Now they give us certain things
which we are unable to produce in return for the fish that we catch,
and the Mezops and the Mahars live in peace.
"The great ones even come to our islands. It is there, far from
the prying eyes of their own Sagoths, that they practice their
religious rites in the temples they have builded there with our
assistance. If you live among us you will doubtless see the manner
of their worship, which is strange indeed, and most unpleasant for
the poor slaves they bring to take part in it."
As Ja talked I had an excellent opportunity to inspect him more
closely. He was a huge fellow, standing I should say six feet six
or seven inches, well developed and of a coppery red not unlike that
of our own North American Indian, nor were his features dissimilar
to theirs. He had the aquiline nose found among many of the higher
tribes, the prominent cheek bones, and black hair and eyes, but his
mouth and lips were better molded. All in all, Ja was an impressive
and handsome creature, and he talked well too, even in the miserable
makeshift language we were compelled to use.
During our conversation Ja had taken the paddle and was propelling
the skiff with vigorous strokes toward a large island that lay some
half-mile from the mainland. The skill with which he handled his
crude and awkward craft elicited my deepest admiration, since it
had been so short a time before that I had made such pitiful work
of it.
As we touched the pretty, level beach Ja leaped out and I followed
him.
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