CHAPTER VI.
"Hu-Hu-Hu-Hu-Hu-Hu-Hu-Hu-Hu-o-o-o-o!" Shrill cries, succeeding one another in quick succession, ending in a prolonged shout, proceed from the outer exit of the gallery that opens upon the court-yard of the large building.
The final whoop, caught up by the cliffs of the Tyuonyi, echoes and re-echoes, a prolonged howl dying out in a wail.

Men's voices, hoarse and untrained, are now heard chanting in rhythmic and monotonous chorus.
They approach slowly, moving with measured regularity; and now strange figures begin to emerge from the passage-way, and as they file into the court-yard the chant grows louder and louder.

A refrain-- "Ho-[=a]-[=a]! Heiti-na! Ho-[=a]-[=a]! Heiti-na!" breaks clearly and distinctly upon the ear, mingled with the discordant rumblings of a drum.

The fantastic procession advances, forming a double column, composed of men and women side by side.

The former are stamping and the latter tripping lightly, but all are keeping time.