"Give me your word, Great Great One, in the sight of the whole nation," he said in a loud voice, "that these two shall be suffered to depart unharmed—now, at once—and I will take the place of Nomtyeketye."
"That will I readily do, Nyonyoba, for I have no need of strangers here such as these," answered Tyisandhlu. Then, sadly, "And—you are resolved?"
"I am."
"Then it must be. For ye two, go in peace;—enough shall be given you for your journey."
Holmes, who understood the language very imperfectly, had no clear notion, even then, of what had taken place. But when he saw the gigantic forms in their black disguise bounding forward to surround Laurence, he, being otherwise unarmed, instinctively threw himself into a boxing attitude, which was, under the circumstances, ridiculous, if natural.
"Keep cool, you young idiot," snarled Hazon. "We're out of this mess better than we deserve."
"Why, what's happened?"
"Stanninghame is acting substitute for you, and we are to be fired out of the country, which is good news to you, I take it."
"But I can't allow it!" cried Holmes bewilderedly, as the truth began to dawn upon him. "No, hang it, I can't,—tell the king, I——"
"No good! Keep your hair on! and remember, too, it's more than probable he won't come to any harm. He stands in with them too well."