All through the long night the men took it in turns to watch Bakula, who, by reason of his strained position and tortured limbs, had no proper sleep, but dozed fitfully in painful semi-consciousness. Now and again he sang in a poor quavering voice the hymns he had learned on the station and had taught his few boys in their little school; occasionally he prayed for strength and comfort, and once he attempted to speak to his captors about the great Saviour--God’s wonderful gift to the world.
It was not until they threatened to ram a lighted stick into his mouth--and held one very near to his lips to emphasize their threat--that he turned from them to sing: “Jesus, Lover of my soul, Let me to Thy bosom fly.”
Early the next afternoon Bakula was released from his bonds, and led away to the top of a neighbouring hill. The rude hut was quickly built, and the victim placed in it with extended arms. The ordeal-giver ground the pieces of bark into powder, and fed the young man with them. Before he had taken many of the powders Bakula began to feel intoxicated by their narcotic properties. He swayed to and fro like a drunken man, his vision became blurred, foam came from his mouth, and at last he fell a writhing heap on the ground. Sticks and knives immediately finished the cruel, murderous deed, and the corpse, naked, battered and covered with gaping wounds, was left a prey to wild beasts and ravenous birds.
Again the stars arose and looked with blinking, sorrowful gaze on that tragic hill-top--the scene of many an ordeal murder, and as they looked they saw a strange sight: coming across the hill was a lad carrying a hoe. He carefully scanned every boulder, tuft of grass and shrub, and at last his eyes fell on the body of the lifeless lad. With a cry he bounded to its side and sank prostrate to the ground, and grovelled in heart-stricken sorrow by the side of his murdered friend.
When his grief had somewhat spent itself Tumbu arose and began to dig a grave for the body of his admired benefactor. It was a fearsome place, strewn with bones--the remnants of many trials by ordeal; and weird noises, trying to the stoutest heart, came on the night air from the near forest. Tumbu started many a time during his self-imposed task, and fear gripped his heart more than once; but he steadied himself by driving his hoe deeply into the earth, and working hard to save the body of his kind friend from the cruel, sharp teeth of savage beasts.
At last the grave was deep enough, and then Tumbu, spreading some cloth he had brought for the purpose, laid the body of his friend upon it; but before wrapping it around him he took the Brass Rod from Bakula’s neck, intending to keep it as a memento of his slain friend.
Tenderly were the remains laid in the grave, and the earth covered all that was left of my whilom companion and martyred owner.
Chapter XXIII
I Find many Changes
Mikula while digging the foundations for a brick house discovers me--The town is changed--There is daily worship--Observance of the sabbath--Sunday service--Collections for support of teachers--Christian funeral--Visit to the mission station--Teaching teachers--Martyrs for the cause.
[Fifteen years are supposed to have elapsed between the concealment and the unearthing of the Brass Rod.