Twohourslater，Hokosa，havingmadeawidedetourandtalkedtosundryofhisacquaintancesabouttheconditionofhiscattle，mighthavebeenseenwalkingslowlyalongthenorthsideoftheGreatPlacetowardshisownkraal。HispathlaypastthechapelandthelittlehousethatOwenhadbuilttodwellin。Thishousewasfurnishedwithabroadverandah，anduponitsattheMessengerhimself，eatinghiseveningmeal。Hokosasawhim，andagreatdesireenteredhishearttolearnwhetherornohehadpartakenofthepoisonedfruit。Alsoitoccurredtohimthatitwouldbewiseif，beforetheendcame，hecouldcontrivetodivertallpossiblesuspicionfromhimself，bygivingtheimpressionthathewasnowuponfriendlytermswiththegreatwhiteteacherandnotdisinclinedeventobecomeaconverttohisdoctrine。
Foramomenthehesitated，seekinganexcuse。Onesoonsuggesteditselftohisreadymind。ThatverymorningthekinghadtoldhimnotobscurelythatOwenhadpleadedforhissafetyandsavedhimfrombeingputuponhistrialonchargesofwitchcraftandmurder。Hewouldgotohim，nowatonce，playingthepartofagratefulpenitent，andtheWhiteMan’smagicmustbekeenindeedifitavailedtopiercethearmourofhispractisedcraft。
SoHokosawentupandsquattedhimselfdownnativefashionamongalittlegroupofconvertswhowerewaitingtoseetheirteacherupononebusinessoranother。Hewasnotmorethantenpacesfromtheverandah，andsittingthushesawasightthatinterestedhimstrangely。Havingeatenalittleofadishofroastedmeat，Owenputouthishandandtookafruitfromabasketthatthewizardknewwell。
AtthismomenthelookedupandrecognisedHokosa。
\"Doyoudesirespeechwithme，Hokosa？\"heaskedinhisgentlevoice。
\"Ifso，bepleasedtocomehither。\"
\"Nay，Messenger，\"answeredHokosa，\"Idesirespeechwithyouindeed，butitisilltostandbetweenahungrymanandhisfood。\"
\"Icarelittleformyfood，\"answeredOwen;\"attheleastitcanwait，\"andheputdownthefruit。
Thensuddenlyafeelingtowhichthewizardhadbeenformanyyearsastrangertookpossessionofhim——afeelingofcompunction。Thatmanwasabouttopartakeofwhatwouldcausehisdeath——ofwhathe，Hokosa，hadpreparedinorderthatitshouldcausehisdeath。Hewasgood，hewaskindly，nonecouldallegeawrongdeedagainsthim;and，foolishnessthoughitmightbe，sowasthedoctrinethathetaught。
Whyshouldhekillhim？Itwastruethatnevertillthatmomenthadhehesitated，byfairmeansorfoul，toremoveanenemyorrivalfromhispath。Hehadbeenbroughtupinthisteaching;itwaspartoftheeducationofwizardstobemerciless，fortheyreignedbyterrorandevilcraft。Theirmagiclaychieflyinclairvoyanceandpowersofobservationdevelopedtoapitchthatwasalmostsuperhuman，andthebestoftheirweaponswaspoisonininfinitevariety，whereoftheguildaloneunderstoodthepropertiesandpreparation。Thereforetherewasnothingstrange，nothingunusualinthisdeedofdevilishandcunningmurderthatthesightofitsdoingshouldstirhimthus，andyetitdidstirhim。Hewasmindedtostoptheplot，toletthingstaketheircourse。
Somesenseofthefutilityofallsuchstrivingscamehometohim，andasinaglass，forHokosawasamanofimagination，heforesawtheirend。Alittlesuccess，alittlefailure，itscarcelymatteredwhich，andthen——thatend。Withintwentyyears，orten，ormayhapevenone，whatwouldthispresentvictoryordefeatmeantohim？Nothingsofarashewasconcerned;thatis，nothingsofarashislifeofto—daywasconcerned。Yet，ifhehadanotherlife，itmightmeaneverything。
Therewasanotherlife;heknewit，whohaddraggedbackfromitsbordersthespiritsofthedead，thoughwhatmightbethestateandoccupationsofthosedeadhedidnotknow。Yethebelieved——whyhecouldnottell——thattheywereaffectedvitallybytheiractsandbehaviourhere;andhisintelligencewarnedhimthatgoodmustalwaysflowfromgood，andevilfromevil。Tokillthismanwasevil，andofitonlyevilcouldcome。
WhatdidhecarewhetherHafelaruledthenationorNodwengo，andwhetheritworshippedtheGodoftheChristiansorthegodofFire——
who，bytheway，hadprovedhimselfsosingularlyinefficientinthehouroftrial。Nowthathethoughtofit，hemuchpreferredNodwengotoHafela，fortheonewasajustmanandtheotheratyrant;andhehimselfwasmorecomfortableasawealthyprivatepersonthanhehadbeenasaheadmedicine—manandachiefofwizards。Hewouldletthingsstand;hewouldpreventtheMessengerfromeatingofthatfruit。Awordcoulddoit;hehadbuttosuggestthatitwasunripeornotwholesomeatthisseasonoftheyear，anditwouldbecastaside。
Allthesereflections，ortheirsubstance，passedthroughHokosa’smindinafewinstantsoftime，andalreadyhewasrisingtogototheverandahandtranslatetheirmoralintoacts，whenanotherthoughtoccurredtohim——HowshouldhefaceNomawiththistale？Hecouldgiveuphisownambitions，butcouldhebearhermockery，asdaybydayshetauntedhimwithhisfaint—heartednessandreproachedhimwithhisfailuretoregaingreatnessandtomakehergreat？Heforgotthathemightconcealthetruthfromher;orrather，hedidnotcontemplatesuchconcealment，ofwhichtheirrelationsweretoopeculiarandtoointimatetopermit。Shehatedhim，andheworshippedherwithahalf—
inhumanpassion——apassionsounnatural，indeed，thatitsuggestedthehorridandinsatiablelongingsofthedamned——andyettheirsoulswerenakedtoeachother。Itwastheirfatethattheycouldhidenothingeachfromeach——theywerecursedwiththeawfulnecessityofcandour。
ItwouldbeimpossiblethatheshouldkeepfromNomaanythingthathedidordidnotdo;itwouldbestillmoreimpossiblethatsheshouldconcealfromhimevensuchimaginingsandthingsasitiscommonforwomentoholdsecret。Herverybitterness，whichithadbeenpolicyforhertocloakorsoften，wouldgushfromherlipsatthesightofhim;nor，inthedepthofhisrageandtorment，couldhe，ontheotherhand，controltheill—timedutteranceofhiscontinualandovermasteringpassion。Itcametothis，then：hemustgoforward，andagainsthisbetterjudgment，becausehewasafraidtogoback，forthewhipofawoman’stonguedrovehimonremorselessly。ItwasbetterthattheMessengershoulddie，andthelandrunredwithblood，thanthatheshouldbeforcedtoendurethisscourge。
SowithasighHokosasankbacktothegroundandwatchedwhileOwenatethreeofthepoisonedfruits。Afterapause，hetookafourthandbitintoit，butnotseemingtofindittohistaste，hethrewittoachildthatwaswaitingbytheverandahforanyscrapswhichmightbeleftoverfromhismeal。Thechildcaughtit，anddevourediteagerly。
Then，smilingatthelittleboy’sdelight，theMessengercalledtoHokosatocomeupandspeakwithhim。
CHAPTERXV
NOMACOMESTOHAFELA
Hokosaadvancedtotheverandahandbowedtothewhitemanwithgravedignity。
\"Beseated，\"saidOwen。\"Willyounoteat？thoughIhavenothingtoofferyoubutthese，\"andhepushedthebasketoffruitstowardshim，adding，\"Thebestofthem，Ifear，arealreadygone。\"
\"Ithankyou，no，Messenger;suchfruitsarenotalwayswholesomeatthisseasonoftheyear。Ihaveknownthemtobreeddysentery。\"
\"Indeed，\"saidOwen。\"Ifso，ItrustthatImayescape。Ihavesufferedfromthatsickness，andIthinkthatanotherboutofitwouldkillme。InfutureIwillavoidthem。Butwhatdoyouseekwithme，Hokosa？Enterandtellme，\"andheledthewayintoalittlesitting—
room。
\"Messenger，\"saidthewizard，withdeephumility，\"Iamaproudman;I
havebeenagreatman，anditisnolightthingtometohumblemyselfbeforethefaceofmyconqueror。YetIamcometothis。To—daywhenI
wasinaudiencewiththeking，cravingasmallboonofhisgraciousness，hespoketomesharpandbitterwords。Hetoldmethathehadbeenmindedtoputmeontrialformylifebecauseofvariousmisdoingswhichareallegedagainstmeinthepast，butthatyouhadpleadedformeandthatforthiscausehesparedme。Icometothankyouforyourgentleness，Messenger，forIthinkthathadIbeeninyourplaceIshouldhavewhisperedotherwiseintheearoftheking。\"
\"Saynomoreofit，friend，\"saidOwenkindly，\"Weareallofussinners，anditismyplacetopushbackyourancientsins，nottodragthemintothelightofdayandclamourfortheirpunishment。ItistrueIknowthatyouplottedwiththePrinceHafelatopoisonUmsukatheKing，foritwasrevealedtome。Itchanced，however，thatIwasabletorecoverUmsukafromhissickness，andHafelaisfled，sowhyshouldIbringupthedeedagainstyou？Itistruethatyoustillpractisewitchcraft，andthatyouhateandstriveagainsttheholyFaithwhichIpreach;butyouwerebroughtuptowizardryandhavebeenthepriestofanothercreed，andthesethingspleadforyou。
\"Also，Hokosa，Icanseethegoodandevilstrugglinginyoursoul，andIprayandIbelievethatintheendthegoodwillmastertheevil;thatyouwhohavebeenpre—eminentinsinwillcometobepre—
eminentinrighteousness。Oh！benotstubborn，butlistenwithyourear，andletyourheartbesoftened。Thegatestandsopen，andIamtheguideappointedtoshowyouthewaywithoutrewardorfee。Followthemereitbetoolate，thatintimetocomewhenmyvoiceisstilledyoualsomaybeabletodirectthefeetofwanderersintothepathsofpeace。Itisthehourofprayer;comewithme，Ibegofyou，andlistentosomefewwordsofthemessageofmylips，andletyourspiritbenurturedwiththem，andtheSunofTruthariseuponitsdarkness。\"
Hokosaheard，andbeforethissimpleeloquencehiswisdomsankconfounded。More，hisintelligencewasstirred，andadesirecameuponhimtoinvestigateandexaminethecanonsofacreedthatcouldproducesuchmenasthis。Hemadenoanswer，butwaitingwhileOwenrobedhimself，hefollowedhimtothechapel。Itwasfullofnew—madeChristianswhocrowdedeventhedoorways，buttheygaveplacetohim，wondering。Thentheservicebegan——ashortandsimpleservice。FirstOwenofferedupsomeprayerforthewelfareoftheinfantChurch，fortheconversionoftheunbelieving，forthesafetyofthekingandthehappinessofthepeople。ThenJohn，theMessenger’sfirstdisciple，readaloudfromamanuscriptaportionoftheScripturewhichhismasterhadtranslated。ItwasSt。Paul’sexpositionoftheresurrectionfromthedead，andthegrandeurofitsthoughtsandlanguagewerebynomeanslostuponHokosa，who，savageandheathenthoughhemightbe，wasalsoamanofintellect。
Thereadingover，Owenaddressedthecongregation，takingforhistext，\"Thysinshallfindtheeout。\"Beingnowamasterofthelanguage，hepreachedverywellandearnestly，andindeedthesubjectwasnotdifficulttodealwithinthepresenceofanaudiencemanyofwhosepastshadbeensteppedininiquitiesofnocommonkind。Ashetalkedofjudgmenttocomefortheunrepentant，someofhishearersgroanedandevenwept;andwhen，changinghisnote，hedweltupontheblessedfuturestateofthosewhoearnedforgiveness，theirfaceswerelightedupwithjoy。
ButperhapsamongallthosegatheredbeforehimtherewerenonemoredeeplyinterestedthanHokosaandoneother，thatwomantowhomhehadsoldthepoison，andwho，asitchanced，satnexttohim。Hokosa，watchingherfaceashewasskilledtodo，sawthethrustsofthepreachergohome，andgrewsurethatalreadyinherjealoushasteshehadfoundopportunitytosprinklethemedicineuponherrival’sfood。
Shebelievedittobebutacharmindeed，yetknowingthatinusingsuchcharmsshehaddonewickedly，shetrembledbeneaththewordsofdenunciation，andrisingatlength，creptfromthechapel。
\"Truly，hersinwillfindherout，\"thoughtHokosatohimself，andtheninastrangehalf—impersonalfashionheturnedhisthoughtstotheconsiderationofhisowncase。Would/his/sinfindhimout？hewondered。Beforehecouldanswerthatquestion，itwasnecessaryfirsttodeterminewhetherornohehadcommittedasin。Themanbeforehim——thatgentleandyetimpassionedman——boreinhisvitalstheseedofdeathwhichhe，Hokosa，hadplantedthere。Wasitwrongtohavedonethis？Itdependedbywhichstandardthedeedwasjudged。Accordingtohisowncode，thecodeonwhichhehadbeeneducatedandwhichhithertohehadfollowedwithexactness，itwasnotwrong。Thatcodetaughtthenecessityofself—aggrandisement，oratleastandatallcoststhenecessityofself—preservation。Thiswhitepreacherstoodinhispath;hehadhumiliatedhim，Hokosa，andintheend，eitherofhimselforthroughhisinfluences，itwasprobablethathewoulddestroyhim。Thereforehemuststrikebeforeinhisownpersonhereceivedamortalblow，andhavingnoothermeansathiscommand，hestruckthroughtreacheryandpoison。
Thatwashislawwhichformanygenerationshadbeenfollowedandrespectedbyhisclasswiththetacitassentofthenation。Accordingtothislaw，then，hehaddonenowrong。Butnowthevictimbythealtar，whodidnotknowthatalreadyhewasbounduponthealtar，preachedanewandaverydifferentdoctrineunderwhich，wereittobebelieved，he，Hokosa，wasoneoftheworstofsinners。Thematter，then，resolveditselftothis：whichofthesetworulesoflifewastherightrule？Whichofthemshouldamanfollowtosatisfyhisconscienceandtosecurehisabidingwelfare？Apartfromthemotivesthatswayedhim，asamerematterofethics，thisprobleminterestedHokosanotalittle，andhewenthomewardsdeterminedtosolveitifhemight。Thatcouldbedoneinonewayonly——byacloseexaminationofbothsystems。Thefirstheknewwell;hehadpractiseditfornearlyfortyyears。Ofthesecondhehadbutaninkling。Also，ifhewouldlearnmoreofithemustmakehaste，seeingthatitsexponentinsomeshortwhilewouldceasetobeinapositiontosetitout。
\"Itrustthatyouwillcomeagain，\"saidOwentoHokosaastheyleftthechapel。
\"Yes，indeed，Messenger，\"answeredthewizard;\"Iwillcomeeveryday，andifyoupermitit，Iwillattendyourprivateteachingsalso，forI
acceptnothingwithoutexamination，andIgreatlydesiretostudythisnewdoctrineofyours，rootandflowerandfruit。\"
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OnthemorrowNomastarteduponherjourney。Asthematronswhoaccompaniedhergaveoutwithasomewhatsuspiciouspersistency，itsostensibleobjectwastovisittheMountofPurification，andtherebyfastingsandsolitudetopurgeherselfofthesinofhavinggivenbirthtoastillbornchild。Foramongstsavagepeoplessuchanaccidentisapttobelookeduponaslittleshortofacrime，or，attheleast，asindicatingthatthewomanconcernedistheobjectoftheindignationofspiritswhoneedtobeappeased。TothisMount，Nomawent，andthereperformedthecustomaryrites。
\"Littlewonder，\"shethoughttoherself，\"thatthespiritswereangrywithher，seeingthatyonderintheburying—groundofkingsshehaddaredtobreakinupontheirrest。\"
FromthePlaceofPurificationshetravelledontendays’journeywithhercompanionstilltheyreachedthemountainfastnesswhereHafelahadestablishedhimself。Thetownanditssurroundingswereofextraordinarystrength，andsowellguardedthatitwasonlyafterconsiderabledifficultyanddelaythatthewomenwereadmitted。
Hearingofherarrivalandthatshehadwordsforhim，HafelasentforNomaatonce，receivingherbynightandaloneinhisprincipalhut。
Shecameandstoodbeforehim，andhelookedatherbeautywithadmiringeyes，forhecouldnotforgetthewomanwhomthecunningofHokosahadforcedhimtoputaway。
\"Whencecomeyou，prettyone？\"heasked，\"andwhereforecomeyou？Areyouwearyofyourhusband，thatyouflybacktome？Ifso，youarewelcomeindeed;forknow，Noma，thatIstillloveyou。\"
\"Ay，Prince，Iamwearyofmyhusbandsureenough;butIdonotflytoyou，forheholdsmefasttohimwithbondsthatyoucannotunderstand，andfasttohimwhilehelivesImustremain。\"
\"Whathinders，Noma，thathavinggotyouhereIshouldkeepyouhere？
ThecunningandmagicofHokosamaybegreat，buttheywillneedtobestillgreatertowinyoufrommyarms。\"
\"Thishinders，Prince，thatyouareplayingforahigherstakethanthatofawoman’slove，andifyoudealthusbymeandmyhusband，thenofasuretyyouwilllosethegame。\"
\"Whatstake，Noma？\"
\"ThestakeofthecrownofthePeopleofFire。\"
\"AndwhyshouldIloseifItakeyouasawife？\"
\"BecauseHokosa，seeingthatIdonotreturnandlearningfromhisspieswhyIdonotreturn，willwarntheking，andbymanymeansbringallyourplanstonothing。ListennowtothewordsofHokosathathehassetbetweenmylipstodelivertoyou\"——andsherepeatedtohimallthemessagewithoutfaultorfail。
\"Sayitagain，\"hesaid，andsheobeyed。
Thenheanswered：——
\"TrulytheskillofHokosaisgreat，andwellheknowshowtosetasnare;butIthinkthatifbyhiscounselIshouldspringethebird，hewillbetoocleveramantokeepuponthethresholdofmythrone。
Hewhosetsonesnaremaysettwain，andhewhositsbythethresholdmaydesiretoenterthehouseofkingswhereinthereisnospacefortwotodwell。\"
\"IsthistheanswerthatIamtotakebacktoHokosa？\"askedNoma。\"Itwillscarcelybindhimtoyourcause，Prince，andIwonderthatyoudaretospeakittomewhoamhiswife。\"
\"Idaretospeakittoyou，Noma，because，althoughyoubehiswife，allwivesdonotlovetheirlords;andIthinkthat，perchanceindaystocome，youwouldchooserathertoholdthehandofayoungkingthanthatofawitch—doctorsinkingintoeld。ThusshallyouanswerHokosa：
YoushallsaytohimthatIhaveheardhiswordsandthatIfindthemverygood，andwillwalkalongthepathwhichhehasmade。HerebeforeyouIswearbytheoaththatmaynotbebroken——thesacredoath，callingdownruinuponmyheadshouldIbreakonewordofit——thatifbyhisaidIsucceedinthisgreatventure，Iwillpayhimthepriceheasks。Aftermyself，theking，heshallbethegreatestmanamongthepeople;heshallbegeneralofthearmies;heshallbecaptainofthecouncilandheadofthedoctors，andtohimshallbegivenhalfthecattleofNodwengo。Also，intohishandIwilldeliverallthosewhoclingtothisfaithoftheChristians，and，ifitpleaseshim，heshallofferthemasasacrificetohisgod。ThisIswear，andyou，Noma，arewitnesstotheoath。Yetitmaychancethatafterhe，Hokosa，hasgatheredupallthispompandgreatness，hehimselfshallbegatheredupbyDeath，thatharvest—manwhomsoonorlatewillgarnereveryear;\"andhelookedathermeaningly。
\"Itmaybeso，Prince，\"sheanswered。
\"Itmaybeso，\"herepeated，\"andwhen————\"
\"Whenitisso，then，Prince，wewilltalktogether，butnottillthen。Nay，touchmenot，forwerehetocommandme，HokosahasthispowerovermethatImustshowhimallthatyouhavedone，keepingnothingback。Letmegonowtotheplacethatismadereadyforme，andafterwardsyoushalltellmeagainandmorefullythewordsthatI
mustsaytoHokosamyhusband。\"
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OnthemorrowHafelaheldasecretcouncilofhisgreatmen，andthenextdayanembassydepartedtoNodwengotheking，takingtohimthatmessagewhichHokosa，throughNomahiswife，hadputintothelipsoftheprince。TwentydayslatertheembassyreturnedsayingthatitpleasedthekingtogranttheprayerofhisbrotherHafela，andbringingwithitthetidingsthatthewhiteman，Messenger，hadfallensick，anditwasthoughtthathewoulddie。
SoinduecoursethewomenandchildrenofthepeopleofHafelastartedupontheirjourneytowardsthenewlandwhereitwasgivenoutthattheyshouldlive，andwiththemwentNoma，purposingtoleavethemastheydrewnearthegatesoftheGreatPlaceoftheking。A
whileafter，Hafelaandhis/impis/followedwithcarriersbearingtheirfightingshieldsinbundles，andhavingtheirstabbingspearsrolledupinmats。
CHAPTERXVI
THEREPENTANCEOFHOKOSA
Hokosakepthispromise。Onthemorrowofhisfirstattendancetherehewasagaintobeseeninthechapel，andaftertheservicewasoverhewaitedonOwenathishouseandlistenedtohisprivateteaching。
Daybydayheappearedthus，tillatlengthhebecamemasterofthewholedoctrineofChristianity，anddiscoveredthatthatwhichatfirsthadstruckhimaschildishandevenmonstrous，nowpresenteditselftohiminanewandverydifferentlight。TheconversionofHokosacameuponhimthroughthegateofreason，notasisusualamongsavages——andsomewhoarenotsavage——bythatoftheemotions。GiventhepositionofauniversetornandgroaningbeneaththedualruleofGoodandEvil，twopowersofwell—nighequalpotency，hefoundnogreatdifficultyinacceptingthistaleoftheself—sacrificeoftheGodofGoodthatHemightwringtheraceHelovedoutoftheconqueringgraspofthegodofIll。Therewasasimplemajestyaboutthisschemeofredemptionwhichappealedtoonesideofhisnature。
Indeed，Hokosafeltthatundercertainconditionsandinamorelimitedfashionhewouldhavebeencapableofattemptingasmuchhimself。
Oncehisreasonwassatisfied，therestfollowedinanaturalsequence。WithinthreeweeksfromthehourofhisfirstattendanceatthechapelHokosawasatheartaChristian。
HewasaChristian，althoughasyethedidnotconfessit;buthewasalsothemostmiserablemanamongthenationoftheSonsofFire。Theiniquitiesofhispastlifehadbecomeabominabletohim;buthehadcommittedtheminignorance，andheunderstoodthattheywerenotbeyondforgiveness。Yethighabovethemalltoweredonecolossalcrimewhich，ashebelieved，couldneverbepardonedtohiminthisworldorthenext。HewasthetreacherousmurdereroftheMessengerofGod;hewasintheveryactofsilencingtheVoicethathadproclaimedtruthinthedarkplacesofhissoulandthedullearsofhiscountrymen。
Thedeedwasdone;nopoweronearthcouldsavehisvictim。WithinaweekfromthedayofeatingthatfatalfruitOwenbegantosicken，thenthedysenteryhadseizedhimwhichslowlybutsurelywaswastingouthislife。Yethe，themurderer，washelpless，forwiththisformofthediseasenomedicinecouldcope。Withagonyinhisheart，anagonythatwassharedbythousandsofthepeople，Hokosawatchedthedecreaseofthewhiteman’sstrength，andreckonedthedaysthatwouldelapsebeforetheend。Havingsuchsinasthusuponhissoul，thoughOwenentreatedhimearnestly，hewouldnotpermithimselftobebaptised。Twicehewentneartoconsenting，butoneachoccasionanominousandterribleincidentdrovehimfromthedoorofmercy。
Once，whenthewords\"Iwill\"werealmostonhislips，awomanbrokeinupontheirconferencebearingadyingboyinherarms。
\"Savehim，\"sheimplored，\"savehim，Messenger，forheismyonlyson！\"
Owenlookedathimandshookhishead。
\"Howcamehelikethis？\"heasked。
\"Iknownot，Messenger，buthehasbeensickeversinceheateofacertainfruitwhichyougavetohim;\"andsherecalledtohismindtheincidentofthethrowingofafruittothechild，whichshehadwitnessed。
\"Iremember，\"saidOwen。\"Itisstrange，butIalsohavebeensickfromthedaythatIateofthosefruits;yes，andyou，Hokosa，warnedmeagainstthem。\"
Thenheblessedtheboyandprayedoverhimtillhedied;butwhenafterwardshelookedroundforHokosa，itwastofindthathehadgone。
Someeightdayslater，havingtoacertainextentrecoveredfromthisshock，HokosawentonemorningtoOwen’shouseandtalkedtohim。
\"Messenger，\"hesaid，\"isitnecessarytobaptismthatIshouldconfessallmysinstoyou？Ifso，Icanneverbebaptised，forthereiswickednessuponmyhandswhichIamunabletotellintotheearoflivingman。\"
Owenthoughtandanswered：——
\"Itisnecessarythatyoushouldrepentallofyoursins，andthatyoushouldconfessthemtoheaven;itisnotnecessarythatyoushouldconfessthemtome，whoambutamanlikeyourself。\"
\"ThenIwillbebaptised，\"saidHokosawithasighofrelief。
Atthismoment，asitchanced，theirinterviewwasagaininterrupted，forrunnerscamefromthekingrequestingtheimmediatepresenceoftheMessenger，ifhewerewellenoughtoattend，uponamatterconnectedwiththetrialofawomanformurder。Thinkingthathemightbeofservice，Owen，leaningontheshoulderofHokosa，foralreadyhewastooweaktowalkfar，crepttothelitterwhichwaswaitingforhim，andwasbornetotheplaceofjudgmentthatwasbeforethehouseoftheking。Hokosafollowed，morefromcuriositythanforanyotherreason，forhehadheardofnomurderbeingcommitted，andhisolddesiretobeacquaintedwitheverythingthatpassedwasstillstrongonhim。Thepeoplemadewayforhim，andheseatedhimselfinthefirstlineofspectatorsimmediatelyoppositetothekingandthreeothercaptainswhowerejudgesinthecase。SosoonasOwenhadjoinedthejudges，theprisonerwasbroughtbeforethem，andtohissecrethorrorHokosarecognisedinherthatwomantowhomhehadgiventhepoisoninexchangeforthebasketoffruit。
NowitseemedtoHokosathathisdoomwasonhim，forshewouldcertainlyconfessthatshehadthedrugfromhim。Hethoughtofflightonlytorejectthethought，fortoflywouldbetoacknowledgehimselfanaccessory。No，hewouldbrazenitout，forafterallhiswordwasasgoodashers。Withtheprisonercameanaccuser，herhusband，whoseemedsick，andheitwaswhoopenedthecaseagainsther。
\"Thiswoman，\"hesaid，\"wasmywife。Idivorcedherforbarrenness，asIhavearighttodoaccordingtoourancientlaw，andItookanotherwomantowife，herhalf—sister。Thiswomanwasjealous;sheplaguedmecontinually，andinsultedhersister，sothatIwasforcedtodriveheraway。Afterthatshecametomyhouse，andthoughtheysaidnothingofitatthetime，shewasseenbytwoservantsofminetosprinklesomethinginthebowlwhereinourfoodwascooking。
Subsequentlymywife，thiswoman’shalf—sister，wastakenillwithdysentery。Ialsowastakenillwithdysentery，butIstilllivetotellthisstorybeforeyou，OKing，andyourjudges，thoughIknownotforhowlongIlive。Mywifediedyesterday，andIburiedherthismorning。Iaccusethewomanofhavingmurderedher，eitherbywitchcraftorbymeansofamedicinewhichshesprinkledonthefood，orbyboth。Ihavespoken。\"
\"Haveyouanythingtosay？\"askedthekingoftheprisoner。\"Areyouguiltyofthecrimewhereofthismanwhowasyourhusbandchargesyou，ordoeshelie？\"
Thenthewomanansweredinalowandbrokenvoice：——
\"Iamguilty，King。Listentomystory：\"andshetolditallasshetoldittoHokosa。\"Iamguilty，\"sheadded，\"andmaytheGreatManinthesky，ofWhomtheMessengerhastaughtus，forgiveme。Mysister’sbloodisuponmyhands，andforaughtIknowthebloodofmyhusbandyonderwillalsobeonmyhands。Iseeknomercy;indeed，itisbetterthatIshoulddie;butIwouldsaythisinself—defence，thatIdidnotthinktokillmysister。IbelievedthatIwasgivingtoherapotionwhichwouldcauseherhusbandtohateherandnomore。\"
HereshelookedroundandhereyesmetthoseofHokosa。
\"Whotoldyouthatthiswasso？\"askedoneofthejudges。
\"Awitch—doctor，\"sheanswered，\"fromwhomIboughtthemedicineintheolddays，longago，whenUmsukawasking。\"
Hokosagasped。Whyshouldthiswomanhavesparedhim？
Nofurtherquestionwasaskedofher，andthejudgesconsultedtogether。Atlengththekingspoke。
\"Woman，\"hesaid，\"youarecondemnedtodie。YouwillbetakentotheDoomTree，andtherebehanged。Outofthosewhoareassembledtotryyou，two，theMessengerandmyself，havegiventheirvoteinfavourofmercy，butthemajoritythinkotherwise。Theysaythatalawhasbeenpassedagainstmurderbymeansofwitchcraftandsecretmedicine，andthatshouldweletyougofree，thepeoplewillmakeamockofthatlaw。Sobeit。Goinpeace。To—morrowyoumustdie，andmayforgivenessawaityouelsewhere。\"
\"Iasknothingelse，\"saidthewoman。\"ItisbestthatIshoulddie。\"
Thentheyledheraway。AsshepassedHokosasheturnedandlookedhimfullintheeyes，tillhedroppedhisheadabashed。Nextmorningshewasexecuted，andhelearnedthatherlastwordswere：\"Letitcometotheearsofhimwhosoldmethepoison，tellingmethatitwasbutaharmlessdrug，thatasIhopetobeforgiven，soIforgivehim，believingthatmysilencemaywinforhimtimeforrepentance，beforehefollowsontheroadItread。\"
Now，whenHokosaheardthesewordsheshuthimselfupinhishouseforthreedays，givingoutthathewassick。NorwouldhegoneartoOwen，beingaltogetherwithouthope，andnotbelievingthatbaptismoranyotherritecouldavailtopurgesuchcrimesashis。Trulyhissinhadfoundhimout，andtheburdenofitwasintolerable。Sointolerablediditbecome，thatatlengthhedeterminedtobedonewithit。Hecouldlivenomore。Hewoulddie，andbyhisownhand，beforehewascalledupontowitnessthedeathofthemanwhomhehadmurdered。Tothisendhemadehispreparations。ForNomaheleftnomessage;forthoughhisheartstillhungeredafterher，heknewwellthatshehatedhimandwouldrejoiceathisdeath。
Whenallwasreadyhesatdowntothinkawhile，andashethought，amanenteredhishutsayingthattheMessengerdesiredtoseehim。Atfirsthewasmindednottogo，thenitoccurredtohimthatitwouldbewellifhecoulddiewithacleanheart。Whyshouldhenottellalltothewhiteman，andbeforehecouldbedelivereduptojusticetakethatpoisonwhichhehadprepared？Itwasimpossiblethatheshouldbeforgiven，yethedesiredthathisvictimshouldlearnhowdeepwashissorrowandrepentance，beforeheproveditbyprecedinghimtodeath。
Soheroseandwent。
HefoundOweninhishouse，lyinginarudechairandproppedupbypillowsofbark。Nowhewaswastedalmosttoashadow，andinthepalepinchedfacehisdarkeyes，alwayslargeandspiritual，shonewithunnaturallustre，whilehisdelicatehandsweresothinthatwhenheheldthemupinblessingthelightshowedthroughthem。
\"Welcome，friend，\"hesaid。\"Tellme，whyhaveyoudesertedmeoflate？Haveyoubeenill？\"
\"No，Messenger，\"answeredHokosa，\"thatis，notinmybody。Ihavebeensickatheart，andthereforeIhavenotcome。\"
\"What，Hokosa，doyourdoubtsstilltormentyou？Ithoughtthatmyprayershadbeenheard，andthatpowerhadbeengivenmetosetthematrestforever。Man，letmehearthetrouble，andswiftly，forcannotyouwhoareadoctorseethatIshallnotbehereforlongtotalkwithyou？Mydaysarenumbered，Hokosa，andmyworkisalmostdone。\"
\"Iknowit，\"answeredHokosa。\"And，Messenger，/my/daysarealsonumbered。\"
\"Howisthis？\"askedOwen，\"seeingthatyouarewellandstrong。Doesanenemyputyouindangerofyourlife？\"
\"Yes，Messenger，andImyselfamthatenemy;forto—dayI，whoamnolongerfittolive，mustdiebymyownhand。Nay，listenandyouwillsaythatIdowell，forbeforeIgoIwouldtellyouall。Messenger，youaredoomed，areyounot？Well，itwasIwhodoomedyou。Thatfruitwhichyouateawhileagowaspoisoned，andbymyhand，forIamamasterofsucharts。FromthebeginningIhatedyou，aswellImight，forhadyounotworstedmeandtornpowerfrommygrasp，andplacedthepeopleandthekingundertheruleofanotherGod？Therefore，whenallelsefailed，Ideterminedtomurderyou，andIdidthedeedbymeansofthatwomanwhonotlongagowashungforthekillingofhersister，thoughintruthshewasinnocent。\"Andhetoldhimwhathadpassedbetweenhimselfandthewoman，andtoldhimalsooftheplotwhichhehadhatchedtokillNodwengoandtheChristians，andtosetHafelaonthethrone\"Shewasinnocent，\"hewenton，\"butIamguilty。HowguiltyyouandI
knowalone。Doyourememberthatdaywhenyouatethefruit，howafteritIaccompaniedyoutothechurchyonderandlistenedtoyourpreaching？’Yoursinshallfindyouout，’yousaid，andofasuretyminehasfoundmeout。For，Messenger，itcameaboutthatinlisteningtoyouthenandafterwards，Igrewtoloveyouandtobelievethewordsyoutaught，andthereforeamIofallmenthemostmiserable，andthereforemustI，whohavebeengreatandthecouncillorofkings，perishmiserablybythedeathofadog。
\"Nowcurseme，andletmego。\"
CHAPTERXVII
THELOOSINGOFNOMA
WhenOwenheardthatitwasHokosawhohadpoisonedhim，hegroanedandhidhisfaceinhishands，andthusheremainedtilltheeviltalewasfinished。Nowheliftedhisheadandspoke，butnottoHokosa。
\"OGod，\"hesaid，\"IthankTheethatatthecostofmypoorlifeThouhastbeenpleasedtoleadthissinnertowardstheGateofRighteousness，andtosavealivethosewhomThouhastsentmetogathertoThyFold。\"
ThenhelookedatHokosaandsaid：——
\"Unhappyman，isnotyourcupfullenoughofcrime，andhaveyounotsufficientlytemptedthemercyofHeaven，thatyouwouldaddtoallyourevildeedsthatofself—murder？\"
\"Itisbettertodieto—daybymyownhand，\"answeredHokosa，\"thanto—morrowamongthemockeryofthepeopletofallavictimtoyourvengeance，Messenger。\"
\"Vengeance！DidIspeaktoyouofvengeance？WhoamIthatIshouldtakevengeanceupononewhohasrepented？Hokosa，freelydoIforgiveyouall，evenasinsomefewdaysIhopetobeforgiven。FreelyandfullyfrommyheartdoIforgiveyou，norshallmylipstellonewordofthesinthatyouhaveworkedagainstme。\"
Now，whenHokosaheardthosewords，foramomenthestaredstupefied;
thenhefelluponhiskneesbeforeOwen，andbowinghisheadtillittouchedtheteacher’sfeet，heburstintobitterweeping。
\"Riseandhearken，\"saidOwengently。\"WeepnotbecauseIhaveshownkindnesstoyou，forthatismydutyandnomore，butforyoursinsinyourownheartweepnowandever。YetforyourcomfortItellyouthatifyoudothis，ofasuretytheyshallbeforgiventoyou。/Hokosa，youhaveindeedlostthatwhichyouloved，andhenceforthyoumustfollowafterthatwhichyoudidnotdesire。Intheverygraveoferroryouhavefoundtruth，andfromthedepthsofsinyoushallpluckrighteousness。Ay，thatCrosswhichyoudeemedaccursedshallliftyouuponhigh，forbyityoushallbesaved。/\"
Hokosaheardandshivered。
\"Whosetthosewordsbetweenyourlips，Messenger？\"hewhispered。
\"Whosetthem，Hokosa？Nay，Iknownot——orrather，Iknowwell。HesetthemWhoteachesustospeakallthingsthataregood。\"
\"Itmustbeso，indeed，\"repliedHokosa。\"YetIhaveheardthembefore;Ihaveheardthemfromthelipsofthedead，andwiththemwentthiscommand：thatwhentheyfelluponmyearsagainIshould’takethemforasign，andletmyheartbeturned。’\"
\"Tellmethattale，\"saidOwen。
Sohetoldhim，andthistimeitwasthewhitemanwhotrembled。
\"Horriblehasbeenyourwitchcraft，OSonofDarkness！\"saidOwen，whenhehadfinished;\"yetitwouldseemthatitwaspermittedtoyoutofindtruthinthepitofsorcery。Obey，obey，andletyourheartbeturned。Thedeadtoldyouthatyoushouldbesethighabovethenationanditsking，andthatsayingIcannotread，thoughitmaybefulfilledinsomefashionofwhichto—dayyoudonotthink。Attheleast，theothersayingistrue，thatintheendcomesjudgment，andthatthereshallthesinandtheatonementstrivetogether;thereforeforjudgmentprepareyourself。Andnowdepart，forImusttalkwiththekingastothismatteroftheonslaughtofHafela。\"
\"Then，thatwillbethesignalformydeath，forwhatkingcanforgiveonewhohasplottedsuchtreacheryagainsthim？\"saidHokosa。
\"Fearnot，\"answeredOwen，\"Iwillsoftenhisheart。Goyouintothechurchandpray，forthereyoushallbelesstempted;butbeforeyougo，sweartomethatyouwillworknoevilonyourself。\"
\"Iswearit，Messenger，sincenowIdesiretolive，ifonlyforawhile，seeingthatdeathshutseverydoor。\"
Thenhewenttothechurchandwaitedthere。Anhourlaterhewassummoned，andfoundthekingseatedwithOwen。
\"Man，\"saidNodwengo，\"IamtoldbytheMessengerherethatyouhaveknowledgeofaplotwhichmybrotherthePrinceHafelahasmadetofalltreacherouslyuponmeandputmeandmypeopletothespear。Howyoucometobeacquaintedwiththeplot，andwhatpartyouhaveplayedinit，Iwillnotnowinquire，forsomuchhaveIpromisedtotheMessenger。YetIwarnyouitwillbewellthatyoushouldtellmeallyouknow，andthatshouldyoulietomeorattempttodeceiveme，thenyoushallsurelydie。\"
\"King，hearallthetruth，\"answeredHokosainavoiceofdesperatecalm。\"Ihaveknowledgeoftheplot，foritwasIwhowoveit;butwhetherornotHafelawillcarryitoutaltogetherIcannotsay，forasyetnowordhasreachedmefromhim。King，thiswastheplanthatI
made。\"Andhetoldhimeverything。
\"Itisfortunateforyou，Hokosa，\"saidNodwengogrimlywhenhehadfinished，\"thatIgavemywordtotheMessengerthatnoharmshouldcometoyou，seeingthatyouhaverepentedandconfessed。Thisiscertain，thatHafelahaslistenedtoyourevilcounsels，forIgavemyconsenttohisflightfromthislandwithallhispeople，andalreadyhiswomenandchildrenhavecrossedthemountainpathinthousands。
Well，thisIswear，thattheirfeetshalltreaditnomore，forwheretheyarethitherheshallgotojointhem，shouldhechancetolivetodoso。Hokosa，begone，andknowthatdayandnightyouwillbewatched。ShouldyousomuchasdaretoapproachoneofthegatesoftheGreatPlace，thatmomentyoushalldie。\"
\"Havenofear，OKing，\"saidHokosahumbly，\"forIhaveemptiedallmyheartbeforeyou。Thepastisthepast，andcannotberecalled。Forthefuture，whileitpleasesyoutospareme，Iamthemostloyalofyourservants。\"
\"Canamanemptyaspringwithapitcher？\"askedthekingcontemptuously。\"Byto—morrowthisheartofyoursmaybefullagainwiththeblackesttreachery，Omasterofsinandlies。ManymonthsagoIsparedyouattheprayeroftheMessenger;andnowathisprayerI
spareyouagain，yetindoingsoIthinkthatIamfoolish。\"
\"Nay，Iwillanswerforhim，\"brokeinOwen。\"Lethimstayherewithme，andsetyourguardwithoutmygates。\"
\"HowdoIknowthathewillnotmurderyou，friend？\"askedtheking。
\"Thismanisasnakewhomfewcannursewithsafety。\"
\"Hewillnotmurderme，\"saidOwensmiling，\"becausehisheartisturnedfromeviltogood;also，thereislittleneedtomurderadyingman。\"
\"Nay，speaknotso，\"saidthekinghastily;\"andasforthisman，beitasyouwill。Come，Imusttakecounselwithmycaptains，forourdangerisnearandgreat。\"
SoitcameaboutthatHokosastayedinthehouseofOwen。
OnthemorrowtheGreatPlacewasfullofthebustleofpreparation，andbydawnofthefollowingdayan/impi/ofsomeseventeenthousandspearshadstartedtoambushHafelaandhisforceinacertainwoodeddefilethroughwhichhemustpassonhiswaytothemountainpasswherehiswomenandchildrenweregathered。Thearmywasnotlarge，atleastintheeyesofthePeopleofFirewho，beforethedeathofUmsukaandthebreakupofthenation，countedtheirwarriorsbytensofthousands。ButafterthoseeventsthemostoftheregimentshaddesertedtoHafela，leavingtoNodwengonotmorethantwo—and—twentythousandspearsuponwhichhecouldrely。OfthesehekeptlessthanathirdtodefendtheGreatPlaceagainstpossibleattacks，andalltheresthesenttofalluponHafelafaraway，hopingtheretomakeanendofhimonceandforall。Thiscounselthekingtookagainstthebetterjudgmentofmanyofhiscaptains，andastheissueproved，itwasmistaken。
WhenOwentoldHokosaofit，thatoldgeneralshruggedhisshoulders。
\"Thekingwouldhavedonebettertokeephisregimentsathome，\"hesaid，\"andfightitoutwithHafelahere，whereheiswellprepared。
Yonderthecountryisverywide，andbroken，anditmaywellchancethatthe/impi/willmissthatofHafela，andthenhowcanthekingdefendthisplacewithahandful，shouldtheprinceburstuponhimattheheadoffortythousandmen？ButwhoamIthatIshouldgivecounselforwhichnoneseek？\"
\"AsGodwills，soshallitbefall，\"answeredOwenwearily;\"butoh！
thethoughtofallthisbloodshedbreaksmyheart。Itrustthatitsbeatingsmaybestilledbeforemyeyesbeholdtheevilhour。\"
OntheeveningofthatdayHokosawasbaptised。Theceremonytookplace，notinthechurch，forOwenwastooweaktogothere，butinthelargestroomofhishouseandbeforesomefewwitnesseschosenfromthecongregation。Evenashewasbeingsignedwiththesignofthecross，astrangeandfamiliarattractioncausedtheconverttolookup，andbehold，beforehim，watchingallwithmockingeyes，stoodNomahiswife。Atlengththeritewasfinished，andthelittleaudiencemeltedaway，allsaveNoma，whostoodsilentandbeautifulasastatue，thelightofmockerystillgleaminginhereyes。Thenshespoke，saying：——
\"Igreetyou，Husband。Ihavereturnedfromdoingyourbusinessafar，andifthisfoolishnessisfinished，andthewhitemancanspareyou，Iwouldtalkwithyoualone。\"
\"Igreetyou，Wife，\"answeredHokosa。\"Sayoutyoursay，fornonearepresentsaveusthree，andfromtheMessengerhereIhavenosecrets。\"
\"What，Husband，none？Doyouevertalktohimofcertainfruitthatyouripenedinagardenyonder？\"
\"FromtheMessengerIhavenosecrets，\"repeatedHokosainaheavyvoice。
\"Thenhisheartmustbefullofthemindeed，anditislittlewonderthatheseemssick，\"repliedNoma，gibing。\"Tellme，Hokosa，isittruethatyouhavebecomeaChristian，orwouldyoubutfoolthewhitemanandhisfollowing？\"
\"Itistrue。\"
Atthewordshergracefulshapewasshakenwithalittlegustofsilentlaughter。