womanhood, but
Ra-Ruth could not return the affection of one whose hands were stained
so deeply with Christian blood. I was an officer in the palace at the
time, but would gladly have left, only my doing so might have roused the
queen's wrath against my father and mother.

"At last the missionaries were ordered to quit the capital. In 1849 a
great persecution took place. The queen became furious because her
people would not cease to love and serve Jesus. She ordered many men
and women to be speared and burned and tossed over precipices, but all
without avail, because `greater is He who is for us than all who can be
against us.'

"My father was away on a trading expedition at this time. One day in
attempting to cross a lake he was drowned." The guide's voice deepened
as he went on, "He was a good loving father to me. He taught me nearly
all I know, and he was no mean scholar. He also sent me to the
missionary schools. After his death the Queen hardened her heart
against us; and as we refused to give up praying to God and singing His
praise, we were cast out of the palace--my mother and sister and I, with
several others, among whom were Laihova and his sister Ramatoa. We were
sold into slavery in the public market.

"Our purchaser was cruel. He put us to the hardest menial work. We
remained for several years with him. The health of my poor mother and
sister began to give way. Then he sold me to another man, and we were
separated. This was too much, I suppose, for the English blood in me to
endure quietly. I made my escape. I went back to my old owner, and, in
the night, induced my mother and sister to fly. Many persecuted
Christians have fled since then and are now hiding in dens and caves
like hunted beasts. We soon found some of these in the depths of the
forests, and agreed to band together. They made me their leader, and I
brought them here, where we have lived and worshipped God in peace; but,
as you have seen, we are liable to be captured at any moment."

"And if captured," said Mark, "would the Queen really put you to death?"

"I fear she would; nay, I am certain of it, because one who recently
escaped from Antananarivo has just brought the news that the Queen has
been visited with a fresh burst of anger against the Christians, has
thrown many into prison and sent out troops to scour the country in
search of those who have fled."

"But if that is so," said Hockins, earnestly, "what's the