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For Tabitha knew when to be silent. Perhaps the Kaffirs, whose minds she could read as an open book, taught her this; or perhaps it was one of the best gifts to her of old Menzi's "Spirit," into whose care he passed her with so much formality.
Also I have another thought. When it is known that I became a Christian at the last then, if you bid them, Little Flower, the 'heathen-herd' will follow where the bull Menzi went before them. Here Menzi's breath failed, but recovering it, he continued: "Hearken! O Imba! I give my people into your hand; now let your hand bend the twig as you would have it grow.
Forgetting his conversation to a belief in the reality of Menzi's magic, he talked in a loud voice about the disgrace of being infected with vile, heathen superstitions, such as he had never thought to hear uttered by his wife's Christian lips.
Menzi's medicine. Still, he told you to drink it if necessary, and I am absolutely certain that he does not wish to poison you. So perhaps I might have a try, for really I feel uncommonly ill." So later on, with much secrecy, the gourd was produced, and the Bishop had "a try."
We buried him here because Menzi's people took up the bones of those who were in the churchyard and threw them into the river," explained Kosa. Dorcas looked as though she were going to faint, but Thomas, rising to the occasion, remarked: "Come on, dear. The dead are always with us, and what better company could we have than the dust of our sainted predecessor."
Since he could not explain it, Thomas swallowed the magic, much as in his boyhood he used to swallow the pills. Yes, if only Menzi were removed by the will of Heaven, which really, thought Thomas, must be outraged by such proceedings, his opportunity would come, and "Menzi's herd," as the heathens were called in Sisa-land, would be added to his own.
Now, in the after years, he is the must respected if somewhat feared bishop of white settlers in a remote Dominion of the Crown. Thomas to-day knows more than he used to know, but one thing he has never learned, namely that it was the hand of a maid, yes, the little hidden hand of Tabitha, that drove all "Menzi's herd" into the gates of the "Heavenly Kraal," as some of them named his church.
She was heartily tired of Sisa-Land, and wished earnestly that her husband could get a change of station, which the Bishop had hinted to her would not be impossible somewhere nearer to civilisation. Alas! he was so obstinate that she feared nothing would move him, at any rate until he had converted "Menzi's herd," who were also obstinate, and remained as heathen as ever.
If he can show me that, I shall begin to believe that he is inspired by his master, the devil. Do you all understand?" They said they did, and Menzi called out: "Be quick, White Teacher. Be quick, I grow tired. My Spirit grows tired. The smoke grows tired. Come, come, come!" They returned and stood in front of the fire, and in obedience to Menzi's motions once more the fan of smoke arose.
"I do not want to see his tricks," said Thomas angrily. "Tell him to go away." "Oh, Teacher!" replied Kosa, "that would not be wise, for then everyone would believe that Menzi's magic is so great that you are afraid even to look upon it. It is better to let him try. Perhaps if you pray hard he will fail, for his spirits will not always come when he calls them."
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