eir own； while Meng Huo and his brother hastened home to Silver Pit Ravine。
Outside this ravine were three rivers………River Lu； River Gannan； and River Xicheng。 These three streams united to form the Three Rivers。 Close to the ravine on the north was a wide and fruitful plain； on the west were salt wells。 The River Lu flowed about seventy miles to the southwest； and due south was a valley called the Liangdu Ravine。 There were hills in； as well as surrounding； the ravine； and in these they found silver………whence the name 〃Silver Pit〃。
A palace plex had been built in the ravine； which the Mang kings had made their stronghold； and there was an ancestral temple； which they called 〃Family Spirits〃； where they solemnized sacrifices of bulls and horses at the four seasons。 They called these sacrifices 〃Inquiring of the Spirits〃。 Human sacrifices were offered also； humans of Shu or of their own people belonging to other villages。 The sick swallowed no drugs； but prayed to a chief sorcerer； called 〃Drug Demon〃。 There was no legal code； the only punishment for every transgression being death。
When girls were grown and became women； they bathed in a stream。 Men and women were kept separate； and they married whom they willed； the parents having no control in that particular。 There was no formal vocational training。 In good seasons the country produced grain； but if the harvest failed； they would make soup out of serpents and eat boiled elephant flesh。
All over the country the head of the family of greatest local consideration was termed 〃King of the Ravine〃； and the next in importance was called a 〃Notable〃。 A market was held in the city of Three Rivers； on the first day of every moon； and another on the fifteenth。 Goods were brought in and bartered。