“But I trust thee not, so I will leave thee here bound,” went on John Ames. “It will not be long ere thy people find thee out.”
He tied his prisoner fast by the feet to the pole of the hut, and was just leaving him, when Shiminya exclaimed—
“’Nkose, make, I pray thee, the door very fast. Do not only tie it. Thrust also a stout stick through the fastenings.”
“Why so?” said John Ames in amazement.
“Animals might get in. And I am helpless.”
“Lupiswana, for one?”
“Au! Jonémi knows everything,” replied the sorcerer, with a half smile.
“I see. Yes; I will see that the door is fast. Hlala-gahle, Shiminya.”
“Now we must leave,” he said, rejoining Nidia, and then setting to work to bar up the wizard in his own den. Then, as they stepped forth, he told her how he had designedly caused the latter to feel himself within the very portal of death, in order that he might the more thoroughly realise how entirely his life had been given him. If there was any good in the man he would appreciate this act of clemency, explained John Ames.
She looked at him in admiration.