Chapter Five


In the middle of her attempts to knock the door out the guards came in and one of them held her as two older women entered her prison. One of them carried a woven basket that was heaped with tropical flowers. The other one had a piece of white cloth draped over her arm.


As soon as the women had entered the guard let go of her and went back to his post. One of the women started setting things to rights around the room. The other one went to the American girl and started to unbutton her shirt .


"Excuse me!" She shouted, re-buttoning every button. "But what do you think you're doing?"


"We must prepare you for the ceremony." The woman said. The girl trembled and thought fast. Oh, God! She pleaded, please help me! If I must die, please make it painless. She fought a tear the was threatening to roll down her check. Please send someone to help me!


"All right." She said to the woman, "I'll go along with all of this but I will dress myself." The woman nodded.


The girl slipped out of her shirt and skirt and dawned the white dress. She couldn't deny that it was beautiful. The fabric was softly gathered at each shoulder so that the dress was a tank top. The skirt was sort of a wrap around that tied at her left hip and then left an open slit from her knee to the ground.


The other woman came over with different kinds of flowers that were varied colors of blue stung on a string. These she tied around the girls waist like a belt.


Next they took the beret out of her hair and parted it on the side then stuck a blue flower with a yellow middle behind her right ear. They seemed to think her finished because they opened the door and slipped away.


Well, She thought, at least they let me keep my sandals.


* * *


Indy watched the women leave the hut and wondered about their captive. How had she gotten here? Why was she alone? What were they doing to her? Or going to do. His last question was answered when the two guards were motioned by a dressed up man to get the girl.


When she emerged from the hut Indy caught his breath. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, she had been a looker going into the hut even in her hysterical state but now... with her hair on her shoulders and her blue eyes staring ahead peacefully, for even in his distance from her he could see her eyes were a brilliant blue. He noticed the blue flowers and white dress also and knew exactly what they were doing with her for blue was the color of sacrifice.


For some reason unknown to him a protectiveness rose up in his chest and he had to restrain himself from jumping up and shooting every native man in sight. His arm quivered as he touched is gun, wishing that the powder was dry.


* * *


The girl looked straight ahead as the guards lead her down a path that they had before told her and her father was a dead end. She found out why when they rounded a bend in the path. Everywhere were idols, big and little, tall and short, cute and terrifying.


The one they took her to had a stone head carved so that it looked like a demon laughing at her. She shivered then prayed. Father God, I know that these are just stone images but you gave me an imagination and right now it's having a hay day! Please help me.


* * *


Indy had followed at a distance and now looked on as they tied the girl to an ugly stone statue. The rope wound around her middle a couple times, squashing the beautiful flowers around her slim waist, then it tied in the back with her hands tied separately behind her.


His heart nearly broke as he caught sight of a signal tear that ran from the corner of her right eye and trickled down and ran off her chin. One, only one. He thought to himself. He waited to see if more would come but they didn't. Just the one did she shed.


The natives set about to pounding their drums again and Indy would have dashed in with his gun blasting right then had the powder been dry.


Soon they commenced to dane in a large circle around her, singing their heathen songs to their god of fire.


He noticed that each one carried something in their hand. He soon found out what they were for, for as each person passed the fired they tossed in their item and danced on until the fired was taller than a man.


* * *


The heat from the fire was starting to hurt her face but the girl could do nothing about it so she just continued to pray. She could fell the peace of God around her and was calmed.


She fingered the three little rocks the natives had placed in her hands before tying them. One was smooth, one was square and one was a sharp arrowhead. They must be part of the ceremony. She thought. Suddenly her heart leapt for joy. This was the escape God had sent her! Pagan charms! She dropped the other two rocks and started sawing at her ropes with the arrowhead. It was quite awkward because she could use only one hand. To her horror she suddenly dropped it. Oh, no. She thought. Now what am I supposed to do?