"We are ready for them," shouted the young warriors.
"Ye know—yes; but thus says my medicine—that you are not agreed among yourselves."
"Er—hum!"
The hunter paused, and his strange eyes dwelt on the faces of the old men so that they looked away.
"There are some among you who would make terms with the enemy. There were some who had sent secret word to Hassan. Go ye a little way up the slope and ye will see the bodies of some of those slain in their treachery!"
"Wow!" The older men exchanged uneasy glances, and a woman's voice rang out exultingly, "Ye speak the truth, O lion."
"Thus says my medicine. If ye do not stand together, the enemy will enter at the gates, and not one will be left alive, for Hassan will slay those whose hearts were with him as he will those who were against him."
One of the older warriors interrupted, shooting a finger at Muata.
"Great one, give us the word that we may slay this dog who comes to make trouble. Is this the counsel of a wise man on the coming of the enemy?"
"What would you do with him?" asked Muata, suavely.