the gate.

"He has already taken himself away," suggested Hadden, while the
audience tittered. "No, King, do not touch it rashly; it is a repeating
rifle. Look----" and lifting the Winchester, he fired the four remaining
shots in quick succession into the air, striking the top of a tree at
which he aimed with every one of them.

"_Wow_, it is wonderful!" said the company in astonishment.

"Has the thing finished?" asked the king.

"For the present it has," answered Hadden. "Look at it."

Cetywayo took the repeater in his hand, and examined it with caution,
swinging the muzzle horizontally in an exact line with the stomachs of
some of his most eminent Indunas, who shrank to this side and that as
the barrel was brought to bear on them.

"See what cowards they are, White Man," said the king with indignation;
"they fear lest there should be another bullet in this gun."

"Yes," answered Hadden, "they are cowards indeed. I believe that if they
were seated on stools they would tumble off them just as it chanced to
your Majesty to do just now."

"Do you understand the making of guns, White Man?" asked the king
hastily, while the Indunas one and all turned their heads, and
contemplated the fence behind them.