First, one of his captors spoke. The man came out from the group, and as he talked he walked up and down in the open space before the king. An account was being given of the missionary's capture. "And," said Mr. Goodman, "while this was going on, I prayed that God would bring about a division in their counsels."
When the man had finished, up rose an old man, and by his gestures and the anxiety he displayed, Mr. Goodman saw with pleasure that he was pleading for him.
This gleam of friendliness—the first that day, and met with in the stronghold of his enemies—fell like genial warmth upon his spirits and encouraged him to hope.
Then a woman arose. She was a relative of the king; and, advancing before him, she bent before him and took his foot in her hand as a sign of submission. "Do not let this man die," she said. "My son at Tikonko has sent me a message pleading for his life. 'Do not let the white man die,' says my son; 'he is a good man.'"
Indeed, many messages had come to the king in the missionary's favour. "When we were sick," said the messages, "he has mended us; he has done us good; we like the way he has walked"—i.e. they liked his manner of life.
It was the old story—conduct and character had impressed the natives after all, and they were not wholly ungrateful.
But, see! The king is about to give his judgment. The final decision is to be made. Is it to be death or life?
(From a Water-Colour Drawing by Mrs. Vivian.)
THE DEVIL HOUSE AT TIKONKO.