The Washington times., 1919-12-28


trouble, arising no doubt from
something they had eaten. This,
however, was not their view, or
that OF Umslopogaas himself.
1t happened that one of these
men, Goroko by name. who prac-
tised as a witch doctor In his
lighter moments, suspected that
spell had been cast upon them.
Therefore he organized a smell
ing-out," at which Bmslopogaas,
who was as superstitious as the
rest, assisted. So did Hans, al
though he called himself a Chris
tian, partly out of curiosity and
partly from fear lest some impli-
cation should be brought against
him in his absence.
saw the business going on from
a little distance and, unseen my
self, thought 1t well to keep an eye
upon the proceedings in case any.
thing aHtoward should occur, which
did with Miss Inez, who had never
seen anything of the sort, as a COM
panion.
The circle, a small one, was
formed in the usual fashion:
Goroko rigged up in the best witch
doctors costume that he could i'm
provise, duly came under the IN
auence OF his spirit" and skipped
about waving a wildebeeste's tail,
aad so forth. Finally, to my horror,
he broke out of the ring, and run.
ming to a group of spectators from
the village, switched Thomaso, who
was standing among them with
lordly and contemptuous air, across
the face with the gnu's tail, shout
ing ont that he was the wizard who
had poisoned the sick men. There
on Thomaso, who. like most cross
breeds, was not remarkable for
courage, promptly bolted, none at
tempting to follow him.
After this. just as thought that
the time had come for me to speak
a few earnest words to Umslopo-
gaas, pointing out that matters
must go no further as regards
Thomaso, whom / knew that he
and his people hated, Goroko was
seized with a new inspiration
Throwing down his whisk, he hfteds
his arms above his head and stated
at the heavens. Then he began, to
shout out something in = loud voice
which evidently frightened his
hearers, as / could see from the
expressions Of their faces. Even
Umslopogaas was alarmed, for he
let his axe fall, rose as though to
speak, then sat down again and
covered his eyes with his hands.
In a minute it was over; Goroko
seemed to become normal, took
some snuff, and, as | guessed, after
the usual fashion OF these doctors,
began to ask what he had been say
ing while the spirit" possessed
him. The circle, too, broke up, and
its members began to talk to eacn
other in a subdued way, while Um-
siopogaas remained seated on the
ground, brooding, and Hans slipped
away in his snake-hke fashion,
doubtless in search Of me.
What was it all about, Mr..
Quatermain?" asked inez.
'Oh, a lot OF nonsense" / said.
Il fancy that witch-doctor declared
that Thomaso put something into
those mems food 10 make them
sick"
"I daresay that he did; it would
be just like him, Mr.. Quatermain,
as know that he hates them, es-
pecially Umslopogaas, Of whom /
am very fond. He brought me
some beautiful flowers this morn
ing and made long speech which
/ could not understand"
The idea Of Umslopogaas, that
man OF blood and iron, bringing
flowers TO young lady was SO
absurd that / broke out laughing,
and even the sad-faced Inez smiled.
Then she left me TO see about
something and l went to Hans and
asked him what had happened.
Something rather queer, I
think" he answered, though / did
not quite understand the last part.
Goroko smelt out Thomaso as the
man who had made them sick, and
though they will not kill him be-
cause we are guests here, these