DEDICATION
　　TotheMemoryoftheChildNadaBurnham，who"boundalltoher"and，whileherfathercuthiswaythroughthehordesoftheIngoboRegiment，perishedofthehardshipsofwaratBuluwayoon19thMay，1896，Idedicatethesetales——andmoreparticularlythelast，thatofaFaithwhichtriumphedoversavageryanddeath。
　　H。RiderHaggard。
　　Ditchingham。
　　AUTHOR’SNOTE
　　Ofthethreestoriesthatcomprisethisvolume，one，"TheWizard，"ataleofvictoriousfaith，firstappearedsomeyearsagoasaChristmasAnnual。Another，"Elissa，"isanattempt，difficultenoughowingtothescantinessofthemateriallefttousbytime，torecreatethelifeoftheancientPh？nicianZimbabwe，whoseruinsstillstandinRhodesia，and，withtheadditionofthenecessarylovestory，tosuggestcircumstancessuchasmighthavebroughtaboutoraccompanieditsfallatthehandsofthesurroundingsavagetribes。Thethird，"BlackHeartandWhiteHeart，"isastoryofthecourtship，trialsandfinalunionofapairofZululoversinthetimeofKingCetywayo。
　　THEWIZARD
　　CHAPTERI
　　THEDEPUTATION
　　Hastheageofmiraclequitegoneby，orisitstillpossibletotheVoiceofFaithcallingaloudupontheearthtowringfromthedumbheavensanaudibleanswertoitsprayer？DoesthepromiseutteredbytheMasterofmankindupontheeveoftheend——"WhosothatbelievethinMe，theworksthatIdoheshalldoalso……andwhatsoeveryeshallaskinMyname，thatwillIdo"——stillholdgoodtosuchasdoaskanddobelieve？
　　LetthosewhocaretostudythehistoryoftheRev。ThomasOwen，andofthatstrangemanwhocarriedonandcompletedhiswork，answerthisquestionaccordingtotheirjudgment。
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　　ThetimewasaSundayafternooninsummer，andtheplaceachurchintheMidlandcounties。Itwasabeautifulchurch，ancientandspacious;
　　moreover，ithadrecentlybeenrestoredatgreatcost。Sevenoreighthundredpeoplecouldhavefoundsittingsinit，anddoubtlesstheyhaddonesowhenBusscombewasalargemanufacturingtown，beforethefailureofthecoalsupplyandothercausesdroveawayitstrade。NowitwasmuchwhatithadbeeninthetimeoftheNormans，alittleagriculturalvillagewithapopulationof300souls。Outofthispopulation，includingthechoirboys，exactlythirty—ninehadelectedtoattendchurchonthisparticularSunday;andofthese，threewerefastasleepandfourweredozing。
　　TheRev。ThomasOwencountedthemfromhisseatinthechancel，foranotherclergymanwaspreaching;and，ashecounted，bitternessanddisappointmenttookholdofhim。Thepreacherwasa"Deputation，"sentbyoneofthelargemissionarysocietiestoarousetheindifferenttoasenseofdutytowardstheirunconvertedblackbrethreninAfrica，andincidentallytocollectcashtobespentintheconversionofthesaidbrethren。TheRev。ThomasOwenhimselfsuggestedthevisitoftheDeputation，andhadlabouredhardtosecurehimagoodaudience。Butthebeautyoftheweather，orterroroftheinevitablesubscription，prevailedagainsthim。Hencehisdisappointment。
　　"Well，"hethought，withasigh，"Ihavedonemybest，andImustmakeitupoutofmyownpocket。"
　　Thenhesettledhimselftolistentothesermon。
　　Thepreacher，abattered—lookingindividualofbetweenfiftyandsixtyyearsofage，wasgauntwithrecentsickness，patientandunimaginativeinaspect。Hepreachedextemporarily，withtheaidofnotes;anditcannotbesaidthathisdiscoursewasremarkableforinterest，atanyrateinitsbeginning。Doubtlessthesparsecongregation，sopronetoslumber，discouragedhim;forofferingexhortationstoemptybenchesisbutwearywork。Indeedhewasmeditatingtheadvisabilityofbringinghisargumenttoanabruptconclusionwhen，chancingtoglanceround，hebecameawarethathehadatleastonesympatheticlistener，hishost，theRev。ThomasOwen。
　　Fromthatmomentthesermonimprovedbydegrees，tillatlengthitreachedareallyhighlevelofexcellence。Ceasingfromrhetoric，thespeakerbegantotellofhisownexperienceandsufferingsintheCauseamongstsavagetribes;forhehimselfwasamissionaryofmanyyearsstanding。Hetoldhowonceheandacompanionhadbeensenttoanation，whonamedthemselvestheSonsofFirebecausetheirgodwasthelightning，ifindeedtheycouldbesaidtoboastanygodsotherthantheSpearandtheKing。Insimplelanguagehenarratedhisterribleadventuresamongthesesavages，themurderofhiscompanionbycommandoftheCouncilofWizards，andhisownflightforhislife;
　　atalesointerestingandvividthateventhebucolicsleepersawakenedandlistenedopen—mouthed。
　　"Butthisisbytheway，"hewenton;"formySocietydoesnotaskyoutosubscribetowardstheconversionoftheChildrenofFire。Untilthatpeopleisconquered——whichverylikelywillnotbeforgenerations，seeingthattheyliveinCentralAfrica，occupyingaterritorythatwhitemendonotdesire——nomissionarywilldareagaintovisitthem。"
　　AtthismomentsomethingcausedhimtolookasecondtimeatThomasOwen。Hewasleaningforwardinhisplacelisteningeagerly，andastrangelightfilledthelarge，darkeyesthatshoneinthepallorofhisdelicate，nervousface。
　　"Thereisamanwhowoulddare，ifhewereputtoit，"thoughttheDeputationtohimself。Thenheendedhissermon。
　　Thateveningthetwomensatatdinnerintherectory。Itwasaveryfinerectory，beautifullyfurnished;forOwenwasamanoftastewhichhehadthemeanstogratify。Also，althoughtheywerealone，thedinnerwasgood——sogoodthatthepoorbroken—downmissionary，sippinghisunaccustomedport，avintagewine，sighedaloudinadmirationandinvoluntaryenvy。
　　"Whatisthematter？"askedOwen。
　　"Nothing，Mr。Owen;"then，ofasuddenthawingintocandour，headded：
　　"thatis，everything。Heavenforgiveme;butI，whoenjoyyourhospitality，amenviousofyou。Don’tthinktoohardlyofme;Ihavealargefamilytosupport，andifonlyyouknewwhatastrugglemylifeis，andhasbeenforthelasttwentyyears，youwouldnot，Iamsure。
　　Butyouhaveneverexperiencedit，andcouldnotunderstand。’Thelabourerisworthyofhishire。’Well，myhireisundertwohundredayear，andeightofusmustlive——orstarve——onit。AndIhaveworked，ay，untilmyhealthisbroken。Alabourerindeed！Iamaveryhodman，aspiritualSisyphus。AndnowImustgobacktocarrymyloadandrollmystoneagainandagainamongthosehopelesssavagestillIdieofit——tillIdieofit！"
　　"Atleastitisanoblelifeanddeath！"exclaimedOwen，asuddenfireofenthusiasmburninginhisdarkeyes。
　　"Yes，viewedfromadistance。Wereyouaskedtoleavethislivingoftwothousandayear——IseethatiswhattheyputitatinCrockford——
　　withitsEnglishcomfortsandeasywork，that/you/mightleadthatlifeandattainthatdeath，thenyouwouldthinkdifferently。ButwhyshouldIboreyouwithsuchtalk？ThankHeaventhatyourlinesarecastinpleasantplaces。Yes，please，Iwilltakeonemoreglass;itdoesmegood。"
　　"Tellmesomemoreaboutthattribeyouwerespeakingofinyoursermon，the’SonsofFire’Ithinkyoucalledthem，"saidOwen，ashepassedhimthedecanter。
　　So，withaneloquenceinducedbythegenerouswineandaquickenedimagination，theDeputationtoldhim——toldhimmanystrangethingsandterrible。Forthispeoplewasanawfulpeople：vigorousinmindandbody，andwarriorsfromgenerationtogeneration，butsuperstition—
　　riddenandcruel。Theylivedinthefarinterior，somemonths’journeybyboatandox—waggonfromthecoast，andofwhitemenandtheirwaystheyknewbutlittle。
　　"Howmanyofthemarethere？"askedOwen。
　　"Whocansay？"heanswered。"Nearlyhalf—a—million，perhaps;atleasttheypretendthattheycanputsixtythousandmenunderarms。"
　　"Anddidtheytreatyoubadlywhenyoufirstvisitedthem？"
　　"Notatfirst。Theyreceiveduscivillyenough;andonagivendaywewererequestedtoexplaintothekingandtheCouncilofWizardsthereligionwhichwecametoteach。Allthatdayweexplainedandallthenext——orrathermyfrienddid，forIknewverylittleofthelanguage——andtheylistenedwithgreatinterest。Atlastthechiefofthewizardsandthefirstprophettothekingrosetoquestionus。HewasnamedHokosa，atall，thinman，withaspiritualfaceandterriblecalmeyes。
　　"’Youspeakwell，sonofaWhiteMan，’hesaid，’butletuspassfromwordstodeeds。YoutellusthatthisGodofyours，whomyoudesirethatweshouldtakeasourGod，sothatyoumaybecomeHischiefprophetsintheland，wasawizardsuchasweare，thoughgraterthanweare;fornotonlydidHeknowthepastandthefutureaswedo，butalsoHecouldcurethosewhoweresmittenwithhopelesssickness，andraisethosewhoweredead，whichwecannotdo。Youtellus，moreover，thatbyfaiththosewhobelieveonHimcandoworksasgreatasHedid，andthatyoudobelieveonHim。Thereforewewillputyoutotheproof。Ho！there，leadforththatevilone。’
　　"Ashespokeamanwasplacedbeforeus，onewhohadbeenconvictedofwitchcraftorsomeothercrime。
　　"’Killhim！’saidHokosa。
　　"Therewasafaintcry，ascuffle，aflashingofspears，andthemanlaystillbeforeus。
　　"’Now，followersofthenewGod，’saidHokosa，’raisehimfromthedeadasyourMasterdid！’
　　"Invaindidweofferexplanations。
　　"’Peace！’saidHokosaatlength，’yourwordswearyus。Looknow，eitheryouhavepreachedtousafalsegodandareliars，oryouaretraitorstotheKingyoupreach，since，lackingfaithinHim，youcannotdosuchworksasHegivespowertodotothosewhohavefaithinHim。Outofyourownmouthsareyoujudged，WhiteMen。Choosewhichhornofthebullyouwill，youhangtooneofthem，anditshallpierceyou。Thisisthesentenceoftheking，Ispeakitwhoamtheking’smouth：Thatyou，WhiteMan，whohavespokentousandcheatedusthesetwowearydays，beputtodeath，andthatyou，hiscompanionwhohavebeensilent，bedrivenfromtheland。’
　　"Icanhardlybeartotelltherestofit，Mr。Owen。Theygavemypoorfriendtenminutesto’talktohisSpirit，’thentheyspearedhimbeforemyface。Afteritwasover，Hokosaspoketome，saying：——
　　"’Goback，WhiteMan，tothosewhosentyou，andtellthemthewordsoftheSonsofFire：Thattheyhavelistenedtothemessageofpeace，andthoughtheyareapeopleofwarriors，yettheythankthemforthatmessage，forinitselfitsoundsgoodandbeautifulintheirears，ifitbetrue。Tellthemthathavingprovedyouliars，theydealtwithyouasallhonestmenseekthatliarsshouldbedealtwith。Tellthemthattheydesiretohearmoreofthismatter，andifonecanbesenttothemwhohasnofalsetongue;whoinallthingsfulfillsthepromisesofhislips，thattheywillhearkentohimandtreathimwell，butthatforsuchasyoutheykeepaspear。’"
　　"Andwhowentafteryougotback？"askedOwen，whowaslisteningwiththedeepestinterest。
　　"Whowent？DoyousupposethattherearemanymadclergymeninAfrica，Mr。Owen？Nobodywent。"
　　"Andyet，"saidOwen，speakingmoretohimselfthantohisguest，"themanHokosawasright，andtheChristianwhoofatruthbelievesthepromisesofourreligionshouldtrusttothemandgo。"
　　"Thenperhapsyouwouldliketoundertakethemission，Mr。Owen，"saidtheDeputationbriskly;forthereflectionstunghim，unintentionalasitwas。
　　Owenstarted。
　　"Thatisanewidea，"hesaid。"Andnowperhapsyouwishtogotobed;
　　itispasteleveno’clock。"
　　CHAPTERII
　　THOMASOWEN
　　ThomasOwenwenttohisroom，butnottobed。TakingaBiblefromthetable，heconsultedreferenceafterreference。
　　"Thepromiseisclear，"hesaidaloudpresently，asheshutthebook;
　　"clearandoftenrepeated。Thereisnoescapefromit，andnopossibilityofadoublemeaning。Ifitisnottrue，thenitwouldseemthatnothingistrue，andthateveryChristianintheworldistrickedanddeluded。Butifit/is/true，whydoweneverhearofmiracles？
　　Theansweriseasy：Becausewehavenotfaithenoughtoworkthem。TheApostlesworkedmiracles;fortheyhadseen，thereforetheirfaithwasperfect。Sincetheirdaynobody’sfaithhasbeenquiteperfect;atleastIthinknot。Thephysicalpartofournaturepreventsit。Orperhapsthemiraclesstillhappen，buttheyarespiritualmiracles。"
　　Thenhesatdownbytheopenwindow，andgazingatthedreamybeautyofthesummernight，hethought，forhissoulwastroubled。Oncebeforeithadbeentroubledthus;thatwasnineyearsago，fornowhewasbutlittleoverthirty。Thenacallhadcometohim，avoicehadseemedtospeaktohisearsbiddinghimtolaydowngreatpossessionstofollowwhitherHeavenshouldleadhim。ThomasOwenhadobeyedthevoice;though，owingtocircumstanceswhichneednotbedetailed，todosohewasobligedtorenouncehissuccessiontoaverylargeestate，andtocontenthimselfwithayoungerson’sportionofthirtythousandpoundsandthereversiontothelivingwhichhehadnowheldforsomefiveyears。
　　Thenandthere，withsingularunanimityanddespatch，hisrelationscametotheconclusionthathewasmad。Tothishour，indeed，thosewhostandinhisplaceandenjoythewealthandpositionthatwerehisbyright，speakofhimas"poorThomas，"andmarktheirdisapprobationofhispeculiarconductbyrefusingwithanunvaryingsteadinesstosubscribeevenasingleshillingtoamissionarysociety。How"poorThomas"speaksofthemintheplacewhereheiswemaywonder，butasyetwecannotknow——probablywiththegentleloveandcharitythatmarkedhiseveryactionuponearth。Butthisisbytheway。
　　HehadenteredtheChurch，butwhathadhedoneinitsshadow？ThiswasthequestionwhichOwenaskedhimselfashesatthatnightbytheopenwindow，arraigninghispastbeforethejudgment—seatofconscience。Forthreeyearshehadworkedhardsomewhereintheslums;
　　thenthislivinghadfallentohim。Hehadtakenit，andfromthatdayforwardhisrecordwasverymuchofablank。Theparishwassmallandwellordered;therewaslittletodoinit，andtheSalvationArmyhadseizeduponandreclaimedtwoofthethreeconfirmeddrunkardsitcouldboast。
　　Hisguest’ssayingechoedinhisbrainlikethecatchofatune——"that/you/mightleadthatlifeandattainthatdeath。"Supposingthathewerebiddensotodonow，thisverynight，wouldheindeed"thinkdifferently"？HehadbecomeapriesttoservehisMaker。HowwoulditbewerethatMakertocommandthatheshouldserveHiminthisextremeandheroicfashion？Wouldheflinchfromthesteel，orwouldhemeetitasthemartyrsmetitofold？
　　Physicallyhewaslittlesuitedtosuchanenterprise，forinappearancehewasslightandpale，andinconstitutiondelicate。Also，therewasanotherreasonagainstthething。HighChurchandsomewhatasceticinhisprinciples，inthebeginninghehadadmiredcelibacy，andinsecretdedicatedhimselftothatstate。ButatheartThomaswasverymuchaman，andoflatehehadcometoseethatwhichisagainstnatureispresumablynotright，thoughfanaticsmaynothesitatetopronounceitwrong。Possiblythisconversiontomoregenialviewsoflifewasquickenedbythepresenceintheneighbourhoodofayoungladywhomhechancedtoadmire;atleastitiscertainthatthemerethoughtofseeinghernomoreforeversmotehimlikeaswordofsuddenpain。
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　　Thatverynight——orsoitseemedtohim，andsohebelieved——theAngeloftheLordstoodbeforehimashewaswonttostandbeforethemenofold，andspokeasummonsinhisear。HoworinwhatseemingthatsummonscameThomasOwennevertold，andweneednotinquire。Attheleastheheardit，and，liketheApostles，hearoseandgirdedhisloinstoobey。Fornow，inthehouroftrial，itprovedthatthisman’sfaithpartookofthenatureoftheirfaith。Itwasutterandvirgin;itwasnotcloggedwithnineteenth—centuryqualifications;ithadneverdalliedwithstrangedoctrines，orkissedthefeetofpinchbecksubstitutesforGod。InhishearthebelievedthattheAlmighty，withoutintermediary，butfacetoface，hadbiddenhimtogoforthintothewildernesstheretoperish。Sohebowedhisheadandwent。
　　OnthefollowingmorningatbreakfastOwenhadsometalkwithhisfriendtheDeputation。
　　"Youaskedmelastnight，"hesaidquietly，"whetherIwouldundertakeamissiontothatpeopleofwhomyouweretellingme——theSonsofFire。Well，Ihavebeenthinkingitover，andcometotheconclusionthatIwilldoso————"
　　AtthispointtheDeputation，concludingthathishostmustbemad，movedquietlybutdecidedlytowardsthedoor。
　　"Waitamoment，"wentonOwen，inamatter—of—factvoice，"thedog—
　　cartwillnotberoundforanotherthree—quartersofanhour。Tellme，ifitwereofferedtoyou，andoninvestigationyouprovedsuitable，wouldyoucaretotakeoverthisliving？"
　　"WouldIcaretotakeoverthisliving？"gaspedtheastonishedDeputation。"WouldIcaretowalkdownthatgardenandfindmyselfinHeaven？Butwhyareyoumakingfunofme？"
　　"Iamnotmakingfunofyou。IfIgotoAfricaImustgiveuptheliving，ofwhichIowntheadvowson，anditoccurredtomethatitmightsuityou——thatisall。Youhavedoneyourshare;yourhealthisbroken，andyouhavemanydependentuponyou。Itseemsright，therefore，thatyoushouldrest，andthatIshouldwork。IfIdonogoodyonder，attheleastyouandyourswillbealittlebenefited。"
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　　ThatsamedayOwenchancedtomeettheladywhohasbeenspokenofashavingcaughthisheart。Hehadmeanttogoawaywithoutseeingher，butfortunebroughtthemtogether。Hitherto，whilstinrealityleadinghimon，shehadseemedtokeephimatadistance，withtheresultthathedidnotknowthatitwasherfixedintentiontomarryhim。Toher，withsomehesitation，hetoldhisplans。Surprisedandfrightenedintocandour，theladyreasonedwithhimwarmly，andwhenreasonfailedtomovehimshedidmore。Bysomesubtlemovement，withsomesuddenword，sheliftedtheveilofherreserveandsufferedhimtoseeherheart。
　　"Ifyouwillnotstayforaughtelse，"saidhertroubledeyes，"then，love，stayforme。"
　　Foramomenthewasshaken。Thenheansweredthelookstraightout，aswashisnature。
　　"Ineverguessed，"hesaid。"Ididnotpresumetohope——nowitistoolate！Listen！IwilltellyouwhatIhavetoldnolivingsoul，thoughthereafteryoumaythinkmemad。WeakandhumbleasIam，IbelievemyselftohavereceivedaDivinemission。IbelievethatIshallexecuteit，orbringaboutitsexecution，butattheultimatecostofmyownlife。Still，insuchaservicetwoarebetterthanone。Ifyou——cancareenough——ifyou————"
　　Buttheladyhadalreadyturnedaway，andwasmurmuringherfarewellinaccentsthatsoundedlikeasob。Loveandfaithafterthissortwerenotgiventoher。
　　OfallOwen’strialsthiswasthesharpest。Ofallhissacrificesthiswasthemostcomplete。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　THETEMPTATION
　　Twoyearshavegonebyallbutafewmonths，andfromtherectoryinaquietEnglishvillagewepasstoasceneinCentral，orSouthCentral，Africa。
　　Onthebrowofagrassyslopedottedoverwithmimosathorns，andclosetoagushingstreamofwater，standsahouse，orratherahut，builtofgreenbrickandthatchedwithgrass。Behindthishutisafenceofthorns，roughbutstrong，designedtoprotectallwithinitfromtheattacksoflionsandotherbeastsofprey。Atpresent，saveforasolitarymuleeatingitsprovenderbythewheelofatentedox—
　　waggon，itisuntenanted，forthecattlehavenotyetbeenkraaledforthenight。PresentlyThomasOwenentersthisenclosurebythebackdoorofthehut，andhavingattendedtothemule，whichwhinniesatthesightofhim，goestothegateandwatchestheretillheseeshisnativeboysdrivingthecattleuptheslopeofthehill。Atlengththeyarrive，andwhenhehascountedthemtomakesurethatnonearemissing，andinafewkindwordscommendedtheherdsfortheirwatchfulness，hewalkstothefrontofthehouseand，seatinghimselfuponawoodenstoolsetunderamimosatreethatgrowsnearthedoor，helooksearnestlytowardsthewest。
　　Themanhaschangedsomewhatsincelastwesawhim。Tobeginwith，hehasgrownabeard，andalthoughthehotAfricansunhasbronzeditintoanappearanceofhealth，hisfaceiseventhinnerthanitwas，andthereinthegreatspiritualeyesshinestillmorestrangely。
　　Atthefootofthesloperunsawideriver，justherebrokenintorapidswherethewatersmakeanangrymusic。Beyondthisriverstretchesavastplainboundedonthehorizonbymountainranges，eachlineofthemrisinghigherthantheothertilltheirtopmostandmoredistantpeaksmeltimperceptiblyintothetenderblueoftheheavens。
　　ThisisthelandoftheSonsofFire，andyonderamidtheslopesofthenearesthillsisthegreatkraaloftheirking，Umsuka，whosename，beinginterpreted，meansTheThunderbolt。
　　Intheverymidstofthefoamingrapids，andaboutathousandyardsfromthehouseliesaspaceofripplingshallowwater，where，unlessitchancestobeinflood，therivercanbeforded。ItisthisfordthatOwenwatchessointently。
　　"Johnshouldhavebeenbacktwelvehoursago，"hemutterstohimself。
　　"IpraythatnoharmhasbefallenhimattheGreatPlaceyonder。"
　　Justthenatinyspeckappearsfarawayontheplain。Itisamantravellingtowardsthewaterataswingingtrot。Goingintothehut，Owenreturnswithapairoffield—glasses，andthroughthemscrutinisesthefigureoftheman。
　　"Heavenbepraised！ItisJohn，"hemutters，withasighofrelief。
　　"Now，Iwonderwhatanswerhebrings？"
　　HalfanhourlaterJohnstandsbeforehim，astalwartnativeofthetribeoftheAmasuka，thePeopleofFire，andwithupliftedhandsaluteshim，givinghimtitlesofhonour。
　　"Praisemenot，John，"saidOwen;"praiseGodonly，asIhavetaughtyoutodo。Tellme，haveyouseentheking，andwhatishisword？"
　　"Father，"heanswered，"Ijourneyedtothegreattown，asyoubademe，andIwasadmittedbeforethemajestyoftheking;yes，hereceivedmeinthecourtyardoftheHouseofWomen。Withhisguards，whostoodatadistanceoutofhearing，therewerepresentthreeonly;butoh！
　　thosethreeweregreat，thegreatestinallthelandaftertheking。
　　TheywereHafela，thekingthatistocome，theprinceNodwengo，hisbrother，andHokosatheterrible，thechiefofthewizards;andItellyou，father，thatmyblooddriedupandmyheartshrivelledwhentheyturnedtheireyesuponme，readingthethoughtsofmyheart。"
　　"HaveInottoldyou，John，totrustinGod，andfearnothingatthehandsofman？"
　　"Youtoldme，father，butstillIfeared，"answeredthemessengerhumbly。"Yet，beingbiddentoit，Iliftedmyforeheadfromthedustandstooduponmyfeetbeforetheking，anddeliveredtohimthemessagewhichyousetbetweenmylips。"
　　"Repeatthemessage，John。"
　　"’OKing，’Isaid，’beneaththosefootfallthewholeearthshakes，whosearmsstretchroundtheworldandwhosebreathisthestorm，I，whosenameisJohn，amsentbythewhitemanwhosenameisMessenger’
　　——forbythattitleyoubadememakeyouknown——’whoforayearhasdweltinthelandthatyourspearshavewastedbeyondthebanksoftheriver。Thesearethewordswhichhespoketome，OKing，thatIpassontoyouwithmytongue："TotheKingUmsuka，lordoftheAmasuka，theSonsofFire，I，Messenger，whoamtheservantandtheambassadoroftheKingofHeaven，givegreeting。Ayearago，King，IsenttoyousayingthatthemessagewhichwasbroughtbythatwhitemanwhomyoudrovefromyourlandhadreachedtheearsofHimwhomIserve，theHighandHolyOne，andthat，speakinginmyheart，Hehadcommandedmetotakeupthechallengeofyourmessage。HereamI，therefore，readytoabidebythelawwhichyouhavelaiddown;forifguileorliesbefoundinme，thenletmetravelfromyourlandacrossthebridgeofspears。Still，IwoulddwellalittlewhileherewhereIambeforeI
　　passintotheshadowofyourruleandspeakintheearsofyourpeopleasIhavebeenbidden。Know，King，thatfirstIwouldlearnyourtongue，andthereforeIdemandthatoneofyourpeoplemaybesenttodwellwithmeandtoteachmethattongue。King，youheardmywordsandyousentmeamantodwellwithme，andthatmanhastaughtmeyourtongue，andIalsohavetaughthim，convertinghimtomyfaithandgivinghimanewname，thenameofJohn。King，nowIseekyourleavetovisityou，andtodeliverintoyourearsthewordswithwhichI，Messenger，amcharged。Ihavespoken。"’
　　"ThusI，John，addressedthegreatones，myfather，andtheylistenedinsilence。WhenIhaddonetheyspoketogether，awordhereandawordthere。ThenHokosa，theking’smouth，answeredme，tellingthethoughtoftheking：’Youareaboldman，youwhosenameisJohn，butwhooncehadanothername——you，myservant，whodaretoappearbeforeme，andtomakeitknowntomethatyouhavebeenturnedtoanewfaithandserveanotherkingthanI。Yetbecauseyouarebold，I
　　forgiveyou。GobacknowtothatwhitemanwhoisnamedMessengerandwhocomesuponanembassytomefromtheLordofHeaven，andbidhimcomeinpeace。YetwarnhimonceagainthatherealsoweknowsomethingofthePowersthatarenotseen，herealsowehaveourwizardswhodrawwisdomfromtheair，whotamethethunderboltandcompeltherain，andthathemustshowhimselfgreaterthanalloftheseifhewouldnotpasshencebythebridgeofspears。Lethim，therefore，takecounselwithhisheartandwithHimheserves，ifsuchaOnethereis，andlethimcomeorlethimstayawayasitshallpleasehim。’"
　　"Sobeit，"saidOwen;"thewordsofthekingaregood，andto—morrowwewillstartfortheGreatPlace。"
　　Johnheardandassented，butwithouteagerness。
　　"Myfather，"hesaid，inadoubtfulandtentativevoice，"woulditnotperhapsbebettertobidehereawhilefirst？"
　　"Why？"askedOwen。"Wehavesown，andnowisthehourtoreap。"
　　"Itisso，myfather，butasIranhither，fulloftheking’swords，itcameintomymindthatnowisnotthetimetoconverttheSonsofFire。ThereistroublebrewingattheGreatPalace，father。Listen，andIwilltellyou;asIhaveheard，soIwilltellyou。YouknowwellthatourKingUmsukahastwosons，HafelaandNodwengo;andoftheseHafelaistheheir—apparent，thefruitofthechiefwifeoftheking，andNodwengoissprungfromanotherwife。NowHafelaisproudandcruel，awarriorofwarriors，aterribleman，andNodwengoisgentleandmild，liketohismotherwhomthekingloves。OflateithasbeendiscoveredthatHafela，wearyofwaitingforpower，hasmadeaplottodeposehisfatherandtokillNodwengo，hisbrother，sothatthelandandthosewhodwellinitmaybecomehiswithoutquestion。
　　Thisplotthekingknows——Ihaditfromoneofhiswomen，whoismysister——andheisverywroth，yethedaredolittle，forhegrowsoldandtimid，andseeksrest，notwar。Yetheisminded，ifhecanfindtheheart，togobackuponthelawandtonameNodwengoashisheirbeforeallthearmyatthefeastofthefirst—fruits，whichshallbeheldonthethirddayfromto—night。ThisHafelaknows，andNodwengoknowsitalso，andeachofthemhassummonedhisfollowing，numberingthousandsandtensofthousandsofspears，toattendthisfeastofthefirst—fruits。Thatfeastmaywellbeafeastofvultures，myfather，andwhenthebrothersandtheirregimentsrushtogetherfightingforthethrone，whatwillchancetothewhitemanwhocomesatsuchamomenttopreachafaithofpeace，andtohisservant，oneJohn，wholedhimthere？"
　　"Idonotknow，"answeredOwen，"andittroublesmenotatall。Igotocarryoutmymission，andinthiswayorinthatitwillbecarriedout。John，ifyouarefearfulorunbelievingleavemetogoalone。"
　　"Nay，father，Iamnotfearful;yet，father，Iwouldhaveyouunderstand。Yondertherearemenwhocanworkwizardry。/Wow！/Iknow，forIhaveseenit，andtheywilldemandfromyoumagicgreaterthantheirmagic。"
　　"Whatofit，John？"
　　"Onlythis，myfather，thatiftheyaskandyoufailtogive，theywillkillyou。Youteachbeautifulthings，butsay，areyouawizard？
　　Whenthechildofawomanyonderlaydead，youcouldnotraiseitasdidtheChrist;whentheoxenweresickwiththepest，youcouldnotcurethem;oratleast，myfather，youdidnot，althoughyouweptforthechildandweresorryatthelossoftheoxen。Now，myfather，ifperchancetheyaskyoutodosuchthingsastheseyonder，ordie，saywhatwillhappen？"
　　"Oneoftwothings，John：eitherIshalldieorIshalldothethings。"
　　"But"——hesitatedJohn——"surelyyoudonotbelievethat————"andhebrokeoff。
　　Owenturnedroundandlookedathisdisciplewithkindlingeyes。"Idobelieve，Oyouoflittlefaith！"hesaid。"IdobelievethatyonderI
　　haveamission，andthatHeWhomIservewillgivemepowertocarryoutthatmission。Youareright，Icanworknomiracles;butHecanworkmiraclesWhomeverythinginheavenandearthobeys，andifthereisneedHewillworkthemthroughme，Hisinstrument。OrperhapsHewillnotworkthem，andIshalldie，becausethusHisendswillbestbeforwarded。AttheleastIgoinfaith，fearingnothing，forwhathashetofearwhoknowsthewillofGodanddoesit？Buttoyouwhodoubt，Isay——leaveme！"
　　Themanspreadouthishandsindeprecation;histhicklipstrembledalittle，andsomethinglikeatearappearedatthecornersofhiseyes。
　　"Father，"hesaid，"amIacowardthatyoushouldtalktomethus？I，whofortwentyyearshavebeenasoldierofmykingandfortenacaptaininmyregiment？ThesescarsshowwhetherornoIamacoward，"
　　andhepointedtohisbreast，"butofthemIwillnotspeak。Iamnocoward，elseIhadnotgoneuponthaterrandofyours。Why，then，shouldyoureproachmebecausemyearsarenotsoopenasyours，asmyhearthasnotunderstanding？IworshipthatGodofWhomyouhavetaughtme，butHeneverspeakstomeasHedoestoyou。InevermeetHimasIwalkatnight;Heleavesmequitealone。ThereforeitisthatIfearthatwhenthehouroftrialcomesHemaydesertyou;andunlessHecoversyouwithHisshield，ofthisIamsure，thatthespearisforgedwhichshallblushredinyourheart，myfather。ItisforyouthatIfear，whoaresogentleandtender;notformyself，whoamwellaccustomedtolookintheeyesofDeath，andwhoexpectnomorethandeath。"
　　"Forgiveme，"saidOwenhastily，forhewasmoved;"andbesurethattheshieldwillbeoverustillthetimecomesforustopasswhitherweshallneednone。"
　　*****
　　ThatnightOwenrosefromthetaskatwhichhewaslabouringslowlyandpainfully——atranslationofpassagesfromtheGospelofSt。JohnintothelanguageoftheAmasuka——andgoingtotheopenwindow—placeofthehut，herestedhiselbowsuponitandthought，staringwithemptyeyesintotheblacknessofthenight。Nowitwasashesatthusthatagreatagonyofdoubttookpossessionofhissoul。Thestrengthwhichhithertohadsupportedhimseemedtobewithdrawn，andhewasleft，asJohnhadsaid，"quitealone。"Strangevoicesseemedtowhisperinhisears，reproachingandrevilinghim;temptationslongagotrampledunderfootroseagaininmight，alluringhim。
　　"Fool，"saidthevoices，"getyouhencebeforeitistoolate。Youhavebeenmad;youwhodreamedthatforyoursake，tosatisfyyourpride，theAlmightywillbreakHissilenceandstrainHislaw。Areyouthenbetter，orgreater，orpurerthanmillionswhohavegonebeforeyou，thatforyouandyoualonethisthingshouldbedone？Why，wereitnotthatyouaremad，youwouldbeamongthechiefofsinners;youwhodaretoaskthatthePowersofHeavenshouldbesetwithinyourfeeblehand，thattheAngelsofHeavenshouldwaituponyourmortalbreath。Wormthatyouare，hasGodneedofsuchasyou？IfitisHiswilltoturntheheartofyonderpeopleHewilldoit，butnotbymeansof/you/。Youandtheservantwhomyouaredeludingtohisdeathwillperishmiserably，andthisaloneshallbethefruitofyourpresumptuoussin。Getyoubackoutofthiswildernessbeforethemadnesstakesyouafresh。Youarestillyoung，youhavewealth;lookwhereShestandsyonderwhomyoudesire。Getyouback，andforgetyourfollyinherarms。"
　　Thesethoughts，andmanyothersoflikenature，toreOwen’ssoulinthathourofstrangeandterribletemptation。Heseemedtoseehimselfstandingbeforethethousandsofthesavagenationhewenttosave，andtohearthemockingvoicesoftheirwitch—finderscommandinghim，ifhewereatruemanandtheservantofthatGodofWhomheprated，togivethemasign，onlyalittlesign;perhapstomoveastonewithouttouchingitwithhishand，ortocauseadeadboughtoblossom。
　　ThenhewouldbeseechHeavenwithfranticprayers，andinvain，tillatlength，amidstaroaroflaughter，he，thefalseprophetandtheliar，wasledouttohisdoom。Hesawthepiteouswonderinglookofthebelieverwhomhehadbetrayedtodeath;hesawthefiercefacesandthespearsonhigh。Seeingallthishisspiritbroke，and，justasthelittleclockintheroombehindhimstruckthefirststrokeofmidnight，withagreatandbittercrytoGodtogivehimbackthefaithandstrengththathehadlost，Owen’sheadfellforwardandhesankintoaswoonthereuponthewindow—place。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　THEVISION
　　Wasitswoonorsleep？
　　AtleastitseemedtoOwenthatpresentlyonceagainhewasgazingintothedenseintolerableblacknessofthenight。Thenamarvelcametopass，fortheblacknessopened，orratheronit，framedandsurroundedbyit，thereappearedavision。Itwasthevisionofanativetown，havingagreatbarespaceinthecentreofitencircledbyhundredsorthousandsofhuts。Buttherewasnoonestirringaboutthehuts，foritwasnight——notthishisnightoftrialindeed，sincenowtheskywasstrewnwithinnumerablestars。Everythingwassilentaboutthattown，savethatnowandagainadogbarkedorafretfulchildwailedwithinahut，orthesentriesastheypassedsalutedeachotherinthenameoftheking。
　　Amongallthosehundredsofhuts，toOwenitseemedthathisattentionwasdirectedtoonewhichstoodapartsurroundedwithafence。Nowtheinteriorofthehutopeneditselftohim。Itwasnotlighted，yetwithhisspiritsensehecouldseeitseverydetail：thepolishedfloor，theskinrugs，thebeergourds，theshieldsandspears，theroof—treeofredwood，andthedriedlizardhangingfromthethatch，acharmtowardoffevil。Inthishut，seatedfacetofacehalfwaybetweenthecentre—postandthedoor—hole，weretwomen。Thedarknesswasdeepaboutthem，andtheywhisperedtoeachotherthroughit;butinhisdreamthiswasnobartoOwen’ssight。Hecoulddiscerntheirfacesclearly。
　　Oneofthemwasthatofamanofaboutthirty—fiveyearsofage。Instaturehewasalmostagiant。Heworeakarossofleopardskins，andonhiswristsandankleswereringsofivory，theroyalornaments。Hisfacewasfierceandpowerful;hiseyes，whichweresetfarapart，rolledsomuchthatattimestheyseemedallwhite;andhisfingersplayednervouslywiththehandleofaspearthathecarriedinhisrighthand。Hiscompanionwasofadifferentstamp;apersonofmorethanfiftyyears，hewastallandspareinfigure，withdelicatelyshapedhandsandfeet。Hishairandlittlebeardweretingedwithgrey，hisfacewasstrikinglyhandsome，nervousandexpressive，andhisforeheadbothbroadandhigh。Butmoreremarkablestillwerehiseyes，whichshonewithapiercingbrightness，almostgreyincolour，steadyastheflameofawell—trimmedlamp，andsocoldthattheymighthavebeenpreciousstonessetintheheadofastatue。
　　"MustIthenputyourthoughtsinwords？"saidthismaninaclearquickwhisper。"Well，sobeit;forIwearyofsittinghereinthedarkwaitingforwaterthatwillnotflow。Listen，Prince;youcometotalktomeofthedeathofaking——isitnotso？Naydonotstart。Whyareyouaffrightedwhenyouhearuponthelipsofanothertheplotthatthesemanymonthshasbeenfamiliartoyourbreast？"
　　"Truly，Hokosa，youarethebestofwizards，ortheworst，"answeredthegreatmanhuskily。"Yetthisonceyouaremistaken，"headdedwithachangeofvoice。"Icamebuttoaskyouforacharmtoturnmyfather’sheart————"
　　"Todust？Prince，ifIammistaken，whyamIthebestofwizards，ortheworst，andwhydidyourjawdropandyourfacechangeatmywords，andwhydoyouevennowtouchyourdrylipswithyourtongue？Yes，I
　　knowthatitisdarkhere，yetsomecanseeinit，andIamoneofthem。Ay，Prince，andIcanseeyourmindalso。Youwouldberidofyourfather：hehaslivedtoolong。MoreoverhisloveturnstoNodwengo，thegoodandgentle;andperhaps——whocansay？——itiseveninhisthought，whenallhisregimentsareabouthimtwodayshence，todeclarethatyou，Prince，aredeposed，andthatyourbrother，Nodwengo，shallbekinginyourstead。Now，Nodwengoyoucannotkill;
　　heistoowelllovedandtoowellguarded。Ifhediedsuddenly，hisdeadlipswouldcallout’Murder！’intheearsofallmen;and，Prince，alleyeswouldturntoyou，whoalonecouldprofitbyhisend。
　　Butifthekingshouldchancetodie——whyheisold，ishenot？andsuchthingshappentotheold。Alsohegrowsfeeble，andwillnotsuffertheregimentstobedoctoredforwar，althoughdaybydaytheyclamourtobeledtobattle;forheseekstoendhisyearsinpeace。"
　　"Isaythatyouspeakfolly，"answeredtheprincewithvehemence。
　　"Then，SonoftheGreatOne，whyshouldyouwastetimeinlisteningtome？Farewell，HafelathePrince，first—bornoftheking，whoinadaytocomeshallcarrytheshieldofNodwengo;forheisgoodandgentle，andwillspareyourlife——ifIbegitofhim。"
　　Hafelastretchedouthishandthroughthedarkness，andcaughtHokosabythewrist。
　　"Stay，"hewhispered，"itistrue。Thekingmustdie;forifhedoesnotdiewithinthreedays，Ishallceasetobehisheir。Iknowitthroughmyspies。Heisangrywithme;hehatesme，andhelovesNodwengoandthemotherofNodwengo。Butifhediesbeforethelastdayofthefestival，thenthatdecreewillneverpasshislips，andtheregimentswillneverroaroutthenameofNodwengoasthenameofthekingtocome。Hemustdie，Itellyou，Hokosa，and——byyourhand。"
　　"By/my/hand，Prince！Nay;whathaveyoutooffermeinreturnforsuchadeedasthis？HaveInotgrownupinUmsuka’sshadow，andshallIcutdownthetreethatshadesme？"
　　"WhathaveItoofferyou？This：thatnexttomyselfyoushallbethegreatestintheland，Hokosa。"
　　"ThatIamalready，andwhoeverrulesit，thatImustalwaysbe。I，whoamthechiefofwizards;I，thereaderofmen’shearts;I，thehearerofmen’sthoughts！I，thelordoftheairandthelightning;I，theinvulnerable。Ifyouwouldmurder，Prince，thendothedeed;doitknowingthatIhaveyoursecret，andthathenceforthyouwhoruleshallbemyservant。Nay，youforgetthatIcanseeinthedark;laydownthatassegai，or，bymyspirit，princeasyouare，Iwillblastyouwithaspell，andyourbodyshallbethrowntothekites，asthatofonewhowouldmurderhiskingandfather！"
　　Theprinceheardandshook，hischeekssankin，themusclesofhisgreatformseemedtocollapse，andhegrovelledonthefloorofthehut。
　　"Iknowyourmagic，"hegroaned;"useitforme，notagainstme！WhatistherethatIcanofferyou，whohaveeverythingexceptthethrone，whereonyoucannotsit，seeingthatyouarenotoftheblood—royal？"
　　"Think，"saidHokosa。
　　Forawhiletheprincethought，tillpresentlyhisformstraighteneditself，andwithaquickmovementhelifteduphishead。
　　"Isit，perchance，myaffiancedwife？"hewhispered;"theladyNoma，whomIlove，andwho，accordingtoourcustom，Ishallwedasthequeentobeafterthefeastoffirst—fruits？Oh！sayitnot，Hokosa。"
　　"Isayit，"answeredthewizard。"Listen，Prince。TheladyNomaistheonlychildofmyblood—brother，myfriend，withwhomIwasbroughtup，hewhowasslainatmysideinthegreatwarwiththetribesofthenorth。Shewasmyward：shewasmore;forthroughher——ah！youknownothow——Iheldmyconversewiththethingsofearthandair，theveryspiritsthatwatchusnowinthisdarkness，Hafela。Thusithappened，thatbeforeevershewasawoman，hermindgrewgreaterthanthemindofanyotherwoman，andherthoughtbecamemythought，andmythoughtbecameherthought，forIandnootheramhermaster。StillIwaitedtowedhertillshewasfullygrown;andwhileIwaitedIwentuponanembassytothenortherntribes。Thenitwasthatyousawthemaidinvisitingatmykraal，andherbeautyandherwittookholdofyou;andinthecounciloftheking，asyouhavearighttodo，younamedherasyourheadwife，thequeentobe。
　　"Thekingheardandbowedhishead;hesentandtookher，andplacedherintheHouseoftheRoyalWomen，theretoabidetillthisfeastofthefirst—fruits，whensheshallbegiventoyouinmarriage。Yes，hesenthertothatguardedhousewhereinnotevenImaysetmyfoot。