"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: