He stalked up to where we were, and held the child before the chief.

"Is it dead, father ?" he said, with a laugh.
Now, as I could well see, the child was not dead, but had been hidden away, and fainted with fear.
The chief glanced at it carelessly, and said-- "Find out with your kerrie." Acting on this hint the black devil held up the child, and was about to kill it with his knobstick.

This was more than I could bear.

I sprang at him and struck him with all my force in the face, little caring if I was speared or not.

He dropped Tota on the ground.
"Ou!" he said, putting his hand to his nose, "the White Spirit has a hard fist.