Say, my people, what reward should be given to her ?" "Death," said the circle of indunas, pointing their thumbs downwards, and all the multitude beyond echoed the word "Death." "Death," repeated the head induna, adding, "If you save her, my father, we will slay her with our own hands.

She is a Babyan-woman, a devil-woman; ah, yes, we have heard of such before; let her be slain before she works more evil." Then it was that Stella stepped forward and begged for Hendrika's life in moving terms.

She pleaded the savagery of the woman's nature, her long service, and the affection that she had always shown towards herself.

She said that I, whose life had been attempted, forgave her, and she, my wife, who had nearly been left a widow before she was made a bride, forgave her; let them forgive her also, let her be sent away, not slain, let not her marriage day be stained with blood.
Now her father listened readily enough, for he had no intention of killing Hendrika--indeed, he had already promised not to do so.

But the people were in a different humour, they looked upon Hendrika as a devil, and would have torn her to pieces there and then, could they have had their way.