemaswillsurrender。Thedayofbloodshedhasgoneby，thefrayisfinished，theCrosshasconquered。
Lettherebepeaceintheland。"
Allmenheardhim，forhispiercingscream，echoedfromtheprecipices，cametotheearsofeach。Allmenheardhim，and，eveninthatfiercehourofvengeance，allobeyed。Thespearthatwaspoisedwasnotthrown，andthekerryliftedoverthefallendidnotdescendtodashawayhislife。
"Hearken，Hafela！"calledtheking，steppingforwardfromtheranksoftheattackers。"Hewhomyouhavesetonhightobringdefeatuponyouchargesmetogiveyoupeace，andinthenameoftheconqueringCrossIgivepeace。Allwhosurrendershalldwellhenceforthinmyshadow，norshalltheheadortheheelofoneofthembeharmed，althoughtheirsinisgreat。OnelifeonlywillItake，thelifeofthatwitchwhobroughtyourarmiesdownuponmetoburnmytownandslaymypeoplebythousands，andwhobutlastnightbetrayedHokosatohisdeathoftorment。Allshallgofree，Isay，savethewitch;andforyou，youshallbegivencattleandsuchservantsaswillclingtoyoutothenumberofahundred，anddrivenfromtheland。Now，whatsayyou？Willyouyieldorbeslain？Swiftwithyouranswer;forthesunsinks，andereitissettheremustbeanendinthiswayorinthat。"
TheregimentsofHafelaheard，andshoutedinansweraswithonevoice：——
"Wetakeyourmercy，King！Wefoughtbravelywhilewecould，andnowwetakeyourmercy，King！"
"Whatsayyou，Hafela？"repeatedNodwengo，addressingtheprince，whostooduponapointofrockabovehiminfullsightofbotharmies。
HafelaturnedandlookedatHokosahanginghighinmid—air。
"WhatsayI？"heansweredinaslowandquietvoice。"IsaythattheCrossanditsProphethavebeentoostrongforme，andthatIshouldhavedonewelltofollowtheoneandtolistentothecounseloftheother。Mybrother，youtellmethatImaygofree，takingservantswithme。IthankyouandIwillgo——alone。"
Andsettingthehandleofhisspearupontherock，withasuddenmovementhefellforward，transfixinghisheartwithitsbroadblade，andlaystill。
"Atleasthediedlikeoneoftheblood—royaloftheSonsofFire！"
criedNodwengo，whilethearmiesstoodsilentandawestruck，"andwiththeblood—royalheshallbeburied。Laydownyourarms，youwhofollowedhimandfoughtforhim，fearingnothing，andgiveovertomethewitchthatshemaybeslain。"
"Shehidesunderthetreeyonder！"criedavoice。
"Goupandtakeher，"saidNodwengotosomeofhiscaptains。
NowNoma，crouchedonthegroundbeneaththetree，hadseenandheardallthatpassed。Perceivingthecaptainsmakingtheirwaytowardsherthroughthelinesofthesoldiers，whoopenedoutapathforthem，sheroseandforamomentstoodbewildered。Then，asthoughdrawnbysomestrangeattraction，sheturned，andseizingholdofthecreeperthatclungaboutit，shebegantoclimbtheTreeofDoomswiftly。Upshewentwhileallmenwatched，higherandhigheryet，tillpassingoutofthefinger—likefoliageshereachedthecrossofdeadwoodwheretoHokosahung，andplacingherfeetupononearmofit，stoodthere，supportingherselfbythebrokentopoftheupright。
Hokosawasnotyetdead，thoughhewasveryneartodeath。Liftinghisglazingeyes，heknewherandsaid，speakingthickly：——
"Whatdoyouhere，Noma，andwhereforehaveyoucome？"
"Icomebecauseyoudrawme，"sheanswered，"andbecausetheyseekmylifebelow。"
"Repent，repent！"hewhispered，"thereisyettimeandHeavenisverymerciful。"
Sheheard，andafuryseizedher。
"Besilent，dog！"shecried。"HavingdefiedyourGodsolong，shallI
groveltoHimatthelast？Havinghatedyousomuch，shallIseekyourforgivenessnow？AtleastofonethingIamglad——itwasIwhobroughtyouhere，andwithmeandthroughmeyoushalldie。"
Then，placingonefootuponhisbentheadasifinscorn，sheleanedforward，herlonghairflyingtothewind，andcursedNodwengoandhispeople，namingthemrenegadesandapostates，andcursedthesoldiersofHafela，namingthemcowards，callingdownuponthemthemalisonoftheirancestors。
Hokosaheardandmuttered：——
"Foryoursoul’ssake，woman，repent！repent，ereitbetoolate！"
"Repent！"shescreamed，catchingathiswords。"ThusdoIrepent！"anddrawingtheknifefromhergirdle，sheleantoverhimanddroveithilt—deepintohisbreast。
Thenwithasuddenmovementshesprangupwardsandoutwardsintotheair，andrushingdownthroughahundredfeetofspace，wasstruckdeaduponthatveryrockwherethecorpseofHafelalay。
Now，beneaththeagonyofthelifeHokosaliftedhisheadforthelasttime，cryinginagreatvoice：——
"Messenger，Icome，beyoumyguide，"andwiththewordshissoulpassed。
"Allisoverandended，"saidavoice。"Soldiers，salutethekingwiththeroyalsalute。"
"Nay，"answeredNodwengo。"Salutemenot，salutetheCrossandhimwhohangsthereon。"
So，whiletheraysofthesettingsunshoneaboutit，regimentbyregimentthatgreatarmyrushedpastthekoppie，andpausingoppositetothecrossanditsburden，theyrenderedtoittheroyalsaluteofkings。
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Thenthenightfell，andthusthroughthepowerofFaiththatnow，asofold，istheonlytrueandefficientmagic，wasaccomplishedthemissiontotheSonsofFireoftheSaintandMartyr，ThomasOwen，andofhismurdereranddisciple，theWizardHokosa。