“Search this!” he cried, throwing it on the ground, and a woman searched.
Presently she uttered an exclamation, and from among the fur of one of the tails of the kaross produced a tiny bag that appeared to be made out of the bladder of a fish. This she handed to Zikali, whose eyes had now been unbandaged.
He looked at it, then gave it to Maputa, saying:
“There is the poison—there is the poison, but who gave it I do not say. I am weary. Let me go.”
Then, none hindering him, he walked away through the gate of the kraal.
Soldiers seized upon Masapo, while the multitude roared: “Kill the wizard!”
Masapo sprang up, and, running to where the King sat, flung himself upon his knees, protesting his innocence and praying for mercy. I also, who had doubts as to all this business, ventured to rise and speak.
“O King,” I said, “as one who has known this man in the past, I plead with you. How that powder came into his kaross I know not, but perchance it is not poison, only harmless dust.”
“Yes, it is but wood dust which I use for the cleaning of my nails,” cried Masapo, for he was so terrified I think he knew not what he said.
“So you own to knowledge of the medicine?” exclaimed Panda. “Therefore none hid it in your kaross through malice.”