It was no easy task to placate Tyingoza. I pointed out to him that what had been done was the silly childish act of a foolish boy who had no sort of idea of what he was doing, and how sorry I was that such a thing should have happened, especially on my place, where he, Tyingoza, had always been so thoroughly welcome, and so forth. And now, would not he return with me and receive a present from me, and an apology from the boy, to show his people that there was no remnant of a cloud between us? But it was all of no use. He relaxed as far as I was concerned. It was a pity that I had been obliged to have an idiot on my place, he said, but he could see that what had happened was no fault of mine. But he would not come back. "There are my `dogs,' Iqalaqala," pointing to the groups of young men, now some distance behind us. "I sent them to hunt with your friends-- they will do so. I am going home." I could not shake his determination, and he strode away. Our talk, as I said, had taken up some little time, and now as I neared the store I saw that I had returned none too soon. For, seeing that their chief had not returned the angry mutterings of his incensed followers had risen to a threatening hubbub. All the savage was now aroused within them, and they crowded up to the store, clamouring for the man who had insulted their father's head-ring. Assegais were flourished, dogs were adding their howls and yaps to the general racket, and altogether matters were taking a decidedly serious turn. "What is this, children of Tyingoza?" I said, as I came up behind them--incidentally kicking away a large cur which had come for me open-mouthed. "The last words of the chief as he left me were--`I have sent them to hunt with your friends--they will do so.' But now I find you ready to spring upon them instead. What does it mean?" "This, Iqalaqala. We want the `idiot'." The speaker was Ivuzamanzi. He had been out of the way during the incident, which was uncommonly lucky for Falkner Sewin. Now he was foremost in the agitation. "But you cannot hold an `idiot' responsible," I urged, catching at a straw. "Ah--ah! But this is not a real one," answered the young warrior. "He must be beaten." "Not so. The chief is satisfied. He bade me tell you to go on with the hunt. Who are ye to shut your ears to his `word'?" This told, for the clamour dropped into sullen mutterings as they consulted together. The while I walked through them and gained the store. The Major was standing in the doorway, and I could see the faces of the two girls at the window light up with relief as I approached. They had thought I should be murdered in the midst of the excited and gesticulating group, but as a matter of fact I ran not the slightest danger, and this I hastened to assure them. I was glad to notice that Falkner had had the sense to keep himself out of sight, or, what was more likely, somebody else had had it for him.