nses failed him.

*****

When they returned again, he perceived the storm being drawn back from
the face of the pale earth like a pall from the face of the dead, and he
heard a murmur of fear and wonder rising from ten thousand throats.

*****

Well might they fear and wonder, for of the twenty and one wizards
eleven were dead, four were paralysed by shock, five were flying in
their terror, and one, Hokosa himself, stood staring at the fallen, a
very picture of despair. Nor was this all, for the meteor stone with a
human shape which for generations the People of Fire had worshipped as a
god, lay upon the plain in fused and shattered fragments.

The people saw, and a sound as of a hollow groan of terror went up from
them. Then they were silent. For a while Owen and his companions were
silent also, since their hearts were too full for speech. Then he
said:--

"As the snake fell harmless from the hand of Paul, so has the lightning
turned back from me, who strive to follow in his footsteps, working
death and dismay among those who would have harmed us. May forgiveness
be theirs who were without understanding. Brethren, let us return and
make report to the king."

Now, as they had come, so they went back; first Owen with the crucifix,
next to him Nodwengo, and last of the three John. They drew near to the
king, when suddenly, moved by a common impulse, the thousands of the
people upon the banks of the stream with one accord threw themselves
upon their knees before Owen, calling him God and offering him worship.
Infected by the contagion, Umsuka, his guard and his councillors
followed their example, so that of all the multitude Hokosa alone
remained upon his feet, standing by his dishonoured and riven deity.

"Rise!" cried Owen aghast. "Would you do sacrilege, and offer worship to
a man? Rise, I command you!"

Then the king rose, saying:--

"You are no man, Messenger, you are a spirit."

"He is a spirit," repeated the multitude after him.

"I am _not_ a spirit, I am yet a man," cried Owen again, "but the Spirit
Whom I serve has made His power manifest in me His servant, and your
idols are smitten with the sword of His power, O ye Sons of Fire! Hokosa
still lives, let him be brought hither."

They fetched Hokosa, and he stood before them.

"You have seen, Wizard," said the king. "What have you to say?"

"Nothing," answered Hokosa, "save that victory is to the Cross, and to
the white man who preaches it, for