y believing
that Jehovah's dear Son came down upon earth and was punished by a cruel
death instead of me, and that if I believe this, and trust to Him, I
shall be received into that glorious place above the blue sky, which He
has prepared for all who love Him," answered the native.

"But do you believe this?" asked Abela. "Do you believe that Jehovah is
satisfied that another was punished instead of you, and that He
therefore has set you free?"

"I did not understand it, but it seemed very good," answered the native.
"I should like to remain and learn more about the matter."

"Oh yes, do remain," exclaimed Abela. "Go not back to worship again the
blocks of stone in which our countrymen put their trust. The English
missionary will explain matters more clearly to you than I can."

I assured Nasile--for such the native told us was his name--that my
father would gladly explain the truth to him, and leaving him in
conversation with Abela, we hastened homewards with the satisfactory
intelligence.

In a short time we saw a party coming across the hill. At first their
appearance caused some consternation, it being supposed that they were
heathens intending to attack the village. As they drew nearer, however,
Masaugu was distinguished at their head, accompanied by Lisele. The
chief was a tall fine man, with ample folds of native cloth round his
waist and over his shoulders. My father hastened out to meet him, and
welcome him to the Station, and Maud and I followed. As soon as Lisele
saw us she ran forward and threw her arms round me, and then embraced
Maud, calling us her dear sisters, and telling us how rejoiced she was
to come back.

"I was afraid at first that my father would not listen to me," she said.
"But I prayed and prayed, and at length, to my joy, he said that he
would go and hear more of the strange things I had told him of."

My father at first intended to conduct the chief into the chapel; but
though he was willing to go, several of his followers were afraid of
entering it, believing that some incantations would be used, and that
they might be compelled to _lotu_ against their will. The whole party
therefore seated themselves in a shady place outside. Here my father
addressed the chief; and he hoped that while speaking to him, what he
said might be attended to and understood by many of his followers. Not
saying a word about the false gods he worshipped, my father told him of
the greatness and pow