"Trust me; kneel on the grass before me, and when I strike at you with the spear, roll over like one dead; then, when you hear my voice again, get up.

Trust me--it is your only hope." Having no choice I nodded my head in assent, though I had not the faintest idea of what he was about to do.

The tumult lessened somewhat, and once more the warriors drew back.
"Great White Spirit--Spirit of victory," said Indaba-zimbi, addressing me aloud, and covering his eyes with his hand, "hear me and forgive me.
These children are blind with folly, and think thee mortal because thou hast dealt death upon a mortal who dared to stand against thee.

Deign to kneel down before me and let me pierce thy heart with this spear, then when I call upon thee, arise unhurt." I knelt down, not because I wished to, but because I must.

I had not overmuch faith in Indaba-zimbi, and thought it probable that he was in truth about to make an end of me.