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Updated: May 24, 2025
"Attend to my words, O chiefs of the Makolo nation!" said Lobelalatutu, raising his voice so that all present might distinctly hear. "Ye were present yesterday when I summoned the eight conspirators before me to defend themselves; and ye heard Ingona, Lambati, Moroosi, and Sekukuni declare that there was no treason in their hearts, but that they had been bewitched and led astray by Sekosini.
So heavily charged with bitter hate and malignity were the tones of the witch doctors voice and the expression of his burning eyes that, despite his sober common sense, Dick could scarcely repress a shudder at the veiled threat conveyed by the man's parting words; but his attention was quickly diverted by the voice of the king commanding Ingona, Lambati, and Moroosi to listen to him while he announced his decision concerning them.
Let the four chiefs, Ingona, Lambati, Moroosi, and Sekukuni, be brought hither in charge of the guards which you have placed over them; then will I lay my magic upon them so that they shall speak only the plain, simple truth, even as Sekosini spoke it just now to his own condemnation; and thus shall ye be able to judge exactly how far each man may be trusted in the future.
"Nay," interrupted Dick, "there is no need; Sekosini has already voluntarily given me the names of those chiefs who are his partners in the conspiracy against you. They are," Dick drew out his pocket book and read "Ingona, Lambati, Mapela, Moroosi, Amakosa, N'Ampata, and Sekukuni nay, do nothing rashly, I pray you, but sit still and hear what I have to say."
As he thus concentrated his will upon theirs he watched each man narrowly, and presently, seeing that they were all absolutely under his control, he raised his hand, and said, in a low, impressive voice: "Listen, O Ingona, Lambati, Moroosi, and Sekukuni!
It is enough; I have said!" "Take him away to his hut; set a guard over him; and see that he escape not," ordered the king. "If he be not forthcoming when wanted, the officer and guard who have him in charge shall be crucified. Lambati, you too are implicated in this conspiracy. Have you aught to say in your defence?"
But that time is past; even before the arrival of the Healer I had begun dimly to foresee the evil that must come to the nation through the plot; and it was in my mind to take steps for its frustration, but he forestalled me." "And you, Lambati?" demanded the king. "Nay, O Great One," answered the chief.
"Yes," answered Sekosini, "there are Ingona, Lambati, Mapela, Moroosi, Amakosa, N'Ampata, and Sekukuni, all chiefs." "Quite a formidable little crowd," mused Dick, as he drew forth his pocket book to make a few notes. "Just repeat those names again slowly, if you please," he commanded.
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.
"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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