“Away with him!” cried Noma with a laugh of triumph; and at her command he was half-dragged and half-carried across the open space and thrust violently over a stone wall into the camp of Hafela.

Now Nodwengo and his soldiers saw what had happened, and with a shout of “Treachery!” some hundreds of them leapt into the plain and began to run towards the koppie to rescue their envoy.

Hokosa heard the shout, and wrenching himself round, beheld them.

“Back!” he cried in a clear, shrill voice.  “Back! children of Nodwengo, and leave me to my fate, for the foe waits for you by thousands behind the wall!”

A soldier struck him across the mouth, bidding him be silent; but his warning had come to the ears of Nodwengo, causing him and his warriors to halt and begin a retreat.  It was well that they did so, for seeing that they would not come on, from under the shelter of the wall and of every rock and stone soldiers jumped up by companies and charged, driving them back to their own schanse.  But the king’s men had the start of them, and had taken shelter behind it, whence they greeted them with a volley of spears, killing ten and wounding twice as many more.

Now it was Hokosa’s turn to laugh, and laugh he did, saying:—­

“My taking is well paid for already, Prince.  A score of your best warriors is a heavy price to give for the carcase of one weary and aging man.  But since I am here among you, captured with so much pain and loss, tell me of your courtesy why I have been brought.”

Then the prince shook his spear at him and cursed him.

“Would you learn, wizard and traitor?” he cried.  “We have caught you because we know well that while you stay yonder your magic counsel will prevail against our might; whereas, when once we hold you fast, Nodwengo will wander to his ruin like a blind and moonstruck man, for you were to him both eyes and brain.”

“I understand,” said Hokosa calmly.  “But, Prince, how if I left my wisdom behind me?”

“That may not be,” answered Hafela, “since even a wizard cannot throw his thoughts into the heart of another from afar.”

“Ah! you think so, Prince.  Well, ask Noma yonder if I cannot throw my thoughts into her heart from afar:  though of late I have not chosen to do so, having put aside such spells.  But let it pass, and tell me, having taken me, what is it you propose to do with me?  First, however, I will give you for nothing some of that wisdom which you grudge to Nodwengo the king.  Be advised by me, Prince, and take the terms that he offers to you—­namely, to turn this very night and begone from the land without harm or hindrance.  Will you receive my gift, Hafela?”

“What will happen if I refuse it?” asked the prince slowly.

Now Hokosa looked at the dust at his feet, then he gazed upwards searching the heavens, and answered:—­

“Did not I tell you yesterday?  I think that this will happen.  I think—­but who can be quite sure of the future, Hafela?—­that you and the most of your army by this hour to-morrow night will be lying fast asleep about this place, with jackals for your bedfellows.”