He cried back in the same
strange voice:
"I hear. I come. Tie string or grass round the lady Imba's finger below
the bite. Tie it hard till she screams with pain."
Meanwhile the Christian nurse had rushed off over the crest of the
koppie to fetch Thomas and Dorcas, or either of them. As it chanced she
met them both walking to join Tabitha in her bower, and thus it came
about that they reached the place at the same moment as did old Menzi
bounding up the rocks like a _klipspringer_ buck, or a mountain sheep.
Hearing him, Thomas turned in the narrow gateway of the kraal and asked
wildly:
"What has happened, Witch-doctor?"
"This has happened, White-man," answered Menzi, "the Floweret has been
bitten by a hooded snake and is about to die. Look at her," and he
pointed to Tabitha, who notwithstanding the venom sucking and the grass
tied round her blackened finger, sat huddled-up, shivering and half
comatose.
"Let me pass, White-man, that I may save her if I can," he went on.
"Get back," said Thomas, "I will have none of your black magic practised
on my daughter. If she is to live God will save her."
"What medicines have you, White-man?" asked Menzi.
"None, at least not here. Faith is my medicine.
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