Then pouring the rest of the liquor on the ground, Umsuka set aside the cup, and in the midst of a silence that seemed deep after the crash of the great salute, he began to address the multitude:-- "Hearken, Councillors and Captains, and you, my people, hearken.

As you know, I have two sons, calves of the Black Bull, princes of the land--my son Hafela, the eldest born, and my son Nodwengo, his half-brother----" At this point the king began to grow confused.

He hesitated, passing his hand over his eyes, then slowly and with difficulty repeated those words which he had already said.
"We hear you, Father," cried the councillors in encouragement, as for the second time he paused.

While they still spoke, the veins in the king's neck were seen to swell suddenly, foam flecked with blood burst from his lips, and he fell headlong to the ground..