Jewell Parrilla

An Australian officer tries to execute Kata Ragoso for not doing something that would have violated Kata Ragoso’s conscience. Kata Ragoso is to die at the count of three. And God renders the Australian officer incapable of saying three.

Enraged and embarassed, the officer ordered Kata Ragoso back to the prison compound. Those present thought that because of the injuries inflicted, Kata Ragoso would surely die.

"I do not ever want to see him again," the uncaring man shouted and then became mute and did not speak again for two days

Ludi, Kata Ragoso’s faithful assistant tenderly ministered to his wounds and the church members prayed.

These powerful south sea islanders were the children of intrepid fighters and at anytime could have swooped down on the jungle military outpost and rescued their leader from the insane commander who had tried to take his life but these men were now the sons of a prayer hearing God and they looked to God for help.

Over the vales and dales, into impenetrable mountain recesses the drums beat the message that on a certain night when the moon came over the hilltops, church members would gather for prayer. In caves, on the trails and in their jungle hideout, as the moon came over the mountains the people knelt in little groups pleading for Kata Ragoso’s life.

And God heard. The moon had scarce peeped over the treetops on the night appointed for prayer, when a tall, muscular man holding a set of keys walked up to the gate of the prison and placing a key in the lock opened the gate. The gaurds standing at the gate did not appear to see him. Nor did they notice gate as it opened noiselessly.

The man walked up to Kata Ragoso and Ludi and said with a loud voice, "Kata Ragoso, come here,"

"Yes sir," came the reply as Kata Ragoso struggled to obey his command.

"Ludi, come here," Jumping up quickly, Ludi assisted the ailing Kata Ragoso. They both followed the man outside the prison compound. The guards did not see the man, they did not hear him call and they did not see the prisoner leave.

Selecting a key from the bunch of keys he held in his hand, the man shut and locked the gate and leading them toward the shore said, "There is a canoe at the beach. Take it and go home."

Still mesmerized by the vision, Kata Ragoso and Ludi turned to thank the man who rescued them and found he had disappeared. The bright moonlight enabled them to see for a hundred yards in all directions but the man had vanished. The next morning the keys to the prison compound were found where they had been all night on a peg beside the commanding officer. Kata Ragoso and Ludi went home and found the believers praying.

For assaulting, beating and nearly murdering Kata Ragoso, this officer was dismissed in disgrace from His Majesty’s army.

Conclusion