Page:They're a multitoode (1900).djvu/96

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to tremble, and wish he were back fishing. "On this day week," again shouted the priest, "at noon a god will arise from the ground in the field near our temple." A second time the drum sounded, and the priest moved on to convey the news to other villages.

Everybody began to talk excitedly. "A god rise from the ground!" said they; "can it be possible?"

Bo was delighted. "Now I'll find out," thought he, "if men make our gods out of wood and stone, as the missionaries say. I'll go and see for myself."

That week seemed the longest Bo had ever spent. But the great day came at length, and Bo was very happy. Nare was not. Nare wanted to go too. She begged Bo to take her, but Bo answered, "You are only a girl; it doesn't make any difference what you think. By-and-bye I'll be a man; so I ought to know what is right." Bo thought it manly to speak so rudely. Why, even mothers are treated very badly by boys in countries where Jesus' teachings are not known.

So Bo started off alone. He found the largest crowd he had ever seen in the great field near the temple. In the centre was a vacant space, where only priests stood. Bo made straight for that spot. But a priest took him roughly by the shoulder, and said, "The new god will kill any one who comes inside this circle." Bo ran back and hid behind a tall man, who didn't look afraid.

It was a silent crowd. Most of the people seemed awe-struck. Every one was eagerly looking toward the vacant space where the god would rise. At noon