"Then pass on, Messenger of God, and deliver 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 waggon,
your oxen, and your servants, save this man only who is of the Children
of Fire, must stay here in my keeping. Fear not, Messenger, I will hold
them safe."

"I do not fear, Chief, there is honour 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 disciple 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."

"I have seen," answered Owen. "Yonder where we shall halt is a mount,
and on that mount stands a tree; it 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 I have never spoken to you of them?"