“‘Is the King satisfied?’ said Masuka, as, having prostrated himself, he rose to his knees.
“Umzilikazi looked at him steadily for a moment. Then his eyes grew stern, and we who saw it trembled.
“‘Do you know what we do with abatagati?’ he said.
“‘My life is in the King’s hands,’ answered the old Mosutu without flinching.
“‘Ha! the death of the hot stones. Let us see now if the fire-maker can also be the fire-quencher!’ said the King, giving a sign. And in obedience thereto those in attendance for such purposes sprang forward to seize the old man; while others, with incredible rapidity, kindled fire and fanned it to a roaring blaze. Into this several flat stones were placed. Au! Nkose, it is a terrible thing, the death of the hot stones! A man may live a whole day in agony of torment, for the stones are placed upon his naked body and held on him with sticks until they burn their own way into his vitals.
“Those whose work it was to hold down the Umtagati while he underwent this torment were not over-fond of the task, for the manifestation of his powers which old Masuka had afforded had struck fear into us all. But even this was small in comparison with the wrath of the King, so there was no hesitation. In a moment the old man lay stretched on his back; already the slayers were bringing the stones hot from the fire to place upon him. Yet these preparations he was watching without the smallest sign of fear.
“‘Hold!’ cried the King.
“Those who bore the hot stones—which were carried resting in the middle of two sticks—paused.
“‘Release him.’
“This, too, was immediately done.