"Thou art a bold man who darest to speak thus to me, Mopo," he said.

"Dost thou not know that it is sacrilege to touch an Isanusi ?" "I speak that which is in the king's mind," I answered.

"Hearken, O king! It is indeed sacrilege to touch a true Isanusi, but what if the Isanusi be a liar?
What if he smell out falsely, bringing those to death who are innocent of evil?
Is it then sacrilege to bring him to that end which he has given to many another?
Say, O king!" "Good words!" answered Chaka.

"Now tell me, son of Makedama, how may this matter be put to proof ?" Then I leaned forward, whispering into the ear of the Black One, and he nodded heavily.
Thus I spoke then, because I, too, saw the evil of the Isanusis, I who knew their secrets.

Also, I feared for my own life and for the lives of all those who were dear to me.