"I swear it, O king! I swear it by thy head," I answered.

And now, my father, the agony of the fire was such as may not be told.

I felt my eyes start forward in their sockets, my blood seemed to boil

within me, it rushed into my head, and down my face their ran two

tears of blood. But yet I held my hand in the fire and made no sign,

while the king and his councillors watched me curiously. Still, for a

moment Chaka said nothing, and that moment seemed to me as all the

"Ah!" he said at length, "I see that thou growest warm, Mopo! Withdraw