white man at his task, then he said:--

"Messenger, I have a boon to ask of you. Can you teach me to understand
those signs which you set upon the paper, and to make them also as does
John your servant?"

"Certainly," answered Owen; "if you will come to me at noon to-morrow,
we will begin."

The prince thanked him, but he did not go away. Indeed, from his manner
Owen guessed that he had something more upon his mind. At length it came
out.

"Messenger," he said, "you have told us of baptism whereby we are
admitted into the army of your King; say, have you the power of this
rite?"

"I have."

"And is your servant here baptised?"

"He is."

"Then if he who is a common man can be baptised, why may not I who am a
prince?"

"In baptism," answered Owen, "there is no distinction between the
highest and the lowest; but if you believe, then the door is open and
through it you can join the company of Heaven."