\"Nowitisstrange，\"saidHafela，\"thatthesemenshouldfightsobravely，seeingthattheyarebutahandful。Therecanbescarcethreethousandofthemleft，andyetIdoubtnotthatbeforewecarrythoselastwallsoftheirsasmanyofusormorewillbedone。Ay！andaftertheyaredonewith，wemustmeettheirgreat/impi/whenitreturns，andofwhatwillbefallusthenIscarcelyliketothink。\"
\"Ill—fortunewillbefallyouwhileHokosalives，\"brokeinNoma。\"Haditnotbeenforhim，thistroublewouldhavebeendonewithbynow;
butheisawizard，andbyhiswizardrieshedefeatsusandputsheartintoNodwengoandthewarriors。You，yourself，haveseenhimthisdaydefyingus，notoncebutmanytimes，foruponhisfleshsteelhasnopower。Ay！andthisisbutthebeginningofevil，forIamsurethatheleadsyouintosomedeeptrapwhereyoushallperisheverlastingly。
Didhenothimselfdeclarethatthepowerofthatdeadwhiteworkerofmiracleshasfallenuponhim，andwhocanfightagainstmagic？\"
\"Who，indeed？\"saidHafelahumbly;forlikeallsavageshewasverysuperstitious，and，moreover，asincerebelieverinHokosa’ssupernaturalcapacities。\"Thiswizardistoostrongforus;heisinvulnerable，andasIknowwellhecanreadthesecretthoughtsofmenandcansuckwisdomfromthedead，whiletohiseyesthedarknessisnoblind。\"
\"Nay，Hafela，\"answeredNoma，\"thereisonecrackinhisshield。Hearme：ifwecanbutcatchhimandholdhimfastweshallhavenoneedtofearhimmore，andIthinkthatIknowhowtobaitthetrap。\"
\"Howwillyoubaitit？\"askedHafela。
\"Thus。Midwaybetweenthekoppieandthewallbehindwhichliethemenofthekingstandsaflatrock，andallaboutthatrockarestretchedthebodiesofdeadsoldiers。Now，thisismyplan：thatwhennextoneofthosedarkstorm—cloudspassesoverthefaceofthemoonsixofthestrongestofourwarriorsshouldcreepupontheirbelliesdownthiswayandthat，asthoughtheywerealsonumberedwiththeslain。Thisdone，youshalldespatchaheraldtocallintheearsofthekingthatyoudesiretotreatwithhimofpeace。Thenhewillanswerthatifthisbesoyoucancomebeneaththewallsofhiscamp，andyourheraldshallrefuse，sayingthatyoufeartreachery。ButhemustaddthatifNodwengowillbidHokosatoadvancealonetotheflatrock，youwillbidme，Noma，whomnonecanfear，todolikewise，andthattherewecantalkinsightofbotharmies，andreturningthence，makereporttoyouandtoNodwengo。Afterwards，sosoonasHokosahassethisfootupontherock，thosemenwhoseemtobedeadshallspringuponhimanddraghimtoourcamp，wherewecandealwithhim;foroncethewizardistaken，thecauseofNodwengoislost。\"
\"Agoodpitfall，\"saidtheprince;\"butwillHokosawalkintothetrap？\"
\"Ithinkso，Hafela，forthreereasons。Heisaltogetherwithoutfear;
hewilldesire，ifmaybe，tomakepeaceonbehalfoftheking;andhehasthisstrangeweakness，thathestilllovesme，andwillscarcelysufferanoccasionofspeakingwithmetogopast，althoughhehasdivorcedme。\"
\"Sobeit，\"saidtheprince;\"thegamecanbetried，andifitfails，whywelosenothing，whereasifitsucceedswegainHokosa，whichismuch;forwithyouIthinkthatourarmswillneverprosperwhilethataccursedwizardsitsyonderweavinghisspellsagainstus，andbringingourmentodeathbyhundredsandbythousands。\"
Thenhegavehisorders，andpresently，whenacloudpassedoverthefaceofthemoon，sixchosenmencreptforwardundertheleeoftheflatrockandthrewthemselvesdownhereandthereamongstthedead。
Soonthecloudpassed，andtheheraldadvancedacrosstheopenspaceblowingahorn，andwavingabranchinhishandtoshowthathecameuponamissionofpeace。
CHAPTERXXI
HOKOSAISLIFTEDUP
\"Whatwouldyou？\"askedHokosaoftheheraldashehaltedashortspear—castfromthewall。
\"Mymaster，thePrinceHafela，desirestotreatwithyourmaster，Nodwengo。Manymenhavefallenoneitherside，andifthiswargoeson，thoughvictorymustbehisatlast，manymorewillfall。
Therefore，ifanyplancanbefound，hedesirestosparetheirlives。\"
NowHokosaspokewiththeking，andanswered：——
\"ThenletHafelacomebeneaththewallandwewilltalkwithhim。\"
\"Notso，\"answeredtheherald。\"Doesabuckwalkintoanopenpit？
Weretheprincetocomehereitmightchancethatyourspearswouldtalkwithhim。LetNodwengofollowmetothecampyonder，wherewepromisehimsafeconduct。\"
\"Notso，\"answeredHokosa。\"’Doesabuckwalkintoanopenpit？’Setoutyourmessage，andwewillconsiderit。\"
\"Nay，Iambutacommonmanwithoutauthority;butIamchargedtomakeyouanotheroffer，andifyouwillnothearitthenthereisanend。LetHokosaadvancealonetothatflatrockyouseeyonder，andthereheshallbemet，alsoalone，byonehavingpowertotalkwithhim，namely，bytheLadyNoma，whowasoncehiswife。Thustheycanconfertogethermidwaybetweenthecampsandinfullsightofbothofthem，nor，nomanbeingnear，canhefindcausetobeafraidofanunarmedgirl。Whatsayyou？\"
Hokosaturnedandtalkedwiththeking。
\"Ithinkitwellthatyoushouldnotgo，\"saidNodwengo。\"Theofferseemsfair，andthestoneisoutofreachoftheirspears;still，behinditmaylurkaschemetokillorcaptureyou，forHafelaisverycunning。\"
\"Itmaybeso，King，\"answeredHokosa;\"still，myhearttellsmeitiswisestthatIshoulddothisthing，forourcaseisdesperate，andifIdoitnot，thatmaybethecauseofthedeathofallofusto—morrow。Attheworst，Iambutoneman，anditmatterslittlewhatmaychancetome;norshallIcometoanyharmunlessitisthewillofHeaventhatitshouldbeso;andbesureofthis，thatoutoftheharmwillarisegood，forwhereIgotherethespiritoftheMessengergoeswithme。RememberthathebadeyoulistentomycounselwhileI
remainwithyou，seeingthatIdonotspeakofmyownwisdom。
Thereforeletmego，andifitshouldchancethatIamtaken，troublenotaboutthematter，forthusitwillbefatedtosomegreatend。
Aboveall，thoughoftenenoughIhavebeenatraitorinthepast，donotdreamthatIbetrayyou，keepinginmindthatsotodowouldbetobetraymyownsoul，whichverysoonmustrenderitsaccountonhigh。\"
\"Asyouwill，Hokosa，\"answeredtheking。\"AndnowtellthoserebeldogsthatonthesetermsonlywillImakepeacewiththem——thattheywithdrawacrossthemountainsbythepathwhichtheirwomenandchildrenhavetaken，leavingthislandforeverwithoutliftinganotherspearagainstus。Iftheywilldothis，notwithstandingallthewickednessandslaughterthattheyhaveworked，Iwillsendcommandtomy/impi/toletthemgounharmed。Iftheywillnotdothis，IputmytrustintheGodIworshipandwillfightthisfrayouttotheend，knowingthatifIandmypeopleperish，theyshallperishalso。\"
NowNodwengohimselfspoketotheheraldwhowaswaitingbeyondthewall。
\"Gobacktohimyouserve，\"hesaid，\"andsaythatHokosawillmeetherwhowashiswifeupontheflatstoneandtalkwithherinthesightofbotharmies，bearingmywordwithhim。Atthesoundoftheblowingofahornshalleachofthemadvanceunarmedandalonefromeithercamp。SaytomybrotheralsothatitwillindeedbeillforhimifheattemptstreacheryuponHokosa，forthemanwhocauseshisbloodtoflowwillsurelydie，andafterdeathshallbeaccursedforever。\"
Theheraldwent，andpresentlyahornwasblown。
\"Nowitcomesintomymindthatwepartforthelasttime，\"saidNodwengoinatroubledvoiceashetookthehandofHokosa。
\"Itmaybeso，King;inmyheartIthinkthatitisso;yetIdonotaltogethergrievethereat，fortheburdenofmypastsinscrushesme，andIamwearyandseekforrest。Yetwedonotpartforthelasttime，becausewhateverchances，intheendIshallmakemyreporttoyouyonder\"——andhepointedupwards。\"Reignonforlongyears，King——
reignwellandwisely，clingingtotheFaith，forthusatthelastshallyoureapyourreward。Farewell！\"
Nowagainthehornblew，andinthebrightmoonlighttheslightfigureofNomacouldbeseenadvancingtowardsthestone。
ThenHokosasprangfromthewallandadvancedalso，tillatthesamemomenttheyclimbeduponthestone。
\"Greeting，Hokosa，\"saidNoma，andshestretchedoutherhandtohim。
Bywayofanswerheplacedhisownbehindhisback，saying：\"Toyourbusiness，woman。\"Yethiseyessearchedherface——thefacewhichinhisfollyhestillloved;andthusitcameaboutthatheneversawsundryofthedeadbodies，whichlayintheshadowofthestone，begintoquickenintolife，andinchbyinchtoarise，firsttotheirkneesandnexttotheirfeet。Heneversaworheardthem，yet，asthewordslefthislips，theyspranguponhimfromeveryside，holdinghimsothathecouldnotmove。
\"Awaywithhim！\"criedNomawithalaughoftriumph;andathercommandhewashalf—draggedandhalf—carriedacrosstheopenspaceandthrustviolentlyoverastonewallintothecampofHafela。
NowNodwengoandhissoldierssawwhathadhappened，andwithashoutof\"Treachery！\"somehundredsofthemleaptintotheplainandbegantoruntowardsthekoppietorescuetheirenvoy。
Hokosaheardtheshout，andwrenchinghimselfround，beheldthem。
\"Back！\"hecriedinaclear，shrillvoice。\"Back！childrenofNodwengo，andleavemetomyfate，forthefoewaitsforyoubythousandsbehindthewall！\"
Asoldierstruckhimacrossthemouth，biddinghimbesilent;buthiswarninghadcometotheearsofNodwengo，causinghimandhiswarriorstohaltandbeginaretreat。Itwaswellthattheydidso，forseeingthattheywouldnotcomeon，fromundertheshelterofthewallandofeveryrockandstonesoldiersjumpedupbycompaniesandcharged，drivingthembacktotheirownschanse。Buttheking’smenhadthestartofthem，andhadtakenshelterbehindit，whencetheygreetedthemwithavolleyofspears，killingtenandwoundingtwiceasmanymore。
NowitwasHokosa’sturntolaugh，andlaughhedid，saying：——
\"Mytakingiswellpaidforalready，Prince。Ascoreofyourbestwarriorsisaheavypricetogiveforthecarcaseofonewearyandagingman。ButsinceIamhereamongyou，capturedwithsomuchpainandloss，tellmeofyourcourtesywhyIhavebeenbrought。\"
Thentheprinceshookhisspearathimandcursedhim。
\"Wouldyoulearn，wizardandtraitor？\"hecried。\"Wehavecaughtyoubecauseweknowwellthatwhileyoustayyonderyourmagiccounselwillprevailagainstourmight;whereas，whenonceweholdyoufast，Nodwengowillwandertohisruinlikeablindandmoonstruckman，foryouweretohimbotheyesandbrain。\"
\"Iunderstand，\"saidHokosacalmly。\"But，Prince，howifIleftmywisdombehindme？\"
\"Thatmaynotbe，\"answeredHafela，\"sinceevenawizardcannotthrowhisthoughtsintotheheartofanotherfromafar。\"
\"Ah！youthinkso，Prince。Well，askNomayonderifIcannotthrowmythoughtsintoherheartfromafar：thoughoflateIhavenotchosentodoso，havingputasidesuchspells。Butletitpass，andtellme，havingtakenme，whatisityouproposetodowithme？First，however，IwillgiveyoufornothingsomeofthatwisdomwhichyougrudgetoNodwengotheking。Beadvisedbyme，Prince，andtakethetermsthatheofferstoyou——namely，toturnthisverynightandbegonefromthelandwithoutharmorhindrance。Willyoureceivemygift，Hafela？\"
\"WhatwillhappenifIrefuseit？\"askedtheprinceslowly。
NowHokosalookedatthedustathisfeet，thenhegazedupwardssearchingtheheavens，andanswered：——
\"DidnotItellyouyesterday？Ithinkthatthiswillhappen。Ithink——butwhocanbequitesureofthefuture，Hafela？——thatyouandthemostofyourarmybythishourto—morrownightwillbelyingfastasleepaboutthisplace，withjackalsforyourbedfellows。\"
Theprinceheardandtrembledathiswords，forhebelievedthatifhewilledit，Hokosacouldprophesythetruth。
\"Accurseddog！\"hesaid。\"Iammindedtobeguidedbyyoursaying;butbesureofthis，thatifIfollowit，youshallstayheretosleepwithjackals，yes，thisverynight。\"
ThenNomabrokein。
\"Benotmad，Hafela！\"shesaid。\"Willyoulistentotheliesthatthisrenegadetellstoworkuponyourfears？Willyouabandonvictorywhenitlieswithinyourgrasp，andinplaceofagreatkingbecomeafugitivewhomallmenmockat，anoutcasttobehunteddownatleisurebythatbrotheragainstwhomyoudaredtorebel，butonwhomyoudidnotdaretoshutyourhandwhenhelayinitshollow？Silencethetongueofthiscaptiverogueforeverandbecomeamanagain，withtheheartofaman。\"
\"Now，\"saidHokosagently;\"manywouldfindithardtobelievethatI
rearedthiswomanfromchildhood，nursingherwithmyownhandswhenshewassickandgivingherofthebestIhad;thatafterwards，whenyoustoleherfromme，Prince，Isinneddeeplytowinherback。ThatI
marriedherandsinnedyetmoredeeplytogiveherthegreatnessshedesired;andatlast，ofmyownwill，IloosedthebondsbywhichI
heldher，althoughIcouldnotthrusthermemoryfrommyheart。YetI
haveearneditall，forImadeherthetoolofmywitchcraft，andthereforeitisjustthatsheshouldturnandrendme。Well，ifyoulikeit，takehercounsel，Prince，andletminego，forIcarenothingwhichyoutake;only，forgivemeifIprophesyoncemoreandforthelasttime——IamsurethatNodwengoyonderspoketruthwhenhebadeyourheraldtellmethathewhocausesmybloodtoflowshallsurelydieandforitbecalledtoastrictaccount。Prince，IamaChristiannow，andbelieveme，whateveryoumaydo，Iseeknorevengeuponyou;
havingbeenmyselfforgivensomuch，inmyturnIhavelearnedtoforgive。Yetitmaybeillforthatmanwhocausesmybloodtoflow。\"
\"Lethimbestrangled，\"saidacaptainwhostoodnearby，\"andthentherewillbenobloodinthematter。\"
\"Friend，\"answeredHokosa，\"youshouldhavebeennotasoldierbutapleaderofcauses。Trueitisthenthattheprincewillonlycausemylifetofly，butwhetherthatisasmallersinIleaveyoutojudge。\"
\"Keephimprisoner，\"saidanother，\"tillwelearnhowthesemattersend。\"
\"Nay，\"answeredHafela，\"forthenhewillsurelyoutwitusandescape。
Noma，whatshallwedowiththismanwhowasyourhusband？Tellus，foryoushouldknowbesthowtodealwithhim。\"
\"Letmethink，\"sheanswered，andshelookedfirstatthegroundbeneathher，nextaroundher，thenupwardstowardtheskies。
Nowtheystoodatthefootofthekoppie，ontheflattopofwhichgrewthegreatTreeofDoom，thatforgenerationshadservedthePeopleofFireasaplaceofexecutionoftheircriminals，orofthosewhofellunderthebanofthekingorofthewitch—doctors。Amongandabovethefinger—likefrondsofthisstrangeanddreadful—lookingtreetoweredthatwhitedeadlimbshapedlikeacross，whichOwenhadpointedouttohisdiscipleJohn，takingittobeasignandapromise。Thiscrossstoodoutclearagainstthesinkingmoon。ItcaughtNoma’seye，andadevilishthoughtenteredintoherheart。
\"Youwouldkeepthisfellowalive？\"shesaid，\"andyetyouwouldnotsufferhimtoescape。See，thereaboveyouisacrosssuchasheworships。BindhimtoitashesaystheManwhomheworshipswasbound，andletthatdeadManhelphimifhemay。\"
TheprinceandthoseaboutNomashrankbackalittleinhorror。Theywerecruelmenrenderedmorecruelbytheirsuperstitiousfearofonewhomtheybelievedtobeuncanny;onetowhomtheyattributedinhumanpowerswhichhewasexercisingtotheirdestruction，butstillthisdoomseemeddreadfultothem。Nomareadtheirmindsandwentonpassionately：——
\"Youdeemmeunmerciful，butyoudonotknowwhatIhavesufferedatthiswizard’shands。ForhissakeandbecauseofhimIamhaunted。ForhisownpurposesheopenedthegatesofDistance，hesentmedownamongthedwellersinDeath，causingmetointerprettheirwordsforhim。Ididso，butthedwellerscamebackoutofDeathwithme，andfromthathourtheyhavenotleftme，norwilltheyeverleaveme;fornightbynighttheysojournatmyside，tormentingmewithterrors。Hehastoldmethatthroughmymouththatspiritwhomhedrewintomybodyprophesiedthatheshouldbe’liftedupabovethepeople。’Lettheprophecybefulfilled，lethimbeliftedup，forthenperchancetheghostswilldepartfrommeandIshallwinpeaceandsleep。Also，thusalonecanyouholdhimsafeandyetshednoblood。\"
\"Beitso，\"saidtheprince。\"Whenweplottedtogetherofthedeathoftheking，andasyourprice，Hokosa，youbargainedforthegirlwhomI
hadchosentowife，didInotwarnyouthatthiswitchofmanyspells，whoholdsbothourheartsinherlittlehands，shouldyethoundyoutodeathandmockyouwhileyouperishedbyanendofshame？WhatdidI
tellyou，Hokosa？\"
Nowwhenheheardhisfate，Hokosabowedhisheadandtrembledalittle。Thenheliftedit，andexclaimedinaclearvoice：——
\"Itistrue，Prince，butIwilladdtoyourwords。Sheshallbring/both/ofustodeath。Forme，IamhonouredindeedinthattherehasbeenallottedtomethatsameendwhichmyMasterchose。Tothatcrossletmysinsbefastenedandwiththemmybody。\"
Nowthemoonsank，butinthedarknessmenwerefoundwhodaredtoclimbthetree，takingwiththemstripsofrawhide。Theyreachedthetopofit，fourofthem，andseatingthemselvesuponthearmsofthecross，theyletdownarope，thenooseofwhichwasplacedaboutthebodyofHokosa。Asittighteneduponhim，heturnedhiscalmanddreadfuleyesontotheeyesofNomaandsaidtoher：——
\"Woman，Idonotreproachyou;butIlaythisfateuponyou，thatyoushallwatchmedie。Thereafter，letGoddealwithyouasHemaychoose。\"
Now，whensheheardthesewordsNomashriekedaloud，forofasuddenshefeltthatthepowerofthewillofHokosa，fromwhichshehadbeenfreedbyhim，hadoncemorefallenuponher，andthatcomewhatmightshewasdoomedtoobeyhislastcommands。
Littlebylittlethesoldiersdrewhimupandinthedarknesstheyboundhimfastthereupontheloftycross。Thentheydescendedandlefthim，andwouldhaveledNomawiththemfromthetree。Butthistheycouldnotdo，foralwaysshebrokefromthemscreaming，andfledbacktoitsshadow。
Then，seeingthatshewasbewitched，Hafelacommandedthattheyshouldbindaclothabouthermouthandleavehertheretillhersensesreturnedtoherinthesunlight——fornoneofthemdaredtostopwithherintheshadowofthattree，sincetheodoursofitwerepoisonoustoman。Alsotheybelievedtheplacetobehauntedbyevilspirits。
CHAPTERXXII
THEVICTORYOFTHECROSS
Thesunrosesuddenlyovertheedgeofthecliffs，andwhileitwasyetdeepshadowinthevalley，itsredlightstruckuponthewhitecrossofperishedwoodthattoweredabovetheTreeofDoomandontheblackshapeofHokosacrucifiedtoitliving。Thecampofthekingsawandunderstood，andfromeverythroatofthethousandsofmen，womenandchildrengatheredthere，wentuparoarofrageandhorror。Thekingliftedhishand，andsilencefellupontheplace;thenhemountedonthewallandcriedaloud：——
\"Doyouyetlive，Hokosa，orisityourbodyonlythatthosetraitorshavefastenedtothetree？\"
Backcametheanswerthroughtheclearstillair：——
\"Ilive，OKing！\"
\"Endurethenalittlewhile，\"calledNodwengo，\"andwewillstormthetreeandsaveyou。\"
\"Nay，\"answeredHokosa，\"youcannotsaveme;yetbeforeIdieIshallseeyousaved。\"
Thenhiswordswerelostintumult，forthethirdday’sfightingbegan。DesperatelytheregimentsofHafelarushingacrosstheopenspace，hurledthemselvesuponthefortifications，which，duringthenight，hadbeenstrengthenedbythebuildingoftwoinnerwalls。Norwasthisall，forsuddenlyacrytoldthoseinfrontthattheregimentwhichHafelahaddespatchedacrossthemountainshadtravelleduptheeasternneckofthevalley，andwereattackingthepositionintheirrear。WellwasitforNodwengonowthathehadlistenedtothecounselofHokosa，and，weariedashissoldierswere，hadcommandedthatherealsoagreatwallshouldbebuilt。
Fortwohoursthefightraged，andthenoneithersidethefoefellback，notbeatenindeed，thoughtheirdeadweremany，buttorestandtakecounsel。Butnowanewtroublearose：fromallthecampofNodwengotherewentupamoanofpaintoHeaven，forsincetheeveningofyesterdaythespringhadgivenout，andtheyhadfoundnowaterwherewithtowettheirlips。Duringthenighttheyboreit;butnowthesunbeatingdownontheblackrockswithfearfulforcescorchedthemtothemarrow，tilltheybegantowitherlikefallenleaves，andalreadywoundedmenandchildrendied，whilethewarriorscutthethroatsofoxenanddranktheirblood。
Hokosahangingonhiscrossheardthismoaninganddivineditscause。
\"Beofgoodcomfort，childrenofNodwengo，\"hecried;\"forIwillpraythatrainbesentuponyou。\"Andheliftedhisheadandprayed。
Now，whetheritwasbychanceorwhetherhisprayerwasheard，whocansay？AtleastithappenedthatimmediatelythereaftercloudsbegantogatherandtothickenintheblueofHeaven，andwithintwohoursrainfellintorrents，sothateveryonecoulddrinkhisfill，andthespringbeingreplenishedatitssources，flowedagainstrongly。
Aftertheraincamecoldandmoaningwinds，andafterthewindagreatgloomandthunder。
Now，takingadvantageoftheshadow，theregimentsofHafelarenewedtheirattack，andthistimetheycarriedthefirstofthethreewalls，foritsdefendersgrewfeebleandfewinnumber。Theretheypausedawhile，andsaveforthecriesofthewoundedandoffrightenedwomen，thesilencewasgreat。
\"Letyourheartsbefilledup！\"criedthevoiceofHokosathroughthesilence;\"forthesunlightshinesupontheplainoftheGreatPlaceyonder，andinitIseethesheenofspears。The/impi/travelstoyouraid，OchildrenofNodwengo。\"
Now，atthistidingsthepeopleofthekingshoutedforjoy;butHafelacalledtohisregimentstomakeanendofthem，andtheyhurledthemselvesuponthesecondwall，fightingdesperately。Againandagaintheywerebeatenback，andagainandagaintheycameon，tillatlengththeycarriedthiswallalso，drivingitsdefenders，orthosewhoremainedaliveofthem，intothethirdentrenchment，andpausedtorestawhile。
\"Prayforus，OProphetwhoaresetonhigh！\"criedavoicefromthecamp，\"forifsuccourdonotreachusspeedily，wearesped。\"
Beforetheechoesofthevoicehaddiedaway，aflashoflightningflaredthroughthegloom，andinthelightofitHokosasawthattheking’s/impi/wasrushingupthegorge。
\"Fighton！Fighton！\"hecalledinanswer。\"IhaveprayedtoHeaven，andyoursuccourisathand。\"
Then，withahowlofrage，Hafela’sregimentshurledthemselvesuponthethirdandlastentrenchment，attackingitatonceinfrontandrear。Twicetheynearlycarriedit，buteachtimethewildscreamofHokosaonhighwasheardabovethedin，conjuringitsdefenderstofightonandfearnot，forHeavenhadsentthemhelp。Theyfoughtasmenhaveseldomfoughtbefore，andwiththemfoughtthewomenandeventhechildren。Theywerefewandthefoewasstillmany，buttheylistenedtotheurgingofhimwhomtheybelievedtobeinspiredinhisdeath—agonyuponthecrossabovethem，andstilltheyheldtheirown。
Twiceportionsofthewallweretorndown，buttheyfilledthebreachwiththecorpsesofthedead，ay！andwiththebodiesoftheliving，forthewounded，theoldmenandtheverywomenpiledthemselvesthereintheplaceofstones。NosuchfraywastoldofintheannalsofthePeopleofFireasthis，thelaststandofNodwengoagainstthethousandsofHafela。Nowalltheshoutinghaddiedaway，formenhadnobreathleftwherewithtoshout，onlyfromthegloomyplaceofbattlecamelowgroansandthedeepsobbingsighsofwarriorsgrippedinthedeath—hug。
\"/Fighton！Fighton！/\"shrilledthevoiceofHokosaonhigh。\"Lo！theskiesareopentomydyingsight，andIseethe/impis/ofHeavensweepingtosuccouryou。/Behold！/\"
Theydashedthesweatfromtheireyesandlookedforth，andastheylooked，thepallofgloomwaslifted，andinthegoldenglowofmany—
shaftedlight，theysaw，notthelegionsofHeavenindeed，buttheregimentsofNodwengorushingroundthebendofthevalley，asdogsrushuponascent，withheadsheldlowandspearsoutstretched。
Hafelasawthemalso。
\"Backtothekoppie，\"hecried，\"theretodielikemen，forthewizardriesofHokosahavebeentoostrongforus，andlostisthismylastbattleandthecrownIcametoseek！\"
Theyobeyed，andallthatwereleftofthem，sometenthousandmen，theyrantothekoppieandformedthemselvesuponit，ringabovering，andherethesoldiersofNodwengoclosedinuponthem。
AgainandforthelasttimethevoiceofHokosarangoutabovethefray。
\"Nodwengo，\"hecried，\"withmypassingbreathIchargeyouhavemercyandsparethesemen，somanyofthemaswillsurrender。Thedayofbloodshedhasgoneby，thefrayisfinished，theCrosshasconquered。
Lettherebepeaceintheland。\"
Allmenheardhim，forhispiercingscream，echoedfromtheprecipices，cametotheearsofeach。Allmenheardhim，and，eveninthatfiercehourofvengeance，allobeyed。Thespearthatwaspoisedwasnotthrown，andthekerryliftedoverthefallendidnotdescendtodashawayhislife。
\"Hearken，Hafela！\"calledtheking，steppingforwardfromtheranksoftheattackers。\"Hewhomyouhavesetonhightobringdefeatuponyouchargesmetogiveyoupeace，andinthenameoftheconqueringCrossIgivepeace。Allwhosurrendershalldwellhenceforthinmyshadow，norshalltheheadortheheelofoneofthembeharmed，althoughtheirsinisgreat。OnelifeonlywillItake，thelifeofthatwitchwhobroughtyourarmiesdownuponmetoburnmytownandslaymypeoplebythousands，andwhobutlastnightbetrayedHokosatohisdeathoftorment。Allshallgofree，Isay，savethewitch;andforyou，youshallbegivencattleandsuchservantsaswillclingtoyoutothenumberofahundred，anddrivenfromtheland。Now，whatsayyou？Willyouyieldorbeslain？Swiftwithyouranswer;forthesunsinks，andereitissettheremustbeanendinthiswayorinthat。\"
TheregimentsofHafelaheard，andshoutedinansweraswithonevoice：——
\"Wetakeyourmercy，King！Wefoughtbravelywhilewecould，andnowwetakeyourmercy，King！\"
\"Whatsayyou，Hafela？\"repeatedNodwengo，addressingtheprince，whostooduponapointofrockabovehiminfullsightofbotharmies。
HafelaturnedandlookedatHokosahanginghighinmid—air。
\"WhatsayI？\"heansweredinaslowandquietvoice。\"IsaythattheCrossanditsProphethavebeentoostrongforme，andthatIshouldhavedonewelltofollowtheoneandtolistentothecounseloftheother。Mybrother，youtellmethatImaygofree，takingservantswithme。IthankyouandIwillgo——alone。\"
Andsettingthehandleofhisspearupontherock，withasuddenmovementhefellforward，transfixinghisheartwithitsbroadblade，andlaystill。
\"Atleasthediedlikeoneoftheblood—royaloftheSonsofFire！\"
criedNodwengo，whilethearmiesstoodsilentandawestruck，\"andwiththeblood—royalheshallbeburied。Laydownyourarms，youwhofollowedhimandfoughtforhim，fearingnothing，andgiveovertomethewitchthatshemaybeslain。\"
\"Shehidesunderthetreeyonder！\"criedavoice。
\"Goupandtakeher，\"saidNodwengotosomeofhiscaptains。
NowNoma，crouchedonthegroundbeneaththetree，hadseenandheardallthatpassed。Perceivingthecaptainsmakingtheirwaytowardsherthroughthelinesofthesoldiers，whoopenedoutapathforthem，sheroseandforamomentstoodbewildered。Then，asthoughdrawnbysomestrangeattraction，sheturned，andseizingholdofthecreeperthatclungaboutit，shebegantoclimbtheTreeofDoomswiftly。Upshewentwhileallmenwatched，higherandhigheryet，tillpassingoutofthefinger—likefoliageshereachedthecrossofdeadwoodwheretoHokosahung，andplacingherfeetupononearmofit，stoodthere，supportingherselfbythebrokentopoftheupright。
Hokosawasnotyetdead，thoughhewasveryneartodeath。Liftinghisglazingeyes，heknewherandsaid，speakingthickly：——
\"Whatdoyouhere，Noma，andwhereforehaveyoucome？\"
\"Icomebecauseyoudrawme，\"sheanswered，\"andbecausetheyseekmylifebelow。\"
\"Repent，repent！\"hewhispered，\"thereisyettimeandHeavenisverymerciful。\"
Sheheard，andafuryseizedher。
\"Besilent，dog！\"shecried。\"HavingdefiedyourGodsolong，shallI
groveltoHimatthelast？Havinghatedyousomuch，shallIseekyourforgivenessnow？AtleastofonethingIamglad——itwasIwhobroughtyouhere，andwithmeandthroughmeyoushalldie。\"
Then，placingonefootuponhisbentheadasifinscorn，sheleanedforward，herlonghairflyingtothewind，andcursedNodwengoandhispeople，namingthemrenegadesandapostates，andcursedthesoldiersofHafela，namingthemcowards，callingdownuponthemthemalisonoftheirancestors。
Hokosaheardandmuttered：——
\"Foryoursoul’ssake，woman，repent！repent，ereitbetoolate！\"
\"Repent！\"shescreamed，catchingathiswords。\"ThusdoIrepent！\"anddrawingtheknifefromhergirdle，sheleantoverhimanddroveithilt—deepintohisbreast。
Thenwithasuddenmovementshesprangupwardsandoutwardsintotheair，andrushingdownthroughahundredfeetofspace，wasstruckdeaduponthatveryrockwherethecorpseofHafelalay。
Now，beneaththeagonyofthelifeHokosaliftedhisheadforthelasttime，cryinginagreatvoice：——
\"Messenger，Icome，beyoumyguide，\"andwiththewordshissoulpassed。
\"Allisoverandended，\"saidavoice。\"Soldiers，salutethekingwiththeroyalsalute。\"
\"Nay，\"answeredNodwengo。\"Salutemenot，salutetheCrossandhimwhohangsthereon。\"
So，whiletheraysofthesettingsunshoneaboutit，regimentbyregimentthatgreatarmyrushedpastthekoppie，andpausingoppositetothecrossanditsburden，theyrenderedtoittheroyalsaluteofkings。
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Thenthenightfell，andthusthroughthepowerofFaiththatnow，asofold，istheonlytrueandefficientmagic，wasaccomplishedthemissiontotheSonsofFireoftheSaintandMartyr，ThomasOwen，andofhismurdereranddisciple，theWizardHokosa。
