“That was only a preliminary ceremony,” the Dayak continued, “and a very short one for the occasion. Both of you became from that time converted from two deadly enemies into brothers. But Dayak custom demands a more elaborate rite to cement that bond of brotherhood. This rite, called the oath of atonement, will take place to-morrow and will be combined with the bond of blood. Yesterday, directly after our arrival, Harimaoung Boekit informed his uncle of your peculiar relationship to him, and they together have chosen a hireling, who will be sacrificed to-morrow.” “Sacrificed!” the Europeans cried with astonishment. “Yes, sacrificed,” was the calm reply. “Harimaoung attacked us, as you will remember, and men were killed and wounded during that attack. This constitutes a capital crime according to Dayak law, only to be expiated by the immolation of a hireling, who will hereafter in the Dayak heaven become the slave of Wienersdorf.” “I will never allow this hireling to be sacrificed,” the Swiss cried, full of emotion. “I will prevent it at any cost.” “You can do nothing of the sort,” Dalim interrupted. “Whatever you attempt will only damage our cause. It will seem as if you repent having spared the life of the Poenan. The victim has already been chosen, has already lost the name of human being and is now called kabalik, the lifeless.” “Horrible!” Wienersdorf despairingly cried. “By Heavens! can nothing prevent such a crime? But,” he wildly continued, “the Poenan may think what he likes. I am sorry now that I spared him. I will seek the wretch and beg for the life of the woman. If he refuses my request may God have mercy upon him, for only my death will save his life.” “Calm yourself and reflect that all our lives are at stake,” Johannes observed. “You nobly wish to save this woman, but I repeat by so doing you will endanger our lives as well as your own. Now of your own life you are master, but do you think that we intend to sacrifice ours in defence of your own fancies? No, I say. Ask your own conscience whether a woman like that, a woman who is already looked upon as dead, is really worth such a wholesale slaughter as your interference will certainly provoke. Besides if you deliver her to-day at the cost I have just figured, she will be chosen again in another week and the bloodshed caused by your intercession will have been practically useless.” “Horrible, horrible!” the Swiss cried, wringing his hands in despair.