He knew at once that his turn had come, and that
with the light of another day he would be led forth, and by his
sufferings afford a brief amusement to a horde of yelling savages.
Could he endure it? Would his strength bear him bravely to the bitter
end? Or would he too break down and cry out as he had heard the
others? The agony of such thoughts was too great for the poor
friendless lad, and, throwing himself face downward upon the ground, he
burst into bitter tears.
How long he lay thus he knew not. At last, after passing what seemed
like hours of anguish, he rose slowly to his knees and poured forth his
whole soul in prayer to One who had also been tortured, and knew the
agony that preceded such sufferings. His prayer was for deliverance;
or if that might not be, then for His presence to support and
strengthen him in the hour of trial.
Having thus resigned all care of his own affairs, and placed them with
the only One who could bring him peace and strength, the boy felt
greatly comforted, and as though he should bear bravely whatever
tortures might be devised for him.
His cheerfulness astonished the guard who brought in his supper of
sof-ka (soup) and koonti-katki (starch-root), and he thought within
himself, "He cannot know what awaits him on the morrow; but he will
wear a different face when he sees the stake."
Rene had hardly finished eating with a good appetite his rather scanty
meal, when the guard again entered and loosened his bonds, and he was
led forth from the hut for the first time since his arrival in the
village.
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