Tell him, however, that though I am a Christian I have not forgotten how to fight or how to rule.

It has reached my ears that it is his purpose to attack me with a great force which he is gathering, and to possess himself of my throne.

If he should choose to come, I shall be ready to meet him; but I counsel him against coming, for it will be to find his death.

Let him stay where he is in peace, and be my subject; or let him go afar with those that cleave to him, and set up a kingdom of his own, for then I shall not follow him; but let him not dare to lift a spear against me, his sovereign, since if he does so he shall be treated as a rebel and find the doom of a rebel.

Begone, and show your face here no more!" The man crept away crestfallen; but all who heard that speech broke into cheering, which, as its purport was repeated from rank to rank, spread far and wide; for now the army learned that in becoming a Christian, Nodwengo had not become a woman.