The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-11
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 one, one-two-three beat: OOM- oom-oom-oom, OOOM-oom-oom- com, with double emphasis on the first, done rather slowly at the outset but gradually getting a lit- tie faster. It seemed to be perfect . a.c for the extraordinary dances begun by the costumed ones.
 The priests stamped and hopped and chanted and rattled the sticks they held, and soon the villagers all were chanting too to make a rumbling background of sound. This continued for at least half an hour, but stopped so abruptly that Lissa almost jumped. The chieftain of the brown people walked to Lissa and Bob. He made motions.
 This Is the momentw Bob whispered. We've got to make our choicel Nowl Which maiden is to die, God, this is awful, Lissal"
 No, mol You cantl Do some- thingl Anything"
 Robert Barry swallowed, then took a deep breath, He was still without much hope, and he didn't dare offend these people lest he and Lissa themselves be sacri- feed. But he determined to try the biggest bluff in his career.
 He turned osentatiously to the sun and mumbled Q long jargon, He winked at 'Lissa, and raised his hands to the sun. She did like- wise. They sank to their knees. Act 1t outl" Bob mumbled. Lissa was trembling.
 Ignoring the four maidens, who had been brought out tied hand and foot, Bob kept pointing to the sun and talking steadily to the chief, gesticulating as impressively as he knew how but actually without meaning. He kept up his mumbo-j jumbo for two or three minutes.
 Then he looked imperiously at the chief and began a serious sign talk, as they had conversed nt length the day before. Twice Bob had to resort to his pencil--which the brown folk seemed to regard as magic anyway-but in time he got his thoughts across.
 Suddenly then the chief Issued q command to his people. six or eight hurried away, while the assembly waited. To i'll in the gap, Bob orated meaninglessly to the sun. When the messengers returned with live rab- bits live snakes, and other small animals Lissas curiosity popped. She hadn't spoken for nearly half an hour.
 What Is 1t, Bobp' she whis- pered. Whats happeningp"
 I'm playing a hunch' Keep acting"
 Bob signed a bit more to the chief. Then, surprisingly, he took one of the wild rabbits, killed 1t, skinned 1t with his pocket knife, all with elaborate ceremony.
 Each piece of carcass he placed on the great pile of wood, but he presented the dressed meat portion to the chief, instructing him to cook It. Then, Bob osten- tatiously cut the thongs that bound the inaidens, and set them free. He signed to the chieftain and folded his arms, standing be- side Lissa with imperious inien.
 The chief, duly awed by 1t oil, shouted excitedly then to his peo- pie, and the fro was lighted. quickly there was e frenzy of yell- Ing and jubilant dancing.
 The sacrificial naidens ran away to join their families. Danc- ing continued as the fire crackled | higher and higher. The priests | the drummers pounded on their tom-toms. Hysterical gladness and gratitude seemed | rampant there, In weirdest possi- bic sound md motion. It was theatrical intense.
 What is 1t, Bob' Tell mel What did you dop" Lissa clung to her lover's arm.
 1T don't know where VIC go from here sweetheart but l think we bluffed that one through. I told them W were messengers from the real sun god, and that he com- nanded an end of human sacrifice. [ said this tribe Is small now. and no more people must be sacrificed rom 1t. The maidens must bear children instead Tn substitute, I explained, Q live beast of the fields Ihould be killed, and It's skin ,hrown on the fire and the good neat eaten as q siliybol Of feasting md plenty. The sun god. I said.