lowing rheumatic fever just after he had
moved into his new habitation, which consisted of some rather glorified
native huts.

Subsequently to these events there came a petition from the chief of the
tribe, a man called Kosa, whose name probably derived from the Zulu word
Koos, which means chief or captain, addressed to the Church authorities
and asking that a new Teacher might be sent to take the place of him who
had died, also to rebuild the church and the school. If this were not
done, said the messengers, the tribe would relapse into heathenism,
since the Zulu and anti-Christian party headed by an old witch-doctor,
named Menzi, was strong and gaining ground.

This was an appeal that could not be neglected, since hitherto the Sisa
had been a spot of light in a dark place, as most of the surrounding
peoples, who were of the old Zulu stock, remained heathen. If that light
went out the chances were that they would continue to be so, whereas if
it went on burning another result might be hoped, since from a spark a
great fire may come. Therefore earnest search was made for a suitable
person to deal with so difficult and delicate a situation, with the
result that the lot fell upon the Rev. Thomas Bull.

Once his name was mentioned, it was acclaimed by all. He was the very
man, they said, bold, determined, filled with a Jesuit's fiery zeal
(although it need scarcely be explained that he hated Jesuits as a cat
does mustard), one whom no witch-doctors would daunt, one, moreover,
who being blessed with this world's goods would ask no pay, but on the
contrary would perhaps contribute a handsome sum towards the re-building
of the church. This, it may be explained, as the Mission itself scarcely
possessed a spare penny with which to bless itself, was a point that
could not be overlooked.

So Thomas was sent for and offered the post, after its difficulties and
drawbacks had been fairly but diplomatically explained to him. He did
not hesitate a minute, or at any rate five minutes; he took it at once,
feeling that his call had come; also that it was the very thing for
which he had been seeking. Up in that secluded spot in Portuguese
Territory he would, he reflected, be entirely on his own, a sort of
little bishop with no one to interfere with him, and able to have his
own way about everything, which in more civilised regions he found he
could not do. Here a set of older gentlemen, who were always appealing
to their experience of