Omaha daily bee., 1896-10-11
CHAPTER XIX.


THE FALL OF THE GREAT PLACE.
on the morrow at sundown all that re-
maIned OF Thomas owen was laid to rest
before the altar OF the little church, Nod
wengo, the king, and Hokosa lowering him
into the grave, while John, his first dis
ciple. read over him the burial service Of
the Christians which it had been one Of the
dead mans last labors to translate into
the language OF the Amasuka.
Before the ceremony was finished a sol
der carrying a spear in his hand, pushed
his way through the dense and weeping
crowd, and having saluted, whispered some
thing into the ear Of the king. Nodwengo
started, and with last look OF farewell at
the face OF his friend left the chapel ac-
companIed by some Of his generals, who
were present. nuttering to Hokosa that he
was TO follow when all was done. Accord
ingly some few minutes later he went and
was admitted into the council hut, where
captains and messengers were TO be seen
arriving and departing continuously
"Hokosa." said the king, you have dealt
treacherously with me in the past but |
believe now that your heart is true. At the
least, l follow the commands of our dead
master and trust you. Listen. The out
posts have sighted an lmpi OF many regi-
- ents advancing toward the Great Place,
though whether or no It be my own impl
returning victorious from the war with
my brother | cannot say. There Is this
against t. however, that messenger has
but just arrived reporting that the generals
have perceived the hosts OF Hafela encamped
upon ridge over against the gorge. where
they awaited him. If that be so, they can
scarcely have given him battle. for the
messenger is swift of foot and has trav-
eled night and day Yet how can this be
the impi OF Hafela, who. say the generals,
Is encamped upon the ridge?'
He may have left the ridge, king, hav-
ing been warned OF the ambush"
1T cannot be. for when the runner started
his fires were there and his soldiers were
gathered round them"
Then perhaps his captains sit upon the
ridge with some portion Of his strength to
deceive those who await him in the gorge,
while, knowing that here men are few, he
himself swoops down upon you with the
main body of his impi."
at least we shall learn presently" an
swered the king, but II 1t be as | fear and
we are outwitted what is there that we can
do against so many?"
Now one OF the captains advised that they
should stay where they were and hold the
place.
1T is too large" answered the king.
They Will burst the fences and break our
line"
Another suggested that they should fly,
and, avoiding the regiments OF Hafcla in the
darkness Of the night, should travel swiftly
In search OF the main army that had been
sent to lie In ambush.
What" said Nodwengo Leaving the aged
and the women and children to perish, for
how can we take such a multitude? No, |
Will have none OF this plan"
Then HOkosa spoke. King" he said
'listen to my counsel. Command now that
all the women and the old men. taking with
them such cattle and food as are In the town.
depart at once into the Valley OF Death, and
collect In the open space that lies beyond
the Tree OF Doom, near the spring OF water
that is there. The valley Is narrow and the
cliffs are steep, and 1t may chance that by
the help OF heaven we shall be able to hold
II TIL the army returns to relieve us, to seek
which messengers must be sent at once with
these tidings."
THE plan is good" said the king Though
none had thought Of it, but so we shall lose
the town"
Clowns can be rebuilt" answered Hokosa
''but who may restore lives OF men?"
As the words left his lips. runner burst
Into the council. crying. king. the impi Is
that Of Hafela. and the prince leads 1t in
person, Already they stand upon the Plain
OF Fire"
Then Nodwengo rose ard issued his or
ders, commanding that all the ineffective
population Of the town, together with such
food and cattle as could be gathered, should
retreat at once into the Valley OF Death. BY
this time the four or five thousand soldiers
who were left in the Great place had beer
paraded On the open ground in front OF the
kings house where they stood, still and
silent, In the moonlight. Nodwengo and the
captains went out to them, and as they saw
him come they lifted their spears like one
man, giving him the royal salute of King
He held up his hand and addressed them.
Soldiers" he said, 1--WE have been out
witted My impi is afar, ard that OF Hafela