. Hokosa was the accuser. In brief and pregnant sentences,
producing the dead snake in proof of his argument, he pointed out the
enormity of the offence against the laws of the Amasuka wherewith the
prisoner was charged, demanding that the man who had killed the house of
his ancestral spirit should instantly be put to death.

"What have you to say?" asked the king of John.

"This, O King," replied John, "that I am a Christian, and to me that
snake is nothing but a noxious reptile. It bit my wife, and had it not
been for the medicine of the Messenger, she would have perished of the
poison. Therefore I killed it before it could harm others."

"It is a fair answer," said the king. "Hokosa, I think that this man
should go free."

"The king's will is the law," replied Hokosa bitterly; "but if the law
were the king's will, the decision would be otherwise. This man has
slain, not a snake, but that which held the spirit of an ancestor, and
for the deed he deserves to die. Hearken, O King, for the business is
larger than it seems. How are we to be governed henceforth? Are we to
follow our ancient rules and customs, or must we submit ourselves to a
new rule and a new custom? I tell you, O King, that the people murmur;
they are without light, they wander in the darkness, they cannot
understand. Play with us no more, but let us hear the truth that we may
judge of this matter."

Umsuka looked at Owen, but made no reply.

"I will answer you, Hokosa," said Owen, "for I am the spring of all this
trouble, and at my command that man, my disciple, killed yonder snake.
What is it? It is nothing but a reptile; no human spirit ever dwelt
within it as you imagine in your superstition. You ask to hear the
truth; day by day I have preached it in your ears and you have not
listened, though many among you have listened and understood. What is it
that you seek?"

"We seek, Messenger, to be rid of you, your fantasies and your religion;
and we demand that our king should expel you and restore the ancient
laws, or failing this, that you should prove your power openly before us
all. Your word, O King!"

Umsuka thought for a while and answered:--

"This is my word, Hokosa: I will not drive the Messenger from the land,
for he is a good man; he saved my life, and there is virtue in his
teaching, towards which I myself incline. Yet it is just that he should
be asked to prove his power, so that an end may be put to doubt and all
of us may learn