. The chiefs will not disclose their hiding places. Before
going on the search we must question the chief."

In the early morning John and the boys called on the chief in company
with Uraso. A complete change had come over him. Two days before he was
sullen and moody, after the first lesson had been given him. Now he was
different and agreeable.

"Before we start for the village of the Great White Chief there are some
questions I would ask you. How many medicine men have you?"

"Ten."

"Where are they?"

"In their dark homes."

"Where are those homes?"

"To the east. Sama will take you to them, but you cannot go in."

"Why not?"

"Because you will be destroyed."

"How do you know?"

"Because they have told us so."

"Do you believe them?"

"Yes."

"Do you sacrifice your captives because they tell you the Great Spirit
demands it?"

"Yes."

"Then I must tell you that they lie to you. The Great Spirit does not
tell them to sacrifice. It is not death to enter their homes."

"But we know that no one has ever come from them alive."

"Does the Great Spirit kill them when they go in?"

"Yes."

"Do you want to know whether they tell the truth?"

"Yes."

"Then I will go in, and show you that the Great Spirit will not harm
me."

"How shall I know that you go in?"

"You must go with me and stand at the opening."

The chief's eyes now wandered about. He was visibly affected at this
bold declaration, and John saw hesitation in his demeanor.

Without giving him time to waver, he continued: "The great Chief Oroto
must not show his people that he is afraid. He must show them that he is
greater and wiser than the medicine men, and that the wise men who have
told him those tales have not told the truth."

Turning to Uraso he said: "Prepare the wagon, and we will start at
once." The chief and two of the sub-chiefs were taken out and placed in
the wagon. Harry, George, Uraso and Muro, with a picked company of
twenty-five men, were selected to accompany them.

The wagon was a curiosity to Oroto. He enjoyed the ride immensely and
admired the manner in which Harry handled and guided the yaks.

Their course was directed due east for a mile, and then moved along a
well-beaten path diagonally up the hill in a southern direction. After
proceeding thus for a half mile farther the ground, became rough and cut
up by innumerable gullies.

"How much farther must we go?"

"To the place where the great trees are