"Stay!" broke in Owen. "Once before this day I prayed of you, King, to
show mercy, and you refused it. Will you refuse me a second time? Leave
him his life who has lost all else."

"That he may rebel against me? Well, White Man, I owe you much, and for
this time your wisdom shall be my guide, though my heart speaks against
such gentleness. Hearken, councillors and people, this is my decree:
that Hafela, my son, who would have murdered me, be deposed from his
place as heir to my throne, and that Nodwengo, his brother, be set in
that place, to rule the People of Fire after me when I die."

"It is good, it is just!" said the council. "Let the king's word be
done."

"Hearken again," said Umsuka. "Let this white man, who is named
Messenger, be placed in the House of Guests and treated with all honour;
let oxen be given him from the royal herds and corn from the granaries,
and girls of noble blood for wives if he wills them. Hokosa, into your
hand I deliver him, and, great though you are, know this, that if but
a hair of his head is harmed, with your goods and your life you shall
answer for it, you and all your house."

"Let the king's word be done," said the councillors again.

"Heralds," went on Umsuka, "proclaim that the feast of the first-fruits
is ended, and my command is that every regiment should seek its
quarters, taking with it a double gift of cattle from the king, who has
been saved alive by the magic of this white man. And now, Messenger,
farewell, for my head grows weary. To-morrow I will speak with you."