long as it held together," replied Swinton; "but
to proceed--

"The Mission station having been for some time broken up by this attack
of Africaner, Mr. C., a missionary, anxious to restore it, wrote a
letter to Africaner on the subject, and received a favorable reply, and
a Mr. E. was sent to the residence of Africaner himself. After a short
time, Africaner and his two brothers, with a number of others, were
baptized.

"At first it must be admitted that their profession of Christianity did
not greatly improve their conduct; but this was very much to be ascribed
to the circumstance that the duties of the station had devolved upon one
who ought not to have been selected for the task. Upon his removal, and
a more fitting minister of the Gospel taking his place, a great change
was soon observable in Africaner; and, from having been one of the most
remorseless pursuers of his vengeance--a firebrand spreading discord,
war and animosity among the neighboring tribes--he would now make every
concession and any sacrifice to prevent collision and bloodshed between
contending parties.

"Although his power was so great that he might have raised his arm and
dared them to lift a spear or draw a bow, he would entreat them as a
suppliant to be reconciled.

"'Look at me,' he would say, 'how many battles have I fought; how much
cattle have I taken; but what has it done for me, but make me full of
shame and sorrow?'

"In short, from that time till he died, he became a peacemaker and a
Christian, both in word and deed. His whole life was devoted to acts of
kindness and charity--to instructing and exhorting, and following the
precepts of Him in whose faith eventually he lived and died."

"Well, Swinton, you have indeed given us a remarkable proof that the
missionary labors are not always thrown away, and we thank you for your
compliance with our request."

"It is a remarkable instance, if you only consider how many hundreds of
lives might have been sacrificed, if Africaner had continued his career
of slaughter and of plunder; and how many lives, I may add, have been
also saved by his interference as a peacemaker, instead of being, as he
formerly was, a promoter of war and bloodshed."

"Swinton," said Alexander, "I wanted to ask you a question which I had
nearly forgotten. Do you recollect what Bremen said to us, that the lion
had seized the gemsbok, and that now the lion would shut his eyes, and
that he would shoot him?"

"Yes,