kites, as that of one who would murder the king'--and the king's guest!"

"White Man," whispered Hokosa throwing down the spear, "how can these
things be? I was alone in the hut with the prince, I was alone beneath
the Tree of Doom, and you, as I know well, were beyond the river. Your
spies must be good, White Man."

"My spirit is my only spy, Hokosa. My spirit watched you, and from your
own lips he learned the secret of the bane and of the antidote. Hafela
mixed the poison as you taught him; I gave the remedy, and saved the
king alive."

Now the knees of Hokosa grew weak beneath him, and he leaned against the
fence of the kraal for support.

"I have skill in the art," he said hoarsely; "but, Messenger, your magic
is more than mine, and my life is forfeit to you. To-morrow morning,
you will tell the king all, and to-morrow night I shall hang upon the
dreadful Tree. Well, so be it; I am overmatched at my own trade, and it
is best that I should die. You have plotted well and you have conquered,
and to you belong my place and power."

"It was you who plotted, and not I, Hokosa. Did you not contrive that I
should reach the Great Place but a little before the poison was given to
the king, so that upon me might be laid the crime of his bewitching? Did
you not plan also that I should be called upon to cure him--a thing
you deemed impossible--and when I failed that I should be straightway
butchered?"

"Seeing that it is useless to lie to you, I confess that it was so,"