The feast celebrated in the spring was sacred to Jal, and that in the autumn to the mother-goddess.

But there was this difference between them--that at the spring ceremony female victims only were sacrificed to Jal to propitiate him and to avert his evil influence, while at the autumn celebration males alone were offered up to the mother-goddess in gratitude for her gifts of plenty.

Also criminals were occasionally thrown to the Snake that his hunger might be satisfied.

The priests had other rites, Olfan added, and these they would have an opportunity of witnessing if the spring festival, which should be celebrated on the second day from that date, were held according to custom.
"It shall not be celebrated," said Juanna, almost fiercely.
Then Leonard, who had hitherto listened in silence, asked a question through Juanna.

"How is it," he said, "that Nam and his fellows, being already in absolute power, were so willing to accept the gods Jal and Aca when they appeared in person, seeing that henceforth they must obey, not rule ?" "For two reasons, lord," Olfan answered; "first, because the gods are gods, and their servants know them; and secondly, because Nam has of late stood in danger of losing his authority.