For then," he added with meaning, and choosing his words carefully, "perchance, O Zikali, I might be tempted to make trial of whether or no it is true that you cannot be killed like other men, especially as I have heard of late that your heart is evil towards me and my House." For a moment Zikali hesitated--I think to give his quick brain time to work, for he saw his great danger.

Then he laughed in his dreadful fashion and said: "Oho! the King thinks that the otter is in the trap," and he glanced at the fence of the isi-gohlo and at the fierce executioners, who stood watching him sternly.

"Well, many times before has this otter seemed to be in a trap, yes, ere your father saw light, O Son of Senzangakona, and after it also.

Yet here he stands living.

Make no trial, O King, of whether or no I be mortal, lest if Death should come to such a one as I, he should take many others with him also.