Omaha daily bee., 1896-10-11

lently and swiftly he led on the resi-
ments keeping in the shadow Of the huts.
Hokosl and his hundred men posted them
selves behind the weakened fence and wall.
Now for the fourth time the attacking rcgi-
ment came forward grimly, on this occa-
sion led by the prince himself. AS they
drew near Hokosa leaped upon the wall,
and standing there in the bright moon
light where all could see him. he called
to them to halt. Instinctively they obeyed
him.
us it Hafela whom see ycnder?" he
asked.
"Ay, It is l." answered the prince. What
/ would you with me, wizard and traitor?"
This only, Hafela. l would ask you what
you seek here?"
That which you promised me. Hokosa
the crown of my father and certain other
things"
Then get you back. Hafela, for you shall
never win them. Have | prophesied falsely
to you at any time? Not so-neither do
/ prophesy falsely now. Get you back
whence you came, and your wolves with you,
else shall you bde here forever"
do you dare to call down evil on me,
wlzard?" shouted the prince furiously.
Your wife is mine, and now | take your
life also" and with all his strength he
hurled at him the great spear he held.
1t hissed past Hokosa's head touching
his ear, bat he never hinched from the
stee..
"A poor cast Prince" he said, laughing,
"but so 1t must have been for am guarded
by that which you cannot see My wife you
have, and she shall be your ruin. My life
you may take, but ere II leaves me- Hafela.
l shall see you dead and your army scattered.
The messenger is passed away, but his
power is fallen upon me, and / speak the
truth to you, o, Prince and warriors who
are already dead.
Now shrek of dismay and fury rose
from the hundreds who heard this prophecy
of Ill. for of Hokosa and his magic they We're
terribly afraid
XIII him! XIII the wizard" they shouted,
and rain of spears rushed toward him on
the wall
They reached toward him, they passed
above, below around, but of them all not
one touched him.
did not | tell you that was guarded by
that which you cannot see?' he asked, con-
temptuously, and then slowly descended
from the wall. amidst a great silence.
when men are scarce the tongue must
play a part" he explained to his COM
panions, who stared at him wondering. by
now the king and those with him should
have reached the eastern gate; whereas, had
we fought at once, Hafela would be hard
upon his heels for we are few and who can
hold a buffalo with a rope of grass? Yet |
think that | spoke truth when | told him
that the garment of the messenger has
fallen upon my shoulders and that death
awaits him and his companies, as II awaits
me also and many of us. Now. friends, be
ready, for the bull charges and soon we
must feel his horns. This, at least is left
to you, to die gloriously."
While he was still speaking the first files
of the regiment rushed upon the fence, tear
ing aside the thorns with their hands till
passage was made through them. Then
they sprang upon the wall, there to be met
by the spears of Hokosa and his men thrust
ing upward from beneath its shelter. Time
after time they sprang and time after time
they fell back dead or wounded, till at last
dashing forward in one dense column, they
poured over the stones as the rising tide
pours over the rocks on the seashore, driving
the defenders before them by the sheer
weight OF numbers.
The game is played!" cried Hokosa. ely
now to the eastern gate. for here we can dc
nothing more"
So they fed, those who survived OF them
and after them came the thousands OF the
foe, sacking and firing the deserted town
as they advanced.
Hokosa and his men. or rather the hall
OF them, reached the gate and passed 1t in
safety, barring 1t after them and thereby
delaying the attackers till they could burst
their way through II. Now hundreds OF huts
were aflre and the flames spread swiftly
lighting up the country far and wide. In
the glare OF them, Hokosa could see that
already a full two-thirds OF the crowd OF
fugltiyes had passed the narrow arch; while
Nodwengo and the soldiers were drawn ul
in companies upon the steep and rocky
slope that led to II. protecting their retreat.
lie advanced to the king and reported him
self
80 you have lived through It," said Nod
wengo,
II shall die when my hour comss. and