He looked at it, then gave it to Maputa, saying: "There is the poison--there is the poison, but who gave it I do not say.
I am weary. Let me go."
Then, none hindering him, he walked away through the gate of the kraal.
Soldiers seized upon Masapo, while the multitude roared: "Kill the
wizard!"
Masapo sprang up, and, running to where the King sat, flung himself upon
his knees, protesting his innocence and praying for mercy. I also, who
had doubts as to all this business, ventured to rise and speak.
"O King," I said, "as one who has known this man in the past, I plead
with you. How that powder came into his kaross I know not, but perchance
it is not poison, only harmless dust."
"Yes, it is but wood dust which I use for the cleaning of my nails,"
cried Masapo, for he was so terrified I think he knew not what he said.
"So you own to knowledge of the medicine?" exclaimed Panda. "Therefore
none hid it in your kaross through malice."
Masapo began to explain, but what he said was lost in a mighty roar of
"Kill the wizard!"
Panda held up his hand and there was silence.
"Bring milk in a dish," commanded the King, and it, was brought, and, at
a further word from him, dusted with the powder.
"Now, O Macumazana," said Panda to me, "if you still think that yonder
man is innocent, will you drink this milk?"
"I do not like milk, O King," I answered, shaking my head, whereon all
who heard me laughed.
"Will Mameena, his wife, drink it, then?" asked Panda.
She also shook her head, saying: "O King, I drink no milk that is mixed with dust."
Just then a lean, white dog, one of those homeless, mangy beasts that
stray about kraals and live upon carrion, wandered into the ring. Panda
made a sign, and a servant, going to where the poor beast stood staring
about it hungrily, set down the wooden dish of milk in front of it.
Instantly the dog lapped it up, for it was starving, and as it finished
the last drop the man slipped a leathern thong about its neck and held
it fast.
Now all eyes were fixed upon the dog, mine among them. Presently the
beast uttered a long and melancholy howl which thrilled me through, for
I knew it to be Masapo's death warrant, then began to scratch the ground
and foam at the mouth. Guessing what would follow, I rose, bowed to the
King, and walked away to my camp, which, it will be remembered, was set
up in a little kloof commanding this place, at a distance only of a few
hundred yards. So intent was all the multitude upon watching the dog
that I doubt whether anyone saw me go. As for that poor beast, Scowl,
who stayed behind, told me that it did not die for about ten minutes,
since before its end a red rash appeared upon it similar to that which I
had seen upon Saduko's child, and it was seized with convulsions.