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Updated: June 26, 2025
Afterwards, so soon as Hokosa has set his foot upon the rock, those men who seem to be dead shall spring upon him and drag him to our camp, where we can deal with him; for once the wizard is taken, the cause of Nodwengo is lost." "A good pitfall," said the prince; "but will Hokosa walk into the trap?" "I think so, Hafela, for three reasons.
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.
On the morrow at sundown all that remained of Thomas Owen was laid to rest before the altar of the little church, Nodwengo the king and Hokosa lowering him into the grave, while John, his first disciple, read over him the burial service of the Christians, which it had been one of the dead man's last labours to translate into the language of the Amasuka.
Twice the force of the defenders was changed by order of Nodwengo, fresh men being sent from the companies held in reserve to take the places of those who had borne the brunt of the battle. This indeed it was necessary to do, seeing that it was impossible to carry water to so many, and in that burning valley men could not fight for long athirst.
Although he was a Christian, to his surprise Nodwengo showed that he was also a strong ruler, and that there was little chance of the sceptre slipping from his hand none indeed while the white teacher was there to guide him. "What will you do now, Hokosa?" asked Noma his wife upon a certain day. "Will you turn to Hafela after all?" "No," answered Hokosa; "I will consult my ancient lore. Listen.
"It has started six hours since," said Hafela, "and though the precipices are steep, having the moon to travel by, it should reach the river mouth of the valley before dawn to-morrow, cutting Nodwengo off from the plains, if indeed he should dare to venture out upon them, which, with so small a force, he will not do.
"Such are the words that the embassy shall deliver into the ears of the king, Nodwengo, and it shall come about that when he hears them, Nodwengo, whose heart is gentle and who seeks not war, shall answer softly, saying: "'Go in peace, my brother, and live in peace in that land which you would win.
Messenger, you desire to draw us to the arms of your God and myself, I am at times minded to follow the path of my son Nodwengo and seek a refuge there but say, will they be strong enough to protect us from Hafela and the warriors of the north? Already he gathers his clans, and already my captains desert to him.
"What say you, Hafela?" repeated Nodwengo, addressing the prince, who stood upon a point of rock above him in full sight of both armies. Hafela turned and looked at Hokosa hanging high in mid-air. "What say I?" he answered in a slow and quiet voice.
Again and for the last time the voice of Hokosa rang out above the fray. "Nodwengo," he cried, "with my passing breath I charge you have mercy and spare these men, so many of them as will surrender. The day of bloodshed has gone by, the fray is finished, the Cross has conquered. Let there be peace in the land."
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