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。