DEDICATION
TotheMemoryoftheChildNadaBurnham，who"boundalltoher"and，whileherfathercuthiswaythroughthehordesoftheIngoboRegiment，perishedofthehardshipsofwaratBuluwayoon19thMay，1896，Idedicatethesetales——andmoreparticularlythelast，thatofaFaithwhichtriumphedoversavageryanddeath。
H。RiderHaggard。
Ditchingham。
AUTHOR’SNOTE
Ofthethreestoriesthatcomprisethisvolume，one，"TheWizard，"ataleofvictoriousfaith，firstappearedsomeyearsagoasaChristmasAnnual。Another，"Elissa，"isanattempt，difficultenoughowingtothescantinessofthemateriallefttousbytime，torecreatethelifeoftheancientPh？nicianZimbabwe，whoseruinsstillstandinRhodesia，and，withtheadditionofthenecessarylovestory，tosuggestcircumstancessuchasmighthavebroughtaboutoraccompanieditsfallatthehandsofthesurroundingsavagetribes。Thethird，"BlackHeartandWhiteHeart，"isastoryofthecourtship，trialsandfinalunionofapairofZululoversinthetimeofKingCetywayo。
THEWIZARD
CHAPTERI
THEDEPUTATION
Hastheageofmiraclequitegoneby，orisitstillpossibletotheVoiceofFaithcallingaloudupontheearthtowringfromthedumbheavensanaudibleanswertoitsprayer？DoesthepromiseutteredbytheMasterofmankindupontheeveoftheend——"WhosothatbelievethinMe，theworksthatIdoheshalldoalso……andwhatsoeveryeshallaskinMyname，thatwillIdo"——stillholdgoodtosuchasdoaskanddobelieve？
LetthosewhocaretostudythehistoryoftheRev。ThomasOwen，andofthatstrangemanwhocarriedonandcompletedhiswork，answerthisquestionaccordingtotheirjudgment。
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ThetimewasaSundayafternooninsummer，andtheplaceachurchintheMidlandcounties。Itwasabeautifulchurch，ancientandspacious;
moreover，ithadrecentlybeenrestoredatgreatcost。Sevenoreighthundredpeoplecouldhavefoundsittingsinit，anddoubtlesstheyhaddonesowhenBusscombewasalargemanufacturingtown，beforethefailureofthecoalsupplyandothercausesdroveawayitstrade。NowitwasmuchwhatithadbeeninthetimeoftheNormans，alittleagriculturalvillagewithapopulationof300souls。Outofthispopulation，includingthechoirboys，exactlythirty—ninehadelectedtoattendchurchonthisparticularSunday;andofthese，threewerefastasleepandfourweredozing。
TheRev。ThomasOwencountedthemfromhisseatinthechancel，foranotherclergymanwaspreaching;and，ashecounted，bitternessanddisappointmenttookholdofhim。Thepreacherwasa"Deputation，"sentbyoneofthelargemissionarysocietiestoarousetheindifferenttoasenseofdutytowardstheirunconvertedblackbrethreninAfrica，andincidentallytocollectcashtobespentintheconversionofthesaidbrethren。TheRev。ThomasOwenhimselfsuggestedthevisitoftheDeputation，andhadlabouredhardtosecurehimagoodaudience。Butthebeautyoftheweather，orterroroftheinevitablesubscription，prevailedagainsthim。Hencehisdisappointment。
"Well，"hethought，withasigh，"Ihavedonemybest，andImustmakeitupoutofmyownpocket。"
Thenhesettledhimselftolistentothesermon。
Thepreacher，abattered—lookingindividualofbetweenfiftyandsixtyyearsofage，wasgauntwithrecentsickness，patientandunimaginativeinaspect。Hepreachedextemporarily，withtheaidofnotes;anditcannotbesaidthathisdiscoursewasremarkableforinterest，atanyrateinitsbeginning。Doubtlessthesparsecongregation，sopronetoslumber，discouragedhim;forofferingexhortationstoemptybenchesisbutwearywork。Indeedhewasmeditatingtheadvisabilityofbringinghisargumenttoanabruptconclusionwhen，chancingtoglanceround，hebecameawarethathehadatleastonesympatheticlistener，hishost，theRev。ThomasOwen。
Fromthatmomentthesermonimprovedbydegrees，tillatlengthitreachedareallyhighlevelofexcellence。Ceasingfromrhetoric，thespeakerbegantotellofhisownexperienceandsufferingsintheCauseamongstsavagetribes;forhehimselfwasamissionaryofmanyyearsstanding。Hetoldhowonceheandacompanionhadbeensenttoanation，whonamedthemselvestheSonsofFirebecausetheirgodwasthelightning，ifindeedtheycouldbesaidtoboastanygodsotherthantheSpearandtheKing。Insimplelanguagehenarratedhisterribleadventuresamongthesesavages，themurderofhiscompanionbycommandoftheCouncilofWizards，andhisownflightforhislife;
atalesointerestingandvividthateventhebucolicsleepersawakenedandlistenedopen—mouthed。
"Butthisisbytheway，"hewenton;"formySocietydoesnotaskyoutosubscribetowardstheconversionoftheChildrenofFire。Untilthatpeopleisconquered——whichverylikelywillnotbeforgenerations，seeingthattheyliveinCentralAfrica，occupyingaterritorythatwhitemendonotdesire——nomissionarywilldareagaintovisitthem。"
AtthismomentsomethingcausedhimtolookasecondtimeatThomasOwen。Hewasleaningforwardinhisplacelisteningeagerly，andastrangelightfilledthelarge，darkeyesthatshoneinthepallorofhisdelicate，nervousface。
"Thereisamanwhowoulddare，ifhewereputtoit，"thoughttheDeputationtohimself。Thenheendedhissermon。
Thateveningthetwomensatatdinnerintherectory。Itwasaveryfinerectory，beautifullyfurnished;forOwenwasamanoftastewhichhehadthemeanstogratify。Also，althoughtheywerealone，thedinnerwasgood——sogoodthatthepoorbroken—downmissionary，sippinghisunaccustomedport，avintagewine，sighedaloudinadmirationandinvoluntaryenvy。
"Whatisthematter？"askedOwen。
"Nothing，Mr。Owen;"then，ofasuddenthawingintocandour，headded：
"thatis，everything。Heavenforgiveme;butI，whoenjoyyourhospitality，amenviousofyou。Don’tthinktoohardlyofme;Ihavealargefamilytosupport，andifonlyyouknewwhatastrugglemylifeis，andhasbeenforthelasttwentyyears，youwouldnot，Iamsure。
Butyouhaveneverexperiencedit，andcouldnotunderstand。’Thelabourerisworthyofhishire。’Well，myhireisundertwohundredayear，andeightofusmustlive——orstarve——onit。AndIhaveworked，ay，untilmyhealthisbroken。Alabourerindeed！Iamaveryhodman，aspiritualSisyphus。AndnowImustgobacktocarrymyloadandrollmystoneagainandagainamongthosehopelesssavagestillIdieofit——tillIdieofit！"
"Atleastitisanoblelifeanddeath！"exclaimedOwen，asuddenfireofenthusiasmburninginhisdarkeyes。
"Yes，viewedfromadistance。Wereyouaskedtoleavethislivingoftwothousandayear——IseethatiswhattheyputitatinCrockford——
withitsEnglishcomfortsandeasywork，that/you/mightleadthatlifeandattainthatdeath，thenyouwouldthinkdifferently。ButwhyshouldIboreyouwithsuchtalk？ThankHeaventhatyourlinesarecastinpleasantplaces。Yes，please，Iwilltakeonemoreglass;itdoesmegood。"
"Tellmesomemoreaboutthattribeyouwerespeakingofinyoursermon，the’SonsofFire’Ithinkyoucalledthem，"saidOwen，ashepassedhimthedecanter。
So，withaneloquenceinducedbythegenerouswineandaquickenedimagination，theDeputationtoldhim——toldhimmanystrangethingsandterrible。Forthispeoplewasanawfulpeople：vigorousinmindandbody，andwarriorsfromgenerationtogeneration，butsuperstition—
riddenandcruel。Theylivedinthefarinterior，somemonths’journeybyboatandox—waggonfromthecoast，andofwhitemenandtheirwaystheyknewbutlittle。
"Howmanyofthemarethere？"askedOwen。
"Whocansay？"heanswered。"Nearlyhalf—a—million，perhaps;atleasttheypretendthattheycanputsixtythousandmenunderarms。"
"Anddidtheytreatyoubadlywhenyoufirstvisitedthem？"
"Notatfirst。Theyreceiveduscivillyenough;andonagivendaywewererequestedtoexplaintothekingandtheCouncilofWizardsthereligionwhichwecametoteach。Allthatdayweexplainedandallthenext——orrathermyfrienddid，forIknewverylittleofthelanguage——andtheylistenedwithgreatinterest。Atlastthechiefofthewizardsandthefirstprophettothekingrosetoquestionus。HewasnamedHokosa，atall，thinman，withaspiritualfaceandterriblecalmeyes。
"’Youspeakwell，sonofaWhiteMan，’hesaid，’butletuspassfromwordstodeeds。YoutellusthatthisGodofyours，whomyoudesirethatweshouldtakeasourGod，sothatyoumaybecomeHischiefprophetsintheland，wasawizardsuchasweare，thoughgraterthanweare;fornotonlydidHeknowthepastandthefutureaswedo，butalsoHecouldcurethosewhoweresmittenwithhopelesssickness，andraisethosewhoweredead，whichwecannotdo。Youtellus，moreover，thatbyfaiththosewhobelieveonHimcandoworksasgreatasHedid，andthatyoudobelieveonHim。Thereforewewillputyoutotheproof。Ho！there，leadforththatevilone。’
"Ashespokeamanwasplacedbeforeus，onewhohadbeenconvictedofwitchcraftorsomeothercrime。
"’Killhim！’saidHokosa。
"Therewasafaintcry，ascuffle，aflashingofspears，andthemanlaystillbeforeus。
"’Now，followersofthenewGod，’saidHokosa，’raisehimfromthedeadasyourMasterdid！’
"Invaindidweofferexplanations。
"’Peace！’saidHokosaatlength，’yourwordswearyus。Looknow，eitheryouhavepreachedtousafalsegodandareliars，oryouaretraitorstotheKingyoupreach，since，lackingfaithinHim，youcannotdosuchworksasHegivespowertodotothosewhohavefaithinHim。Outofyourownmouthsareyoujudged，WhiteMen。Choosewhichhornofthebullyouwill，youhangtooneofthem，anditshallpierceyou。Thisisthesentenceoftheking，Ispeakitwhoamtheking’smouth：Thatyou，WhiteMan，whohavespokentousandcheatedusthesetwowearydays，beputtodeath，andthatyou，hiscompanionwhohavebeensilent，bedrivenfromtheland。’
"Icanhardlybeartotelltherestofit，Mr。Owen。Theygavemypoorfriendtenminutesto’talktohisSpirit，’thentheyspearedhimbeforemyface。Afteritwasover，Hokosaspoketome，saying：——
"’Goback，WhiteMan，tothosewhosentyou，andtellthemthewordsoftheSonsofFire：Thattheyhavelistenedtothemessageofpeace，andthoughtheyareapeopleofwarriors，yettheythankthemforthatmessage，forinitselfitsoundsgoodandbeautifulintheirears，ifitbetrue。Tellthemthathavingprovedyouliars，theydealtwithyouasallhonestmenseekthatliarsshouldbedealtwith。Tellthemthattheydesiretohearmoreofthismatter，andifonecanbesenttothemwhohasnofalsetongue;whoinallthingsfulfillsthepromisesofhislips，thattheywillhearkentohimandtreathimwell，butthatforsuchasyoutheykeepaspear。’"
"Andwhowentafteryougotback？"askedOwen，whowaslisteningwiththedeepestinterest。
"Whowent？DoyousupposethattherearemanymadclergymeninAfrica，Mr。Owen？Nobodywent。"
"Andyet，"saidOwen，speakingmoretohimselfthantohisguest，"themanHokosawasright，andtheChristianwhoofatruthbelievesthepromisesofourreligionshouldtrusttothemandgo。"
"Thenperhapsyouwouldliketoundertakethemission，Mr。Owen，"saidtheDeputationbriskly;forthereflectionstunghim，unintentionalasitwas。
Owenstarted。
"Thatisanewidea，"hesaid。"Andnowperhapsyouwishtogotobed;
itispasteleveno’clock。"
CHAPTERII
THOMASOWEN
ThomasOwenwenttohisroom，butnottobed。TakingaBiblefromthetable，heconsultedreferenceafterreference。
"Thepromiseisclear，"hesaidaloudpresently，asheshutthebook;
"clearandoftenrepeated。Thereisnoescapefromit，andnopossibilityofadoublemeaning。Ifitisnottrue，thenitwouldseemthatnothingistrue，andthateveryChristianintheworldistrickedanddeluded。Butifit/is/true，whydoweneverhearofmiracles？
Theansweriseasy：Becausewehavenotfaithenoughtoworkthem。TheApostlesworkedmiracles;fortheyhadseen，thereforetheirfaithwasperfect。Sincetheirdaynobody’sfaithhasbeenquiteperfect;atleastIthinknot。Thephysicalpartofournaturepreventsit。Orperhapsthemiraclesstillhappen，buttheyarespiritualmiracles。"
Thenhesatdownbytheopenwindow，andgazingatthedreamybeautyofthesummernight，hethought，forhissoulwastroubled。Oncebeforeithadbeentroubledthus;thatwasnineyearsago，fornowhewasbutlittleoverthirty。Thenacallhadcometohim，avoicehadseemedtospeaktohisearsbiddinghimtolaydowngreatpossessionstofollowwhitherHeavenshouldleadhim。ThomasOwenhadobeyedthevoice;though，owingtocircumstanceswhichneednotbedetailed，todosohewasobligedtorenouncehissuccessiontoaverylargeestate，andtocontenthimselfwithayoungerson’sportionofthirtythousandpoundsandthereversiontothelivingwhichhehadnowheldforsomefiveyears。
Thenandthere，withsingularunanimityanddespatch，hisrelationscametotheconclusionthathewasmad。Tothishour，indeed，thosewhostandinhisplaceandenjoythewealthandpositionthatwerehisbyright，speakofhimas"poorThomas，"andmarktheirdisapprobationofhispeculiarconductbyrefusingwithanunvaryingsteadinesstosubscribeevenasingleshillingtoamissionarysociety。How"poorThomas"speaksofthemintheplacewhereheiswemaywonder，butasyetwecannotknow——probablywiththegentleloveandcharitythatmarkedhiseveryactionuponearth。Butthisisbytheway。
HehadenteredtheChurch，butwhathadhedoneinitsshadow？ThiswasthequestionwhichOwenaskedhimselfashesatthatnightbytheopenwindow，arraigninghispastbeforethejudgment—seatofconscience。Forthreeyearshehadworkedhardsomewhereintheslums;
thenthislivinghadfallentohim。Hehadtakenit，andfromthatdayforwardhisrecordwasverymuchofablank。Theparishwassmallandwellordered;therewaslittletodoinit，andtheSalvationArmyhadseizeduponandreclaimedtwoofthethreeconfirmeddrunkardsitcouldboast。
Hisguest’ssayingechoedinhisbrainlikethecatchofatune——"that/you/mightleadthatlifeandattainthatdeath。"Supposingthathewerebiddensotodonow，thisverynight，wouldheindeed"thinkdifferently"？HehadbecomeapriesttoservehisMaker。HowwoulditbewerethatMakertocommandthatheshouldserveHiminthisextremeandheroicfashion？Wouldheflinchfromthesteel，orwouldhemeetitasthemartyrsmetitofold？
Physicallyhewaslittlesuitedtosuchanenterprise，forinappearancehewasslightandpale，andinconstitutiondelicate。Also，therewasanotherreasonagainstthething。HighChurchandsomewhatasceticinhisprinciples，inthebeginninghehadadmiredcelibacy，andinsecretdedicatedhimselftothatstate。ButatheartThomaswasverymuchaman，andoflatehehadcometoseethatwhichisagainstnatureispresumablynotright，thoughfanaticsmaynothesitatetopronounceitwrong。Possiblythisconversiontomoregenialviewsoflifewasquickenedbythepresenceintheneighbourhoodofayoungladywhomhechancedtoadmire;atleastitiscertainthatthemerethoughtofseeinghernomoreforeversmotehimlikeaswordofsuddenpain。
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Thatverynight——orsoitseemedtohim，andsohebelieved——theAngeloftheLordstoodbeforehimashewaswonttostandbeforethemenofold，andspokeasummonsinhisear。HoworinwhatseemingthatsummonscameThomasOwennevertold，andweneednotinquire。Attheleastheheardit，and，liketheApostles，hearoseandgirdedhisloinstoobey。Fornow，inthehouroftrial，itprovedthatthisman’sfaithpartookofthenatureoftheirfaith。Itwasutterandvirgin;itwasnotcloggedwithnineteenth—centuryqualifications;ithadneverdalliedwithstrangedoctrines，orkissedthefeetofpinchbecksubstitutesforGod。InhishearthebelievedthattheAlmighty，withoutintermediary，butfacetoface，hadbiddenhimtogoforthintothewildernesstheretoperish。Sohebowedhisheadandwent。
OnthefollowingmorningatbreakfastOwenhadsometalkwithhisfriendtheDeputation。
"Youaskedmelastnight，"hesaidquietly，"whetherIwouldundertakeamissiontothatpeopleofwhomyouweretellingme——theSonsofFire。Well，Ihavebeenthinkingitover，andcometotheconclusionthatIwilldoso————"
AtthispointtheDeputation，concludingthathishostmustbemad，movedquietlybutdecidedlytowardsthedoor。
"Waitamoment，"wentonOwen，inamatter—of—factvoice，"thedog—
cartwillnotberoundforanotherthree—quartersofanhour。Tellme，ifitwereofferedtoyou，andoninvestigationyouprovedsuitable，wouldyoucaretotakeoverthisliving？"
"WouldIcaretotakeoverthisliving？"gaspedtheastonishedDeputation。"WouldIcaretowalkdownthatgardenandfindmyselfinHeaven？Butwhyareyoumakingfunofme？"
"Iamnotmakingfunofyou。IfIgotoAfricaImustgiveuptheliving，ofwhichIowntheadvowson，anditoccurredtomethatitmightsuityou——thatisall。Youhavedoneyourshare;yourhealthisbroken，andyouhavemanydependentuponyou。Itseemsright，therefore，thatyoushouldrest，andthatIshouldwork。IfIdonogoodyonder，attheleastyouandyourswillbealittlebenefited。"
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ThatsamedayOwenchancedtomeettheladywhohasbeenspokenofashavingcaughthisheart。Hehadmeanttogoawaywithoutseeingher，butfortunebroughtthemtogether。Hitherto，whilstinrealityleadinghimon，shehadseemedtokeephimatadistance，withtheresultthathedidnotknowthatitwasherfixedintentiontomarryhim。Toher，withsomehesitation，hetoldhisplans。Surprisedandfrightenedintocandour，theladyreasonedwithhimwarmly，andwhenreasonfailedtomovehimshedidmore。Bysomesubtlemovement，withsomesuddenword，sheliftedtheveilofherreserveandsufferedhimtoseeherheart。
"Ifyouwillnotstayforaughtelse，"saidhertroubledeyes，"then，love，stayforme。"
Foramomenthewasshaken。Thenheansweredthelookstraightout，aswashisnature。
"Ineverguessed，"hesaid。"Ididnotpresumetohope——nowitistoolate！Listen！IwilltellyouwhatIhavetoldnolivingsoul，thoughthereafteryoumaythinkmemad。WeakandhumbleasIam，IbelievemyselftohavereceivedaDivinemission。IbelievethatIshallexecuteit，orbringaboutitsexecution，butattheultimatecostofmyownlife。Still，insuchaservicetwoarebetterthanone。Ifyou——cancareenough——ifyou————"
Buttheladyhadalreadyturnedaway，andwasmurmuringherfarewellinaccentsthatsoundedlikeasob。Loveandfaithafterthissortwerenotgiventoher。
OfallOwen’strialsthiswasthesharpest。Ofallhissacrificesthiswasthemostcomplete。
CHAPTERIII
THETEMPTATION
Twoyearshavegonebyallbutafewmonths，andfromtherectoryinaquietEnglishvillagewepasstoasceneinCentral，orSouthCentral，Africa。
Onthebrowofagrassyslopedottedoverwithmimosathorns，andclosetoagushingstreamofwater，standsahouse，orratherahut，builtofgreenbrickandthatchedwithgrass。Behindthishutisafenceofthorns，roughbutstrong，designedtoprotectallwithinitfromtheattacksoflionsandotherbeastsofprey。Atpresent，saveforasolitarymuleeatingitsprovenderbythewheelofatentedox—
waggon，itisuntenanted，forthecattlehavenotyetbeenkraaledforthenight。PresentlyThomasOwenentersthisenclosurebythebackdoorofthehut，andhavingattendedtothemule，whichwhinniesatthesightofhim，goestothegateandwatchestheretillheseeshisnativeboysdrivingthecattleuptheslopeofthehill。Atlengththeyarrive，andwhenhehascountedthemtomakesurethatnonearemissing，andinafewkindwordscommendedtheherdsfortheirwatchfulness，hewalkstothefrontofthehouseand，seatinghimselfuponawoodenstoolsetunderamimosatreethatgrowsnearthedoor，helooksearnestlytowardsthewest。
Themanhaschangedsomewhatsincelastwesawhim。Tobeginwith，hehasgrownabeard，andalthoughthehotAfricansunhasbronzeditintoanappearanceofhealth，hisfaceiseventhinnerthanitwas，andthereinthegreatspiritualeyesshinestillmorestrangely。
Atthefootofthesloperunsawideriver，justherebrokenintorapidswherethewatersmakeanangrymusic。Beyondthisriverstretchesavastplainboundedonthehorizonbymountainranges，eachlineofthemrisinghigherthantheothertilltheirtopmostandmoredistantpeaksmeltimperceptiblyintothetenderblueoftheheavens。
ThisisthelandoftheSonsofFire，andyonderamidtheslopesofthenearesthillsisthegreatkraaloftheirking，Umsuka，whosename，beinginterpreted，meansTheThunderbolt。
Intheverymidstofthefoamingrapids，andaboutathousandyardsfromthehouseliesaspaceofripplingshallowwater，where，unlessitchancestobeinflood，therivercanbeforded。ItisthisfordthatOwenwatchessointently。
"Johnshouldhavebeenbacktwelvehoursago，"hemutterstohimself。
"IpraythatnoharmhasbefallenhimattheGreatPlaceyonder。"
Justthenatinyspeckappearsfarawayontheplain。Itisamantravellingtowardsthewaterataswingingtrot。Goingintothehut，Owenreturnswithapairoffield—glasses，andthroughthemscrutinisesthefigureoftheman。
"Heavenbepraised！ItisJohn，"hemutters，withasighofrelief。
"Now，Iwonderwhatanswerhebrings？"
HalfanhourlaterJohnstandsbeforehim，astalwartnativeofthetribeoftheAmasuka，thePeopleofFire，andwithupliftedhandsaluteshim，givinghimtitlesofhonour。
"Praisemenot，John，"saidOwen;"praiseGodonly，asIhavetaughtyoutodo。Tellme，haveyouseentheking，andwhatishisword？"
"Father，"heanswered，"Ijourneyedtothegreattown，asyoubademe，andIwasadmittedbeforethemajestyoftheking;yes，hereceivedmeinthecourtyardoftheHouseofWomen。Withhisguards，whostoodatadistanceoutofhearing，therewerepresentthreeonly;butoh！
thosethreeweregreat，thegreatestinallthelandaftertheking。
TheywereHafela，thekingthatistocome，theprinceNodwengo，hisbrother，andHokosatheterrible，thechiefofthewizards;andItellyou，father，thatmyblooddriedupandmyheartshrivelledwhentheyturnedtheireyesuponme，readingthethoughtsofmyheart。"
"HaveInottoldyou，John，totrustinGod，andfearnothingatthehandsofman？"
"Youtoldme，father，butstillIfeared，"answeredthemessengerhumbly。"Yet，beingbiddentoit，Iliftedmyforeheadfromthedustandstooduponmyfeetbeforetheking，anddeliveredtohimthemessagewhichyousetbetweenmylips。"
"Repeatthemessage，John。"
"’OKing，’Isaid，’beneaththosefootfallthewholeearthshakes，whosearmsstretchroundtheworldandwhosebreathisthestorm，I，whosenameisJohn，amsentbythewhitemanwhosenameisMessenger’
——forbythattitleyoubadememakeyouknown——’whoforayearhasdweltinthelandthatyourspearshavewastedbeyondthebanksoftheriver。Thesearethewordswhichhespoketome，OKing，thatIpassontoyouwithmytongue："TotheKingUmsuka，lordoftheAmasuka，theSonsofFire，I，Messenger，whoamtheservantandtheambassadoroftheKingofHeaven，givegreeting。Ayearago，King，IsenttoyousayingthatthemessagewhichwasbroughtbythatwhitemanwhomyoudrovefromyourlandhadreachedtheearsofHimwhomIserve，theHighandHolyOne，andthat，speakinginmyheart，Hehadcommandedmetotakeupthechallengeofyourmessage。HereamI，therefore，readytoabidebythelawwhichyouhavelaiddown;forifguileorliesbefoundinme，thenletmetravelfromyourlandacrossthebridgeofspears。Still，IwoulddwellalittlewhileherewhereIambeforeI
passintotheshadowofyourruleandspeakintheearsofyourpeopleasIhavebeenbidden。Know，King，thatfirstIwouldlearnyourtongue，andthereforeIdemandthatoneofyourpeoplemaybesenttodwellwithmeandtoteachmethattongue。King，youheardmywordsandyousentmeamantodwellwithme，andthatmanhastaughtmeyourtongue，andIalsohavetaughthim，convertinghimtomyfaithandgivinghimanewname，thenameofJohn。King，nowIseekyourleavetovisityou，andtodeliverintoyourearsthewordswithwhichI，Messenger，amcharged。Ihavespoken。"’
"ThusI，John，addressedthegreatones，myfather，andtheylistenedinsilence。WhenIhaddonetheyspoketogether，awordhereandawordthere。ThenHokosa，theking’smouth，answeredme，tellingthethoughtoftheking：’Youareaboldman，youwhosenameisJohn，butwhooncehadanothername——you，myservant，whodaretoappearbeforeme，andtomakeitknowntomethatyouhavebeenturnedtoanewfaithandserveanotherkingthanI。Yetbecauseyouarebold，I
forgiveyou。GobacknowtothatwhitemanwhoisnamedMessengerandwhocomesuponanembassytomefromtheLordofHeaven，andbidhimcomeinpeace。YetwarnhimonceagainthatherealsoweknowsomethingofthePowersthatarenotseen，herealsowehaveourwizardswhodrawwisdomfromtheair，whotamethethunderboltandcompeltherain，andthathemustshowhimselfgreaterthanalloftheseifhewouldnotpasshencebythebridgeofspears。Lethim，therefore，takecounselwithhisheartandwithHimheserves，ifsuchaOnethereis，andlethimcomeorlethimstayawayasitshallpleasehim。’"
"Sobeit，"saidOwen;"thewordsofthekingaregood，andto—morrowwewillstartfortheGreatPlace。"
Johnheardandassented，butwithouteagerness。
"Myfather，"hesaid，inadoubtfulandtentativevoice，"woulditnotperhapsbebettertobidehereawhilefirst？"
"Why？"askedOwen。"Wehavesown，andnowisthehourtoreap。"
"Itisso，myfather，butasIranhither，fulloftheking’swords，itcameintomymindthatnowisnotthetimetoconverttheSonsofFire。ThereistroublebrewingattheGreatPalace，father。Listen，andIwilltellyou;asIhaveheard，soIwilltellyou。YouknowwellthatourKingUmsukahastwosons，HafelaandNodwengo;andoftheseHafelaistheheir—apparent，thefruitofthechiefwifeoftheking，andNodwengoissprungfromanotherwife。NowHafelaisproudandcruel，awarriorofwarriors，aterribleman，andNodwengoisgentleandmild，liketohismotherwhomthekingloves。OflateithasbeendiscoveredthatHafela，wearyofwaitingforpower，hasmadeaplottodeposehisfatherandtokillNodwengo，hisbrother，sothatthelandandthosewhodwellinitmaybecomehiswithoutquestion。
Thisplotthekingknows——Ihaditfromoneofhiswomen，whoismysister——andheisverywroth，yethedaredolittle，forhegrowsoldandtimid，andseeksrest，notwar。Yetheisminded，ifhecanfindtheheart，togobackuponthelawandtonameNodwengoashisheirbeforeallthearmyatthefeastofthefirst—fruits，whichshallbeheldonthethirddayfromto—night。ThisHafelaknows，andNodwengoknowsitalso，andeachofthemhassummonedhisfollowing，numberingthousandsandtensofthousandsofspears，toattendthisfeastofthefirst—fruits。Thatfeastmaywellbeafeastofvultures，myfather，andwhenthebrothersandtheirregimentsrushtogetherfightingforthethrone，whatwillchancetothewhitemanwhocomesatsuchamomenttopreachafaithofpeace，andtohisservant，oneJohn，wholedhimthere？"
"Idonotknow，"answeredOwen，"andittroublesmenotatall。Igotocarryoutmymission，andinthiswayorinthatitwillbecarriedout。John，ifyouarefearfulorunbelievingleavemetogoalone。"
"Nay，father，Iamnotfearful;yet，father，Iwouldhaveyouunderstand。Yondertherearemenwhocanworkwizardry。/Wow！/Iknow，forIhaveseenit，andtheywilldemandfromyoumagicgreaterthantheirmagic。"
"Whatofit，John？"
"Onlythis，myfather，thatiftheyaskandyoufailtogive，theywillkillyou。Youteachbeautifulthings，butsay，areyouawizard？
Whenthechildofawomanyonderlaydead，youcouldnotraiseitasdidtheChrist;whentheoxenweresickwiththepest，youcouldnotcurethem;oratleast，myfather，youdidnot，althoughyouweptforthechildandweresorryatthelossoftheoxen。Now，myfather，ifperchancetheyaskyoutodosuchthingsastheseyonder，ordie，saywhatwillhappen？"
"Oneoftwothings，John：eitherIshalldieorIshalldothethings。"
"But"——hesitatedJohn——"surelyyoudonotbelievethat————"andhebrokeoff。
Owenturnedroundandlookedathisdisciplewithkindlingeyes。"Idobelieve，Oyouoflittlefaith！"hesaid。"IdobelievethatyonderI
haveamission，andthatHeWhomIservewillgivemepowertocarryoutthatmission。Youareright，Icanworknomiracles;butHecanworkmiraclesWhomeverythinginheavenandearthobeys，andifthereisneedHewillworkthemthroughme，Hisinstrument。OrperhapsHewillnotworkthem，andIshalldie，becausethusHisendswillbestbeforwarded。AttheleastIgoinfaith，fearingnothing，forwhathashetofearwhoknowsthewillofGodanddoesit？Buttoyouwhodoubt，Isay——leaveme！"
Themanspreadouthishandsindeprecation;histhicklipstrembledalittle，andsomethinglikeatearappearedatthecornersofhiseyes。
"Father，"hesaid，"amIacowardthatyoushouldtalktomethus？I，whofortwentyyearshavebeenasoldierofmykingandfortenacaptaininmyregiment？ThesescarsshowwhetherornoIamacoward，"
andhepointedtohisbreast，"butofthemIwillnotspeak。Iamnocoward，elseIhadnotgoneuponthaterrandofyours。Why，then，shouldyoureproachmebecausemyearsarenotsoopenasyours，asmyhearthasnotunderstanding？IworshipthatGodofWhomyouhavetaughtme，butHeneverspeakstomeasHedoestoyou。InevermeetHimasIwalkatnight;Heleavesmequitealone。ThereforeitisthatIfearthatwhenthehouroftrialcomesHemaydesertyou;andunlessHecoversyouwithHisshield，ofthisIamsure，thatthespearisforgedwhichshallblushredinyourheart，myfather。ItisforyouthatIfear，whoaresogentleandtender;notformyself，whoamwellaccustomedtolookintheeyesofDeath，andwhoexpectnomorethandeath。"
"Forgiveme，"saidOwenhastily，forhewasmoved;"andbesurethattheshieldwillbeoverustillthetimecomesforustopasswhitherweshallneednone。"
*****
ThatnightOwenrosefromthetaskatwhichhewaslabouringslowlyandpainfully——atranslationofpassagesfromtheGospelofSt。JohnintothelanguageoftheAmasuka——andgoingtotheopenwindow—placeofthehut，herestedhiselbowsuponitandthought，staringwithemptyeyesintotheblacknessofthenight。Nowitwasashesatthusthatagreatagonyofdoubttookpossessionofhissoul。Thestrengthwhichhithertohadsupportedhimseemedtobewithdrawn，andhewasleft，asJohnhadsaid，"quitealone。"Strangevoicesseemedtowhisperinhisears，reproachingandrevilinghim;temptationslongagotrampledunderfootroseagaininmight，alluringhim。
"Fool，"saidthevoices，"getyouhencebeforeitistoolate。Youhavebeenmad;youwhodreamedthatforyoursake，tosatisfyyourpride，theAlmightywillbreakHissilenceandstrainHislaw。Areyouthenbetter，orgreater，orpurerthanmillionswhohavegonebeforeyou，thatforyouandyoualonethisthingshouldbedone？Why，wereitnotthatyouaremad，youwouldbeamongthechiefofsinners;youwhodaretoaskthatthePowersofHeavenshouldbesetwithinyourfeeblehand，thattheAngelsofHeavenshouldwaituponyourmortalbreath。Wormthatyouare，hasGodneedofsuchasyou？IfitisHiswilltoturntheheartofyonderpeopleHewilldoit，butnotbymeansof/you/。Youandtheservantwhomyouaredeludingtohisdeathwillperishmiserably，andthisaloneshallbethefruitofyourpresumptuoussin。Getyoubackoutofthiswildernessbeforethemadnesstakesyouafresh。Youarestillyoung，youhavewealth;lookwhereShestandsyonderwhomyoudesire。Getyouback，andforgetyourfollyinherarms。"
Thesethoughts，andmanyothersoflikenature，toreOwen’ssoulinthathourofstrangeandterribletemptation。Heseemedtoseehimselfstandingbeforethethousandsofthesavagenationhewenttosave，andtohearthemockingvoicesoftheirwitch—finderscommandinghim，ifhewereatruemanandtheservantofthatGodofWhomheprated，togivethemasign，onlyalittlesign;perhapstomoveastonewithouttouchingitwithhishand，ortocauseadeadboughtoblossom。
ThenhewouldbeseechHeavenwithfranticprayers，andinvain，tillatlength，amidstaroaroflaughter，he，thefalseprophetandtheliar，wasledouttohisdoom。Hesawthepiteouswonderinglookofthebelieverwhomhehadbetrayedtodeath;hesawthefiercefacesandthespearsonhigh。Seeingallthishisspiritbroke，and，justasthelittleclockintheroombehindhimstruckthefirststrokeofmidnight，withagreatandbittercrytoGodtogivehimbackthefaithandstrengththathehadlost，Owen’sheadfellforwardandhesankintoaswoonthereuponthewindow—place。
CHAPTERIV
THEVISION
Wasitswoonorsleep？
AtleastitseemedtoOwenthatpresentlyonceagainhewasgazingintothedenseintolerableblacknessofthenight。Thenamarvelcametopass，fortheblacknessopened，orratheronit，framedandsurroundedbyit，thereappearedavision。Itwasthevisionofanativetown，havingagreatbarespaceinthecentreofitencircledbyhundredsorthousandsofhuts。Buttherewasnoonestirringaboutthehuts，foritwasnight——notthishisnightoftrialindeed，sincenowtheskywasstrewnwithinnumerablestars。Everythingwassilentaboutthattown，savethatnowandagainadogbarkedorafretfulchildwailedwithinahut，orthesentriesastheypassedsalutedeachotherinthenameoftheking。
Amongallthosehundredsofhuts，toOwenitseemedthathisattentionwasdirectedtoonewhichstoodapartsurroundedwithafence。Nowtheinteriorofthehutopeneditselftohim。Itwasnotlighted，yetwithhisspiritsensehecouldseeitseverydetail：thepolishedfloor，theskinrugs，thebeergourds，theshieldsandspears，theroof—treeofredwood，andthedriedlizardhangingfromthethatch，acharmtowardoffevil。Inthishut，seatedfacetofacehalfwaybetweenthecentre—postandthedoor—hole，weretwomen。Thedarknesswasdeepaboutthem，andtheywhisperedtoeachotherthroughit;butinhisdreamthiswasnobartoOwen’ssight。Hecoulddiscerntheirfacesclearly。
Oneofthemwasthatofamanofaboutthirty—fiveyearsofage。Instaturehewasalmostagiant。Heworeakarossofleopardskins，andonhiswristsandankleswereringsofivory，theroyalornaments。Hisfacewasfierceandpowerful;hiseyes，whichweresetfarapart，rolledsomuchthatattimestheyseemedallwhite;andhisfingersplayednervouslywiththehandleofaspearthathecarriedinhisrighthand。Hiscompanionwasofadifferentstamp;apersonofmorethanfiftyyears，hewastallandspareinfigure，withdelicatelyshapedhandsandfeet。Hishairandlittlebeardweretingedwithgrey，hisfacewasstrikinglyhandsome，nervousandexpressive，andhisforeheadbothbroadandhigh。Butmoreremarkablestillwerehiseyes，whichshonewithapiercingbrightness，almostgreyincolour，steadyastheflameofawell—trimmedlamp，andsocoldthattheymighthavebeenpreciousstonessetintheheadofastatue。
"MustIthenputyourthoughtsinwords？"saidthismaninaclearquickwhisper。"Well，sobeit;forIwearyofsittinghereinthedarkwaitingforwaterthatwillnotflow。Listen，Prince;youcometotalktomeofthedeathofaking——isitnotso？Naydonotstart。Whyareyouaffrightedwhenyouhearuponthelipsofanothertheplotthatthesemanymonthshasbeenfamiliartoyourbreast？"
"Truly，Hokosa，youarethebestofwizards，ortheworst，"answeredthegreatmanhuskily。"Yetthisonceyouaremistaken，"headdedwithachangeofvoice。"Icamebuttoaskyouforacharmtoturnmyfather’sheart————"
"Todust？Prince，ifIammistaken，whyamIthebestofwizards，ortheworst，andwhydidyourjawdropandyourfacechangeatmywords，andwhydoyouevennowtouchyourdrylipswithyourtongue？Yes，I
knowthatitisdarkhere，yetsomecanseeinit，andIamoneofthem。Ay，Prince，andIcanseeyourmindalso。Youwouldberidofyourfather：hehaslivedtoolong。MoreoverhisloveturnstoNodwengo，thegoodandgentle;andperhaps——whocansay？——itiseveninhisthought，whenallhisregimentsareabouthimtwodayshence，todeclarethatyou，Prince，aredeposed，andthatyourbrother，Nodwengo，shallbekinginyourstead。Now，Nodwengoyoucannotkill;
heistoowelllovedandtoowellguarded。Ifhediedsuddenly，hisdeadlipswouldcallout’Murder！’intheearsofallmen;and，Prince，alleyeswouldturntoyou，whoalonecouldprofitbyhisend。
Butifthekingshouldchancetodie——whyheisold，ishenot？andsuchthingshappentotheold。Alsohegrowsfeeble，andwillnotsuffertheregimentstobedoctoredforwar，althoughdaybydaytheyclamourtobeledtobattle;forheseekstoendhisyearsinpeace。"
"Isaythatyouspeakfolly，"answeredtheprincewithvehemence。
"Then，SonoftheGreatOne，whyshouldyouwastetimeinlisteningtome？Farewell，HafelathePrince，first—bornoftheking，whoinadaytocomeshallcarrytheshieldofNodwengo;forheisgoodandgentle，andwillspareyourlife——ifIbegitofhim。"
Hafelastretchedouthishandthroughthedarkness，andcaughtHokosabythewrist。
"Stay，"hewhispered，"itistrue。Thekingmustdie;forifhedoesnotdiewithinthreedays，Ishallceasetobehisheir。Iknowitthroughmyspies。Heisangrywithme;hehatesme，andhelovesNodwengoandthemotherofNodwengo。Butifhediesbeforethelastdayofthefestival，thenthatdecreewillneverpasshislips，andtheregimentswillneverroaroutthenameofNodwengoasthenameofthekingtocome。Hemustdie，Itellyou，Hokosa，and——byyourhand。"
"By/my/hand，Prince！Nay;whathaveyoutooffermeinreturnforsuchadeedasthis？HaveInotgrownupinUmsuka’sshadow，andshallIcutdownthetreethatshadesme？"
"WhathaveItoofferyou？This：thatnexttomyselfyoushallbethegreatestintheland，Hokosa。"
"ThatIamalready，andwhoeverrulesit，thatImustalwaysbe。I，whoamthechiefofwizards;I，thereaderofmen’shearts;I，thehearerofmen’sthoughts！I，thelordoftheairandthelightning;I，theinvulnerable。Ifyouwouldmurder，Prince，thendothedeed;doitknowingthatIhaveyoursecret，andthathenceforthyouwhoruleshallbemyservant。Nay，youforgetthatIcanseeinthedark;laydownthatassegai，or，bymyspirit，princeasyouare，Iwillblastyouwithaspell，andyourbodyshallbethrowntothekites，asthatofonewhowouldmurderhiskingandfather！"
Theprinceheardandshook，hischeekssankin，themusclesofhisgreatformseemedtocollapse，andhegrovelledonthefloorofthehut。
"Iknowyourmagic，"hegroaned;"useitforme，notagainstme！WhatistherethatIcanofferyou，whohaveeverythingexceptthethrone，whereonyoucannotsit，seeingthatyouarenotoftheblood—royal？"
"Think，"saidHokosa。
Forawhiletheprincethought，tillpresentlyhisformstraighteneditself，andwithaquickmovementhelifteduphishead。
"Isit，perchance，myaffiancedwife？"hewhispered;"theladyNoma，whomIlove，andwho，accordingtoourcustom，Ishallwedasthequeentobeafterthefeastoffirst—fruits？Oh！sayitnot，Hokosa。"
"Isayit，"answeredthewizard。"Listen，Prince。TheladyNomaistheonlychildofmyblood—brother，myfriend，withwhomIwasbroughtup，hewhowasslainatmysideinthegreatwarwiththetribesofthenorth。Shewasmyward：shewasmore;forthroughher——ah！youknownothow——Iheldmyconversewiththethingsofearthandair，theveryspiritsthatwatchusnowinthisdarkness，Hafela。Thusithappened，thatbeforeevershewasawoman，hermindgrewgreaterthanthemindofanyotherwoman，andherthoughtbecamemythought，andmythoughtbecameherthought，forIandnootheramhermaster。StillIwaitedtowedhertillshewasfullygrown;andwhileIwaitedIwentuponanembassytothenortherntribes。Thenitwasthatyousawthemaidinvisitingatmykraal，andherbeautyandherwittookholdofyou;andinthecounciloftheking，asyouhavearighttodo，younamedherasyourheadwife，thequeentobe。
"Thekingheardandbowedhishead;hesentandtookher，andplacedherintheHouseoftheRoyalWomen，theretoabidetillthisfeastofthefirst—fruits，whensheshallbegiventoyouinmarriage。Yes，hesenthertothatguardedhousewhereinnotevenImaysetmyfoot。