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Updated: June 22, 2025
As the queen spoke I noticed two gorgeously-attired men behind her, probably her chief advisers, exchange whispers with smiles of evident satisfaction. "Then I am to understand that the Naya of Mo absolutely refuseth to sanction these my friends to dwell within our walls?" Omar said.
As I sat listening to the conversation I fully realised the seriousness of the great undertaking upon which we had embarked, and I confess my confidence in our success was by no means deep-rooted, for it was apparent that in the revolt, if revolt became necessary, the military would act on the side of the Naya and suppress it with a firm, merciless hand.
The valley is commanded by guns in such a manner that it can be swept from end to end, so that even if a foe were to succeed in treading the Way of the Thousand Steps he must descend here and remain under the fire of the guns." "I noticed that last night you signalled with a torch," I said. "Ah! you were awake and did not speak," he laughed. "Yes, I flashed my name, with a message to the Naya.
I said whatever seemed to be appropriate, and next morning my deliverance came. While I was eating my breakfast in the courtyard at the back of the hut, Naya thrust her handsome and pleasant face round the corner and said that there was a messenger to see me from the king. Leaving the rest of the meal unswallowed, I went to the doorway of the yard and there found my old friend, Kambula.
In an instant it had sunk out of sight. "Then how shall we gain the land beyond?" I asked in fear at the soft nature of the earth's surface. "There is but one way. It is known only to the Naya and to myself, and is called the Way of the Thousand Steps.
What apparently was most feared by our fellow-conspirators was that in commanding the suppression of the rebellion the Naya would give orders for a general massacre of the people. To guard against this, Niaro urged the secret assassination of the Naya immediately preceding the revolt, but Omar, rising with that regal air he now and then assumed, said: "Give heed, O my friends, unto my words.
"I am ready," I answered. At the gate I met Naya, who said: "You never thought to say good-bye to me, White Man, although I have tended you well. Ah! what else could I expect? Still, I hope that if I should have to fly from this land for my life, as may chance, you will do for me what I have done for you."
But Goliba, whom I was gratified to see present and unharmed, sprang upon the daïs, and waving his arms, cried: "Rather let us first place our valiant young prince upon the Emerald Throne. Let him be appointed our ruler; then let us seek to place the Naya in captivity." "No," they cried excitedly. "Kill her!" "Give her alive to Zomara!" suggested one man near me, grimly.
I whispered in English to Omar, as we walked together along one of the narrow streets in the deep shadow so that we might not be detected. "I know not," my friend answered, with a heavy sigh. "If what Goliba says is true, and I fear it is, then our land is doomed." "The power of the cruel Naya must be broken, and you must reign and bring back to Mo her departing prosperity and happiness," I said.
Knowing of the attack to be made upon the palace I fled for safety in the opposite direction, and remained in hiding throughout the night in the house of one of my kinswomen away towards the city-gate. At last the report spread that the people had taken the palace by assault, the Naya had been deposed, and Omar enthroned Naba in her stead.
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