"No, Kuru! I will come behind you, no matter what happens!"
He shrugged, ashamed of his own fear in the presence of her surprising courage. He grabbed cross-pieces of the shiny-fence and began to climb, knowing that Derla was close at his heels.
The great, smooth ledge with the shiny-fence around it was larger than he had expected. A group of twelve man-gods stood there, waiting for him. None of them, he noticed carefully, had a lightning stick in his hand, although at least five of them carried the terrible weapons at their sides. After pausing once to make sure that he was not to be attacked, Kuru climbed up onto the ledge and threw his sacrifice down. Then he turned to help Derla up. The two of them stood facing the people from the sky.
Finally, Kuru said to them, "We bring you sacrifice and make peace. The gods are welcome to this land."
Derla tugged at his arm. "We should bow down," she advised.
Brother and sister fell to their knees, with bowed heads.
"That ought to make a good picture for you, Henderson. They're eating out of our hand already!"
"Here, fellow, get to your feet. You too, black eyes!"
"Don't forget the sacrifice. Better accept it so's they won't be offended. Besides, maybe it's edible. We could do with some fresh meat—maybe."