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All this, however, only tended to strengthen certain suspicions which Dick had already formed; but he did not express them to Ingona; he blandly explained to that chief that, having been requested by the king to use his best endeavours to cure 'Nkuni, he wished to see Sekosini and consult with him, in order that he might learn as many particulars as possible respecting the ailment from which 'Nkuni was suffering.
Therefore, although they have sinned in conspiring against me, and must consequently be punished, yet their punishment shall not be death. My sentence upon you, O Ingona, Lambati, and Moroosi! is that ye be banished hence to the farthest confines of my kingdom, and be stationed at those points where the neighbouring nations are most aggressive.
Beside Sekosini stood Ingona, apparently impassive, but his quick, irregular breathing betrayed the fact that he was labouring under a considerable amount of excitement.
Lobelalatutu at once turned to one of the chiefs present, and said: "Ingona, you are 'Nkuni's friend; take these white men to his hut, that the Healer may see him, and perchance restore to him his health and strength."
"When I first visited the hut of 'Nkuni this morning, conducted thither by the chief Ingona, whom you thought to be 'Nkuni's friend," answered Dick, "I found that Sekosini, the chief witch doctor, had been administering to the sick man certain medicines with the alleged purpose of healing him of his sickness.
"You hear?" demanded Dick, turning his gaze for a moment upon Ingona. "I hear," answered Ingona, unsuspectingly meeting Dick's gaze as he replied, and in that moment he, too, was brought under the young doctor's influence.
"Who can say?" again answered Ingona. "We should probably have fought it out, and the victor would have seized the throne." "And ye would have set the Makolo at each other's throats for what?" demanded Lobelalatutu. "Truly, I know not," answered Ingona, "unless it were to satisfy the ambition of Sekosini.
"That I conspired against you, and joined your enemies, is true; but I know now that my madness was but momentary, and that, had the time come, I should have arrayed myself on your side, and against your enemies." "And you, Moroosi?" questioned the king. "As I answered you a while ago, O Great One, as it was with Ingona, so was it and is it with me.
But the anxious broodings of the assemblage were suddenly broken in upon by the voice of the king, who, lifting his head, cried in a loud voice: "Ingona, trusted friend and counsellor of the king, induna of the Makolosi regiment, the very flower and backbone of my army, you have heard the tale told by Sekosini. Say now, is that tale false, or is it true?"
"Nay, O Great One!" answered Lambati; "I could but repeat the words of Ingona; and what would that avail me? Nothing! I, too, have said!" "Let him also be taken away, and watched as carefully as Ingona," ordered the king. "Mapela, have you aught to say in justification of your conspiracy against me?"
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