To tell the truth I cannot remember being in a more uninteresting place than this little town with its extremely uncommunicative population which, it seemed to me, lived under a shadow of fear that prevented all gaiety.  Even the children, of whom there were not many, crept about in a depressed fashion and talked in a low voice.  I never saw any of them playing games or heard them shouting and laughing, as young people do in most parts of the world.  For the rest we were very well looked after.  Plenty of food was provided for us and every thought taken for our comfort.  Thus a strong and quiet pony was brought for me to ride because of my lameness.  I had only to go out of the house and call and it arrived from somewhere, all ready saddled and bridled, in charge of a lad who appeared to be dumb.  At any rate when I spoke to him he would not answer.

Mounted on this pony I took one or two rides along the southern slopes of the mountain on the old pretext of shooting for the pot.  Hans accompanied me on these occasions, but was, I noted, very silent and thoughtful, as though he were hunting something up and down his tortuous intelligence.  Once we got quite near to the mouth of the cave or tunnel where poor Savage had met his horrid end.  As we stood studying it a white-robed man whose head was shaved, which made me think he must be a priest, came up and asked me mockingly why we did not go through the tunnel and see what lay beyond, adding, almost in the words of Harut himself, that none would attempt to interfere with us as the road was open to any who could travel it.  By way of answer I only smiled and put him a few questions about a very beautiful breed of goats with long silky hair, some of which he seemed to be engaged in herding.  He replied that these goats were sacred, being the food of “one who dwelt in the Mountain who only ate when the moon changed.”

When I inquired who this person was he said with his unpleasant smile that I had better go through the tunnel and see for myself, an invitation which I did not accept.

That evening Harut appeared unexpectedly, looking very grave and troubled.  He was in a great hurry and only stayed long enough to congratulate me upon the excellent effects of his ointment, since “no man could fight Jana on one leg.”

I asked him when the fight with Jana was to come off.  He replied: 

“Lord, I go up to the Mountain to attend the Feast of the First-fruits, which is held at sunrise on the day of the new moon.  After the offering the Oracle will speak and we shall learn when there will be war with Jana, and perchance other things.”

“May we not attend this feast, Harut, who are weary of doing nothing here?”

“Certainly,” he answered with his grave bow.  “That is, if you come unarmed; for to appear before the Child with arms is death.  You know the road; it runs through yonder cave and the forest beyond the cave.  Take it when you will, Lord.”