The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-10
CAST or CHARACTERS
CHAPTER XIX

The white visitors stayed in Q strange home that night. The chiet- tain with his family and servants vacated his house, best in the king dom. and with considerable pomp offered 1t to Bob and Lissa. The hospitality was genuine.
 "But where are the doorsV Lissa whispered.
 There was no opening in sight on the ground level-no windows doors or holes. Two ladders led to a second story ledge, however It was Q. rather imposing house two stories high and perhaps dou- bic the size of any other. It was strongly made of stones and plastered mud.
 Tn the ceiling Bob answered The pueblo Indians still nuilo that way occasionally" @.
 "You mean-?"
 "Yes, you have to climb up . ladder to the first.story roof, ther down again inside, through ar opening in the ceiling. And those other ladders lead to the secono floor, That makes 1t automatically c fortress, seep"
 Enemies couldn't get Inside SC easily, you meanW
 "That's right, Lissa. The lad ders are pulled up after the resi- dents are all in at night. No doors no ladders--not badl"
 "seems mighty ineonVenie'it' the girl suggested.
 "eure, and doubtless unneees. sary now. But very important in the old days. The simple folk evidently cling to old customs, res gardleSS,"
 They found the first floor rooma used only for storage of grains, skins, tools and other valuables, Reds of grass and woven mats were on the second story floors, inside small rooms.
 You can stay up there," Bob said, "and I'll curl up somewhere down here in tho store rooms. 1l' pull in the ladders for you"
 They didn't get to retire lnanic- ti,ateiy, though. They had hardly finished exploring when they were hailed from outside. They has: tened to tho ledge and peered down.
 There stood tho chieftatn and two other men, evidently an ofii- ciai body and before them were four brown maidens, young girls ali, The chief was pointing ana signing, Bob hastened down.
 This new powwow, lighted py torches, lasted fully Q haf hour, fn tho end, tho three dark men led their maidens away, and Bob came back up tho house ladder.
 "What Is it7" 'Lissa demanded,
 "ft's awful" he whispered, !n 0 strained voice. "Things nave taken Q much more serious turn. Those girls - they are Saefiacial maldonS, Lissaw
 "sAcrificial7" she looked m-
 "Yesl The old chief says they have chosen the most beautiiul giris In tho Kingdom for the white gods to SO. You and l nave to pick tho ono wo want sacFiacea to the Sunl" .
 "Hut - but - iow7 Sacrificed how, Bob7 You mean"
 He nodded. Tt means deeth for her, even though It's honor TOT usi"
 The thought appalled, them, ana for c moment tho two were silent Finally Bob spoke again.
 H0 wanted us to choose tonight, but I stalled for time. Told hin the sun was down now, and it couldn't be done at night. But to. morrow-goodncSSl"
 "Couidn't we refusc7"
 we don't dare. Our own liver might mo jeopardized. It's c deli" cate situation. It's normal too, but l never thought I'd experience it. Human sacrifices were com mon among most savage people. The early tribes in Mexico nearly oil did it. the Mayan, Aztecs and such. They had special btonc aitars for 1t. Removed the heart. and had feating the while. This custom links up with the ASiatie countries, too
 Mary Melissa barely listened to the rest of his explanation, with its scientific background. She WAS too mortified. She heard him, though, when he told her the chief himself has promised to officiate Gt the ceremonies tomorrow.
 "You mean he will -- he's the