Yet it could be recognised as the voice of Umsuka the dead king.
"Why have you summoned me from my rest, Hokosa ?" muttered the voice from the lips of the huddled corpse.
"Because I would learn the future, Spirit of the king," answered the wizard boldly, but saluting as he spoke.

"You are dead, and to your sight all the Gates are opened.

By the power that I have, I command you to show me what you see therein concerning myself, and to point out to me the path that I should follow to attain my ends and the ends of her in whose breast you dwell." At once the answer came, always in the same horrible voice:-- "Hearken to your fate for this world, Hokosa the wizard.

You shall triumph over your rival, the white man, the messenger; and by your hand he shall perish, passing to his appointed place where you must meet again.

By that to which you cling you shall be betrayed, ah! you shall lose that which you love and follow after that which you do not desire.
In the grave of error you shall find truth, from the deeps of sin you shall pluck righteousness.