"I see," said Dick meditatively. "And are there any others concerned with you in this precious scheme of yours to remove Lobelalatutu?" "Yes," answered Sekosini, "there are Ingona, Lambati, Mapela, Moroosi, Amakosa, N'Ampata, and Sekukuni, all chiefs." "Quite a formidable little crowd," mused Dick, as he drew forth his pocket book to make a few notes. "Just repeat those names again-- slowly, if you please," he commanded. Sekosini did so, and Dick noted down the names very carefully, so that there should be no mistake, for some of the native names are quite embarrassingly similar in sound. "Now," resumed Dick, when he had done this, "to return to 'Nkuni. What is the poison that you have been administering to him?" "It is a decoction of the leaves of the plant that hangs immediately over your head," answered Sekosini. Dick reached up and touched a thick branch depending from the roof of the hut. "This?" he asked. Sekosini assented, and Dick took down the branch and examined it. It seemed quite an ordinary shrub to all appearance. He handed it over to Mafuta for safekeeping. "Next question," said Dick. "Is there an antidote to this particular poison?" "Oh yes!" answered the witch doctor cheerfully; "I never use a poison that has no antidote, because it is sometimes desirable to alter one's plans at the last moment." "Quite so," assented Dick; "and I am going to alter your plans with regard to 'Nkuni straight away. Where is your antidote, and how is it prepared?" "It is contained in those roots," answered Sekosini, pointing to a bundle of bulb-like objects also suspended from the roof. "The method of preparation is simple. A root is taken, cleaned from the adhering soil, and boiled in water until it is soft enough to crush between the fingers. Then the liquid is allowed to cool and strained through cloth. This liquid is of a dark colour, almost black. To administer it, add enough water to stain it very pale yellow, and let the patient drink as he will; the more he drinks the quicker will be his cure." "Excellent! I shall easily remember that," murmured Dick. Then, addressing the witch doctor, he said: "That is all I want to know at present. Now, remain here until I summon you to the presence of the king. Mafuta, take these roots, and we will be going."