Omaha daily bee., 1896-08-30

! which hefd the spirit OF an ancestor, and
for the deed he deserves to die. Hearken,
o King, for the business Is larger than IL
seems. How are we to be governed hence
forth? Are we to follow our ancient rules
and customs, or must we submit ourselves
to a new .ruler and a new custom? l tell
you, o King. that the people murmur; they
are without liRht. they wander in the dark
ness, they reannot understand. Play with
us no mores but let us hear the truth, that
we may judgeyof it,"
Umsuka looked at Owen, but made no
reply. Il Ut
II will answer you, Hokosa," said Owen.
for I am the spring Of all this trouble, and
at my command this man, my disciple, killed
yonder snake What is 1t? 1t is nothing
but a reptile; mo human spirit ever dwelt
within it, as You imagine in your super
stition. You ask to hear the truth; day by
day I have preached in your ears and you
have not listened. though many among you
have listened and understood. What is 1t
you seek ?"
1--WE seek. Messenger, to be rid of you,
your fantasies. and your religion, and we
demand that our King should eXpel you and
restore the ancient laws, or failing this,
that you should prove your power openly
before us all. Your word, o King!"
Umsuka thought a while and answered:
This is my word, Hokosa: | will not drive
the Messenger from the land, for he is a good
man; he saved my life, and there is virtue
in his teaching. toward which | myself in
cline. Yet it is Just that he should be
asked to prove his power, so that an end
may be put to doubt, and all OF us may
learn what god we are to Worship
How can | prove my power asked
Owen, further than | have already proved
1t? Does Hokosa desire to set up his god
against my God, the false against the true?'
Il do" answered the wizard with passion,
''and according to the issue let the judy
mpnt he. OF rs halt no LONGER between
two opinions; let us become wholly Chris
tan or rest wholly heather, for TO be di-
vided is to be destroyed. The magic of
the Messenger is great; once and for all
let us learn If 1t is more than our magic.
Let us put him and his doctrine to the trial
by fire"
what is the trial by fre?' asked owen,
"You have seen something of 1t, White
Man, but not much. This is the trial by
fire: To stand yonder before the face Of
the god of Thunder when a great tempest
RACES, not such a storm as you saw. but a
storm that splits the heavens, and TO come
thence unscathed. Listen: l who am Il
heaven herd, | who know the signs Of the
weather, tell you that within two days such
a tempest as this will break upon us. Then,
White Man, | and my companions will be
ready to meet you on the plain. Take the
cross by which you swear and set 1t up
yonder, and stand by it, and with your
converts, Nodwengo, the prince. and this
man WnOm you nave named JOnn, IL thtg
dare to go.
"Orcr against you, around the symbol of
the god by which we swear, win stand | and
my company, and we will pray our god. and
you shall pray your God. Then the storm
will break upon us, and when it is ended
we shall learn which CT Us remain alive.
If you and your cross are shattered. to lis
will he the victory; Il we are laid low, take
it for your own. Your judgment, King!'
Again Umsuka thought and answered.:
$50 be it. Messenger, hear me. There is
no need for you to accept this challenge;
but if you will not accept it, then go from
my country 10 peace, taking with you these
who cleave to y9u. If, on the other hand.
you do accept it, these shall be the stakes:
that if you pass the trial unframed and the
Fire Doctors are swept away. your creed
shall be my greed and the creed of the land;
but if the Fire Doctors prevail against you,
then it shallebe death or Punishment to any
who professional creed. Now choOse!'
81 have chossni" said Owen. Il will meet
Hokosa and his company on the Place of
Fire whenever he may appoint, but for the
others | cannot say"
I'VE will come with you said Nodwengo
and John, With enc voice; where you go,
Messenger, We Mill follow"
ltlo.Be Continued)