Page 50 (1/1)

A raging torrent echoed between dark cliffs, drowning out the steady beat of a druled up the narrow path that clung to the sheer rock They carried their re possessions with theer children carried baskets and the men had swords

They were the mountain people In way of life and appearance they were totally different from the lowland tribes The men wore rawhide breeches and cloaks Their faces were plucked clean and heavily tattooed The little hair that remained on their heads was layered with lireased and tied in long plaits Their garoddess hung about their necks

At a point where the gorge narrowed, a tree had been felled to foran to cross Wo the trunk Others clie and tried to jump from boulder to boulder Many fell and were swept away

Back down the track, three wild-eyed woroup ofdried toadstools and rubbing themselves with the juice of mistletoe

The tattoos, which covered their faces, extended over their entire bodies: swirls of line and colour which led with their body parts They looked like creatures from another world As the dru position on the track below

A shining metal object advanced towards thean to chant A deep resonant hum flowed fro object took shape A golden disc on a black pole It had a s it was on horseback Heavily arrey and carrying shields

One of the naked rey remained stony faced Only the standard bearer's expression changed He stared down contee

Thethe air with his sword A shield shot out and he struck it The blade buckled and a short sword stabbed his naked belly He collapsed and the advancing column marched over him

Two more naked men met the same fate Their companions retreated to the fallen tree and tried to push it into the gorge A hail of arrows cut them down