so hung upon his friendship and companionship
that he could not with a clear conscience go far away. But at last all
hindrances subsided and he went forth on his mission.

The Indians had received him gladly, noting his approach from afar and
coming down the steep way to meet him, putting their rude best at his
disposal, and opening their hearts to him. No white man had visited them
since his last coming with his friend, save a trader who had lost his
way, and who knew little about the God of whom the missionary had
spoken, or the Book of Heaven; at least he had not seemed to understand.
Of these things he was as ignorant, perhaps, as they.

The missionary entered into the strange family life of the tribe who
inhabited the vast, many-roomed palace of rock carved high at the top of
the cliff. He laughed with them, ate with them, slept with them, and in
every way gained their full confidence. He played with their little
children, teaching them many new games and amusing tricks, and praising
the quick wits of the little ones; while their elders stood about, the
stolid look of their dusky faces relaxed into smiles of deep interest
and admiration.

And then at night he told them of the God who set the stars above them;
who made the earth and them, and loved them; and of Jesus, His only Son,
who came to die for them and who would not only be their Saviour, but
their loving companion by day and by night; unseen, but always at hand,
caring for each one of His children individually, knowing their joys and
their sorrows. Gradually he made them understand that he was the
servant--the messenger--of this Christ, and had come there for the
express purpose of helping them to know their unseen Friend. Around the
camp-fire, under the starry dome, or on the sunny plain, whenever he
taught them they listened, their faces losing the wild, half-animal look
of the uncivilized, and taking on the hidden longing that all mortals
have in common. He saw the humanity in them looking wistfully through
their great eyes, and gave himself to teach them.

Sometimes as he talked he would lift his face to the sky, and close his
eyes; and they would listen with awe as he spoke to his Father in
heaven. They watched him at first and looked up as if they half
expected to see the Unseen World open before their wondering gaze; but
gradually the spirit of devotion claimed them, and they closed their
eyes with him, and who shall say if the savage prayers wit