“Virtue is victorious and justice has been done, Mr. Quatermain.  These are the spoils of war,” he said, pointing to the trappings of the late witch-doctor.

“Oh! get out, you little cur!  We want to know nothing more,” I said.  “Go, cook us some supper,” and he went, not in the least abashed.

The hunters were carrying between them what appeared to be the body of Hans.  At first I was frightened, thinking that he must be dead, but examination showed that he was only in a state of insensibility such as might be induced by laudanum.  Brother John ordered him to be wrapped up in a blanket and laid by the fire, and this was done.

Presently Mavovo approached and squatted down in front of us.

“Macumazana, my father,” he said quietly, “what words have you for me?”

“Words of thanks, Mavovo.  If you had not been so quick, Imbozwi would have finished me.  As it is, the knife only touched my skin without breaking it, for Dogeetah has looked to see.”

Mavovo waved his hand as though to sweep this little matter aside, and asked, looking me straight in the eyes: 

“And what other words, Macumazana?  As to my Snake I mean.”

“Only that you were right and I was wrong,” I answered shamefacedly.  “Things have happened as you foretold, how or why I do not understand.”

“No, my father, because you white men are so vain” ("blown out was his word), “that you think you have all wisdom.  Now you have learned that this is not so.  I am content.  The false doctors are all dead, my father, and I think that Imbozwi——­”

I held up my hand, not wishing to hear details.  Mavovo rose, and with a little smile, went about his business.

“What does he mean about his Snake?” inquired Brother John curiously.

I told him as briefly as I could, and asked him if he could explain the matter.  He shook his head.

“The strangest example of native vision that I have ever heard of,” he answered, “and the most useful.  Explain!  There is no explanation, except the old one that there are more things in heaven and earth, etc., and that God gives different gifts to different men.”

Then we ate our supper; I think one of the most joyful meals of which I have ever partaken.  It is wonderful how good food tastes when one never expected to swallow another mouthful.  After it was finished the others went to bed but, with the still unconscious Hans for my only companion, I sat for a while smoking by the fire, for on this high tableland the air was chilly.  I felt that as yet I could not sleep; if for no other reason because of the noise that the Mazitu were making in the town, I suppose in celebration of the execution of the terrible witch-doctors and the return of Dogeetah.

Suddenly Hans awoke, and sitting up, stared at me through the bright flame which I had recently fed with dry wood.

“Baas,” he said in a hollow voice, “there you are, here I am, and there is the fire which never goes out, a very good fire.  But, Baas, why are we not inside of it as your father the Predikant promised, instead of outside here in the cold?”