aid me with the pole."

Then they lifted the dead tree, and between them carried it into the
middle of the plain, where they set it up in a crevice of the rock. By
this time the storm was almost over them, and watching it Owen perceived
that the lightnings struck always along the bank of the stream,
doubtless following a hidden line of the bed of ironstone.

"It is but a very little storm," said Hokosa contemptuously, "such as
visit us almost every afternoon at this period of the year. Ah! White
Man, I would that you could see one of our great tempests, for these are
worth beholding. This I fear, however, that you will never do, seeing it
is likely that within some few minutes you will have passed back to that
King who sent you here, with a hole in your head and a black mark down
your spine."

"That we shall learn presently, Hokosa," answered Owen; "for my part, I
pray that no such fate may overtake you."

Now Hokosa moved himself away, muttering and pointing with his fingers,
but Owen remained standing within about thirty yards of the pole.
Suddenly there came a glare of light, and the pole was split into
fragments; but although the shock was perceptible, they remained unhurt.
Almost immediately a second flash leaped from the cloud, and Owen saw
Hokosa stagger and fall to his knees. "The man is struck," he thought
to himself, but it was not so, for recovering his balance, the wizard
walked back to the stream.

Owen never stirred. From boyhood courage had been one of his good
qualities, but it was a courage of the spirit rather than of the flesh.