the church. The others began to follow swiftly, and as Menzi passed the
door carrying Tabitha, there came a dreadful rending sound, and one of
the walls opened, letting in the light.

All fled forth, Thomas still in his surplice and his soul filled with
bitterness, for as he went it came into his mind that this must be a
farewell to that cherished church reared with so much love, cost and
labour.

Outside the building on a patch of higher land, an upthrown plateau of
rock, where presently all gathered beyond the reach of the waters, stood
Menzi and Tabitha. Thomas looked at him and said:

"Doubtless you think that your spells have worked well, Witch-doctor,
for see the ruin about us. Yet I hold otherwise, and say, 'Wait till the
end!' To set a rock rolling down a hill is easy for those who have the
strength. But who knows on whom it will fall at last?"

"You speak foolishly, Teacher," answered Menzi. "I do not think that my
spells have worked well, for something stronger than I am has spoiled
them. Mayhap it is you, Teacher, or the _Great-Great_ whom you serve in
your own fashion. I do not know, but I pray you to remember that long
since on the smoke of my magic fire I showed you what would come about
if you re-built the Heaven-house upon this place. But you said I was a
cheat and would not be warned. Therefore things have gone as the Spirits
appointed that they should go. Your Christians made me gifts and asked
me to bring rain and it has come in plenty, and with it other things,
more than you asked. Look," and he pointed downwards.

The church was falling. Its last foundations were washed away. Down it