But one man who after warning was
caught maltreating a woman was brought out and killed by Nala's order,
and though there was a little grumbling, that put a stop to further
trouble.
"On the second morning the head men and numbers of their followers came
in in groups, and about midday a deputation of the former presented
themselves before us without their weapons. They were conquered, they
said, and Wambe was dead, so they came to hear the words of the great
lion who had eaten them up, and of the crafty white man, the jackal, who
had dug a hole for them to fall in, and of Maiwa, Lady of War, who had
led the charge and turned the fate of the battle.
"So we let them hear the words, and when we had done an old man rose and
said, that in the name of the people he accepted the yoke that was laid
upon their shoulders, and that the more gladly because even the rule of
a woman could not be worse than the rule of Wambe. Moreover, they knew
Maiwa, the Lady of War, and feared her not, though she was a witch and
terrible to see in battle.
"Then Nala asked his daughter if she was willing to become chieftainess
of the tribe under him.
"Maiwa, who had been very silent since her revenge was accomplished,
answered yes, that she was, and that her rule should be good and gentle
to those who were good and gentle to her, but the froward and rebellious
she would smite with a rod of iron; which from my knowledge of her
character I thought exceedingly probable.
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