Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1896-10-18
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CHAPTER XXI.
UOKOSA Is LIFTED UP.

HOkOSA Is LIFTED w,
what would your" asked Hokosa Of the
herald as he halted a short spear cast from
the wall.
"Nfy master, the Prince Hafela, desires to
treat with your master, Nodwengo. Many
men have fallen on either side, and II this
war goes on, though victory must be his at
last, many more will fall. Therefore II any
plan can be found. he desires to spare their
lives"
Now Hokosa spoke with the king and an
swered:
Then let Hafela come beneath the wall,
and we will talk with him"
mot So" answered the herald. Docs q
buck walk into an open pit? Were the
prince to come here. 1t might chance that
your spears would talk with him. Let Nod
wengo follow me to the camp yonder, where
we promise him safe conduct"
Not So" answered Hokosa. docs a
buck walk into an open pit? Set out your
message and we will consider It,"
Nay I am but common man without
authority, but I am charged to make you
another offer, and II you will not hear 1t
then there is an end. Let Hokosa advance
alone to that fiat rock you see yonder, and
there he shall be met, also alone, but one
having power to talk with him, namely, by
the lady Mona, who was once his wife. Thus
they can confer together midway between
the camps and In full sight OF both OF them,
nor. no man being near. can he find cause
10 be afraid of an unarmed girl. What
say you?"
Hokosa turned and talked with the King.
81 think II well that you should not CO."
said Nodwongo. THE offer seems lair ana
the stone Is out OF reach OF their spears.
Still behind II may Turk a scheme to kill
or capture you, for Hafea is very cunning"
at may be So King answered Hokosa.
"Still, my heart tells me 1t is wisest that |
should do this thing, for our case is des-
perate, and II | do 1t not that may be the
cause of the death OF all of us tomorrow.
AT the worst am but one man. and 1t mat
tiers little what may chance to me; nor shall
| come to any harm unless 1t is the will OF
heaven that it should be so. and be sure
OF this. that out Of the harm will arise good,
for where | go there the spirit of the Mes
senger goes with me. Remember. that he
babe you listen to my counsel while | re-
malned with you seeing that do not speak
OF my own wisdom. Therefore. let me go,
and II II should chance that | am taken,
trouble not about the matter. for thus it
will be fated to some great end. Above
all, though often enough | have been
traitor in the past do not dream that |
betray you, keeping in mind that so to do
NOulu DE 10 UIlTdy my own soul. Wllcn
very soon must render its account on high"
"As you will. Hokosa," answered the
King. And now tell those rebel dogs
that on these terms only will | make peace
with thcm-thst they withdraw across the
mountains by the path which their women
and children have taken, leaving this land
forever, without lifting another spear
against us. If they will do this, notwith-
standing all the wickedness and slaughter
that they have worked, I will send com
81,
II they will not do this. | put my trust
In the God ] worship, and will fight this
fray out to the end, knowing that II and
my people perish, they shall perish also"
Now Nodwengo himself spoke to the her
aid who was waiting behind the wall
Go back to him you serve he said,
land say that IIokosa viii meet her who
was his wife upon the fiat stone and talk
with her In the sight of both armies, bear
Ing my word with him. At the sound of
the blowing of a horn shall each of them
advance Unnrmed and alone from either
camp. Say to my brother also that 1t will
indeed bo Ill for him II he attempts treach-
cry upon HokOsa, for the man who causes
his blood to flow shall surely die. and after
death shall be accursed forever"
Tho herald went, and presently a horn
was blown.
Now 1t comes into my mind that we
part for the last time" said Nodwengo in
a troubled voice, as he took the hand of
ut may be so, King; In my heart think
that II Is so; yet do not altogether grieve
thereat. for the burden of my past sins
brushes me and l am weary and seek for
rest. Yet we do not part for the last time
because, whatever chances, in the end
shall make my report to you wonderland
he pointed upward. Reign on for long
years. King-reign we'll and wisely. clinging
to the faith for thus at the last shall you
reap your reward. Farewell"
Now again the horn blew. and in the
bright moonlight the slight figure of Mona
could be seen advancing toward the stone.
Then Hokosa sprang from the wall and
advanced also, till at the same moment they
climbed upon the stone.
Greeting, Hokosa," said Mona, and she
stretched out her hand to him.
By way OF answer he placed his own be-
hind his back, saying: ITO your business,
woman" Yet his eyes searched her face,
the face that In his folly he still loved, and
thus II came about that he never saw sundry