A ripple of undisguised laughter ran through the group. An _isanusi_ give away all he received, and more! No, that was too much. Lamonti was trying to amuse them. They bade farewell to the chief, and those present. Outside the enclosure Lamont picked up his gun, which in accordance with native etiquette he had left there, taking care, however, that there were no cartridges in it, in case of accidents. As they mounted their horses at the farther gate, the witch-doctor came running up. They had forgotten something, he declared. These great ones had forgotten him. "That is true," said Lamont, with a laugh, "yet not altogether. I did not want the chief of this kraal to know that I thought the chief of _izanusi_ equal to him by giving him an equal gift. Here it is." "_Baba, Nkose_!" sung out Qubani, turning inquiringly to the other. But Lamont laughed. "Now nay, Qubani--now nay. Two brethren of the same craft do not take gifts from one another. They take them from those outside." The old man chuckled at this, and with sonorous farewells he dropped back. "I'm afraid that has been rather an expensive visit--for you, Mr Lamont," said Father Mathias, as they rode along. "Yes. But I had a reason for it, which may or may not hereinafter appear," was the somewhat enigmatical reply. And soon they came to the point where their roads separated, Lamont no longer pressing his companion to come on and visit him. In fact he would have been seriously embarrassed had his former invitation been accepted--now in the light of subsequent events. He wanted to act unhampered, and to do that he must be alone. But as they parted he said-- "I don't want to set up a general scare, but if you were to warn the people at Skrine's Store, or any other whites you come across, that if they keep their eyes open for the next few weeks, and take care not to run short of cartridges--why, they won't be doing the wrong thing. You know I've always said we should have more trouble up here, and have been jeered at as a funkstick. But I've just learnt something that tells me that that trouble is a great deal nearer than we think; in fact, right on us." "What? Here--at this kraal we've just left?" said the priest, astonished and startled. "Perhaps. But you'd better not give me as your authority or the silly fools will take no notice of it, and get all their silly throats slit. You can give out that you've every reason to know that mischiefs brewing--and by Jove, you have! you may take it from me, Father. Well, good-bye. I've been very glad of your company." "Indeed, and I have been very glad of yours. I will bear in mind your warning, Mr Lamont, and I hope we may meet again." They were to meet again, but under what circumstances either of them little dreamed.