"We should move our force to the south, and attack them from that side," said John, "for the reason that their only hope of reinforcements is from that quarter."
The villages were lying along the base of the mountain range, the general altitude of the great plain being fully two hundred feet higher than the other level portions of the island. The mountains to the east, while not high as mountains go, were by far the greatest of any on the island, and John was anxious to know their character, for reasons heretofore explained.
In two hours more they would reach the vicinity of the main village, and the great struggle for the mastery would begin. In the distance could be seen the main portion of the town, and it was far more imposing than any other in the island. There was more or less a mystery about the place.
Uraso said: "The place we are now going to is the oldest village in the country. Many, many years ago it was a great village, and had big[p. 157] houses. They were built by some people that no one knows, but they were not built to live in."
"Do you know what they are like?" asked John.
"Nobody can tell, because they do not keep captives there, and only take them to that place for the sacrifices."
"How do you know that the place has the wonderful buildings you speak of?"
"This was learned from the only captive who ever escaped from them at the place. I was kept at the village to the north, and it was from that place I escaped."
As the village was neared the sight of the buildings astonished John. While not massive, they were of a type entirely distinct from the native huts. It was built on an elevated plateau and amidst most magnificent trees, the most prominent of which were the great redwoods.
Some little indications of ground cultivation were found, as they passed the deserted huts on their way. Small patches of yam and cassava were the principal vegetables noticed.