At first the old gentleman declined to have him at the station, for he had a great horror of these Kaffir wizards or witch-finders.

But Indaba-zimbi persuaded him that he was anxious to investigate the truths of Christianity, and challenged him to a discussion.

The argument lasted two years--to the time of my father's death, indeed.

At the conclusion of each stage Indaba-zimbi would remark, in the words of the Roman Governor, "Almost, praying white man, thou persuadest me to become a Christian," but he never quite became one--indeed, I do not think he ever meant to.

It was to him that my father addressed his "Letters to a Native Doubter." This work, which, unfortunately, remains in manuscript, is full of wise saws and learned instances.