Most of these, however, were women and children, for as I have said the greater part of the male population was absent from the town because of the commencement of the harvest.
We were conducted to chairs, or rather stools of honour, and when we two had seated ourselves, Hans taking his stand behind us, Harut rose and informed us that an embassy had arrived from the Black Kendah which was about to be admitted.
Presently they came, five of them, great, truculent-looking fellows of a surprising blackness, unarmed, for they had not been allowed to bring their weapons in to the town, but adorned with the usual silver chains across their breasts to show their rank, and other savage finery.

In the man who was their leader I recognized one of those messengers who had accosted us when first we entered their territory on our way from the south, before that fight in which I was taken prisoner.

Stepping forward and addressing himself to Harut, he said: "A while ago, O Prophet of the Child, I, the messenger of the god Jana, speaking through the mouth of Simba the King, gave to you and your brother Marut a certain warning to which you did not listen.

Now Jana has Marut, and again I come to warn you, Harut." "If I remember right," interrupted Harut blandly, "I think that on that occasion two of you delivered the message and that the Child marked one of you upon the brow.

If Jana has my brother, say, where is yours ?" "We warned you," went on the messenger, "and you cursed us in the name of the Child." "Yes," interrupted Harut again, "we cursed you with three curses.