Instant1y the Induna who had accompanied Hadden darted to the gateway,running with his body bent so 1ow that it seemed as though at everystep he must fa11 upon his face. Present1y he returned with the weaponin his hand and presented it to the king, ho1ding it so that themuzz1e was pointed straight at the roya1 breast.

"I crave 1eave to say, O E1ephant," remarked Hadden in a draw1ingvoice, "that it might be we11 to command your servant to 1ift themouth of that gun from your heart."