s of Fire,
I, Messenger, who am the servant and the ambassador of the King of
Heaven, give greeting. A year ago, King, I sent to you saying that the
message which was brought by that white man whom you drove from your
land had reached the ears of Him whom I serve, the High and Holy One,
and that, speaking in my heart, He had commanded me to take up the
challenge of your message. Here am I, therefore, ready to abide by the
law which you have laid down; for if guile or lies be found in me, then
let me travel from your land across the bridge of spears. Still, I would
dwell a little while here where I am before I pass into the shadow of
your rule and speak in the ears of your people as I have been bidden.
Know, King, that first I would learn your tongue, and therefore I demand
that one of your people may be sent to dwell with me and to teach me
that tongue. King, you heard my words and you sent me a man to dwell
with me, and that man has taught me your tongue, and I also have taught
him, converting him to my faith and giving him a new name, the name of
John. King, now I seek your leave to visit you, and to deliver into your
ears the words with which I, Messenger, am charged. I have spoken."'

"Thus I, John, addressed the great ones, my father, and they listened
in silence. When I had done they spoke together, a word here and a word
there. Then Hokosa, the king's mouth, answered me, telling the thought
of the king: 'You are a bold man, you whose name is John, but who once
had another name--you, my servant, who dare to appear before me, and to
make it known to me that you have been turned to a new faith and serve
another king than I. Yet because you are bold, I forgive you. Go back
now to that white man who is named Messenger and who comes upon an
embassy to me from the Lord of Heaven, and bid him come in peace. Yet
warn him once again that here also we know something of the Powers that
are not seen, here also we have our wizards who draw wisdom from the
air, who tame the thunderbolt and compel the rain, and that he must
show himself greater than all of these if he would not pass hence by the
bridge of spears. Let him, therefore, take counsel with his heart and
with Him he serves, if such a One there is, and let him come or let him
stay away as it shall please him.'"

"So be it," said Owen; "the words of the king are good, and to-morrow we
will start for the Great Place."

John heard and assented, but without eagerness.