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Updated: June 17, 2025
"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.
This explanation appeared at least partially to satisfy Ingona, who made no further attempt to dissuade Dick from his purpose, but, on the contrary, offered to go forward and prepare Sekosini for the proposed visit.
He said: `Behold now, O Great One, thou shalt summon those men again before thee, and by the power of my magic I will cause them to speak the very truth to thee; thou shalt read the inmost secrets of their hearts, and thus shalt thou gauge the exact measure of their guilt in this matter. And as the Healer spoke, so was it; the three who stand before us had indeed been beguiled and led astray for a time from their fidelity by the wiles of Sekosini, but there was no treachery in their hearts; and they confessed that, had the conspiracy ripened, they would have arrayed themselves on my side, while Sekukuni confessed that he was indeed guilty of all that he had been charged with.
When at length it had been ascertained that every chief except the sick 'Nkuni was present, the king turned to Dick and said: "Now, O Healer! by the power of your magic, cause Sekosini, the chief witch doctor, to come hither, I pray you."
Because I want you to understand that unless you definitely promise me that there shall be no torture I shall be obliged to withdraw from this business altogether; moreover, I will take my magic off Sekosini, and then nothing that you can do will make him confess or incriminate the others. You know that, don't you?"
"Then," demanded Dick, "do I understand that under Lobelalatutu's rule you have not a sufficiency to meet all your wants?" "I have a sufficiency, yes," answered Sekosini; "but I would have much more than that. I would have wealth, great wealth, and, above all, power, the power that the witch doctors wielded in M'Bongwele's time.
It was about a quarter of an hour later that, as Dick and his henchman approached the witch doctor's hut, Ingona emerged from it with the gratifying intimation that he had succeeded in inducing Sekosini graciously to accord the white man an audience.
Conducted by their guards, the eight prisoners, their faces set and expressionless as masks, ranged themselves in line before the king; then, for a full minute, there ensued a profound and impressive silence, which was at length broken by Lobelalatutu, who commanded, in a calm, stern voice: "Sekosini, chief Witch Doctor, and you Mapela, Amakosa, N'Ampata, and Sekukuni, chiefs of the Makolo, stand forward and listen to your doom.
Dick, meanwhile, accompanied only by Mafuta to act as interpreter, sauntered slowly on his way, for the double purpose of arranging mentally the plan of his impending interview with Sekosini, and giving Ingona time to say whatever he might wish to say to the witch doctor.
"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.
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