As the king thus spoke Dick was keenly watching the faces of the various persons present, and he noted with something of a thrill that four or five of the chiefs seemed to exchange stealthy glances of meaning with each other, and also, despite their assumption of indifference, to exhibit signs of inward perturbation. But it was no part of his policy to show that he had observed these things; he therefore responded to the king: "Ah, it may be that the sickness from which 'Nkuni is suffering is a sickness new to this country; and if it should prove to be so it is not surprising that Sekosini is unable to conquer it. It may be, however, that it is akin to some of the diseases with which I am acquainted, and in that case I can save the chief's life. We will go to his hut and see him even now, if the king will direct someone to conduct us thither." Lobelalatutu at once turned to one of the chiefs present, and said: "Ingona, you are 'Nkuni's friend; take these white men to his hut, that the Healer may see him, and perchance restore to him his health and strength." Two minutes later Dick stood in the hut of 'Nkuni, and saw, lying stretched upon the pallet before him, a man somewhat past the prime of life who, when in health, must have been a very fine specimen of manhood. Now, however, he was thin and wasted, his skin was cold yet dry, his pulse was exceedingly feeble and erratic, and he was in a terribly exhausted condition, having suffered a severe paroxysm of abdominal pain shortly after swallowing a draught of milk which had been administered to him by Sekosini's order. This last fact, together with several other details respecting the progress of the disease, were communicated by the man's chief wife, who appeared to be greatly concerned about him, as was naturally to be expected. "Where is the vessel from which the milk was drunk?" demanded Dick, when the woman had told all that she had to tell.