Later, he told Haviland of all his vicissitudes since the scheme for his education and civilisation had failed, also how he came to be installed on the Inswani throne in succession to his father, but it was a long and intricate history, full of strange and startling plottings and developments, and in no wise material to this narrative--later, we repeat, this was revealed, but not then. For then happened one of those very occurrences which the young despot claimed to justify him in the savage severities for which his white friend had been taking him to task, and the prime mover therein was Dumaliso. Whether it was that the chief had really resolved upon a _coup d'etat_ or was acting upon one of those irresponsible impulses to which savages are so liable, he now rushed forward, waving his great assegai, and shouting in stentorian tones that the King was bewitched by these white people, and that it was time to make an end of them. A frantic uproar greeted his words, and blades flashed in ominous manner. But Umnovunovu hesitated not a moment. Drawing his towering stature to its full height, he gazed for one second with that terrible gaze of his upon the excited multitude, then there was a rush and a spring and he was upon Dumaliso, and the great spear was shearing through that ill-advised leader's heart. "Is the King bewitched?" he roared, flinging the great carcase from him, and rolling his eyes around. But the whole multitude cowered, shouting aloud the _sibonga_. Then he turned to the two white men, his equanimity quite restored. "There you are, Haviland. Where would I be if I didn't kill? Dumaliso has been getting too big for his boots, as we used to say, for some time past, so now I've killed him. It's quite simple." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Well, Haviland, we've fallen into luck's way, it seems," was Oakley's comment, as they found themselves alone again, now in one of the largest and roomiest huts the town could show, and with plenty of attendance and abundance of everything. "And now, I suppose, we can be trotting home again when we feel like it." "Well, I feel like it now, Oakley. It is, as you say, a piece of luck; and, apart from that, I'm awfully glad to see Cetchy again. But all this sanguinary business has got upon my nerves rather--and I think a change of climate will be good for us." So, a few days later, having made known their wishes to the King, he sent for them.