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。