h_ gazed.

Presently from the other end of the cave there sounded a wild, weird
song. It was like a chant. Then, before the adventurers could get to
there feet, there filed into the cavern two score of men, all dressed in
white fur. At the head of the procession marched two men who were
veritable giants, compared to those about them. They bore between them,
on a rude litter, a man, wearing only a fur cloth about his middle.

"What is it?" whispered Jack in awed accents.

"They are fire-worshipers!" exclaimed Mark. "If they see us they'll kill
us!"

"They must be going to sacrifice that poor man on the altar," spoke
Jack. "Come, let's see if we can't crawl out of the way."

The head of the procession was now close to the altar, and had passed
the adventurers, who were off to one side, in about the middle of the
cavern. Up some ice steps the two giants in white went, bearing their
victim. The poor fellow gave one loud shriek as he was brought nearer to
the colored flames.

"Oh! Oh! Oh!" screamed Dirola, sinking down on the floor of the cavern.

CHAPTER XXIII

A STRANGE SACRIFICE

The natives who had made Professor Henderson, Andy, and Washington
prisoners seemed at a loss for some little time as to which direction to
take. They talked among themselves, while the prisoners were much
alarmed, for if the Esquimaux were lost, and without food, it would mean
the death of all.

At last, however, the native in charge of the main sled prevailed on the
others, and they proceeded, turning off to the left.

The sleds, including that on which the prisoners were, bumped along over
the ice, the dogs pulling the rude vehicles along swiftly. It was about
an hour later that another halt was made. This time it did not seem to
be because the way was lost, for the natives showed no signs of alarm.
Instead, they were laughing and talking. In a little while the small
advance party was joined by a larger body of Esquimaux, who had been at
the attack on the airship, but who had taken a different route.

Then the whole crowd started forward again. Half an hour's travel
brought another halt, this time a final one, for when the professor and
his companions glanced around them they found they were in the midst of
a native village of ice huts.

"Golly! We's somewhere, anyhow," spoke Washington; "but I can't say I
thinks much ob dis place. It's too lonesome."

"Better be here than out on the ice field," spoke up the professor.