"Haggard, H Rider- The Wizard" - читать интересную книгу автора (Haggard H. Rider)

we are; for not only did He know the past and the future as we do, but
also He could cure those who were smitten with hopeless sickness, and
raise those who were dead, which we cannot do. You tell us, moreover,
that by faith those who believe on Him can do works as great as He
did, and that you do believe on Him. Therefore we will put you to the
proof. Ho! there, lead forth that evil one.'

"As he spoke a man was placed before us, one who had been convicted of
witchcraft or some other crime.

"'Kill him!' said Hokosa.

"There was a faint cry, a scuffle, a flashing of spears, and the man
lay still before us.

"'Now, followers of the new God,' said Hokosa, 'raise him from the
dead as your Master did!'

"In vain did we offer explanations.

"'Peace!' said Hokosa at length, 'your words weary us. Look now,
either you have preached to us a false god and are liars, or you are
traitors to the King you preach, since, lacking faith in Him, you
cannot do such works as He gives power to do to those who have faith
in Him. Out of your own mouths are you judged, White Men. Choose which
horn of the bull you will, you hang to one of them, and it shall
pierce you. This is the sentence of the king, I speak it who am the
king's mouth: That you, White Man, who have spoken to us and cheated
us these two weary days, be put to death, and that you, his companion
who have been silent, be driven from the land.'

"I can hardly bear to tell the rest of it, Mr. Owen. They gave my poor
friend ten minutes to 'talk to his Spirit,' then they speared him
before my face. After it was over, Hokosa spoke to me, saying:--

"'Go back, White Man, to those who sent you, and tell them the words
of the Sons of Fire: That they have listened to the message of peace,
and though they are a people of warriors, yet they thank them for that
message, for in itself it sounds good and beautiful in their ears, if
it be true. Tell them that having proved you liars, they dealt with
you as all honest men seek that liars should be dealt with. Tell them
that they desire to hear more of this matter, and if one can be sent
to them who has no false tongue; who in all things fulfills the
promises of his lips, that they will hearken to him and treat him
well, but that for such as you they keep a spear.'"

"And who went after you got back?" asked Owen, who was listening with
the deepest interest.

"Who went? Do you suppose that there are many mad clergymen in Africa,