The waiting drummer began the rhythm of the council-end, and those of
the men who were young and fleet lighted torches in the fire and went
out into the forest to seek the _kifs_, who were still in their season
of marching.
And after a while, having found what they sought, they returned.
They took the Earthling out with them, then, and tied him to a tree.
They left him there, and they left the gag over his lips because they
did not wish to hear his screams when the _kifs_ came.
The cloth of the gag would be eaten, too, but by that time, there would
be no flesh under it from which a scream might come.
They left him, and went back to the compound, and the drums took up the
rhythm of propitiation to the gods for what they had done. For they had,
they knew, cut very close to the corner of a tabu--but the provocation
had been great and they hoped they would not be punished.
All night the drums would throb.
* * * * *
The man tied to the tree struggled with his bonds, but they were strong
and his writhings made the knots but tighten.
His eyes became accustomed to the darkness.