IV. Love and Death

■The newborn child opened her eyes upon a mysterious world. In her little face was a puzzled look — a look of half doubt and half knowledge. There was one who seemed to understand the meaning of this doubting expression, and that was the father of the child.

She had come in answer to prayer — in response to the call, long, earnest and pure of motive from mortal to a god, which the gods are wont to answer. Not that the father of the newborn child did not believe in God; but he was sure that in the hierarchy of the heavens, there was order and rule, and, even as the master-mind controlled subordinate intelligences, making them to do and to will of his good pleasure, so did the Father of all, call him NyiaJcropon, Zeus, Ra, Jupiter, or by what name soever you please, control the powers and dominions of other spheres and the agencies of this world.

And so it had come to pass that for full twenty changes of the moon he had prayed fervently to the God of Love to visit him in his loneliness, and this child had come in response to that prayer. But he had also prayed for light, for he knew, according to the teaching of Nanamu, the priests and prophets of his tribe, that Love and Light dwelt together in the highest heaven. To him who saw this vision, the idea of death was familiar. Among his people, at break of day, as men passed one another in the market-places, they would greet one another and say, “ A kioo,” meaning, hail friend, thou yet livest. And if a man slept and woke no more, they would say he is gone to N anamu-Krome, and, if he had been a good man, his friends would make libation to him, claiming his protection and guardianship in the ordinary affairs of life.

He had been a father once before — the happy husband of a happy wife in a home where love dwelt ; and when death first took the wife and then the new-born babe, he left darkness behind where first was light. It all looked so strange. He only half realised it in the first flush of his sorrow. But as the days wore on, and the old familiar chair by the hearth remained vacant, the darkness in his heart seemed to deepen.

Gradually the light of understanding dawned upon his soul. He came to know that the spiritual side of love was of far greater value than all else beside, and read a spiritual meaning into the offices of love. Sorrow was the path that led him to the innermost shrine where he met God, the N yiakropon of his race, and understood. He could stand by the open grave of his beloved — open, because by spiritual sympathy he could see her as she was — and say : “ I kiss these flowers ere I lay them on thy bosom; and when I say c I,’ I do not mean this frail body of mine, which is but a casket. Hear me, beloved ! I mean the soul in me, that which can have and has communion with thee, soul with soul, and spirit with spirit, how it does not matter. See, I throw thee a spiritual kiss, and I know thou returnest kiss for kiss, even as of yore.” Yes, he had touched the depths of human happiness and the depths of human sorrow, and had come to know that the way to God led from the one to the other. The physical strain had been too much for Kwamankra. A lurking disease had begun to show dangerous symptoms. A hurried consultation had resulted in the doctors deciding upon an operation. He received the news with wonderful calmness. He rejoiced secretly in the prospect of the unconscious condition of the senses through which he would pass, and hoped against hope that

d 2 the intelligence of his nature, freed from earthlytrammels, might be free to concentrate themselves upon things spiritual, and given a glimpse of the city of the ancient dead of his race, where he was sure his beloved dwelt. It was a wish born of sincere anticipation which flew on the wings of prayer to the Father of Spirits. As he passed off, he was heard to murmur softly the name of his wife, but none knew that, like Jacob of the Hebrews, he had wrestled with God and prevailed.

In another sphere, as if from a dream, Kwamankra awoke, and, though he possessed not his physical body, as it seemed to him, he was sure of his identity as ever he had been. He commanded the full use of his intelligence, and the scene around him, though weird, was by no means unfamiliar. He had the feeling of one who, travelling to a far distant country, and, for the nonce, forgetting the physical aspects of his native land, upon returning, in a moment, recalls the old place again. But it was not without misgiving, as he gradually took in the scene around. It was at the outskirts of the city, not built by men, that he found himself. For walls the city was surrounded by a great lake whose water was as clear as crystal, to attempt to cross which were madness for a mortal without aid.

As Kwamankra stood doubting within himself what he should do, and deploring the presumption which made him wish to encompass knowledge not destined for man, suddenly there appeared before him a being of such untoward mien that he was anxious to fly from his presence, if he only knew how. It had the aspect of a human being, but so distorted were the features, and so woebegone the expression, that he looked to all appearances half man and half beast. Finding no possible way of escape, Kwamankra took courage, and thus addressed himself to the monster : “ Sir, I am a mortal from the nether sphere, which men call the earth, and, unbidden, I have sought to catch a glimpse of this glorious city which now I find it were death for mortal to enter unaided. Pardon my presumption, but tell me how I may gain entrance into yonder city, where I may find her whom my soul loveth.”

“ Thou hast well spoken in that thou hast mentioned the word £ love,’ If truly thou art moved by love, then art thou not far from thy quest; and since thou hast uttered the password, I will tell thee the way, which lies in simple trust. Hear me and understand. I was a mortal like unto thyself. I was ambitious and arrogant. I hoped to scale high heaven by knowledge and by the work of man’s imagination. I tried and failed, and I am what I am. The gods, in anger, bade me stay here and point to mortals the way to the city beyond, which I may not enter for full thousand summers, as thou measurest time, until my iniquity be purged.”

“ I do not understand thy speech,” said Kwamankra. “ If thou art minded to help me, tell me simply how I may cross over the lake, and win my way to the glorious avenues beyond ? 5 5

“ Did I not tell thee that the way lies in mere trust ? I have very little to add. Examine thine own heart, and if there is aught in it that is not sincere and true, thou mayest not enter in.”

Then, suddenly, Kwamankra bethought him how in the temples of his native land, he was wont to bow the knee to the God of Love. So, all else forgetting, bending the full force of his will to the task, even on the banks of this impassable lake, he knelt in fervent prayer that he might have courage to cross over. And as he prayed he seemed to enter into a trance, gradually losing consciousness of his immediate surroundings. When he awoke there stood before him a beautiful youth, clothed in a raiment of the fineness of gossamer, which fell in graceful folds about his person. His feet were encased in sandals of crystaline transparency, and his head encircled with a chaplet of lilies of the valley.

Kwamankra was about to speak, but the vision raised his forefinger to his lips in token of silence, and then in a voice full of pathos and sympathy said, ‘ ‘ Mortal ! thy prayer to the God of Love and Light hath been heard, and thy homage of love and trust met with favour, and I am bidden to lead thee across into yonder beautiful city; but, remember thou, that it is only so long as thy courage doth not fail, that thou canst safely cross over, that being the bridge over which mortals may enter. But fear not; thy love hath broken asunder the gates of death, and none may bar thy progress.” Thus listening, Kwamankra suddenly found himself walking on the face of the crystal lake, and his companion with him. And when his heart began to fail him, he thought of his beloved, and took courage. Now and again he would seem to be sinking, only to rise again buoyant on the wings of confidence renewed; and soon the crystal lake was passed. There the vision left him, telling him his mission was ended, and he wot not what to do. While in this state of uncertainty, Kwamankra heard distant echoes of children’s voices, so melodious was the strain, and, in harmony, far beyond aught he had ever heard. He strained his senses to hear more, and as the voices drew nearer, he was seized with a sudden wish to behold the beings from whom those sweet cadences proceeded. And that he might see unseen, he hid himself amidst the flowers which grew in rich profusion outside the city walls.

He had hardly done so, when io ! there came trooping past a procession of young children, with palms in their hands, which they wrnved aloft, as they sang, and the burden of their song was : “Come, let us go to the Father’s house; this day he bringeth his children joy; the sun of salvation is setting fast.” So sweetly simple were these children, and the only thing striking about them was the purity of their countenances and the lofty grace with which they carried themselves. Kwamankra greatly wondered when he recalled to mind the angelic presence which had a while ago left him. As the procession neared the city, the company seemed to break into little groups, and to disperse in different directions. They played1 and gambolled and made fun, and, in all, there was nothing fantastic or weird — so intensely human wrere these children of the air.

In the meanwhile, the keeper of the gate had hied him into the city, even to that part thereof which faces the rising sun, where a goddess dwelt. Thus the keeper of the gate addressed her, bowing low : ‘ ‘ Honoured among women ! I am bidden by Nyicikropon, the father of the gods, to bring thee news of the coming of a mortal into the holy city of Nanamu. Since thou art a goddess, thou must know that since thy translation from nether earth', he whom thy woman’s heart prizeth' above all honour and glory hath constantly set himself to purifying his heart and his ways, if haply he may find the way to thee; and since he is faithful, the constant desire of his heart, forced on the breath of fervent supplications, hath pierced the heaven of heavens and reached the ears of Nyiakropon, wherefore it hath been decreed that thou, honoured among women, should be the first goddess in Nanamu-Krome to receive a mortal who hath won his way to the holy gates. Arise, shake of! thy grief, and prepare to receive him whom thy soul loveth.”

Him gratefully hearing, the goddess Mansa arose, and commanded the maidens to get all things ready, so that her coming Lord might not feel strange in the city of the immortals. And with music and with frolic did Katsina, her little daughter, superintend all. As for Mansa herself, to the house of praise did she proceed, and, out of the fullness of her heart, did give thanks to Nyiakropon. Before the holy altar she knelt, and raising her heart in thanksgiving, the emotion of her heart so overcame her, that she wot not how to begin, or how to end her thanksgiving.

And wherefore was the goddess moved, and whence the emotion of her heart ! Scarcely could she veil from memory an earthly scene of unparalleled pathos and solemnity, as the hour of parting came. It was the last day of the fever which burnt out her earthly life. There, in the old familiar chamber, in the home where dwelt love and light and all that she then, untutored, prized dearest in heaven or on earth, stood husband and child — their first born, bone of their bone, flesh of their flesh, so full of promise. She knew her hour had come, and she must needs die, and her little woman’s heart rebelled against the decree of the gods. An inward struggle seemed to be going on within her at that critical moment. At last she was heard to ejaculate : “ Oh, God, see where stand my husband and my child. I cannot bear to see their grief-stricken faces. If it be Thy will, spare me to them. But, if not, not as I will, but as it seemeth good to Thee.” It was a bitter struggle — this struggle of the heart — if haply it might secure its dearest wish against the decree of heaven. But she was sincere in giving Nyiakropon the choice. She had fought and won, and the highest heaven had sealed the victory. Thus the passing away of Mansa. As for Kwamankra, hope ever more sprang up youthful in his heart. Over and over again he found himself wondering whether his beloved was truly dead, or dead only to his physical senses. And, confidence renewed, evermore building upon adamantine foundations, wafted a vow to heaven that his one quest would be to learn the way to her. “ Katsina, mine,” said the Goddess Mansa, “ I want you to attend to what I am about to say. Ever since you came to me in answer to my tender call, I have taught you that but a thin veil divides N cinamu-Krome from the nether world where thy father and brother dwell, and that the veil is drawn, whenever it pleaseth heaven, for converse between immortals and men. This day shalt thou see thy father, for, even now, he is within the city walls at the main gate. Go, bid him welcome to Nanamu-Krome, for I may not go to him yet. Joyously did the maiden saunter forth to do her mother’s behest, and, even at the main gate, as she had been forewarned, she met her father to whom she said, ‘ ‘ Hail, father ! Mother hath sent me to welcome thee home.” At this Kwamankra was startled beyond measure, but, not wishing to betray his bewilderment, he said, “ I do not understand, little maid; pray, who may thy mother be, and how knew she that I was here ? ’ ’

Do you not know me, father ? ’ ’ said the damsel, half reproachfully. Mother told me you were coming, and so I ran to meet thee; but how she knew you were here she did not tell me. But, you know, mother is a goddess, and she knows a good many things.” The saying surprised Kwamankra, and he turned it over in his mind what it might mean. Was it possible that the devotion and the trust and the love of his girl-wife had blossomed into a personality which was half god and half human even in the nether world ? The case of his little girl was easy to understand, for he had caught the import of the words of the poet who wrote :

“ Day after day we tliink of what she is doing In those bright realms of air;

Tear after year, her tender steps pursuing,

Behold her grown more fair.”

Yes, she was fairer than the lilies, brighter than the sunbeams, purer than snow-flakes — his own little Katsina in this realm of light, and yet he had prayed for her return. For a moment he was lost in thought, then suddenly turning to his little girl, he embraced her with all the warmth of a father’s heart, and eager to learn all he might of his girl-wife, he said, “ Tell me, dear, what may a goddess be like ? ’ ’

“ How funny, father, what am I like? Have I not hands and feet and lips to return kiss for kiss? ” And suiting the action to her words, she covered the bent face of Kwamankra with kisses. Even as the home-sick traveller, returning to his native shore, suddenly recalls distant echoes of the past, so did Kwamankra begin to catch glimpses and to recall impressions of the sacred abodes of N anamu-Krome . It seemed to him, as if in some bygone age from this self-same abode of the ancient dead, the gods had sent him on an errand to mortals. Even as he thought, the impression deepened in his mind, that one day the gods had said to him : “ Kwamankra, this day we send thee forth into the nether sphere to be for us a witness unto the truth; for mortals are ever wont to go away from the truth, whereupon we gods are ready to destroy them. Go, as a thinker among the thoughtless, convince them of their error, proclaim unto them the sovereignty of truth and the eternal majesty of Nyiakrapon, the god of truth.” It seemed to him that in obedience to this call, he had gone forth, full of courage, full of zeal, resolved to obey the command of the gods; and lo“! before his work was half done, here he was, as it were in a dream, back to N anamu-Krome. He shuddered as he thought upon these things, and greatly feared lest he had stirred up the anger of the gods against himself by leaving undone his duty. What would he have to say to his wife upon meeting her this very day !

Meanwhile, his little daughter poured into his ear, child-like fashion, the story of the abodes of the ancient dead. But with all her childish ways, there was something remarkable in the way she put things. A turn or two soon took them to the principal highway of the city of the immortals; and here there burst upon his view a scene which filled him with awe and curiosity. It was simple, yet majestic, ethereal yet earthly; and one feeling uppermost in him was that he had seen the like before in some forgotten age. For a busy, noisy thoroughfare with a multitude of men hurrying hither and thither, here were, as it seemed, a number of peaceful avenues, wearing a beautiful green, like unto moss, which met in one grand broadway. Each avenue was edged with luxuriant shrubs and plants whose leaves showed the most delicate tints of the rainbow in beautiful blend. Here and there lifted their sinewy arms giants of the forest not unlike the cedars of Lebanon. The different walks seemed designed with an eye to quiet contemplation. Now and again the avenues ended abruptly in an ingeniously laid-out garden from which again avenues continued to the broadway. Here and there burst into view magnificent temples. The temples, as Katsina took pains to explain to her father, had been raised by immortal hands, not for prayer, but for praise. A service of praise was just ending, as the twain arrived at the portals of a beautiful temple, and presently the avenues teemed with a moving throng, but with all the congregation, there was neither hurry nor bustle. The men were robed in a kind of loose garment over which was thrown in graceful folds across the left shoulder a raiment of the softest material, crimson in colour. They wore sandals on their feet and garlands of red roses and lilies intertwined around their heads. The crimson shade of their apparels showed that they had passed through the narrow gate of sacrifice; the roses in their chaplets were for a token that over the bridge of sorrow they had passed into the joy of N anamu-Krome ; and as for the lilies they merely pointed to the truth that humility becometh well the triumphant. Sandals they wore, because they had borne the heat and the burden of the day, for full oft in the Sahara of life they had had occasion to cry : —

Ehwan yi owari, N y iakrapon Whe bra ma ahedzi yina atsitsiwu,

Na minan aprepra, mutu ontu!

Naasu wuada na mayi da wayim,

Ga’m Kwan, Nyiakra pan !

meaning :

The way is long, Nyiakra pon,

Behold the torn and scattered garment,

And the bleeding feet that can scarce move on !

Yet to thee only I may look.

Oh ! guide me Nyiakrapon !

One thing struck Kwamankra, and it was this : the teeming multitudes represented every kindred, race, people, and nation under the sun. It was a congregation of select souls, men and women who had humbly done their duty, and done it well, in another life. That was all. By now the mansion of the Goddess Mansa was within view, and Ivwamankra could faintly decipher certain words writ large on the portals. The characters scintillated as if done in living fire; but, upon nearer approach, he noticed that the effect was produced by the silvery beams of a moon-like orb which, by day and by night, gave life and light to the abode of the gods. Thus Kwamankra read :

“ Lead thou me on, Nyavii,

And thou, 0 Destiny,

Whithersoever thou ordainest,

Unflinching' will I follow;

But if from willing heart I will it not,

Still must I follow! ”

He read and pondered, and the more he thought of them, the more he wondered why they were written over the portals of Mansa’ s place. And while Katsina ever and anon impressed a point, bidding her father note this or that particular temple, even while she was yet warm in her account, they had arrived at the outer court of the mansion, and, saying, “ There is mother come to meet us,55 with a cry of joy and a run, she was in her mother’s arms.

“ Katsina mine, run into the inner court and quickly set fruit and wine for thy father, for he must be weary after a long journey.” So saying, she slipped past the child, and, in a moment, husband and wife were locked in a happy embrace ; but even as the panting heart, after long waiting, at last receiving that which it had yearned for, breaks down and cries aloud for joy, so did the twain sob on one another’s neck.

“ Come, ’tis not seemly for us to give way like this when the gods have been so kind to us, nor must a goddess show weakness in many tears.”

“ I forget; Katsina told me so,” said Kwamankra, starting back.

“ How silly of you,” said Mansa, “ look at me, is there any difference between what I was and what I am, or can aught that may befall thee or me in time or eternity, save neglecting the will of the gods, make me less thy captive, thy bond maiden? ”

“ ’Tis well said. But since thou inquirest, I must own that I see in thee a grandeur of soul, a depth of emotion, that mere mortals do not possess. Yet could I spot thee out among a thousand women. Tell me, art thou in very truth a goddess? ”

“ Yes, I am a goddess; for Love is of God , and

E God is Love. And so art thou a god, only thy warfare is not yet accomplished. And to this intent was thy prayer heard, and leave accorded thee to visit this sacred abode, that thou mightest carry hence a knowledge which will aid thee in thy work.”

“ I can understand you being a goddess, but, surely, you mock me when you suggest that I am a god. Call me a thinker, a teacher, call me anything that is of the earth, but a god I cannot think that I am one, or can ever be.”

A look of pain passed o’er the countenance of Mansa as in subdued tones she said : £ £ It is even as it was revealed unto me. Yet another aeon must pass over thy head before thou comest to thine own, before thou enablest me to add the finishing touches to thy habitation. All these years I have waited for the fruits of my suggestions, as thy guardian angel, and though thou hast learnt much, yet hast thou more to learn, even the lesson of simple trust. A little more doubting on thy part, and thou mightest have lost the chance of seeing my face this day. Yet how my woman’s heart hath longed for thee — for a full and a lasting reunion.”

££ Pardon me, beloved, you talk of trust and seem to sorrow for my want of it. Believe me, I shall learn to trust more. But as for a habitation for me in this city, it is more than I can understand. Have pity on my simplicity, for I am but a mortal.”

‘ ‘ I talk of naught, husband mine, that a mortal may not understand. Ever since my translation,

I have watched over thee, even as a mother hen watches over her brood. Oft might’ st thou have faltered, but that I prayed for thee, and my prayer was heard. Scarcely dost thou rise to the level of thy opportunities. Though a mortal, thou art a thinker, and, even among gods, none may rank higher. By knowledge God planned out the heavens, and laid deep the foundations of the earth. Only thou allowest full oft cold reason to usurp the place of simple trust, and in this thou art harder to learn than a little child. Now, hearken, unless thou becomest as simple and as trusting, aeon after aeon shall pass o’er thy head before our final reunion.”

“ It grieveth me to think, dear one, that the time for reunion is with me, and yet I command it not; but think not ’tis willingly done. Tell me, do you mean trust in little things as well as in great, in temporal matters as in matters of higher moment? ”

“ Yes, my beloved, light beginneth to dawn upon thy soul. Simple trust, remember, honoureth Nyiakrapon. Listen'! When thou returnest to earth, opportunity will be given thee of preparing in this school, and oh ! may’st thou be apt to learn.

e 2 For our beings must be rounded off, and every phase of our development completed, before translation. And for this purpose are we given opportunity after opportunity until the work of pruning be accomplished. It is all but the finishing touches that are required to thy habitation. Each mortal buildeth for himself a habitation in this sacred place. Some build of stone; some of stubble ; unhappy they who raise their hopes upon the shifting sand.”

“ Yet thou speakest of the finishing touches being put by thee to that which is of my own building. Guardian angel mine, explain! ”

“ Truly, it is of thine own building. No one may build for another. Even love, such as mine, is helpless in such a case. Come with me, and I will show thee the structure that thou are raising for thyself.”

Kwamankra followed, greatly wondering what the full meaning of Mansa’s words might be. Close to the mansion of the goddess was rising up a new structure of considerable beauty and strength before which Mansa paused lingeringly.

“ Behold,” she said, “ the symmetry of this building. It is such as displeases not the gods. Yet, if thou perceivest clearly, thou wilt see a seam here, a fissure there, unevenness in places where there should be uniformity. Much as I love you, beloved, I cannot be unmindful of thy imperfections. Reunion may not take place till thou hast laid the apex to a character, fit for a god to dwell in.”

‘ ‘ Once more I fail to understand. How can my character form a dwelling place for a god? ”

“ ‘ Ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil,’ ” quoted Mansa, with sweet emphasis, more to herself than to her husband. Then fixing on him a look of tenderest sympathy, she said, “ In the beginning evil and good were created, and to man was given the command to rule and subdue the evil, and to foster and cause the good to prevail. That is the final reason of human experience, and man becomes a god when he has won the victory. It consists in the building of character, and one star may differ from another star in glory. When mortality fails, the immortal in man prevails and finds its home here where, in the cycle of the heavens, in the case of great souls, it becomes a god dwelling in the temple which character hath fashioned. The temple hath truth for foundation, love for superstructure, and child-like trust for apex. Do you now understand, beloved? ”

“ Yes, guardian angel mine.”

“For encouragement,” continued she, “ beholdest thou yonder rising tower in the structure which thou art raising for thyself whose pinnacle shimmers in the light of heaven ? ’ ’ Kwamankra bowed assent. “ That is courage,” said the goddess. “ It stands somewhat prominently in the edifice, as thon canst see.”

“ But you puzzle me,” said Kwamankra. “ I ha ve little courage, as men think of it and preach it. I love not the strife of mortals, neither do I excel in deeds of valour nor of strength wherein, as I understand, the gods delight. I have done no heroic deed in my time that I know of. I have won no battles, led no squadrons triumphantly against the hosts of men.”

“ Enough,” broke in the goddess, with a slight gesture of impatience. “ I know you have done none of these things. But wotest thou not as yet that I speak not of earthly things, and that, therefore, earthly comparisons are worthless ? To love strife, to excel in deeds of nerve, to be leader in campaigns of slaughter — none of these is accounted great or courageous by the Father of the Gods. But to love truth, and to serve under its banner, come what may, that is courage truly, which will endure and stand the test of endless ages.” Then turning upon him a look of intensest scrutiny and deepest sympathy, she continued : “ Behold, you will stand before kings and princes and mighty ones of the earth to testify against corruption and wrong in high places in the name of truth. Thou hast courage, and the stars in their courses shall aid thee. And now take this message to the sons of men, and I give it thee as LOYE AND DEATH. an emissary of the gods. Say unto the mighty that the cry of the afflicted and the distressed among the sons of Ethiopia has come up to us, and we will visit the earth. For gold the oppressor will find tinsel, and for precious stone adamantine rock which will fall upon the tinsel and grind it to dust, and the wind will scatter that which is ground unto the four corners of the earth, and men shall see it and wonder at the work of the gods. Lo ! Nyiakrapon will establish in Ethiopia a kingdom which is different from all other kingdoms. Mammon will have no place therein, and an angel of light, with a two-edged sword, shall guard the gates thereof.”

“ And in order that thou mightest not falter by the way, when thou returnest to the earth, go to the city beautiful, the mother of the world, unto the part that f aceth the setting sun, and thou shalt find a vestal virgin whose altar of love it hath been ordained should be lighted up by thee in incense to the God of Love. Go, she is true ; thou hast my leave, and fare thee well ! ”

‘ ‘ But 5 ’ — Kwamankra began.

“ I know what thou would’st say,” put in the goddess. “To obey is our present duty ; and remember simple child-like trust is the apex of all — for thee as well as for me. It may be I shall come to thee, if need shall arise. So long as we trust, it will all come right. Go, and again, fare thee well ! ” And, as an anxious father, watching by the side of a dying wife, restrains the anguish of his heart, lest his little ones might know the full meaning of their woe, even so did Mansa restrain the anguish of her soul before her husband.

•a 'Tv' ”A~ •7S 'A'

“ Father, mother says I am to come back to thee in the other world. I wonder if you will know me when I come ? ’ ’ Kwamankra’s eyes filled with tears.

“ Yes, I will, darling,” he simply said.

^

When Kwamankra awoke, the work-a-day world was going on in its accustomed way, and the old earth still revolved upon its axis in the same duration of time. And the sunlight chased the shadows, and the shadows chased the sunlight, and there seemed to be strife in the elements, but not the strife of mortals. It was effort co-ordinating with effort, and Nyiakrapon ruled over all.

^ ^ -H -H

The new-born child opened her eyes upon a mysterious world. In her face was a puzzled look — a look of half doubt and half knowledge. After a few playful years she flitted away. Men talked of a ripe soul. There was one who understood, but said nothing, and that was the father of the child.