Owen, who at that moment entered the
royal house.

"Of him whom you must have touched in the door-way, Messenger, Hokosa
the wizard," answered the king, and he told him of what had passed
between them. "I said," he added, "that he was a man, and so he is; yet
I hold that I have done wrong to listen to your pleading and to spare
him, for I am certain that he will bring bloodshed upon me and trouble
on the Faith. Think now, Messenger, how full must be that man's heart of
secret rage and hatred, he who was so great and is now so little! Will
he not certainly strive to grow great again? Will he not strive to be
avenged upon those who humbled him and the religion they have chosen?"

"It may be," answered Owen, "but if so, he will not conquer. I tell
you, King, that like water hidden in a rock there is good in this man's
heart, and that I shall yet find a rod wherewith to cause it to gush out
and refresh the desert."

"It is more likely that he will find a spear wherewith to cause your
blood to gush out and refresh the jackals," answered the king grimly;
"but be it as you will. And now, what of your business?"

"This, King: John, my servant, has returned from the coast countries,
and he brings me a letter saying that before long three white teachers
will follow him to take up the work which I have begun. I pray that when
they come, for my sake and for the sake of the truth that I have taught
you, you will treat them kindly and protect them, remembering that at
first they can know little of your language or your customs."

"I will indeed," said the king, with much concern. "But tell me,
Messenger, why do you speak of yourself as of one who soon will be but a
memory? Do you purpose to leave us?"

"No, King, but I believe that ere long I shall be recalled. I have given
my message, my task is well-nigh ended and I must be turning home. Save
for your sakes I do not sorrow at this, for to speak truth I grow very
weary," and he smiled sadly.

*****

Hokosa went home alarmed and full of bitterness, for he had never
guessed that the "servant of the Messenger," as he called Nodwengo the
King, knew so much about him and his plans. His fall was hard to him,
but to be thus measured up, weighed, and contemptuously forgiven was
almost more than he could bear. It was the white prophet who had done
this thing; he had told Nodwengo of his, Hokosa's, share in the plot to
murder the late King Umsuka, though how he came to know of that