King, my heart is changed towards that woman; I no longer desire to take her to wife, and I pray that you will order that she shall now be handed back to Hokosa her guardian." "You blow hot and cold with the same mouth, Hafela," said Umsuka, "and in love or war I do not like such men.

What have you to say to this demand, Hokosa ?" Now Hokosa stepped forward from where he stood at the head of the company of wizards.

His dress, like that of his companions, was simple, but in its way striking.

On his shoulders he wore a cloak of shining snakeskin; about his loins was a short kilt of the same material; and round his forehead, arms and knees were fillets of snakeskin.

At his side hung his pouch of medicines, and in his hand he held no spear, but a wand of ivory, whereof the top was roughly carved so as to resemble the head of a cobra reared up to strike.
"King," he said, "I have heard the words of the prince, and I do not think that this insult should have been put upon the Lady Noma, my ward, or upon me, her guardian.