His Message of Farewell
The missionary was greatly interested over the arrival of the natives.
He insisted upon sitting at the little window facing the village where
through a small clear space he could watch all that was going on
outside. Zell stood near and at times she would draw his attention to
Indians who passed on their way to their lodges.
“Look, Gikhi, there are Slim Jim and his wife. They seem to be glad to
get back. And, oh, there is Tommy Titsu with his mother! How big he is.
He has grown so much since he left the school.”
And truly it was an inspiring scene upon which their eyes rested. The
entire place had suddenly become animated as if by magic. Men, women,
and children were hurrying to and fro, and dogs innumerable were
scurrying about. But so far not one of the Indians had come to the
mission house, although all had glanced in that direction in passing.
At length Kate entered and approached the missionary. Upon her face was
an expression of deep concern.
“What is the matter, Kate?” the missionary asked.
“Tom no come,” she replied. “Tom die, mebbe.”
“Why, what makes you think so, Kate?”
“Injun say Tom lost. Injun drink hootch, drive Tom from lodge. Injun no
find Tom.”
“Where was that?”
“In hills. Bad white man bring hootch. Injun drink. Tom say ‘stop.’
Injun hit Tom on head. Tom go ’way, die, mebbe.”
“Where are the white men now, Kate?”
“P’lice ketch ’um. Injun bring white man to Gap.”
“Are they here?” Marion eagerly asked. “Have the Police come in?”
“No P’lice come,” the woman replied. “Injun bring white man.”
“Do they know where the Police are?”
“Injun no savvey. Chase Bill, mebbe.”
Although Marion was interested in the coming of the Indians, she was
greatly disappointed because the sergeant had not returned. Hugo
noticed this, and whispered a few words to the doctor, and together
they left the building. They were gone for about an hour, and when they
returned they explained where they had been.
“We’ve been interviewing those white men,” the doctor announced, “and
a queer story they relate. They told us that they were trading with
the natives when two policemen came upon them, seized them and sent
them to The Gap under a strong Indian guard. That was their yarn. But
we learned from several natives that they were hootch pedlars, and had
stirred up a large camp of natives to wild frenzy, and were making
things lively. They also cast out Tom, the Indian, when he tried to
show them the error of their ways.”
“Did they harm the sergeant and the constable?” Marion anxiously asked.
“Indeed they didn’t,” Hugo replied. “From what we gather those two men
struck terror into the hearts of the entire band by their stern and
prompt action. How I wish I had been there. Trust Sergeant North to
handle a serious situation. He has never failed yet.”
“Perhaps it will be different, though, when he meets Bill, the
Slugger,” Marion suggested. “He is a desperate man, so I have heard.”
“He may be all that, but what can he do against those two sleuth-hounds
of the trails? He won’t have even a look-in.”
“But perhaps he will see them coming, hide, and shoot them down before
they can do anything.”
Both Hugo and the doctor laughed at her fears, and told her not to
worry. But worry she did, and she imagined the sergeant lying in the
snow with no one to help him. She told herself that she was very
foolish, but she could not banish the thought. Anyway, she felt that
she must hide her fears, so she said nothing more, and went quietly
about her work.
During the afternoon a number of Indians came to the house, and to
these the missionary talked in the native tongue. Marion could not
understand anything of the conversation, but Zell knew, and she
interpreted in a whisper what was being said.
“The Gikhi is saying how pleased he is to see the Indians back,” she
explained to the nurse. “He is asking how they made out with their
trapping, and if they brought in many pelts. They are telling him that
they have done very well, but that they haven’t had as good success
as they used to when they held services every night in their lodges.
They are asking the Gikhi to forgive them, and he says he will, but
that they must ask God to forgive them. They say they will, and are now
asking for a service to-night in the church. The Gikhi tells them how
pleased he is, and that he will be there to speak to all the Indians.”
When the natives had gone, the missionary showed signs of great
weariness, so the doctor advised him to lie down and rest.
“You must be strong for the service to-night,” he informed him. “You
are weak yet, remember, and you must be in a fit condition to speak to
your flock.”
“You are quite right,” the old man agreed, as he allowed himself to
be led to his little room. “I must speak to them, for there are many
things I have to say. This has been a wonderful day, and the Lord
is bringing marvellous things to pass. I have lived to see my flock
return. Oh, if my dear wife were only here to be a sharer of my joy!”
During the remainder of the afternoon the house was kept very quiet so
as not to disturb the missionary. Hugo and the doctor both had a sleep,
which they needed. Marion and Zell sat by the window watching what
was taking place outside until darkness shrouded the land. They then
lighted several candles, and Zell poured out to the nurse the thoughts
which were uppermost in her mind, and so near her heart.
“The Gikhi will need someone to look after him, Miss, and I am going to
stay with him. Tim, I know, will come, too, and the Gikhi will marry us
and we can live right here. I want to make up for the wrong I did, and
show the Gikhi that I am a good girl.”
“That is a splendid plan, Zell,” Marion replied. “But I thought that
you were planning to go outside. You always wanted to go, didn’t you?”
“I want to do that more than anything in the world except to marry
Tim,” was the candid confession. “But it is my duty to stay here and
look after the Gikhi. I long to see the wonderful things which Tim has
told me about in the big cities outside. But while the Gikhi is alive,
I am going to stay and care for him--that is, if he will let me.”
“You are a good girl, Zell,” Marion whispered, as she placed her arm
lovingly around her companion and drew her close to her. “I wish you
could go with me when I leave this country. I shall miss you very much.”
“And will you go away, Miss?” Zell asked. “Oh, how can I get along
without you? You have been so good to me. I shall never forget you.”
Shortly before the appointed time for service, the missionary was up
and eager to reach the building. He partook of a little food, and when
well wrapped in his big fur coat, he was assisted by Hugo and the
doctor out of the house and across the open. He stepped out bravely
at first, but by the time the church was reached he was very weak.
He smiled as he entered the building, which was filled with natives,
some being forced to stand. He walked slowly up the aisle, and when
he reached the little vestry, he sank down upon a small bench against
the wall. He was determined to wear his robes, and Marion, who had
followed, assisted him with his long white surplice, which came almost
to his feet.
“My stole, my stole; don’t forget that,” he reminded. “There it is
hanging on that peg. The Indians always like to see me fully robed.”
He was trembling with excitement as he made his way out of the vestry
into the chancel. Here he knelt down, and when he had risen to his
feet, he announced a hymn, and in a quavering voice started the tune in
the native language. The Indians followed, and soon all were singing
in the heartiest manner. To Marion this was all very wonderful, and
she knew that the Indians were thoroughly enjoying themselves. Then
followed the service, after which the missionary began his address. He
leaned against the lectern for support, and it was only his excitement
which enabled him to stand at all. He spoke very impressively for some
time, his voice growing weaker every minute. Marion longed to speak to
him, and advise him to desist, but his animated face and the marvellous
light in his eyes restrained her. He seemed to her like some unearthly
being. His white hair, flowing beard, and tall form made a most
impressive scene in that dimly-lighted building. He had his message to
deliver, and it would be almost sacrilege to interrupt him.
At length he stopped, placed his hand wearily to his forehead, and then
began to speak in English.
“I wish to say a few words to you, my kind white friends,” he said.
“This service is the direct answer to my prayers. I have waited long
for this occasion, and I knew that the Lord would hear, and bring this
to pass. At times I was tempted to leave this place and go elsewhere.
But I was determined that the Lord would not be without a man to stand
in The Gap. I have stood here for long years, and the Lord has been
very good. I can say like that worthy man of old, ‘Lord, now lettest
Thou Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy word. For mine eyes
have seen Thy salvation which Thou hast prepared--’”
He suddenly stopped, his face turned deathly white, his hands groped as
if for support, and then he dropped upon the floor right at the foot
of the lectern. With a startled cry, Marion darted to his side, while
Hugo and the doctor hurried forward. The latter knelt upon the floor
and quickly examined the prostrate man. For a few minutes a complete
silence prevailed. The Indians stood as statues, awe-struck by the
scene before them. At length the doctor rose to his feet, his face
very grave. He stood as if dazed. Marion noticed this, and touched him
lightly on the arm.
“Can’t you do anything for him?” she asked.
“No, he is beyond earthly aid,” he replied in a low whisper.
“We must tell the Indians and get them out of the church.”
So absorbed was Marion with what had just taken place that she noticed
nothing else. She stood bewildered and perplexed, not even heeding
the light tread of moccasined feet up the aisle. But when a big tall
form stood by her side, she glanced quickly around, and when she saw
Sergeant North standing there it was only with difficulty that she
suppressed a cry of joy and astonishment. The next instant a strong
arm was placed around her, and silently the two stood and looked
steadfastly upon the dead man. Although greatly saddened with what
had just taken place, Marion’s heart beat fast at the thought that
John was safe and once more with her. She knew that the missionary had
served his life nobly and well, and that he had died in harness, and
in the very place where he would have wished to die, surrounded by his
returned flock for whom he had given his life. It surely was not wrong
for her to feel happy on such an occasion with her loved one with her
again.
And as they stood there, Old Tom, Kate, and Zell came slowly forward,
and stood looking upon their beloved Gikhi. Marion was impressed at
the quietness of their manner, and the expression of awe and reverence
upon their faces. At a word from the doctor, Tom turned and spoke
briefly to the Indians. In a few minutes they were out of the church
and hurrying to their own lodges.
“Perhaps you had better go back to the mission house, Miss Brisbane,”
the doctor suggested. “The sergeant might as well go with you. Hugo,
Tom, and I can do all that’s necessary now.”
The sergeant at once took a step forward, faced the missionary lying
before him, and gave the military salute.
“To a noble man,” he simply explained. He then turned, took Marion by
the arm, and together they moved down the aisle, and out of the church.