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Updated: June 26, 2025
Now hundreds of huts were afire, and the flames spread swiftly, lighting up the country far and wide. In the glare of them, Hokosa could see that already a full two-thirds of the crowd of fugitives had passed the narrow arch; while Nodwengo and the soldiers were drawn up in companies upon the steep and rocky slope that led to it, protecting their retreat.
"At the least there goes a man," said Nodwengo, as he watched him depart. "Of whom do you speak, King?" asked Owen, who at that moment entered the royal house. "Of him whom you must have touched in the door-way, Messenger, Hokosa the wizard," answered the king, and he told him of what had passed between them.
The man crept away crestfallen; but all who heard that speech broke into cheering, which, as its purport was repeated from rank to rank, spread far and wide; for now the army learned that in becoming a Christian, Nodwengo had not become a woman. Of this indeed he soon gave them ample proof. The old king's grip upon things had been lax, that of Nodwengo was like iron.
"Back! children of Nodwengo, and leave me to my fate, for the foe waits for you by thousands behind the wall!" A soldier struck him across the mouth, bidding him be silent; but his warning had come to the ears of Nodwengo, causing him and his warriors to halt and begin a retreat.
Only King, I have done you good service in the past; I ask that it may be presently and by the spear." "So be it," said the king. "I crave his life, father," said the Prince Nodwengo; "he is my friend." "A prince should not choose cowards for his friends," replied the king; "let him be killed, I say."
"Let us be going," he said, and lifting the ivory crucifix above his head, he passed the stream and walked towards the wooden cross. After him came the Prince Nodwengo, wearing his royal dress of leopard skin, and after him, John, arrayed in a linen robe. As the little procession appeared to their view some of the soldiers began to mock, but almost instantly the laughter died away.
Upon the banks of the stream, in the place apart, were the king, his councillors and the regiment on guard, and with them Owen, the Prince Nodwengo and John. "The storm will be fierce," said the king uneasily, glancing at the western sky, upon whose bosom the blue lightnings played with an incessant flicker.
Now Hafela is proud and cruel, a warrior of warriors, a terrible man, and Nodwengo is gentle and mild, like to his mother whom the king loves. Of late it has been discovered that Hafela, weary of waiting for power, has made a plot to depose his father and to kill Nodwengo, his brother, so that the land and those who dwell in it may become his without question.
Now a polished gourd filled with native beer was handed to Nodwengo, the second son of the king, and one by one the great councillors approached, and, with appropriate words, let fall into it offerings emblematic of fertility and increase.
Now John returned and Nodwengo with him, who told him that the people were gathering in hundreds according to his wish. "Then clothe me in my robes and let us go forth," he said, "for I would speak my last words in the ears of men."
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