what god we are to worship."

"How can I prove my power," asked Owen, "further than I have proved it
already? Does Hokosa desire to set up his god against my God--the false
against the true?"

"I do," answered the wizard with passion, "and according to the issue
let the judgment be. Let us halt no longer between two opinions, let us
become wholly Christian or rest wholly heathen, for to be divided is to
be destroyed. The magic of the Messenger is great; once and for all let
us learn if it is more than our magic. Let us put him and his doctrines
to the trial by fire."

"What is the trial by fire?" asked Owen.

"You have seen something of it, White Man, but not much. This is the
trial by fire: to stand yonder before the face of the god of thunder
when a great tempest rages--not such a storm as you saw, but a storm
that splits the heavens--and to come thence unscathed. Listen: I who
am a 'heaven-herd,' I who know the signs of the weather, tell you that
within two days such a tempest as this will break upon us. Then White
Man, I and my companions will be ready to meet you on the plain. Take
the cross by which you swear and set it up yonder and stand by it, and
with you your converts, Nodwengo the prince, and this man whom you have
named John, if they dare to go. Over against you, around the symbol of
the god by which we swear, will stand I and my company, and we will pray
our god and you shall pray your God. Then the storm will break upon us,
and when it is ended we shall learn which of us remain alive. If you and
your cross are shattered, to us will be the victory; if we are laid low,
take it for your own. Your judgment, King!"

Again Umsuka thought and answered:--

"So be it. Messenger, hear me. There is no need for you to accept this
challenge; but if you will not accept it, then go from my country in
peace, taking with you those who cleave to you. If on the other hand
you do accept it, these shall be the stakes: that if you pass the trial
unharmed, and the fire-doctors are swept away, your creed shall be my
creed and the creed of the land; but if the fire-doctors prevail against
you, then it shall be death or banishment to any who profess that creed.
Now choose!"

"I have chosen," said Owen. "I will meet Hokosa and his company on the
Place of fire whenever he may appoint, but for the others I cannot say."

"We will come with you," said Nodwengo and John, with one voice; "where
you go, Messenger, we will surely