"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。