of others the priest might have saved. Father Bradbury also forgave the soldiers. The men would not understand what they were doing. And not understanding, they could never sincerely repent. They could not be saved.
The priest moved from reflection to the world around him. As he contemplated what might be his last minutes, Father Bradbury had no trouble admitting that he did not want to die. He drank in the beauty of even these dismal surroundings and the wisdom God demonstrated by letting men grow old. God had designed humans so that their senses and bodies dimmed over time. The world became more and more selectively available to them. Aging, people could only savor what their dimming senses could see, hear, taste, smell, or feel. God made the choice for them. He showed people how to enjoy, even
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cherish the things close to them. But God did not intend for life to end all at once. That was why He had put in His cornmandments that it was wrong to murder. Father Bradbury wanted to experience God's choices over time.
The door of the hut flew open. The two soldiers had returned. He could only see their silhouettes framed by distant lantern light. Their posture was different than before. Their knees were bent slightly. Their shoulders were hunched. They were more aggressive.
They were holding their handguns.
One of the men came in. He released the priest's ankle from its metal cuff. Then he poked Father Bradbury in the side with his gun. That was the only order the soldier gave.
The priest rose. His legs were unsteady, due to exhaustion and fear. He fell on the shoulder of the soldier. The man did not pull away.
'Thank you,' the priest said.
It took a moment for Father Bradbury to regain his footing. His knees were trembling, and his thighs felt weak, but he remained standing.
Choices, he thought. He could not think about the future. He thought about the moment. His heart was racing. The back of his neck was clammy. And his legs were like harp strings. But he was suddenly overwhelmed by the magnitude of God's gift to humankind. As he walked from the hut, the soldier put a hand on his shoulder. He forced the priest to his knees. He stepped behind him.
Father Bradbury felt cold. He was aware of nothing else but his heart hammering high in his chest and the sudden flow of tears. He looked up at the early evening stars. He was grateful for his life, thankful for all life. If it were possible to have an out-of-body experience without leaving his body, the priest was experiencing one now. He felt entirely at peace. Perhaps this was God's way of easing men into death.
'No!'
The shout broke the moment. Father Bradbury looked across the small island. Dhamballa was striding toward tljem. He had to have found out about the phone.
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Or had something else happened? Something to distract him? His stride was quick, but it did not seem hostile.
'Put your weapon down,' the leader commanded. 'The priest is coming with us.'
The soldier behind Father Bradbury backed away. The priest felt his heart drop from his throat. Blood began to subside from his temples and extremities. He stopped counting what was left of his life in breaths.
Dhamballa stopped beside Father Bradbury. 'Why were you doing this?' he demanded.
'We were following instructions,' the soldier replied.
'Instructions from whom?' Dhamballa asked.
'Leon Seronga,' the soldier told him.
'Seronga?'
'Yes,' the soldier said.
'Is he here?' Dhamballa asked.
'No,' the soldier replied. 'He called on the radio set five minutes ago.'
'He had the code word?' Dhamballa asked.
'Yes,' the soldier said.
'And he ordered you to execute the prisoner?' Dhamballa went on.
'He told me to do it personally, before we left,' the soldier said.
'Did he say why?' Dhamballa asked.
'No, houngan,' the man told him.
Even in the dark, the priest could see that Dhamballa was surprised. It was in his stiff posture, the way he stood still and silent for a long moment.
'But you did not think to check with me,' Dhamballa said.
'You are our religious leader,' the soldier said. 'He is our military commander.' There was a hint of defiance in his voice.
'You did not question the order?' Dhamballa pressed.
