is bad. He put the war
spirit into my people."

Mr Mason knew this to be true.

"Then," said he, "Keona deserves punishment."

"Let him die," answered the chief, and an exclamation of assent broke
from the other natives. Keona himself, happening to be there, became
pale and looked anxious, but remained where he stood nevertheless, with
his arms crossed on his dark breast. A bandage of native cloth was tied
round his wounded arm. Without saying a word, he undid this, tore it
off; and allowed the blood to ooze from the re-opened wound.

It was a silent appeal to the feelings and the sense of justice of his
comrades, and created a visible impression in his favour.

"That wound was received by one who would have been a murderer!" said
Mr Mason, observing the effect of this action.

"He struck me!" cried Keona, fiercely.

"He struck you in defending his own home against a cowardly attack,"
answered the missionary.

At this point Ole Thorwald saw fit to interfere. Seeing that the
natives were beginning to argue the case, and knowing that no good could
come from such a course, he quietly observed:--

"There will be neither wife nor child in this place if I do but hold up
my hand."

The missionary and his party did not, of course, understand this
allusion, but they understood the result, for the savages at once
dropped their tones, and the chief sued earnestly for peace.

"Chiefs and warriors," said Mr Mason, raising his hand impressively, "I
am a man of peace, and I serve the Prince of peace. To stop this war is
what I desire most earnestly, and I desire above all things that you and
I might henceforth live in friendship, serving the same God and Saviour,
whose name is Jesus Christ. But your ways are not like our ways. If I
leave you now, I fear you will soon find another occasion to renew the
war, as you have often done before. I have you in my power now. If you
were to fight with us we could easily beat you, because we are stronger
in numbers and well armed. Yes, I have you in my power, and, with the
blessing of my God, I will keep you in my power _for ever_!"

There was a visible fall in the countenances of the savages, who
regarded this strange announcement as their death-warrant. Some of them
even grasped their clubs and looked fiercely at their enemies, but a
glance from Ole Thorwald quieted these restive spirits.

"Now, chiefs and warriors, I have two intentions in regard to you,"
continued