"More than an hour," said Uraso. "Muro is now coming back, and we shall know something more definite."
"Then that is Muro?" asked George, in surprise.
"Yes; he has been stalking the ones making that noise, and was the one who called our attention to it."
Muro disappeared, and the peculiar cries were repeated, then, most startlingly, a sound, similar in character, appeared to come from a point very close to where they were now crouching.
John turned to Uraso in astonishment. The latter did not seem at all perturbed, but after the second cry Uraso imitated the sound, and John smiled.
"Muro has the exact tone now," said John.
"Yes," replied Uraso, "and the cry I gave was an answer, which Uraso understands."
In a few minutes Muro appeared, but he was not[p. 17] smiling. His face was grave, as he said: "We have come upon the terrible Konotos. I feared that when I heard the first cry several hours ago."
"Have you been near them?" asked John.
"Near enough to know that there are quite a number, and what is more, they are now engaged in their regular feast, and if they have any captives, this is the time that they will be sacrificed," said Muro.