Then the _Induna_ said that I must come to the King and repeat to him all the words that I had spoken.

I replied that I could not possibly do so as, having finished my trading, I had arranged to go north to shoot elephants.

He answered that elephants lived a long while and would not die while I was visiting the King.
Then followed an argument which grew heated and ended in his declaring that to the King I must come, even if he had to take me there by force.
I sat silent, wondering what to say or do and leant forward to pick a piece of wood out of the fire wherewith to light my pipe.

Now my shirt was not buttoned and as it chanced this action caused the ivory image of Zikali that hung about my neck to appear between its edges.

The _Induna_ saw it and his eyes grew big with fear.
"Hide that!" he whispered, "hide that, lest it should bewitch me.
Indeed, already I feel as though I were being bewitched.