Atthispointthekingbegantogrowconfused。Hehesitated，passinghishandoverhiseyes，thenslowlyandwithdifficultyrepeatedthosewordswhichhehadalreadysaid。
　　"Wehearyou，Father，"criedthecouncillorsinencouragement，asforthesecondtimehepaused。Whiletheystillspoke，theveinsintheking’sneckwereseentoswellsuddenly，foamfleckedwithbloodburstfromhislips，andhefellheadlongtotheground。
　　CHAPTERVII
　　THERECOVERYOFTHEKING
　　Foramomenttherewassilence，thenagreatcryarose——acryof"Ourfatherisdead！"Presentlywithitweremingledotherandangriershoutsof"Thekingismurdered！"and"Heisbewitched，thewhitewizardhasbewitchedtheking！Heprophesiedeviluponhim，andnowhehasbewitchedhim！"
　　MeanwhilethecaptainsandcouncillorsformedaringaboutUmsuka，andHokosabendingoverhimexaminedhim。
　　"PrincesandCouncillors，"hesaidpresently，"yourfatheryetlives，buthislifeislikethelifeofadyingfireandsoonhemustbedead。Thisissure，thatoneoftwothingshasbefallenhim：eithertheheathascausedthebloodtoboilinhisveinsandheissmittenwithastrokefromheaven，suchasmenwhoarefatandheavysometimesdieof;orhehasbeenbewitchedbyawickedwizard。Yonderstandsone，"andhepointedtoOwen，"whonotanhouragoprophesiedthatbeforethesunwasdowngreatevilshouldovertaketheking。Thesunisnotyetdown，andgreatevilhasovertakenhim。Perchance，PrincesandCouncillors，thiswhiteprophetcantellusofthematter。"
　　"PerchanceIcan，"answeredOwencalmly。
　　"Headmitsit！"criedsome。"Awaywithhim！"
　　"Peace！"saidOwen，holdingthecrucifixtowardsthosewhosespearsthreatenedhislife。
　　Theyshrankback，forthissymbolofadyingmanterrifiedthemwhocouldnotguessitssignificance。
　　"Peace，"wentonOwen，"andlisten。Besureofthis，Councillors，thatifIdie，yourkingwilldie;whereasifIlive，yourkingmaylive。
　　Youaskmeofthismatter。WhereshallIbegin？ShallIbeginwiththetaleoftwomenseatedtogethersomenightsagoinahutsodarkthatnoeyescouldseeinit，saveperchancetheeyesofawizard？Whatdidtheytalkofinthathut，andwhowerethosemen？Theytalked，I
　　think，ofthedeathofakingandofthecrowningofaking。Theytalkedofapricetobepaidforacertainmedicine;andoneofthemhadaroyalair，andone————"
　　"Willyehearkentothiswildbabblerwhileyourkingliesdyingbeforeyoureyes？"brokeinHokosa，inashrill，unnaturalvoice;foralmostpalsiedwithfearashewasatOwen’smysteriouswords，hestillretainedhispresenceofmind。"Listennow：whatishe，andwhatdidhesay？Heisonewhocomeshithertopreachanewfaithtous;hecomes，hesays，onanembassyfromtheKingofHeaven，whohaspoweroverallthings，andwho，sothesewhitemenpreach，cangivepowertoHisservants。Well，letthisoneceasepratingandshowushisstrength，ashehasbeenwarnedhewouldbecalledupontodo。Lethimgiveusasign。Therebeforeyouliesyourking，andheispastthehelpofman;evenIcannothelphim。Therefore，letthismessengercurehim，orcalluponhisGodtocurehim;thatseeing，wemayknowhimtobeatruemessenger，andonesentbythatKingofwhomhespeaks。Lethimdothisnowbeforeoureyes，orlethimperishasawizardwhohasbewitchedtheking。Doyouhearmywords，Messenger，andcanyoudrawthisonebackfrombetweentheGatesofDeath？"
　　"Ihearthem，"answeredOwenquietly;"andIcan——orifIcannot，thenIamwillingtopaythepenaltywithmylife。Youwhoareadoctorsaythatyourkingisasonewhoisalreadydead，sothatwhateverImaydoIcannothurthimfurther。ThereforeIaskthisofyou，thatyoustandroundandwatch，butmolestmeneitherbywordnordeedwhileI
　　attempthiscure。Doyouconsent？"
　　"Itisjust;weconsent，"saidthecouncillors。"Letusseewhatthewhitemancando，andbytheissuelethimbejudged。"ButHokosastaredatOwenwondering，andmadenoanswer。
　　"Bringsomecleanwatertomeinagourd，"saidOwen。
　　Itwasbroughtandgiventohim。Helookedround，searchingthefacesofthoseabouthim。PresentlyhiseyefelluponthePrinceNodwengo，andhebeckonedtohim，saying：——
　　"Comehither，Prince，foryouarehonest，andIwouldhaveyoutohelpme，andnootherman。"
　　TheprincesteppedforwardandOwengavehimthegourdofwater。Thenhedrewoutthelittlebottlewhereinhehadstoredthejuiceofthecreeper，anduncorkingit，hebadeNodwengofillitupwithwater。
　　Thisdone，heclaspedhishands，andliftinghiseyestoheaven，heprayedaloudinthelanguageoftheAmasuka。
　　"OGod，"heprayed，"uponwhosebusinessIamhere，grant，IbeseechThee，thatbyThyGracepowermaybegiventometoworkthismiracleinthefaceofthesepeople，totheendthatImaywinthemtoceasefromtheiriniquities，tobelieveuponThee，theonlytrueGod，andtosavetheirsoulsalive。Amen。"
　　Havingfinishedhisprayer，hetookthebottleandshookit;thenhecommandedNodwengotosituponthegroundandholdhisfather’sheaduponhisknee。Now，asallmightseebymanysigns，thekingwasuponthevergeofdeath，forhislipswerepurple，hisbreathingwasrareandstertorous，andhisheartstoodwell—nighstill。
　　"Openhismouthandholddownthetongue，"saidOwen。
　　Theprinceobeyed，pressingdownthetonguewithasnuffspoon。Thenplacingtheneckofthebottleasfarintothethroatasitwouldreach，Owenpouredthefluiditcontainedintothebodyoftheking，whomadeaconvulsivemovementandinstantlyseemedtodie。
　　"Heisdead，"saidone;"awaywiththefalseprophet！"
　　"Itmaybeso，oritmaynotbeso，"answeredOwen。"Waitforthehalfofanhour;then，ifheshowsnosignoflife，dowhatyouwillwithme。"
　　"Itiswell，"theysaid;"sobeit。"
　　Slowlytheminutesslippedby，whilethekinglaylikeacorpsebeforethem，andoutsideofthatsilentringthesoldiersmurmuredasthewind。Thesunwassinkingfast，andHokosawatchedit，countingtheseconds。Atlengthhespoke：——
　　"Thehalfofthehourthatyoudemandedisdead，WhiteMan，asdeadastheking;andnowthetimehascomeforyoutodiealso，"andhestretchedouthishandtotakehim。
　　Owenlookedathiswatchandreplied：——
　　"Thereisstillanotherminute;andyou，Hokosa，whoareskilledinmedicines，mayknowthatthisantidotedoesnotworksoswiftlyasthebane。"
　　Theshotwasarandomone，butittold，forHokosafellbackandwassilent。
　　Thesecondspassedonastheminutehandofthewatchwentroundfromtentotwenty，fromtwentytothirty，fromthirtytoforty。Afewmoreinstantsandthegamewasplayed。Hadthatdreamofhisbeenvainimagining，andwasallhisfaithnothingbutadreamwonderedOwen？
　　Well，ifso，itwouldbebestthatheshoulddie。Buthedidnotbelievethatitwasso;hebelievedthatthePowerabovehimwouldintervenetosave——nothim，indeed，butallthispeople。
　　"Letusmakeanend，"saidHokosa，"thetimeisdone。"
　　"Yes，"saidOwen，"thetimeisdone——and/thekinglives！/"
　　Evenashespokethepulsesintheoldman’sforeheadwereseentothrob，andtheveinsinhisnecktoswellastheyhadswollenafterhehadswallowedthepoison;thenoncemoretheyshranktotheirnaturalsize。Umsukastirredahand，groaned，satup，andspoke：——
　　"Whathaschancedtome？"hesaid。"Ihavedescendedintodeepdarkness，nowonceagainIseelight。"
　　Nooneanswered，forallwerestaring，terrifiedandamazed，attheMessenger——thewhitewizardtowhomhadbeengivenpowertobringmenbackfromthegateofdeath。AtlengthOwensaid：——
　　"Thishaschancedtoyou，King：thatevilwhichIprophesiedtoyouifyourefusedtolistentothevoiceofmercyhasfallenuponyou。Bynowyouwouldhavebeendead，haditnotpleasedHimWhomIserve，workingthroughme，Hismessenger，tobringyoubacktolookuponthesun。ThankHim，therefore，andworshipHim，forHealoneisMasteroftheEarth，"andheheldthecrucifixbeforehiseyes。
　　Thehumbledmonarchliftedhishand——hewhoformanyyearshadmadeobeisancetonone——andsalutedthesymbol，saying：——
　　"Messenger，IthankHimandIworshipHim，thoughIknowHimnot。Saynow，howdidHismagicworkuponmetomakemesicktodeathandtorecoverme？"
　　"Bythehandofman，King，andbythevirtuesthatliehidinNature。
　　Didyounotdrinkofacup，andwerenotmanythingsmixedinthedraught？Wasitnotbutnowinyourmindtospeakwordsthatshouldbringdowntheheadofprideandevil，andliftuptheheadoftruthandgoodness？"
　　"OWhiteMan，howknowyouthesethings？"gaspedtheking。
　　"Iknowthem，itisenough。Say，whowasitthatstirredthebowl，King，andwhogaveyoutodrink？"
　　NowUmsukastaggeredtohisfeet，andcriedaloudinavoicethatwasthickwithrage：——
　　"BymyheadandtheheadsofmyfathersIsmelltheplot！Myson，thePrinceHafela，haslearnedmycounsel，andwouldhaveslainmebeforeIsaidwordsthatshouldsethimbeneaththefeetofNodwengo。Seizehim，captains，andlethimbebroughtbeforemeforjudgment！"
　　Menlookedthiswayandthattocarryoutthecommandoftheking，butHafelawasgone。Alreadyhewasuponthehillside，runningasamanhasrarelyrunbefore——hisfacesettowardsthatfastnessinthemountainswherehecouldfindrefugeamonghismother’stribesmenandtheregimentswhichhecommanded。OflatetheyhadbeensentthitherbythekingthattheymightbefarfromtheGreatPlacewhentheirprincewasdisinherited。
　　"Heisfled，"saidone;"Isawhimgo。"
　　"Pursuehimandbringhimback，deadoralive！"thunderedtheking。"A
　　hundredheadofcattletothemanwholayshanduponhimbeforehereachesthe/impi/oftheNorth，fortheywillfightforhim！"
　　"Stay！"brokeinOwen。"OncebeforethisdayIprayedofyou，King，toshowmercy，andyourefusedit。Willyourefusemeasecondtime？
　　Leavehimhislifewhohaslostallelse。"
　　"Thathemayrebelagainstme？Well，WhiteMan，Ioweyoumuch，andforthistimeyourwisdomshallbemyguide，thoughmyheartspeaksagainstsuchgentleness。Hearken，councillorsandpeople，thisismydecree：thatHafela，myson，whowouldhavemurderedme，bedeposedfromhisplaceasheirtomythrone，andthatNodwengo，hisbrother，besetinthatplace，torulethePeopleofFireaftermewhenIdie。"
　　"Itisgood，itisjust！"saidthecouncil。"Lettheking’swordbedone。"
　　"Hearkenagain，"saidUmsuka。"Letthiswhiteman，whoisnamedMessenger，beplacedintheHouseofGuestsandtreatedwithallhonour;letoxenbegivenhimfromtheroyalherdsandcornfromthegranaries，andgirlsofnoblebloodforwivesifhewillsthem。
　　Hokosa，intoyourhandIdeliverhim，and，greatthoughyouare，knowthis，thatifbutahairofhisheadisharmed，withyourgoodsandyourlifeyoushallanswerforit，youandallyourhouse。"
　　"Lettheking’swordbedone，"saidthecouncillorsagain。
　　"Heralds，"wentonUmsuka，"proclaimthatthefeastofthefirst—
　　fruitsisended，andmycommandisthateveryregimentshouldseekitsquarters，takingwithitadoublegiftofcattlefromtheking，whohasbeensavedalivebythemagicofthiswhiteman。Andnow，Messenger，farewell，formyheadgrowsweary。To—morrowIwillspeakwithyou。"
　　Thenthekingwasledawayintotheroyalhouse，andsavethosewhowerequarteredinit，theregimentspassedonebyonethroughthegatesofthekraal，singingtheirwar—songsastheywent。DarknessfellupontheGreatPlace，andthroughitpartiesofmenmightbeseendraggingthencethecorpsesofthosewhohadfalleninthefightwithsticks，orbeenputtodeaththereafterbyorderoftheking。
　　"Messenger，"saidHokosa，bowingbeforeOwen，"bepleasedtofollowme。"Thenheledhimtoalittlekraalnumberingfiveorsixlargeandbeautifullymadehuts，whichstoodbyitself，withinitsownfence，atthenorthendoftheGreatPlace，notfarfromthehouseoftheking。
　　Infrontofthecentrehutafirewasburning，andbyitslightwomenappearedcleaningoutthehutsandbringingfoodandwater。
　　"Hereyoumayrestinsafety，Messenger，"saidHokosa，"seeingthatnightanddayaguardfromtheking’sownregimentwillstandbeforeyourdoors。"
　　"Idonotneedthem，"answeredOwen，"fornonecanharmmetillmyhourcomes。Iamastrangerhereandyouareagreatman;yet，Hokosa，whichofusisthesafestthisnight？"
　　"Yourmeaning？"saidHokosasharply。
　　"Oman！"answeredOwen，"wheninacertainhouryoucreptupthevalleyyonder，andclimbingtheTreeofDeathgathereditspoison，wentInotwithyou？When，beforethathour，yousatinyonderhutbargainingwiththePrinceHafela——thedeathofakingforthepriceofagirl——wasInotwithyou？Nay，threatenmenot——inyourownwordsIsayit——’laydownthatassegai，orbymyspirityourbodyshallbethrowntothekites，asthatofonewhowouldmurdertheking’——andtheking’sguest！"
　　"WhiteMan，"whisperedHokosathrowingdownthespear，"howcanthesethingsbe？Iwasaloneinthehutwiththeprince，IwasalonebeneaththeTreeofDoom，andyou，asIknowwell，werebeyondtheriver。Yourspiesmustbegood，WhiteMan。"
　　"Myspiritismyonlyspy，Hokosa。Myspiritwatchedyou，andfromyourownlipshelearnedthesecretofthebaneandoftheantidote。
　　Hafelamixedthepoisonasyoutaughthim;Igavetheremedy，andsavedthekingalive。"
　　NowthekneesofHokosagrewweakbeneathhim，andheleanedagainstthefenceofthekraalforsupport。
　　"Ihaveskillintheart，"hesaidhoarsely;"but，Messenger，yourmagicismorethanmine，andmylifeisforfeittoyou。To—morrowmorning，youwilltellthekingall，andto—morrownightIshallhanguponthedreadfulTree。Well，sobeit;Iamovermatchedatmyowntrade，anditisbestthatIshoulddie。Youhaveplottedwellandyouhaveconquered，andtoyoubelongmyplaceandpower。"
　　"Itwasyouwhoplotted，andnotI，Hokosa。DidyounotcontrivethatIshouldreachtheGreatPlacebutalittlebeforethepoisonwasgiventotheking，sothatuponmemightbelaidthecrimeofhisbewitching？DidyounotplanalsothatIshouldbecalledupontocurehim——athingyoudeemedimpossible——andwhenIfailedthatIshouldbestraightwaybutchered？"
　　"Seeingthatitisuselesstolietoyou，Iconfessthatitwasso，"
　　answeredHokosaboldly。
　　"Itwasso，"repeatedOwen;"therefore，accordingtoyourlawyourlifeisforfeit，seeingthatyoudugapittosnaretheinnocentfeet。
　　ButIcometotellyouofanewlaw，andthatwhichIpreachI
　　practise。Hokosa，Ipardonyou，andifyouwillputasideyourevil—
　　doing，Ipromiseyouthatnowordofallyourwickednessshallpassmylips。"
　　"Ithasnotbeenmyfashiontotakeaboonatthehandofanyman，saveofthekingonly，"saidthewizardinahumblevoice;"butnowitseemsthatIamcometothis。Tellme，WhiteMan，whatisthepaymentthatyouseekofme？"
　　"None，Hokosa，exceptthatyouceasefromevilandlistenwithanopenhearttothatmessagewhichIamsworntodelivertoyouandtoallyournation。Alsoyouwoulddowelltoputawaythatfairwomanwhosepricewasthemurderofhimthatfedyou。"
　　"Icannotdoit，"answeredthewizard。"Iwilllistentoyourteaching，butIwillnotrobmyheartofheritcravesalone。WhiteMan，Iamnotliketherestofmynation。Ihavenotsoughtafterwomen;Ihavebutonewife，andsheisoldandchildless。Now，forthefirsttimeinmydays，Ilovethisgirl——ah，youknownothow！——andI
　　willtakeher，andsheshallbethemotherofmychildren。"
　　"Then，Hokosa，youwilltakehertoyoursorrow，"answeredOwensolemnly，"forshewilllearntohateyouwhohaverobbedherofroyaltyandrule，givingherwizardriesandyourgreyhairsinplaceofthem。"
　　Andthusforthatnighttheyparted。
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　THEFIRSTTRIALBYFIRE
　　Onthefollowingday，whileOwensateatinghismorningmealwithathankfulheart，amessengerarrivedsayingthatthekingwouldreceivehimwheneveritpleasedhimtocome。Heansweredthathewouldbewithhimbeforenoon，foralreadyhehadlearnedthatamongnativesoneloseslittlebydelay。Agreatman，theythink，isrichintime，andhurriesonlytowaituponhissuperiors。
　　Attheappointedhouraguardcametoleadhimtotheroyalhouse，andthitherOwenwent，followedbyJohnbearingaBible。Umsukawasseatedbeneathareedroofsupportedbypolesandopenonallsides;behindhimstoodcouncillorsandattendants，andbyhimwereNodwengotheprince，andHokosa，hismouthandprophet。Althoughthedaywashot，heworeakarossorrugofwildcatskins，andhisfaceshowedthattheeffectsofthepoisoneddraughtwerestilluponhim。AttheapproachofOwenherosewithsomethingofaneffort，and，shakinghimbythehand，thankedhimforhislife，callinghim"doctorofdoctors。"
　　"Tellme，Messenger，"headded，"howitwasthatyouwereabletocureme，andwhowereintheplottokillme？Theremusthavebeenmorethanone，"andherolledhiseyesroundwithangrysuspicion。
　　"King，"answeredOwen，"ifIknewanythingofthismatter，thePowerthatwroteitonmymindhaswipeditoutagain，or，attheleast，hasforbiddenmetospeakofitssecret。Isavedyou，itisenough;fortherest，thepastisthepast，andIcometodealwiththepresentandthefuture。"
　　"Thiswhitemankeepshisword，"thoughtHokosatohimself，andhelookedathimthankinghimwithhiseyes。
　　"Sobeit，"answeredtheking;"afterall，itiswisenottostiradung—heap，fortherewefindlittlebesideevilodoursandthenestsofsnakes。Now，whatisyourbusinesswithme，andwhydoyoucomefromthewhiteman’scountriestovisitme？Ihaveheardofthosecountries，theyaregreatandfaraway。Ihaveheardofthewhitemenalso——wonderfulmenwhohaveallknowledge;butIdonotdesiretohaveanythingtodowiththem，forwhenevertheymeetblackpeopletheyeatthemup，takingtheirlandsandmakingthemslaves。Once，someyearsago，twoofyouwhitepeoplevisitedushere，butperhapsyouknowthatstory。"
　　"Iknowit，"answeredOwen;"oneofthosemenyoumurdered，andtheotheryousentbackwithamessagewhichhedeliveredintomyearsacrossthewaters;thousandsofmilesaway。"
　　"Nay，"answeredtheking，"wedidnotmurderhim;hecametouswiththestoryofanewGodwhocouldraisethedeadandworkothermiracles，andgavesuchpowerstoHisservants。Soamanwasslainandwebeggedofhimtobringhimbacktolife;andsincehecouldnot，wekilledhimalsobecausehewasaliar。"
　　"Hewasnoliar，"saidOwen;"sincehenevertoldyouthathehadpowertoopenthemouthofthegrave。Still，Heavenismerciful，andalthoughyoumurderedhimthatwassenttoyou，hisMasterhaschosenmetofollowinhisfootsteps。Mealsoyoumaymurderifyouwill，andthenanotherandanother;butstillthemessengersshallcome，tillatlastyourearsareopenedandyoulisten。Only，forsuchdeedsyourpunishmentmustbeheavy。"
　　"Whatisthemessage，WhiteMan？"
　　"Amessageofpeace，offorgiveness，andoflifebeyondthegrave，oflifeeverlasting。Listen，King。Yesterdayyouwereneartodeath;saynow，hadyousteppedovertheedgeofit，wherewouldyoubethisday？"
　　Umsukashruggedhisshoulders。"Withmyfathers，WhiteMan。"
　　"Andwhereareyourfathers？"
　　"Nay，Iknownot——nowhere，everywhere：thenightisfullofthem;inthenightweheartheechooftheirvoices。Whentheyareangrytheyhauntthethunder—cloud，andwhentheyarepleasedtheysmileinthesunshine。Sometimesalsotheyappearintheshapeofsnakes，orvisitusindreams，andthenweofferthemsacrifice。Yonderonthehillsideisahauntedwood;itisfulloftheirspirits，WhiteMan，buttheycannottalk，theyonlymutter，andtheirfootfallssoundlikethedroppingofheavyrain，fortheyarestrengthlessandunhappy，andintheendtheyfadeaway。"
　　"Soyousay，"answeredOwen，"whoarenotaltogetherwithoutunderstanding，yetknowlittle，neverhavingbeentaught。Nowlistentome，"andveryearnestlyhepreachedtohimandthoseabouthimofpeace，offorgiveness，andoflifeeverlasting。
　　"WhyshouldaGoddiemiserablyuponacross？"askedthekingatlength。
　　"ThatthroughHissacrificemenmightbecomeasgods，"answeredOwen。
　　"BelieveinHimandHewillsaveyou。"
　　"Howcanwedothat，"askedthekingagain，"whenalreadywehaveagod？Canwedesertonegodandsetupanother？"
　　"Whatgod，King？"
　　"Iwillshowhimtoyou，WhiteMan。Letmylitterbebrought。"
　　Thelitterwasbroughtandthekingentereditwithlabouringbreath。
　　PassingthroughthenorthgateoftheGreatPlace，thepartyascendedaslopeofthehillthatlaybeyondittilltheyreachedaflatplainsomehundredsofyardsinwidth。Onthisplainvegetationgrewscantily，forherethebedrockofironstone，denudedwithfrequentandheavyrains，wasscarcelyhiddenbyathincrustofearth。Onthefurthersideoftheplain，however，andseparatedfromitbyalittlestream，wasagreenbankofdeepsoftsoil，beyondwhichlayagloomyvalleyfullofgreattrees，thatformanygenerationshadbeentheburying—placeofthekingsoftheAmasuka。
　　"Thisisthehouseofthegod，"saidtheking。
　　"Astrangehouse，"answeredOwen，"andwhereishethatdwellsinit？"
　　"FollowmeandIwillshowyou，Messenger;butbeswift，foralreadytheskygrowsdarkwithcomingtempest。"
　　Nowattheking’scommandthebearersborehimacrossthesereplateautowardsastonethatlayalmostinitscentre。Presentlytheyhalted，and，pointingtothismass，thekingsaid：——
　　"Beholdthegod！"
　　Owenadvancedandexaminedtheobject。AglancetoldhimthatthisgodoftheAmasukawasameteoricstoneofunusualsize。Mostofsuchstonesaremereshapelesslumps，butthisoneboreapeculiarresemblancetoaseatedhumanbeingholdinguponearmtowardsthesky。Sostrangewasthislikenessthat，otherreasonsapart，itseemednotwonderfulthatsavagesshouldregardthethingwithaweandveneration。Ratherwouldithavebeenwonderfulhadtheynotdoneso。
　　"Saynow，"saidOwentothekingwhenhehadinspectedthestone，"whatisthehistoryofthisdumbgodofyours，andwhydoyouworshiphim？"
　　"FollowmeacrossthestreamandIwilltellyou，Messenger，"answeredtheking，againglancingatthesky。"Thestormgathers，andwhenitbreaksnonearesafeuponthisplainexcepttheheavendoctorssuchasHokosaandhiscompanionswhocanbindthelightning。"
　　SotheywentandwhentheyreachedthefurthersideofthestreamUmsukadescendedfromhislitter。
　　"Messenger，"hesaid，"thisisthestoryofthegodasithascomedowntous。Fromthebeginningourlandhasbeenscourgedwithlightningaboveallotherlands，andwiththefloodsofrainthataccompanythelightning。IntheolddaystheGreatPlaceofthekingwasoutyonderamongthemountains，buteveryyearfirefromheavenfelluponit，destroyingmuchpeople：andatlengthinagreattempestthehouseofthekingofthatdaywassmittenandburned，andhiswivesandchildrenwereturnedtoashes。Thenthatkingheldacouncilofhiswizardsandfire—doctors，andthesehavingconsultedthespiritsoftheirforefathers，retiredintoaplaceaparttofastandpray;yes，itwasinyondervalley，theburyinggroundofkings，thattheyhidthemselves。NowonthethirdnighttheGodofFireappearedtothechiefofthedoctorsinhissleep，andhewasshapedlikeaburningbrandandsmokewentupfromhim。Outofthesmokehespoketothedoctor，saying：’ForthisreasonitisthatItormentyourpeople，thattheyhatemeandcurseatmeandpaymelittlehonour。’
　　"Inhisdreamthedoctoranswered：’Howcanthepeoplehonouragodthattheydonotsee？’Thenthegodsaid：’Riseupnowinthenight，allthecompanyofyou，andgotakeyourstanduponthebanksofyonderstream，andIwillfalldowninfirefromheaven，andthereontheplainyoushallfindmyimage。ThenletyourkingmovehisGreatPlaceintothevalleybeneaththeplain，andhenceforthmyboltsshallspareitandhim。Only，monthbymonthyoushallmakeprayersandofferingstome;moreover，thenameofthepeopleshallbechanged，foritshallbecalledthePeopleofFire。’
　　"Nowthedoctorrose，andhavingawakenedhiscompanions，hetoldthemofhisvision。Thentheyallofthemwentdowntothebanksofthisstreamwherewenowstand。Andastheywaitedthereagreattempestburstoverthem，andinthemidstofthattempesttheysawtheflamingfigureofamandescendfromheaven，andwhenhetouchedtheearthitshook。Themorningcameandthereupontheplainbeforethem，wheretherehadbeennothing，satthelikenessofthegodasitsitsto—dayandshallsitforever。Sothenameofthispeoplewaschanged，andtheking’sGreatPlacewasbuiltwhereitnowis。
　　"Sincethatday，Messenger，nohuthasbeenburnedandnomankilledinorabouttheGreatPlacebyfirefromheaven，whichfallsonlyherewherethegodis，thoughawayamongthemountainsandelsewheremenaresometimeskilled。Butwaitawhileandyoushallseewithyoureyes。Hokosa，doyou，whomthelightningwillnottouch，takethatpoleofdeadwoodandsetitupyonderinthecreviceoftherocknotfarfromthefigureofthegod。"
　　"Iobey，"saidHokosa，"althoughIhavebroughtnomedicineswithme。
　　Perhaps，"headdedwithafaintsneer，"thewhiteman，whoissogreatawizard，willnotbeafraidtoaccompanyme。"
　　NowOwensawthatallthosepresentwerelookingathimcuriously。Itwasevidenttheybelievedthathewouldnotdaretoacceptthechallenge。Thereforeheansweredatonceandwithouthesitation：——
　　"CertainlyIwillcome;thepoleisheavyforonemantocarry，andwhereHokosagoes，thereIcangoalso。"
　　"Nay，nay，Messenger，"saidtheking，"thelightningknowsHokosaandwillturnfromhim，butyouareastrangertoitanditwilleatyouup。"
　　"King，"answeredOwen，"IdonotbelievethatHokosahasanypoweroverthelightning。Itmaystrikehimoritmaystrikeme;butunlessmyGodsocommands，itwillstrikeneitherofus。"
　　"Onyourheadbeit，WhiteMan，"saidHokosa，withcoldanger。"Come，aidmewiththepole。"
　　Thentheyliftedthedeadtree，andbetweenthemcarrieditintothemiddleoftheplain，wheretheysetitupinacreviceoftherock。Bythistimethestormwasalmostoverthem，andwatchingitOwenperceivedthatthelightningsstruckalwaysalongthebankofthestream，doubtlessfollowingahiddenlineofthebedofironstone。
　　"Itisbutaverylittlestorm，"saidHokosacontemptuously，"suchasvisitusalmosteveryafternoonatthisperiodoftheyear。Ah！WhiteMan，Iwouldthatyoucouldseeoneofourgreattempests，fortheseareworthbeholding。ThisIfear，however，thatyouwillneverdo，seeingitislikelythatwithinsomefewminutesyouwillhavepassedbacktothatKingwhosentyouhere，withaholeinyourheadandablackmarkdownyourspine。"
　　"Thatweshalllearnpresently，Hokosa，"answeredOwen;"formypart，Ipraythatnosuchfatemayovertakeyou。"
　　NowHokosamovedhimselfaway，mutteringandpointingwithhisfingers，butOwenremainedstandingwithinaboutthirtyyardsofthepole。Suddenlytherecameaglareoflight，andthepolewassplitintofragments;butalthoughtheshockwasperceptible，theyremainedunhurt。Almostimmediatelyasecondflashleapedfromthecloud，andOwensawHokosastaggerandfalltohisknees。"Themanisstruck，"hethoughttohimself，butitwasnotso，forrecoveringhisbalance，thewizardwalkedbacktothestream。
　　Owenneverstirred。Fromboyhoodcouragehadbeenoneofhisgoodqualities，butitwasacourageofthespiritratherthanoftheflesh。Forinstance，atthisverymoment，sofarashisbodywasconcerned，hewasmuchafraid，anddidnotintheleastenjoystandinguponanironstoneplateauattheimminentriskofbeingdestroyedbylightning。Butevenifhehadnothadanendtogain，hewouldhavescornedtogivewaytohishumanfrailties;also，nowasalways，hisfaithsupportedhim。Asithappenedthestorm，whichwasslight，passedby，andnomoreflashesfell。Whenitwasoverhewalkedbacktowherethekingandhiscourtwerestanding。
　　"Messenger，"saidUmsuka，"youarenotonlyagreatdoctor，youarealsoabraveman，andsuchIhonour。Thereisnooneamongushere，notbeingalordofthelightning，whowouldhavedaredtostanduponthatplacewithHokosawhiletheflashesfellabouthim。Yetyouhavedoneit;itwasHokosawhowasdrivenaway。Youhavepassedthetrialbyfire，andhenceforth，whetherwerefuseyourmessageoracceptit，youaregreatinthisland。"
　　"Thereisnoneedtopraiseme，King，"answeredOwen。"Theriskissomething;butIknewthatIwasprotectedfromit，seeingthatI
　　shallnotdieuntilmyhourcomes，anditisnotyet。Listennow：yourgodyonderisnothingbutastonesuchasIhaveoftenseenbefore，forsometimesingreattempeststheycometoearthfromtheclouds。
　　Youarenotthefirstpeoplethathaveworshippedsuchastone，butnowweknowbetter。Alsothisplainbeforeyouisfullofiron，andirondrawsthelightning。Thatiswhyitneverstrikesyourtownbelow。Theironattractsitmorestronglythanearthandhutsofstraw。Again，whilethepolestoodIwasinlittledanger，forthelightningstrikesthehighestthing;butafterthepolewasshatteredandHokosawiselywentaway，thenIwasinsomedanger，onlynoflashesfell。Iamnotamagician，King，butIknowsomethingsthatyoudonotknow，andItrustinOnewhomIshallleadyoutotrustalso。"
　　"Wewilltalkofthismorehereafter，"saidthekinghurriedly，"foroneday，Ihaveheardandseenenough。AlsoIdonotbelieveyourwords，forIhavenotedeverthatthosewhoarethegreatestwizardsofallsaycontinuallythattheyhavenomagicpower。Hokosa，youhavebeenfamousinyourday，butitseemsthathenceforthyouwhohaveledmustfollow。"
　　"Thebattleisnotyetfought，King，"answeredHokosa。"To—dayImetthelightningswithoutmymedicines，anditwasalittlestorm;whenI
　　ampreparedwithmymedicinesandthetempestisgreat，thenIwillchallengethiswhitemantofacemeyonder，andtheninthathour/my/
　　godshallshowhisstrengthand/his/Godshallnotbeabletosavehim。"
　　"Thatweshallseewhenthetimecomes，"answeredOwen，withasmile。
　　ThatnightasOwensatinhishutworkingatthetranslationofSt。
　　John，thedoorwasopenedandHokosaentered。
　　"WhiteMan，"saidthewizard，"youaretoostrongforme，thoughwhenceyouhaveyourpowerIknownot。Letusmakeabargain。ShowmeyourmagicandIwillshowyoumine，andwewillrulethelandbetweenus。YouandIaremuchakin——wearegreat;wehavethespiritsight;
　　weknowthattherearethingsbeyondthethingsweseeandhearandfeel;whereas，fortherest，theyarefools，followingthefleshalone。Ihavespoken。"
　　"VerygladlywillIshowyoumymagic，Hokosa，"answeredOwencheerfully，"since，tospeaktruth，thoughIknowyoutobewicked，andguessthatyouwouldbegladtoberidofmebyfairmeansorfoul;yetIhavetakenalikingforyou，seeinginyouonewhofromasinnermaygrowintoasaint。
　　"Thisthenismymagic：ToloveGodandserveman;toeschewwizardry，wealth，andpower;toseekafterholiness，povertyandhumility;todenyyourflesh，andtomakeyourselfsmallinthesightofmen，thatsoperchanceyoumaygrowgreatinthesightofHeavenandsaveyoursoulalive。"
　　"Ihavenostomachforthatlesson，"saidHokosa。
　　"Yetyoushalllivetohungerforit，"answeredOwen。Andthewizardwentawayangeredbutwondering。
　　CHAPTERIX
　　THECRISIS
　　Now，daybydayforsomethingoveramonthOwenpreachedtheGospelbeforetheking，hiscouncillors，andhundredsoftheheadmenofthenation。Theylistenedtohimattentively，debatingthenewdoctrinepointbypoint;foralthoughtheymightbesavages，thesepeoplewereverykeen—wittedandsubtle。VerypatientlydidOwensow，andatlengthtohisinfinitejoyhealsogatheredinhisfirst—fruit。Onenightashesatinhishutlabouringasusualattheworkoftranslation，whereinhewasassistedbyJohnwhomhehadtaughttoreadandwrite，thePrinceNodwengoenteredandgreetedhim。Forawhilehesatsilentwatchingthewhitemanathistask，thenhesaid：——
　　"Messenger，Ihaveaboontoaskofyou。Canyouteachmetounderstandthosesignswhichyousetuponthepaper，andtomakethemalsoasdoesJohnyourservant？"
　　"Certainly，"answeredOwen;"ifyouwillcometomeatnoonto—morrow，wewillbegin。"
　　Theprincethankedhim，buthedidnotgoaway。Indeed，fromhismannerOwenguessedthathehadsomethingmoreuponhismind。Atlengthitcameout。
　　"Messenger，"hesaid，"youhavetoldusofbaptismwherebyweareadmittedintothearmyofyourKing;say，haveyouthepowerofthisrite？"
　　"Ihave。"
　　"Andisyourservantherebaptised？"
　　"Heis。"
　　"Thenifhewhoisacommonmancanbebaptised，whymaynotIwhoamaprince？"
　　"Inbaptism，"answeredOwen，"thereisnodistinctionbetweenthehighestandthelowest;butifyoubelieve，thenthedoorisopenandthroughityoucanjointhecompanyofHeaven。"
　　"Messenger，Idobelieve，"answeredtheprincehumbly。
　　ThenOwenwasveryjoyful，andthatsamenight，withJohnforawitness，hebaptisedtheprince，givinghimthenewnameofConstantine，afterthefirstChristianemperor。
　　OnthefollowingdayNodwengo，inthepresenceofOwen，whoonthispointwouldsuffernoconcealment，announcedtothekingthathehadbecomeaChristian。Umsukaheard，andforawhilesatsilent。Thenhesaidinatroubledvoice：——
　　"Truly，Messenger，inthewordsofthatBookfromwhichyoureadtous，Ifearthatyouhavecomehithertobring，’notpeacebutasword。’Nowwhenthewitch—doctorsandthepriestsoffirelearnthis，thathewhomIhavechosentosucceedmehasbecometheservantofanotherfaith，theywillstirupthesoldiersandtherewillbecivilwar。Iprayyou，therefore，keepthemattersecret，atanyrateforawhile，seeingthatthelivesofmanyareatstake。"
　　"Inthis，myfather，"answeredtheprince，"ImustdoastheMessengerbidsme;butifyoudesireit，takefrommetherightofsuccessionandcallbackmybrotherfromthenorthernmountains。"
　　"Thatbypoisonorthespearhemayputallofustodeath，Nodwengo！
　　Benotafraid;erelongwhenhelearnsallthatishappeninghere，yourbrotherHafelawillcomefromthenorthernmountains，andthespearsofhis/impis/shallbecountlessasthestarsofthesky。
　　Messenger，youdesiretodrawustothearmsofyourGod——andmyself，IamattimesmindedtofollowthepathofmysonNodwengoandseekarefugethere——butsay，willtheybestrongenoughtoprotectusfromHafelaandthewarriorsofthenorth？Alreadyhegathershisclans，andalreadymycaptainsdeserttohim。By—and—by，inthespring—time——
　　mayIbedeadbeforetheday——hewillrolldownuponuslikeafloodofwater————"
　　"Tofallbacklikewatersfromawallofrock，"answeredOwen。"’Letnotyourheartbetroubled，’formyMastercanprotectHisservants，andHewillprotectyou。ButfirstyoumustconfessHimopenly，asyoursonhasdone。"
　　"Nay，Iamtoooldtohurry，"saidthekingwithasigh。"Yourtaleseemsfullofpromisetoonewhoisnearthegrave;buthowcanIknowthatitismorethanadream？AndshallIabandontheworshipofmyfathersandchange，orstrivetochange，thecustomsofmypeopletofollowafterdreams？Nodwengohaschosenhispart，andIdonotblamehim;yet，forthepresentIbeseechyoubothtokeepsilenceonthismatter，lesttosavebloodshedIshouldbedriventosideagainstyou。"
　　"Sobeit，King，"saidOwen;"butIwarnyouthatTruthhasaloudvoice，andthatitishardtohidetheshiningofalightinadarkplace，nordoesitpleasemyLordtobedeniedbythosewhoconfessHim。"
　　"Iamweary，"repliedtheoldking，andtheysalutedhimandwent。
　　InobediencetothewishofUmsukahisfather，theconversionofNodwengowaskeptsecret，andyet——noneknewhow——thethingleakedout。Soonthewomenintheirhuts，andthesoldiersbytheirwatch—
　　fires，whispereditineachother’searsthathewhowasappointedtobetheirfuturerulerhadbecomeaservantoftheunknownGod。Thathehadforswornwarandallthedelightsofmen;thathewouldtakebutonewifeandappearbeforethearmy，notintheuniformofageneral，butcladinawhiterobe，andcarry，notthebroadspear，butacrossofwood。Swiftlythestrangestoryflewfrommouthtomouth，yetitwasnotaltogetherbelievedtillitchancedthatonedaywhenhewasreviewingaregiment，asoldierwhowasdrunkwithbeeropenlyinsultedtheprince，callinghim"acowardwhoworshippedacoward。"
　　Nowmenheldtheirbreaths，waitingtoseethisfoolledawaytodiebytortureoftheant—heaporsomeotherdreadfuldoom。Buttheprinceonlyanswered：
　　"Soldier，youaredrunk，thereforeIforgiveyouyourwords。WhetherHeWhomyoublasphemewillforgiveyou，Iknownot。Getyougone！"
　　Thewarriorsstaredandmurmured，forbythosewords，wittinglyorunwittingly，theirgeneralhadconfessedhisfaith，andthatdaytheymaderibaldsongsabouthiminthecamp。Butonthemorrowwhentheylearnedhowthatthemanwhomtheprincesparedhadbeenseizedbyalionandtakenawayashesatatnightwithhiscompanionsinthebivouac，hismouthfullofboastingofhisowncourageinofferinginsulttotheprinceandthenewfaith，thentheylookedateachotheraskanceandsaidlittlemoreofthematter。Doubtlessitwaschance，andyetthisSpiritWhomtheMessengerpreachedwasoneofWhomitseemedwisestnottospeaklightly。
　　Butstillthetroublegrew，forbynowthewitch—doctors，withHokosaattheheadofthem，werefrightenedfortheirplaceandpower，andfomenteditbothopenlyandinsecret。Ofthewomentheyaskedwhatwouldbecomeofthemwhenmenwereallowedtotakebutonewife？Oftheheadsofkraals，howtheywouldgrowwealthywhentheirdaughtersceasedtobeworthcattle？Ofthecouncillorsandgenerals，howthelandcouldbeprotectedfromitsfoeswhentheywerecommandedtolaydownthespear？Ofthesoldiers，whoseonlytradewaswar，howitwouldpleasethemtotillthefieldslikegirls？Dismaytookholdofthenation，andalthoughtheyweremuchloved，therewasopentalkofkillingordrivingawaythekingandNodwengowhofavouredthewhiteman，andofsettingupHafelaintheirplace。