242 ADVENTURES OF AN ELEPHANT HUNTER ch. 
at all were the matter. Manjora, having done 
justice to an excellent repast, and made a clean 
job of his side of the dish, is doubtless inwardly 
thinking that Hamice’s wife is a most dainty cook. 
He has not the slightest suspicion of the 
treacherous game that Hamice has played on him, 
for the poison which he has swallowed is absolutely 
tasteless. Some of the food still remains on the 
dish and Hamice, to put an artistic touch to the 
whole drama, passes it over to his own children, 
bidding them eat and be strong, which they do 
with alacrity, and the whole fiendish deed is 
accomplished. 
About an hour or so afterwards, Manjora, who 
has left his friend and gone on his way, feels an 
irresistible desire to sleep, so adjourns to the 
shelter of his hut. There, he begins to suffer from 
an unquenchable thirst, and is subsequently seized 
with acute internal pains, which leave the poor 
fellow writhing in agony. A little while after he 
is no more. 
Should any suspicion attach to Hamice, he can 
easily prove his innocence ; for did not he and his 
own children partake of the very same food as 
Manjora? Besides, why should he do Manjora to 
death ? He bore the man no ill-will ; on the con¬ 
trary, he was one of his best friends. 
Some months afterwards, Mputa, the hidden and 
