the time
had come
to clear
their
fields for
sowing and
to
sacrifice
a slave.
The
sacrifice
was
presented
to certain
powerful
spirits as
payment
for the
good year
which the
people had
enjoyed,
and to
ensure the
favour of
the
spirits
for the
coming
season.
The victim
was led to
a great
tree in
the
forest;
there he
was tied
with his
back to
the tree
and his
arms
stretched
high above
his head,
in the
attitude
in which
ancient
