It is small wonder then if his views of the esteem in which he was held by that power were now greatly enlarged.
In August, thanks to the Heaven-sent gulls, they were able to celebrate with a feast their first "Harvest Home." In the centre of the big stockade a bowery was built, and under its shade tables were spread and richly laden with the first fruits their labours had won from the desert,--white bread and golden butter, green corn, watermelons, and many varieties of vegetables.

Hoisted on poles for exhibition were immense sheaves of wheat, rye, barley, and oats, coaxed from the arid level with the water they had cunningly spread upon it.
There were prayers and public thanksgiving, songs and speeches and dancing.

It was the flush of their first triumph over the desert.

Until nightfall the festival lasted, and at its close Elder Rae stood up to address them on the subject of their past trials and present blessings.
The silence was instant, and the faces were all turned eagerly upon him, for it was beginning to be suspected that he had more than even priestly power.
"To-day," he said, "the favour and blessing of God have been manifest upon us.

But let us not forget our debts and duties in this feasting of the flesh.