Suddenly there was a canoe barring
her way. In it was a tall native.
"I have been waiting for you. My master at Akani Obio sent me to stop you
and bring you to his house."
Mary told her rowers to follow the native to his master's place. Soon they
came to a trading place. Here Mary was greeted by a handsome young man.
"I am Onoyom Iya Nya, the president of the court and the chief of this
district. This is my wife. Won't you please honor us by coming into our
house?"
Onoyom and his wife led Mary to a European-type house, which was very
nicely furnished. Onoyom's wife invited Mary to have some food with
them. While they ate, Onoyom talked.
"Many times I have sent my servants to find you," said Onoyom, "but they
never found you until today. I am happy that you have come."
"But why did you seek me? Why did you want me to come to you?" asked Mary.
"When I was a boy," said Onoyom, "I served as a guide to a missionary. He
told me the Gospel story. I wanted Jesus for my Saviour. But my tribe beat
me and punished me in other ways until I gave up the white man's religion
and followed the juju religion of the tribe. I took part in Arochuku feasts
where we ate 'long pig,' that is, men and women."
"But why do you want to talk to me?" asked Mary.
"I never forgot what the missionary told me about Christ. Later I had
troubles and sickness.
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