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。
　　****
　　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。