ned he would be called upon to do. Let him give us a
sign. There before you lies your king, and he is past the help of man;
even I cannot help him. Therefore, let this messenger cure him, or call
upon his God to cure him; that seeing, we may know him to be a true
messenger, and one sent by that King of whom he speaks. Let him do this
now before our eyes, or let him perish as a wizard who has bewitched the
king. Do you hear my words, Messenger, and can you draw this one back
from between the Gates of Death?"

"I hear them," answered Owen quietly; "and I can--or if I cannot, then
I am willing to pay the penalty with my life. You who are a doctor say
that your king is as one who is already dead, so that whatever I may do
I cannot hurt him further. Therefore I ask this of you, that you stand
round and watch, but molest me neither by word nor deed while I attempt
his cure. Do you consent?"

"It is just; we consent," said the councillors. "Let us see what the
white man can do, and by the issue let him be judged." But Hokosa stared
at Owen wondering, and made no answer.

"Bring some clean water to me in a gourd," said Owen.

It was brought and given to him. He looked round, searching the faces of
those about him. Presently his eye fell upon the Prince Nodwengo, and he
beckoned to him, saying:--

"Come hither, Prince, for you are honest, and I would have you to help
me, and no other man."

The prince stepped forward and Owen gave him the gourd of water. Then
he drew out the little bottle wherein he had stored the juice of the
creeper, and uncorking it, he bade Nodwengo fill it up with water. This
done, he clasped his hands, and lifting his eyes to heaven, he prayed
aloud in the language of the Amasuka.

"O God," he prayed, "upon whose business I am here, grant, I beseech
Thee, that by Thy Grace power may be given to me to work this miracle in
the face of these people, to the end that I may win them to cease from
their iniquities, to believe upon Thee, the only true God, and to save
their souls alive. Amen."

Having finished his prayer, he took the bottle and shook it; then he
commanded Nodwengo to sit upon the ground and hold his father's head
upon his knee. Now, as all might see by many signs, the king was upon
the verge of death, for his lips were purple, his breathing was rare and
stertorous, and his heart stood well-nigh still.

"Open his mouth and hold down the tongue," said Owen.

The prince obeyed, pressing d