Erich Von Daniken - The Gold Of The Gods

1 - The Gold Of The Gods
his research work, in which he was ably assisted by Peruvian Indians
who acted as skillful intermediaries between him and their tricky
fellow tribesmen. Being cautious by nature and skeptical as befitting a
scholar, he kept silent for three years. Not until he had covered many
miles of underground passages and found all kinds of remarkable
objects did he ask President Velasco Ibarra for an audience in the
spring of 1968. But the President of a country in which nearly all his
predecessors had been deposed by rebellions before the expiry of their
term of office, had no time for this lone wolf with his incredible tale of
discovery. The palace flunkies found the obstinate archaeologist very
charming and assured him, after long delays, that the President would
be glad to receive him in a few months' time, but Moricz was finally
told he could not have an audience until 1969. Disillusioned and
embittered he withdrew to his subterranean retreat.
I first met Juan Moricz on March 4, 1972.
His lawyer, Dr. Pena Matheus of Guayaquil, had been trying to get in
touch with him by telegram and telephone for two whole days. I had
settled down in Dr. Pena's office with plenty to read, somewhat
nervous, I must admit, because according to all reports Moricz was a
very difficult man to approach and had a deep aversion to anyone
connected with the writing profession. Finally one of the telegrams
readied him. He telephoned me.
He knew my books! "I don't mind talking to you," he said.
On the night of March 4 he stood there, a wiry, deeply tanned man in
his mid-forties, with gray hair (Fig. 2). He is one of those men who has
to be drawn out, because he himself is anything but talkative. My
vehement, insistent questions amused him. Gradually he began to give
a factual and very expressive description of his tunnels.
"I can't believe it!" I cried.