"Then these two young missionaries lay before me the restored Gospel as I have never heard it preached since. Realizing they were near death, their souls burned with the desire to save one more soul. "It was wonderful! Their words thrilled my whole being, and their truths appealed to me.--At once I was converted. I couldn't help myself. God seemed very near in that prison cell, and I felt His Spirit urging me to accept the Gospel. "I told them this and we all knelt down and prayed. "Then I left them and hurried to the warden. "'What's the matter now?' he asked tersely. "'Matter enough!' I returned earnestly, 'Do you know we have two of God's own men condemned to die to morrow?' "'Been talking to them, eh? They seemed a good sort to me.--But that's none of _our_ business.' "'Do you call yourself a Christian, Axel, and say that it's none of our business whether or not these two good young men are murdered, under our very eyes?' "'What are you going to do about it? The priest's word is law here. And how do you know anyway, that they're not a menace to the church? Mon, you're too easily influenced.' "'Come talk to them yourself. They're anxious to see you,' I returned. "And so after some persuasion, I led the warden to the cell. We approached cautiously and unobserved. "They were both kneeling in silent prayer, their faces upturned with a rapt expression of those oblivious to all earthly things and interests. "The warden's expression, at first curious, turned to one of sympathy. 'Damn!' he muttered. "The young men started, opened their eyes and on seeing us, arose from their knees. "'Sorry to disturb you gentlemen. I'm damn sorry for you for I see you're the good sort. What made you such fools as to oppose the priest? Law's tight here.' "The young missionaries smiled calmly. "'Do not pity us, friend; we are honored to die for Christ. I wish that you could feel that.' "For two hours the young preachers talked and the warden, at first skeptical, finally grew more interested until what seemed a miracle happened. "This experienced man of the world, this crusty warden took both young men by the hand and exclaimed, 'Boys, you've got the truth; I never thought to find it on the earth, but it's here with you. I'll go to the priest the first thing tonight and plead your case. Let's pray the Lord to melt his heart and influence the authorities to free you.' "And so we all knelt down within the death-cell and the younger missionary prayed that they might escape death if it was the Lord's will that they should save more souls. "After we left the cell, I begged the warden to let me go to the priest. "'Nonsense Mon, you couldn't do a thing with him. You'd blubber out that you were converted and land in jail yourself. I'll handle him better and scare him a bit as to consequences. The lads have some good friends here.' "And so the warden left and I went back to my charges.