soon a great fire was blazing. The men gathered round and
sat down, and the women and children gradually approached, and took
their places behind them.

The evening was cold and, as the natives felt the grateful heat,
fresh exclamations of pleasure broke from them; and gradually a
complete babel of tongues broke out. Then the noise was hushed, and
a silence of expectation and attention reigned, as the lads cut off
slices of the meat and, spitting them on pieces of green wood, held
them over the fire. Tom made signs to the chief and those sitting
round to fetch meat, and follow their example. Some of the Indian
women brought meat, and the men, with sharp stone knives, cut off
pieces and stuck them on green sticks, as they had seen the boys
do. Then very cautiously they approached the fire, shrinking back
and exhibiting signs of alarm at the fierce heat it threw out, as
they approached near to it.

The boys, however, reassured them, and they presently set to work.
When the meat was roasted, it was cut up and distributed in little
bits to the crowd behind, all of whom were eager to taste this
wonderful preparation. It was evident, by the exclamations of
satisfaction, that the new viand was an immense success; and fresh
supplies of meat were soon over the fire.

An incident now occurred which threatened to mar the harmony of the
proceedings. A stick breaking, some of the red-hot embers scattered
round. One rolled close to Ned's leg, and the lad, with a quick
snatch, caught it up and threw it back upon the fire. Seeing this,
a native near grasped a glowing fragment which had fallen near him,
but dropped it with a shriek of astonishment and pain.

All leaped to their feet, as the man danced in his agony. Some ran
away in terror, others instinctively made for their weapons, all
gesticulated and yelled.

Ned at once went to the man and patted him assuringly. Then he got
him to open his hand, which was really severely burned. Then he got
a piece of soft fat and rubbed it gently upon the sore, and then
made signs that he wanted something to bandage it with. A woman
brought some large fresh leaves, which were evidently good for
hurts; and another a soft thong of deer hide. The hand was soon
bandaged up and, although the man must still have been in severe
pain, he again took his seat, this time at a certain distance from
the fire.

This incident greatly increased the awe with which the boys were
viewed, as not only had the