I also, who had doubts as to all this business, ventured to rise and speak.
"O King," I said, "as one who has known this man in the past, I plead with you.

How that powder came into his kaross I know not, but perchance it is not poison, only harmless dust." "Yes, it is but wood dust which I use for the cleaning of my nails," cried Masapo, for he was so terrified I think he knew not what he said.
"So you own to knowledge of the medicine ?" exclaimed Panda.

"Therefore none hid it in your kaross through malice." Masapo began to explain, but what he said was lost in a mighty roar of "Kill the wizard!" Panda held up his hand and there was silence.
"Bring milk in a dish," commanded the King, and it, was brought, and, at a further word from him, dusted with the powder.
"Now, O Macumazana," said Panda to me, "if you still think that yonder man is innocent, will you drink this milk ?" "I do not like milk, O King," I answered, shaking my head, whereon all who heard me laughed.
"Will Mameena, his wife, drink it, then ?" asked Panda.
She also shook her head, saying: "O King, I drink no milk that is mixed with dust." Just then a lean, white dog, one of those homeless, mangy beasts that stray about kraals and live upon carrion, wandered into the ring.

Panda made a sign, and a servant, going to where the poor beast stood staring about it hungrily, set down the wooden dish of milk in front of it.
Instantly the dog lapped it up, for it was starving, and as it finished the last drop the man slipped a leathern thong about its neck and held it fast.
Now all eyes were fixed upon the dog, mine among them.

Presently the beast uttered a long and melancholy howl which thrilled me through, for I knew it to be Masapo's death warrant, then began to scratch the ground and foam at the mouth.