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This very night, Noma, with your help I will consult the dead, as I have done in bygone time, and learn the future from their lips which cannot lie." "So be it; though the task is hateful to me, and I hate you who force me to it."
"Hokosa told us last night that to him had passed the wisdom of the Messenger; but if this be so, I think that to you has passed the guile of Hokosa." "It seems to me that some of it abides with him," answered Noma laughing.
The price you paid for me must have been good, Hokosa, and mayhap it had to do with the death of a king." "I am not afraid," he answered, setting his teeth, "because I know that whatever your heart may desire, my will follows you, and while I live that is a cord you cannot break unless I choose to loose it, Noma.
The smallest of these unhewn obelisks it was about fifty feet high marked the resting-place of Umsuka; and deep into its granite Owen with his own hand had cut the dead king's name and date of death, surmounting his inscription with a symbol of the cross. Towards this pillar Hokosa made his way through the wet grass, followed by Noma his wife.
"And yet at times they are the best, Master. Wrinkles and smooth skin seem strange upon one pillow," she added, glancing at Noma, who came from the hut carrying a bowl of milk in her hand. "If you seek counsel," said Hokosa quickly, "why do you not go to the white man, that Messenger in whom you believe, and ask him for a potion to turn your husband's heart?"
Lay down your arms, you who followed him and fought for him, fearing nothing, and give over to me the witch that she may be slain." "She hides under the tree yonder!" cried a voice. "Go up and take her," said Nodwengo to some of his captains. Now Noma, crouched on the ground beneath the tree, had seen and heard all that passed.
"I dare to speak it to you, Noma, because, although you be his wife, all wives do not love their lords; and I think that, perchance in days to come, you would choose rather to hold the hand of a young king than that of a witch-doctor sinking into eld.
And he made a rush at me, with his stick lifted, and after him came the headman, grunting with rage. I understood now, my father. My heart went mad in me, everything began to swim round, a red cloth seemed to lift itself up and down before my eyes. I have always seen it thus when I was forced to fight. I screamed out one word only, "Liar!" and ran to meet him. On came Noma.
On the morrow Hafela held a secret council of his great men, and the next day an embassy departed to Nodwengo the king, taking to him that message which Hokosa, through Noma his wife, had put into the lips of the prince.
Let Hokosa advance alone to that flat rock you see yonder, and there he shall be met, also alone, by one having power to talk with him, namely, by the Lady Noma, who was once his wife. Thus they can confer together midway between the camps and in full sight of both of them, nor, no man being near, can he find cause to be afraid of an unarmed girl. What say you?"
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