ut the forest
is full of its own people, and they are all very curious about us."

"That's true," said Willet, "a squirrel over Robert's head was so
inquisitive that he forgot his vigilance for a few moments and came near
losing his life as the price of his carelessness. I'm not surprised to
hear you say, Tayoga, they're all looking at us. I've felt for some time
that we're being watched, admired and perhaps a little feared. It's a
tribute to the enormously interesting qualities of us three."

"That is, Dave, because we're human beings we're kings in the forest
among the animals."

"You put it right, Robert. They look up to us. Is anything watching us
among the leaves near by, Tayoga?"

"A huge bald-headed eagle, Great Bear, is sitting on a bough in the
center of a mass of green leaves. He is looking at us, and while he is
full of curiosity and some admiration he fears and hates us more."

"What is he saying to himself, Tayoga?"

"You can read his words to himself by the look in his eyes. He is saying
that he does not like our appearance, that we are too large, that we
have created here something hot and flaming, that we behave with too
much assurance, going about just as if the forest was ours, and paying
no attention to its rightful owners."

"He has got a grievance, and perhaps it's a just one," laughed Robert.

"No, it is not," said Tayoga, "because there is plenty of room in the
forest for him and for us, too. I can read his eyes quite well. There is
much malice and anger in his heart, and I will give him some cause for
rage."

He picked up a live coal between the ends of two sticks, and holding it
firmly in that manner, walked a little distance among the trees. Then
swinging the sticks he hurled the coal far up among the boughs. There
was an angry screech and whirr and Robert saw a swift shadow passing
between his eyes and the sky.

"His heart can burn more than ever now," laughed Tayoga, as he returned
to the fire.

"You've hurt his dignity, Tayoga," said Robert.

"So I have, but why should he not suffer a loss of pride? He is ruthless
and cruel and when he has his way he makes desolation about him."

"What else is watching us, Tayoga?"

"A beast upon the ground, and his heart is much like that of the eagle
in the air. He is crouched in a thicket about twenty yards away, and his
lips are drawn back from his sharp fangs. His nostrils twitch with the
odor of our food, and his yellow eyes are starin