other tribes that do anything like that?"

"Yes; very many; in fact most savage tribes have some sort of rites
which they scrupulously follow out as a religious duty. Ancient history
records many such practices in detail. Thus, the Druids, a peculiar
class, or order of priests, which existed among the Celtic races,
attributed a sacred or mystic character to plants, and venerated the oak
tree."

"I have read that they offered up human sacrifices," said Harry.

"Yes; I was coming to that. But do you know that they regarded the
mistletoe as an antidote for all poisons and a cure for all diseases? At
certain seasons in the year it would be gathered, and with the greatest
ceremonies one of the priests would ascend the tree on which it was
found, and cut it off with a golden knife."

"But is the mistletoe found on the Oak?"

"Yes; but it grows more frequently on the Apple tree. The seeds are
distributed by birds, and owing to the fact that it is found so
infrequently on the oak, the Druids considered it peculiarly sacred on
that account."

* * * * *

The delicious odor of the roasted food, which met the people on their
return, was a compensation for the lack of the morning breakfast. The
Chief had invited John, Uraso, Muro, the two boys, and Stut, to
accompany him to his home.

There in the open court, if it might so be called, were the viands in
the greatest profusion. They were surprised to see that at each place
was a couch, and before every visitor was laid a bountiful supply of
food. In all their wanderings George and Harry never ate with a greater
relish than on the present occasion.

The meal the previous day, was not at all comparable to this. It would
have vied with many a meal set before our civilized gastronomies. The
table implements, it is true, were not found in profusion, but the
wooden forks, or prongs were good substitutes for the more refined
articles, and for plates hollowed bark sections were found serviceable.

The Sarsaparilla drink was the most favored liquid. "I wish we had some
ice for it," suggested Harry. "It will be a good thing to bring over
some ice for the Chief. I think he would enjoy it."

"By the way, Harry, did you see what they did with the Korinos?"

"No."

"Shut them up in that dark hole back of the house."

"I wonder if they have given them anything to eat?"

"Oh, no!" said Muro. "They are to be sacrificed this afternoon, and it
wouldn't