Amani, having held his incantations over the Hottentot's skull and its contents, dipped the assegai therein, and, drawing it out dripping with the fiendish potion, began to wave it slowly before him. Tormentor that he was! he pointed it for a minute or two at the trembling girlish mimic. Did he know of her delinquency? She bore the ordeal with the insensibility of a statue, and the wizard passed her by. Some, utterly unconscious of offence, were inwardly startled when they found the sharp-bladed weapon within an inch of their breasts; but their dignity never forsook them. Each awaited his fate with outwardly unshaken nerves, and then watched the weapon as it passed them by to tantalise or condemn another victim. All this could be distinctly seen by Gray. He was breathless--cold dews poured down his face--his teeth chattered with horror and suspense--he covered his face with his hands. A shout!--was it of exultation?-- pierced the air, and penetrated his very brain. He looked again, Amayeka was in the hands of two fiendish women, witch-doctresses, confederates with Amani. The circle was broken--the throng were gathered closely together. Amani was standing up, gibbering and declaiming to the nearest listeners. Gray could distinguish a shrill scream from Amayeka. Once again he bent his gaze upon the frightful picture. Amani's glittering wand was again in motion, the witches were tearing open Amayeka's dress, the bead bodice, of which she had been so proud, was scattered in shreds on the ground; and oh, unhappy Gray! behold the proof--the witness in Amani's accusation. They draw from the depths of her bosom, appended to a bit of reim secured round her waist, the steel chain thou gavest her last night! He comprehended all instantly, dropped from his leafy covert, leaped into the ravine, and, scrambling through bush and briar, rushed across the plain, and overtook the hags as they were bearing off their victim to a fire in a hollow behind Umlala's great hut. Shocked, frightened, bewildered, unarmed, still he followed with the crowd. He could hear Amayeka's cries of agony, and the poor meercat seeing him stopped, awaiting his white friend's approach with an eye of wonderment and fear. Once only the eye of Gray met Amayeka's; as the unhappy girl was dragged to the bottom of the hollow, she caught a glimpse of her lover on the mound above. She made a desperate struggle to shake off her persecutors; but had she succeeded, not one of the tribe--partly from superstition, partly from dread of the consequences to themselves--dared have lifted a finger to assist her. Gray was frantic. He rushed back to Umlala, and the white man threw himself at the feet of the brutal savage. He lifted up his hands in humble supplication.