"I have never been there, but it is elevated, and is a fine country. One of my men has been there, and he may be able to tell you something about it. I will call him."
The warrior alluded to was tall, handsome and fully tattooed, as was the custom with the most distinguished of the Saboros.
"Can you tell me," asked John, "what the nature of the country is south of the mountains, and near the sea?"
"It is the country of the wise men of the Illyas. They will not allow others to go near there."
"Do you know why?"
"It is said there are wonderful things there."
"Do you know whether there 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."