very keen-witted and subtle. Very patiently did Owen sow, and at length
to his infinite joy he also gathered in his first-fruit. One night as he
sat in his hut labouring as usual at the work of translation, wherein
he was assisted by John whom he had taught to read and write, the Prince
Nodwengo entered and greeted him. For a while he sat silent watching the
white man at his task, then he said:--

"Messenger, I have a boon to ask of you. Can you teach me to understand
those signs which you set upon the paper, and to make them also as does
John your servant?"

"Certainly," answered Owen; "if you will come to me at noon to-morrow,
we will begin."

The prince thanked him, but he did not go away. Indeed, from his manner
Owen guessed that he had something more upon his mind. At length it came
out.

"Messenger," he said, "you have told us of baptism whereby we are
admitted into the army of your King; say, have you the power of this
rite?"

"I have."

"And is your servant here baptised?"

"He is."

"Then if he who is a common man can be baptised, why may not I who am a
prince?"

"In baptism," answered Owen, "there is no distinction between the
highest and the lowest; but if you believe, then the door is open and
through it you can join the company of Heaven."

"Messenger, I do believe," answered the prince humbly.

Then Owen was very joyful, and that same night, with John for a witness,
he baptised the prince, giving him the new name of Constantine, after
the first Christian emperor.

On the following day Nodwengo, in the presence of Owen, who on this
point would suffer no concealment, announced to the king that he had
become a Christian. Umsuka heard, and for a while sat silent. Then he
said in a troubled voice:--

"Truly, Messenger, in the words of that Book from which you read to us,
I fear that you have come hither to bring, 'not peace but a sword.' Now
when the witch-doctors and the priests of fire learn this, that he whom
I have chosen to succeed me has become the servant of another faith,
they will stir up the soldiers and there will be civil war. I pray you,
therefore, keep the matter secret, at any rate for a while, seeing that
the lives of many are at stake."

"In this, my father," answered the prince, "I must do as the Messenger
bids me; but if you desire it, take from me the right of succession and
call back my brother from the northern mountains."

"That by poison or the spear he may put all