Next, Sihamba slipped off her fur cloak, leaving herself naked except for the moocha round her middle, and, clasping her hands behind her back with the assegai between them, she drew the riem taut, and leaned against the wall of the hut after the fashion of one who is about to be pulled from the ground and strangled.
"Now, mistress, listen to me," she said earnestly.

"You have seen me like this before, have you not, when I was about to be hanged, and you bought my life at a price?
Well, as it chances, that man who guards the hut is he who took me at Bull-Head's bidding and set the rope round my neck, whereon I said some words to him which made him afraid.

Now if he sees me again thus in a hut where he knows you to be alone, he will think that I am a ghost and his heart will turn to ice and the strength of his hands to water, and then before he can find his strength again I shall make an end of him with the spear, as I know well how to do although I am so small, and we will fly." "Is there no other way ?" murmured Suzanne aghast.
"None, Swallow.

For you the choice lies between witnessing this deed and--Swart Piet or--Death.

Nay, you need not witness it even, if you will do as I tell you.