My wife you have, and she shall be your ruin; my life you may take, but ere it leaves me, Hafela, I shall see you dead and your army scattered.

The Messenger is passed away, but his power has fallen upon me and I speak the truth to you, O Prince and warriors, who are--already dead." Now a shriek of dismay and fury rose from the hundreds who heard this prophesy of ill, for of Hokosa and his magic they were terribly afraid.
"Kill him! Kill the wizard!" they shouted, and a rain of spears rushed towards him on the wall.
They rushed towards him, they passed above, below, around; but, of them all, not one touched him.
"Did I not tell you that I was guarded by That which you cannot see ?" Hokosa asked contemptuously.

Then slowly he descended from the wall amidst a great silence.
"When men are scarce the tongue must play a part," he explained to his companions, who stared at him wondering.

"By now the king and those with him should have reached the eastern gate; whereas, had we fought at once, Hafela would be hard upon his heels, for we are few, and who can hold a buffalo with a rope of grass?
Yet I think that I spoke truth when I told him that the garment of the Messenger has fallen upon my shoulders, and that death awaits him and his companions, as it awaits me also and many of us.

Now, friends, be ready, for the bull charges and soon we must feel his horns.