第6章
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。