"Well, you see I came down there directly from the north, and I reached the village on the eastern side, and I saw the sacrifice of the captives at the same time you did, but on the opposite side of the village."
"That is very probable. On the western side the country is high, but not difficult to travel across."
"That is the exact point I am aiming at. I know that all the way down, from the place where[p. 87] I struck into the interior, it would be almost impassable for the wagon."
This settled the route to be taken, and they moved westwardly, after crossing the river, and before night the boys caught the first glimpse of the broad ocean.
In the morning they put out scouts, which went well in advance of the column, and Muro was in charge of them. His instinct as a trailer was inimitable.
Before evening of the second day the scouts announced the first signs of the Tuolos. The village could be reached within two hours' march, but John advised waiting for the following morning before approaching.
During the early evening, however, Muro returned on a hurried trip from the front. "They are having a great feast at the village, and it appears that they will make sacrifices to-night, or to-morrow, so that we should approach as close as possible, and if we find that is their intention, prevent it."