are any big holes in the ground there?"

"Yes; and in some of them they keep their captives."

"Do they sacrifice their captives in those places?"

"No; they take them from those places to the villages."

"At what times do they make the sacrifices?"

"When the night is dark."

John understood from this that the sacrifices were during the period
when there was no moon.

"Why do you suppose that they wait for that time?" asked George.

"Because the Great Spirit out of anger has hidden the light and to
appease him the sacrifices are offered at that period. This is one of
the tales that the wise men give out as the excuse for the ceremony."

John had another motive for these questions, as will appear later on.
The main Illyas village was far to the north of the caves mentioned.
Besides the main one were three others, all ranging along the western
base of the mountain.

"How long will it take us," asked John, "to reach the main village?"

"Osaga knows about that, as he was near there, and was detained for
several weeks before he escaped."

"I had forgotten about that." He was, however, at this time, one of the
scouts, and when he returned later in the evening, said:

"We can reach there in two days, unless we should be met by the Illyas
on the way. I do not think they will retreat without making a show of
fight, as they will have all their warriors in the field, when they know
we are marching against them."

At the rate they were going, the main force of the enemy would be
reached during the day, unless they should retreat. The opinion of both
Uraso and Muro was that they would not permit too close approach to the
village before offering fight.

The entire route from Unity, and through the Saboro country, was one
continual stretch of immense undulating plains, covered at intervals
with magnificent forests, and it was evident that the soil was rich and
capable of yielding any products in profusion.

The weather, too, was magnificent. Indeed, it was at a time of the year
when there were few storms, the moisture being sufficient to support
the growing vegetation and keeping it a beautiful green. What a paradise
this part of the island would be made, if it could be maintained in
peace!

The march was a continued and steady one, the warriors appearing happy
and acted as though they were going to a festival, instead of to war.
Early in the afternoon the advance scouts reported the first sight of
the savages, b