He stamped upon the ground with his big feet; he shook his braided grey locks and cried out: "Is my wisdom to be defeated in such a little matter?
One of you tie a bandage over my eyes." Now a man--it was Maputa, the messenger--came out and did so, and I noted that he tied it well and tight.

Zikali whirled round upon his heels, first one way and then another, and, crying aloud: "Guide me, my Spirit!" marched forward in a zigzag fashion, as a blindfolded man does, with his arms stretched out in front of him.

First he went to the right, then to the left, and then straight forward, till at length, to my astonishment, he came exactly opposite the spot where Masapo sat and, stretching out his great, groping hands, seized the kaross with which he was covered and, with a jerk, tore it from him.
"Search this!" he cried, throwing it on the ground, and a woman searched.
Presently she uttered an exclamation, and from among the fur of one of the tails of the kaross produced a tiny bag that appeared to be made out of the bladder of a fish.

This she handed to Zikali, whose eyes had now been unbandaged.
He looked at it, then gave it to Maputa, saying: "There is the poison--there is the poison, but who gave it I do not say.
I am weary.

Let me go." Then, none hindering him, he walked away through the gate of the kraal.
Soldiers seized upon Masapo, while the multitude roared: "Kill the wizard!" Masapo sprang up, and, running to where the King sat, flung himself upon his knees, protesting his innocence and praying for mercy.