Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1903-04-24
CHAPTER XIV.
CONTINUED

TO DeCOm6 d hlnS uOOo NV OOh40 W
every one. As for me, L shall not go.
I have no ties in England, and [ shall
remain with these loyal people and
help them in their struggle toward
civilization.
"Then why not take the throne
yourself?" I asked.
He shook his head.
"Crickmore, you do not even now
understand the idolatrous worship you
have inspired in the hearts of these
people. I, king! No. These people love
me and trust me, but they would laugh
at the idea of making me king. They
need strong hand and strong mind
to guide them, and you have proven
your possession of both. The people
believe you were sent supernaturally
to lead them out of bondage, and
wears of teaching will not erase thai
impression from their minds. You
have come to them in way that APP
peals to their peculiar natures, and ii
will be very difficult to prove to them
that you do not absolutely belong to
them"
"Oso-Bark would make a good
king" I said.
"Try it and see," replied the mis-
sionary. "Wait, will show you?"
He called to Oso-Bark, who was not
far away, and when the lunar came
to us, he said:
"Oso-Bark, your king says he is not
your king. He is going away to join
his people in other lands. You are to
be king if you DESIRE"
The lunar looked at me with eyes
full of reproach.
"What is this you tell me?" ne said,
his voice trembling with emotion.
"Leave us! The Oolek leave US
And where would he 60 rather than
among the people he has delivered
from the bonds of slavery? Would he
60 away from Talmooch and leave his
people to struggle alone, when they
need him to guide them? All, it can
not bel You are making jest.
Listen to me. Here is a beautiful
land that for twenty years has known
but the darkness of cruelty and blood.
shed. The people who owned the
land were the slaves of foreign muir.
derers. Unhappiness and woe filled
every home, and every heart was sad.
But in answer to the prayers of the
Jumars and the Kaleks, who prayed
as our good teacher taught us to pray,
you came to us. You taught us to be
brave. You taught us how to work
how to bear our ills in silence, and
work harder for that end. You helped
us in every way. You have made US
glad with victory. And now, when
every heart is swelling with that glad.
ness, you shatter it by telling us you
are going away. You have laid low
the tyraut, and his scepter shall no
more wave over us. Out of darkness
into light you have led us. Once more
will our homes be made glad with the
songs of children. Now our hearts
shall be happy and our land prosper
Gus. But if you leave us, who is 60
ing to protect US from the enemy?
Why will you leave us, Oolek? Can
you not be happy here? Is not our
island fair to look upon and fair to
dwell in? Can you find Drawer men
or truer women in all your other
lands? All, we want You with u.s..
We want you, and we want our sweet
friend who has been the angel of light
to us all, while you have been the god
of war. Take not away the happiness
you have brought us nor the love-"
He knelt down, and taking Miss
Arnold's hand and mine he kissed
them and shed tears upon them.
Mr.. Avery was visibly affected.
Miss Arnold's eyes looked moist.
began to feel uncomfortable myself.
"But, see here, Oso-Bark," / said;
"you have set your idol too high. |
am not king. am only plain man
from a country that has no king.
did not hear your prayers and come to
you; 1 was cast on your shores by
chance. Moreover, L don't want to
be king. We Americans settled that
long ago. What good would it do il
/ stayed?"
"Ahl What harm will it not do II
you go? You will leaye US without
king, as is your own country. And
are not the people sad? We cannot
live without king. Our king is our
good and wise father; we are his
happy children. We are not ready tc
govern as Mr.. Avery has told US other
countries do. We need king who is
all king. But if you do not want to
be king call it what you like, but stay
with us. But to the people Of Tai
mooch you are king. They will come
tomorrow with garlands Of flowers tc
proclaim you king. They will come
with songs of rejoicing and OF wor
ship. They will come dancing and
playing on musical instruments. They
will come in hundreds and in thou
sands. What will you tell them then!
Will you tell them they are not good
enough for you to live amongst? Will
you break their hearts by telling them
that you fought not to make Talmooch
o nation, but to seek safety for your
self? Can you tell them this and
think you are doing right? What is
there in your country that needs you
"a friend, brother, a sister, 8
mother! Bring them here. We will
make them welcome. And here is q
nation-a free nation by your hand
that needs you to stay and keep them
free. Speak, Oolekl Say that you
understood my awkward words and
will stay with us and help u.s."