There was another consideration which militated against the said clemency. Although he had made no allusion to it, it must not be supposed that Kreli was all this time unaware of the identity of his prisoner. The latter's friendship with many of the Gaika rulers was a rank offence in the eyes of the Paramount Chief just then. Had he not sent his "word" to those chiefs, and had not his "word" fallen on ears dull of hearing? Instead of rising at his call they were yet "sitting still." What more likely than that white men, such as this one, were influencing them--were advising them contrary to their allegiance to him, the Paramount Chief? Some of the _amapakati_ were in favour of sparing the prisoner at present. He might be of use to them hereafter. He seemed not like an ordinary white man. He spoke their tongue and understood their customs. There was no knowing but that he might eventually serve them materially with his own people. Others, again, thought they might just as well give him over to the people to be put to death in their own way. It would please the fighting men--many of whom had lost fathers and brothers at the hands of the whites. Yet again, one or two more originated another proposal. They had heard something of this white man being a bit of a wizard--that he owned a "charm" which had turned the blade of a broad assegai from his heart. Let him be handed over to Ngcenika, the great witch-doctress. Let her try whether his "charm" was too strong for her. This idea met with something like universal acceptance. Shrewd and intelligent as they are in ordinary matters, Kafirs are given to the most childish superstitions, and, in adopting the above suggestion, these credulous savages really did look forward to witnessing something novel in the way of a competition in magic. In their minds the experiment was likely to prove a thing worth seeing. "_Ewa! Ewa_!" ["Yes--yes"] they cried emphatically. "Let Ngcenika be called." "So be it," assented Kreli. "Let the witch-doctress be sought." But almost before the words had left his lips--there pealed forth a wild, unearthly shriek--a frightful yell--emanating from the line of rugged and bush-grown rocks which shut in one side of the clearing. Chiefs, _amapakati_, warriors--all turned towards the sound, an anxious expression upon every face--upon many, one of apprehension, of fear. Even to the white prisoner the interruption was sufficiently startling. And then there bounded forth into their midst a hideous, a truly appalling apparition. CHAPTER THIRTY. THE WITCH-DOCTRESS. Man, woman, or demon--which was it?