Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1896-10-18

breach with the corpes Of the dead. ayl and
with the bodies OF the living, for the
wounded, the old men and the very women
piled themselves there in the place OF the
stones. No such fray was told OF In the
annals OF the People of Fire as this, the
last stand OF Nodwengo against the thou.
sands Of Hafela. Now all the shouting had
died away for men had no breath left where
with to shout only from the gloomy place
OF battle came low groans and the deep
sobbing signs OF warriors gripped in the
death hug.
Flight on! Fight onv shriled the voice
oil Hokosa on high. Lot the skies are opet
to my dying sight, and | see the impis of
heaven sweeping to succor you. Behold!'
They dashed the sweat from their eyes
ana looked forth, and as they looked. the
pail OF gloom was lifted and in the golden
glow of many-shafted light they saw, not
the legions of heaven indeed. but the regl-
ments Of Nodwengo rushing round the bend
OF inc valley, as dogs rush upon scent,
with heads held low and spears outstretched.
Halela saw them also
Back to the koppe," he cried, There to
die like men, for the wlzardries OF Hokosa
nave been too strong for us. and lost is this
my last battle and the crown | came to
seek"
They obeyed, and all that we're left of
them, some 10000 men, they ran to the
koppie and formed themsel elves upon H.. ring
above ring, and here tn, soldiers of Nod.
wengo closed in upon them.
Again for the last time the voice Of Ho-
Rosa rang out above the fray:
"Nodwengo," he cried, with my passing
breath l charge you have mercy and spare
these men, so many Of them as will sur
render. The day of bloodshed has gone by
the fray is finished, the cross has conquered /;
let there be peace in the land"
All men heard him. for his piercing scream
echoed from the precipices, came to the ears
of each. All men heard him, and even in
that fierce hour of vengeance, all obeyed.
the spear that was poised was not thrown
and the kerry lifted over the fallen did not
descend to dash away his life.
"Harken. Hafela." called the king. STEP
ping forward from the ranks to the attack
ers. lie whom you have set on high to
bring deteat upon you charges me to give
you peace, and in the name of the con-
quering cross | give 1t. All who surrender
shall dwell henceforth In my shadow, nor
shall the head nor the heel of one of them
De harmed, although their sin is great. One
life only Will / take, the life of that witch
VINO brought your armies down upon me
TO burn my town and say my people by
thousands, and who but last night betrayed
Hokosa to his death of torment All shall
go Tree. l say, save the witch, and for you
you shall be given cattle and such servants
as VIII cling to you to the number of hun
ured and driven from the land Now what
say you? VIII you yield or be slain? Swift
with your answer, for the sun sinks, and
way or in that"
The regiments of Hafela heard, and
shouted in answer, as with one voice:
we take your mercy, King We fought
bravely while we could, and now we take
your mercy, King"
wengo. addressing t,e prince, rho stood
upon point Or rock above him, in full sight
OF both armies. q
Hafela turned and looked at Hokosa hang
ing high in mid-aif.
What say II" he answered In a slow and
quiet voice. 81 say that the Cross and its
prophet have been too strong for me. and
that | should have done well to follow the
one and listen to the counsel of the other
My brother you tell me that may 20 free
taking servants with me. l thank you, and
will go-alone."
And setting the handle OF his spear upon
the rock. with Sudden movement he fell
forward transhXiug his heart with its broad
blade, and lay still.
AT least, he died like one Of the blood
royal of the SortFof Fire" cried Nodwengo
while the armies stood silent and awestruck
and with the blood-royal he shall be buried
Lay down your arms, you who followed him
and fought for him, fearing nothing, and give
over to me the witch that she may be slain"
"She hides under the tree yorder," cried
voice.
GO and take her." said Nodwengo tc
some of his captains.
Now Mona, crouched on the ground be-
meath the tree, had seen and heard all that
passed. Percelving the captains making
their way toward her through the lines of
soldiers, who opened out a path for them
she rose and for a moment stood bewildered
Then, as though drawn by some strange
attraction she turned and, Selling hold OF
hn l,,s .I,.. -
to climb the Tree of Doom swiftly Up she
went while all the men watched, higher and
higher yet, till, passing out of the finger
like foliage she reached the cross of dead
wood whereto Hokosa hung, and placing her
foot upon one arm OF it. stood there, sup
porting herself by the broken top of the
upright.
Hokosa was not yet dead, though he was
very near to death. Lifting his glazing eyes
he knew her and said speaking thickly:
What do you here, Mona, and wherefore
have you Gomez"
81 come because you draw me-" she an
swered, because they seek my life below"
Repent, repent" he whispered there is
yet time, and heaven is very merciful."
She heard, and fury seized her.
BE silent, dogr' she cried. Having de.
fled your God so long shall grovel to Him at
the last? Having hated you so much, shall
seek your forgiveness now? At least of
one thing | am glad-it was l who brought
you here, and with me and through me you
shall die
Then. placing one foot upon his bent head.
as If in scorn, she leaned forward. her long
hair flying to the wind, and cursed Nodwengo
and his people, naming them renegades and
apostates, and cursed the soldiers of Hafela
naming them towards calling down upon
them the Madison OF their ancestors:
Hokosa heard and muttered:
For your souls sake, woman, repent re:
pent, ere 1t be too late"
Repent" she screamed, catching at his
words. THUS do ! repent" and, drawing
the knife from her girdle. she leaned over
him, and drove it hilt-deep into his breast.
Then, with a sudden movement she
sprang upward and outward into the air,
and rushing down through a hundred feet
of space, was struck dead upon that very
rock where the corpse of Hafela lay.
Now. beneath the agony of the knife, Ho
kosa lifted his head for the last time, crying
in a great voice:
Messenger, l come; be you my guide"
and with the words his soul passed.
"All is over and ended" said a voice. |
Soldiers, salute, the king with royal
salute" '.u .
Nay" answered Nodwengo, Salute me
not Salute the cross, and Him who hangs
upon it."
So, while the rays Of the setting sun shone
about It, regiment by regiment that great |
army rushed past the kopple, and, pausing |
opposite to the tros5 and its burden, they |
1t the royal salute of kings.