Be advised by me, Prince, and take the terms that he offers to you--namely, to turn this very night and begone from the land without harm or hindrance.

Will you receive my gift, Hafela ?" "What will happen if I refuse it ?" asked the prince slowly.
Now Hokosa looked at the dust at his feet, then he gazed upwards searching the heavens, and answered:-- "Did not I tell you yesterday?
I think that this will happen.

I think--but who can be quite sure of the future, Hafela ?--that you and the most of your army by this hour to-morrow night will be lying fast asleep about this place, with jackals for your bedfellows." The prince heard and trembled at his words, for he believed that if he willed it, Hokosa could prophesy the truth.
"Accursed dog!" he said.

"I am minded to be guided by your saying; but be sure of this, that if I follow it, you shall stay here to sleep with jackals, yes, this very night." Then Noma broke in.
"Be not mad, Hafela!" she said.

"Will you listen to the lies that this renegade tells to work upon your fears?
Will you abandon victory when it lies within your grasp, and in place of a great king become a fugitive whom all men mock at, an outcast to be hunted down at leisure by that brother against whom you dared to rebel, but on whom you did not dare to shut your hand when he lay in its hollow?
Silence the tongue of this captive rogue for ever and become a man again, with the heart of a man." "Now," said Hokosa gently; "many would find it hard to believe that I reared this woman from childhood, nursing her with my own hands when she was sick and giving her of the best I had; that afterwards, when you stole her from me, Prince, I sinned deeply to win her back.