Page 171 (1/2)

But those words were not spoken, since Panda only said: "Let us try the

case of this woain and set out the charges against

Mameena, namely, that it was she who had poisoned Saduko's child, and

not Masapo; that, after one

to live with the Prince Umbelazi; and that finally she had bewitched the

said Umbelazi and caused hie, if proved, namely, that this woman deserted her

husband for another man, is a crime of death," broke in Panda abruptly

as the officer finished speaking; "therefore, what need is there to hear

the first and the third until that is exae, wo did not wish to stir up these other

matters of murder and witchcraft for some reason of his oe all

turned to hear Ma," she said in her low, silvery voice, "I cannot deny that I left

Saduko for Umbelazi the Handsome, any more than Saduko can deny that he

left Umbelazi the beaten for Cetewayo the conqueror"

"Why did you leave Saduko?" asked Panda

"O King, perhaps because I loved Umbelazi; for was he not called the

Handsome? Also you know that the Prince, your son, was one to be

loved" Here she paused, looking at poor Panda, inced "Or,

perhaps, because I wished to be great; for was he not of the Blood

Royal, and, had it not been for Saduko, would he not one day have been a

king? Or, perhaps, because I could no longer bear the treatment that the