Let me say at once that it was singularly successful.

Perhaps the wisdom of the ages in which Oro flourished had overlooked so small a matter as electric torches, or perhaps he did not expect to meet with them in these degenerate days.

At any rate for the first and last time in my intercourse with him I saw the god, or lord--the native word bears either meaning--Oro genuinely astonished.

He started and stepped back, and for a moment or two seemed a little frightened.

Then muttering something as to the cleverness of this light-producing instrument, he motioned to his daughter to take it from Bickley and hold it in a certain position.