“I answer no questions,” was the contemptuous reply. “Thy treachery deserves a slow and lingering death, yet we will be merciful.”
He called through the doorway in a low tone, and immediately there entered two men.
“Take him away,” said Nteseni.
A wooden gag was thrust into the unfortunate man’s mouth and he was dragged outside, the three chiefs following. The old witch-doctor remained behind.
Teliso knew that doom awaited him, but now he could not even expostulate. The thong which bound his feet was relaxed sufficiently to admit of his taking short steps and thus he was hurried along—whither he had not the remotest idea.
A red moon, appropriately like a huge globe of blood, was rising over the great cliff which dominated the kraal. On the brink, silhouetted against it, a hyena stood and howled.
“He scents meat,” said Nxala grimly. “Well he will soon have plenty.”
For about half an hour thus they proceeded, their way lighted by the lurid glow of the blood moon. Then they halted.
They had come to the brink of a high cliff which overhung a wild desolate ravine.
“I had intended thee to be slaughtered like a goat, Teliso,” said Nteseni. “The death of the spear is not for such as thee.”