Omaha daily bee., 1896-08-16
THE WIZARD.
BY III. RIDER HAGGARD.
AUTHOR OF "srr," nlJ,S oUlItRaNS" "NsG sOlosors aNts," ETC.
V.

ttiAIl Nh "
THE FEAST OF THE FIRST FRUITS.
On the third morning from this night
whereof the strange events have been de-
scribed, an OK wagon might have been seen
outspanned on the hither side Of those
ranges OF hills that were visible from the
river. These mountains, which, although
not high, were very steep, formed the outer
barrier and defense OF the kingdom OF the
Amasuka. Within 500 yards OF where the
wagon stood. however, a sheer-clifed gorge,
1re-riven and water-hewn, pierced the range,
and. looking on 1t, Owen knew it for the
gorge Of his dream. Night and day the
mouth of it was guarded by a company Of
armed soldiers, whose huts were built high
on outlook places in the mountains, whence
their keen eyes could scan the vast expanses
of plain. a full day before 1t reached them
they had seen the white-capped wagon
crawling across the veldt, and swift runners
had reported its advent to the King at his
Great Place. Back came the word of the
King that the white man with the wagon
and his servant were to be led on toward the
Great Place at such speed as would bring
him there in time for him TO behold the
last CEREMONY Of the feast of first fruits,
but, for the present, that the wagon itself
and the oxen were to be left at the mouth
of the gorge, In charge of a guard, who
would be answerable for them.
Now, on this morning the Captain of the
guard and his orderlies advanced to the
wagon and stood in front of it. They were
splendid men, armed with great spears and
shields, and adorned with feather head
dresses and all the wild fnery of their regi-
ment. Owen descended from the wagon
and came to meet them, and so for a few
moments they remained face to face. in
silence. A strange contrast they presented
as they stood there; the bare-headed white
man, frail. delicate, spiritual of countenance,
and the warriors, great, grave, powerful, a
very embodiment of the essence Of untamed
humanity, an incarnate presentation of the
spirit of savage warfare,
How are you named, white man?' asked
the Captain.
'Chief, | am named Messenger"
1.-THE peace of the King be with you,
Messenger" said the Captain, lifting his
spear.
"The peace of God be with you, Chief"
answered Owen, holding up his hands in
blessing.
who is God?" asked the Captain.
Chief, He is the King l serve, and His
word is between my lips"
Then pass on, Messenger of God, and de-
liver the word of God, your King, into the
ears of my King, at his Great Place yonder.
Pass on, riding the beast you have brought
with you, for the way Is rough, but your
wagon, your oxen and your servants, save
this man only who is OF the Children Of
Fire, must stay here in my keeping. Fear
~ L VII hOIu SAFE.
Il do not fear, Chief. There is honor in
your eyes"
Some hours later Owen, mounted on his
mule, was riding through the gorge, a
guard in front of and behind him. and with
them carriers who had been sent to bear
his baggage. At his side walked his dis
ciple, John, and his face was sad.
why are you still afraid ?" asked Owen.
"Ah, father, because this is a place of
fear, Here in this valley men are led to
die; presently you will See
Il have SEEN" answered Owen. There
where we shall halt is a mount, and on that
mount stands a tree; 1t is called the tree
Of death, and it stretches a thousand hands
to heaven, praying for mercy that does not
come, and from its boughs there hangs
fruit, a fruit Of dead men-yes, twenty of
them hang there this day"
How know YOU these things, my father?"
asked the man, amazed, seeing that l have
never spoken to you Of them"
Nay" he answered, God has spoken to
me. My God and your Cod
Another hour passed, and they were rest
Ing by the spring of water, near to the
shadow of the dreadful tree, for in that
gorge the sun burned fercely. John
counted the bodies that swung upon it,
and again locked f~earfully at Owen, for
there were twenty of them. .
II desire to go up to that tree Owen
said to the guard.
LAS you will, Messenger their
leader. 81 have no order to prevent you
from so doing. Still" he added, with a
solemn smile, sit is a place that few seek
of their own will, and, because ! like you
we'll, Messenger, l pray it may never be
my duty to lead you there of the Kings
WILL"
Then owen went up TO the tree, and
John with him, only John would not pass
beneath the shadow of it's branches, but
stood by, wondering, while his master bound
Il handkerchief about his mouth.
How did he know that the breath OF the
tree was poisonous? John wondered.
Owen walked to the bole of the tree, and,
breaking off some OF the fnger-like leaves