Atlengththecrisiscame，andinthisfashion。TheAmasuka，likemanyotherAfricantribes，hadastrangevenerationforcertainvarietiesofsnakeswhichtheydeclaredtobepossessedbythespiritsoftheirancestors。Itwasalawamongthemthatifoneofthesesnakesenteredakraalitmustnotbekilled，orevendrivenaway，underpainofdeath，butmustbeallowedtosharewiththehumanoccupantsanyhutthatitmightselect。Asaresultofthisenforcedhospitalitydeathsfromsnake—bitewerenumerousamongthepeople;butwhentheyhappenedinakraalitsownersmetwithlittlesympathy，forthedoctorsexplainedthattherealcauseofthemwastheangerofsomeancestralspirittowardshisdescendants。Now，beforeJohnwasdespatchedtoinstructOweninthelanguageoftheAmasukaacertaingirlwassealedtohimashisfuturewife，andthisgirl，whoduringhisabsencehadbeenorphaned，hehadmarriedrecentlywiththeapprovalofOwen，whoatthistimewaspreparingherforbaptism。OnthethirdmorningafterhismarriageJohnappearedbeforehismasterinthelastextremityofgriefandterror。
\"Helpme，Messenger！\"hecried，\"formyancestralspirithasenteredourhutandbittenmywifeasshelayasleep。\"
\"Areyoumad？\"askedOwen。\"Whatisanancestralspirit，andhowcanithavebittenyourwife？\"
\"Asnake，\"gaspedJohn，\"agreensnakeoftheworstsort。\"
ThenOwenrememberedthesuperstition，andsnatchingblue—stoneandspiritsofwinefromhismedicinechest，herushedtoJohn’shut。Asithappened，hewasfortunatelyintimewithhisremediesandsucceededinsavingthewoman’slife，wherebyhisreputationasadoctorandamagician，alreadygreat，wasconsiderablyenlarged。
\"Whereisthesnake？\"heaskedwhenatlengthshewasoutofdanger。
\"Yonder，underthekaross，\"answeredJohn，pointingtoaskinrugwhichlayinthecorner。
\"Haveyoukilledit？\"
\"No，Messenger，\"answeredtheman，\"Idarenot。Alas！wemustlivewiththethinghereinthehuttillitchoosestogoaway。\"
\"Truly，\"saidOwen，\"IamashamedtothinkthatyouwhoareaChristianshouldstillbelievesohorribleasuperstition。Doesyourfaithteachyouthatthesoulsofmenenterintosnakes？\"
NowJohnhunghishead;thensnatchingakerry，hethrewasidethekaross，revealingagreatgreenserpentsevenoreightfeetlong。Withfuryhefelluponthereptile，killeditbyrepeatedblows，andhurleditintothecourtyardoutsidethehouse。
\"Behold，father，\"hesaid，\"andjudgewhetherIamstillsuperstitious。\"Thenhiscountenancefellandheadded：\"Yetmylifemustpayforthisdeed，foritisanancientlawamongusthattoharmoneofthesesnakesisdeath。\"
\"Havenofear，\"saidOwen，\"awaywillbefoundoutofthistrouble。\"
ThatafternoonOwenheardagreathubbuboutsidehiskraal，andgoingtoseewhatwasthematter，hefoundapartyofthewitch—doctorsdraggingJohntowardstheplaceofjudgment，whichwasbytheking’shouse。Thitherhefollowedtodiscoverthatthecasewasalreadyincourseofbeingopenedbeforetheking，hiscouncil，andavastaudienceofthepeople。Hokosawastheaccuser。Inbriefandpregnantsentences，producingthedeadsnakeinproofofhisargument，hepointedouttheenormityoftheoffenceagainstthelawsoftheAmasukawherewiththeprisonerwascharged，demandingthatthemanwhohadkilledthehouseofhisancestralspiritshouldinstantlybeputtodeath。
\"Whathaveyoutosay？\"askedthekingofJohn。
\"This，OKing，\"repliedJohn，\"thatIamaChristian，andtomethatsnakeisnothingbutanoxiousreptile。Itbitmywife，andhaditnotbeenforthemedicineoftheMessenger，shewouldhaveperishedofthepoison。ThereforeIkilleditbeforeitcouldharmothers。\"
\"Itisafairanswer，\"saidtheking。\"Hokosa，Ithinkthatthismanshouldgofree。\"
\"Theking’swillisthelaw，\"repliedHokosabitterly;\"butifthelawweretheking’swill，thedecisionwouldbeotherwise。Thismanhasslain，notasnake，butthatwhichheldthespiritofanancestor，andforthedeedhedeservestodie。Hearken，OKing，forthebusinessislargerthanitseems。Howarewetobegovernedhenceforth？Arewetofollowourancientrulesandcustoms，ormustwesubmitourselvestoanewruleandanewcustom？Itellyou，OKing，thatthepeoplemurmur;
theyarewithoutlight，theywanderinthedarkness，theycannotunderstand。Playwithusnomore，butletushearthetruththatwemayjudgeofthismatter。\"
UmsukalookedatOwen，butmadenoreply。
\"Iwillansweryou，Hokosa，\"saidOwen，\"forIamthespringofallthistrouble，andatmycommandthatman，mydisciple，killedyondersnake。Whatisit？Itisnothingbutareptile;nohumanspiriteverdweltwithinitasyouimagineinyoursuperstition。Youasktohearthetruth;daybydayIhavepreacheditinyourearsandyouhavenotlistened，thoughmanyamongyouhavelistenedandunderstood。Whatisitthatyouseek？\"
\"Weseek，Messenger，toberidofyou，yourfantasiesandyourreligion;andwedemandthatourkingshouldexpelyouandrestoretheancientlaws，orfailingthis，thatyoushouldproveyourpoweropenlybeforeusall。Yourword，OKing！\"
Umsukathoughtforawhileandanswered：——
\"Thisismyword，Hokosa：IwillnotdrivetheMessengerfromtheland，forheisagoodman;hesavedmylife，andthereisvirtueinhisteaching，towardswhichImyselfincline。Yetitisjustthatheshouldbeaskedtoprovehispower，sothatanendmaybeputtodoubtandallofusmaylearnwhatgodwearetoworship。\"
\"HowcanIprovemypower，\"askedOwen，\"furtherthanIhaveproveditalready？DoesHokosadesiretosetuphisgodagainstmyGod——thefalseagainstthetrue？\"
\"Ido，\"answeredthewizardwithpassion，\"andaccordingtotheissueletthejudgmentbe。Letushaltnolongerbetweentwoopinions，letusbecomewhollyChristianorrestwhollyheathen，fortobedividedistobedestroyed。ThemagicoftheMessengerisgreat;onceandforallletuslearnifitismorethanourmagic。Letusputhimandhisdoctrinestothetrialbyfire。\"
\"Whatisthetrialbyfire？\"askedOwen。
\"Youhaveseensomethingofit，WhiteMan，butnotmuch。Thisisthetrialbyfire：tostandyonderbeforethefaceofthegodofthunderwhenagreattempestrages——notsuchastormasyousaw，butastormthatsplitstheheavens——andtocomethenceunscathed。Listen：Iwhoama’heaven—herd，’Iwhoknowthesignsoftheweather，tellyouthatwithintwodayssuchatempestasthiswillbreakuponus。ThenWhiteMan，Iandmycompanionswillbereadytomeetyouontheplain。Takethecrossbywhichyouswearandsetitupyonderandstandbyit，andwithyouyourconverts，Nodwengotheprince，andthismanwhomyouhavenamedJohn，iftheydaretogo。Overagainstyou，aroundthesymbolofthegodbywhichweswear，willstandIandmycompany，andwewillprayourgodandyoushallprayyourGod。Thenthestormwillbreakuponus，andwhenitisendedweshalllearnwhichofusremainalive。Ifyouandyourcrossareshattered，touswillbethevictory;
ifwearelaidlow，takeitforyourown。Yourjudgment，King！\"
AgainUmsukathoughtandanswered：——
\"Sobeit。Messenger，hearme。Thereisnoneedforyoutoacceptthischallenge;butifyouwillnotacceptit，thengofrommycountryinpeace，takingwithyouthosewhocleavetoyou。Ifontheotherhandyoudoacceptit，theseshallbethestakes：thatifyoupassthetrialunharmed，andthefire—doctorsaresweptaway，yourcreedshallbemycreedandthecreedoftheland;butifthefire—doctorsprevailagainstyou，thenitshallbedeathorbanishmenttoanywhoprofessthatcreed。Nowchoose！\"
\"Ihavechosen，\"saidOwen。\"IwillmeetHokosaandhiscompanyonthePlaceoffirewheneverhemayappoint，butfortheothersIcannotsay。\"
\"Wewillcomewithyou，\"saidNodwengoandJohn，withonevoice;
\"whereyougo，Messenger，wewillsurelyfollow。\"
CHAPTERX
THESECONDTRIALBYFIRE
Whenthismomentousdiscussionwasfinished，asusualOwenpreachedbeforetheking，expoundingtheScripturesandtakingforhissubjectthedutyoffaith。AshewentbacktohishuthesawthatthesnakewhichJohnhadkilledhadbeensetuponapoleinthatpartoftheGreatPlacewhichservedasamarket，andthathundredsofnativesweregatheredbeneathitgesticulatingandtalkingexcitedly。
\"SeetheworkofHokosa，\"hethoughttohimself。\"Mosessetupaserpenttosavethepeople;yonderwizardsetsuponetodestroythem。\"
ThateveningOwenhadnoheartforhislabours，forhismindwasheavyattheprospectofthetrialwhichlaybeforehim。Notthathecaredforhisownlife，forofthishescarcelythought;itwastheprospectsofhiscausewhichtroubledhim。ItseemedmuchtoexpectthatHeavenagainshouldthrowoverhimthemantleofitsespecialprotection，andyetifitdidnotdosotherewasanendofhismissionamongthePeopleofFire。Well，hedidnotseekthistrial——hewouldhaveavoideditifhecould，butithadbeenthrustuponhim，andhewasforcedtochoosebetweenitandtheabandonmentoftheworkwhichhehadundertakenwithsuchhighhopesandpushedsofartowardsuccess。Hedidnotchoosethepath，ithadbeenpointedouttohimtowalkupon;andifitendedinaprecipice，atleasthewouldhavedonehisbest。
AshethoughtthusJohnenteredthehut，panting。
\"Whatisthematter？\"Owenasked。
\"Father，thepeoplesawandpursuedmebecauseofthedeathofthataccursedsnake。HadInotrunfastandescapedthem，Ithinktheywouldhavekilledme。\"
\"Atleastyouhaveescaped，John;sobecomfortedandreturnthanks。\"
\"Father，\"saidthemanpresently，\"Iknowthatyouaregreat，andcandomanywonderfulthings，buthaveyouintruthpoweroverlightning？\"
\"Whydoyouask？\"
\"Becauseagreattempestisbrewing，andifyouhavenotweshallcertainlybekilledwhenwestandyonderonthePlaceofFire。\"
\"John，\"hesaid，\"Icannotspeaktothelightninginavoicewhichitcanhear。Icannotsaytoit’goyonder，’or’comehither，’butHeWhomadeitcandoso。Whydoyoutemptmewithyourdoubts？HaveInottoldyouthestoryofElijahtheprophetandthepriestsofBaal？DidElijah’sMasterforsakehim，andshallHeforsakeus？Alsothisiscertain，thatallthemedicineofHokosaandhiswizardswillnotturnalightningflashbythebreadthofasinglehair。Godalonecanturnit，andforthesakeofHiscauseamongthesepeopleIbelievethatHewilldoso。\"
ThusOwenspokeontill，inreprovingtheweaknessofanother，hefelthisownfaithcomebacktohimand，rememberingthepastandhowhehadbeenpreservedinit，thedoubtandtroublewentoutofhismindtoreturnnomore。
Thethirdday——thedayoftrial——came。Forsixtyhoursormoretheheatoftheweatherhadbeenintense;indeed，duringallthattimethethermometerinOwen’shut，notwithstandingtheprotectionofathickhatch，hadshownthetemperaturetovarybetweenamaximumof113andaminimumof101degrees。Now，intheearlymorning，itstoodat108。
\"Willthestormbreakto—day？\"askedOwenofNodwengo，whocametovisithim。
\"Theysayso，Messenger，andIthinkitbythefeeloftheair。Ifso，itwillbeaverygreatstorm，fortheheavenisfulloffire。AlreadyHokosaandthedoctorsareattheirritesupontheplainyonder，buttherewillbenoneedtojointhemtilltwohoursaftermidday。\"
\"Isthecrossready？\"askedOwen。
\"Yes，andsetup。Itisaheavycross;sixmencouldscarcelycarryit。Oh！Messenger，Iamnotafraid——andyet，haveyounomedicine？Ifnot，Ifearthatthelightningwillfalluponthecrossasitfelluponthepoleandthen————\"
\"Listen，Nodwengo，\"saidOwen，\"Iknowamedicine，butIwillnotuseit。Youseethatwaggonchain？Wereoneendofitburiedinthegroundandtheotherwithaspearblademadefasttoithungtothetopofthecross，wecouldliveoutthefierceststorminsafety。ButIsaythatIwillnotuseit。Arewewitchdoctorsthatweshouldtakerefugeintricks？No，letfaithbeourshield，andifitfailus，thenletusdie。Praynowwithmethatitmaynotfailus。\"
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Itwasafternoon。AllroundtheFieldofFireweregatheredthousandsuponthousandsofthepeopleoftheAmasuka。ThenewsofthisduelbetweentheGodofthewhitemanandtheirgodhadtravelledfarandwide，andeventheveryagedwhocouldscarcelycrawlandthelittleoneswhomustbecarriedwerecollectedtheretoseetheissue。Norhadtheyneedtofeardisappointment，foralreadytheskywashalfhiddenbydensethunder—cloudspiledridgeonridge，andthehushofthecomingtempestlayupontheearth。Roundaboutthemeteorstonewhichtheycalledagod，eachofthemstirringalittlegourdofmedicinethatwasplaceduponthegroundbeforehim，bututteringnoword，weregatheredHokosaandhisfollowerstothenumberoftwenty。
Theywereallofthemarrayedintheirsnakeskindressesandotherwizardfinery。Alsoeachmanheldinhishandawandfashionedfromahumanthigh—bone。Infrontofthestoneburnedalittlefire，whichnowandagainHokosafedwitharomaticleaves，atthesametimepouringmedicinefromhisbowlupontheholystone。Oppositethesymbolofthegod，butatagooddistancefromit，agreatcrossofwhitewoodwassetupintherockbyaspotwhichthewitch—doctorsthemselveshadchosen。Uponthebanksofthestream，intheplaceapart，weretheking，hiscouncillorsandtheregimentonguard，andwiththemOwen，thePrinceNodwengoandJohn。
\"Thestormwillbefierce，\"saidthekinguneasily，glancingatthewesternsky，uponwhosebosomthebluelightningsplayedwithanincessantflicker。Thenhebadethoseabouthimstandback，andcallingOwenandtheprincetohim，said：\"Messenger，mysontellsmethatyourwisdomknowsaplanwherebyyoumaybepreservedfromthefuryofthetempest。Useit，Iprayofyou，Messenger，thatyourlifemaybesaved，andwithitthelifeoftheonlysonwhoislefttome。\"
\"Icannot，\"answeredOwen，\"forthusbydoubtingHimIshouldtemptmyMaster。Still，itisnotlaidupontheprincetoaccompanythroughthistrial。Lethimstayhere，andIalonewillstandbeneaththecross。\"
\"Stay，Nodwengo，\"imploredtheoldman。
\"Ididnotthinktolivetohearmyfatherbidme，oneoftheroyalbloodoftheAmasuka，todesertmycaptaininthehourofbattleandhidemyselfinthegrasslikeawoman，\"answeredtheprincewithabittersmile。\"Nay，itmaybethatdeathawaitsmeyonder，butnothingexceptdeathshallkeepmebackfromtheventure。\"
\"Itiswellspoken，\"saidtheking;\"beitasyouwill。\"
Nowthecompanyofwizards，leavingtheirmedicine—potsupontheground，formedthemselvesinatrebleline，andmarchingtowherethekingstood，theysalutedhim。Thentheysangthepraisesoftheirgod，andinasongthathadbeenprepared，heapedinsultupontheGodofthewhitemananduponthemessengerwhopreachedHim。ToallofthisOwenlistenedinsilence。
\"Heisacoward！\"criedtheirspokesman;\"hehasnotawordtosay。Heskulksthereinhiswhiterobesbehindthemajestyoftheking。Lethimgoforthandstandbyhispieceofwood。Hedarenotgo！Hethinksthehillsidesafer。Comeout，littleWhiteMan，andwewillshowyouhowwemanagethelightnings。Ah！theyshallflyaboutyoulikespearsinbattle。Youshallthrowyourselfuponthegroundandshriekinterror，andthentheywilllickyouupandyoushallbenomore，andtherewillbeanendofyouandthesymbolofyourGod。\"
\"Ceaseyourboastings，\"saidthekingshortly，\"andgetyoubacktoyourplace，knowingthatifitshouldchancethatthewhitemanconquersyouwillbecalledupontoanswerforthesewords。\"
\"Weshallbeready，OKing，\"theycried;andamidstthecheersofthevastaudiencetheymarchedbacktotheirstation，stillsingingtheblasphemousmockingsong。
Nowtothewestalltheheavenswereblackasnight，thoughtheeasternskystillshowedblueandcloudless。Naturelayoppressedwithsilence——silenceintenseandunnatural;andsogreatwastheheatthattheairdancedvisiblyabovetheironstoneasitdancesaboutaglowingstove。Suddenlythequietudewasbrokenbyamoaningsoundofwind;thegrassstirred，theleavesofthetreesbegantoshiver，andanicybreathbeatuponOwen’sbrow。
\"Letusbegoing，\"hesaid，andliftingtheivorycrucifixabovehishead，hepassedthestreamandwalkedtowardsthewoodencross。AfterhimcamethePrinceNodwengo，wearinghisroyaldressofleopardskin，andafterhim，John，arrayedinalinenrobe。
Asthelittleprocessionappearedtotheirviewsomeofthesoldiersbegantomock，butalmostinstantlythelaughterdiedaway。Rudeastheywere，thesesavagesunderstoodthatherewasnooccasionfortheirmirth，thatthethreemenindeedseemedclothedwithacuriousdignity。Perhapsitwastheirslowandquietgait，perhapsasenseoftheerranduponwhichtheywerebound;oritmayhavebeenthestrangeunearthlylightthatfelluponthemfromovertheedgeofthestormcloud;attheleast，asthemultitudebecameaware，theirappearancewasimpressive。Theyreachedthecrossandtookuptheirstationsthere，Oweninfrontofit，Nodwengototheright，andJohntotheleft。
Nowasharpsquallofstrongwindsweptacrossthespace，andwithitcameaflawofrain。Itpassedby，andthestormthathadbeenmutteringandgrowlinginthedistancebegantoburst。Thegreatcloudsseemedtogrowandswell，andfromthebreastofthemswiftlightningsleapt，tobemetbyotherlightningsrushingupwardsfromtheearth。Theairwasfilledwithatumultofuncertainwindandahissasofdistantrain。Thenthebatteriesofthunderwereopened，andtheworldshookwiththeirvolume。Downfromonhightheflashesfellblindingandincessant，andbythelightofthemthefire—doctorscouldbeseenrunningtoandfro，pointingnowhereandnowtherewiththeirwandsofhumanbones，andpouringthemedicinesfromtheirgourdsuponthegroundanduponeachother。Owenandhistwocompanionscouldbeseenalso，standingquietlywithclaspedhands，whileabovethemtoweredthetallwhitecross。
Atlengththestormwasstraightoverhead。Slowlyitadvancedinitsawe—inspiringmightasflashafterflash，eachmorefantasticandhorriblethanthelast，smoteuponthefloorofironstone。Itplayedabouttheshapesofthedoctors，whointhemidstofitlookedlikedevilsinaninferno。Itcreptonwardstowardsthestationofthecross，but——/itneverreachedthecross/。
OneflashstruckindeedwithinfiftypacesofwhereOwenstood。Thenofasuddenamarvelhappened，orsomethingwhichtothisdaythePeopleofFiretalkofasamarvel，forinaninstanttherainbegantopourlikeawallofwaterstretchingfromearthtoheaven，andthewindchanged。Ithadbeenblowingfromthewest，nowitblewfromtheeastwiththeforceofagale。
Itblewandrolledthetempestbackuponitself，causingittoreturntotheregionswhenceithadgathered。Attheveryfootofthecrossitsmarchwasstayed;therewasthewater—line，asstraightasifithadbeendrawnwitharule。Thethunder—cloudsthatwerepressedforwardmetthecloudsthatwerepressedback，andtogethertheyseemedtocometoearth，fillingtheairwithagloomsodensethattheeyecouldnotpierceit。Tothewestwasawallofblacknesstoweringtotheheavens;totheeast，light，blueandunholy，gleameduponthewhitecrossandthefiguresofitswatchers。
Forsomeseconds——twentyormore——therewasalull，andthenitseemedasthoughallhellhadbrokenlooseupontheworld。Thewallofblacknessbecameawallofflame，inwhichstrangeandardentshapesappearedascendinganddescending;thethunderbellowedtillthemountainsrocked，andinonelastblaze，awfulandindescribable，theskiesmeltedintoadelugeoffire。IntheflareofitOwenthoughtthathesawthefiguresofmenfallingthiswayandthat，thenhestaggeredagainstthecrossforsupportandhissensesfailedhim。
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Whentheyreturnedagain，heperceivedthestormbeingdrawnbackfromthefaceofthepaleearthlikeapallfromthefaceofthedead，andheheardamurmuroffearandwonderrisingfromtenthousandthroats。
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Wellmighttheyfearandwonder，forofthetwentyandonewizardselevenweredead，fourwereparalysedbyshock，fivewereflyingintheirterror，andone，Hokosahimself，stoodstaringatthefallen，averypictureofdespair。Norwasthisall，forthemeteorstonewithahumanshapewhichforgenerationsthePeopleofFirehadworshippedasagod，layupontheplaininfusedandshatteredfragments。
Thepeoplesaw，andasoundasofahollowgroanofterrorwentupfromthem。Thentheyweresilent。ForawhileOwenandhiscompanionsweresilentalso，sincetheirheartsweretoofullforspeech。Thenhesaid：——
\"AsthesnakefellharmlessfromthehandofPaul，sohasthelightningturnedbackfromme，whostrivetofollowinhisfootsteps，workingdeathanddismayamongthosewhowouldhaveharmedus。Mayforgivenessbetheirswhowerewithoutunderstanding。Brethren，letusreturnandmakereporttotheking。\"
Now，astheyhadcome，sotheywentback;firstOwenwiththecrucifix，nexttohimNodwengo，andlastofthethreeJohn。Theydrewneartotheking，whensuddenly，movedbyacommonimpulse，thethousandsofthepeopleuponthebanksofthestreamwithoneaccordthrewthemselvesupontheirkneesbeforeOwen，callinghimGodandofferinghimworship。Infectedbythecontagion，Umsuka，hisguardandhiscouncillorsfollowedtheirexample，sothatofallthemultitudeHokosaaloneremaineduponhisfeet，standingbyhisdishonouredandrivendeity。
\"Rise！\"criedOwenaghast。\"Wouldyoudosacrilege，andofferworshiptoaman？Rise，Icommandyou！\"
Thenthekingrose，saying：——
\"Youarenoman，Messenger，youareaspirit。\"
\"Heisaspirit，\"repeatedthemultitudeafterhim。
\"Iam/not/aspirit，Iamyetaman，\"criedOwenagain，\"buttheSpiritWhomIservehasmadeHispowermanifestinmeHisservant，andyouridolsaresmittenwiththeswordofHispower，OyeSonsofFire！
Hokosastilllives，lethimbebroughthither。\"
TheyfetchedHokosa，andhestoodbeforethem。
\"Youhaveseen，Wizard，\"saidtheking。\"Whathaveyoutosay？\"
\"Nothing，\"answeredHokosa，\"savethatvictoryistotheCross，andtothewhitemanwhopreachesit，forhismagicisgreaterthanourmagic。Byhiscommandthetempestwasstayed，andtheboastswehurledfellbackuponourheadsandtheheadofourgodtodestroyus。\"
\"Yes，\"saidtheking，\"victoryistotheCross，andhenceforththeCrossshallbeworshippedinthisland，oratleastnoothergodshallbeworshipped。Letusbegoing。Comewithme，Messenger，LordoftheLightning。\"
CHAPTERXI
THEWISDOMOFTHEDEAD
OnthemorrowOwenbaptisedtheking，manyofhiscouncillors，andsometwentyotherswhomheconsideredfittoreceivetherite。AlsohedespatchedhisfirstconvertJohn，withothermessengers，onathreemonths’journeytothecoast，givingthemlettersacquaintingthebishopandotherswithhismarvelloussuccess，andprayingthatmissionariesmightbesenttoassisthiminhislabours。
NowdaybydaytheChurchgrewtillitnumberedhundredsofsouls，andthousandsmorehoveredonitsthreshold。FromdawntodarkOwentoiled，preaching，exhorting，confessing，gatheringinhisharvest;
andfromdarktomidnightheporedoverhistranslationoftheScriptures，teachingNodwengoandafewothershowtoreadandwritethem。Butalthoughhiseffortswerecrownedwithsosignalandextraordinaryatriumph，hewaswellawareofthedangersthatthreatenedthelifeoftheinfantChurch。Manyaccepteditindeed，andstillmoretoleratedit;butthereremainedmultitudeswhoregardedthenewreligionwithsuspicionandveiledhatred。Norwasthisstrange，seeingthattheheartsofmenarenotchangedinanhourortheirancientcustomseasilyoverset。
Ononepoint，indeed，Owenhadtogiveway。TheAmasukawereapolygamouspeople;alltheirlawandtraditionswereinterwovenwithpolygamy，andtoabolishthatinstitutionsuddenlyandwithviolencewouldhavebroughttheirsocialfabrictotheground。Now，asheknewwell，themissionaryChurchdeclaresineffectthatnomancanbebothaChristianandapolygamist;thereforeamongthefollowersofthatcustomthemissionaryChurchmakesbutlittleprogress。Notwithoutmanyqualmsandhesitations，Owen，havingonlytheScripturestoconsult，cametoacompromisewithhisconverts。IfamanalreadymarriedtomorethanonewifewishedtobecomeaChristian，hepermittedhimtodosoupontheconditionthathetooknomorewives;
whileamanunmarriedatthetimeofhisconversionmighttakeonewifeonly。Thisdecree，liberalasitwas，causedgreatdissatisfactionamongbothmenandwomen。ButitwasasnothingcomparedtothefeelingthatwasevokedbyOwen’spreachingagainstallwarnotundertakeninself—defence，andagainstthestrictlawswhichheprevaileduponthekingtopass，suppressingthepracticeofwizardry，anddeclaringthechiefordoctorwhocausedamantobe\"smeltout\"andkilleduponchargesofwitchcrafttobeguiltyofmurder。
AtfirstwheneverOwenwentabroadhewassurroundedbythousandsofpeoplewhofollowedhimintheexpectationthathewouldworkmiracles，which，afterhisexploitswiththelightning，theywerewellpersuadedthathecoulddoifhechose。Butheworkednomoremiracles;heonlypreachedtothemadoctrineadversetotheircustomsandforeigntotheirthoughts。
Soitcameaboutthatintime，whenthenoveltywasgoneoffandthestoryofhisvictoryovertheFire—godhadgrownstale，althoughtheworkofconversionwentonsteadily，manyofthepeoplegrewwearyofthewhitemanandhisdoctrines。Soonthiswearinessfoundexpressioninvariousways，andinnonemoremarkedlythanbytheconstantdesertionsfromtheranksoftheking’sregiments。Atfirst，byOwen’sadvice，thekingtoleratedthesedesertions;butatlength，havingobtainedinformationthatanentireregimentpurposedabscondingatdawn，hecausedittobesurroundedandseizedbynight。Nextmorningheaddressedthatregiment，saying：——
\"Soldiers，youthinkthatbecauseIhavebecomeaChristianandwillnotpermitunnecessarybloodshed，Iamalsobecomeafool。Iwillteachyouotherwise。Onemanineverytwentyofyoushallbekilled，andhenceforthanysoldierwhoattemptstodesertwillbekilledalso！\"
Theorderwascarriedout，forOwencouldnotfindawordtosayagainstit，withtheresultthatdesertionsalmostceased，thoughnotbeforethekinghadlostsomeeightorninethousandofhisbestsoldiers。Worstofall，thesesoldiershadgonetojoinHafelainhismountainfastnesses;andtherumourgrewthaterelongtheywouldappearagain，toclaimthecrownforhimortotakeitbyforceofarms。
Nowtooafreshcomplicationarose。Theoldkingsickenedofhislastillness，andsoonitbecameknownthathemustdie。Amonthlaterdiehedid，passingawaypeacefullyinOwen’sarms，andwithhislastbreathexhortinghispeopletoclingtotheChristianreligion;totakeNodwengofortheirkingandtobefaithfultohim。
Thekingdied，andthatsamedaywasburiedbyOweninthegloomyresting—placeoftheblood—royalofthePeopleofFire，whereaChristianpriestnowsetfootforthefirsttime。
OnthemorrowNodwengowasproclaimedkingwithmuchceremonyinfaceofthepeopleandofallthearmythatremainedtohim。OnecaptainraisedacryforHafelahisbrother。Nodwengocausedhimtobeseizedandbroughtbeforehim。
\"Man，\"hesaid，\"onthismycoronationdayIwillnotstainmyhandwithblood。Listen。YoucryuponHafela，andtoHafelayoushallgo，takinghimthismessage。TellhimthatI，Nodwengo，havesucceededtothecrownofUmsuka，myfather，byhiswillandthewillofthepeople。TellhimitistruethatIhavebecomeaChristian，andthatChristiansfollownotafterwarbutpeace。Tellhim，however，thatthoughIamaChristianIhavenotforgottenhowtofightorhowtorule。Ithasreachedmyearsthatitishispurposetoattackmewithagreatforcewhichheisgathering，andtopossesshimselfofmythrone。Ifheshouldchoosetocome，Ishallbereadytomeethim;butIcounselhimagainstcoming，foritwillbetofindhisdeath。Lethimstaywhereheisinpeace，andbemysubject;orlethimgoafarwiththosethatcleavetohim，andsetupakingdomofhisown，forthenIshallnotfollowhim;butlethimnotdaretoliftaspearagainstme，hissovereign，sinceifhedoessoheshallbetreatedasarebelandfindthedoomofarebel。Begone，andshowyourfaceherenomore！\"
Themancreptawaycrestfallen;butallwhoheardthatspeechbrokeintocheering，which，asitspurportwasrepeatedfromranktorank，spreadfarandwide;fornowthearmylearnedthatinbecomingaChristian，Nodwengohadnotbecomeawoman。Ofthisindeedhesoongavethemampleproof。Theoldking’sgripuponthingshadbeenlax，thatofNodwengowaslikeiron。Hepractisednocruelties，anddidinjusticetonone;buthisdisciplinewassevere，andsoontheregimentswerebroughttoagreaterpitchofproficiencythantheyhadeverreachedbefore，althoughtheywerenowallowedtomarrywhentheypleased，aboonthathithertohadbeendeniedtothem。Moreover，byOwen’shelp，hedesignedanentirelynewsystemoffortificationofthekraalandsurroundinghills，whichwould，itwasthought，maketheplaceimpregnable。Theseandmanyotheracts，equallyvigorousandfar—seeing，putnewheartintothenation。AlsothereportofthemputfearintoHafela，who，itwasrumoured，hadnowgivenupallideaofattack。
Sometherewere，however，wholookeduponthesechangeswithlittlelove，andHokosawasoneofthem。Afterhisdefeatintheduelbyfire，forawhilehisspiritwascrushed。Hithertohehadmoreorlessbeenabelieverintheprotectinginfluenceofhisowngodorfetish，whowould，ashethought，holdhispriestsscathelessfromthelightning。Oftenandoftenhadhestoodinpastdaysuponthatplainwhilethegreattempestsbrokearoundhishead，andreturnedthenceunharmed，attributingtosorceryasafetythatwasreallyduetochance。Fromtimetotimeindeedapriestwaskilled;but，sohiscompanionsheld，themisfortuneresultedinvariablyfromtheman’sneglectofsomerite，orwasamarkoftheangeroftheheavens。
NowHokosahadlivedtoseealltheseconvictionsshattered：hehadseenthelightning，whichhepretendedtobeabletocontrol，rollbackuponhimfromthefootoftheChristiancross，reducinghisgodtonothingnessandhiscompanionstocorpses。
AtfirstHokosawasdismayed，butastimewentonhopecamebacktohim。Strippedofhisofficesandpower，andfromthegreatestinthenation，aftertheking，becomeoneofsmallaccount，stillnoharmorviolencewasattemptedtowardshim。Hewasleftwealthyandinpeace，andlivingthushewatchedandlistenedwithopeneyesandears，waitingtillthetideshouldturn。Itseemedthathewouldnothavelongtowait，forreasonsthathavebeentold。
\"Whydoyousitherelikeavultureonarock，\"askedthegirlNoma，whomhehadtakentowife，\"whenyoumightbeyonderwithHafela，preparinghimbyyourwisdomforthecomingwar？\"
\"BecauseIamaking—vulture，andIwaitforthesickbulltodie，\"heanswered，pointingtotheGreatPlacebeneathhim。\"Say，whyshouldI
bringHafelatopreyuponacarcaseIhavemarkeddownformyown？\"
\"Nowyouspeakwell，\"saidNoma;\"thebullsuffersfromastrangedisease，andwhenheisdeadanothermustleadtheherd。\"
\"Thatisso，\"answeredherhusband，\"and，therefore，Iampatient。\"
Itwasshortlyafterthisconversationthattheoldkingdied，withresultsverydifferentfromthosewhichHokosahadanticipated。
AlthoughhewasaChristian，tohissurpriseNodwengoshowedthathewasalsoastrongruler，andthattherewaslittlechanceofthesceptreslippingfromhishand——noneindeedwhilethewhiteteacherwastheretoguidehim。
\"Whatwillyoudonow，Hokosa？\"askedNomahiswifeuponacertainday。\"WillyouturntoHafelaafterall？\"
\"No，\"answeredHokosa;\"Iwillconsultmyancientlore。Listen。
Whateverelseisfalse，thisistrue：thatmagicexists，andIamitsmaster。ForawhileitseemedtomethatthewhitemanwasgreaterattheartthanIam;butoflateIhavewatchedhimandlistenedtohisdoctrines，andIbelievethatthisisnotso。Itistruethatinthebeginninghereadmyplansinadream，orotherwise;itistruethathehurledthelightningbackuponmyhead;butIholdthatthesethingswereaccidents。Againandagainhehastoldusthatheisnotawizard;andifthisbeso，hecanbeovercome。\"
\"How，husband？\"
\"How？Bywizardry。Thisverynight，Noma，withyourhelpIwillconsultthedead，asIhavedoneinbygonetime，andlearnthefuturefromtheirlipswhichcannotlie。\"
\"Sobeit;thoughthetaskishatefultome，andIhateyouwhoforcemetoit。\"
Nomaansweredthuswithpassion，buthereyesshoneasshespoke：forthosewhohaveoncetastedthecupofmagicareeverdrawntodrinkofitagain，evenwhentheyfearthedraught。
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Itwasmidnight，andHokosawithhiswifestoodintheburying—groundofthekingsoftheAmasuka。BeforeOwencameuponhismissionitwasdeathtovisitthisspotexceptupontheoccasionofthelayingtorestofoneoftheroyalblood，ortooffertheannualsacrificetothespiritsofthedead。Evenbeneaththebrightmoonthatshoneuponittheplaceseemedterrible。Hereinthebosomofthehillswasanamphitheatre，surroundedbywallsofrockvaryingfromfivehundredtoathousandfeetinheight。Inthisamphitheatregrewgreatmimosathorns，andabovethemtoweredpillarsofgranite，settherenotbythehandofmanbutbynature。ItwouldseemthattheAmasuka，ledbysomefineinstinct，hadchosenthesecolumnsasfittingmemorialsoftheirkings，attheleastadepartedmonarchlayatthefootofeachofthem。
Thesmallestoftheseunhewnobelisks——itwasaboutfiftyfeethigh——
markedtheresting—placeofUmsuka;anddeepintoitsgraniteOwenwithhisownhandhadcutthedeadking’snameanddateofdeath，surmountinghisinscriptionwithasymbolofthecross。
TowardsthispillarHokosamadehiswaythroughthewetgrass，followedbyNomahiswife。Presentlytheywerethere，standingoneuponeachsideofalittlemoundofearthmorelikeanant—heapthanagrave;for，afterthecustomofhispeople，Umsukahadbeenburiedsitting。Atthefootofeachofthepillarsroseaheapofsimilarshape，butmanytimesaslarge。Thekingswhoslepttherewereaccompaniedtotheirresting—placesbynumbersoftheirwivesandservants，whohadbeenslaininsolemnsacrificethattheymightattendtheirLordwhithersoeverheshouldwander。
\"Whatisthatyoudesireandwoulddo？\"askedNoma，inahushedvoice。
Boldasshewas，theplaceandtheoccasionawedher。
\"Idesirewisdomfromthedead！\"heanswered。\"HaveInotalreadytoldyou，andcanInotwinitwithyourhelp？\"
\"Whatdead，husband？\"
\"Umsukatheking。Ah！Iservedhimliving，andatthelasthedrovemeawayfromhisside。Nowheshallserveme，andoutofthenowhereI
willcallhimbacktomine。\"
\"Willnotthissymboldefeatyou？\"andNomapointedatthecrosshewninthegranite。
Atherwordsasuddengustofrageseemedtoshakethewizard。Hisstilleyesflashed，hislipsturnedlivid，andwiththemhespatuponthecross。
\"Ithasnopower，\"hesaid。\"Mayitbeaccursed，andmayhewhobelievesthereinhangthereon！Ithasnopower;butevenifithad，accordingtothetaleofthatwhiteliar，suchthingsasIwoulddohavebeendonebeneathitsshadow。Byitthedeadhavebeenraised——
ay！deadkingshavebeendraggedfromdeathandforcedtotellthesecretsofthegrave。Come，come，letustothework。\"
\"WhatmustIdo，husband？\"
\"Youshallsityouthere，evenasacorpsesits，andthereforalittlewhileyoushalldie——yes，yourspiritshallleaveyou——andI
willfillyourbodywiththesoulofhimwhosleepsbeneath;;andthroughyourlipsIwilllearnhiswisdom，towhomallthingsareknown。\"
\"Itisterrible！Iamafraid！\"shesaid。\"Cannotthisbedoneotherwise？\"
\"Itcannot，\"heanswered。\"Thespiritsofthedeadhavenoshapeorform;theyareinvisible，andcanspeakonlyindreamsorthroughthelipsofoneinwhosepulseslifestilllingers，thoughsoulandbodybealreadyparted。Havenofear。Erehisghostleavesyouitshallrecallyourown，whichtillthecorpseiscoldstaysevercloseathand。Ididnotthinktofindacowardinyou，Noma。\"
\"Iamnotacoward，asyouknowwell，\"sheansweredpassionately，\"formanyadeedofmagichavewedaredtogetherinpastdays。Butthisisfearsome，todiethatmybodymaybecomethehomeoftheghostofadeadman，whoperchance，havingenteredit，willabidethere，leavingmyspirithouseless，orperchancewillshutupthedoorsofmyheartinsuchfashionthattheynevercanbeopened。Canitnotbedonebytranceasaforetime？Tellme，Hokosa，howoftenhaveyouthustalkedwiththedead？\"
\"Thrice，Noma。\"
\"Andwhatchancedtothemthroughwhomyoutalked？\"
\"Twolivedandtooknoharm;thethirddied，becausetheawakeningmedicinelackedpower。Yetfearnothing;thatwhichIhavewithmeisofthebest。Noma，youknowmyplight：Imustwinwisdomorfallforever，andyoualonecanhelpme;forunderthisnewrule，Icannolongerbuyayouthormaidforpurposesofwitchcraft，evenifonecouldbefoundfittedtothework。Choosethen：shallwegobackorforward？Heretrancewillnothelpus;forthoseentrancedcannotreadthefuture，norcantheyholdcommunionwiththedead，beingbutasleep。Choose，Noma。\"
\"Ihavechosen，\"sheanswered。\"NeveryethaveIturnedmybackuponaventure，norwillIdosonow。Comelife，comedeath，Iwillsubmitmetoyourwish，thoughtherearefewwomenwhowoulddareasmuchforanyman。NorintruthdoIdothisforyou，Hokosa;IdoitbecauseI
seekpower，andthusonlycanwewinitwhoarefallen。AlsoIloveallthingsstrange，anddesiretocommunewiththedeadandtoknowthat，ifforsomefewminutesonly，atleastmywoman’sbreasthasheldthespiritofaking。Yet，Iwarnyou，makenofaultinyourmagic;forshouldIdiebeneathit，thenI，whodesiretoliveonandtobegreat，willhauntyouandbeavengeduponyou！\"
\"Oh！Noma，\"hesaid，\"ifIbelievedthattherewasanydangerforyou，shouldIaskyoutosufferthisthing？——I，wholoveyoumoreeventhanyoulovepower，morethanmylife，morethananythingthatisorevercanbe。\"
\"Iknowit，anditistothatItrust，\"thewomananswered。\"Nowbegin，beforemycourageleavesme。\"
\"Good，\"hesaid。\"Seatyourselfthereuponthemound，restingyourheadagainstthestone。\"
Sheobeyed;andtakingthongsofhidewhichhehadmadeready，Hokosaboundherwristsandankles，asthesepeoplebindthewristsandanklesofcorpses。Thenhekneltbeforeher，staringintoherfacewithhissolemneyesandmuttering：\"Obeyandsleep。\"
Presentlyherlimbsrelaxed，andherheadfellforward。
\"Doyousleep？\"heasked。
\"Isleep。WhithershallIgo？Itisthetruesleep——testme。\"
\"Passtothehouseofthewhiteman，myrival。Areyouwithhim？\"
\"Iamwithhim。\"
\"Whatdoeshe？\"
\"Heliesinslumberonhisbed，andinhisslumberhemuttersthenameofawoman，andtellsherthathelovesher，butthatdutyismorethanlove。Oh！callmebackIcannotstay;aPresenceguardshim，andthrustsmethence。\"
\"Return，\"saidHokosastarting。\"Passthroughtheearthbeneathyouandtellmewhatyousee。\"
\"Iseethebodyoftheking;butwereitnotforhisroyalornamentsnonewouldknowhimnow。\"
\"Return，\"saidHokosa，\"andlettheeyesofyourspiritbeopen。Lookaroundyouandtellmewhatyousee。\"
\"Iseetheshadowsofthedead，\"sheanswered;\"theystandaboutyou，gazingatyouwithangryeyes;butwhentheycomenearyou，somethingdrivesthemback，andIcannotunderstandwhatitistheysay。\"
\"IstheghostofUmsukaamongthem？\"
\"Itisamongthem。\"
\"Bidhimprophesythefuturetome。\"
\"Ihavebiddenhim，buthedoesnotanswer。Ifyouwouldhearhimspeak，itmustbethroughthelipsofmybody;andfirstmybodymustbeemptiedofmyghost，thathismayfindaplacetherein。\"
\"Say，canhisspiritbecompelled？\"
\"Itcanbecompelled，orthatpartofitwhichstillhovernearthisspot，ifyoudaretospeakthewordsyouknow。Butfirstitshousemustbemadeready。Thenthewordsmustbespoken，andallmustbedonebeforeamancancountthreehundred;forshouldthebloodbegintoclotaboutmyheart，itwillbestillforever。\"
\"Hearken，\"saidHokosa。\"WhenthemedicinethatIshallgivedoesitswork，andthespiritisloosenedfromyourbody，letitnotgoafar，no，whatevertemptsorthreatensit，andsuffernotthatthedeath—
cordbesevered，lestfleshandghostbepartedforever。\"
\"Ihear，andIobey。Beswift，forIgrowweary。\"
ThenHokosatookfromhispouchtwomedicines：oneapasteinabox，theotherafluidinagourd。Takingofthepastehekneltuponthegravebeforetheentrancedwomanandswiftlysmearedituponthemucousmembraneofthemouthandthroat。Alsohethrustpelletsofitintotheears，thenostrils，andthecornersoftheeyes。