United States or Micronesia ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Then they began to circle round each other, their battle-axes raised. Suddenly Sir Henry sprang forward and struck a fearful blow at Twala, who stepped to one side. So heavy was the stroke that the striker half overbalanced himself, a circumstance of which his antagonist took a prompt advantage. Circling his massive battle-axe round his head, he brought it down with tremendous force.
"We see," I answered. "Good; it is now mid-day, and the men eat and rest after the toil of battle. When the sun has turned and travelled a little way towards the darkness, let thy regiment, my uncle, advance with one other down to the green tongue, and it shall be that when Twala sees it he will hurl his force at it to crush it.
These, after silence had been proclaimed, Infadoos proceeded to address. He narrated to them in vigorous and graceful language for, like most Kukuanas of high rank, he was a born orator the history of Ignosi's father, and of how he had been basely murdered by Twala the king, and his wife and child driven out to starve.
"King," I said, "it shall not be; we will not endure this thing; let the girl go in safety." Twala rose from his seat in wrath and astonishment, and from the chiefs and serried ranks of maidens who had closed in slowly upon us in anticipation of the tragedy came a murmur of amazement. "Shall not be! thou white dog, that yappest at the lion in his cave; shall not be! art thou mad?
What chance should I have against a desperate savage six feet five high, and broad in proportion? I might as well commit suicide at once. Hastily I made up my mind to decline the combat, even if I were hooted out of Kukuanaland as a consequence. It is, I think, better to be hooted than to be quartered with a battle-axe. Presently Twala spoke.
As yet I have been spared because I am skilled in war, and am beloved by the soldiers; but I know not how long I have to live. The land groans at the cruelties of Twala the king; it is wearied of him and his red ways." "Then why is it, Infadoos, that the people do not cast him down?"
Gladiatorial shows and Spanish bull-fights at any rate contributed to the public amusement, which certainly was not the case here. The most confirmed sensation-monger would fight shy of sensation if he knew that it was well on the cards that he would, in his own proper person, be the subject of the next "event." Once we rose and tried to remonstrate, but were sternly repressed by Twala.
Then, with a cry, Twala sprang forward straight at him, and with his battle-axe struck him such a blow upon the shield that the mere force and shock of it brought Sir Henry, strong man as he is, down upon his knees. But at this time the matter went no further, for that instant there rose from the regiments pressing round us something like a shout of dismay, and on looking up I saw the cause.
"Then Twala, his twin brother, born of the same woman, and in the same hour, ran to him, and taking him by the hair, stabbed him through the heart with his knife. And the people being fickle, and ever ready to worship the rising sun, clapped their hands and cried, 'Twala is king! Now we know that Twala is king!" "And what became of Imotu's wife and her son Ignosi? Did Twala kill them too?"
To-morrow I will think." "It is well, O king," I answered unconcernedly, and then, accompanied by Infadoos, we rose and went back to our kraal. On reaching our hut I motioned to Infadoos to enter with us. "Now, Infadoos," I said, "we would speak with thee." "Let my lords say on." "It seems to us, Infadoos, that Twala the king is a cruel man." "It is so, my lords.
Word Of The Day